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Dog daycare can be a fantastic tool to socialize a pup. But it can also be overstimulating—especially for pups who are already struggling to get along with other dogs and humans. So how do you know if sending your dog to daycare will boost their confidence and social skills—or lead to anxiety?
According to dog trainer and behavior consultant Alexandra Bassett of DogSavvy, it’s all about how you use daycare. With her help, we review the benefits of dog daycare for socialization, how to choose a good daycare, and how to make sure your dog gets the most out of it, plus when to consider alternatives.
Does Dog Daycare Help With Socialization?
“Dog daycare can absolutely help socialize a dog at pretty much any life stage—puppies, adults, or even seniors—by providing structured, consistent exposure to people and other dogs,” Bassett says. “When done right, it helps them learn appropriate play manners, how to read social cues, and builds confidence.”
But Bassett also cautions that not all dogs are ready for daycare as a socialization tool, and not all daycares are set up for socialization success.
“Daycare isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation,” she explains. Some daycares, for example, put large groups of dogs together and let them run and play relatively freely. This is great for active, friendly dogs, but it may not be ideal for scared or easily overwhelmed pups.
For dogs that are still working on their socialization skills, Bassett recommends a smaller daycare or a home-based day care and play-group hybrid.
Benefits of Dog Daycare
There are lots of socialization benefits to placing a dog in daycare, from learning appropriate play to getting used to a wide range of other dogs. Here’s what a dog can learn.
Learning to read dog body language
Once a pup leaves the litter, many don’t have the same opportunity for interactions with other dogs. As such, they may lose out on learning how to read the body language of other dogs. At dog daycare, they can interact with—and learn from—other dogs, including what a pup’s behavior means and how to respond appropriately.
Practicing appropriate play with other dogs
The best way for dogs to learn how to play together is by doing it—under supervision, of course. In group settings, dogs naturally set boundaries with each other. It’s normal for dogs to give gentle corrections when another dog’s play crosses the line, helping young pups to understand what’s okay and what isn’t.
Getting used to other types of dogs
Dog daycares attract a wide range of pups, from tiny fluffballs to extra large mixes, all with their own personalities and quirks. This diverse canine population allows your dog to interact with—and become comfortable with—pups of all sizes and shapes, as well as a variety of play styles.
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Supervised play
While the lively activity of a dog daycare can be overwhelming at first, it’s (usually) controlled chaos. Good dog daycares have plenty of well-trained staff on hand to ensure that the pups are getting along and that everything is running smoothly.
Positive reinforcement
The key to good socialization is creating positive experiences to help your dog feel comfortable, happy, and confident around other dogs. A well-run dog daycare offers a controlled, happy setting where dogs can build positive associations with other dogs.
Mental and physical stimulation
For many dog parents, busy schedules and the demands of work and family can make it challenging to give your pup all the exercise they need. At dog daycare, they can run, sniff, and frolic to their heart’s content, engaging both their body and mind.
How To Choose a Good Dog Daycare To Build Social Skills
A good dog daycare will:
- Limit the size of playgroups so dogs don’t get overwhelmed or offer different group sizes
- Introduce new dogs to the group slowly
- Use caution when integrating shy, reactive, or fearful dogs who are new to a daycare environment
- Explain what extras or add-ons they offer, like KONGs or 1:1 playtime to build extra positive associations
- Have a current license to operate and business insurance
- Maintain strict vaccination policies
- Have excellent reviews and references
- Have staff members who can work with dogs at any social skill level. Bassett recommends checking for signs that staff have training in dog body langauge and group dynamics.
Asking questions about the points listed above can help you make sure the daycare will meet the needs of your pup and keep them safe and happy during their time there.
It’s also helpful to learn the daycare’s daily routine, any training tools they use, and how staff will communicate with you as needed. An important first step is to visit the daycare in person and observe the dogs at play. Trust your gut—if you don’t feel comfortable, your dog probably won’t either.
Socialization relies on creating positive experiences, so keep searching until you find a place that will provide the dog daycare socialization benefits you want.
How To Help Your Dog Benefit from Daycare
Many dogs have different socialization needs, depending on their stage of life and temperament. Here are some of the most common concerns that dog daycare can help with, and how you can help to maximize your unique pup’s dog daycare socialization benefits.
Puppies
“Positive and low-stress experiences with other dogs can really set the tone for healthy adult behavior,” says Bassett. She says that daycare is particularly good for puppies during the socialization window between 3 and 12 weeks old.
Before diving into daycare, Bassett recommends giving your young pup a socialization warm-up. A few short sessions of time spent with gentle, well-socialized dogs can help to ease your puppy into group activity.
You’ll also want to make sure your puppy is up-to-date on their vaccinations and approved for daycare by a veterinarian. When you’re ready, look for daycares with good supervision and structured routines—you want your dog’s time at daycare to reinforce the good behaviors and potty training you’re working on at home.
chayakorn lotongkum via iStock
Fearful or shy dogs
Well-trained staff is key to helping a shy or fearful dog be comfortable at daycare.
“If your dog is fearful or shy, you want a staff that helps them build confidence without forcing interactions,” says Bassett. She also recommends small daycares for scared pups; large groups can be overwhelming to shy pups, which means that “they might spend the whole day tense or scared instead of getting the positive experiencing you’re hoping for.”
Reactive, excitable, or high energy dogs
“For reactive or excitable dogs, the facility should have strategies in place to prevent meltdowns or overexcitement,” says Bassett. Look for separate spaces or the opportunity for one-on-one play until your dog is ready for a bigger group.
Private training sessions can also help to guide your dog (and you) to feel more confident and comfortable before they venture out to a group setting.
When Daycare Isn’t a Good Choice for Socialization
While daycare is a great socialization tool for many dogs, it’s not the best approach for all pups.
“If you notice your dog is stressed every time they go or they come home more worried than when they left, it might not be right for them,” says Bassett.
Thankfully, there are many alternatives to dog daycare that offer some of the same opportunities for social interaction and exercise:
- Private dog walking
- Dog walking groups
- One-on-one doggy play dates
- Trainer-led socialization groups specially tailored to shy or reactive dogs
In some cases, it’s not dog daycare that’s the problem—it’s that a particular daycare just isn’t the right fit for your pup. Don’t be afraid to try a few different daycares, especially looking for one with smaller play groups and more human attention.
The key to unlocking dog daycare socialization benefits is choosing the right daycare and the right time. When you do that, you can help your pup build positive experiences to help them enjoy (or at least tolerate) new dogs, people, and experiences.
