How do I know if my dog doesn't like daycare?

They become reactive or show aggression when they encounter other dogs. They've had little socialization with other people and animals. They're fearful around unfamiliar people and pets. On the other hand, dogs who act nervous or are reluctant to leave when you mention daycare probably don't enjoy going. A dog's body language after you pick them up from daycare can tell you a lot too. If your dog spends most of their time playing with other daycare-goers, they probably really enjoy daycare. But dogs who don't interact with others or respond appropriately to play invites may be feeling overwhelmed by the environment. Watch to see if your dog is actively engaging in play or if they are hiding away. It’s a good idea to check the feed multiple times throughout the day to see if your dog's behavior changes. Some dogs like to have a quiet nap and then go right back to playing, but if your dog is consistently hiding, they might be feeling uncomfortable.

If your dog gets too excited about social interactions, doggy daycare may have additional benefits. However, if your dog becomes aggressive during a walk to protect their owners, they’re less likely to be aggressive towards other dogs at doggy daycare because you’re not going to be near your pet while at doggy daycare. You may be wondering if your dog would be happier by spending the day with other dogs at doggy daycare. Are you coming home to destructive behaviors like chewing furniture, doors, or other important pieces of your home? Separation anxiety in dogs can show up in a number of ways, at the extreme end, this can result in destructive or harmful behavior for your dog. Some dogs chew on things they shouldn’t, like couches, drywall, doors, or other furniture. Dogs with separation anxiety have also been known to break through windows in an attempt to reunite with their owner.

When your dog hops out of the car or rounds the corner onto the block where the daycare entrance is, how do they react? Are they excited, perhaps even pulling you towards the front doors? Or do they give off signals that they’d rather not go there? How does your dog greet staff when they come into the building? Do they pull towards them for a greeting or do they show discomfort by backing away and possibly refusing to move? When a staff member tries to take your dog back to play, are they willingly going with the handler or digging in their heels? If your daycare doesn’t have cameras, ask the staff for a recap on how your dog did that day. Ask specific questions about your dog’s behavior to get a more informative answer: Did they spend time with any specific doggy friends? Or did they stay by the sidelines the entire day, and were the first to bolt out the playfloor door when it was opened? When a staff member brings your dog out to you, how does your dog react? Are they bouncing up and down, tail wagging, and maybe some playful barks? Or are they desperate to get to the exit and get home? How is your dog when they get home and the next day? Are they able to settle and put themselves to sleep with their usual nesting routine, or do they seem overtired–which can look like either just immediately collapsing into a deep sleep with no pre-rest ritual or acting wired and irritable, like a toddler who didn’t get a nap? If you see any of the signs above, it may mean that daycare isn’t a good option for your dog, or it may just mean that you haven’t found the right daycare for them.