Does Dog Boarding Center Allow Puppies to Stay?
When you are not around, you need someone reliable to take care of your dog. Dog boarding services can help you in such a scenario. However, if you are wondering if a dog boarding center allows puppies to stay, read this post until the end.
Dog boarding centers allow dogs of all ages, and sizes, to stay with them. However, some centers may have a policy about puppies, so you will want to check with the boarding center.
What Should Be The Minimum Age Of The Puppies Before Going To Dog Boarding?
The majority of the pet boarding centers do not take puppies under the age of six months. Puppies under this age are in the growing stage and are not much familiar with their surrounding world except you. They only know that adjusting to a boarding center can be a demanding task for them. Furthermore, their immune system is in the evolving stage, so putting them in pet boarding can make them prone to viruses and other diseases. Age criteria are one of the most crucial factors you need to adhere to. However, there can be multiple other factors to consider.
Things You Need To Keep In Mind Before Putting Your Dog In A Pet Boarding
Age factor can be imperative for most pet boarding services. Additionally, you also need to play your part before you leave him at boarding. Below are some crucial considerations you should keep in your mind for your pup:
- Before you leave your pup for boarding, you need to accustom him to the kennel stays by boarding him for at least a week. It not only helps you to check the facilities at the boarding but also prepares your pup for a longer stay.
- Make sure that your pup is vaccinated, which can prevent him from several harmful viruses. Besides, flea and tick prevention should also be done prior to the boarding.
- Also, bring your pet’s medication and special food, and something that gives the smell of yours. It will make your dog feel your presence around him.
- Keep your veterinarian’s phone number handy with you, which may be required in an emergency situation.
- The staff must be informed about any medical or behavioral problems your pup has, such as fear of thunder or epilepsy.
How To Choose The Right Dog Boarding Service For Your Puppy?
Now that you know how to make your pooch ready for the separation, you want to prevent him from additional suffering. Below are some of the key checkpoints you need to mark before leaving your pet at a pet care center:
- Take reviews and recommendations from your friends or family members. Best, if you can talk to your veterinarian for the recommendation of a dog boarding center. They are in close contact with the dog owners and therefore, can suggest the best dog kennels.
- When you have a list of some of the best pet boarding services, check their online reviews to narrow down the list. Some of the reviews might be manipulated, however, if a specific problem is coming up, take the red signal and avoid it for your dog.
- When the list is narrowed, talk to them and check if they can accommodate your puppy for the time you are not around him. If you are convinced about the center, make a visit to see it yourself.
- On visiting the facility, ask the person at per boarding to give you a tour of the whole boarding facility. If they don’t show the entire facility, it means that they are trying to hide their shortcomings.
- Also, make sure that the dog boarding facility has sufficient lighting, ventilation, and temperature control. Your pup away from your home needs special care and attention.
How To Read Your Dog’s Body Language
What is your dog trying to tell you? Dogs have a language that allows them to communicate their emotional state and their intentions to others around them. Although dogs do use sounds and signals, much of the information that they send is through their body language, specifically their facial expressions and body postures.
Understanding what your dog is saying can give you a lot of useful information, such as when your dog is spooked and nervous about what is going on, or when your dog is edgy and might be ready to snap at someone. You do have to look at the dog’s face and his whole body.
Positive and happy signs of dogs
Tail down and relaxed shows that the dog is happy and unconcerned with the environment. Ears up (not forward) and head high, mouth open slightly, tongue exposed, loose stance (weight flat on feet) are all signs of a happy and relaxed dog relaxing and not bothered with the things going around him. But tail down does not always mean the dog is relaxed, sometimes mood varies according to the situation as well.
Stubborn behavior
When the tail is stiff but may be seen to quiver or vibrate from side to side and the tail is raised and bristled, it shows the dominating behavior of the dog. Hackles raised show the aggression of the dog. The dog seems rigid and with an aggressive mood showing signs like ears forward (maybe spread slightly to the side to form a wide v shape), the forehead may show vertical wrinkles, nose wrinkled. Lips curled with anger, teeth (and often the gums) are visible. Mouth open and c-shaped, corner of the mouth is forward, stiff-legged stance, body leaning slightly forward are the signs of stubborn behavior with aggression. Such dogs can be helped by loving them and taking care of them. Polite actions are a good treatment for them.
Aggressive but fearful at the same time
Sometimes when the dog is pressed or anyone hurts him, by mistake or by intention, the dog gets aggressive but not submissive. When someone tries to threaten the dog, he will give signals such as body lowered, hackles raised, tail tucked (little or no movement), ears back, pupils dilated, nose wrinkled, lips slightly curled (teeth may be somewhat visible) and corner of the mouth pulled back.
