Are you searching for a daycare facility or wondering if your dog likes their current place? Often, dog owners don’t have much choice but to find a doggy daycare centre to fit around work or life commitments. However, there is a lot to consider when choosing a doggy daycare. It is important to understand the pros, and cons, what to look for, what to ask and changes in your dog’s behaviour. 

Table of contents 

What Do Dogs Do In Daycare? 

Each doggy daycare will have its own routine, but it is important that there is some consistency between meal times, play times or activities and rest. This ensures that your dog can follow an expected schedule and be in a routine that doesn’t cause a big disruption to their usual day-to-day life. 

Here at A&T Trained Dogs, we have a large facility space to ensure a comfortable setting for your dogs. Some things that may be included are: 

  • Indoor and outdoor play
  • Large group or small group activities 
  • Designated meal times 
  • Quiet areas and time 
  • Occasionally one-on-one time or small group attention 

Like people, not all dogs want to bundle around in a big group and be active all day. Many quieter pets can find this non-stop activity to be stressful and mentally exhausting. A good doggy daycare centre, such as our Lounge in Lancaster, understands this important element and will give your dog the environment it needs.

What Are The Benefits Of Doggy Daycare?

Mental Health Improvements 

The Lounge Doggy daycare in Lancaster is designed to look after your dog’s mental health as well as keeping them fit and active. Most dogs like being with people, and with other dogs, as part of their pack. Doggy daycare can step in when you need to step out and go back to the office, providing the same level of company and companionship that they have become so accustomed to. This also alleviates any separation anxiety. 

Social Interaction 

Consistent socialisation is beneficial for any dog to get comfortable being around other dogs and people. By attending a doggy daycare, they will interact with both staff and dogs at the facility, which will boost their social interaction skills. This is particularly good for younger dogs or puppies as they can be in this environment from an early age and learn how to act and be friendly in a range of situations.

Exercise and Stimulation 

Your dog will get the exercise they need based on their activity levels at daycare. This puts less strain on the owners to try to fit it in around busy schedules. Not only this, the dogs will get positive mental stimulation with the difference in activities, whilst maintaining their fitness levels. 

Easy Scheduling For The Owners 

Doggy daycare is also a great service to utilise for dog owners. Whether work, travel or social events, you can be assured that your dog is in safe hands and getting the care they need. It prevents owners from having to fit around friends or family members’ plans if they usually take care of the dog, or from having strangers enter the home to look after them.

You may not be able to be with your dog all day long if you have had a change in work or life schedule, once you return to work, but our friendly, expert team can be. We can fill the gap that you leave, helping to keep your dog company, while providing important stimulation and structure to their day. A dog walker may be able to provide a break in their boredom, but it’s no substitute for the constant company they may have previously enjoyed. have enjoyed for the last twelve months. 

Are There Any Disadvantages To Doggy Daycare? 

There are not many disadvantages for the doggy daycare itself unless it is a hazardous environment and the standards are not good enough. However, not all dogs may be suited to daycare if they don’t have the right temperament for it. In some cases, your dog might be overwhelmed, overstimulated or anxious in a different environment around unfamiliar people. 

You also want to choose a daycare facility that ensures safety and well-trained staff to cope with different types of scenarios. If not, the results may be that your dog sustains injuries, and illness or develops bad behaviours. 

How Do I Know My Dog Likes Daycare? 

As we have determined, not all dogs are suitable for daycare, so you will likely be able to tell if your dog is not enjoying it. When picking up your dog, you can assess their behaviour and attitude towards you. If they are excitable and wagging their tail when dropping them off and picking them up, this indicates they have had a positive experience. 

What Does My Dog Need To Go To Daycare? 

Some daycares will have different rules from others about what they might need before attending, so it is important to have that conversation beforehand with the owners. Usually, dogs will need to have the appropriate vaccinations and be dewormed before attending, alongside proof of this. 

It is not a requirement but a basic level of socialisation and obedience training may also be required, so your dog transitions easily into the environment. This also creates a nicer atmosphere for other dogs and staff to play and have fun, rather than be focused on trying to overcome bad behaviour or putting other dogs at risk. 

What Makes A Good Doggy Daycare? 

When you’re looking for a doggy daycare, it is important to find a place that is not only suitable for your dog but one that is reputable and has procedures in place. Things you should look for include: 

  • Safe, clean environment
  • Friendliness of staff and their behaviour towards the dogs
  • How transparent the staff are 
  • Facility security and no potential hazards
  • Staff-to-dog ratio 

As a dog owner, you should also ask questions to ensure it is the right facility for your needs, including: 

  • What policies and procedures do you have in place? 
  • What approach do you have to discipline? 
  • How are the staff trained and do they have any qualifications? 
  • Do you have dogs with different temperaments and activity levels? 
  • Do you tailor activities towards the needs of each dog?
  • Will I receive any updates, reports, or handovers? 
  • What insurance do you have in place? 

Choose A&T’s The Lounge Daycare Service 

Anyone can set up a dog walker or doggy daycare facility, but not everyone has the skills and experience you need to look after your dog’s mental health as well as keeping them physically active. At The Lounge Doggy Daycare, our team are trained in canine behaviour, so we understand how your dog’s mind works. This means we can provide your pet with exactly what they need, to match both their physical and mental needs. Get in touch with our expert team or call 01524 587315 to book or for further information. 

Doggy Daycare Behaviour FAQs 

Why Might My Dog Misbehave At Daycare? 

Your dog may misbehave at daycare for a number of reasons, including: 

  • Not enough exercise 
  • Releasing stress they have from home life
  • They have aggressive tendencies
  • They are uncomfortable and fearful of their environment
  • Feeling extraterritorial or protective in a new situation
  • Asserting dominance and status over other, unfamiliar dogs 

Is It Normal For My Dog To Become Shy At Daycare? 

It is normal for dogs to become uncharacteristically shy when in new environments. They may not feel comfortable and are more uncertain of themselves around other dogs. If you feel your dog may struggle to adapt to a doggy daycare, you can ask the facility to do some tester time, where they can go for a few hours or half a day before leaving them for the full-time. 

Why Does My Dog Bark At Daycare? 

There are numerous reasons why your dog may excessively bark at daycare. For example, they could be anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, attention seeking, untrained, not used to socialising, fear or boredom.  If this is not usual behaviour for your dog at home and the problem persists, you may need to discuss this with your provider or change daycare services. You also may need a change in your doggy daycare routine or additional dog training.