Is Dog Daycare Right for Your Dog?

It’s hard not to feel guilty when you’re away at work all day and your dog is home alone.

On the other hand, most dogs just sleep when we’re gone, and they are very adaptable to our schedules, especially if they’re getting plenty of exercise and interaction while we’re home.

This post will go over how to decide if dog daycare is a good choice for your unique dog. I’ll also give some tips on how to choose the right daycare and how to prepare your dog for the first day.

Is Dog Daycare Right for Your Dog?

Most dog daycares are set up so a group of dogs can play together in an open room or yard. Some dogs love this kind of social environment, while others may find it stressful.

A few questions to ask yourself when deciding whether daycare is a good fit for your dog include:

• How active is your dog?
• Does your dog enjoy playing with other dogs?
• Does your dog ever play too rough?
• Is your dog stressed while home alone, or does your dog mostly sleep?
• Is your dog possessive of toys, food, or space?
• Can you afford dog daycare on a regular basis?

Don’t jump to the conclusion that your dog needs daycare just because you feel guilty about leaving them home. Some dogs thrive when playing with groups of other dogs, while others are perfectly content spending much of the day relaxing at home.

Alternatives to dog daycare include hiring a dog walker or pet sitter, going home during your lunch break when possible, providing plenty of exercise before and after work, or using another arrangement that works well for your dog and your schedule.

Choosing the Right Dog Daycare

Since each dog daycare is managed a little differently, it’s a good idea to visit more than one facility, read reviews, and ask plenty of questions before deciding where to take your dog.

Jme Thomas, executive director of Motley Zoo Animal Rescue, which also offers dog daycare and boarding services, shared several things dog owners should consider when evaluating a daycare.

She recommended asking about the dog-to-person ratio and paying attention to how clean and well managed the facility appears.

“High-quality daycares should be pretty easy to spot,” she said. “Low ratios of people to dogs is always a good sign. This means that they are more concerned about safety and erring on the side of caution, than cramming dogs in and maxing out on their profit margin.”

Thomas said a reasonable ratio is about 10 to 12 dogs per person.

She also suggested asking whether the daycare has webcams so owners can check in on their dogs throughout the day.

“This is not to say that daycares that don’t have them are horrible places,” she said. “They simply may not be technologically advanced or have the know-how to get them up and going, or maintain them.”

Preparing Your Dog for the First Day

Most dog daycares require dogs to have certain vaccinations, Thomas said, similar to the requirements at a boarding kennel. Ask the daycare about its specific health and vaccination requirements before your dog’s first visit.

To help set your dog up for success, Thomas recommended making sure your dog is well socialized and comfortable being handled by people they don’t know. Basic obedience can also help, particularly leash manners and cues such as come and sit.

Thomas also recommended asking whether the daycare has a “crated nap time.” If it does, helping your dog become comfortable spending short periods in a crate at home may make that part of the daycare routine easier.

It’s also helpful to give the daycare staff any important information about your dog’s behavior, preferences, and health needs. The more they know about your dog, the better prepared they can be to make the experience a positive one.

After Your Dog’s First Day

After the first day, don’t be surprised if your dog is tired. Thomas said even the mental stimulation of daycare can be exhausting—“like coming home from a busy day at work.”

Pay attention to your dog after each visit. Being tired after an active day is one thing, but if your dog repeatedly seems unusually stressed or unhappy, talk with the daycare staff and consider whether that particular environment is the right fit.

Every dog is different. Daycare can be a great source of activity and social interaction for some dogs, while another dog may be happier with a dog walker, pet sitter, or a quieter day at home followed by plenty of exercise and time with you.

The goal isn’t simply to find a way to keep your dog busy while you’re gone. It’s to find the arrangement that works best for your individual dog.

What do the rest of you think? Do you take your dog to daycare? What has worked best for your dog?