5 Pros & Cons About Doggy Daycare - Pawversity (2024)

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5 Pros & Cons About Doggy Daycare - Pawversity (2)

Make sure to pick a fun daycare.

Adoring pet parents who work long shifts, or have to travel for their jobs often try to find a means of helpful support for the pups kept at home. Instead of leaving their pet pals to fend for themselves (and potentially destroy the house) when they are gone, many caring parents have considered bringing their pooch to a doggy daycare provider. While this prospect might seem like an exciting opportunity for the dog to socialize, and fill his days with happy activities, there are pros and cons to the recent institution of the doggy daycare. Review some of the below considerations before you sign your dog up for a day away!

Pros of Daycare for Dogs

  • The pet day care option offers a safe and constructive place for your dog to have fun running and playing while you are indisposed.
  • The dog will be surrounded by people who are generally passionate about animals, and will arrange constructive games, bring toys, and plan activities for the animals to make the most of their hours at the facility.
  • Being in doggy daycare a few times a week will keep your dog mentally stimulated, and physically active, meaning he will be less likely to get into destructive problems at home. Your pooch will also be relaxed and exhausted by the time he is picked up, meaning an evening walk will be less necessary.
  • As the dog owner, you get peace of mind knowing that the dog is receiving care, without worrying about him digging through the trash, or barking all day, or looking for an escape route.
  • It allows healthy opportunities to socialize dogs with other pets of various sizes. Good socialization generally helps mellow a dog’s temperament.

Cons of Daycare for Dogs

  • Not all doggy daycare providers can be trusted, and you may be paying for an overcrowded and chaotic environment for your dog to be trapped in, if you haven’t researched properly. The visiting dogs may not be getting healthy food, enough rest or sufficient attention from the workers.
  • You may have no way of knowing if your dog is unhappy, or if he is being neglected in any way. There might be lose rules or a lack of attention to the hygienic conditions in which dogs play. If you have landed at a care provider whose staff does not seem to be completely honest with you, then you should be concerned about the conditions of the facility and what goes on when no customer is present.
  • Your dog might develop bad behaviors (such as dominating other dogs, or “marking” his territory to gain some sense of boundaries. He might also begin barking more for attention if he feels neglected.) If this is the case, you might next have to invest in a trainer that can work on basic obedience skills again.
  • While being around other creatures is believed to strengthen the immune system, when canines are kept in close quarters, diseases, infections and viruses spread rapidly. Though most daycare centers ensure that the dogs are up to date on their shots, illnesses like the Kennel Cough may go around, possibly infecting your dog. It’s not just his respiratory system that will be susceptible to illnesses, but your dog’s whole immune system will be vulnerable. (Imagine a scenario where a regular attendee finds out his dog has fleas, but he doesn’t have the time to get them treated or find a pet sitter, so he just brings the pup to the daycare as usual. Suddenly the unsuspecting masses of dogs are all at risk.)
  • Not every dog personalities work well with daycare scenarios. Some might develop not only negative behaviors, but also emotional problems as well. They may become fearful, fidgety and nervous, or even mistrusting, defensive and aggressive based on their experiences at the doggy day care center. When you leave your dog in daycare, you relinquish control of his rearing.

While daycare might be a great escape for many, it can also prove detrimental to the dog, so be sure to research potential care providers, asking for referrals from friends, and reading online reviews. If your dog is going to be spending hours away from you each day, you want to be certain it is a wise investment of both your money, and your dog’s time.

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5 Pros & Cons About Doggy Daycare - Pawversity (2024)

FAQs

Why is doggy daycare good for dogs? ›

Dog daycare provides your canine companion with the physical activity, socialization and supervision they need. A professional, well-run dog daycare offers many advantages for dogs and pet owners who work all day and don't want their dogs to be alone.

Does doggy daycare affect potty training? ›

Will indoor dog daycare impact my dog's potty training? Indoor dog daycare has no negative impact on house training. Dogs don't think about inside vs. outside the way people do.

Do dogs not like doggy daycare? ›

Although some dogs thrive with daycare, daycare isn't good for every dog. Dogs who are stressed, anxious, reactive, or otherwise struggle with interactions with other dogs are not good candidates for daycare.

Do dogs get stressed at doggy daycare? ›

And remember that if a pup is anxious on the first day, it doesn't mean daycare is completely off the table. A lot of dogs may not feel comfortable right away, but can, over time, get used to a daycare environment.

Do dogs get tired of doggy daycare? ›

More often than not, dogs go home sleepy and ready to rest from their fun day. However, not all dogs interact, play and engage in the same way while at daycare. In addition, all dogs have varying energy and endurance levels that can impact how tired or alert they are at the end of a daycare visit.

Is it OK to take dog to daycare everyday? ›

Some dogs may thrive with daily daycare visits, while others may only need occasional socialization. However, it's generally recommended that dogs don't spend more than eight hours per day alone, so pet owners who work long hours or have busy schedules may benefit from enrolling their pup in daycare on a regular basis.

What age is best for dog daycare? ›

Age. Socializing puppies at an early age is key to developing them into friendly, playful dogs. Typically, most dog daycare facilities require puppies to be at least four months old before they are allowed to be enrolled.

Is doggy daycare good for dogs with separation anxiety? ›

First and foremost, doggy daycare provides a safe and social environment for dogs to interact in their packs. This can help to reduce the stress and anxiety that dogs feel when left alone at home, as they are able to engage in stimulating activities and play with other dogs.

What is the 3 strike rule in Dogtopia? ›

Try a “three-strike you're out” concept – if your dog nips, you say no, and they do it two more times, calmly get up and walk away from the situation. This disruption will distract them from what they were doing. Another tip is to take treats or a few bits of kibble and sprinkle them on the ground.

At what age can a dog not be potty trained? ›

It typically takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully house trained, but some puppies may take up to a year. Size can be a factor. For instance, smaller breeds have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms and require more frequent trips outside.

Is it okay to board a 5 month old puppy? ›

It's recommended you board your young one when they're at least four months old.

What is the 3 Strikes and You Re Out protocol at Dogtopia? ›

Try a “three-strike you're out” concept – if your dog nips, you say no, and they do it two more times, calmly get up and walk away from the situation. This disruption will distract them from what they were doing. Another tip is to take treats or a few bits of kibble and sprinkle them on the ground.

Is dog daycare every day too much? ›

Spending every day at daycare is perfect for some dogs, but it can be stressful for others. Ultimately, it's up to you to watch out for the signs that your dog is feeling overstimulated or overtired, but don't be afraid to reach out to the daycare staff and check in about your dog's behavior regularly.

Why is my dog acting weird after daycare? ›

One main reason they could be acting different is exhaustion and fatigue. Just like us humans, dogs can get tired after a full day of activities and playtime at daycare. They've been running, jumping, and socializing all day long — and that can really wear them out.

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