Let’s talk about the doggy daycare report card.
You know the one — the smiley face emojis, the “Max had a PAW-some day!” scribbled in colored marker, maybe a blurry photo of your pup mid-wag.
It’s sweet. It’s reassuring.
It’s also deeply misleading.
Because behind those “fluff and fetch” summaries is often a very different reality — one that includes unreported fights, overstimulation, and a lot of missing context.
So if you’re relying on the daily report card to know how your dog’s doing, it’s time for a reality check.
The Real Purpose of the “Report Card”
Let’s be honest:
The report card isn’t there to inform you.
It’s there to retain you.
It’s a feel-good tool. A marketing asset. A quick “look how great we are” note to keep you from asking too many questions.
But here’s what it doesn’t say:
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“Your dog was bullied for 10 minutes before we noticed.”
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“She paced nonstop because she was anxious in the overcrowded room.”
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“He got snapped at during play and now avoids the corner where it happened.”
Why?
Because none of that fits the “Happy Doggy Disneyland” narrative they want you to believe.
What You’re Not Being Told
🩸 Minor Scuffles & Injuries
Unless there’s visible blood or a limp, most altercations go unreported. A snapped lip? A paw stepped on? A growl and nip? You’ll never know.
😰 Emotional Distress
Dogs who shut down, shake, isolate themselves, or show early signs of anxiety are often labeled as “shy” or “low energy” on the card.
They’re not chill.
They’re overwhelmed.
💤 Crate Time or Isolation
Some dogs are crated or separated for hours due to energy mismatches or staff shortages. But the card will say, “Took a well-earned nap!”
Nap, or stress shutdown? You’ll never know.
🧠 Bad Play Habits
Is your dog becoming a hump-machine or resource guarder? Staff may avoid putting that on the card — even though it’s your first warning sign.
Why This Happens (It’s Not Always Malicious)
Let’s be fair.
Many daycare staff members are good people doing a tough job with way too many dogs.
But:
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Most aren’t trained in behavior or stress signals
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They’re overworked and underpaid
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Management often discourages “negative” updates to avoid scaring clients
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The default is: no news is good news
In other words… if you didn’t get a call, they assume it’s fine.
But that’s not how behavioral red flags work.
How to Decode the Fluff
Here are some phrases and what they might actually mean:
| What It Says | What It Might Mean |
|---|---|
| “Low energy today 💤” | Your dog was anxious, overstimulated, or shut down |
| “Took lots of naps 😴” | They were crated for long periods |
| “Did great in group!” | No major issues — but no details either |
| “A little shy at first 😅” | Your dog was scared or overwhelmed |
| “Lots of playtime!” | It was chaotic, loud, and probably unstructured |
| “Didn’t eat lunch — too excited!” | Stressed dogs don’t eat. This is a red flag. |
What You Should Be Getting
A real, transparent update should include:
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Behavior trends: “She seems more anxious around large dogs lately.”
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Honest energy notes: “He seemed overtired by noon and needed downtime.”
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Safety incidents: “There was a scuffle, no injuries, but we separated them.”
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Progress reports: “He’s playing better with smaller groups — we’re watching that.”
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Staff observations: Not just a checklist, but real insight from someone who knows dogs.
If you’re getting none of that… you’re not getting the truth.
What You Can Do
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Ask for more than the card.
Request verbal updates. Ask specifics: “Who did she play with? Was there any stress?” -
Push for transparency.
Live cams. Open-door policies. Behavior logs. If they resist, that’s a flag. -
Track behavior at home.
Dogs don’t fake it. If your pup seems off after daycare — pacing, whining, withdrawn — trust that over the smiley-face emoji card. -
Tour regularly.
Drop in unannounced. See if what you observe matches what’s written.
Final Word: Don’t Let Cute Fonts Fool You
The daycare “report card” is often just a pretty version of silence.
If everything’s always “great,” even when your dog’s behavior says otherwise… it’s not a report card. It’s PR.
And your dog deserves more than that.
Ask better questions. Demand real answers. Because you are the only one truly advocating for your dog’s emotional and physical safety.
And a 3-sentence doodle note isn’t enough.
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