My Dog Got Kicked Out of Daycare—Did I Fail at Socialising Them?

If your dog got kicked out of doggy daycare, it’s easy to feel embarrassed, frustrated, or like you’ve failed them. But here’s the good news: being asked to leave daycare isn’t the end of the world—and it certainly doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong.

In fact, many dogs don’t thrive in daycare environments. Here’s why that’s okay, what it says about your dog, and how you can move forward confidently.

Why Daycare Isn’t for Every Dog

Daycares are busy, high-energy environments filled with unfamiliar dogs. For some dogs, this is exciting and fun. But for others, it can be overwhelming and stressful.

Your dog isn’t “bad” or “broken” if they don’t get along with other dogs or struggle in group settings. Think about it: not everyone loves big crowds or being surrounded by strangers all day—and the same is true for dogs.

Daycare also isn’t a natural situation for dogs. In the wild or in more traditional home settings, dogs interact with their family group and rarely meet large groups of strangers. So, if your dog doesn’t thrive at daycare, they’re just being a normal dog.

Did You Fail at Socialising Your Dog?

Absolutely not. Socialisation doesn’t mean forcing your dog to like every dog or person they meet. Instead, it’s about teaching your dog to feel comfortable and confident in the world around them.

If your dog was overwhelmed at daycare, it might simply mean they’re better suited to quieter, more structured activities. And that’s perfectly okay!

What to Do Next

Instead of daycare, here are some alternative ways to meet your dog’s social and mental needs:

• Walks and Outings: Explore parks, trails, or quiet spaces where your dog can sniff, walk, and enjoy their time without the pressure of interacting with other dogs.
• Interactive Playtime: At home, focus on games like fetch, tug, or puzzle toys.
• Structured Training: Join training classes or one-on-one sessions to build your dog’s confidence and teach them new skills.
• Small, Controlled Playdates: If your dog enjoys company, arrange one-on-one or small-group playdates with dogs they know and like.
• Sharing Space: It's OK just to hang out with your dog too, and do nothing! Car rides, coffee dates and more can be both fulfilling for you and your dog.

We’re Here to Help

At The Dog Star Academy, we specialise in helping dogs who struggle in high-energy or social settings. If your dog had a hard time at daycare, we can work together to find solutions that fit your dog’s unique needs and personality.

Whether it’s teaching your dog to feel calmer on walks, helping them build better manners, or simply giving you the tools to handle tricky situations, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

You and your dog are a team, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Let’s create a plan that works for both of you!

Call Elle at 0493 990 578 today to book your consultation and help your dog thrive—daycare or not.