Should your dog go to daycare (or the dog park)?
A group of dogs at a doggie daycare.
“My dog loves daycare, he comes home exhausted and sleeps for hours afterwards.”
That's the goal, right? We’ve all heard “a tired dog is a happy dog”!
But is that actually true?
When exercising or enriching our dogs to fulfill their needs, we actually don't want them to be satiated to the point of exhaustion. When our dogs are exhausted, they can't regulate their emotions, learn, or make decisions. It's normal for dogs to be tired after a big event, but if they're pushed to the point of exhaustion, they may experience toxic levels of stress.
Doggie daycares can be great for dogs who don’t have any behavioral issues, but daycare facilities can vary WIDELY in their quality, set up, protocols, and education. And it can be pretty difficult to find facilities with staff that are experienced, educated, and who are looking out for your dog for more than just their physical safety. We want our dogs to be put in situations where they are going to have fun, but also be set up for success, even after coming home. Forcing dogs to “play” all day goes against what the species naturally does, which is sleep on and off throughout the day. And many dogs may struggle to sleep in a daycare setting, especially if there's a lot of dogs attending or if it's noisy. And many daycares don't offer a rest or nap time.
So how can you tell if daycare is right for your dog? Save this page so you can refer back to the list below!
How to know if daycare (or the dog park) is right for your dog:
Does your dog have any behavioral issues during other times in their life? If your dog barks at other dogs while on leash, isn’t comfortable with meeting new people, or resources guards food or toys, your dog should avoid places like daycares and dog parks, because it will likely exacerbate these problems and make them worse over time.
Observe your dog’s behavior DURING their time there. If your dog is hanging around the perimeter, just observing other dogs, or hanging out with the attendant (even if they normally don’t like new people), then they likely are not comfortable and are stressed.
Observe your dog's behavior AFTER they get home. If your dog rests for more than a few hours, or wakes up later seeming frantic, restless, more reactive or excitable, with a lower threshold of tolerance, or is getting into things, it's likely your dog has experienced a toxic level of stress.
Dogs naturally sleep on and off throughout the day, so it's important that they have the opportunity to do so at daycare. Some daycares offer rest or nap time, while others do not. If your dog struggles to sleep in a daycare setting, it may not be the right environment for them.
Most dogs become more selective of other dogs as they move into adulthood. This is known as "social maturity", and if your dog fits this description, it's likely your dog should age out of daycares and dog parks altogether, and focus on parallel activities with other, approved dogs.
And this goes for any big event for your dog, including going to daycare, after training sessions, after vet visits, and even your walks!
After a big event, it's normal for your dog to be tired and go to sleep. But when they wake up from their nap, they should be feeling refreshed. However, if they've been pushed to the point of exhaustion, they unfortunately have experienced toxic levels of stress.
Frazier Dog Park located at 1201 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28208
And even if your dog starts out happy and excited to be visiting daycare or the dog park, they could start to experience too much stress over time or experience conflicting feelings such as excited and nervous, or happy and frustrated. Always bring your dog home before they reach that level.
To guarantee your dog’s well-being while simultaneously getting them exercise, consider the following:
Respect your dog’s individual needs and preferences. Some dogs may love daycare and some may be better suited to other forms of exercise and socialization.
Consider alternatives to daycare, such as hiring a dog walker or pet sitter.
Gradually increase the frequency and duration of daycare and dog park attendance to allow your dog to adjust.
Understand that even if your dog enjoyed daycare or dog parks in the past, that their needs may have changed as they've aged.
Look for daycares that prioritize providing adequate rest and relaxation for dogs.
Look for daycares that prioritize creating play groups based on age and play style.
Observe your dog's behavior after they attend daycare and look for signs of excessive exhaustion.
You may also notice an uptick in unwanted behaviors after your dog attends daycare, like barking, jumping, reactivity, or resource guarding. If you’ve noticed a change in your dog’s overall behavior at home, reach out to us. We’ll get them back on track!
