The Ranch Pet Resort

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Dog Training

How Dogs Play at Different Ages

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Just like people, dogs change as they grow—and that includes how they play! Puppies are little balls of energy, adults tend to settle into a rhythm, and seniors may slow down but still enjoy a good game. Here’s how play behavior shifts as dogs get older.

Puppies (Under 6 Months)

All Energy, All the Time
Puppies are super curious and love to explore the world through play.

They Play A LOT
They can go for hours and seem like they never get tired.

Learning Through Play
Play helps them understand how to interact with people and other dogs.

Figuring Out Boundaries
Rough-and-tumble play teaches important lessons like when to stop and how to be gentle.

Tip: This is the perfect time to encourage good play habits!

Adolescents (6–18 Months)

Play Gets Rougher
Teenage dogs are full of energy and might play harder than before.

Pushing Limits
They may test the rules or challenge other dogs during play.

Pickier About Playmates
They start forming preferences about who they want to play with.

Watch for Overexcitement
These dogs can get overstimulated quickly, so supervision is key.

Consider structured games to help burn off energy while teaching focus.

Adult Dogs (18 Months to Around 7 Years)

They Know What They Like
Adults often have a favorite toy, game, or playmate.

More Chill
They still enjoy playing, but usually in a calmer way.

Selective Players
Some are still super playful—others, not so much.

Different for Every Dog
One adult dog might chase a ball all day, while another just wants belly rubs.

Related: Best Toys for Adult Dogs

Senior Dogs (7+ Years)

Slower Pace
Older dogs may not have the same stamina they used to.

Mobility Issues
Things like arthritis can make high-energy games uncomfortable.

Adjust the Game
Try gentler play like short tug-of-war, food puzzles, or sniff-and-find games.

Mental Changes Too
Cognitive decline may affect how they interact or understand play.

Play helps seniors stay mentally sharp and emotionally connected.

Key Things to Remember

  • Every Dog’s Different: Age is a factor, but personality matters too.
  • Health = Playfulness: A dog’s health can affect how much (or how little) they want to play.
  • Start Young: Dogs who play and socialize early tend to grow into confident, happy adults.
  • Always Supervise: Make sure play stays safe and fun for everyone involved—especially when mixing dogs of different ages or sizes.

Keep Play Fun at Any Age

Understanding how your dog’s play changes as they grow helps you give them what they need at every stage of life. Whether they’re full of puppy zoomies or just want a quiet game of fetch, playtime is always a chance to bond.

Want more tips? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly dog-friendly games, training tips, and more! Simply email info@theranchpetresort.com and ask to be added to the email list!

You Asked, We’re Answering! Here are the Responses to Some of the Questions You Asked On Our Social Media Pages

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In today’s Ask The Ranch blog, we are going to answer some of the questions we get asked on our social media pages.

Our Ranch professional dog handlers understand you want to see your dogs or cats while they are in our care, and we do our best to feature as many of our adorable guests as we can!

Why isn’t my dog featured on today’s video or pictures?

Our primary focus is on your pets’ health, happiness, well-being, and welfare, and that sometimes takes us away from adding to your pet’s social influencer status! We try our best to spotlight as many pets as possible not only to make you feel comforted, but to also share how much fun the dogs have while in our care.

It seems so unfair that we are the only ones who get to see the dogs zooming, biting at the water, resting on each other, or simply choosing that one hiding spot for some serious R&R.

And while some dogs just love to have the camera on them, some of your fur babies are camera shy!

But don’t despair! We love to post the images and videos on our Facebook, Instagram, and Google Business Listings, so keep looking. Some days your pet will be fully featured and on other days, you will see them streak by!

Just know that one fact is certain, while under our care, your pet is safe, happy, and loved!

Is it safe for our young, little, shy, bashful, (insert concerned adjective) dog to be in that playgroup?

We temperament test all of our dogs and fit them in the right playgroup by age, activity level, size, experience, personality. We typically start out by separating the dogs by size, but some owners wonder if a young pup is safe with bigger, older dogs.

We want to reassure you that we are constantly watching to make sure that each dog feels safe and fits in with the energy levels of the other dogs. We have had instances where the smalls have more energy than some of the bigs and some pups just want to run with the big dogs!

