When can I put my dog in doggy daycare?
Una Christiansen
2025-06-17 11:07:54
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Puppies can start doggy daycare when they’re vaccinated, physically mature, and well-adjusted to the world around them. In general, most daycares allow puppies to participate in playgroups after receiving their rabies, Bordetella, and distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza (DHLPP) vaccinations. According to pet care professionals, your puppy should be at least 12 weeks old and have their first full round of “adult” shots before attending daycare. You should wait about two weeks after initial vaccinations before signing your pup up for daycare. The best time for puppies to start socializing is when they’re vaccinated, physically developed, and excited to make new friends. In general, the earlier you start socializing, the better. However, it’s essential to socialize your puppy at a gradual, age-appropriate pace. There’s no need to sign your dog up for daycare if they’re still developing basic motor skills or still in the early stages of house training. During the earliest stages of their life, it’s best to introduce your puppy to one or two other vaccinated dogs who are close in age.
Larue Boyer
2025-06-17 09:34:50
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The secondary socialisation period is once a puppy has left its litter and mother at 8wks and goes on until around 12-13wks. For me, dog daycare should not play a role in the early socialisation of your puppy. Daycare can be great for some dogs and for some older puppies but it certainly isn’t an environment I would be choosing to put my young puppy into. A puppy is not ready or able to be on their feet, moving around, being exercised for such long periods of time. It can impact their growth plates, their bones and much more. If your puppy goes to daycare and is bullied by another dog, that will impact their feelings and experiences around other dogs forever. The primary and secondary socialisation periods are crucial times, I can’t dress it up and pretend that they don’t matter. What we do in puppyhood matters.
Brennan Schoen
2025-06-17 07:22:56
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The ideal age range for puppies to begin attending doggy daycare is typically between 12 and 16 weeks old. By this age, puppies have received their initial vaccinations and have begun to develop the necessary social skills to interact with other dogs and humans. Additionally, they are old enough to handle the physical and mental demands of daycare without becoming overwhelmed. Before enrolling your puppy in daycare, it’s essential to ensure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Most daycare facilities require puppies to have received their core vaccinations, including those for distemper, parvovirus, and rabies, before they can attend. When introducing a puppy to daycare, it’s essential to take a gradual approach to ensure their comfort and safety. Consider Your Puppy’s Individual Needs While the recommended age range for attending daycare is between 12 and 16 weeks old, it’s essential to consider your puppy’s individual needs and temperament.
Ludie Ankunding
2025-06-17 06:12:44
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Even when your puppy has met all of the daycare requirements, starting daycare too soon can be detrimental for young dogs, especially puppies under the age of 6 months. For a young puppy, daycare can be overwhelming and intense. According to our Partner Trainer Sylvia, Puppies have keen observational skills and if confronted with bullying behavior or inappropriate social behavior during their imprint phase (up to 6 months), they can develop unhealthy habits and even PTSD. For pups under six months old, we recommend Puppy Preschool or socializing your dog in a small, well behaved pack during hikes or group classes. Puppies need around 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day. Daycare offers so much stimulation that puppies have a hard time self-regulating for naps and downtime. If daycare is something you have to do because of work, make sure your daycare provides naps throughout the day. For working breeds, particularly hunting or herding breeds, daycare is an option, but it can’t be their everyday.
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