Re-shared from Preventative Vet.

Is your dog barking for no apparent reason? Have they started digging up your flower beds? Is your puppy chewing up your shoes or the couch? Constantly bugging you to interact while you're trying to get some work done?

In many cases, there is a simple explanation: your dog is bored! Dogs get bored just like we do, so it's important to provide them with exercise, training, interactive toys, and brain games to keep them busy and entertained. Giving them appropriate ways to burn that extra energy also means your flower beds, shoes, and couch won't become unfortunate casualties.

To tackle your dog's boredom, don't focus only on physical exercise (although it's important to make sure your pup is staying in shape) — your dog needs mental exercise as well. Below you'll find some boredom busters to try with your dog, from exercise ideas beyond the regular walk around the block, to dog puzzles and DIY brain games you can make yourself. Try out a few with your dog to find out what kind of activities they enjoy the most.

Puppies and Physical Exercise: If you have a puppy or dog under 2 years old, make sure to talk with your veterinarian about the kind of physical exercise you want to do with your dog. Your vet will guide you to appropriate activities that won't cause long-term damage to your dog's bones and joints (repetitive pressure, like what happens during jogging or running, can damage your dog's growth plates).

Young puppies do best with very short sessions of play and exercise — too much and they become exhausted. While a tired dog is a good dog, an exhausted dog is going to be sore and cranky.

1. Play with a Flirt! PoleFlirt poles are a great toy that tire out high-energy dogs quickly (and bonus: they can be used in a variety of ways in training).
What exactly is a flirt pole, you ask? Think of it like a larger cat toy or fishing pole. It makes it easier on us humans to play with our dogs without having to run around as much, since the pole gives you a way to get your dog chasing after a toy while you can stay stationary. It does take some practice to get comfortable holding and moving around, but one you've got the hang of it, it's a fun way to engage in play with your dog. If your dog loves chasing after the flirt pole, they might really enjoy lure coursing!

2. Play Fetch with Your Dog! A game of fetch is another easy game to tire out your energetic pup, and it doesn't always have to be outdoors. Change up what kind of toys your dog gets to chase and retrieve to keep them interested (you can see our favorite fetch toy picks here). You can play fetch inside on a rainy day, or while you're working from home, if you use one of your dog's favorite stuffy toys or a soft ball.
One fetch game rule everyone should follow is to avoid throwing wood sticks when playing fetch. These can cause injuries such as splinters, punctures, or worse. My corgi loves to play fetch with her very own Fetch Stick. It bounces and the teal blue color stands out against the grass for her, and it's light enough for her to carry to and from the park.

Is your dog a little hesitant to play fetch? That's okay! Each dog is different in what games they like to play. You can try Tug-o-War instead, or work on training your dog to play fetch.

3. Go on a Sniffari Walk with your Dog! Have you ever thought about how boring a regular walk can be for your dog? Change it up and try taking your dog on a "sniffari" instead. This kind of walk means letting your dog take the lead and follow their nose wherever it wants to go. Obviously, you're there to keep a hand on their leash and make sure they don't eat something they shouldn't or wander into dangerous situations like the middle of a street, but allow them the freedom to check out new smells. Let them sniff for as long as they'd like and allow them to choose what direction to go as long as it's safe to do so.
Using their sense of smell is incredibly enriching for dogs, and their brain is processing so much information that it makes these kinds of activities an excellent way to burn excess energy. It's also a great way for your dog (and you) to decompress and lower stress levels.

4. Sign Up for a Dog Sport! Dogs sports not only physically exercise your dog, but also provide loads of mental enrichment. There are lots of different dog sports you can get involved in. Try out a few to see which you and your dog enjoy the most. Often there are local dog sport clubs you can join (even if you don't plan on competing and just want to have some fun) and many dog training gyms often offer classes for specific dog sports. Here's ten different dog sports to check out:

1. Agility
2. Flyball
3. Treibball
4. Canine Freestyle
5. Dock Jumping
6. Carting
7. Rally-O
8. Barn Hunting
9. Earth Dog
10. Nose Work and Tracking
    
    

5. Build a Dig Pit for Your Dog! Some dogs just love to dig — especially breeds like Dachshunds or Schnauzers that were originally bred to hunt small critters. Digging is a natural dog behavior and many dogs will dig out of boredom if they have nothing else out in the yard to keep them busy.
In order to save your garden, provide your pup with somewhere they are allowed to dig. You can do this a variety of ways:

• Use a kiddie pool or sandpit container and fill it with kid-safe dirt or sand.
• Designate a specific corner or area of your yard that's okay to dig in. Mark it with small garden dividers to help your dog learn where it's okay to dig.
• Build a raised-garden bed filled with dirt or sand.
• Bury some of your dog's toys, treats or chews in their designated area. Make it easy at first, leaving the toy partially uncovered before burying it completely.
• Explore the dig pit with your dog, getting involved in helping them uncover their buried treasure and getting excited with them when they unbury things.
• If your dog goes to inappropriate areas and starts to dig, simply redirect them back to their special area. Then consider blocking off their access to the other areas to prevent digging in the wrong spot.

