If you’re searching for ways to keep your puppy entertained while you’re away from home, you may have considered options like doggy day care and boarding.
Doggy day care can be a great option for pet parents who work and still want their puppy to get positive physical and mental stimulation, explains Sally Grottini, dog behaviour expert with JustAnswer. This option is often ideal for social puppies who need a little more exercise and energy management than you can provide regularly at home.
Dog boarding, on the other hand, provides overnight and long-term care when you leave town. Staff at a boarding facility will feed your dog, provide some level of activity, and clean up after them, Grottini says. They may also offer puppy-specific add-on services, like socialisation and training, for an additional fee.
Both day care and boarding can help keep your pup safe and reduce boredom and destructive behaviour, but they may also pose some risks based on the facility and your puppy’s age and socialisation level.
Read on for tips on choosing the right day care or boarding facility for your pup to make sure they have a positive, rewarding experience.
Is It Safe for a Puppy To Go To Day Care or Dog Boarding?
In general, day care and boarding are safe for puppies who are at least four months old and have all their vaccinations. According to the RSPCA, most puppies finish being vaccinated between 10 and 12 weeks old, and some may have vaccines between 4 and 6 weeks.
To attend day care or board, they’ll legally need to have had their DHPP vaccines, and many places will also require evidence of recent deworming and kennel cough (Bordetella) jabs.
Properly staffed day care facilities can also help puppies learn to be around other dogs their size and age and develop appropriate play skills, Grottini says.
That said, day care and boarding aren’t alternatives to training or socialisation—good socialisation for puppies doesn’t just mean letting them play with other dogs all day, says Paige Gordon, Certified Professional Dog Trainer with SpiritDog Training. Day care is more like supplementary care and works best if you can’t yet trust your puppy to be home alone, or if you need help managing their energy.
Watch out for dog selectivity, overexercise, and health issues
As puppies get older, their personalities and preferences can change. Even very sociable puppies can become more dog-selective as they become adult dogs.
It’s important for puppies attending day care or boarding to have staff or sitters who can advocate for their boundaries, so that selectivity about other dogs doesn’t turn into reactivity toward them.
Other possible risks for puppies attending doggy day care include overstimulation and overexertion. Choosing a facility with attentive staff can help ensure your puppy’s needs are met while their boundaries are respected!
Spending time around other dogs can also put your puppy at risk of developing certain illnesses, like kennel cough. Before you sign up for boarding or day care, it’s important to talk to your vet about potential health risks and how best to protect your pup.
Benefits of Using the Same Day Care and Boarding Provider
If you think you might need to board your dog in the future, getting them used to day care first can help make that transition a little easier. “We find that puppies who attend regular day care outside of their usual home tend to adjust to boarding faster,” Gordon says.
She adds that it’s a good idea to get puppies used to the experience even if you don’t plan to board them—just in case. “If they’ve been exposed to the situation when young, they have an easier and more stress-free time should boarding needs arise.”
Even so, it’s important to consider whether boarding includes day care or interaction with other dogs. Some boarding facilities will have less interaction and playtime than day care. If puppies can see and hear other dogs but can’t play with them, this can make them more nervous or anxious, Grottini explains. You may want to consider adding day care services or finding a sitter who provides and includes day care as part of boarding.
Using Rover for Puppy Day Care and Boarding
A boarding facility or day care centre’s reputation and reviews can tell you a lot about whether it will be a good fit for your puppy.
That said, finding the right day care for your puppy can be tough if you don’t have a lot of options in your neighbourhood. Nearby facilities may have few reviews or may not meet your puppy’s needs.
You can ask for their Animal Activities Licence (AAL), which they are legally required to hold to operate. This will have an inspector-assessed star rating attached (up to five) that indicates how far above and beyond they go to ensure your pup’s safety and comfort. While this is helpful and can be a reliable indicator of a great facility, it doesn’t give the perspective of service users like reviews do.
Finding puppy boarding and day care through Rover may be a better option if:
- You want supervision for your puppy without other dogs present. You can find sitters who offer this day care service through Rover by selecting “accepts only one client.”
- You want someone to supervise your puppy in your home. Scheduled home care, like house sitting and drop-in visits, can help manage your puppy’s toilet training and chewing habits.
- Your puppy has a specific routine and doesn’t do well when they deviate from it. Boarding facilities often have a set schedule and routine that puppies will need to adapt to. Social and outgoing pups may adapt more easily, but some puppies will struggle with a new routine.
