Benefits of Dog Daycare for Pet Owners

Pet parents often come home after a long day at work and discover that their dog is full of energy and ready for play when they are exhausted. Many dogs become destructive when left alone all day because of boredom, separation anxiety, or their need for socialization. These dogs could often benefit from doggy daycare.

Daycare allows dogs to play with other dogs and experience a safe, fun, and stimulating environment. They learn good social skills and get the exercise and mental stimulation they need to avoid boredom and stress. They make doggy friends and socialize with other dogs and caring humans.

In doggy day care, dogs are carefully supervised and allowed play and rest periods. A caring pet sitter supervises doggy interactions and gives you pet-loving attention. Most dogs thrive in daycare. They came home ready to eat and sleep, giving you to interact with a dog that is under control.  Taking a dog to daycare allows pet parents to work or run errands without worrying about their dog's well-being. The dogs work off excess energy, and the owner has an opportunity to complete tasks. The dogs enjoy socialization with other dogs and the attention of staff members.

Many daycare sites also offer training and can help with behavior modification. Destructive behaviors may be reduced simply by providing a more stimulating environment, but in some cases, it takes specific training to reduce those behaviors. Dogs learn to interact with other dogs and learn socially acceptable ways to behave around people in dog daycare.

By taking your dog to daycare, the dog can get the mental stimulation and personalized care and you will have the opportunity to recharge and complete other tasks knowing your pup is being well cared for.

Suitability of Dogs for Daycare

Not all dogs are good candidates for daycare. Consider the dog's temperament, energy level, and socialization needs. Older dogs often find the daycare environment to be more than they can take, particularly if they have not attended daycare before. As they age, dogs naturally become less active and often develop health issues. A simple walk may be all the exercise they need.

If you know your dog is aggressive toward other dogs, extremely fearful of new people, or has special needs, it may not be a good fit for daycare. Intensive training or a one-on-one pet sitter may be required in those cases.

Puppies and high-energy breeds often thrive in daycare environments but may require extra attention and training. Many doggie daycare facilities offer puppy play dates, which allow you to determine how your pup will interact with other dogs in a group environment. These playdates allow pups to make doggy friends and have some fun while you determine how well they will get along with other dogs.

Some dogs will get overstimulated at daycare. If the play area seems like a free-for-all and they spend the entire day in the company of other dogs, it might not be a good fit for your dog. If your border collie or Jack Russell terrier comes home hyperactive, panting, or restless, they are likely overstimulated. These and other breeds are high-energy dogs who need plenty of exercise but can be overwhelmed by too much of a good thing. Talk with your daycare personnel and see if they can reduce the amount of stimulation, or look for a different facility that has quieter resting areas and more downtime built into their schedule.

A few visits to a daycare facility can help determine if it's a good fit for a dog. Discuss your pet's specific needs and personality with the daycare staff to ensure they get the level of personalized care they need. The important thing is to find a facility where you and your dog feel comfortable.

Choosing the Right Doggy Daycare

Before committing to a dog daycare, research and visit multiple dog daycares to find the best fit for your dog. 

• Look for a clean, safe, and well-organized facility with experienced staff. A tour of the doggy daycare facility can help you determine how clean it is. Do the dogs there look healthy? As you tour, ask questions to discover their safety and health practices. Speak with a few of the people who are taking care of the dogs to determine their experience levels.

• Check for separate play areas for dogs of different sizes and breeds. You don't want to see large, high-energy dogs like German shepherds playing with small dogs like Shih Tzus. The play area should be large enough for dogs to play there and provide shade or shelter. Depending on the climate in your area, an indoor play area is important. There should also be different sizes and types of toys and equipment based on the size of the dogs in the play area.

• Discuss your dog's energy level, play style, temperament and experience with other dogs, Find out what the daycare facility does to socialize dogs while keeping them safe. Find out if smaller dogs have their own play area and how they schedule the dog's time. Do they have any live webcams, and if so, who has access to them?

• Ask about vaccination requirements, health protocols, and emergency procedures. A good doggy daycare will require dogs to be fully vaccinated before coming. Your veterinarian may not require Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccinations. As a responsible dog owner, you should vaccinate your dogs before taking them to any doggy daycare or boarding facility.

• Read reviews and ask for referrals from other pet owners to find a reputable daycare facility. If you see anything that would put your dog at risk, keep looking for a good daycare.

Potential Risks and Drawbacks

Not all dog daycare facilities are created equal. There are several potential problems to look for when visiting a doggy daycare. 

• Overcrowding and inadequate supervision can lead to stress and anxiety in dogs. Stressed dogs may become aggressive with each other, and with inadequate supervision, fights can break out.

• Inadequate cleaning and sanitation can spread diseases. Lack of cleanliness is particularly concerning with puppies. Puppies should have completed their Parvo and Bordetella shots before going to any dog daycare.

• Some dogs may not get along with other dogs, leading to conflicts and injuries. If the facility does not ask about your dog's temperament and personality, you can be concerned that they have not asked others.

• Daycare facilities may not provide enough individualized attention or training for dogs. You do not want your dog locked in a cage all day. Check out the play areas and rest areas for the dogs and ask about the amount of time spent in each. 

• Regular daycare visits can be expensive, especially for pet owners with multiple dogs.