Dog Health Questions: I'm excited to start a small doggy day care business, can any dog lovers help me with a few questions?

I am at home all day long with no kids. I have 2 wonderful young Shetland Sheepdogs. I live in a large home on Lake Michigan with a fenced in yard. I could use a little extra income but I mainly want to do this because I really love animals especially dogs! I would keep the dogs indoors but would let them romp in the yard on decent days. I would also take them for atleast 4 10-15 minute walks or more if necessary. When it's not pouring or freezing, I'd let them romp along the lakeshore (our beach is private) and go for hikes on nearby nature trails. Does this sound nice so far? I only want to care for small and medium sized dogs because my dogs are a bit intimidated by large breeds and our house is nice and I'm afraid a big dog may be a bit too much. I was thinking maybe a 60 lb. limit. I would require that it would be housebroken (with the understanding that dogs do have accidents!) and have a good disposition. I have separate rooms that I could separate them if necessary if someone's dog has problems getting along like with my dogs which shouldn't be a problem. I was thinking of making nice fliers, business cards, and newspaper ads. I was thinking about starting the inital ads like this:
Does your dog get lonely and depressed while you are at work all day?
Does your dog suffer from separation anxiety?
Would you like your dog to be able to have stimulation and tons of fun while you are away?
I have also trained my dogs for obedience for years now. I'm 35 and have had dogs since age 5. I would also BRUSH THEIR DOGS FOR NO EXTRA COST DAILY! I'm thinking of taking in no more than 5 dogs atleast at the beginning. Now, about costs! What's reasonable?
I live in an area where the average median income is around $100,000. There are a lot to doggy daycares though and some are in their own buildings not just a house! I was thinking this sounds fair!
$12 a day and $8 for each additional dog
I would also do boarding so that would be
$20 for 24 hours. I think this is VERY reasonable and much cheaper than what is offered around here. I was going to make the "main" room in our basement. How could I fix it up to make it look really cute and dog friendly? ANY SUGGESTIONS?
I was thinking lots of pictures and an AKC poster of breeds. Make it nice and clean. A nice toy box. SHOULD I HAVE CRATES????
I don't know. My dogs sleep in their crates ONLY at night and my whole idea behind this is so dogs don't ahve to be in crates all day long while the owners are away! How about several crates with some clean bedding and no doors??? And some cots and dog beds? And a couch. The floor is just an old tile but I thought I could put carpteting in one section so it's more inviting and not cold looking! i also would put a TV down there and leave it on Animal Planet, cute idea???
DO I NEED TO BE BONDED AND/OR INSURED? HOW DO I GO ABOUT DOING THAT?
AND SHOULD I OFFER BASIC DOG TRAINING UPON REQUESTS FOR REASONABLE RATES?
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WHAT DO YOIU THINK A CUTE AND CATCHY NAME MIGHT BE???
I THOUGHT LUV MY PUPPY DOGGY DAY CARE. WHAT ELSE?
Sorry that this is so long but I really need a lot of suggestions. I also suffer from depression and my psychologist said that this could really help me a lot. THANKS SO MUCH FELLOW DOG LOVERS!

Police Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
Sounds pretty good, try the website meetup.com and start an introductory meet up at your house.

Then you can use ww.care.com and search for people looking for sitters.

I have done both and its working out very well for me.

You can also do arts and crafts for the dogs you pet sit.. like take a photo of the dog while he/she is in your care and create a photo with a personalized paw print on it....

There are tons of name option

Happy Tails
Busy Paws
Wags-a-lot

All of your idea are good, make them all available for the owners that way you have a bertter chance of gettin clientel

Basic Dog Training Obedience - Puppy Behavior Tips

• You really should post this on sheltie-list.com, and sheltie-world.com. I would call other doggy day cares to see what they charge and ask for advice from them like cost you might not know you need. Check with your home owners insurance to see if they will cover you if you had a dog like a german shepherd, or pit bull. Dogs that are fully potty trained won't have an accident in your house. I would be careful about giving too much free so people don't take advantage of you. I think you should do the crate/bed idea, but keep the doors someplace handy just in case you need it. I guess have lots of toys and things to amuse them. We used to use a radio or tv for our dogs when we worked. I would post this on the web sites I provided as they have lots of good ideas on those sites and could give you good advice. Good luck.


• First what a great idea. My hubby and I work differnt shifts ie I work days hubby nights because of our dog. He can not handle being left alone not even for 1 minute. Go for it I hope it all works out for you.