Daycare for a wallflower?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I've been putting Sherlock and Noah in day care about once a day every other week.  I think it's good for them to get out of the house and be around other friendly dogs and strangers.  

Dogtopia has webcams so you can see what your dog is doing during the day.  Whenever I take a look, Sherlock is just standing there, almost looking confused and really like he doesn't want to be there.  I'm sure he would rather be sleeping at home in peace and quiet.  

Noah on the other hand, just follows the staff member around all day and is constantly jumping up on him or her for attention.  I rarely see them play with other dogs.  

When I first bring them into the daycare, Noah is very excited to see the staff.  But with Sherlock, as soon as I hand over the leash, he starts shaking, crying and desperately trying to back out of his collar. 

I feel like I'm the mom that forces her anti-social kid to go to the school dance.

Do you think it's beneficial to put dogs in daycare that really could care less about the other dogs?  Sherlock loved daycare when he was a young puppy, but now he almost seems scared.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think if it's necessary to use a daycare, i.e. you are away from home too many hours for the dogs not to need a potty break, etc., or you have dogs who love to bounce and play with other dogs, daycare is a necessary and good option. But if your dogs could care less about being with the other dogs, and would be fine at home with each other, I would save my money. I don't see what possible benefit there would be to them going if they are not getting a lot of exercise playing with other dogs, or enjoying themselves.
I never put a dog in daycare. My dogs were also solitary dogs without a live-in companion. They seemed to do fine. My last dog was the most well-socialized dog you could imagine.
Recently, my groomer switched locations to a place that has a pretty highly rated doggie daycare center. I had never seen one before. I was appalled. it was clean, and the dogs were well attended, but it was bedlam. To my mind, there were far too many dogs for the available space, and it seemed they were all very large, active, out-of-control retriever types, including three or four standard doodles. They were jumping up on the plexiglass windows continuously, and barking their heads off. Jackdoodle would have been absolutely miserable there. I'm sure the dogs who are young and wild, and love to play with other big wild dogs have a blast, but for a "wallflower" or an older, quieter dog like Jack, I can't see any benefit to it.
If Sherlock & Noah would be happy and comfortable at home together, I think that might be a better solution for you.

[Adina P]

I agree with Karen. I don't think dogs need daycare. They just need to not be left for eons on end. Mine have never been to daycare or boarded. They've always just stayed at home 'alone' and if we'd be gone for an extended period then we'd have friends pop in to let them out for potty. And mine are NOT wallflowers and they still did fine.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree with Karen. Some things in life are voluntary and daycare in your case is one of them. So if the dogs don't really enjoy it why spend the money? At least you know it's a place you can use if you need to but if for now they are happy at home and you don't have to leave them overly long why not let them relax at home?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I wouldn't put them in there....I think you are wasting your money!
The only reason I use Dogtopia is because Peri is still such a player - she loves rough housing with other dogs - I look at the webcam and she is literally playing the entire day. I pick her up and she is good and tired. Taquito would not enjoy it, I am pretty sure. He likes the dogpark alright, but I know he would rather be at home in his bed all day long than be at daycare. I also think he likes the break from Peri LOL!!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

That is what I would do. I think Sherlock is better off at home. Don't worry so much about the socialization- just continue on your walks and do the best you can.
Taquito would bring Peri down too at daycare - I have never even tried it. Peri would try to protect him, he would protect her.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Taquito and Sherlock are one in the same. I wouldn't worry too much. Our little guys were bred to be lap dogs and human companions, so this does not surprise me. Taquito has also gotten grumpier in his older age - well, 6 years old. Can you get them to the dogpark every now and then? Taquito does very well there, but he likes having me in his line of sight.

[Laura & Chewie]

Chewie loves daycare. He normally goes for two 1/2 days a week. Like Peri, he plays the entire time he is there. When I say, "Do you want to go to Camp (Camp Bow Wow), he gets so excited" and heads for the door. With this being said, if I didn't see this excitement or he seemed reluctant to go in, I definitely would not take him. Like someone said, why waste your money. I am doing this for Chewie...he doesn't "need" it, but he sure enjoys it. All dogs are different and everyone needs to do what works best for them. Chewie does just fine at home on days he doesn't go, but I love to treat him to a day of fun and play.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I definitely agree that it depends on the dog, and that this is probably not much fun for Sherlock. Since we got Murph, Guinness rarely goes....we have our own "socialization action" right here at home. He did love it when he was our "only dog". He had a great time playing with the other dogs, and I really think it helped him to learn how to interact. The only time I would use it now is if we have to be out for a good part of the day (very rare). I'd rather have them there than home by themselves. It sounds like Noah is actually happier about getting the attention from the staff than even playing with the other dogs. Guinness does try to get attention as well, but for the most part he's running and playing with the other dogs. I think I probably would continue to send Noah occasionally, but I wouldn't send Sherlock as long as he has this reaction.

[GBK]

I used to take Buddy before Kona came along, and then both of them while Kona was a pup. Kona would probably still enjoy it, but Buddy definitely did not. They moved him from the big dog side to the little, as he really hated pushy dogs like the shepards, he would just shut down and lean in a corner. The dog care worker said he so perked up with the fiesty little pugs and he liked Kona being there too. But if given a choice, he would rather nap at home until Dad get's home in the early afternoon. I stopped taking both of them and part of the reason was that Daddy missed them and wanted them home when He got home LOL They still get a lot of social interaction with training once a week, dog parks on the weekend and walks with friends. I did used to give Buddy a choice too, I would ask him if he wanted to go to day care, he would rush to his crate and lay in it. I took it as a hint :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I kind of think day care is what you would use if you needed a 'babysitter' because you were going to be gone too long. If dogs are dog-loving dogs then I think they might have fun with the socialization, but for people-loving dogs, it would be like that last 15 minutes of work on Friday that seems to last for 3 days.
I think that dogs need to adapt to your life-style and not the other way around. So if you want them to go to daycare then they need to go, otherwise save the money.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Me either, If you have two dogs and a safe place to leave them, they do not need day care.