6. Use Interactive Dog Puzzles! Feeding your dog out of a regular dog bowl is pretty boring. Dogs are natural foragers, so making them work for their bites of kibble is a great way to work their brain. If you have a dog that likes to inhale their food at record speeds, using an interactive puzzle for their meals is a great way to slow them down and prevent choking or GDV/Bloat. My personal favorites include the Kong Classic (which can be stuffed with a huge variety of recipes) and the Toppl from West Paw. Check out more of our favorite interactive toys in our article "Choosing the Best Interactive Toys and Food Puzzles for Your Dog."

There are lots of these "work-to-eat" toys on the market but you can also make your own pretty easily! One that you might already have supplies for is this DIY Food Tube Dog Puzzle. You can use your dog's kibble with this puzzle or throw in some Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Minnows and Zuke's Mini Naturals Treats.


Safety Note: Whenever you're making your own puzzles, make sure that they are safe and always supervise their use. For example, the Food Tube Puzzle should not be used with Brachycephalic (or "flat-faced") dogs, or any other dogs with bulging eyes, as their more prominent eyes are likely to get scratched on the tubes. This can lead to damage to their corneas (clear surface of their eyeball) requiring medical care. You also don't want your dog chewing up and swallowing any piece of your DIY puzzle that's not meant to be eaten!

7. Incorporate Dog Training Throughout the Day! You can make an easy brain game out of a short and sweet training session with your pup. These training sessions don't need to be very long, 2 to 5 minutes is perfect (even shorter for young puppies!). Read more about why short and sweet training sessions are actually better for training your dog new things. 
Some great times to do a training session include:

• Using some of your dog's regular portion of kibble as individual treats at mealtime
• During a commercial break while you're watching television
• Before you start or right after you finish their regular walk.
• Find more ideas on dog training opportunities throughout the day in this article

8. Give Your Dog a Snuffle Mat! A snuffle mat is a fun way to feed your dog their regular meals and work their foraging skills at the same time. My dog loves to root around in the long "grass" for treats and kibble, and is learning how to navigate the pockets and other puzzles on her snuffle mat by Difflife. I love how it keeps her busy for around ten minutes, slows down her eating, and how she usually takes a nap afterwards to recover from all that nose work.

9. Introduce Jolly Balls to Your Dog for Outdoor Play! Many dogs love playing with Jolly Balls in the yard, especially herding breeds. Jolly Balls are a thicker plastic material that won't pop like a basketball or soccer ball would, and there are lots of styles available, from the Original Jolly Ball to a Jolly Egg. You can even introduce your dog to a giant inflatable ball in the backyard that they can herd around and chase. Make sure to purchase an "anti-burst" inflatable ball specifically made for dog or horse play.

10. Schedule Regular Dog Play Dates! Interacting and playing with other dogs is wonderful mental enrichment for your pup and maintains their social skills. It's also an easy way to burn extra energy, both physical and mental. Dogs, especially puppies, need practice in learning how to speak dog, which is lots of brain work!
It's important to make sure that all the dogs are having a good time during play, so make sure that you're managing their play and staying aware of the changing dynamics of the group to prevent fights or scuffles from happening. Dog parks aren't for every dog, so don't rely on them for your dog's socialization and exercise (and make sure you know what your puppy needs before going to a dog park). Don't expect your dog to enjoy the dog park either. Many older dogs do better with a familiar playmate, so schedule a "date" for them to hang out with a buddy or go for leashed walks together if they aren't into play as much as when they were young

Melissa has wanted to bring a day school to the Seacoast since K9 Lane's inception ten years ago.

Melissa's ultimate goal is to help make dogs well balanced. What the means to her is that they are calm, exercised, and comfortable in all surroundings. She feels having dogs in their social circles during the day, receiving individual attention with a trainer, then following up with owners in a small group class to solidify skills is a great way to achieve her goal.

