People aren’t the only ones who need rest, your dog needs rest too! Doggie daycare is meant to alleviate boredom, and provide a good source of exercise and safe socialization for your dog but rest and recovery play a significant role in their overall health and happiness when your pup goes home with you after a day of play. Keep on reading to find out why it’s important your dog rests at daycare.

First, it’s important to know that “rest” doesn’t necessarily equate to “sleep.”

Mental stimulation for dogs is just as important as physical exercise, as it alleviates boredom and provides an outlet for dogs during “down time.” Dogs that do not get the appropriate amount of mental stimulation will find their own ways to occupy their time. 

It’s also important to remember that dogs were developed for a purpose. Being aware of a dogs breed (or what breeds they are mixed with) will give you a clue as to how much mental stimulation they need to be fulfilled when it comes to mental exercise. 

At Nature of the Dog, we prioritize mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. This means that during your dog’s rest time (typically around lunchtime for us), they also have the opportunity to work with Kongs stuffed with healthy treats, work on some basic obedience, and interact one on one with staff. Taking a break from physical exercise and romping around with other dogs in a play group gives your pup the opportunity to work the other parts of their body for a completely stimulating experience.

Allowing your dog to rest at daycare also ensures they stay physically healthy.

Your dog needs rest at daycare because it allows their muscles to relax, preventing injuries. Many working dog handlers utilize rest days, or active rest days in their dog’s schedule because “working out produces micro-tears to the muscles and soft tissues. It is AFTER the workout that your dog’s body will repair and rebuild the muscles.” (source)  And while doggie daycare is a different beast than the routine of a working dog, the idea behind physical fitness is the same. 

The amount of physical exercise needed is also different for each dog. Dogs that are older, have health problems, or dogs that are overstimulated easily may require less, or different types of physical activity than running or playing. For dogs like this, this is typically where we will utilize our large, fenced in yard so that dogs that have these limitations can still be outside, roaming off leash in a safe environment. The difference is that they aren’t running laps around the yard, or jumping and playing with other dogs. Instead, they are sniffing around the trees, watching the ducks, and enjoying a mentally stimulating environment.

We make it a top priority to always put your dog’s safety and wellbeing above all else at Nature of the Dog, so it’s common your pup will spend the lunch period in a large kennel for some R&R and enrichment. Would you like your dog to have a completely enriching experience at daycare? Contact us today to learn more about our service and schedule a meet and greet.