The Summer Shift: Adapting Dog Daycare for Seasonal Behavior Changes

Noticing a Change in Canine Behavior? You’re Not Imagining It.
As the school year ends and summer kicks off, many pet parents notice subtle (and not-so-subtle) changes in their dogs’ behavior. With kids home during the day, family routines change—and so does the dog’s environment. That 14–15 hours of undisturbed sleep they used to enjoy during the school year? Gone. More people in and out of the house, unpredictable schedules, and even more outings can leave dogs overstimulated, exhausted, or a bit snarky.

When the Playgroup Becomes Too Much
You might notice dogs who used to leap into playgroups now heading straight for the corner to nap. Others may arrive more agitated, less tolerant, or hyper-alert. It’s not always a behavior problem—it could just be summer.

So how can daycare and boarding facilities support dogs through the seasonal shift?

Turn Your Facility Into a Summer Sanctuary
Sometimes, the best thing you can offer is a quiet, restful space. Think of it as a retreat for dogs who need an escape—just like people crave a spa day. For example, you could dim the lights in the summer to extend nap times. This extra rest helps prevent overstimulation and keeps grumpy attitudes at bay.

Get Creative With Calm Activities
Dogs may benefit from engaging in lower-energy enrichment options. Depending on your facility type, you could consider replacing or supplementing high-intensity fetch and group play with puzzle toys, scent work, or gentle one-on-one time. These kinds of activities support mental health without sending energy levels skyrocketing.

Sometimes Less Is More
For some families, scaling back the number of daycare visits in the summer actually benefits the dog. With stimulation high at home—visitors, outdoor adventures, neighborhood activity—it may be healthier to focus on quality over quantity.

Make the Most of the Season for Behavior Work
Summer also presents unique training opportunities. Use the extra stimuli as tools for desensitization and socialization:

  • Offer structured neighborhood walks.
  • Play recordings of fireworks in the weeks leading up to the 4th of July.
  • Incorporate ambient sounds like birds, motorcycles, or children playing.

Look into playing music for situations just like this that combines soothing tunes with sounds that some dogs may find overstimulating.

Helping Dogs—and Their People—Stay in Sync
Summer is a time of fun and flexibility, but it’s also an invitation to reframe how we support our canine clients. Dog behavior often reflects the human rhythms around them. If we adjust our environment with intention, we can meet dogs where they are—and help their families enjoy the season together.

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