Our experienced professionals take into account each dog’s personality, energy, age, size, and needs to ensure a positive and rewarding daycare or dog boarding experience. We want all dogs to want to return and have you feel confident that your best friend is treated just as we would want our dogs to be treated.

Can You Help My Dog Be More Social? I Want Him to Play with Other Dogs

We understand the fun of a playgroups, and we also understand some dogs take longer to warm up than others. That is why we make sure to do a thorough temperament testing with your dog. Dogs have unique personalities and depending on their background or experience, they may need some additional assistance to be added to our social playgroups.

We offer dog training services with professional trainers who can help your dog with obedience, behavioral issues, and socialization skills. Since no two dogs are the same, it’s best you speak to one of our trainers about your particular pooch!

If you are interested in booking a session or one of our stay and train packages, please register here!

Professional Dog Training Offered by The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

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The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa offers professional dog training services. Whether you want your dog to brush up on basic obedience skills, get training on basic commands, or unlearn bad habits, our professional dog trainers can help!

No one wants to be around a dog who lacks manners, but without training, a dog only acts out of impulse. When a dog is trained to behave in a manner that comes naturally to their actions using positive reinforcement, both the dog and the owners are happier.

The Benefits of Training Your Dog

Dogs who are trained are less likely to destroy your property, ingest materials that could be harmful or deadly, avoid getting hit by cars or running away, get into fights with other dogs, experience situations with ease and calm versus anxiety, and maintain a friendly disposition that makes others want to be around them.

Trained dogs exhibit more self-confidence rather than fear or anxiety and are really fun to be around. The training process causes a bond between owner and dog and teaches the dog the leader of the pack is always the owner, not the dog.

Dogs are very social animals, meant to be part of the pack. Training reinforces their basic needs to be mentally stimulated and allows them to be more social with others.

Why Does an Untrained Dog Misbehave?

A dog doesn’t knowingly get into trouble or cause you stress. He misbehaves out of boredom, stress, anxiety, to get your attention, health reasons, inconsistencies in his routine, or to serve a purpose from his bloodlines.

Huskies, for example, are meant to pull objects, work in packs, and run. They also like to dig to provide comfort, protection, or to cool off. These dogs aren’t acting badly if they run away or need a lot of exercise or dig a hole in your garden-these are their natural tendencies. What you may perceive as bad behavior may be an action that is bred in their bloodlines.

Understanding why your dog behaves in a certain way is the key to a better relationship between you and your dog.

With Professional Dog Training by The Ranch, we can train your dog to use its natural behaviors to be a good dog each and every day.

Types of Behaviors Trained by Our Professional Dog Trainers

Our professional dog trainers are used to dealing with dogs with a variety of behaviors. Some of the behaviors we overcome are:

  • Chewing
  • Anxiety
  • Pulling
  • Leash reactivity
  • Jumping
  • Manners
  • House training
  • Mouthing
  • Anxiety
  • Socialization
  • Destructive Tendencies
  • Barking

Benefits to Professional Dog Training at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

When you bring your dog to The Ranch for Professional Dog Training, you are putting your dog in the hands of some of the best dog trainers in the Tri-Valley area.

Our trainers are educated in a variety of training techniques based on positive reinforcement and natural canine motivations.

We create personalized training plans for every dog and owner, and we work with you to fit the training into your schedule and focus on what your dog needs.

We use a balanced approach to training that’s tailored to your dog’s unique personality.

Our facility is top-notch, offering a secure and organized space with minimal distractions so your dog can learn effectively.

Owners can choose from our Stay and Train or our Play and Train packages. Dog enrolled in Stay and Train enjoy overnights in our state-of-the-art facility, play with other dogs, and have access to the Tri-Valley’s one and only dog water park.

Contact The Ranch to set up your Professional Dog Training package. You and your dog will be happy you made that call!

The 3 3 3 Guideline for Bringing Home a New Dogs

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The 3 3 3 guideline for bringing home a new dog is often used to help your new fur baby adjust to their new environment. It’s popularized by rescue organizations and trainers to provide a timeframe for understanding a dog’s behavior in a new home and to help keep the pet in place.

