Sending Your Puppy To Doggy Daycare: Tips For New Puppy Owners
Getting a puppy is so much fun, but it can also be a lot of work. Sometimes, you might want a break — or you might want to know that someone else is caring for your puppy well while you are away at work. In situations like this, being able to send your puppy to doggy daycare is a wonderful option. Here are some tips for puppy parents who are preparing to send their little one to doggy daycare for the first time.
Make Sure the Place You’re Considering Accepts Puppies
Most doggy daycares welcome puppies, but there are some that only cater to adult dogs over a certain age. So, as you research different doggy daycares in your area, be sure to check that they accept puppies. There may be a specific age requirement your puppy needs to meet, too. For instance, one doggy daycare may only accept puppies over 4 months, while another one may require that they're 6 months old.
Get Their Shots
Puppies should have all of the recommended vaccines whether or not they go to doggy daycare. But when you're planning to send them to doggy daycare, their vaccines are even more important since they'll be exposed to other dogs. The vaccines don't just protect your puppy; they protect all of the other dogs, too. Puppies who will be going to doggy daycare need their kennel cough vaccine in addition to all of the regular core vaccines, too.
Visit Before You Leave Your Puppy
When you find a doggy daycare you like, arrange to visit with your puppy. You can spend just a few minutes there, allowing your puppy to walk around while you supervise them. Call ahead to make sure such a visit is okay with the daycare. Most are happy to oblige as long as they know you're coming. This way, when you drop your puppy off for their first day, the setting will already be familiar, so they won't feel as stressed out.
Start with Half Days
The first couple of times your puppy goes to doggy daycare, consider leaving them for only half a day. This gives them time to adapt. They'll generally wear themselves out in a half-day of playing, so picking them up at this point also makes sure they don't get over-tired.
If you follow the tips above, your puppy should have a great time at doggy daycare — and you should have a good experience, too.
For more information, contact a doggy daycare facility in your area such as Cheap Shots Second to None Pet Services.
