Winter and socialization

With winter on its way, for many areas the opportunities for dogs to meet and play are reduced. Yet the need to maintain a dog's ability to interact with  wide variety of dogs remains a very important aspect of their development and ongoing social skills. Even though we have 5 of our own dogs and usually one or two visitors coming and going, last year and again this year, our Sydney will be going to doggie day care one morning a week.

I chose the day care very carefully. I wanted a place with care givers who are dedicated to matching  the dogs according to size and  play style, supervise all play, provide enforced non play times and engage the dogs in mental and physical excercises. Sydney usually only goes for couple of hours while I get some things done in town but it keeps her ability to read other dogs and interact with other dogs and humans fine tuned. It is also fun for her to be on her own away from her housemates and her humans.

Even if you have someone at home to look after your dog full time, your dog will be better behaved, happier and more socialy mature if you can arrange a part day either at another home with dogs or at a good day care. Some day cares should be avoided. Opening crate doors and letting the dogs run wild is not day CARE. Failing to have established rests periods in not day CARE. Just as  with children, a good day CARE will have good play opportunties, rest opportunties, learning opportunties, lots of fresh water and a clean environment.

I encourage you to consider at least 1/2 day of day care for your dogs as winter decreases the opportunties for our dogs to interact with new dogs, humans and situations.

If you have any questions  or comments, please contact us at blackbulletsdogs@yahoo.com.