Today: Dog Day Camp and Daycare

I have to weigh in on this one as a relationship expert, because there’s a big psychological and relationship component to doggie day care.

Many singles have pets because they are lonely, and in fact, many singles use their pets as emotional partners so that they don’t feel lonely and that they have someone to take care of, even if that someone is not a spouse or a romantic partner, but is a pet. When that much emotional energy is invested in a pet, pet owners feel guilty sending their animals to “the kennel” or leaving them alone in a yard or a house while they’re at work, and the idea of sending their animals to daycare or camp or even animal spas alleviates the guilt of the owners.

The dogs have a great time at all of these places, but they also have a great time digging up the yard, alone. The popularity of these caregiving facilities for pets has more to do with the guilt of the pet owners and the emotional investment that they have in their pets than it does in the actual care little Fido or Spot is actually going to receive.