The first few days and weeks with a new dog can be challenging for even the most experienced owner, often causing well-intentioned owners to give up or re-home their dogs.

By understanding the 3 3 3 Guideline and putting its practices in place, you and your dog have a better chance of making a stronger bond and connection and keeping the dog in its home.

Defining the 3 3 3 Guideline for Dogs

Phase 1: The First 3 Days

The first three days after bringing a new dog home are crucial for setting the foundation of trust and comfort. During this period, it’s common for dogs to experience heightened anxiety and stress due to the unfamiliar environment and separation from their previous surroundings. Here’s what to expect and how to help:

  • Adjustment Period: Dogs may seem withdrawn, nervous, or uncertain. They might not eat much, explore cautiously, or even hide.
  • Creating a Safe Space: Provide a designated area where the dog can retreat if they feel overwhelmed. This can be a crate, a quiet corner with a bed, or a specific room with their belongings.
  • Establishing Routine: Introduce a consistent schedule for feeding, walks, and bathroom breaks. Predictability helps alleviate anxiety and allows the dog to anticipate what comes next.
  • Bonding and Trust Building: Spend time sitting near the dog, offering treats, and using gentle, reassuring tones. Avoid overwhelming them with too much attention initially; let them approach you at their own pace. Wait to introduce family members and friends and avoid dog interactions and dog parks.

Phase 2: The Next 3 Weeks

As the initial adjustment phase transitions into the next three weeks, the dog starts to settle into their new life more comfortably. They begin to understand the household routines, recognize family members, and build trust. This phase focuses on:

  • Increasing Comfort: The dog becomes more familiar with their surroundings, including the layout of the home and the daily routines of the family.
  • Behavioral Insights: You may start noticing the dog’s true personality emerging as they become more relaxed. They might show curiosity, playfulness, or display their natural behaviors.
  • Training and Guidance: Begin introducing basic training commands and positive reinforcement techniques. This helps reinforce desired behaviors and builds confidence in the dog.
  • Socialization: Gradually expose the dog to new experiences, people, and gentle interactions with other pets (if applicable). This helps them develop social skills and adaptability and builds a strong foundation for the months to come.

Phase 3: The Final 3 Months

By the end of three months, the dog should feel fully integrated into their new home environment. They are likely to exhibit more confidence, trust, and a sense of belonging. This phase focuses on:

  • Solidifying Routine: Maintain a consistent schedule for feeding, exercise, and training. Consistency reinforces positive behaviors and helps the dog feel secure.
  • Advanced Training: Continue building on basic training commands and introduce more advanced skills as the dog becomes more responsive and comfortable.
  • Health and Wellness: Schedule regular veterinary check-ups, maintain proper grooming, and ensure the dog’s overall well-being.
  • Building Strong Bonds: Strengthen the bond with the dog through regular playtime, walks, and quality time together. Positive interactions with both humans and other dogs help deepen the emotional connection. By this period, you should see quite a difference in your dog’s personality and life should be a bit smoother for all of you.

Considerations for Following the 3 3 3 Guideline

Following the 3 3 3 guideline provides a structured approach to help dogs transition smoothly into their new homes. Every dog is unique, so adjustments may be needed based on their personality, history, and individual needs. Patience, consistency, and understanding are key throughout this process, fostering a loving and supportive environment where the dog can thrive and feel at home.

Playdates at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa wishes all new dogs and dog owners success with the 3 3 3 Rule. When your new pup is ready to show off its confidence and build more social relationships, we would love to have him for a playdate! Contact us for a meet and greet!

How Do I Introduce a New Dog into my Home?

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Considering adding a new dog into your home? Whether this is your first dog, an addition to your canine family, or you are a seasoned dog owner, adding a new dog into your home can be rewarding and fun as long as you are prepared!

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa wants to help you introduce your new dog into your home with our tried-and-true tips.

Make Use of the 3-3-3 Rule Bringing a new dog home is exciting for everyone but can be an overwhelming experience for the dog. If you practice the 3-3-3 rule, you are more likely to set yourself and the dog up for success.

