score:

How many hours is a typical Doggy Day Care day?

Wondering how long Doggy Day Care providers consider it a full day before charging over time?

EDIT: What I am hoping to find out is what do other people who actually provide day care do. Guidelines, hypotheticals and comparison shopping I can do on my own. I'd like to hear it "from the horse's mouth"

I do mostly boarding but I've had a couple day care inquiries lately. If I'm giving up a boarding spot for a day care dog, it's one thing to make less money if the dog is here 8-9 hours but if I'm open 7-7 and getting 2/3 of what I charge for boarding it might not be worth.

It's an important business question for me because I'm considering removing Day Care from my Profile for this reason.

5 Answers

Sort by » oldest newest most voted

score:

Hillary H.

These are the recommended guidelines per Rover Support: Doggy Day Care is per day, dropping off around 7-9am and picking up around 4-6pm.

https://support.rover.com/hc/en-us/ar...

Comments

So that could stretch to an 11 hour day. YIKES!! I understand those are just guidelines and every Sitter can make their own rules so what I'm really asking is what do Sitters who do Doggy Care actually do. Not just some guideline info, but thank you.

Jill G.

Daycare is typically for owners who have full-time jobs. Therefore, the hours that Hillary gave you are completely within reason for what a potential client would expect, i..e, to be able to drop off their dog before work and pick up afterward. An 8-hour workday is 9 hours, plus transit.

Karen R.

Local doggie daycare facilities near me are open from 7 am - 7 pm. Many also offer half days.

Karen R.

Are we supposed to be competing with "facilities"

Jill G.

I don't know what you mean by "supposed to be," but I think that we inherently are. Of course, those going through Rover are expecting more of a one-on-one, homey experience I imagine, so it would be understandable if your pricing is a little higher than a facility.

Hillary H.

How many hours are you looking to provide for daycare? You can always set your own hours, as you've mentioned, I would just be sure to include that prominently in your profile and maybe even verify it with owners who send daycare inquiries.

Hillary H.

I asked about competing with facilities because that seems unrealistic to think one person could be on duty the same hours as a staff.

Jill G.

I offer 12 hours day care, $10 extra for anything over.It really is not about making more money, but the idea that I can't do anything other than sitting the dog till they pick up, so it's lost opportunity to get after my other business because am sitting/waiting for the owner to pick up

Pat C.

score:

Jessica M.

My daycare clients are able to drop off as early as 6:30 am and pick up by 7:30 pm, but I have yet to have someone actually leave their dog the whole time. The average seems to be about 6-8 hours, and if they pick up after 7:30, then I charge them for an overnight stay. I don't allow owners to pick up after 7:30 pm for my own sanity, because in my early days, I would have people taking complete advantage of the whole "I''m on my way, I'll be there in about 30 minutes" excuse, and then leave me waiting on the couch in my pajamas until 10:30 at night. And we go to bed at 8:30ish anyway, so somebody trying to get their dog after my cut off time is just impossible. They would literally wake up the whole house.

What owners usually do is give me an estimate of when their drop off and pick up times will be the day before (or when they book their stay). That gives me a chance to plan my day a little better, and I can make sure I'm home when the dog is.

Set the hours you think you can manage, and stick to your guns!

Comments

THANK YOU!! This is just the kind of insightful answer I needed.

Jill G.

score:

Shivani S.

I’m having this issue too! Where people want to leave their pets for a whole 12 hours, and only want to pay the listed daycare rate…and have issues if I up the charge. They say well other daycare facilities let us drop off for 12 hours- i say your pet gets private one on one attention at home with me and care throughout the day but I’ve been having a hard time getting daycare clients who are okay with the increased price for additional hours. It’s so frustrating

score:

Chuck S.

I limit my daycare services to three hours. Anything beyond that, I let my customers know it needs to be a boarding request. That's very handy for clients wanting to have their pooch watch all day while they're at work.

It's also a good idea to mention how your daycare hours are limited in your profile details.

score:

Marie C.

A typical "Daycare" day for me is 9- 9 1/2 hours. Anymore than that and I feel the owner is taking advantage of me (running errands after work, making appts after work, etc.). I learned this not only because my sister had a children's daycare but I've had owners tell me, after they were late picking up that they went home to change, went shopping, went to eat and more. I may be caring for their dog (s) but I have a life too and i don't get paid extra for longer hours ( however i have changed that policy). I work 5-7 days a week. I need my time off!

Q&A Community

Connect with fellow dog lovers and learn from one another

How many hours is a typical Doggy Day Care day?

5 Answers

Comments

Comments

Related questions

Need Help?

Learn More

Need Help?

About Rover