Why Dogs Need Rest During Daycare
When people picture dog daycare, they often imagine dogs playing for hours.
Running.
Chasing.
Wrestling.
Repeat.
But we don’t think a dog needs to be playing every minute to have a good daycare day.
In fact, rest is an important part of the experience.
Daycare is stimulating
Even when a dog isn’t physically running, there is a lot happening.
They are processing:
- Other dogs
- Smells
- People
- Sounds
- Activities
- Movement
- A different environment
That mental stimulation can be tiring too.
Think about your own day
Imagine spending eight hours at a social event where you were never allowed to sit quietly or take a break.
Even if you were having fun, eventually you would probably want some space.
Dogs can experience the same need.
Overtired dogs don’t always look tired
Sometimes an overtired dog doesn’t calmly lie down.
They may actually become more excitable.
Puppy owners often recognise this very quickly.
A puppy who desperately needs a nap may suddenly become:
- Wild
- Mouthy
- Unable to focus
- Increasingly silly
Continuing to add more stimulation isn’t always helpful.
Rest can be part of a social skill
Being around other dogs without needing to interact constantly is useful too.
Dogs don’t need to play with every dog they see.
Being able to settle while activity happens nearby can be a valuable part of becoming comfortable in social environments.
Our approach at Oodles
At Oodles and More, our philosophy is:
More than play, a balanced day.
We want dogs to experience different types of activity across their day.
There is time for:
- Interaction
- Play
- Enrichment
- Human attention
And there should also be time to slow down. Our goal isn’t to send home the most exhausted dog in Brisbane. It’s to send home a dog who has had a genuinely enjoyable, balanced day.
