Is My Dog Suitable for Dog Daycare? What If They Bark, Get Excited or Have Never Been Before?

Thinking about doggy daycare for your dog but worried they might be a little too excitable around other dogs?

Perhaps they bark when they see another dog on a walk, get overexcited when meeting new friends, or have never spent time in a group of dogs before. You might be wondering whether daycare is right for them, or whether their behaviour could be a problem.

These are questions we hear from dog owners, and they're completely understandable. Leaving your dog in someone else's care for the first time can feel like a big step, particularly when you're unsure how they'll react in a new environment.

At Smith's Canine Club, we believe every dog deserves to feel safe, comfortable and happy. That's why every dog joining our club goes through an assessment before becoming a member.

My dog barks at other dogs. Is that a problem?

Not necessarily!

Dogs bark for lots of different reasons. Some bark because they're excited, others because they're unsure of a situation, and some simply haven't learned how to calmly greet other dogs yet.

A dog who barks when they spot another dog doesn't automatically mean they won't enjoy daycare. What matters is understanding why they're barking and how they behave once they've had time to settle.

For example, some dogs can appear very excitable when first arriving somewhere new. They might bark, pull towards other dogs or seem to have lots of energy. Once they've had the opportunity to explore, sniff and become familiar with their surroundings, they may become much more relaxed.

However, every dog is different. Barking can sometimes indicate stress, fear or frustration, so we never assume that an excitable greeting means a dog is simply being friendly.

This is one of the reasons we take the time to assess each dog individually, rather than making assumptions based on what an owner tells us or how a dog behaves in one particular situation.

What if my dog gets overexcited when meeting other dogs?

Does your dog bark, pull on the lead, bounce around or seem to have endless energy when they spot another dog?

Overexcitement is something many owners worry about when considering daycare.

Some dogs struggle to contain their excitement when they see another dog. Others become so stimulated that they find it difficult to settle or respond to what's happening around them.

The important thing is understanding how your dog behaves beyond that initial excitement. Can they settle once they've had time to explore? Do they respond to other dogs' signals? Can they take a break when they need one?

These are the kinds of things we consider when assessing suitability.

We don't expect every dog to be perfectly calm all the time. Play, excitement and interaction are all part of being a dog. However, we do need to ensure that dogs can interact safely and that their energy levels and play styles are appropriate for the group.

If your dog is very excitable, don't assume daycare is automatically off the table. Tell us what they're like, and we'll consider whether our environment could be right for them.

What if my dog has never been to daycare before?

That's absolutely fine. Your dog doesn't need previous daycare experience to be considered.

For some dogs, daycare is a completely new experience. They'll need time to explore an unfamiliar environment, meet new people and learn what to expect.

During your dog's Club Assessment Session, we look at their individual personality, confidence, social skills and how they respond to new surroundings. We also consider their play style and whether they could comfortably fit into the groups of dogs we have at the club.

We're not looking for every dog to behave in exactly the same way. Some dogs are naturally confident and playful, while others take a little longer to find their feet.

What matters is whether daycare is likely to be a positive experience for your dog and whether we can meet their individual needs safely.

What if my dog is nervous around other dogs?

Not every dog rushes up to make friends, and that's perfectly okay.

Some dogs feel unsure when meeting unfamiliar dogs. They might hang back, stay close to their owner, avoid approaching other dogs or take a little longer to feel comfortable in a new environment.

Nervousness doesn't automatically mean daycare isn't suitable. However, it's important to understand what is causing your dog's uncertainty and how they cope when other dogs are nearby.

During the assessment process, we consider your dog's body language, confidence and responses to their surroundings. We want to understand whether they can feel safe and comfortable in our environment, rather than expecting them to interact with every dog they meet.

For some dogs, a social group can become an enjoyable part of their routine. For others, a busy daycare environment may be too much, and we'll always put their wellbeing first.

If your dog is nervous around other dogs, please let us know when you enquire. The more we understand about them beforehand, the better we can assess whether our club is a suitable fit.

What happens during a Club Assessment Session?

Our assessment process helps us get to know your dog before they join the club.

Rather than simply letting your dog loose in a room full of unfamiliar dogs and hoping for the best, we take a considered approach to understanding their suitability.

We look at things such as:

• Personality and temperament: How your dog responds to unfamiliar people, surroundings and situations.

• Confidence and comfort: Whether they appear relaxed, unsure, overwhelmed or comfortable as they explore.

• Social skills: How they communicate with other dogs and respond to their behaviour.

• Play style: Whether their energy levels and preferred way of playing are compatible with other dogs.

• Settling and wellbeing: How they cope with the environment and whether they can relax when needed.

• Group suitability: Which types of dogs and social situations may be the best fit for them.

We also take the information you share with us into account. If you tell us that your dog barks initially but usually settles after sniffing and getting to know another dog, that's useful information for us to understand their behaviour in context.

An assessment isn't about expecting your dog to be perfect. It's about working out whether our daycare environment is right for them.

Will my dog automatically get a place after their assessment?

No. Although we want as many dogs as possible to enjoy being part of our club, their welfare always comes first.

Some dogs settle well into our environment and are suitable for membership. Others may need further consideration, or we may decide that group daycare isn't the right option for them.

This isn't a judgement on you as an owner or on your dog. Just as people have different social preferences, dogs have different personalities, needs and comfort levels.

A busy group environment can be wonderful for some dogs, but overwhelming for others. We would rather be honest with you than place your dog in a situation where they may struggle.

Our priority is to create a positive environment for the dogs in our care, with suitable social groups, opportunities for enrichment and time to rest.

Ready to find out if your dog is suitable for Smith's Canine Club?

If you're considering daycare but aren't sure whether your dog would enjoy it, the best place to start is with a Club Assessment Session.

Our assessment gives us the opportunity to learn more about your dog, consider their individual needs and determine whether Smith's Canine Club is a suitable environment for them.

You don't need to have everything figured out before getting in touch. If you're unsure, tell us about your dog and we'll explain the next steps.

Book your Club Assessment Session here →