Have you recently adopted a puppy? Good for you! There are few things that are bound to bring more smiles, joy, and ‘aw’ moments into your life than a bouncy baby dog. That first year is not only extra adorable, though: it’s also extra important. During those first 12 months, your adorable canine buddy will go through massive growth spurts physically, mentally, and emotionally. One thing that is crucial for the latter two is socialization. As it turns out, doggy daycares can help quite a bit with that. We offer some advice on this in this article from In this article from Valley Pet Hotel, your Rialto, CA pet kennel, also serving Bloomington, CA.
Is Doggy Daycare Good For Socializing?
Very much! Part of socializing little Fido entails helping him get used to spending time with other dogs. It’s very important for him to know the do’s and don’ts of hanging out with other canines.
One reason that doggy daycare is so helpful is that your puppy may interact with a variety of pooches … all of whom have been evaluated to ensure that they are friendly and safe. The older dogs will teach the little one proper manners, using dog language. This is important! While you can certainly teach your pet quite a lot of commands, you really can’t teach him about how to interact in a pack, or explain the nuances of dogs’ nonverbal communication.
Do Dogs Make Friends At Daycare?
Our canine wards make new furry buddies every day! This is actually very important for Fido’s overall emotional and mental health.
Of course, that isn’t something we could promise. At the end of the day, every dog is different. Some dogs are just naturally more outgoing and friendly than others. Socialization plays a huge role in that, but Fido’s breed and history also come into play. For example, both Labs and Golden Retrievers are typically very happy and sociable. That unfortunately isn’t the case for every dog, though. That’s why we make sure to carefully test each pup in our care. We check for a few specific things here.
- Human Interaction: One thing we look at is how Fido reacts to humans. Does he obey when told to Sit? Does he let us touch and handle him? Is he friendly or wary when meeting someone?
- Dog Greetings: First impressions are a very big deal to our canine companions. Seeing how a dog reacts to meeting another pooch is very telling. Trained professionals can learn a lot just by observing the pup’s posture and behavior.
- Play Behavior: It may surprise you to realize just how much variation there may be in how dogs play. Some pups are all cheer and excitement. Others take playtime very seriously. This is something we pay attention to, because in some cases it means playtime can escalate into aggression.
- Health: Last but not least, we also consider the dog’s overall health. A fragile senior dog isn’t going to be a good playmate for a Saint Bernard puppy!
What Is The Best Age To Socialize A Dog?
There is a very short—and very specific—time frame for socialization to happen. This typically is going to be between about 6 and 16 weeks of age. After that, the window will start to close. This is because Fido will already have formed his opinions—for better or worse—about the world. If a pooch wasn’t socialized during that crucial stage, he may have already become wary about new places, faces, and experiences.
That isn’t to say that you absolutely cannot socialize an older dog. It just may take longer. Plus, Fido may always be a bit shy and wary. That’s fine: not every dog has to be the super friendly pooch that loves everyone in the neighborhood. Your pet should be able to function in society without becoming anxious or aggressive, though.
Why Is Socialization Important In Dogs?
Socialization is important because it plays a huge role in how Fido will act—or react—in certain situations as an adult. This will come into play in myriad ways, and may very well manifest in some way every single day. For instance, a dog that was properly socialized may think that going to the pet store to pick out a new toy is the best thing ever. (Fido may also think that bacon, car rides, and belly rubs are all also the best thing ever, but that’s a whole other topic.) For a pooch that wasn’t properly socialized, that same trip could be scary and overwhelming.
What Is The Point Of Doggy Daycare?
Doggy daycare gives Fido a chance to spend his day running and playing with his buddies. This is very important for our canine pals! Dogs are more or less hardwired to function as part of a pack. It’s very natural for them to interact with other dogs.
There are other many benefits to doggy daycare as well. For instance, it eliminates boredom, which is often a major driving factor in bad behaviors, such as digging and chewing.
Here’s a more comprehensive list:
- Socialization
- Reduced Separation Anxiety
- Sense Of Routine
- Exercise
- Mental Stimulation
- Peace Of Mind (For The Owner)
- Professional Supervision
- Decreased Loneliness
- Safety
- Decreases Boredom
- Reduced Destructive Behavior
- Training
- Buddy Time
- Behavioral Improvement
- Fun!
Another benefit of coming to Valley Pet Hotel? This also allows Fido a chance to get used to his boarding kennel. Having your pet’s daycare and kennel at the same facility can make things much easier on both of you when you have to go away. The fact that your pooch would already be very familiar with his Rialto, CA pet hotel and the other pups at daycare can go a long way towards soothing anxiety about being boarded.
At What Age Can Puppies Start Daycare?
Any decent doggy daycare will have age limits. Here at Valley Pet Hotel, we do not allow puppies that are younger than six weeks.
Your pet will also have to be current on his recommended vaccinations and parasite control. Keep in mind that it may not be safe for your puppy to attend daycare until he has had all of his boosters. Ask your vet for more information.
How Do I Know If My Dog Likes Daycare?
Our canine pals are all different. While to some pups, doggy daycare is the perfect day, others will simply be happier and more comfortable staying at home in their own beds. Fido of course can’t tell you his opinion, so you’ll need to look for behavioral clues.
Pay attention to your furry buddy’s body language and how he acts when he gets home, and also when you take him back to daycare. If he seems cheerful and excited, and wags his tail when you pull up to the facility, it’s probably safe to say he enjoyed it. If he’s nervous, hunches over, or tucks his tail, he may not have liked it.
Of course, the staff at your Rialto, CA doggy daycare can also be helpful here. Ask how your furry friend did!
Is Doggy Daycare Expensive?
Exact rates are going to vary a bit from place to place. You can get a look at our fees and options here.
Schedule A Visit To Our Bloomington, CA Doggy Daycare
Do you think your puppy would be a good fit for doggy daycare? Are you interested in bringing your furry friend in for a trial? Please do not hesitate to contact Valley Pet Hotel, your Rialto, CA pet kennel, also serving Bloomington, CA. As your dog daycare and boarding kennel, we are dedicated to offering top-notch care.
