Dog daycare is an exciting and new experience for most dogs. It can also be a bit scary and overwhelming.
It’s a good idea to familiarize your dog with the daycare environment and staff before their first visit. You should also bring their regular food (especially if they have dietary needs) and a favorite toy or blanket that smells like home.
1. Prepare Your Dog
Practice basic obedience commands so your dog knows what to expect during their day at doggy day care. This will help reduce their stress and anxiety, especially during the first few visits.
Start with short visits to get your pup acclimated to the facility and staff. This will allow them to play in groups and get used to the environment before their big day.
Be sure to bring all required documents and forms, as well as any food or treats your pet enjoys. Providing familiar items like toys and blankets that smell like home can also be comforting during the transition. If your pet requires medication, provide clearly labeled bottles with detailed schedules and instructions. Most reputable facilities require vaccinations for rabies, distemper/parvovirus, and bordetella (aka kennel cough) to ensure the safety of all dogs in their care.
2. Arrive Early
Whether your dog is coming to daycare for the first time or it's just a new place they have never visited, try to arrive early. That gives you a chance to walk them around the facility and familiarize them with the sights, sounds, and smells of their new home away from home.
Most facilities require some sort of enrollment process, including a tour, meeting staff, and providing proof of vaccinations and medications. Arriving early lets you take care of these tasks in a calm and stress-free manner.
Dropping off your dog for their first day can be emotional, especially if you have separation anxiety. But, if you can make the drop off quick and positive, your pup will feel more confident about their experience.
3. Meet the Staff
Whether your dog is new to daycare or you're trying a different one, it's always best to meet the staff. Ask questions about their background, training, and experience with dogs.
You may also want to request a tour of the facility, as well as see their kennel area and playrooms. Red flags to watch out for are facilities that refuse to allow this or if they have excrement and potty stains on their floors.
Many dog daycares offer a complimentary visit or trial day, which is a great way for your pet to become familiar with the facility and other dogs in a safe, supervised setting. This will ease anxiety and make the official first day much smoother.
4. Drop Off
Dog daycare is a great way for pet parents to work while their pups play. It also helps reduce dogs boarding near me destructive behavior at home caused by boredom or lack of exercise.
Many dog-daycare facilities have large fenced in outdoor areas where the dogs can run and play all day. They also offer indoor facilities with equipment designed to help dogs build strength, agility, and endurance.
Look for a clean and welcoming facility. It should feel like your dog's second home and be a positive environment to spend her days away from you. You might want to start by only dropping off your dog for a few hours at a time, or even just a few times a week. This gives your dog a chance to get used to the routine and will help ease her anxiety over spending time away from you.
5. Pick Up
Just like a kid starting kindergarten, you want your dog’s first day at daycare to go smoothly. It’s important that they’re calm and not excited during pick-up time. This prevents the pup from anticipating and dreading each future day of play and exercise.
Pet parents can also give their dogs lots of calm love and a treat on the way home. This helps to reinforce that daycare is a good place and will help ease the separation anxiety between you and your furry friend when it’s time for them to go back to doggie daycare each morning!
Make sure your pup is wearing their collar with up-to-date ID tag and a leash. Some daycares require them to be on a leash during drop-off and pick-up times for safety reasons.
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