Frequently Asked Questions
When do I start socializing my puppy?
Now. Right now. Call us.
It is never too early (unless you got your puppy to early) in which case, call us right now. The socialization window for puppies starts at 8 weeks and beings to close at 18 weeks - after that you are working against the clock. So, call us!
Why is an assessment important for my dog?
The assessment ensures your pup is a good fit for and will enjoy daycare. It's dedicated time for a trainer to slowly introduce your dog to our group while monitoring body language for signs of stress, apprehension, fear, or aggression. Once the assessment is complete, we can determine the best way to proceed to ensure your pup has the most success and fun in daycare and/or training. Sometimes we have recommendations, and sometimes they fit right in and can start daycare and/or training immediately.
What age should I start training my dog?
Right away! Bringing home your puppy is an exciting time, however, it is important to remember that as cute and cuddly as your puppy is at this stage in their life, they will need to learn some manners in order to become a valued member of the family. It is very important to teach your puppy their role in your household so they can learn the social structure of their new home. Your puppy will never be more open to learn then are during the first 13 weeks of thier lives.
Just like children, puppies need structure and guidelines
How much exercise does my dog need?
Puppies should spend more than half their day sleeping. A nippy puppy is often overtired, and most behavioral problems can be traced back to an under-stimulated, under-exercised dog. Mental stimulation is just as tiring, if not more, than physical exercise. Some sporting breeds can run for hours without rest. We recommend assessing your pup to tailor their specific training and exercise needs for better success and happiness at home. Regular exercise helps maintain a lean body weight, prevents injuries, and can slow the progression of orthopedic problems. It also reduces unwanted behaviors like digging, chewing, and barking. We can guide you to a proper exercise and mental stimulation plan for your pup—just schedule an assessment with us!
Why should I handle my puppy and teach bite inhibition?
Handling your puppy and teaching bite inhibition are crucial for their development. Mouthing and biting are normal puppy behaviors. Handling your puppy at a young age helps with vet and grooming visits and teaches them to trust you with vulnerable parts of their body. Bite inhibition, the force with which your pup uses their mouth, is taught by their mom and siblings. Daycare is an excellent place to continue this lesson, as your pup will interact with dogs that use proper force or other puppies learning the same. If you're struggling with puppy nipping and biting, schedule an assessment with us to help you and your pup get on the road to success.
Do small and big dogs play together at daycare?
Yes and no. We don't group dogs solely by size but by age, personality, and energy levels, followed by size. The biggest dog in our group is a 150lb Irish Wolfhound, who happens to be the resident mom. Size isn't everything! Safety is our top priority, so a 3lb dog is unlikely to play with much larger dogs. If a small dog has a big personality but it's unsafe to group them with larger dogs, we'll create a size-appropriate playgroup. Our staff is trained to match dogs based on their needs, prioritizing safety. If you have a small dog and any concerns, feel free to reach out using the "contact us" option on our site!
Do you require vaccines for my dog to come to daycare?
Yes, we do! Dogs are required to be kept up to date on DAPP & Rabies to attend daycare. To be in compliance with Ontario's vaccine by-law which states that all dogs must be vaccinated against rabies we are required to require it. The DAPP vaccine covers all other life threatening illnesses that dogs can get. All other vaccinations are optional. However, we do ask that if your pup receives the Bordetella vaccine, they are kept home for 10 days following – to allow the cells to shed and not spread to other dogs. Dogs do share everything including germs, therefore there is an increased risk of kennel cough, colds and flus and giardia in daycare settings – however, we do follow rigorous cleaning and sanitizing schedules to try to keep the germ sharing at bay.
Can I visit and tour TopDog's Muttessori?
Absolutely! You can visit and tour TopDog's Muttessori. For safety, tours are available before the first dog arrives in the morning or after the last dog leaves at the end of the day. Please refrain from addressing the dogs during your visit, as they may be wary of strangers, which can affect their training and safety. At TopDog's Muttessori, every moment is a training opportunity!