Vets, Groomers in Philadelphia/Socialization in the city

[Jess & Stewart]

Hi Everyone! 

I currently live in University City, PA near UPenn and am looking for recommendations for vets, groomers, training center, dog parks etc. 

Unfortunately, even though I live right near UPenn, their animal hospital is not a regular service vet, it's only for emergency services etc, which seems odd to me. 

Alas, I would love any recommendations for good places around the city, also going into Center City would not be a problem for me!

Any advice for socialization in a big city also? I have to admit I'm nervous about socialization with a puppy, as I will be in an apartment complex and while they have grassy areas set aside for pets, I'd like to be able to take a pup out and not keep them sequestered until after vaccinations!

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Jess, I would not socialize your pup until shots are complete.  Once shots are complete I would start with a puppy class which really socializes them well.  I try to take my doodles to lots of different places to get them use to all kinds of people, sounds, smells, walks and the dog park are their fav. :)

[Jess & Stewart]

Thanks Barbara,

I'm mostly worried about potty training as I want to start from the beginning outside, not pads inside then move outside. I'm not sure how to potty tran outside, since the grassy areas are used by other owners. How do I protect against Parvo, since I can't be sure if other owners dogs are affected or not? I will say that I haven't seen any poop around in the areas, but that might be because the building does charge a fine if they see dog poop. I know that the area could still be affected though.

I also have a few puppy classes I'm looking into that allow you to be enrolled after the 2nd set of shots, so around 8-10 weeks I could start a puppy. My breeder does the first set at 6 weeks; do most vets do shots every 2 weeks? That would cut down on the amt of time keeping a dog sequested and I'd still be in the socialization period at 12 weeks.

I've heard of picking a spot and "disinfecting" the spot with bleach/water, even though it most likely would kill the grass and then using that spot for the puppy, as extra precaution, but I guess you couldn't stop another dog from using the same patch of grass you "disinfected" and wiping paws and shoes before you go back into your home/apt.

I know not to do walks until 16 weeks, after all vaccinations are complete, but I'm wondering how others go about potty training, since the dog isn't running all around in grass, just going to pee/poop.

Needless to say, I'm worried about Parvo and all my family/relatives think I'm crazy but they don't live in a communal environment! And I'm surprised that I haven't met any other doodle owners in Philadelphia on DK, I could really use recommendations since I can't use family as they live in NJ and not the city!

[lynn & lucy]

I used a nearby parking lot and kept a strict eye on her.  My biggest issue is getting Lucy to let me know when she has to go out. I live on the 4 th floor.

[Donna M Lowry]

Hi Jess!  I work at the University of Penn and a lot of my colleagues live in the area.  I live in the 'burbs' about 5 miles out of the city.  I know there are dog parks within walking distance.  Here is the link: http://www.phillyfido.org/  I would wait until they have been vaccinated just to be safe.  I go to a vet in the western suburbs, but I would be happy to check with my colleagues to see where they take their pups!  In the meantime, just walking them through your local area will help them adapt to the noises and smells of the city!

[Jess & Stewart]

Hi Donna!

 

Thanks so much--It would be helpful to know where others take their dogs. When I see someone walking their dog, I usually try to ask where they take them, if it's close to Penn, but most people aren't very friendly :( I've looked into puppy classes/obedience training around Center City. I've heard great things about Philly Dog School around 11th street and Woof Grooming on 24th street, right by the Schukyll River Park. I've heard that the dog park within the park is great and Clark Park too, both of which I can walk to. I'm definitely planning on walking around the city with my dog, carrying of course, to adapt them to many places/things.

 

I wish that Penn Vet was a regular vet though! I also work for Penn and it would be so convienient just to take a puppy there! I don't have a car, so unless I found a vet somewhere outside of the city (I have a lot of family in NJ right over the bridge), I'd need rides.

 

I'm more concerned with Parvo/disease risk, in housetraining a dog. I'm not sure if just going out to a spot on the grass for potty training would be safe or not, in my apartment complex. I don't want to go crazy and risk undersocialization. How do people in complexes with shared grass balance the risks? My mom even suggested puppy booties, like what they give you if your in a hospital to put over my and a dog feet!

[lynn & lucy]

We did the puppy class with Debbie at petsmart and loved it.  I lalso take Lucy to the dog park at fier square, 24th and locust.  Lucy goes to doggy day care ....she LOVES it.

[lynn & lucy]

Lucy goes to society hill anal
Hospital and I'm very happy with them. Bonus parking is usually available .

[Jennifer & Darwin]

Hi Jess,

I am late to this discussion, but thought I would throw in my thoughts. I live in the Fitler Square area. Darwin is a 6-month old Labradoodle. We use Queen Village Animal Hospital and have been fairly happy with them. I took Darwin to the Puppy Primer class at Opportunity Barks - started him at 12 weeks. It was a great start! I also went to the Puppy Social Parties on Mondays at 6:30 (at Opportunity Barks) - for pups under 5 months. Great way to work on socialization. The guy (Matt Schimsky) who runs the social parties was very helpful - pointing out what is normal play, what to watch for, when and how to intervene. I started Darwin at the Schuylkill River dog park after he completed his vaccinations. Although it is great for him to have some off leash time, you definitely have to watch your puppy carefully. There are some big rambunctious dogs at times! Start on the small dog side. For groomers, we use Bow Wow & Meows at 24th and Brown. Very happy with them! For potty training, we have a small patio so it was a bit easier. But for better or worse, I did take Darwin on short walks around the block and just kept a constant eye on where that nose and mouth were going (as much as that is possible!) - but I got him in Dec so there weren't a lot of people and dogs out in the cold! But I think the walks were important for him to get used to city living from a young age - passing all sort of people, dogs, cars, buses, etc.

[Rachel and Ollie]

Hey Jess! I was worried with Ollie on socialization as well! I live in an apartment too. I met some awesome people on here who had me and Ollie over so their was not any risk for Ollie getting sick like out in the public. He loved it and I think it really helped. Also when you have a puppy in apartment complex you will get stopped ALL the time. Ollie has met so many people here. Even if they don't come up to him he sees a ton of people everyday, which has been really good. 

With the potty training, I chose a patch of grass that was not used by other dogs ...up against my building. No one seemed to go to this patch because it's far from the trash can. Is there a patch like that at yours?