If you’re a dog owner who works outside the home, you may have considered doggy daycare for your furry friend. However, you may be wondering if it’s worth it or if there are any good benefits to doggy daycare. Here are a few benefits of doggy daycare:

1. It Provides Good Socialization

It’s important that your dog is well socialized. This can teach them how to behave in public and how to interact with other dogs and people. At doggy daycare, your dog can learn how to interact with other dogs in a healthy way.

Make sure you research any potential doggy daycare facilities and ask about how they handle dog socialization. A good doggy daycare will assess your dog, put them in a group with other dogs of similar size, temperaments, and energy levels, and ensure they host safe puppy play sessions.

Doggy daycares should also be well-versed in the different types of dog body language and dog behavior. Ask about their experience in socializing shy dogs, even if your dog isn’t shy. This will tell you a lot about how they work with dogs of any socialization level.

2. Doggy Daycare Offers Exercise

If your dog is home all alone all day, they may not be getting enough exercise. For the most active dog breeds, one walk a day isn’t enough. For breeds that don’t require as much exercise, doggy daycare still encourages them to play and release some pent-up energy.

Getting the right amount of exercise is important for dogs. It can help keep your dog from becoming destructive or depressed, which can be signs your dog isn’t getting enough exercise. You don’t want to over-exercise a dog either, but making sure they get enough is essential to their health and happiness.

Be sure to ask what activities the doggy daycare offers. Some may offer agility courses or scent games. These activities help keep your dog active and are great, especially for high-energy breeds.

3. It Offers Mental Stimulation

Mental stimulation is exceptionally important to your dog’s mental health. Just by being around other dogs and humans, your dog is surrounded by plenty of stimulation. Dogs that have enough mental stimulation throughout the day are often more content at night and less prone to bad behavior. A good doggy daycare will offer activities throughout the day to keep them engaged. This is also one of the benefits of puppy training classes.

4. Doggy Daycare Provides Routine

Dogs thrive on routine. Having structure can help relieve anxiety in your dog and add some consistency to their life. Doggy daycare can be part of helping you create a good daily routine for your dog.

Making sure your dog has plenty of bathroom breaks and a consistent feeding routine can help maintain healthy digestion and urinary tract. Not only can this help prevent UTIs in dogs, but it also helps your dog feel safe and secure.

Be sure to ask prospective doggy daycares about their feeding and bathroom routines and protocols. Some dogs exhibit resource guarding during feeding times so it’s important to know how each daycare approaches this behavior.

5. It Offers Peace of Mind

Leaving your dog alone all day may make you feel anxious. If your dog is at doggy daycare, you can rest assured that they are getting proper exercise, being fed on time, and having plenty of bathroom breaks.

Plus, you don’t have to worry about coming home to a destroyed home. Some dogs can take out their frustration on your belongings. This destruction is one of the signs your dog is bored. Doggy daycare even a few times a week can help relieve that boredom and give them an outlet for socialization and playtime

6. Doggy Daycare Can Offer Companionship

Dogs are actually very social animals. They like to be around people so being home alone all day can be hard on them. Doggy daycare can give them that human interaction they may not otherwise get.

It also offers them a chance to build bonds with other dogs. Being around other dogs can help relieve feelings of loneliness. This can promote a healthier emotional state for your dog and is one of the ways to enrich your dog’s day.

These are just a few benefits of doggy daycare. Finding the right fit for your dog may take some research but if you find the right one, your dog will be well cared for! Not only does this offer you a piece of mind, but it also adds enrichment and happiness to your dog’s life!