Day school will be a chance for your dog to get individualized training from a skilled dog trainer. Maybe your dog needs help with loose leash walking, or impulse control, ignoring distractions, recall work, or maybe you want your dog to leave your sandwich alone. We want to help. We can help. We will help.

She is currently working on making this happen before the month is over! Are you interested in something like this for your dog? Get in touch, Melissa wants to help.

Exhaustion is not our measure of success, read on to find out why.

You want a tired dog after a day of play with their buddies. We understand your goal and good dog play sessions will help you tire out your best friend while also monitoring the overall safety and health of your dog. It’s important that exhaustion is not the only measure of success when you bring your dog to K9 Lane. Our approach to your dog’s day in off-leash play is to balance physical exercise, mental activities, and rest periods. All three are equally important components to keeping your dog safe and healthy when socializing with other dogs.
Physical exercise is the most obvious benefit of off-leash play and it’s what most pet parents think about when they drop their dog off to play. But for your dog’s health, we also consider it important to provide mental stimulation, which allows your dog to think and use his brain during the day. Mental work is tiring for your dog while building their confidence and self-control. And naturally, after all this physical and mental work, dogs need rest. This is why we allow the dogs to have their own natural play and rest periods, with some formal rest periods. Dogs that get overly tired are less tolerant and more grumpy (just like kids) which increases risk of injury.
Research studies report that dogs need 12-18 hours of sleep per day. Dogs that require amounts on the higher end of the scale include:
Puppies, Senior dogs, Giant and large breeds, Dogs in active households or with extreme exercise routines, Dogs that attend dog daycare multiple days per week or are staying away from home for long periods of time, Dogs participating in sports like agility, fly ball, or rally-o

Sleep habits of dogs also differ from humans. Napping on and off during the day is a normal pattern for all dogs studied. Formal rest periods are offered during play visits to mirror this normal pattern and to allow dogs to reach deeper sleep levels. Providing a private, quiet area for rest periods allow dogs to reach the restful deep sleep levels they need to stay healthy and happy.
The varying dog sleep positions provide clues to the sleep level they have achieved.
Stomach sleepers are in very light sleep, ready to jump up at the slightest disturbance.
Curling up is also a light sleep stage as the dog is conserving body heat and protecting themselves.
Side sleepers do reach a deep restful level of sleep.
Back sleepers also reach a deep and restful sleep level and reflect a secure and confident dog.

Dogs may take natural rest breaks during playgroups, but it is the rare dog that will relax and enter a deep sleep. Most dogs napping in the playgroup are in light sleep, but very alert so they can jump up whenever something exciting happens. They do not reach the restful sleep stages needed to keep their brain healthy. Nineteenth century sleep deprivation studies performed on dogs confirmed degenerative changes in their brains resulted from lack of rest.
We recommend including formal rest periods as a part of any play sessions to help ensure the long-term health and mental well being of your dog. Your happy and healthy dog is the most important measure of success.


Content copied from the Dog Guru and absorbed as part of K9 Lane philosophy.

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲? 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀? 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝘆
No Viewing “For the Dogs’ Safety”?
– Nancy Kerns
As you visit facilities and interview managers and staff, observe the dogs that are present in the daycare centers. They should appear happy, not stressed. Staff should also appear happy, not stressed, and be interacting with the dogs. The environment should be calm and controlled, not chaotic, and your take-away impression should be one of professional competence as well as genuine caring for dogs. Trust your instincts. If anything doesn’t seem right, don’t leave your dog there. If staff says you cannot observe the dogs, we suggest walking away.
Many businesses are high-volume facilities, with more than 100 dogs “enrolled” in daycare on any given day.
The usual explanation for a “no-viewing” policy is that the sight of visitors can cause the dogs to get excited. It’s true that at the daycare facilities where a visitor can view the dogs at play, there are always at least a few dogs who do react to the appearance of a stranger (or their owners). On the other hand, at the facilities with (what seemed to me to be) an adequate staff-dog ratio and/or dogs separated into small groups of 10 or fewer, this didn’t seem like much of a problem. A dog or two barked; a handler spoke to them or redirected their attention; and that was that.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the “no visitors” or “limited access” facilities are also the highest-volume businesses I saw. By standing on my tip-toes on the stoop of the business that allowed no pre-arranged visitors, I could see over a fence for a limited view of one play yard; it contained at least 40 dogs. I could see two handlers in the area with the dogs at that time, but it’s possible there were more handlers present in areas I couldn’t see.
In my opinion, having this many dogs in a relatively small space is potentially dangerous, and puts the dogs (and employees) at risk. That doesn’t mean that it can’t be done; I worry that it can’t be done without incident — or without the regular use of aversive training methods to keep any misbehavior from cropping up, (Which could be, I worry, the real reason why some daycare providers never permit viewing or unscheduled owner visits.)
[Copied from Whole Dog Journal and absorbed as K9 Lane philosophy]

