WE HATE GOODBYES

In February 2020, we published a blog post titled “,OWNING THIS BUSINESS SUCKS (sometimes)”. It was about when we lose dogs. Whether they move on from Good Dog to another daycare, move to another area, or pass away, it’s never easy for us to say goodbye to a dog.

It may be hard to believe, but this is also true when it comes to the time that we have to ask a dog not to return to Good Dog. This is always a last resort and we don’t take the decision lightly. Dogs are asked not to return for a few reasons, but the main two are aggressive behavior and disruptive behavior.

AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR

Even when a dog passes a temp test and a trial day, there is still a chance that they may not work well with our pack. They can show signs of aggression that can lead to dog fights and injuries and it is important that we eliminate this risk to ensure the safety of all dogs and humans.

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

A dog that is disruptive to the environment can create issues that not only make the setting uncomfortable but in some cases, dangerous. This can range from a dog that can jump our fences, open our gates, or one that barks incessantly. Some of these typical behaviors aren’t often an issue at home, but in a pack setting, they are problematic.

A dog that can jump fences creates a safety issue for themself as well as others (this is behavior other dogs may learn if it’s not addressed). A dog that can open gates and/or doors poses a security risk. While we have layers of gates and doors between our play areas and the street, it’s crucial that only humans operate them. And, finally, a dog that barks incessantly causes stress not only to the humans but also to the dogs around them. This stress can turn into aggression and could result in dog fights and injuries.

While the majority of dogs that pass their temp test and trial day go on to have a long, happy relationship with Good Dog, some may not work out for the long haul. Dog behaviors can change over time and even though they may still be well-behaved at home, their behavior may change in daycare, boarding, and pack settings. When this happens, we may have to ask that the dog not return to Good Dog. As noted, this is never easy.

While we will always maintain the belief that all dogs are good dogs, we wouldn’t be honest if we didn’t admit that some dogs just don’t do well in a daycare setting. It’s also worth noting that sometimes a change in environment may work for a dog experiencing issues at Good Dog - when possible, we’ll always provide a referral to another facility whether it’s a daycare, a trainer or training facility, or just a suggestion that one-on-one care may work best.

PLEASE NOTE: We’ve opted to use all stock images for this post so as not to incriminate any dogs associated with Good Dog.