So you’ve just picked up your dog from doggy daycare, a whimsical and magical place where puppies get to roam and have essential social interactions with other dogs. They should be loving it, right?
But after picking them up, your dog just isn’t giving off normal vibes. They might seem anxious, stressed, whiney, more energetic or even quieter than normal. Overall, they are just acting differently from when you dropped them off!
You might be wondering if this behavior is typical or if your dog really isn’t enjoying their time in daycare. We are going to break down some of the most common reasons why your dog might be acting differently after pet care, and also give you some tips on figuring out if your dog is enjoying their time there or if it might be time to find a new spot, for Spot.
First of all, daycare is obviously a much different environment than you probably have at home. There are a ton of dogs in a small area, all with different personalities, traits and varying degrees of energy. It’s not completely abnormal that your dog would be acting a little differently after experiencing this, especially if it is the first few times they have been there.
Let’s go over some of the most common reasons why your dog might be acting differently after returning from a day in a pet resort.
Exposed To A Brand New Environment
As stated above, daycare is a brand new environment for your pup and it might take some getting used to. Your dog might not be accustomed to all the stimuli that was around them and they are still trying to process the event, or they are just dead tired from the day!
If your dog is acting fatigued or lethargic after being picked up, they might just be recuperating from all the experiences of the day. They probably got some great exercise and are reminiscing on all the friends they made that day!
Aggressive or Mean Dogs at Daycare
If your dog seems to be ignoring you after daycare or seems a little blue, they might have faced some aggressive dogs or even had some issues with the staff. This is a sad fact that many times there will be other pups that haven’t been trained well or are just naturally aggressive.
If you are getting this reaction, you should ask the daycare staff how your dog was acting and if any other dogs were fighting or aggressive towards them. If you can, try and get a webcam uplink to the facility so you can see for yourself what is going on.
Feeling The Effects of Separation Anxiety
Dogs love their owners more than anything in the world! So it’s no wonder that they feel the effects of separation anxiety after being away from their owners for a while. If your dog seems anxious or a little blue after they get back from petcare, this could be the reason why.
Give your dog lots of love and let them know how much they mean to you! This feeling should go away after a few visits to the daycare as they get used to the routine. They will learn that you will always come back for them, so they have nothing to worry about!
Throwing Off Schedule (Feeding and Everything Else)
Lots of dogs are creatures of habit – they like things to stay the same. They like to go out at a certain time, eat at a certain time, and take walks on a schedule. So it might be possible they are feeling the effects of their schedule being shaken up and are trying to get used to the new routine.
I’m sure you would feel the same way if you were thrown into a totally new situation and routine! Give your dog a week or two to figure out this new schedule and they should be feeling back to their old self in no time.
Overtired
This one is pretty obvious, but it definitely bears mentioning. If your dog is acting distant or fatigued after petcare, it is probably because they are just plain old tired. Daycare is a lot of fun, but it is also a lot of work! Your dog has probably been running around and playing all day long, and they are just exhausted.
Overstimulated
Going along with the previous point about being overtired, being overstimulated is a similar but slightly different feeling your pup might be experiencing. The new environment, playmates, humans and noises has probably overwhelmed their senses and they need time to process all the new stimuli.
This happens most often in young dogs, but can affect dogs of any age. This overstimulation can raise their stress hormones and can lead to the “strange” behavior your dog is displaying. Once they have a moment to relax and chill out, they will start being their normal, happy selves again.
Sickness
If your dog has diarrhea after daycare or seems to be a little sick, it’s possible they could have caught a bug from one of the other dogs. The pet care facility should be constantly screening for possible diseases, all dogs should be vaccinated against illness and they should be regularly disinfecting surfaces. Even with all these precautions, sometimes your dog could still catch an illness.
Stress can also cause your dog to feel unwell after returning from a pet resort, as there are so many new things going on around them.
Also, make sure you are sending in food with your dog. If your pet has any kind of dietary restrictions, you don’t want them getting fed some kind of generic food that could upset their stomach.
Get Some More Information
If you are worried that something might be happening during daycare, it’s important that you get more information on the situation in order to make the right decision. Ask the staff how your pup is doing with other dogs and their general behavior during the day.
Some pet care’s also have webcams that you can log into and watch your dog during the day, so you can see for yourself what is happening! Having this option is also a sign of a quality daycare establishment who are transparent and want the best for your pet.
Some other questions that could help you make your decision: how many dogs are there at the daycare at the same time as yours? Have you noticed any strange reactions to other dogs outside of the daycare facility? Do the dogs get enough rest throughout the day?
Once you tell the staff that your dog hasn’t been right after coming home, they should start watching them a little closer and seeing what is happening throughout the day. Ask again after a few days and see if anything changes.
A Quick Checklist for Good Daycares
Here is a quick checklist for quality daycares:
- Dogs should be separated into different play groups by size and energy level
- A staff member should always be on hand to help facilitate good interactions between the dogs and break up any fights
- Play groups should be kept small, preferably 10 dogs or fewer
- Dogs should be given breaks in a crate throughout the day
Too many dogs in one space is a common cause of many of the problems pet owners experience when sending their dogs to daycare.
Another sign of a quality dog boarding facility are webcams set up in the play areas so you can watch and see how your dogs are doing, plus you can keep an eye on the staff!
How To Tell If Your Dog Likes Daycare
If your dog is calm and relaxed before entering daycare, and is excited and loving after, that is a great sign that they are having an awesome time! Daycare has a lot of benefits for dogs, including a chance to socialize with other pets and to get lots of exercise. It can also be great practice for an anxious dog for when you need to leave them – such as when you are going on vacation.
The best path is to give your dog some time to acclimate to their new schedule, and see if things get better. If your pup’s weird behavior lasts beyond two or three weeks, or if they start developing new negative behaviors, it might be time to consider pulling your dog out or changing daycare providers. They might not be getting along with the other dogs there or could have a problem with the staff.
Final Thoughts
Doggie daycare can be a fun and exciting place for your dog, but it will probably take a few weeks for them to get into the groove of attending. Make sure to do your homework before picking a daycare, and if you have any issues talk to the staff or try and observe your pup during the day.
If things don’t seem to be getting better after a few weeks, you may need to try and find a different place, possibly one with less dogs or a smaller group size. Observe your pet’s behavior before going into pet care after a few visits, as this is a good indicator of how excited they are to visit. Overall, trust your instincts and do what you feel is right.
Thanks for reading, please leave a comment below if you have experience with doggie daycare and a pet who wasn’t quite sure about it at first!
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