{"id":2003,"date":"2018-02-09T14:37:58","date_gmt":"2018-02-09T19:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dogtopia.com\/utica\/?p=2003"},"modified":"2020-06-23T19:57:06","modified_gmt":"2020-06-23T23:57:06","slug":"puppy-daycare-decreases-fear-responses-puppies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dogtopia.com\/utica\/puppy-daycare-decreases-fear-responses-puppies\/","title":{"rendered":"Puppy Daycare Decreases Fear Responses in Puppies"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"puppy<\/a>
Puppy daycare is great to help your shy pup break out of their shell. Pictured: pups at puppy daycare in Utica MI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is there anything more gut wrenching than a scared little puppy?\u00a0 You just want to scoop them up and make everything better, right?\u00a0 Well, there are some really smart steps you can take to help your puppy be strong & confident as they grow older.\u00a0 First and foremost, you need to socialize them safely – meaning, you need your puppy to have positive experiences with new dogs, people, etc. Where should you go for that?\u00a0 You have a few options:<\/p>\n

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  1. Dog parks<\/li>\n
  2. Petco\/Pet stores<\/li>\n
  3. Friends homes<\/li>\n
  4. Walking around town<\/li>\n
  5. Puppy training classes<\/li>\n
  6. Puppy daycare<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    We might be a little biased, but puppy daycare is a clear winner here.\u00a0 Let’s explore all the options and you can decided for yourself!<\/p>\n

    Options for Puppy Socialization<\/h2>\n

    Dog parks:\u00a0 there’s no telling who will be at the dog park, and that can be both good and bad.\u00a0 Most parks require the dog to be licensed, which means they’ve had their rabies shots- but doesn’t mean they’ve been vaccinated for anything else.\u00a0 Your pup is still growing, and so is their immune system- you don’t want to risk them picking up a nasty disease!\u00a0 Additionally, wildlife can carry disease and parasites like ticks, which your puppy can be exposed to.\u00a0 Then, there’s the possibility of dog fights, and bullying.\u00a0 All said, dog parks are better reserved for when your dog is older.<\/p>\n

    Petco\/Pet stores:\u00a0 there’s really only so much socialization you can do here.\u00a0 The pups can’t run free, and there’s also a risk of unvaccinated animals.<\/p>\n

    Friends homes: this is a great option, especially if your friend has a dog that can impart a little doggy wisdom and social skills.\u00a0 But how often can you realistically lean on your friend to host your puppy for socialization?\u00a0 You need consistent exposures to positive situations, and depending on your relationship with your friends this may or may not be achievable.<\/p>\n

    Walking around town:\u00a0 are there smokers hanging out around your downtown area?\u00a0 Do businesses throw down rock salt in the winter?\u00a0 Are there unvaccinated dogs being walked?\u00a0 So many questions, and so many risks.\u00a0 There’s also the fact that your dog might not see enough people and other animals for this to really make a big impact on their confidence.<\/p>\n

    Puppy training classes:\u00a0 this is a good option since most classes require all vaccinations for attendees.\u00a0 However, these sessions are usually short, and focused on learning skills and commands, not so much socialization.\u00a0 you can do better.<\/p>\n

    Puppy daycare:\u00a0 a safe environment with antimicrobial flooring, air filtration, requiring dogs to be vaccinated, and allows open play with dogs matched by size and temperament? Your puppy can stay there for hours? Sounds like a win to me!<\/p>\n

    The BEST Puppy Daycare to Increase Puppy Confidence<\/h2>\n

    Dogtopia is staffed by trained, awesome individuals who are experts at reading body language.\u00a0 After your pup passes their initial assessment they’ll be matched into play groups, and can then participate in our ‘open play’.\u00a0 Staff will keep a watchful eye on things, directing dogs from time to time to ensure that everyone plays nicely together and that your pup doesn’t get bullied or have a negative experience.\u00a0 Your puppy will come home happy, tired, and a little wiser from all the interaction!<\/p>\n

    Ready to get started?\u00a0 Contact us today!
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