“How old does my puppy need to be for daycare?” is one of the questions we hear most. The honest answer is that it depends less on age than on vaccinations, and on the puppy.

Vaccinations set the earliest start date

Every dog at Lucky’s, puppies included, needs up-to-date vaccinations for:

Bordetella (kennel cough)
Parvo/distemper
Rabies

Titer tests are acceptable in place of re-vaccination. More on each vaccine and why we require it.

Puppies get these in a series over their first few months, and the rabies shot usually comes last. In practice, that means most puppies are several months old by the time they have everything they need. Your vet sets that schedule, so the best first step is to ask them when your puppy’s series will be complete, and to call us if you are not sure whether your puppy’s records meet the requirements.

Why wait until the series is complete?

A daycare room is a shared space. Everyone drinks from the same bowls and plays with the same toys, and puppies’ immune systems are still developing. Waiting for full vaccination protects your puppy and every other dog in the room. It is not a rule we bend.

What the assessment looks like for a puppy

Every dog starts with a free assessment before their first full day, and puppies are no exception.

We introduce your puppy to a couple of team members first, then to a couple of our regular dogs, in a controlled setting. We are watching how they greet people, how they read other dogs and how quickly they settle. For puppies, we pay particular attention to whether they can take a correction from an adult dog without panicking. That is one of the most useful things a puppy learns at daycare.

Afterwards we recommend a playgroup. Our groups are organized by temperament and energy, not size, so a confident small puppy might not go where you expect. The final decision is always yours. Full details of the assessment.

Half days are a good way to start

A full day of play and new faces is a lot for a young dog. Many puppies do best starting with half days (under six hours) and building up. Half-day rates start at $28.40 plus GST for a drop-in, with packs available. See all rates.

Whatever you choose, drop-off is by 11:00 AM. Enrichment starts at 9:30 and lunch is at 11:00, and joining a group that has already settled is harder on a puppy than arriving with everyone else.

What your puppy gets out of it

Dog-to-dog manners. Adult dogs are better teachers of bite inhibition and play etiquette than any person.
A predictable routine. Enrichment, lunch, a proper nap from 12:00 to 2:00, more enrichment. Puppies thrive on structure.
Practice being away from you, in a place where they are busy and supervised.
A tired puppy at pick-up, which every puppy owner will appreciate.

Our facility is kennel-free, so puppies are never crated during the day. There are quiet resting areas when they need a break, and they use them.

Getting started

Ask your vet when your puppy’s vaccinations will be complete.
Create a profile in our client portal and upload the records.
Call 604-299-2480 or email [email protected] to book the free assessment.

More on dog daycare at Lucky’s, or get started.

Puppy daycare in Burnaby: when can your puppy start?