For many pet owners, work can interfere with what we’d much rather be doing: spending time with our dogs. When you're working from 9 to 5 (or even longer), leaving your dog home alone without any entertainment or interaction all day can feel unfair.
That’s where dog daycare can be the perfect solution for some dogs. These centers provide a space for dogs to exercise, engage in mental stimulation, and have fun while you're at work. However, while doggy daycare works well for some, it may not be the best option for every dog.
There are several factors to consider when deciding if doggy daycare is right for your dog. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of doggy daycare to help you make the best decision for your furry friend. Let's dive into the advantages and disadvantages to see if it's the right fit for your pup.
Also Read: Ways to Keep Your Dog Busy While Working From Home
What Is Doggy Daycare?
We like to describe doggy daycare as a facility that provides a supervised environment where dogs can play, interact, and rest throughout the day. Not to be confused with dog boarding, dog daycare provides short-term pet-sitting services, usually during working day hours when dog owners need the most help with their dogs.
Daycares come in many varieties, including small, intimate facilities and large centers that offer grooming and even sometimes boarding for longer overnight stays. While many focus on social dogs who like to play with other dogs, some daycares provide more one-on-one services like private rooms and individual training and enrichment.
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What To Look For in a Reputable Doggy Day Care?
Choosing the right dog daycare will depend on a combination of your needs—your work schedule, budget, etc.—and your dog’s temperament, preferences, and suitability. 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. Here are a few questions to ask to determine whether the doggy daycare near you is worth it.
1. Is there an application process?
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. 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?
There should be enough staff on-site at the dog daycare 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.
3. How attentive is the staff?
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 dog owners 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 little guy 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. Dog owners should look for facilities that are a good environment with climate-controlled environments that offer features like covered play yards, misting fans, heaters, and air-conditioned indoor spaces. They should always have appropriate flooring as well. 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.
The Pros of Doggy Daycare
- No more long days at home alone: Can you imagine what it must be like for your dog spending all day at home, alone, with no one to talk to or play with? This can make some dogs completely miserable, but the problem can be easily solved with regular daycare visits.
- Socialization opportunities: Dogs are social creatures and staying in a doggie daycare gives your pup a chance to play and interact with other dogs. Socialization is important from an early age. This teaches them essential social skills and also offers wonderful mental stimulation. The right daycare will require dogs to be current on all vaccinations.
- Exercise: Instead of sitting at home all day not getting any activity, daycare gives your dog a chance to play as much as they want with other dogs. This not only helps them stay in shape, but it’s also essential to their mental wellbeing.
- Less destructive behavior: Bored dogs can turn to destructive behavior (like chewing your furniture) to relieve their boredom and use up excess energy. But when your dog spends time at daycare, they’ll hopefully come home tired and happy.
- Training services are possible: If your pup has some behavior issues you’d like to address, some daycare centers also offer one-on-one training services. So while you’re at work, your dog can be hard at work becoming a better-behaved family member.
- Wide range of facilities available: If you live in a city, chances are you’ll have several daycare facilities to choose from. As well as specialist doggy daycare facilities, you may also find some people offering in-home daycare to provide a more personalized touch.
- Flexibility for your schedule: Most daycares are also flexible enough to fit in with your schedule. For example, you could book your dog in for a half day of care instead of a full day.
The Cons of Doggy Daycare
- It can be overwhelming: Going into a noisy and unfamiliar environment where there could potentially be 10 or more other dogs can be overwhelming and even downright intimidating for some pups.
- No individually personalized care: Some dogs need one-on-one care to be completely happy and comfortable. But when they stay at a doggy daycare, they’re just 1 dog in a room full of them.
- The level of supervision varies: The professionalism and attentiveness of staff can vary from one facility to the next. You’ll need to compare a range of daycares to find one where your pup will receive a high standard of care. Larger daycares typically have less personal attention.
- Some dogs find it overstimulating: The constant excitement or stress of a busy daycare can be a little too much for some dogs to handle. For those dogs that are naturally nervous or a little highly strung, daycare will often not be the best choice.
- Risk of illness: While reputable daycare facilities have strict health and vaccination policies in place, there’s still a risk of illness — for example, kennel cough or fleas — spreading at a daycare facility.
- Developing bad behaviors: There’s a chance that your dog may pick up some undesirable behaviors from their doggy daycare peers. While you can prevent these becoming a problem with regular training, it’s still an issue worth considering.
- Expensive: Another factor to consider is the cost of doggy daycare. If you book your dog in for a visit 5 days a week, you’ll be faced with an expensive care bill.
Also Read: 8 Easy Tips For Dog Grooming At Home for Pet Parents
The Difference Between Dog Daycare and Dog Parks
Each and every dog that comes for daycare has typically passed an evaluation and has been reviewed by the management or staff. They have also already interacted with other daycare dogs. At a dog park, dogs of all sizes and temperaments are all playing together, often without regard for the play style other dogs have.
A dog park is typically outside only, consisting of many dogs. And there is no way for dog owners to keep the dogs separated from other dogs with bad dog behavior.
And free they may be, but free to other dogs who are not on heartworm or flea/tick preventive, free to dogs who are not vaccinated, free to dogs whose manners are questionable and sometimes downright aggressive. An outdoor play space may not be the best thing for most dogs.
So, Is Doggy Daycare the Right Choice for My Dog?
Now that we’ve run through the main pros and cons of doggy daycare, do you believe it is suitable for your particular pup? The definitive answer really depends on your dog, their individual personality, and where they’ll feel happiest and most comfortable.
So take some time to ask yourself a few of the following questions:
- How well does my dog get along with other dogs? Do they have good social skills?
- Are they comfortable in group settings, or do they get intimidated easily?
- How active is my dog?
- Will they cope well with all the noise, activity, and excitement of a daycare facility, or will they find it overwhelming?
- Do they have any special care needs that require careful management?
If your dog is confident, comfortable in groups, and doesn’t require one-on-one care, doggy daycare could be a viable option. Start comparing facilities near you and reading online reviews to find the best weekday care for your pup.
Also Read: The Top 10 Easiest Dog Breeds to Train
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 with other dogs instead.
Remember: All dogs are good dogs. Whether or not yours goes to daycare doesn’t make them any less so!
Conclusion
If you're considering a dog day care facilities for your furry friend, it's important to know that the care will be provided by professionals. The staff at a doggy daycare center are trained in pet care and will be able to provide your dog with the exercise, socialization, and attention they need.
Dog lovers everywhere face a crucial question when it comes to their furry friends: should I send Fluffy to daycare? While you might love spending every moment with your four-legged companion, sometimes life just gets in the way. Whether it's work or a social event, leaving your pup alone for extended periods can be stressful and even harmful.
We hope that this article was useful in determining the pros and cons of sending your pet off to a doggy care center. Both sides of this divisive topic will help you make an informed decision that best fits your lifestyle and your pet's needs.
