Doggy daycare is similar to a typical child's daycare. You drop them off in the morning and pick them up in the evening. The major difference with boarding is that the dogs can stay there overnight. The majority of boarding facilities offer doggy daycare. I don't know many places that just offer daycare.

When you're boarding your dog, you definitely want to make sure that they require certain vaccinations such as the distemper-parvo, rabies, and Bordetella. I also recommend places that offer or require the flu vaccine and ideally, the lepto vaccine. These are all things that can be passed on quite easily. We also want to ensure that they separate neutered dogs from those that are still intact. As intact dogs get older, they can become aggressive, so it's good to know.

Start slow, especially if it's hot outside. Begin with a short walk to the mailbox and back and gradually increase the distance each day. Ensure you have plenty of water to prevent overexertion.

On average, most dogs need at least 20 minutes of robust exercise a day. For puppies, it's better to break that up into two or three increments of 10 minutes or more a day. Senior dogs generally need the same amount of exercise, but it can be broken up into two sessions of 10 minutes each. Keep an eye on their signs and any pain or arthritis. However, as a rule, 20 minutes per day is a good estimate for most dogs.

There are many ways to exercise your dog. Simple activities like going out in the backyard and throwing the ball can be beneficial. If possible, try to take them on a 20-minute walk, run or hike. You can also use food puzzles or hide treats around the yard as these can be great ways to encourage them to exercise.

Exercise is crucial because it forms the basis for keeping our dogs healthy. It helps keep every one of their muscles and organs healthier by reducing the amount of fat around those organs, keeping their joints healthy, and providing great mental stimulation.

Regular use of formulated dog eye wipes can help keep the eyes clean. However, under normal circumstances, most dogs don't need any additional cleaning- their bodies can take care of it.

If you notice that your dog is losing their sight, you should contact us immediately. Sight loss can be part of normal aging, or it could indicate a more serious issue. Keeping a journal about how quickly the sight loss is progressing and noting if they can navigate around furniture or stairs, or if they're bumping into things, can be helpful for the veterinarian.