How Often Should My Dog Go to Daycare?
- info075223
- Dec 11, 2025
- 5 min read
One of the most common questions dog owners ask is: “How often should my dog go to daycare?” Whether you work long hours, want to help your dog socialize, or simply want them to enjoy their day instead of being home alone, daycare can be an incredible tool for a dog’s happiness and well-being. But every dog is different — and the ideal daycare frequency depends on age, temperament, energy level, routine, and your personal schedule.
At The Fur Seasons Pet Resort in Wichita, KS, we specialize in helping dog owners choose a daycare schedule that balances healthy play, needed downtime, and supervised socialization. Our team provides frequent outdoor access, structured rest periods, and small play groups based on size and energy level — all designed to support your dog’s best day, every day. Let’s break down how often your pup should come to daycare and how to build the best routine for them.
Why Daycare Frequency Matters
Deciding how often should my dog go to daycare is important because routine impacts:
Behavior
Confidence and socialization skills
Physical health and exercise levels
Stress and separation anxiety
Sleep and overall rhythm
Some dogs thrive with daily daycare. Others need only a couple of days per week to stay well-adjusted and happy. Finding the right balance helps your dog play safely and avoid overstimulation.
How Often Should My Dog Go to Daycare? A Breakdown by Dog Type
1. Puppies (8 weeks – 1 year)
Puppies benefit from more frequent daycare because they're in a critical stage of social learning.
Recommended frequency:⭐ 2–5 times per week
Why:
Builds positive social skills
Helps potty training through routine
Burns excess puppy energy
Prevents separation anxiety
Provides mental enrichment when their brains are developing the fastest
Puppies who attend daycare several times weekly grow into more confident, well-adjusted adults.
2. High-Energy Breeds
Examples: Huskies, Labs, Border Collies, Boxers, Doodles, German Shepherds.
Recommended frequency:⭐ 3–5 times per week
Why: These dogs need consistent, structured outlets for both physical and mental energy. Regular daycare can help reduce:
Destructive chewing
Excessive barking
Restlessness
Pent-up energy when home alone
At The Fur Seasons, we group dogs by energy level so high-energy pups can safely play with friends who match their speed.
3. Sociable, Well-Balanced Dogs
These dogs enjoy being around others but don’t necessarily need play every day.
Recommended frequency:⭐ 1–3 times per week
Why: A couple of daycare days per week is perfect for maintaining social skills, burning energy, and keeping their routine healthy — without overstimulation.
This is the most common schedule for the average dog.
4. Shy, Nervous, or Unsure Dogs
Some pups prefer quieter environments or take time to warm up to new friends.
Recommended frequency:⭐ 1–2 times per week
Why: Consistency builds confidence. Sporadic daycare can keep them stuck in a “first day every time” loop. A gentle weekly rhythm allows them to develop trust with caregivers and become comfortable in group settings.
Our small-group style at The Fur Seasons — especially with our overnight staff ensuring a calm, secure environment — is ideal for dogs needing a little extra reassurance.
5. Senior Dogs
Older dogs may still love daycare, but their stamina is different.
Recommended frequency:⭐ 1–2 half days or low-key full days per week
Why:
Supports mobility
Prevents boredom
Offers companionship
Provides cognitive engagement
We make sure seniors have plenty of rest periods, shaded outdoor time, and gentle playmates.
Signs Your Dog Should Come More Often
You may be underestimating how often your dog benefits from daycare if you notice:
Destructive behavior (chewing, digging, pacing)
Barking or crying when left home
Excessive energy in the evenings
Gaining weight or becoming less active
Restlessness or boredom
These are signs your dog needs more physical and mental stimulation.
Signs Your Dog May Need Fewer Days
Daycare is exciting — occasionally, too exciting for some dogs. Reduce frequency if you see:
Needing excessive sleep after daycare even after getting used to the additional activity (i.e. after a few weeks)
Getting overstimulated
Mild irritability
Showing signs of needing more downtime between visits
At The Fur Seasons, our team always gives feedback about how your dog plays so we can help personalize their schedule.
What’s the Most Common Daycare Schedule at The Fur Seasons?
For Wichita-area families, the typical routine we see is:
2–3 days per week for regular social dogs
3–5 days per week for high-energy or working-family dogs
1–2 days per week for shy, senior, or low-energy pups
Our customer base includes retired dog owners who bring their dogs every weekday for routine and socialization, as well as working professionals who use daycare to keep their dogs active while they're at work.
Daycare Packages Make a Consistent Routine Easier
Because the best results come from consistency, our bulk daycare packages and monthly daycare memberships at The Fur Seasons are designed to help owners stick to a healthy schedule without worrying about cost or holidays.
Bulk packages: Valid for the entire calendar year — come whenever you want.
Monthly memberships: Offer predictable monthly budgeting, grooming perks, and built-in savings.
No daycare blackout dates: Your dog can come even on holidays.
Creating structure not only helps your dog — it helps your routine as well. This is only applicable for the Platinum Membership.
Why Choose The Fur Seasons Pet Resort for Wichita Dog Daycare?
If you're building a daycare schedule for your dog, the quality of the facility matters just as much as the frequency. At The Fur Seasons, dogs enjoy:
✔️ Overnight staff
Your dog is never alone — this sets us apart from most Wichita competitors.
✔️ More outdoor time than other facilities
Fresh air, bathroom breaks, and structured play keep dogs exercised and happy.
✔️ Small, safe playgroups
Dogs are grouped by size and energy for optimal comfort and safety.
✔️ Supervised socialization
Our trained team monitors every moment of play.
✔️ Indoor & outdoor play areas
Perfect for Wichita’s weather — rain or shine.
✔️ Scheduled rest periods
Prevent overstimulation and keep dogs refreshed.
✔️ Enrichment activities
Sniffing, exploring, toys, puzzles — healthy stimulation for the mind.
So… How Often Should Your Dog Go to Daycare?
Here’s your quick guide:
Puppies: 2–5 days/week
High-energy dogs: 3–5 days/week
Social dogs: 1–3 days/week
Shy dogs: 1–2 days/week
Senior dogs: 1–2 days/week
The best schedule is the one that matches your dog’s needs — and makes them excited to walk through our doors. If you want personalized guidance, our team can recommend the perfect daycare plan based on your dog’s playstyle, confidence level, and energy.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been wondering “How often should my dog go to daycare?” — now you know the answer depends entirely on your dog’s personality, age, and lifestyle. At The Fur Seasons Pet Resort, we’re here to make daycare a fun, safe, and enriching part of your dog’s weekly routine. Whether you need daily care or just once in a while, your furry friend always gets a vacation-like experience filled with play, friends, and supervised fun.