Doggy Daycare DISASTER!

DukesMom · 10-30-2009, 06:53 PM

I am so angry right now!! Duke had his first day of doggy daycare today. I don't know if posting a business name is allowed (I hope so), but I took him to the Central Bark Doggy Daycare in Madison, WI.

Well....when I picked him up, I noticed he was wet. Not just a little damp, A LOT wet...on his face, ears, back and neck. I asked the owner if they had given him a bath (he was wet enough where that was a feasible assumption to make). He responded that "when the dogs don't line up properly" they use a squirt bottle of water and spray their feet.

It was not his FEET that were wet...it was his whole head. The owner did admit to squirting Duke and that "maybe some of it got on his head." Ummm...SOME of it? Try ALL of it.

And when I asked, he confirmed that they also do the alpha roll on a regular basis. Now, I understand that some of you support this. I DO NOT and under no circumstance should a daycare assume that this technique is OK. I asked the owner how they go about "alpha rolling" a dog, and he responded that they "throw the dog on its back and stand over it growling." I was ASTOUNDED.

Now, Duke is not a "perfect" dog...he is a rescue who is very reactive and anxious. We do A LOT of training and he is much better than he used to be. I TOLD them all about his issues and what to do if he becomes overstimulated. Nope...instead they shot water in his face.

That's bad enough in itself, but what they failed to realize is that Duke is EXTREMELY scared of streaming water. When he was a pup a neighbor thought it would be funny to scare him with a hose. Yea, real funny. I told the daycare owner this and he didn't even bother to apologize or acknowledge that their practice of spraying dogs should perhaps be reconsidered.

I am so sad and angry that I subjected Duke to that awful place!!

Dog_Shrink · 10-30-2009, 07:00 PM

Get poor Duke the hell outta there and spred the word as much as possible about this crap hole. What they are doing is unethical and dangerous to both them and the dog. How dare they take ont he roll of trainer diciplinarian and day care personell... THAT is NOT what you brought him there for. Why was none of this disclosed to you when you signed him up? Demand a refund, then contact your local better business bureau and file a complaint.

Sorry that was harsh

I feel your anger.

MoosMom · 10-30-2009, 07:00 PM

I'm so sorry! They should have been up front about the way they discipline in their facility and should have asked if your dog had any special needs or had triggers! But at least you found out on the first time and not 50 visits later.

DukesMom · 10-30-2009, 07:21 PM

Oh yea, believe me, I got my refund! He will NEVER go back there again.

I pretty much gave the guy a piece of my mind about how unethical and wrong their techniques are. I'm no expert...but I know that spraying water in a dog's face is NOT proper training and I know my own dog.

And I did ask what they do if they're having trouble with a dog, which is what makes me all the more angry! They said they will give the dog a 15-minute "time out" in a kennel to let them calm down. Sounded reasonable enough. He said they never "physically reprimand" (exact words)....umm, what do you call the alpha roll?? And they water--I just cannot wrap my brain around that. It is so DISTURBING.

I was trying to think of ways to get the word out...Better Business Bureau is a really good idea. I posted a big, loud warning on Facebook for what that's worth.

I am also going to send a letter of complaint to the franchise organization (Barkley Industries) and let them know what is going on at one of the business that holds their franchise name.

In retrospect, maybe I should've asked more questions...IDK. I was on the phone with the guy for 20 minutes and asked a lot of them.

Keechak · 10-30-2009, 07:55 PM

at the place i used to work at we had a doggy daycare and we had a pool for the dogs to swim in. they were put away in their kennels one hour before pick up to allow some time to dry off. We did use spraying the face with a hose as a means of stopping the dogs from being fence reactive when other dogs would walk by the play area. for most of the dogs simply picking up the hose was enough for them to back away from the fence. We weren't allowed to try and train the dogs, only "manage" them.

