fbpx
New to Biscuits & Bath? BECOME A MEMBER Get Started now

Dog Daycare is the best Socialization Tool

Having a puppy is so exciting! Their development week-by-week is vital during their first year of life. Having a plan in place for their training as well as their socialization is the key to your best dog!

Quick Jump:
7-9 weeks
9-12 weeks
13-16 weeks
16+ weeks
week-by-week 7-9 weeks old puppy
Age 7-9 Weeks
Puppy Basics
  • Book your first vet visit and continue your schedule and puppy-proofing. Remember consistency is key; do not give in if your puppy is fussy
Training
  • Take your dog outside in the carrier and introduce them to the sounds and smells of your neighborhood.
Socialization
  • Once your dog is cleared by your vet, you may begin socialization in a monitored environment like Biscuits & Bath
week-by-week 9-12 weeks old puppy
Age 9-12 Weeks
Training
  • Implement regular training into your schedule with a Trainer, this is when your dog is first able to start learning at a higher level.
  • Begin working on name recognition, rewarding and giving attention for the right behaviors, and discuss training plan with a Trainer.
Socialization
  • Bring your dog for their first partial day of daycare with their first brush-out. It’s important to establish positive association with their first grooming, i.e., cleaning of the pads, trimming of the paws and nail trim.
Age 13-16 Weeks
Training
  • Schedule a one on one session with your Trainer to create a new schedule for outside potty training as well as chewing / teething.
  • Your dog will become more independent and willful, pay close attention to where and when.
  • Schedule training time for basic obedience.
Socialization
  • Begin regular socialization at Biscuits & Bath and daily walks from home, a regular schedule is key.
Age 16+ Weeks
Training
  • Create an on-going training schedule with your Trainer on all adolescent behaviors such as nipping, jumping, potty training, and leash behavior.

Still in the planning phase?

Need a trainer?

Our daycare options

Previous: Getting a New Puppy – How to Prepare

Managing Your Puppy’s Needs

The first year with your dog is a year filled with exciting firsts, as well as challenging milestones. You are probably wondering what sort of changes you will have to make to your lifestyle with a new puppy, i.e., will they need to be drastic, how much attention and training does my dog need, and where do I begin? Don’t worry, we’ve got you!

a black puppy lying down with a blue ball in her mouth
Pre-Puppy planning, breeder, rescue expectations, and beyond Three Weeks Prior:

Discuss what your breeder or rescue is currently doing for the care of your puppy, set proper expectations.

Two Weeks Prior:
  • Schedule a session with a Trainer to create a schedule and start puppy-proofing your home. You should expect to go over
    • How to create a “safe zone”
    • Creating a dog’s schedule
    • Creating a consistent language for the household
  • Set up a Zoom call with New York Veterinary Practice to discuss your dog’s Annual Wellness Plan.
Day of arrival – tips for success:
Entering Your Home:
  • Take your dog to their “safe zone,” setup during your puppy-proofing. Your dog should have access to go in and out of the crate. Put kibble or a treat in the crate so there is positive association with the area.
  • Based on the schedule established with the Trainer, put down food and water (do not leave these down for more than 30 minutes). This will help your dog feel more comfortable.
  • Introduce your dog to your family and household. Do not approach all at once as this can be overwhelming. Allow your dog to come to you.
  • Tour your dog around your home, avoid areas you do not want them to go.
  • Now is a good time to begin your brief period of solitary downtime in the playpen / crate
    • Solitary downtime, or crating, should be no more than one hour per month of age
    • Avoid exceeding nine to ten hours in a day (not including sleeping periods).
    • This development is important for bladder control, preventing chewing / destructive behavior, and independence. A one hour period of aerobic exercises should follow these sessions.
Your puppy is home, has their own space, and is comfortable – what next? Check out this week-by-week guide to check in your and your puppy’s progress!

In this session of Puppy 101, we’ll discuss one of the most important (if not the most) aspect of your puppy’s development: training!

Many people train their dogs on their own (with plenty of help from blogs and Youtube), but find that they have difficulty maintaining the trained behaviors. Working with a personal dog trainer is the ideal option for any pup: they’re familiar with your case, can adjust training according to your lifestyle, and can answer any specific questions you may have.

Arranging a meet-and-greet with your trainer as early on as possible will help you and puppy immeasurably: you’ll both be comfortable and secure with your trainer’s tips, tactics, and methodology, streamlining training and making it an enjoyable experience for everyone involved!

Here are some key points to keep in mind when beginning your puppy’s training process:

  1. Keep training consistent and structured for optimal (and long-lasting) results.
  2. Regular enforcement is critical to success! Skipping a day only hurts your pup’s development.
  3. Devoting 10-15 minutes per day working on basic commands further strengthens your relationship: don’t miss out!
  4. Engaging with their owners and surroundings curbs puppy boredom! Keep your buddy entertained!
  5. Training is a great way to keep your dog social. Socialization is critical for any dog, especially in NYC!
  6. Training is also great for introducing your dog to new environments, teaching them to acclimate well in new situations.

puppy-training-2

Training your puppy is an incredibly rewarding experience-don’t miss out on this integral part of your bonding! Stay tuned for more training tips on the Biscuits and Bath blog, and thanks for joining us for Puppy 101!

Biscuits and Bath offers training classes, private lessons, train-and-play sessions, and home phone consultations with our trainers. Classes include Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Obedience, and Agility.

Experience The Biscuits & Bath Difference Contact Us