- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If you’re wondering whether doggy daycare is a good idea for your dog, you’re in good company. Pet parents often struggle to determine the best daytime care solution for their pups. And the best answer, as you might suspect, largely depends on your dog’s temperament and needs. While some dogs thrive at doggy daycare, others might get overstimulated.
We’ve interviewed two experts, a professional dog trainer and behaviorist and an integrative veterinarian. With their help, we share what types of pups and their pet parents might find doggy daycare worth it—and who should skip it. We also offer tips on what to look for in a facility. But first, let’s explore what doggy daycare entails.
What Is Doggy Daycare?
Dr. Kathryn Dench, MRCVS, a holistic veterinarian at Paw Origins, describes doggy daycare as a facility that provides a supervised environment where dogs can play, interact, and rest throughout the day. This is different from dog boarding as dogs do not stay overnight. Instead, dog daycare provides short-term pet-sitting services during working day hours and have a strict policy on drop off and pick up times.
Daycares can range from small, intimate facilities to large centers that offer grooming. Some may even offer overnight boarding for their frequent visitors. You’ll often find a rotating staff that changes throughout the day or throughout the week. The largest focus of daycare is socializing and tiring out your dog. However, there are places that can provide one-on-one services like private rooms and individual training and enrichment.
Doggy Daycare: Pros & Cons
Pros: Dogs benefit from exercise and boredom prevention
Doggy daycare can be an excellent option for pet parents who don’t want to leave their dog home alone for long stretches during the day.
According to Dr. Dench, there are some clear benefits to doggy daycares. For example, they can provide socialization and physical activity and prevent boredom. They’re often great for well-socialized dogs who thrive on interacting with other dogs.
But even if you have a dog who is generally well-suited for a daycare environment, not all daycare solutions will be a great fit.
Cons: Dogs may develop bad habits and other behavioral risks
However, as Dr. Dench notes, there are some disadvantages of doggy daycare. For instance, a daycare environment can be stressful for some dogs, particularly introverted and anxious pups. Daycares also pose the risk of your dog developing an illness like kennel cough or getting fleas.
Alexandra Bassett, CPDT-KA, a certified dog trainer and owner of Dog Savvy, points out that sometimes daycares promote bad habits. For example, dogs may be allowed to potty indoors at daycare, leading to accidents or training problems at home.
If not supervised properly, constant dog interactions could also lead to unpleasant experiences like injury or fights. This trauma could later develop into aggressive or fearful behavior toward other dogs.
What To Look For in a Doggy Daycare: A Criteria Checklist
Choosing the right doggy daycare will depend on a combination of your needs—your work schedule, budget, etc.—and your dog’s temperament, preferences, and suitability. With these many factors, it’s important to do the work up front and see if your daycare choice can adapt to your dog’s needs.
Here are a few questions to ask to determine whether the doggy daycare near you is worth it.
1. Is there an application process?
According to Bassett, many reputable facilities have an application process for new dogs. This evaluation often includes filling out a questionnaire and undergoing an assessment by the facility’s staff. It can be an effective way to determine if your dog’s temperament is well-suited for the daycare (and vice versa).
The application process could also include a meet-and-greet with staff and one or two well-socialized dogs in a designated space at the facility. Dr. Dench notes that prospective clients should ensure that the intake process includes a behavior assessment and transparent health policies that are applied universally. These inclusions will help add an extra layer of protection for your dog.
2. What’s the staff-to-dog ratio?
Dr. Dench emphasizes there should be enough staff on-site to supervise the dogs. Facilities with a lower ratio of dogs per staff are usually the way to go (one staff member to every five or ten dogs). With smaller groups, you’ll know there are always active eyes on your dog, ensuring they’re having the best time in a well-supervised and safe environment.
You’ll also want to ask about the staff members’ training credentials. At the very least, they should know how to implement basic care and safety protocols. But ideally, you’ll want a doggy daycare with staff who understand canine behavior and body language.
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3. How attentive is the staff?
Bassett adds that pet parents can learn a lot about a potential facility by meeting the staff. For example, if the staff is constantly on their phones or distracted, the dog daycare may not be a good match for your dog. Don’t be afraid to come up with a list of questions for the staff either. It’s not a ridiculous request to interview the doggy daycare staff in-depth. Ask what training methods the staff follows (we recommend positive reinforcement-based training), how they supervise play, and what happens when dogs engage in undesirable behavior—how do they address it?
4. Are there cameras or other ways to check in?
Many doggy daycares have pet cameras and streaming capabilities so pet parents can check in on their pups throughout the day. Some will send videos or pictures directly to your email or phone to give you updates. Still others will send your dog home with a “report card” to give you more insight into their behavior and activities during their time there.
5. How is downtime built into the day?
All dogs—even social butterflies—need breaks to reduce the risk of injury and ensure healthy, appropriate play. Otherwise, dogs can become overstimulated, and behaviors are more likely to escalate into dog fights. Ask what the facilities look like outside the play areas and how breaks are built into the schedule. Are there separate quiet, private areas where dogs can rest, eat, and take breaks?
6. Are playgroups carefully curated?
A good doggy daycare will thoughtfully place dogs into appropriate playgroups based on age, size, energy level, and sociability. Some facilities even accommodate specific preferences, such as swimming or wading pools for dogs who love being in the water. If you have a reactive dog or a shy pup who prefers the company of people, there are even doggy daycares that offer private spaces for one-on-one interaction with the staff.
7. What safety features are in place?
The best doggy daycares will have safety protocols so your pup stays healthy and secure in their care. Look for facilities with climate-controlled environments that offer features like covered play yards, misting fans, heaters, and air-conditioned indoor spaces. Ensure that all outdoor yards have secure and reliable fencing and that the floors are non-slick to prevent accidents. You’ll also want to ensure there’s staff on-site who are canine CPR-certified.
Which Type of Dogs Should Go to Daycare?
According to Dr. Dench, dogs who excel in daycare environments are dogs who are:
- social
- adaptable
- playful
- confident
- have a history of positive interaction with people and other dogs
Conversely, Bassett points out some dogs have temperaments or past experiences that make daycare a difficult environment. Dogs who are not fit for daycare include dogs who are:
- fearful
- reactive
- wary
- anxious when separated from their humans
Similarly, while your dog may enjoy social environments, they may have certain habits or characteristics that would make them less of an ideal candidate for daycare. As Bassett points out, behaviors like incessant barking or resource guarding would be challenging to manage at many daycares. Dogs who are pushy, competitive with other dogs, and ignore social cues also aren’t a good fit.
Another consideration is your dog’s age and abilities. As dogs age, they can become less “dog tolerant” and more “dog selective,” even if they loved socializing when they were younger.
Alternatives to doggy daycare
If your dog is not well-suited for doggy daycare or gets tired of it—yes, even dogs can experience social burnout—don’t despair. You still have plenty of other options. For dogs who prefer to be at home, consider hiring a dog walker or pet sitter, or ask a friend or family member to stop by and check on your pup. If your dog is social but needs a more controlled environment, consider enrolling them in a small-group training class instead.
Remember: All dogs are good dogs. Whether or not yours goes to daycare doesn’t make them any less so!