I share this with you. It’s written by a gentleman named Fernando Camacho - a dog trainer, dog business consultant, and dog lover. It sums up how I see my dog daycare and what I hope to offer to your dog. Please take time to read through, there is some wonderful insight for reflection.
Thank you for considering my family to care for yours.
Wag on,
Melissa
Owner, K9 Lane
Eliot, Maine ~ Est. 2008
 
In 2008 when I first decided to make dog training my career path dog daycares were just starting to pop up throughout the United States. Now, they’re everywhere with more opening every year.
But are they good for you and your dog?
There are some who swear by daycare for their dogs and use them daily, while other people have horror stories of injuries and illness.  I thought it was time to weigh in on this subject because I’m very familiar with daycares and have been exposed to them from all angles. You see, when I first became a dog trainer I worked at 2 different dog daycares for about a year or so. And since then, I’ve consulted with a bunch more and visited quite a few.
I’ve seen many different daycare business models, layouts and practices and now really understand what they’re all about, as well as what the benefits are vs. the possible negative effects they can have.  So, let’s get into it all so you can have a better understanding of what to do for your dog.
Is Daycare Good?
Before we get into how to tell a good one from a bad one (which is important), we need to decide if daycare for dogs is even a good idea. Should we drop our pooches off and let them run around for hours with other dogs?
In my opinion, dog daycare is the best invention for dogs since freeze dried liver.
Remember that your dog is another species living in our (very strange) human world. They are different from us, live differently and have very different needs.  The really cool thing about dogs is that they are very good adapters and can figure out how to live comfortably among us – IF we take care of their basic canine needs (daily).
Domesticated dogs are very social animals that, in the wild, live together in family groups. They crave social interactions and thrive in the company of others. And although they are happy (and love) to be with us, they also really enjoy time with their canine buddies.  Because I have news for you, you’re not easy to live with. To your dog, you have strange customs and some really weird rules (like not enjoying being jumped on or nipped in the butt when you’re playing – very strange, indeed).
I think our dogs graciously suppress (most of the time) their innate canine behavior for our benefit, but it’s nice for them to forget about all our human nonsense and just be dogs for a little while. They get to run around with their buddies, talk about how weird we are and just connect with their true canine selves.
Then there’s the activity aspect of it.  I hate to be the one to tell you this but you’re pretty boring. Don’t take it personally, it’s just a fact of human life. We are not nearly as active as dogs are and tend to get weighed down by countless responsibilities that stop us from running around with our dogs all day (which is what your pooch wants you to do).
No matter what kind of job you have, it’s rarely enough activity or stimulation for our dogs. Now, I know there are a bunch of you out there that are going to say, “Well Fern, my dog is happy to just sit on the couch all day and doesn’t need all that exercise.”
That may be true, your dog may not need it. But doesn’t he deserve it?  Even though your dog has adjusted to your lifestyle doesn’t mean he doesn’t crave more. Just because he’s accepted living without canine companionship doesn’t mean his quality life can’t be improved.
Now, not all dogs are the same and there are some who are not well suited for a group daycare setting (more on that below). However, most dogs would benefit from having some regular interactions with other dogs – even if they’re not actively playing with all the other dogs. Most dogs benefit from the social interaction and companionship of hanging with their doggie brothers and sisters.
There are four main reasons why dog daycare is so beneficial to your dog:
1. Socialization – If your dog is not exposed to other dogs in a natural way (off leash) regularly they can become anti-social, which presents as dog reactivity, anxiety and aggression toward other dogs.
I think this is one of our biggest flaws as people living with dogs. When I see a dog that doesn’t like other dogs, it’s because we messed up somehow. Dogs are born social. They like and crave contact with other dogs. And a dog who doesn’t like other dogs is very un-doglike.
Early and consistent socialization is the most important thing you can do with young puppies and is critical for their healthy development. The rise of dog reactivity is a direct result of our restrictions on letting dogs interact with one another in a natural way.
If you want your dog to be social throughout his life, you need to consistently provide him with positive social experience with other dogs.
2. Learning Social Cues – If dogs don’t get the proper exposure to other dogs they have a hard time reading them and get into more conflicts. It’s almost like they never learned the canine language.
I’ve seen many dogs trying to engage another dog that was clearly not interested, however the dog ignored all the subtle warning signs and persisted until he forced the other dog into physical altercation. All because he didn’t recognize the signals the other dog was giving.
3. Exercise – We all know that our dogs need exercise but very few people are actually doing something about it. The problem is usually that we just don’t have the time to run our dogs enough and/or we can’t give them the intensity they crave.
Walks are nice (and mandatory for a healthy dog) but unless you’re going 45+ minutes a clip, you’re barely scratching the surface of a high energy dog’s exercise needs. Nothing can replicate the energy expenditure of dogs playing together. That constant wresting is the optimal way to provide them the outlet they so desperately need.
4. You Get A Break – Having a dog is like having a child – another living thing that is dependent upon you for survival. And it can be an exhausting day to day process (especially if you have a puppy or young dog) when you have to factor in your dog into your already crazy schedule.
Sending your dog to daycare gives you a much needed break from the pressure of taking care of your dog for a little while, you don’t have to feel guilty that you’re away and you can just focus on you (or the 4,372 things you need to do today).
It’s like sending your kids to camp. They’re out of your hair, happily occupied and come home nice and tired. They had fun with their friends and return drained of energy and content. It’s a win – win.