- Your puppy is working through crate or separation anxiety and needs constant care. Most experts agree that suspending absences is the best way to prevent separation anxiety from worsening. Puppies who can’t be left alone will need a sitter who can stay at your house the entire time you’re gone.
How to Introduce Your Puppy to Day Care and Boarding
When it comes to day care or boarding for the first time, there is a lot of overlap. These tips can help you prepare your pup for a smooth transition:
1. Visit the environment first
When introducing your puppy to day care and boarding, Gordon recommends visiting the facility or sitter’s home for a tour first to help your puppy get used to the new sights and sounds. It can also help you know what to pack for your puppy and what to leave at home.
2. Purchase add-ons or request a sitter who provides one-on-one attention
If you want your puppy to get some extra attention, Gordon suggests purchasing any add-ons available throughout the day, such as one-to-one handler time or frozen treats. You can also request that your puppy have nap time to help them stay energised throughout the day, Gordon adds.
3. Prepare your puppy for lots of noise
If your chosen facility is a little loud, this could overwhelm more timid pups.
Gordon recommends preparing your puppy with a YouTube playlist of dogs barking or by taking your puppy to a doggy day care facility. Play it at a quiet volume while giving your puppy a tasty treat and lots of praise.
4. Watch your puppy for signs of overstimulation or overwhelm
Grottini recommends always reading reviews about day care and kennels before signing your puppy up—and then paying close attention for signs of stress or overwhelm once they start attending.
Grottini explains these signs include:
- Hesitancy to go into the building
- Tail tucked between the legs
- Pulling back on the lead
- Lip licking
- Panting
If you notice these signs, chat to the provider and ask if there’s anything you can do to help your puppy feel more comfortable. Keep in mind, though, that not all facilities are right for every puppy.
A high-energy puppy might love a busy day care full of other dogs, but a more sensitive puppy will probably do better in a smaller, more personalised setting. Once you’ve found the right place, you’ll probably find your puppy is always excited to visit!
FAQs for Evaluating Day Care and Boarding for Puppies
Puppies need a little more care and structure than adult dogs, especially when away from home.
To make sure your puppy stays on track with their training and confidence building, ask your sitter or facility:
Do you offer a trial period?
An assessment or trial period can help make sure your puppy will fit in at the facility.
Grottini adds that very young puppies may be fearful of new places, so it’s best to visit facilities first with your puppy before leaving them there.
Will you let me know how my puppy behaves?
It’s a good idea to ask what details the facility will share about your puppy’s behaviour around new dogs, people, and places. For example, you might get a text message, photo update, or verbal explanation when you pick up your puppy.
What kind of routine will my puppy have during day care or boarding?
Day care should have periods of play and rest throughout the day. Boarding routines vary by sitter and facility.
Some puppies may find pre-set routines hard to adjust to, especially if they have a very regular schedule. If you want more personalised care, in-home boarding or house sitting may be a better option for your pup.
What vaccinations does my puppy need?
Puppies under six months old may still be vulnerable to illness if not fully vaccinated. The RSPCA recommends that all vaccinations be completed between 8 and 10 weeks of age.
If your puppy doesn’t have all their core vaccinations, you may want to consider in-home boarding or house sitting and search for sitters who accept only one client at a time. Kennels can’t legally accept dogs who haven’t had all of their core vaccinations, and many won’t accept dogs that haven’t had recent deworming and kennel cough vaccinations.
Are you familiar with puppy body language?
It’s important to make sure your sitter or facility staff can recognise signs of understimulation and overstimulation and tell the difference between a stressed puppy and a playful puppy!
Being able to recognise these signs is incredibly important when caring for puppies. High-energy puppies can burn off excess energy at day care, but too much activity can easily lead to feelings of overstimulation or stress.
Staff members should know how to help a puppy relax and rest when necessary.
How often do you clean the facility?
You can ask how often your puppy’s quarters will be cleaned before you commit to boarding, but you can also take a look around at the open areas when you visit. Animal welfare regulations require cleaning at least once daily.
Along with verifying cleanliness, you’ll also want to check that the environment is puppy-proofed to maximise your pup’s safety during their stay.
How do you verify whether other dogs are comfortable around puppies?
Some doggy day cares and boarding facilities will accept dogs of all ages, but not all dogs enjoy being around puppies. It’s important to make sure any facility you choose has procedures in place to prevent potentially harmful interactions.
How does staff handle possible illness?
Puppies are still building their immune systems, and they are at higher risk for common dog diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, and kennel cough.
Day care and boarding staff should have strict protocols for protecting puppies if any other dogs show signs of illness.
