Standardized Responses for Common Situations:
Every daycare should have clear and structured response protocols for different types of incidents. Staff need to understand exactly what to do in various scenarios to minimize risk and maintain control.
All staff should know the protocols for contacting emergency veterinary services and the owner of the dog in question. Time is critical in these situations, so pre-set procedures for contacting the vet and the dog’s owner should be followed without delay.
Dog Fights and Aggression:
Step-by-Step Response:
If a fight breaks out, staff should remain calm and approach the dogs from the side (never head-on) to avoid increasing their stress.
Tools for Separation:
Use slip leads or a loud noise (such as clapping or a whistle) to distract the dogs and separate them.
Never physically grab dogs involved in a fight with bare hands, as this can lead to accidental bites.
Once separated, place the dogs in separate time-out areas and monitor their behavior before reintroducing them to the group (if appropriate).
Post-Fight Protocol:
Document the incident immediately using the daycare’s reporting system. Include detailed notes about the dogs involved, the escalation triggers, and the intervention steps taken.
Conduct a quick debrief with staff after any serious incident to assess what happened, how it was handled, and any preventive measures for the future.
Escape Attempts:
Containment Protocol:
If a dog attempts to escape, staff should immediately alert all team members to begin securing the area.
Assign staff to watch entry and exit points, while others focus on locating and retrieving the dog.
Use familiar recall commands and treats to encourage the dog to return calmly, avoiding chasing the dog, which could make it run further.
Ensure all doors, gates, and barriers are always secure, performing regular checks as part of daily procedures.
Post-Escape Reporting:
Document the escape attempt in detail, including how the dog managed to escape, what actions were taken, and any updates to safety protocols to prevent future occurrences.
Medical Emergencies:
First Response Protocol:
In the event of a medical emergency (e.g., heatstroke, injury, allergic reaction), staff should immediately remove the dog from the group and assess the situation.
If trained in canine first aid, staff should administer appropriate care until a veterinarian can be contacted. This may include cooling down a dog suffering from heatstroke, cleaning and dressing wounds, or administering basic CPR if necessary.
Emergency Contact and Vet Procedures: