Signs Your Dog Would Benefit from Doggy Daycare
Signs Your Dog Would Benefit from Doggy Daycare
Have you ever wondered whether your dog would actually enjoy going to doggy daycare, or whether daycare is something only for dogs whose owners are out of the house all day?
The truth is, there is no perfect answer. Some dogs are perfectly happy snoozing on the couch while you are at work, while others thrive when they have a day filled with play, enrichment, social interaction and plenty of company.
Doggy daycare is not about fixing a “bad” dog or giving you a break from a difficult one. It is simply another way to meet your dog’s physical, social and emotional needs. And sometimes, the signs that your dog could benefit from daycare are hiding in their everyday behaviour.
If you have been sitting on the fence about whether daycare might be a good fit for your pup, here are some of the signs your dog needs daycare, or would simply love it.
They are bored when they’re home alone
Chewed shoes? Rearranged cushions? A suspicious hole in the garden? A bark-a-thon for the neighbours?
Boredom for your dog will show up in all sorts of ways.
Dogs are naturally curious and active animals and when they are left with nothing to do for long periods, they may find their own entertainment. Unfortunately, what your dog considers a fantastic afternoon activity and what you consider acceptable household behaviour are not always the same thing!
Chewing, digging, excessive barking, raiding the rubbish or generally getting into mischief can sometimes be signs that your dog needs more mental and physical stimulation throughout the day.
A day at daycare can provide a safe outlet for that energy, with opportunities for play, exploration, social interaction and enrichment.
They have energy that one walk doesn’t quite burn off
Some dogs seem to come home from a walk ready for… another walk.
If your dog has a seemingly endless supply of energy, you are certainly not alone. Young dogs and naturally energetic breeds can need considerably more activity than a quick morning stroll around the block can provide.
And while walks are fantastic, exercise is not the only thing dogs need.
At daycare, dogs can enjoy social play, movement, sniffing, exploring and enrichment throughout their day. Just as importantly, they also get opportunities to rest between activities.
The goal is not to keep your dog running around for eight hours straight. It is about giving them a balanced day where they can play, interact, explore and then settle down for some well-earned downtime.
They struggle with being on their own
Does your dog follow you from room to room?
Do you have a furry little shadow who appears whenever you stand up?
Some dogs simply love being around their humans. Others can find being alone particularly difficult and may become unsettled when you leave.
Daycare is not a replacement for appropriate training around alone time, and dogs should still learn that being home alone is safe and okay. However, for dogs who genuinely enjoy being around people and other dogs, regular daycare can provide some extra social company during the week.
Instead of spending a long day alone, they get to spend part of their week surrounded by familiar people, doggy friends and plenty to do.
They absolutely love other dogs
This one can be pretty obvious.
If your dog’s face lights up the second they spot another dog, their tail starts going a mile a minute and they desperately want to say hello to every four-legged friend they pass, they may really enjoy having regular opportunities for social interaction.
Some dogs are social butterflies. They love playing chase, having a wrestle, sniffing bottoms and generally doing all the wonderfully weird things dogs do together.
For these dogs, daycare can be a fantastic way to provide regular, supervised socialisation rather than relying on the occasional dog park visit.
Of course, enjoying other dogs does not automatically mean daycare is right for every pup. Every dog’s personality, play style and comfort level needs to be considered. The right daycare environment should allow dogs to socialise safely while also giving them space to rest when they need it.
Your routine has changed
Sometimes it is not your dog who has changed, it is your schedule!
Perhaps you have gone back to the office after working from home. Maybe you have started a new job, taken on longer hours or simply realised that your usual routine does not give your dog quite as much company as it used to.
Dogs can be creatures of habit, so changes to their daily routine can take some getting used to.
Adding a regular daycare day or two into their week can give them something predictable and enjoyable to look forward to. Rather than spending every weekday alone for long stretches, they can have a couple of days filled with play, social time and enrichment.
And honestly, there is something amazing about knowing your dog is having a fun day while you are stuck at work.
