It’s normal to worry if your dog will be anxious at daycare, especially if they’re on the shy side. Good dog daycares have ways to help pups settle in. At El Ranchito Wanderlust, for example, they follow a structured routine designed for calmness. That means play times are balanced with rest times so dogs don’t get overstimulated all day.
The group sizes are kept small, which can be less overwhelming and allows the staff to give each dog reassurance and pats when needed. If a dog is anxious, experienced handlers might slowly introduce them to one friend at a time or give them a quiet space to relax for a bit. Most dogs, even anxious ones, come around after they see that daycare is a fun, safe place. Often after a few visits, your dog might start getting excited as soon as you pull up to the daycare because they know it means playtime!
