{"id":181677,"date":"2020-07-06T07:01:29","date_gmt":"2020-07-05T21:01:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/doggy-day-care-is-it-essential\/"},"modified":"2025-07-20T16:03:22","modified_gmt":"2025-07-20T06:03:22","slug":"doggy-day-care-is-it-essential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/doggy-day-care-is-it-essential\/","title":{"rendered":"Doggy Day Care: Fad or Essential?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In recent years there\u2019s been an increase in the number of doggy day care services being booked in inner metro areas across Australia. But is it aimed at just over-anxious Pet Parents? Or should it actually be considered as an essential part of your dog\u2019s development?<\/h3>\n
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What is doggy day care?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Doggy day care is day time care service for your dog in a Pet Sitter\u2019s home. Depending on the Pet Sitter you choose, you can also choose Puppy Day Care for younger dogs.<\/p>\n

When is Doggy Day care useful?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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  1. You can book doggy day care when you are on a road trip with your dog and you have a short, non-dog-friendly spot to explore for the day.<\/li>\n
  2. You can book doggy day care if you work long hours at an office and you own a solo dog prone to boredom or anxiety and loneliness.<\/li>\n
  3. If your puppy has had all their core vaccinations and are in the critical socialisation period (around 11 weeks) and they need to learn to interact well with other dogs, people, smells, and sounds so they grow into a well-adjusted adult dog.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Is Doggy Day care essential?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    Yes – for both puppies and adult dogs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Puppies: Animal Welfare Advisors state there is a \u2018critical socialisation period\u2019 between approximately 3 -17 weeks of age where a dog’s brain is forming so if you socialise and desensitise your dog to environmental sights, sounds, and triggers and reinforce the experience positively, they are more likely to grow into a well adjusted adult dog.<\/p>\n

    Adult Dogs:\u00a0Dogs can feel lonely, bored, and even depressed when left alone all day. Doggy day care offers mental stimulation, companionship, and a routine, which boosts their mood and reduces anxiety.<\/p>\n

    Dogs are social animals. They need to sniff, chase, chew, and communicate. Doggy day care allows them to do all these things safely with other dogs, reducing destructive behaviours at home like chewing furniture or barking nonstop or worse – escaping!<\/p>\n

    What are the Five Domains?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    The Five Domains is a model for assessing an animal’s well-being. This model is widely accepted by vets and animal welfare professionals in Australia. It helps us understand what animals need for a good life\u2014not just survival.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    \"5<\/figure>\n
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    How to Socialise Your Puppy Before They\u2019re Fully Vaccinated<\/a><\/p>\n

    What does Socialisation Involve?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"dog<\/p>\n

    Two young puppies playing at home-based doggy day care<\/small><\/p>\n

    Does my Dog get lonely?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    Any dog can suffer from separation anxiety. Certain breeds can also be more affected by being left alone\u2014for example – working breeds, Labradors, Retrievers and Terriers.\u00a0 \u00a0What is key is having two dogs of a similar size and similar temperament together.<\/p>\n

    Breeds particularly prone to anxiety about being alone include;<\/p>\n