Getting Started with Dog Daycare
Daycare is a great way for dogs to burn energy in a productive and social manner so that they go home feeling well-exercised and well-stimulated. However, not every dog enjoys the daycare environment. Identifying if your dog is receptive to the benefits of this environment is key to a successful doggie daycare experience.
Many modern media and dog-related publications have recently emphasized the importance of socializing your dog. The big thing many owners fail to realize, however, is that every puppy has a socialization period until they are about four months old. During this time, they are like little sponges, ready to soak up all the information in the world. This is the perfect time for puppies to be positively socialized to both people and other dogs, as well as all the different sights and sounds they may encounter.
When Should You Start Daycare?
As the puppy ages into adulthood, they become less adaptable and more set in their ways and may never find the same type of gratification from a daycare environment. So, it’s important to realize that an adult dog may not truly be “socializing” in this setting, and you will not be changing their ingrained behavior around other dogs by forcing them to attend a social daycare.
Doggie Daycare is a lot like a dance club full of partygoers having a great time. This is great for active dogs who like to go-go-go all day long. However, much like a mature adult may be a bit overwhelmed by the dancefloor at midnight, your twelve-year-old dog might find the daycare environment to be a bit too much for them. Dogs are a lot like people. As they age, they transition through different periods of sociability that parallel many of our own. Puppies love to play with their friends all day, while teenagers prefer being rowdy and wrestling. While some dogs retain this type of energy into adulthood, many mature and don’t enjoy the same type of play. By the time a dog is older, they are, like many of us, ready to spend their time relaxing. Many older dogs find daycare environments overwhelming.
Typically, the dogs that do best in the daycare environment are those that have attended since they were puppies. Shy, fearful dogs, or even just dogs that prefer humans to dogs, can find the daycare environment a bit overwhelming. But some will warm up after attending a few times and realize how fun it can be. Luckily, BARK U has Certified Dog Trainers who evaluate whether your dog is a good fit for the environment offered.
How We Integrate Shy Dogs
We are always happy to give the shyer pups time to adjust and acclimate to the environment. We also provide services for dogs who may need even more stimulation than the group play yard can offer. Active dogs can take advantage of our Exercise Enrichment program, which offers focused one-on-one time with one of our handlers. They build a customized playtime for individual dogs that offer them a bit more direct physical and mental stimulation.
Conclusion
At BARK U, we pride ourselves on maintaining open and honest communication with our clients. We ensure that the dogs coming here are happy in our environment and receive properly curated care for their needs. If they no longer feel comfortable or no longer benefit from the services, we are happy to provide recommendations.
If you’d like to enroll your dog at BARK U, register here and request a temperament assessment. To learn more about our other services, visit us online or call us at 215-486-2200 today!
