Are Puppy Play Dates a Good Idea?
Puppy play dates are a great way to teach your furry friend to socialize and get along with others. Your pups also expend a lot of energy and get plenty of exercise running around chasing other dogs. Just be sure your puppy is healthy and current with vaccinations and health treatments.
How Long Should a Puppy Play Each Day?
As a general rule, they should get approximately five minutes of exercise for each month of their age. Puppies have plenty of energy, so finding ways for them to expend it will help them develop.
At What Age Can a Puppy Start Having Play Dates With Other Dogs?
Once your puppy has had its full schedule of shots, it can start socializing with other fur balls. While it's ultimately up to you and your veterinarian, typically by four months most puppies have had their vaccinations.
Tip 1: Clean Up Before Guests Arrive
Clean Up
Before your play date, think about the environment you want to provide for your guests. Preparing your yard won't only ensure everyone has a great time, but it'll also keep everyone safe. Do a thorough check of your yard to remove anything that might be harmful or dangerous to your furry friends. You’ll also want to do a full yard cleanup. Keep your scoop and cleanup baggies easily available for your guests to use.
Mowing
The yard is clear, and the beds are looking great, so now’s the time to give your lawn a fresh cut. The healthiest grass has long blades and deep roots, so a good practice is to cut your grass at least 3 inches and never more than 1/3 of its current length. This will ensure your grass is looking great during and after the pup's play date.
Tip 2: Pre-Play-Date Planting
If you want your yard to be the go-to spot for pup play dates, doing some research on safe plants is a great first step. In this yard, we used rosebushes, marigolds and petunias. They’re safe and look great, too.
Avoid cocoa bean shell mulch because it's toxic to dogs.
Tip 3: Be Sure They're Vaxxed
Dogs get sick, too, and veterinarians recommend puppies be vaccinated against infections such as parvo, distemper and rabies. They shouldn't be around other dogs until their vaccinations are complete. Make sure your four-legged friends are up-to-date with their shots so you don't end up taking them to the vet for something more serious.
Tip 4: Prioritize Pest Prevention
Virus infections aren't the only threat to canine health. Heartworm, fleas and ticks can also cause severe problems, with ticks known for carrying diseases such as Lyme disease that can affect humans, too. Use a treatment on your dog to prevent the tiny pests from taking hold, and encourage the other pet owners to do the same.
Tip 5: Provide Refreshments
Offering your furry friends a cool drink is a must. Dog play is vigorous, and proper hydration will help re-energize your pup quickly. While some dogs don’t mind sharing a water bowl, it's best to provide one bowl per dog.
Tip 6: Make a Signature Dish
Help your dog put their best foot forward by making a DIY pupsicle for your guests. The day before your play date, combine 4 cups of chicken broth, 12 cups of water and some hard chew toys in a 2-gallon Lowe’s bucket. Pop the bucket in the freezer and take it out shortly before your guests arrive.
Allow the pupsicle to thaw for a few minutes before tipping it over and releasing the treat. The bucket lid works great as a base. If you put your pupsicle under an umbrella, it'll melt slower and give your pups a bit of shade, which is important on a hot day.
Tip 7: Keep Them Cool
Providing a kiddie pool or lawn sprinkler keeps your guests cool and having fun at the same time. Dog pools are sturdier than a typical kiddie pool and are made to hold up to heavy use. The one we used drains easily and folds for easy storage.
If you’re looking to not just cool off your guests but also have some fun, choose a sprinkler with a variety of settings and water directions.
Tip 8: Create a Digging Spot
For many dogs, digging is a naturally rewarding activity, but rather than having holes all over your yard or discouraging digging, create a doggie dig area. It’s as simple as filling a kiddie pool with play sand. To encourage your dogs to dig, bury some toys just below the surface of the sand. To make cleanup quick and easy, put a small tarp underneath the pool to catch any spillover.
Tip 9: Provide Plenty of Toys
One important thing to keep in mind is that not all of your guests want to share. A best play date practice is to have plenty of dog toys available. When you’re gathering these, consider all different types: tug toys, balls, Frisbees, plush toys and chew toys. The options are numerous, but the real secret is making sure you have more toys than guests to help everyone get along.