Doggy daycare prices per hour: What to expect in 2023.

Okay, so, I’ve been looking into this whole doggy daycare thing lately, ’cause, you know, life gets busy, and sometimes my little buddy, Buster, needs more attention than I can give him. Plus, I figured it’d be good for him to hang out with other dogs, burn off some energy, you know, the whole deal.

First off, I started calling around to a bunch of places near me. Man, it’s like a whole different world out there with these doggy daycares. Some are super fancy, like dog spas, with all these extra services. Others are more basic, just a place for the dogs to run around and play. But this is also the place where I started to get an idea of the prices.

Then I started asking around from friends. As it turns out, some of my friends have already used dog daycare services. They gave me some recommendations and told me about their experiences. Some places they really liked, some not so much. But these real-life reviews were super helpful. And what’s more, I realized that choosing a dog daycare is not just about the price.

My First Attempt

• So I found this one place, seemed pretty decent. They had a trial day, so I brought Buster in. It was… interesting.
• He seemed to have fun, but it was a bit chaotic, and I wasn’t totally sure about the staff. They seemed a bit overwhelmed, you know?
• I also talked to some other pet parents there, just to get a vibe. Mixed reviews, honestly. Some loved it, others were like, “meh.”

Digging Deeper

After that, I did some more serious research. Called up more places, read a ton of online reviews. Started to get a better sense of what to look for. Like, staff-to-dog ratio, how clean it is, what kind of activities they do, if they separate the dogs by size and temperament – that kind of stuff.

Prices were all over the place. Some places charged by the hour, others by the half-day or full-day. I saw hourly rates ranging from, like, $5 to over $10, depending on the place and what they offered. Full days were anywhere from $20 to $50. It really varies a lot.

Finding the Right Fit

Finally, I found a place that seemed like a good fit for Buster. It’s a bit pricier, but the staff is super attentive, they have separate play areas, and they do all these enrichment activities with the dogs. They have nap times and do not allow the dogs to be too excited. They also have a nice outdoor space. I felt like I hit the jackpot. Even the other dog owners I met there seemed to be more caring and responsible.

I started taking Buster there a couple of times a week. He loves it! Comes home tired but happy. It’s definitely worth the money, seeing him so content.

So, yeah, that’s my journey into the world of doggy daycare. It’s a bit of a process, but finding the right place makes all the difference. You gotta do your homework, visit the places, and trust your gut. It is just as someone said online, daycare is not just about how much fun your dog is having, but also about whether the environment is safe, clean, and well-managed. And for Buster, it’s been a total game-changer!

And by the way, if you are considering taking your puppies to a daycare, make sure they are at least over 14 weeks of age. They need to have received some vaccines to make sure they do not get sick.