Gaining a new member of the family can be equal parts exciting and daunting. Even more so when they have four legs, a seemingly endless supply of energy, and chew on everything. Whether you’re a first-time pet parent, or have had dogs your whole life, one thing holds true for all: when it comes to puppies, it takes a village. Tails of Manhattan is here to serve as yours.
As soon as your puppy is fully vaccinated, they are eligible to join the pack at ToM! Typically, puppies receive their first round of shots between 6-8 weeks, and their final round of shots and rabies vaccination at 12-16 weeks. Until your little one has received all their inoculations, it’s best to refrain from contact with other dogs due to the risk of illness and infection. But once completely immunized, four months is the perfect age to start socializing your puppy!
There are a number of benefits to proper puppy socialization. Interaction with other dogs from an early age empowers puppies to learn doggy body language, how to play safely with others, how to set boundaries and respect those of their puppy peers, and to grow confidence in themselves. It also helps to deter reactivity, aggression, and further unwanted behaviors in adolescence and adulthood. Puppies that are socialized young generally have an easier time transitioning into new experiences and places, are less likely to incur separation anxiety, live healthier, more active lifestyles, and form more meaningful relationships with both dogs and humans alike. Dogs are extremely community-oriented, and thrive from building strong connections with other dogs and people. In addition to promoting healthy development into adolescence, your baby just might find their best furiend at doggy daycare!
That’s where Tails of Manhattan comes in.
ToM provides a clean, safe environment where puppies can learn and develop their social skills while supervised by trained professionals familiar with dog body language and behavior. All dogs within our program must be fully vaccinated, and pass a temperament trial during which they are screened for any potential unsafe behaviors such as aggression and reactivity. Dog parks and other public spaces can be a mixed bag- you never know if dogs are fully vaccinated, have a history of incidents, or if the environment itself is clear of potential germs or hazards. At ToM, you can have peace of mind that all dogs present are vaccinated, the facilities are regularly disinfected, and the staff corrects and intervenes any unwanted behaviors. You’ll also join a community- composed of faculty and fellow parents- that wants to uplift and support you on your journey through puppy parenthood.
No matter what your puppy’s needs are, at the very least Tails of Manhattan is here to provide them a fun place to go where they can play to their heart’s content, exhaust that puppy energy, and return home well worn out. And to give you some time to yourself. After all, parents need to recharge sometimes, too.