r/Bath • u/Friendly_Macaron_702 • 15h ago
Looking for a doggy day care!
Hello everyone!
I’m currently in the process of moving from the US to Bath this upcoming January, and I’m hoping to find a doggy daycare for my boy Webley!
Webley is a 4-year-old German Shepherd, Husky, and Schnauzer mix. He was originally a very social dog who loved being around other dogs, but shortly after being neutered, he began developing reactivity. Over the past two years, I’ve worked incredibly hard to help him rebuild his confidence and learn to trust other dogs again.
He’s been through professional training, is fully muzzle-trained, has great obedience, and is currently on fluoxetine (Prozac) to help with his reactivity.
One of the biggest things that has helped him is his current doggy daycare! His daycare doesn’t just throw him into a large group of dogs. Instead, they carefully assessed his behavior and introduced him to a small group of dogs whose personalities and play styles are compatible with his. He now regularly attends daycare and genuinely enjoys being around his doggy friends!
It’s been amazing watching him become more confident and comfortable around other dogs again. He’s made so much progress, and I really don’t want him to lose that when we move.
To be completely transparent, Webley is still dog-selective. He generally does well around other dogs, but he can become uncomfortable when overly excited dogs rush into his personal space or when play becomes too intense. He does best with dogs that respect boundaries and with handlers who understand canine body language and can intervene before situations escalate.
I’m not looking for a daycare that will simply put him in a room with 20 other dogs. I’m hoping to find somewhere that offers structured socialization, carefully matched playgroups, experienced handlers, and ideally experience working with reactive or dog-selective dogs.
I’m more than happy to arrange assessments, trial sessions, or even private training before introducing him to a group. His safety and the safety of other dogs will always be my priority.
Webley has come such a long way, and seeing him enjoy being a dog again has honestly meant the world to me. I would love to continue building on that progress rather than starting over.
Does an anyone know of any daycares or structured socialization programs in Bath that might be a good fit?
I’d really appreciate any recommendations or personal experiences! Thank you!!
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u/No_Razzmatazz3621 14h ago
Contact Woodborough kennels and have a chat with them. They have a daycare paddock and the dogs are rotated between the main paddock, two smaller grassed fenced off areas or rest time in the cabin crates. The owner is an excellent trainer and they train police/protection dogs etc. My dog goes there, he's entire and doesn't always get on well with other entire dogs so they keep them separated. I'm unsure if they'd be able to accept him but if you speak to Amy or Andrew they'll be able to tell you. It is out in Peasedown so a little drive thats the only thing. But it's also very fairly priced at £27.50 per day compared to over £40 at others.
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u/Friendly_Macaron_702 14h ago
Thank you!!
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u/No_Razzmatazz3621 14h ago
Amy also does dog walking more locally in Bath in small groups and is very experienced with dogs so that might be an option, but maybe not if you work long days.
Webley is a lovely looking dog, I have a schnauzer, you can definitely see that in him!
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u/icharmlard 12h ago edited 12h ago
I highly recommend Woodborough Kennels too. Coincidentally we did reactivity training with Andrew a few years back and it did wonders for not just our rescue dog but us as owners too as we became a lot more confident afterwards. He’s a lot different nowadays, though we still have to advocate for him now and then, as like yours he’s quite selective with dogs when it comes to play, etc. but he’s happy to go on weekly group walks with other dogs with a dog walker without issue.
Worth noting, he was previously walked by Amy (she also manages Woodborough Kennels Day Care) too before we moved to a different part of Bath that she didn’t cover. She knew of his reactivity and got to know his personality after a few solo walks to ensure he was paired with dogs that matched his energy. She also knew how to handle him if he was reactive as she trained under Andrew, and share the same philosophy and approach to dog training.
This is her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WatsonsDogServices/
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u/Kanes_Wrath 15h ago
Heathers or doggy do's have been great
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u/Friendly_Macaron_702 15h ago
I’ll reach out to heathers! I reached out to doggy do’s and they told me Webley wouldn’t be a good fit for them.
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u/Consistent-Risk-7802 14h ago
Can't offer any advice, but just wanted to say Webley looks lovely, what a sweetie!
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u/Friendly_Macaron_702 15h ago