It can feel disheartening when your dog gets rejected from day care or kicked out after you thought they’d settled in. But this does happen from time to time, and learning the reasons can help you better understand your dog and find a better fit for them.
Day care isn’t for every dog, explains Nicole Kohanski, a dog behaviourist, trainer, and founder of Wiggle Butt Academy. It’s completely normal for some dogs to enjoy day care and do well, while others have trouble fitting in.
Some reasons for rejection from day care include aggression, separation anxiety, or overstimulation. No matter the cause, it doesn’t mean something is wrong with your dog. It may just mean you need to find a different solution.
Read on to learn more about why your dog may get rejected from day care, how to help reintroduce them, and good alternatives to consider.
Reasons a Day Care Might Reject a Dog
Possible reasons a dog may end up rejected from day care include being persistently overwhelmed, having separation anxiety, or having a mismatched play style.
Overwhelmed by the environment
Day cares come with a lot of noise, movement, and other dogs. This is exciting for some dogs and overwhelming for others.
When a dog feels overstimulated, they may start reacting to things they’d usually ignore. For example, they might snap, growl, or have difficulty settling down.
Several dog parents on the r/reactivedogs subreddit mentioned their dogs became reactive after becoming overstimulated at day care, which led to them getting kicked out or rejected.
Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety is one of the most common conditions that dogs experience.
Dogs with separation anxiety might pace, whine, or try to escape when their people leave, which can cause difficulties in the day care setting. This stress is difficult for both dogs and their pet parents, not to mention tough for day care sitters to manage while looking after other dogs.
Excessive barking
It’s perfectly natural for dogs to bark. However, constant barking often signals that a dog feels uncomfortable or stressed. It can also disrupt the other dogs at day care, making it difficult for sitters to keep things calm.
According to a dog day care worker on the r/dogs subreddit, dogs who bark excessively are likely stressed and would do better at a different day care.
A mismatched play style
Every dog plays differently. Some love rougher play, while others prefer calmer play.
Problems can arise when play styles clash. A dog who plays rough might unintentionally scare—or even hurt—a smaller dog or one who prefers gentler interactions.
This doesn’t mean your dog’s play style is wrong, of course. It does mean they might have a better time with playmates who have a similar energy level and play style.
A preference for being alone
Not every dog wants a big group of friends. Some would much rather play alone at home with a family member, dog sitter, or one other pup.
You might worry your dog is unhappy if they spend most of the day sleeping, avoid other dogs, or have little interest in play. But they may simply have a lower social battery and prefer a quieter atmosphere.
Lack of training or social skills
Some dogs haven’t had much practice being around other dogs, so they don’t know how to interact with them.
A dog with limited social skills might miss basic play cues, like when another dog needs space. They may also struggle with commands like “leave it” or “come,” which sitters at doggy day care often use.
Basic training at home or working with a professional trainer will help dogs build these skills over time. The PDSA recommends looking for a trainer or clinical animal behaviourist accredited by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) or the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC).
A day care that isn’t the right setup
A dog may get rejected from day care because it’s simply not the right space for them.
For example, a high-energy day care with several clients might work well for some pups but overwhelm others. Dogs who prefer to be outside might not do well in a mostly indoor space.
One pet parent on the r/puppy101 subreddit shared that their dog had difficulties at a large day care but did better at a smaller one. In short, sometimes the solution might involve switching the day care.
Can I Reintroduce My Dog to Day Care?
In some cases, you can successfully reintroduce your dog to day care. This adjustment period can take anywhere from a few visits to a few weeks, so give your dog time before you decide whether it’s working.
If you think your dog enjoys day care but needs support having a positive experience, Kohanski recommends working with a reinforcement trainer who specialises in dog play and body language.
You can also practise training on your own, following these steps:
- Head to an enclosed dog field with treats, but stay outside.
- Sit far enough away that your dog can watch calmly.
- Reward calm behaviours, like sniffing the ground or lying down.
- Move closer over time—but only as long as your dog stays relaxed.
Alternatives to day care
If your dog doesn’t seem to enjoy day care, even after some adjustment time, you may want to consider other options. You still have plenty of ways to keep your dog happy and active.
- Enrichment activities: Sniff walks, puzzle toys, and trick training can help meet your dog’s needs at home. You can also hire a dog walker or sitter on Rover if you need extra support.
- Other day care options: If your dog does okay with day care in small doses, consider half-day day care. You could also search for a dog sitter who cares for one dog at a time or only takes small groups in a home setting.
- Play dates with neighbours: A one-on-one play date with a familiar dog can offer a lower-pressure way to socialise, without the intensity of a full group setting.
