Is Dog Daycare Good or Bad for Dogs? A Certified Dog Trainer’s Honest Opinion

Dog daycare has become incredibly popular, especially in busy cities like Toronto. In my previous life, before I worked with dogs and when I had an office job, I used dog daycare for my own dog as well. For me, and for many owners, it felt like the perfect solution while you’re at work. Your dog gets exercise, socialization, and comes home tired.

Fast forward almost 10 years, now working with all types of dogs and as a Certified Dog Trainer who sees a wide range of behavioural issues, I’m going to give you the honest answer:

Dog daycare is not inherently bad. But it is often overused and misunderstood.

And in some cases, it can actually create behavioural issues instead of solving them.

Let’s break it down.

Why Dog Daycare Can Be a Positive

When done properly, and that part is key, daycare can absolutely be a positive experience for certain types of dogs.

It can:

• Burn off excess energy

• Provide structured socialization

• Help confident, social dogs thrive

• Be a great outlet for high-energy breeds

• Is great for a dog who has seperation anxiety and cannot be home alone

  
  

Some dogs genuinely love it. They walk in excited, they leave happy, fulfilled and come home tired. Mission accomplished!!

Where Doggy Daycare Goes Wrong

The biggest issue I see is this:

Daycare becomes the main source of a dog’s socialization.

Poor Social Habits

In many facilities, dogs are simply placed together and allowed to interact freely for long periods of time, often with minimal structure, guidance, or appropriate rest.

When that happens, dogs can start to learn patterns that don’t translate well into real life.

I’ve seen this firsthand. In one example, a walker on our team who also works at a popular dog daycare in downtown Toronto has shared videos with me. What I have seen are the dogs are not actively playing or being engaged with. Instead, they are standing around barking excessively.

It’s often a room full of dogs, all barking continuously.

For me, its upsetting to watch, and it’s likely not what most pet owners envision when they send their dog to daycare.

Over time, this type of environment can actually reinforce unwanted behaviours, such as persistent barking or heightened arousal.

If you’ve noticed your dog becoming more vocal or reactive after daycare, it’s worth asking why.

In another example, this one from a client video posted online, I saw a dog repeatedly mounting another while the second dog stood still, clearly uncomfortable and not engaging. That is not healthy play, and it’s something that should be interrupted and managed.

Dogs don’t just “figure it out” on their own.

Without the right structure, they can rehearse:

• Rushing other dogs

• Ignoring social cues

• Overly rough or pushy play

• Obsessive Barking

  
  

Over time, this can lead to reactivity, frustration, or even conflict. This is where structure, supervision, and staff understanding dog body language and knowing when to take breaks or redirect becomes critical.

Adrenaline Addiction

What about the dogs who are having a good time and actively playing? Well something to think about there is overstimulation and this is a big one.

Most daycares involve large groups of dogs interacting for extended periods. That’s a lot.

Instead of learning how to be calm around other dogs, many dogs learn to be in a constant state of high arousal, they are constantly in play mode and they have difficulty settling.

You can end up with a dog that feels like every time they see another dog they see is an invitation to go wild and that can be hard to manage.

You may also notice:

• More pulling on walks

• Reactivity when they see other dogs

• Inability to relax at home

  
  

Instead of being “tired and calm,” they’re actually wired and dysregulated.

Not Every Dog Enjoys It

Not every dog wants to be in a room with a bunch of other dogs, especially as they mature.

I’ve many times seen videos shared by owners where dogs are labeled as “playing,” but the reality to me looks very different.

With a trained eye, you start to notice subtle signs of stress or discomfort that are often missed. If you’re unsure what to look for resources like Ontario SPCA can provide helpful overviews of common stress signals in dogs.

When dogs are consistently placed in situations where they feel unsure, overwhelmed, or unable to disengage, it can lead to frustration, anxiety, and can potentially lead to learned behaviours that are difficult to undo.

Some dogs tolerate daycare… they don’t actually enjoy it.

Signs your dog may not be loving it:

• Hiding or sticking to walls

• Avoiding other dogs

• Excessive panting or stress signals

• Behaviour changes after daycare

  
  

Just because a dog is quiet or exhausted does not mean they had a good experience.

My Opinion as a Professional Dog Trainer

Here’s what I typically recommend to clients:

If you are going to use daycare, it should be used in moderation, not as a daily routine.

For most dogs, a better balance looks like:

• 1–2 daycare days per week (if the dog enjoys it)

• Structured walks on other days

• Exposure to dogs without always interacting

• Practicing calm, neutral behaviour

  
  

This is especially important for puppies and adolescent dogs who are still learning how to navigate the world.

A Better Alternative: Balanced Socialization

What most dogs actually need isn’t more chaos.

They need:

• Clear guidance

• Structure

• Calm exposure to other dogs

• Opportunities to disengage

  
  

This is why services like structured solo Dog Walking, semi-private Dog Walks, and training-focused outings tend to produce better long-term behaviour.

Dogs learn that:seeing another dog doesn’t always mean interaction.

And that’s a skill most city dogs desperately need.

So… Is Dog Daycare Bad? No, not all of them, they can be great depending on how they are run, how the dogs are managed and whether it’s the right fit for your individual dog.

Some dogs thrive with occasional daycare. Others do far better with a more structured, balanced routine.

But, if you’re using daycare and your dog is:

• Becoming more reactive

• More excitable on walks

• Struggling to settle

  
  

…it may be time to reassess the routine!

Sometimes less really is more. If you’re unsure what the right balance looks like for your dog, I’m always happy to help guide you. Every dog is different, and personally, my goal for my dogs is:

A calm, confident dog who can navigate the world without feeling overwhelmed.

Check out our Dog Training page if you feel you need help with your dogs behaviour