When is it the right time to send your dog to daycare

If you’re planning on sending your dog to daycare, when should you do so? It’s important to make sure that your dog is ready for this change in routine and that you have a dog who is a good fit for daycare. Take the following factors into consideration before you decide when to start dog daycare.

Age

How old is your dog? If you have a puppy, daycare provides a great chance for socialization, which is ideal to do before puppies are 12 weeks old. Just keep in mind that your puppy won’t be fully vaccinated at that time, so it’s important to find a place that minimizes the risk of infectious diseases among puppies. If you have an older dog, consider whether or not your pet will be able to handle being in a noisy environment with several other dogs. Some older dogs prefer being in environments that are calmer and quieter.

Temperament

Your dog’s temperament is another important factor to take into consideration. Dogs with a friendly nature usually enjoy dog daycare, since it allows them to play with other dogs. Many facilities conduct temperament assessments to determine if dogs will do well in daycare. These assessments check for signs of aggressiveness or shyness, which can affect whether or not they are allowed to participate in play groups. If your dog is friendly and social, daycare shouldn’t be a problem. Your dog should be able to adapt to this change of routine easily.

Energy Levels

Taking your dog’s energy level into consideration can also help you determine when to start daycare. Dogs with a lot of energy can end up having behavioral problems if they don’t get enough exercise during the day. If you’re at work all day and your high-energy dog stays home, you might come home to find things chewed up or soiled. Starting daycare sooner rather than later can help your dog burn off energy and fend off boredom. Dogs with lower energy levels might take longer to adjust to daycare, especially if they are in a large play group. Look for dog daycare that offers smaller play groups or calmer areas where dogs can rest.

Since you know your dog best, it’s ultimately up to you to decide when the right time to start daycare is. Just make sure that you find a quality daycare with trained staff and a safe environment.