You have a puppy or young dog who needs an outlet
Puppies are adorable, but puppies are also tiny chaos machines.
Those early months are an incredibly important time for learning about the world, meeting different people and dogs, building confidence and developing appropriate social skills.
Safe, positive socialisation is a big part of helping young dogs grow into confident adults. A well-managed daycare environment can provide opportunities for puppies and young dogs to interact with appropriate playmates while being supervised by experienced carers.
It also gives young dogs somewhere to put all that enthusiasm!
Instead of spending the day looking for things to chew, chase or climb, they can enjoy age-appropriate play, enrichment and social interaction in a controlled environment.
For puppies especially, daycare should never just be about tiring them out. Rest is just as important as play, and learning how to settle after excitement is a valuable skill too.
So, how does doggy daycare actually help?
At FurBaby, we believe a great daycare day is about more than simply letting dogs loose to play.
Our daycare is designed to give small dogs opportunities for play, socialisation, enrichment and rest throughout the day. Dogs can interact with their friends, enjoy different activities and have plenty of time to recharge when they need it.
Our environment is fully indoors and climate-controlled, which is especially helpful during Perth’s scorching summer days or those wet winter mornings when a long outdoor adventure is not exactly appealing.
We also specialise in small dogs up to 12kg, allowing us to create an environment suited to little dogs and their individual personalities and play styles.
For local dog owners around Westminster, Balcatta, Osborne Park and surrounding Perth suburbs, regular daycare can be a convenient way to add more enrichment and social time into your dog’s week.
And no, your dog does not need to be bouncing off the walls for daycare to be worthwhile.
Some dogs simply enjoy having company. Some love seeing their friends. Some need a little more stimulation. Others are happiest having a fun day of gentle social interaction before heading home for a big nap.
Needing daycare doesn’t mean your dog is “bad”
This is probably the most important thing we would like owners to remember.
If your dog is barking, chewing things, digging up the garden or struggling with long days alone, it does not necessarily mean they are naughty.
They might just be telling you that something about their current routine is not quite meeting their needs.
Dogs have different personalities, energy levels and social preferences, just like people do. One dog might happily sleep all day while another needs more interaction and stimulation to feel content.
Daycare is simply one option that can help meet those needs.
And you do not have to commit to five days a week either. For many dogs, one or two regular daycare days can be a lovely addition to their routine.
Could daycare be right for your dog?
If you have read through these signs and thought, “Okay… that sounds suspiciously like my dog,” it might be worth giving daycare a try.
A trial day is a great way to see how your dog responds to the environment, the carers and their new four-legged friends. Some dogs settle in straight away, while others need a little time to find their feet, and that is completely normal.
The most important thing is finding an environment where your dog feels safe, comfortable and happy.
Because at the end of the day, doggy daycare is not about having somewhere to send your dog while you are busy.
It is about giving them a day of their own. A day to play. A day to sniff. A day to make friends. A day to be wonderfully, unapologetically dog. And if your pup comes home happily exhausted and ready for dinner and a big sleep on the couch? Well… we would call that a pretty successful day.
If you are wondering whether FurBaby Doggy Daycare could be a good fit for your pup, get in touch with our team and ask about booking a trial day. We would love to meet them!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my dog needs daycare?
Common signs include boredom or destructive behaviour when home alone, energy that a single walk does not burn off, difficulty being on their own, a strong love of other dogs, or a change in your routine such as returning to the office. Needing daycare does not mean your dog is badly behaved, just that their day could include more stimulation and company.
Does my dog have to go to daycare every day?
Not at all. Many dogs do well with just one or two regular daycare days a week, which adds play, social time and enrichment to their routine without replacing their downtime at home.
Is doggy daycare only for high-energy dogs?
No. While energetic dogs often love it, plenty of dogs simply enjoy the company and gentle social time. A good daycare balances play with rest, so it suits a range of personalities.
Can puppies go to doggy daycare?
Yes. A well-managed daycare can be great for safe, positive socialisation, which helps young dogs grow into confident adults. Rest is built into the day too, since learning to settle after play is just as important for puppies.
