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Send Your Dog To A Spa
Whether you are packing up for a trip, or simply taking your briefcase off to work, your dog will enjoy the comforts of a dog spa. The dog boarding business is booming, and facilities are vying with each other to provide the most fun and security for your dog. The purpose of a dog spa is to provide a place for dogs to run and play while their owners are at work or out of town. The goal is to pamper the dogs as much as possible and socialize with other dogs in a play yard.
Before you pack up your dog’s backpack and head off to the spa, here are some typical requirements of dog spas and dog day cares:
AGE: 4 months of age or older
SEX: All dogs 8 months or older, must be spayed or neutered.
SHOTS: All dogs must be in good health, and have flea, tick and heartworm protection. The owner will usually be required to certify that their dog(s) are in good health and have not been ill with a communicable condition in the last 30 days.
BEHAVIOR: All dogs must be non-aggressive and not food or toy protective. Owners will have to certify their dogs have not harmed or shown any aggressive or threatening behavior towards any person or any other dog(s). Please remember: your pet will be spending time with other pets and the safety and health of all animals is our main concern.
BREEDS: Some breeds such as Pit Bulls, Pit Bull Mixes or Bull Mastiffs may not be allowed at the Spa.
TRY-OUT: Since Dog Spas and Day Cares, allow dogs to play together, they often require an interview during which your dog will be introduced to one or two other dogs of a similar size and temperament to see how well he is able to play with a group. Rough rowdy play is OK. Serious biting and aggression is not.
Just what does a dog spa have to offer? Here’s a list of services offered by many spas:
Large indoor & outdoor play space (perhaps as much as 10,000 square feet )
Separate play yards for small, medium, and large dogs
Doggie Living Room with a TV and Furniture
Canine Movie Collection
Comfy dens to rest in
Many safe and fun toys
Doggie pools and other play structures
Web Cameras for our human friends to peek in
Before you decide that a doggie movie collection is over the top, think for a minute about how many hours your dog spends with you watching TV. The sound of voices is frequently calming to a dog. A dog may not follow the plot, but they usually respond happily to barking on the screen, and some bark right along with the story.
If your dog is staying overnight, even though spas are well equipped with dog beds, dog bowls, and toys, pack a few things for your dog just to help him feel secure. Take a favored toy (he can keep it in his private den), a dog beds because it smells like home, and his own food because it’s best not to change diets suddenly. You want him to have fun, and at the same time feel secure.
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