Is Doggy Daycare Right for Your Dog?

Are you considering Doggy Daycare or our Train and Play services? Bringing your dog to socialize, learn, and play with us can be a great outlet of energy and can help dogs develop good social skills and reinforce positive behavior patterns, but it's definitely not for everyone. Here is a brief guideline of who will enjoy our group environment, and who would learn best on an individual basis:

Doggy Daycare and Train and Play are a good match for your dog if...

...they are high energy! If your dog loves to GO GO GO and you just can't seem to burn off all that energy, daycare can be an excellent way to help them get the exercise they need, and adding training to your visit will help them work their mental muscles, as well!

...they are getting bored! If things are getting stagnant at home and your dog is starting to exhibit mischievous boredom-based behaviors like chewing furniture, barking, or digging up your yard, daycare may be a good way to break up their week and provide them with the stimulation they crave.

...they have separation anxiety! Many of the above listed behaviors can also be symptoms of separation anxiety, a common disorder amongst dogs who become incredibly distressed when left at home alone. By building relationships with myself and the dogs at Path & Paw, your dog can begin to develop more confidence and security outside of your family, and can be kept happily busy in your absence instead of spiraling and rehearsing destructive behaviors.

...they need practice with basic manners or impulse control. Our Train and Play program is perfect for dogs that need a brush up on manners such as walking on a leash, waiting at thresholds, or leaving items that don't belong to them alone.

...they are getting overweight! We jokingly refer to daycare as "fat camp" for some of our chubby attendees because it's an active environment that encourages healthy exercise.

...they are social dogs or puppies learning to socialize! Some dogs just love to socialize, and puppies will thrive in an environment with dogs of varied ages and sizes, learning appropriate play in a supervised environment!

Your dog may not be a good fit for Daycare or Train and Play if...

...they are aggressive. If your dog has a history of violent behavior or simply doesn't enjoy the company of others, they will be happier playing and learning in a human-only environment.

...they are highly fearful. Highly fearful dogs should not be "flooded" with the company of other dogs, which will only serve to exacerbate their insecurity. Instead, working within their comfort zone to learn to relax in the presence of other dogs at in a gentle pace without pressure will better suit their needs.

...they aren't up to date on vaccinations or are unhealthy. All dogs that spend time in close proximity to other dogs should be up to date on their shots. Our daycare is in an outdoor space, and while we do have some shelter from the elements, we play in cold temperatures, get wet, and exercise together, so it is an environment best suited for healthy dogs. We also recommend taking any measures necessary for your dog's personal comfort, like packing a jacket for cold mornings, or taking rainy days off if your dog doesn't like getting wet.


If you are interested in signing your dog up for daycare, give me a call at (707) 536-1288 or email me at tressa@pathandpaw.com so we can chat a bit about your dog's needs and get them on the schedule!