How Many Days a Week Should a Dog Go to Daycare?
For most dogs, two or three days a week is plenty. Danette Johnston, a certified trainer who owns a Seattle daycare, writing for the Pet Professional Guild, calls five days a week "way too much activity" and limits dogs to two or three days, with a dog walker on the other days. Dogs that come home exhausted or stressed may need fewer days or a different setup.
Daycare can be great exercise and company, but more isn't always better. A full day of play is intense, and many dogs don't get the rest they need.
Recommended daycare frequency
| Dog | Suggested schedule |
|---|---|
| Most social adult dogs | 2–3 days a week |
| Young, high-energy dogs | 2–3 days, plus walks and training on other days |
| Shy, older or easily overwhelmed dogs | Fewer days, half days, or a dog walker instead |
| Puppies | Short, puppy-specific programs in small groups |
Danette Johnston, CPDT-KA, owner of a Seattle daycare, writes that five days a week is "way too much activity" and that her facility doesn't allow it. She suggests a dog walker or other options on the remaining days.
Signs your dog is getting too much daycare
- Comes home overstimulated, overtired or "wired"
- Too tired for walks or training sessions
- Not getting rest during the day (running 8–10 hours straight)
- Changes in behavior at home, such as irritability or reactivity
- Reluctance to go into daycare
Johnston points out that a dog that seems "tired and well-behaved" after daycare can actually be very stressed.
Is daycare right for every dog?
No. Johnston estimates daycare is "really good" for about 20% of dogs, "OK" for about 30% and a poor fit for about half, especially shy, anxious or nervous dogs and dogs that don't enjoy other dogs.
A balanced week
- Two or three daycare days, ideally with built-in nap time
- A dog walker (about $21.45 per 30-minute walk on Rover in 2025) on other workdays
- Training and enrichment at home: food puzzles, sniff walks, short training sessions
What to look for in a daycare
- Small play groups (Johnston prefers no more than 15 dogs together)
- Rest areas or crates for naps
- Staff trained in dog body language
- No aversive methods like spray bottles or shaking cans
- Honest feedback if your dog isn't enjoying it
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This article is general information for pet owners, not veterinary, legal or financial advice. Prices vary by city and clinic; always ask your veterinarian or provider about your own pet.