How Smaller Groups of Dogs Equals More Fun!
The public has certainly become more aware of the social and physical benefits of dog daycare, however, not all dogs are a great fit for it - at least at the current widespread standard model of dog daycare. Quite often, we have to let parents know that their pups are not the social butterfly they hoped they would be who would enjoy all day group play. Truth is, only about 40% of dogs really enjoy large group daycare while the other 60% much rather enjoy one-on-one time or a small group with their trusted friends.
Let’s compare dogs to humans. I, for example, love my coffee dates with my close friends whereas my husband would be bored out of his mind and much prefer a huge BBQ with all of his friends and their acquaintances. So basically, my husband is the typical daycare dog and I am not. Just like with dogs, some enjoy their small groups of trusted friends while others can socialize with just about anyone.
Age and temperament also play a large role in how groups should be created. Its not fair for either a young puppy or a senior dog to be forced into the same group together. The young pup is going to want to engage in high energy play while the senior dog will want a calmer environment with lots of snuggles. Is either pup wrong? No! They just simply are at different stages in life. Typically in larger groups of dogs, for everyone’s safety we as pack leaders can not allow for high-arousal play that young pups love nor can we snuggle with the older pups that simply want all the belly rubs and love. By splitting into smaller groups, we’re able to really interact with each dog the way that THEY want to be interacted with.
Since the dogs play hard and get mental stimulation from employee-based activities as well (mental exercise is just as tiring as physical) they are tired after just 30-45 minutes of play, and will welcome an opportunity to chill out. In fact, the all-day-play model has, from its inception, garnered critique for creating doggie athletes by conditioning dogs to 6 to 8 hours of on-your-feet- and-awake play and hours of constant physical movement. That gets exhausting! How would you like to be at a cocktail party for 8 hours a day?
To summarize, smaller playgroups allow for a higher quality of play in shorter periods of time. Dogs will be ready for breaks, which allows them to get the quality rest they need to be emotionally healthy.