The dog walker.

I'd rather have him walked every day (even if it's just 15 minutes a day), and have him "paid attention to" every day, than doggie daycare for just two days a week.

I think, if I know my Grover well, he'd prefer daily attention rather than a LOT of attention every once in a while.

That's just what I would do... I think. Good luck! Hope we help in your decision making process!

Julia

Good idea but not really doable. The walker is on a tight schedule. She's really good and walks a number of dogs in the neighborhood -- all individually. Also, Rocky doesn't love being outside for walks anyway. He prefers to do his business and come home. He likes to spend play time inside - at home or in the romp room at the day care place.

UGH - don't know what to do! sorry I'm driving you all nuts =)

I will talk it all over with my husband tonight but keep your thoughts and opinions coming. Not really any way to get a friend or family member to come at midday - we live in the city and our friends all work and family live in the suburbs! It's not so much the human interaction I worry about (like I said, he has to be forced out of his crate and runs right back in after doing his business). It's more the opportunity to go to the bathroom and stretch his legs. Will he be OK in the crate for 9-10 hours? It would almost always be much closer to 9.

Here is my idea - can you double-up on the dog walkers time? So that he is out of the cage for like an 1.5 hours or so a day? Or do one day of day care and double up a few times? Is this confusing enough!?

Kris

It's two hole days versus just 15 minutes. Also, although 9 to 10 hours is a long time, I don't know that he would really miss the 15 minutes of human interaction. Is there anyway you can get a familly member or friend to do it on the 3 days that he will be home?

I wish I could quickly walk him at lunchtime but I don't work very close to my home and would never have time. Ugh - just can't decide what to do!!!

but wonder how long it would take for Rocky to get use to no one coming to visit during the day...dogs have internal clocks..and even if he appears to be sleeping all day when the walker comes...they are also creatures of habit...
...maybe you could try the day care for a few weeks..and if he seems blue on those three days home..then go back to the walker..if the walker would agree to that?...
...I know many folks work ..and at 20 months I am sure he would be okay for a full work day....but he would have to adjust to his new routine...and it might take some patience on your part...some dogs glide right to the next adventure..and some regress..and do the "hey whats the darn deal" acting out...good luck...and blessings...ce

Hi Karen. It was me that posted below, I forgot to put my name. Anyhow, I think it would be really tough on Rocky to go for 9-10 hours with no walk. Maybe you could do daycare, just once a week? Or perhaps, you could come home during the day to walk him? Otherwise, I think I would stick with your current routine and take Rocky to the dog park to socialize on the weekends. Good Luck.

Joanna & Sheldon

Can you afford to keep the walker 3 times a week and do daycare 1 or 2 times a week? I think that would be the best arrangement. At 20 months, Rocky is used to being let out by the walker to stretch and go potty. I think it would be tough on him to go 9 or 10 hours in the crate.

We have the exact same arrangement, except I go home to walk my bully, Sheldon, during my lunch hour. On Wedensdays (he is there today) and Fridays, he goes to doggie day care and loves it!!! I've been told he is the most popular boy in school Good Luck!

Joanna & Sheldon

Not really. We really can only afford one or the other right now. We just bought a new apartment and have some family expenses right now. If those are the only two choices for now -- which would would you/should I go with?

nm

Of course it might break the bank.LOL I like the daycare because of the socialization factor. The dog walker is a great idea but the interaction with other dogs is really important too. Can you do half days at the daycare a couple of times a week and get someone to run the bully home? This might work out so you can still have both services. Good luck with your decision.

Go with the day care and in addition, instead of keeping him in a crate, put him in an isolated room where he can't destroy moldings etc... like the kitchen or bathroom. You can easily do this with baby gates etc... This way you won't feel so bad about having in a small space for 9 hours. And I would also leave his crate in that room with the door open since he's happy in it.

- Cristina

I'm just starting to introduce Lola to the crate so I really don't know about the time allowed. However, I do believe there are others who crate their dogs for 10 hours. I know what you mean about the familly members. If it weren't for my uncle... i'd be in touble.