What Dogs Are Well Suited For Dog Daycare
Just like everything else in life, dog daycare is not right for everyone. There are some dogs that do really well and benefit the most from spending time there. Here are a few types of dogs that are a good fit for daycare (this is just a generalization and there will always be exceptions based on the individual dogs personality and temperament):
Puppies – socialization is CRITICAL for young puppies. If they don’t get lots of positive exposure to other dogs in an off leash environment, they can develop anxiety, fear or aggression toward other dogs.
Dog parks are too much of a gamble. You’re assuming every dog is healthy and friendly, which is rarely the case. And you’re assuming every dog parent is responsible -HA!
At daycare you know every adult dogs is healthy and up to date on all vaccinations and that young puppies have had the appropriate care appropriate for their age. All dogs are temperament tested so they’re friendly and you’ve removed the human element altogether – the dogs are supervised by an impartial third party who makes sure everyone is behaving and having fun.
Adolescent dogs – Teenage dogs can be about as fun as teenage kids. And just like kids they need stuff to do or they will find stuff to do. If you don’t provide constructive uses for their time, they will find something to occupy themselves and it’s more often than not a destructive outlet.
Let these young punks run around at daycare and drain all that energy and come home satisfied and tired. You and your furniture will thank me.
High Energy Breeds – Labradors, Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Dalmatians, Jack Russells and so many other hyper active breeds need to RUN! You will never tire these guys out with a walk or a few minutes of tug.
The nonstop action of daycare is just about the only thing that will satisfy their exercise needs and help them be better behaved at home.
Working Dogs – Dogs that were bred to do a specific job need to be doing something or they feel unfulfilled which can present itself in a number of behavioral issues. These guys need a job and you don’t want to have an unemployed working dog.
Daycare is a great way for them to do something constructive. Left idle these guys go a little bonkers.
What Dogs Are NOT Good For Daycare
Dog daycare is great for all dogs on paper, but in reality it’s not the right environment for some.
Let’s go over a few types of dogs that might not be a good fit for a group dog pack setting.