DukesMom · 10-30-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keechak

at the place i used to work at we had a doggy daycare and we had a pool for the dogs to swim in. they were put away in their kennels one hour before pick up to allow some time to dry off. We did use spraying the face with a hose as a means of stopping the dogs from being fence reactive when other dogs would walk by the play area. for most of the dogs simply picking up the hose was enough for them to back away from the fence. We weren't allowed to try and train the dogs, only "manage" them.

WOW. Scary. I can see why it's a place you "used to" work at.

This was no pool water--the owner admitted to shooting Duke in the face with water to get him to "line up properly."

I see you're also in Wisconsin...I sure as hell hope this place you worked isn't in Madison!

Keechak · 10-30-2009, 10:57 PM

nope Green Bay, If you would like to know what it is PM me, I will tell you not to bring your dog there ether.

MoosMom · 10-30-2009, 11:33 PM

What are they looking to make the dog do when they say "line up". Its not like kindergarten where you teach the kids to get in single file for a field trip.

Thracian · 10-31-2009, 05:02 PM

Oh, it sounds terrible! Glad you got a refund and are now free to find a place that will be kind to Duke.

And lining up properly . . . what does that even mean for dogs at a day care who have had varying degrees of training?

jesirose · 10-31-2009, 11:53 PM

seriously what does line up mean?

We use water spray bottles in camp to break up humping or toy fights, but never anything else. Water bottles are pretty common but I can't imagine a place doing an alpha roll.

poodleholic · 11-02-2009, 02:20 AM

It's very important to thoroughly research the doggy daycare facility before you bring your dog there. Personally, I would not bring a dog who still had issues to daycare, period.

I visited several local daycare facilities, just to observe. There wasn't one I'd leave my dogs in the care of.

skelaki · 11-02-2009, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poodleholic

It's very important to thoroughly research the doggy daycare facility before you bring your dog there. Personally, I would not bring a dog who still had issues to daycare, period.

I visited several local daycare facilities, just to observe. There wasn't one I'd leave my dogs in the care of.

I completely agree with poodleholic on this.

I've never used any doggy daycare but if I did, I'd do precisely what I'd do for child day care. I'd not just call, I'd visit, and do so unannounced to see what went on. And, if at all possible, I'd ask friends for references. I'd also call the BBB to see if any complaints had been reported.

Allie3985 · 11-02-2009, 02:04 PM

When I lived in Baton Rouge I had a WONDERFUL doggy day care. Every morning a drove off while watching the employees throw a ball for my heeler. The water in the face is a method that I have used in shelters I've volunteered at to break up fights but I agree that it is completely unethical to use any kind of adversive on dogs who are there for day care and not for training unless it is a safety issue. Line up? I wish my competition obedience dogs new that one! Wow.

Elana55 · 11-02-2009, 02:37 PM

Good thing it wasn't my dog. I could just see it.. when he told me about the Alpha Roll..

That scene would end up with me standing over the manager with my hand on his neck saying, "Alpha Roll THIS!" (and that is the gentle version... ).

Jellybean · 11-03-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dog_Shrink

Get poor Duke the hell outta there and spred the word as much as possible about this crap hole. What they are doing is unethical and dangerous to both them and the dog. How dare they take ont he roll of trainer diciplinarian and day care personell... THAT is NOT what you brought him there for. Why was none of this disclosed to you when you signed him up? Demand a refund, then contact your local better business bureau and file a complaint.

Sorry that was harsh

I feel your anger.

ditto!!!

I'm so sorry you and your Duke had to go through this! Truly, a bunch of crap! Doggy Day cares are a great thing and normally provide a wonderful experience for dogs. This place, needs to be shut down!

BooLette · 11-03-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elana55

Good thing it wasn't my dog. I could just see it.. when he told me about the Alpha Roll..

That scene would end up with me standing over the manager with my hand on his neck saying, "Alpha Roll THIS!" (and that is the gentle version... ).

That is exactly what was going through my mind.

I honestly wouldn't take my kid to a daycare where they used corporal punishment, why would I take her to a place where they scare the dogs into doing what they want? How do they think that this will keep people coming back.

I'm so sorry for you and Duke. Hopefully they haven't done any irreperable damage to the poor boy.