If you’re picking up your canine from daycare and bringing home a pet that is
unable to calm down, it might be a sign that they’re over-stimulated while at daycare. This behavior isn’t all too uncommon for dogs, especially those who are new to being away from home all day and are acclimating to time being spent with new humans and new dogs.
This article will shed light on everything there is to know about dog daycare, from a typical dog daycare schedule to the certain dog breeds that benefit most from daycare centers.
Table of Contents
- How do I find the right dog daycare?
- Is my dog ready for daycare?
- How do dogs adjust to daycare?
- Why is my dog acting different after their day at daycare?
- Why is my dog acting very lethargic after daycare?
- What is a typical doggy daycare schedule?
- How often should I send my dog to daycare?
- Are certain breeds of dogs more suited for a doggy daycare environment?
- Are there any dogs that should not attend daycare?
- Is my dog daycare a good fit for my dog?
- How do I know if my dog likes daycare?
- What are the benefits of daycare?
- What are the negative aspects of daycare?
How do I find the right dog daycare?
If you are in the initial stages of starting to look for a daycare for your dog, there’s a couple important things you should consider as you begin your search. Make sure to interact with the staff in person so you get a feel for who will be watching your pet — Some good questions to ask are the staff-to-dog ratio, details about their daily schedule, and how the dogs are grouped during the day.
Is my dog ready for daycare?
In order to sign your dog up for a daycare center, you’ll be required to show their proof of vaccinations, and whether they were spayed and neutered before turning one. It’s also important to start your dog on a tick and flea regimen as they’ll be exposed to many other dogs in close proximity for extended amounts of time, and have them trained to possess basic behavioral skills.
How do dogs adjust to daycare?
Dogs will slowly adapt to their new routine and become increasingly comfortable with the more time spent in daycare. Know that the first weeks may be a trial and error period – It’s important to communicate with the staff to see how your pet is doing, and how you can help ease any adjustment stress they may be feeling.
Why is my dog acting different after their day at daycare?
Just like the first day of school, or first day of a new job, a dog new to daycare can experience an overwhelming amount of anxiety when presented in new situations. There are various reasons why you might come home with a dog acting differently, including: separation anxiety, adjusting to a new environment, interacting with new animals, and getting used to a new feeding and walking schedule.
Why is my dog acting very lethargic after daycare?
Your dog also might return home from daycare overtired and ready to nap, which is completely normal as their day is packed with socialization, physical exercise and stimulation. If they seem a bit low-energy when they arrive home, it might just be time for a post-play snooze and some time spent in the calm of your home.
What is a typical doggy daycare schedule?
Though the exact schedule of a dog daycare varies, all of them usually follow a general routine: A morning activity, such as a walk or trip to a local park, followed by socialization time, lunch, a nap, and an afternoon activity. It’s necessary that your dog daycare staff follow and maintain a strict schedule so that your pup can depend on the routine.
How often should I send my dog to daycare?
It’s suggested that your dog should not be in daycare more than three days a week. Remember that on the days your dog stays at home, you should continue to nurture your relationship with them by incorporating activities like going to an outdoor area or visiting your nearby park, which will also make up for the time they might be spending inside at their daycare facility.
Are certain breeds of dogs more suited for a doggy daycare environment?
Typically, dog daycare is better suited for high-energy dog breeds who benefit from the stimulus and activity that a daycare environment provides. Those breeds include Corgi, Sheepdogs, Dalmatian, Russell Terrier, Siberian Husky, Golden Retriever.
Are there any dogs that should not attend daycare?
You should not send your dog if they have behavioral issues that might cause problems with other pets, or even staff members, and any dog with a history of aggression should absolutely not attend daycare. Before you send your pet to daycare, make sure that you’ve trained them to behave properly indoors and exposed them to new social situations.
Is my dog daycare a good fit for my dog?
If it’s been longer than a month and your dog hasn’t adapted to daycare, it might be wise to re-evaluate your situation and explore other options. Signals that daycare isn’t the best fit for them include: Exhibiting strange behavior (returning home with an abundance of energy, or too little energy), or developing new, negative behavioral issues.
How do I know if my dog likes daycare?
In order to find out if your dog is enjoying their days at their daycare, you should closely examine their behavior leading up to arriving at daycare. If they’re calm when you leave the house in the morning, and excited once they enter the daycare facility, they probably like their time spent at daycare.
What are the benefits of daycare?
Sending your dog to daycare has a lot of benefits, including exposure to lots of other dogs, and lots of opportunity for exercise. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, daycare is also great practice for when you need to travel and will be away from home for longer periods of time. However, what might be a great experience for a sociable dog can be a bad experience for a more anxiety prone, social-advoidant dog.
What are the negative aspects of daycare?
One major drawback to daycares is the fact that dogs are kept in close quarters, which can foster a perfect environment for diseases, infections and viruses to spread rapidly. Though most daycare centers require that all dogs are up to date on shots and vaccinations, there are some illnesses, like the Kennel Cough, that may spread and could infect your dog.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.