Very Anxious Puppies – Most puppies are happy-go-lucky and have no problem being let loose in a group of dogs. However, if your dog is viably uncomfortable around other dogs already, we want to proceed slowly or we risk doing negative socialization.
We might need to move a little more carefully and let him meet one dog, make a friend and then see how he can handle more. A little anxiety is okay and often can be improved with regular daycare visits, but if your dog is really freaked out we’re probably doing more harm than good. If you’re not sure, try him on a weekend at daycare or other slower time when there are less dogs there and see how he does (just note it may take a few visits for him to settle in and start to loosen up).
Fearful Adult Dog – Much like the anxious puppy, a dog that is afraid of other dogs is going to be overwhelmed in a pack setting. They need to be worked with on an individual basis with the right dogs to make sure we are helping and not making matters worse. Walking with other dogs works great.
Dog Reactive or Aggressive Dog – Obviously if your dog is grumpy with some or all dogs an off leash environment is not going to be the best place to work on it. Keep them home and find a local trainer to work with you and maybe you can improve the situation so you can eventually try it out.
How To Pick A Good Daycare
Hopefully I’ve sold you on how great dog daycare can be for your dog. The next step is finding the right one for you and your dog.
All dog daycares are not created equal. There are good ones and bad ones out there. I recommend visiting a few and finding the one that you feel most comfortable with.
They should be clean and look like a safe environment to leave your furry best buddy. The lobby should be well kept and organized. If the customer facing elements are not in good order, the behind the scenes stuff is probably a mess.
Don’t get too hung up on the play area. It doesn’t have to be marble floors with top of the line fixtures – believe me your dog doesn’t care about that stuff. Pay less attention to the aesthetics and more on is the space safe (not objects the dogs could hurt themselves on, etc). I actually prefer less stuff in the play areas. I like just a simple room with no toys (or any guardable resources) and few obstacles. I think simple is better for the play areas.
Although and outdoor area is nice, depending upon where you live it might be very difficult to get zoning for outdoor dog space (In Northern New Jersey, where I live, it’s rare to find daycares with outdoor areas). If they do have an outdoor area, make sure it looks like a safe place for your dog. For example, if you have a goofy Lab who likes to put things in his mouth an outdoor surface of small rocks might end with your dog getting them removed surgically (I know of two dogs this happened to).
I think it’s important to separate dogs into different play groups depending on size, age and temperament. Large and small dogs should not be in the same play groups (with some exceptions – many French Bulldogs, for example, play too rough for dogs their size and often do better with the big guys) not because they can’t get along but because the little guys can get run over and injured by accident. Older dogs with less energy will often feel more comfortable and happy hanging out with smaller dogs.
The most important thing to focus on when you’re picking a daycare is the staff. Are they friendly and welcoming. I like family businesses where you see the owner(s) there daily. They are invested in their company, really care about how it’s run and love the dogs that come there.
Some daycares have cameras in the play areas so you can watch on your computer whenever you want. I actually don’t like this for a few reasons. Most people tend to watch them like TV and that’s not healthy. You are supposed to go out and do your own thing while you let your dog do his. Also, most people have little or no idea of what appropriate play is and typically overreact when they see the dogs rough housing. Trust the staff to determine what’s best for the pack.
A good daycare will also be honest with you and tell you when something has happened or if your dog was a jerk that day. You want the staff to keep you in the loop as to how your dogs is doing but don’t be overbearing with them. Don’t take anything personally and understand that both you and the daycare wants what’s best for your dog.

Tips for Doing Daycare
When you bring your dog to daycare I have a few pieces of advice for you to help you get the most out of it.
1. Drop your dog and leave ASAP – Just like dropping your kids off at daycare, they always do better once you’re gone, so don’t stick around, converse with your dog or stay to watch. Just hand the leash over, turn and walk away (and don’t look back – you know you were going to).
2. Give your dog time to adjust – If your dog hasn’t had much exposure to being in a daycare or pack setting it may take some time for them to adjust and get used to it. Don’t panic if they are a little uncomfortable the first few times or they don’t seem like they are eager to go in. Give it about a month of regular (2+ times per week) and see how they are doing. Many dogs loosen up once they have adjusted and although they started out apprehensive they end up having a blast.
3. Don’t sweat the small stuff – Just as with kids going to school, your dog is going to get a cold (kennel cough) once in a while or come home with some scratches on his face. That’s normal and to be expected. Don’t freak out, don’t blame the staff of the daycare and don’t overreact. It’s going to happen and it’s no big deal.
Last week my one daughter caught strep from someone at school and this week she got a huge bruise on her leg in the playground. Is that the school’s fault? No. Does that mean I’m not going to send her back? No.
The benefits of daycare far outweigh any negative side effects that may come along with them.
4. Do some homework to help your dog – If your dog has some issues (especially bad manners, separation anxiety or any kind of fear) don’t use daycare as your treatment. Make sure you do what you need to do to improve the issues so that your dog’s time at daycare can be the best it can be.
Often daycare can be a great tool to be used in conjunction with behavior modification that can have some really positive results for some dog problems.
Conclusion
I think daycare can be such a great thing for dogs. They get to have fun, be social and get some much needed/deserved play time with their canine compadres. It’s not for every dog though, and some dogs may not be a good fit.
If you’re not sure, stop by your local dog daycare, speak with them and maybe give it a try. Having spent a good chunk of time in daycare play groups I can attest to how much fun it is for the dogs and how it can help cultivate a happy, “well balanced” dog that is social and enjoying life to the fullest in this very human world.