Puppy Playcare
Is your pup impacting your productivity at home? Do you just need some peace and quiet? Did you forget how rambunctious puppies can be?
Puppy Playcare is the answer.
Allow us to snuggle, socialize and exercise your pup so you can enjoy your best friend in the evening! Get back your peaceful evenings with drop-off Puppy Playcare for dogs under 5 months of age!
Drop-off Puppy Playcare adds freedom to your schedule and peace of mind to your life.
Each day includes:
Playtime with puppies and puppy-safe ambassador dogs.
Structured settle time.
Enrichment activities like exploring new surfaces, smells and objects (like wheel chairs & skateboards).
Your pup will play and interact with puppies of all breeds as well as safe adult dogs. These supervised interactions build polite social skills and confidence.
We can even practice your dog’s training skills during Playcare!
Supplemental training can be added to any Puppy Playcare session! As we interact with your dog we can practice skills like sit, down, stay, sit-to-be-pet (no jumping), and come when called.
Choose the Training Practice add-on when booking your Puppy Playcare.
What sets Puppy Playcare apart?
Structured play sessions are supervised by a certified trainer.
Play groups are organized based on size, energy level and temperament.
Your pup will learn how to play appropriately with other dogs of varying breeds as well as learning how to defuse conflict without resorting to aggression.
Because we specialize in puppies under six months, we’re able to focus on socialization skills important to their development and confidence.
Our goal is to develop life skills through activities and socialization, not create an athlete through over exercising. You can expect your pup to come home pleasantly tired, but not exhausted and cranky.
All dogs will have access to fresh water during play time. If your pup receives lunch, please bring a single serving container labeled with their name.
Rates
Puppy Playcare: $36/day
Located in Alto at 84th Street and Morse Lake Ave SE
Training Practice: $30/day
Your pup receives 1-on-1 time with a trainer. Chat with your trainer at pick up and discuss exercises to keep your pup on track
Are you ready for a video overload of puppy joy and cuteness?
Playcare FAQ
How do I add on training and what does it cover?
Training can be added to any Playcare day! When you register and choose your dates, in the “add on” section, select training and press “add item.” Training typical covers the basics like sit, down, come when called (even away from other dogs) and stay. We will spend a few minutes at pick up discussing exercises to practice at home. You can also ask about any puppy problems like biting, chewing, or jumping at pick up when you meet with your trainer.
How old does my puppy have to be to begin?
Puppies must meet these three requirements:
Lived in your home, illness free, for at least 10 days
Two (2) distemper vaccines administered 3-4 weeks apart (first often given by breeder)
Fecal analysis submitted to vet (either negative or finished treatment)
As long as these requirements are met, your pup can begin as young as 8 weeks old. Once your pup reaches 5 months old, they’ll graduate with all the social skills needed for dog parks, daycare and 4-footed family gatherings!
Which vaccines does my puppy need before registering?
Puppies need at least 2 Distemper (DHPP or DHLPP) vaccines. The first Distemper is often given by the breeder. The second vaccine will be given by your vet at the first puppy appointment. Puppies require updated vaccines every 3-4 weeks until they are around 16-20 weeks of age. Your vet will set up a schedule to update remaining vaccines based on the age, size and health of your puppy. Bordetella, Influenza, and Rabies vaccines should be given at age appropriate times and as recommended by the vet. For example, the Rabies vaccine cannot be given before 12 weeks of age.
Staying on the vet directed schedule is paramount. Some vets are booked several weeks out so we recommend making all the puppy vaccine appointments as soon as possible to ensure your puppy remains up to date.
Why does my puppy need a fecal analysis?
Even if your pup has already been dewormed, there is no one dewormer that covers everything. Bringing a stool sample to your vet allows them to check for intestinal parasites such as worms, coccidia and giardia.
Some of these intestinal parasites are transferrable to other dogs and some can even be picked up by humans! Yuck! Once your pup has had a negative stool sample or completed treatment, they are welcome to return to Playcare.
Should I wait until my pup is finished with vaccines to begin socialization?
Let’s look at what the experts have to say! The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (vets who specialize in behavior) made the following statement on socialization and vaccines:
The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as can be achieved safely. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated.
Once our dogs reach full vaccination status at 16 weeks, the ideal socialization opportunity has closed. Dogs over 4 months can still be socialized but the process is much slower. The AVSAB also states:
In general, puppies can start puppy socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming. They should be kept up-to-date on vaccines throughout the class.
Early socialization both inside and outside the home prevents many behavioral problems. Shelters are filled with dogs with behavioral problems and behavior is their leading cause for euthanasia.
Behavioral problems are the number one cause of relinquishment to shelters. Behavioral issues, not infectious diseases, are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age.
Above all else, discuss the risks of disease and your dog’s behavioral health with your veterinarian.
Where can I take my puppy for socialization?
Let’s start with places to avoid. Do NOT take your puppy places where there are potentially unvaccinated or unhealthy dogs. This includes the pet store and dog parks. Again, AVOID dog parks and pet stores until (at the very least) your dog is fully vaccinated.
Your dog can be socialized with other healthy adult dogs that are fully vaccinated and good with puppies. Just like humans, not all adult dogs are keen to puppy antics like ear biting. Behaviors are learned quickly so be careful socializing your pup with unruly dogs - their behaviors may be contagious!
Socializing with friendly neighbors or visiting friends who have a cat or other animals can help your pup gain confidence! Adventures into new rooms in the house such as the laundry room. Once your dog is confident, try some training in the laundry room with the machines on! At-home experiences are just as great as outdoor adventures!
Walking in a new neighborhood or visiting a nearby park can be safe places. Avoid parks with a lot of dog traffic. Encourage your pup to hop on the equipment or walk over a bridge. Make sure you don’t push your pup beyond what they are comfortable with. Confidence is important!
Playcare is a safe environment to socialize your pup. Since all pups are healthy and fully vaccinated, we don’t have to worry about the disease component. Playcare is organized and supervised by trainers. This allows us to shape your dog’s behavior into appropriate play roles and redirect or add training as the dog’s need help.