Are you getting ready to send your puppy to doggy day care for the first time and wondering what they’ll need? Day care requirements will vary slightly at each facility and for each puppy, but having general knowledge of what’s expected can help you better prepare your puppy for the first day of drop-off.
To help you get started, we spoke with Dr. Alex Crow, a licensed veterinarian and founder of Pet Health Guru. With his help, we’ve put together a list of everything your puppy may need for day care, from vaccines and preventatives to familiar toys and safety items.
Puppy Day Care Requirements
As Dr. Crow explains, many dog day cares require puppies to meet certain health and behavioural standards before they can attend. Here are a few things your puppy will likely need ahead of time.
Vaccines
Your puppy should have their core minimum vaccines before heading off to day care. A day care won’t accept puppies that didn’t complete the DHPP vaccines, including canine parvovirus, canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus), and leptospirosis, at least two weeks before attending.
Many facilities will also require vaccinations such as rabies and kennel cough (Bordetella). Usually, puppies complete all their rounds of vaccinations by 12 weeks of age and will need a booster at 6 or 12 months. Your vet can advise when your puppy is ready for these vaccines, and the day care facility will be very direct about what they need (their Animal Activities Licence from the local council relies on sticking to vaccine requirements).
Age
Because of the vaccine requirements, many puppy day cares will not take puppies until they reach a certain age, usually four months or older. Some even require that puppies be spayed or neutered by a certain age to reduce potential conflict or injury between play groups.
Parasite preventions
Puppies will likely need to be on flea and tick prevention before they start day care. Even if the facility doesn’t require this, it’s a good idea to help keep your dog and home safe from pesky parasites. Many day cares will also request recent evidence of deworming. Ask your vet if you have questions about which treatments are most appropriate for your puppy at different life stages.
Temperament test
Most day cares require your puppy to be able to socialise appropriately with other dogs. Many offer a trial period for new puppies to check their temperament, see how they interact with other pups and staff, and assess their overall comfort level at day care.
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Puppy Day Care Essentials to Pack
Preparing a few items to send with your puppy can help ensure a safe and more pleasant experience. Here are a few things your puppy may need at day care.
- Detailed instructions, such as training cues your puppy knows and what they’re working on, your pup’s sensitivities, the number of feedings each day, any medications that need to be administered, etc.
- Emergency contact information for you, a secondary contact, and your dog’s veterinarian.
- A lead and collar with up-to-date tags for pickup and drop-off. Some day cares may require puppies to wear a quick-release collar while at their facilities. Others may take them off entirely. Each day care will have its own set of safety rules, so check ahead of time.
- Food and treats your puppy can have throughout the day, especially if they’re following a specific diet. Pre-measure the food ahead of time and place them in an easy-to-transport container or labelled grip-seal bag.
- Familiar bedding or toys, if allowed. A comfort item, like a blanket or favourite puzzle toy, can help your puppy adjust to being away from home and at day care, especially if you’ve selected a day care with the option for occasional boarding.
How To Ensure Puppy Day Care Goes Smoothly
Dr. Crow has several tips for setting your puppy (and you!) up for success before, during, and after day care.
Work on socialization
As you prepare to bring your puppy to day care for the first time, try to expand their socialisation training. The more new, safe, and positive experiences they have in different places, with different people and dogs, the more it will help them feel less anxious at day care.
Establish a regular routine
Additionally, Dr. Crow recommends establishing a good routine with your puppy before starting day care. Keep a consistent schedule for feeding, exercise, and rest.
Get basic training down
Basic training can also help your puppy prepare for day care. Teaching them simple cues like knowing their name and coming when called can help day care staff manage them throughout the day.
Start with short visits and praise
During your first visits, you may find shadowing or doing short trial runs at the puppy day care helpful so your puppy can adjust to the new environment with you by their side.
Be sure to communicate clearly with the staff about your puppy’s needs and preferences to ensure they have a positive experience at day care. Short visits can also help get your puppy in the habit of staying somewhere else while learning that you’ll always come back to get them.
After you pick them up, give them praise and continue with your established schedule at home so day care becomes one part of their overall expected routine.
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What if My Puppy Doesn’t Like Day Care?
While puppy day care can be a great alternative to leaving your dog home alone, some pet parents may find that it’s not the right fit for their pup. Dogs with special health or behavioural needs—like reactive and anxious pups—may need more personalised care.
Instead, hire a pet sitter if your puppy is still quite young. Or have a dog walker drop in to break up the day if your pup is old enough (and comfortable enough) to be left at home for longer periods of time.
Just know that if your puppy doesn’t like day care, that’s perfectly normal and okay. Over time, you’ll find what works best for your pup!
