Dog Daycare During Renovations
Dog Daycare During Renovations
Blog Article
How to Prepare Dog for Daycare
Most dog daycares require your pup be up to date on their vaccinations and have a clean bill of health. They should also be accustomed to being walked using a harness or collar and be comfortable with their crate.
Some dogs find daycare stressful and upsetting. Some become overly aroused and act aggressively around other dogs.
1. Get Your Pup Vaccinated
A core part of being a responsible pet parent is keeping your pup up-to-date on all vaccinations. Vaccines contain inactivated or killed viruses and bacteria, or parts of them, that stimulate the immune system without making your dog sick, so that when they encounter the real thing, their body is already prepared to fight it off.
Puppies receive antibodies from their mother while they’re still nursing, but these fade as they get older, and they need to start building immunity through a series of vaccines. If they’re a puppy, their breeder or shelter should take care of the first round of shots, and as they grow up, it’s your responsibility to get them boosters on schedule.
We recommend giving your dog the kennel cough vaccine in the nose, because it’s one of the most common places disease enters the body. This also helps ensure the vaccination is effective.
2. Get Your Pup Used to Multi-Dog Play
Dogs who live in multi-dog households learn to share. However, they may also guard resources like food or human attention, and mismatching play styles can lead to conflict.
Before your pup starts going to daycare or boarding, try some controlled interaction exercises to get them used to other dogs. Introduce the dogs in a neutral location, on loosely held six-foot leashes with two different people handling them. Encourage them to walk toward each other and then back away, demonstrating polite curving body language.
Also, train your pup to come when called so they can be easily identified by staff members at drop-off and pick-up time. Many daycares and boarding facilities require that dogs be on a leash for safety and control purposes. However, some allow dogs to spend part of the day playing with other pups and the rest of the day in crates to help them settle.
3. Make Sure They’re Well-Exercised
A well-exercised dog is more comfortable and happier in a daycare setting. A balanced approach to exercise, including group play, supervised walks, and enrichment activities, helps your pup cope with separation anxiety, builds mental stimulation, and promotes healthy physical health.
It’s important for dogs to regularly interact with other dogs in a social way (off-leash) in order to develop their natural pack behaviors, such as playing nicely and taking turns. This also gives them the opportunity to explore different environments and experiences, helping them adapt more easily when being away from their owners.
4. Establish a Consistent Morning Routine
If you’re nervous about dropping your pup off at daycare for the first time, it’s helpful to familiarize them with the facility before their initial visit. Try taking them there for a meet-and-greet, and take a tour of the facilities so they can get accustomed to the sights, sounds and smells before their first day.
Once your dog gets to daycare, staff members will be able to determine what kind of playgroup they’ll be placed in based on their size, temperament and playing style. They will also have a board a dog near me system for separating dogs if one becomes over-aroused or stressed.
Keep in mind that dogs may experience minor injuries during group play. If your pup is prone to anxiety, practice short separations at home and gradually increase the length of time you leave them alone.
5. Talk to the Staff
Talking with the daycare staff is important to ensure that they have a clear understanding of your pup. Be sure they have emergency contact information, and know how your pup interacts with other dogs (especially if they are shy or prone to overexcited behaviour). You may also want to bring along a favourite toy or blanket that smells like home – something familiar can help ease their anxiety in new surroundings. If your dog has specific dietary needs, pack their food in a clearly labeled container.
When it comes time to say goodbye, stay calm and positive – your pup will pick up on your emotions and may feel anxious and stressed. Keep up open communication throughout their stay to build trust and make them look forward to returning home each day.