Am I a bad mommy if..

[ShannonMB]

I think you've got it right -- the daycare thing. If they enjoy it, you can afford it, and it takes the stress off, I don't see a down side! I do also agree that the little one needs to start over with potty training, which I'm sure will be a major pain. But once he's mastered that and gets a little older, I'm sure you'll get back to the place where the dogs won't need to be crated all day anymore. Puppies are TOUGH! Hang in there, though, I'm sure someday you'll have 2 good dogs again!

 

[maxiesmom]

I think that doggie daycare would be a great start, but you do need to do something about the destructive behavior. Keeping your dog in a crate all day because they get into mischief is not a good option. They will then have tons of energy to get rid of, which means more destructive behavior when they are out of the crate.

Do you have a yard you could fence in? That way both dogs could run and play to their hearts content. If you have a husband and kids it is time for them to start helping out. Your husband needs to make time to walk the dogs, that is just part of being a responsible pet owner. If your kids are a bit older, they can help with that too. It sounds like your dogs are bored, and looking for ways to entertain themselves.

 

[JUJU814]

I think that doggie daycare would be a great start, but you do need to do something about the destructive behavior. Keeping your dog in a crate all day because they get into mischief is not a good option. They will then have tons of energy to get rid of, which means more destructive behavior when they are out of the crate.

Do you have a yard you could fence in? That way both dogs could run and play to their hearts content. If you have a husband and kids it is time for them to start helping out. Your husband needs to make time to walk the dogs, that is just part of being a responsible pet owner. If your kids are a bit older, they can help with that too. It sounds like your dogs are bored, and looking for ways to entertain themselves.

The particular daycare I'm looking into has an outstanding reputation for obedience training so I think I'm going to sign them both up for that. For the older one, it's more of a regression thing. For the puppy, I really can't blame him as we have not taken the needed time to train him. I had a long talk with my husband last night.

We have a big fenced in yard. At the moment, the problem is that some of the soil was washed away (happens every season) and there's a place under the fence that they escape..all the time! The back yard slopes a bit. As soon as the ground thaws I'll have a landscaper and fencer get this fixed once and for all because that would be a huge help to allow them out there alone.

However, I don't think the puppy can be trusted alone outside. He tries to eat everything! Every plant in my garden. Now I'm wondering if I should do some king of electrical fence around my perennial garden?

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

Our late Golden retriever simply adored doggy daycare. It was truly his "happy place". Ours required an interview with the dog before being accepted to attend to be sure the dog was in no way aggressive to other dogs. This one also required that the dog be housetrained, so that may be a problem for you.
It would be so much better than crating him all day. That is just no life for a household pet. Dogs are pack animals and need to be with their humans to be happy.I have friends who attached their puppy's leash to their belt at home so the dog was always nearby and there could be no bad behavior. Worth a try.

 

[kacaju]

Will you and /or your dh be doing the obedience training with your dogs? Or, are you expecting the daycare place to train them for you?

Here is the problem I see with your idea. While I do agree the doggy daycare will tire your dogs out, if you don't work on their behavior and training at home you are not doing them any favors.

Think of them like kids.....If you were having issues with your toddlers with potty training and them running wild in the house would you send them off to a pre school hoping the school would fix their problems?
No, of course not, you would work on the issues at home as well as the teachers in school working with them.

If you plan on working with the dogs and training them then yes, I think the doggy daycare will help tire them out. But if you are hoping the dogogy daycare will solve your problems with them then no it is not a good idea.

 

[JUJU814]

Will you and /or your dh be doing the obedience training with your dogs? Or, are you expecting the daycare place to train them for you?

Here is the problem I see with your idea. While I do agree the doggy daycare will tire your dogs out, if you don't work on their behavior and training at home you are not doing them any favors.

Think of them like kids.....If you were having issues with your toddlers with potty training and them running wild in the house would you send them off to a pre school hoping the school would fix their problems?
No, of course not, you would work on the issues at home as well as the teachers in school working with them.

If you plan on working with the dogs and training them then yes, I think the doggy daycare will help tire them out. But if you are hoping the dogogy daycare will solve your problems with them then no it is not a good idea.

No, we'll be doing the training. Actually, the doggie daycare will train us But we are fully committed to working with them and training. After all, we are the ones they're with. they'll only be at daycare 2-3 days/week.

I *want* well behaved, happy dogs and I realize the only way that's going to happen is if we are fully committed and put in the effort. I'm ashamed that I've let things get out of control, but dh and I haved decided that if they're going to be a part of our family, we have to take the time to work with them.

(oh, and I told him me or the dogs....LOLOL just kidding)

 

[kacaju]

No, we'll be doing the training. Actually, the doggie daycare will train us But we are fully committed to working with them and training. After all, we are the ones they're with. they'll only be at daycare 2-3 days/week.

I *want* well behaved, happy dogs and I realize the only way that's going to happen is if we are fully committed and put in the effort. I'm ashamed that I've let things get out of control, but dh and I haved decided that if they're going to be a part of our family, we have to take the time to work with them.

(oh, and I told him me or the dogs....LOLOL just kidding)

sounds good then!

 

[sk!mom]

I don't think you're a bad doggy mom if Doggy Day Care is what you need for your sanity and it gets the dogs out of the crates.

For me the best option, however, would be to hire someone to get your backyard dog proofed so that they can become outside dogs during the day. Dogs need room to run and play and while the daycare would help give them the exercise on the days they go, they'll still be bored on other days.

 

[cnlmom]

You sound like a wonderful pet parent. I do animal rescue and franlky the post suggesting that you "put up for adoption" your beloved pets just because life is a little stressful right now really does not sit well with me. There are not homes lined up to take in 5 year old dogs and even less willing to take in a 6 month old unhousebroken lab. They are active dogs as you know and you obviously have their best interests in mind. Sending the to doggie day care is a wonderful way to get them socialized, burn off some energy, they can help with the housetraining and it gives you some sanity. You run a business out of your house so do not feel one bit guilty about not having tons of time time to spend with them right now. Again, you sound like a wonderful person, trying to come up with a doable solution to help you and your pets. If only more people were like you when it comes to their pets

 

[SarahKate]

You shouldn't feel guilty ONE bit.

This is no different than all the working parents out there whose kids go to day care/pre-K. Well, ok, so our human kids are ultimately more important than our pets, but still part of the family nonetheless!!!

You do what you need to do in order to be productive. And the kids (or dogs in your situation) get socialization, a new environment, lots of play time and you get to do your thing.

I have one DD who will be 8 in June. I too have my own business and in the summer when she's out of school she is at summer camp most weeks. Yes, I could technically keep her home and try to squeeze in work when I could. But she has SO much fun at camp and it's a great experience for her. I would hate to deprive her of it. There are weeks/days here and there that it's just she and I and we make those fun days.

This is the VERY same situation as what you're in. If it was just she and I every day, it would end up being stressful for us. Having her in a camp during the day is what I need in order to be productive during the day.

As long as you are ok financially with having your dogs in day care, then please GO FOR IT and don't wory about what anyone else says - YOU are the only one who can make this decision and be okay with it.

P.S. - For a few months this spring and summer, I will be returning to my previous day job just to fill in for someone on leave. My plan is to send our doggie to "day care" (which is someone who dogsits in her home - a whopping $10 is all she charges!) on some of the days so he's not alone so often.