In The Puppy Diaries: Scout takes a Splash we learn of Scout’s trip to Water4Dogs in downtown Manhattan. This is a place I would love to visit with Caffeine; she loves the water! I guess whenever I get that 8 day week or 36 hour day I ordered, I’ll arrange the trip.

Ms. Abramson also discusses a hotel for dogs, a camp, and doggie daycare. Arrangements for dogs during the day or for vacations is a question I get a lot. It can be a sensitive subject and it does require some careful consideration.

I am a huge fan of daycare for high energy dogs, especially with working couples or “single pet parents.” Being alone all day is tough enough when you are not bouncing off the walls. A well run and safe day care can make a huge difference, even for just two days a week. I wouldn’t recommend more than three days a week anyway; breaking up the 5 day work week with a trip to daycare on Tuesday and Thursday can do a lot to burn off energy and keep the teeth off the furniture.

How can you find a well run and safe day care? Right off the bat, if you can get a referral from a trusted friend, vet, or trainer, start there. Then go without your dog and take a look.

1. If you can’t observe the dogs playing, it’s a non-starter.
2. There should be a screening process for dogs before they can enter a playgroup. Yes, even your little angel should be screened.
3. Some sort of segregation, either by size or temperament should be in place. Personally I prefer temperament, but there’s an argument for both. If the day care has considered either one, they are putting in the effort and thought I like to see.
4. What kind of safety procedures are in place?
5. What’s the criteria for a dog getting kicked out of the group or put in a time out?
6. How many people per dog are watching the group? (I don’t have a hard and fast number myself, but they should have given the issue some thought.)
7. How experienced are the monitors? Are they trained?
8. What’s going to happen to your dog if you are somehow late to pick him up?

Similar questions apply to doggie hotels or kennels. Do your homework, ask a lot of questions, and always get referrals.