Signs showing the stressful behavior of dogs
If the dog is under any type of social or environmental stress, he shows body language by giving signs like tail down, body lowered, ears back and pupils dilated. Rapid panting with the corner of the mouth back and sweating through pads show the stressful body language of the dog.
Submission with fear
If someone threatens the dog and the dog doesn’t want to revert back physically, he totally shows the sign of extreme fear by total submission to the opponent by accepting his own lower rank and status. Signs like rolling onto back exposing stomach and throat, tail tucked, may sprinkle a few drops of urine. Other signs include the head turn to avoid direct eye contact, ears flat and back, eyes partly closed, nose and forehead smooth, and corner of mouth back.
When a dog is in the mood for playing
Tail up, ears up, pupils dilated mouth open, the tongue may be exposed and the front end lowered by bent forepaws are the signs when the dog wants to play.
5 Ways To Tell Whether Your Dog Enjoys At Daycare
Dogs love to socialize. If your dog is going to daycare, he’s probably having a great time. Here are 5 ways to tell.
Signs that tell you if your dog likes daycare
There are some clues or hints using which you can determine that your dog is going to the right daycare service and that it is not affecting him/her negatively. If you want to make sure whether or not your dog is happy at the daycare service, look for the following things:
Observe your dog’s reaction when you arrive at the daycare
Dogs are very expressive beings and do not hide their emotions. If they are not happy, they will be visibly down. They will behave differently than at home. If they enjoy their time at the daycare, they will be full of excitement and fun reaching daycare. Looking at their reaction can give you an idea of how the dog’s day was. If it was full of fun, it ultimately would show that. Otherwise, it will have a negative reaction. It may whine, hang its head or tuck its tail showing that its day was not as expected.
Carefully watch how your dog interacts with others
Your dog’s social skills will tell you a lot about whether he likes the daycare or not. If he plays with other dogs at daycare, and initiates the play, exhibiting a positive role and communication, then it is likely that the daycare is working well for him. However, if your dog reacts in fear and aggression toward other dogs, daycare is likely not enjoyable for him.
Keep open communication with the staff at the daycare
Be sure to keep an open communication channel with the daycare staff so that you know what’s going on with your dog at daycare every day. The staff members can provide you with enough idea about the behavior of your dog. If something is amiss with your dog, you must talk it out with the staff. It must also alarm you, and you should keep an eye on such behavior at home. If the dog shows similar behavior, then you can be sure that something is not right and that it is time to change your dog’s daycare.
Note your dog’s body language when you go to pick it up
Your dog’s reaction when you go to receive it at the daycare will probably tell you a lot about the day that the dog had. If his reaction to seeing you is tense and the dog is down, it probably had a bad day. Drooping tail, head bowed low, and an overall depressed demeanor are all negative signs that tell he had a bad day. On the other hand, if it looks relaxed, playful, and unwilling to leave, then that means that it had quite a day and had fun.
See for any major behavioral changes
If the dog gets negative vibes at the daycare, it will start showing that in its behavior. He may remain scared, act out or ignore your commands, then be assured that it’s a negative change in his behavior. Some dogs even wet their beds if they are facing issues at daycare. On Contrast, if you see only positive behavior in your dog, then it’s a really good sign showing that the daycare is working wonders for him.
Advantages of Doggy Daycare
The benefits of dog daycare are many. In fact, if chosen rightly, a daycare can prove to be the best companion in a dog’s growth. It is only at a daycare that a dog learns to socialize and mix up. It can also be the place where your dog unwinds and spends his time while you are at work. Dogs can be occupied playing with other dogs while you stay relaxed and unworried. It can also help your dog to be more responsible, responsive, and expressive to your commands.
Disadvantages of Doggy Daycare
If there is a negative atmosphere at the daycare, then some dogs can develop problems. They might feel agitated and show aggression towards owners and other dogs. Also, the stress and anxiety of staying away from their owners can take a toll on their mental health. At times, he might miss you so much that he acts it out. The separation and anxiety can have negative impacts on your dog. Your dog, while playing at daycare, might also pick some bad habits such as jumping on people, rough behavior, and acting on their instincts instead of their owners’ commands.
Conclusion
If you are anxious about your dog’s activities at daycare, it’s a good idea to observe it once in a while, if that’s possible. When you leave your dog at the daycare, try to evaluate its behavior and examine its positive and negative actions.
Do you require a pet daycare in Spring Texas that works with your schedule? Worry Not. We at Family Pet ensure that your pet gets a home away from home. One of the best pet boardings in Spring Texas, we are equipped with everything that your dog needs for overall development. Feel free to call us at (832)764-0904 or mail us at familypetretreat@gmail.com. We look forward to welcoming you!