When a new dog first enters your home, it’s important to understand what to expect from the dog. New smells, surroundings, people, animals, and routines will confuse, excite, and overwhelm any new dog. Its true personality won’t shine through for the first three days or longer.

Give the dog time to adjust to your routine and expectations. Give it a few days to acclimate to its new environment and family by keeping it at the home and avoiding stimulating situations like the dog park, other dogs, parks, coffee shops, and pet stores.

There will be a lifetime of opportunities for you to take your dog to fun places and meet all of the neighborhood doggy friends. But for the first three days at least, allow the dog to decompress and get used to your home and routine.

After three or so weeks, your dog will feel more comfortable, confident, and at ease. At the same time, it may start to display some behavior issues that you need to be prepared for.

Like any child, a dog will test its boundaries and will rely on you to direct it to the appropriate behaviors and set it up for success. Training the dog to sit, stay, get off the counters, lie down, go in its crate, stop jumping on you, and relieve itself in a designated area will make the transition for you and your dog a better one.

By three months, your new dog will gain the confidence it deserves to feel right at home. It will have gained your trust enough to understand it is staying with you and will start to form a stronger bond.

At this point, you will have reinforced positive behaviors and instilled in your dog the confidence to know how to behave at home and in public.

Then, when you bring your new dog to The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa for doggie daycare or dog boarding, he can feel more confident.

Contact The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa for all of your Dog Daycare or Boarding Needs

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa offers the latest in doggie daycare and dog boarding. Situated in the heart of the wine country, The Ranch offers a one-of-a-kind experience where you dog can get the love and attention it deserves.

Sign your dog up to play in our state-of-the-art water park and play structure or spend a night in our heat and air-conditioned suites. At The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa, your dog is treated with royalty just like you treat him at home.

It’s National Hug Your Dog Day! But Does Your Dog Really Like to Be Hugged?

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April 10 is National Hug Your Dog Day, but those of us at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa know most dogs don’t like being hugged and can, in fact, stress them out. Hugging a dog is not a natural action for a dog, an in fact, it can cause a dog to feel tense, anxious, and trapped. Dogs show affection by loose body moves and by leaning into you.

The best way to show your dog you love him or her on National Hug Your Dog Day is to pet your dog on the chest, pat her on the head, or give her a good ol’ fashion belly rub!

At The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa, our dogs in doggie daycare or boarding are loved every day! For a list of fees or services, please click here. Pats and affection given daily!

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

The second week in April is also delegated as National Dog Bite Prevention Week. A great way to prevent being bitten is to be educated and aware of a dog’s propensity to bite with these tips:

  • Don’t hug a dog for the reasons mentioned above
  • Never approach an unfamiliar dog
  • Ask permission before petting someone’s dog
  • Watch the body language of a dog-avoid dogs that are tense or growling
  • Never run from a dog-whether in chase or on a “hunt,” the risk of being bitten goes up
  • Avoid touching dogs that are sleeping, eating, or protecting something
  • If a strange dog approaches, stand still with your hands to your side until it goes away
  • When meeting a dog, allow it to approach you, and offer a clenched fist
  • Avoid the face and mouth of a dog
  • Do not tug on a dog or allow children to crawl or climb on a dog. Even the most well-meaning dog is capable of biting
  • Avoid looking a dog straight in the eye
  • Never tease a dog
  • Socialize your dog
  • Spay and neuter your dog
  • Train your dog
  • Supervise children when near dogs and teach them to respect dogs and their bodies
  • Avoid moving quickly around a dog who may be startled and reactive
  • If possible, ignore a barking dog until it stops barking at you. Either remove yourself from the situation if it is not your dog or wait for the behavior to stop before interacting with the dog.
  • Never pin down, hit, or punish a dog for a natural behavior that you see as “aggressive” as doing so may cause the dog to become aggressive

Any Dog Can Bite

No one wants to believe their dog is capable of biting or causing harm or injury to anyone. But the fact remains, a dog who feel threatened, scared, trapped, or is under socialized and untrained is capable of biting.

Avoid the consequences of a biting dog by reading our tips, clicking on the links for more information, or enrolling in our behavioral training programs.

“Dogs don’t bit out of the blue. So stay safe and know the signs.”