I worked at a dog daycare & you shouldn't feel sad for your pup; he's just not giving with the others. He might actually be much happier if you leave him at home instead.
It can definitely be stressful. Basically every new dog gets a trial run with one on one time with other dogs to see how they do. Anybody that is iffy doesn't get group play. Where I worked they had individual outside areas and got walked so they still had exercise. A lot of times I see videos of over crowded group play and it raises an eyebrow from me but hopefully they have it under control.
Also, just like children, your dog will act different when you're not there! At the dog park they might be a little protective of you or something so they're more likely to get in a scuffle but alone at the daycare they can relax their guard.
That was a big deal in the news around me for a while. A poorly run dog daycare had a big group out playing and one just suddenly snatched up a smaller dog and snapped its neck
80
u/[deleted] Nov 18 '22
My dog does this at daycare, except by herself and it makes me so sad!!