Animal Behavior
hat makes one dog settle and another struggle? The truth is, it’s not always the dog.
Two dogs walk into the same daycare. One moves confidently, settling into the environment and routine quickly. The other clings to the entryway, avoiding the other dogs and staff members.
Dogs respond differently to daycare for a number of reasons. Often, the difference lies in the dogs themselves. Temperament, training and past experiences all play a role in how a dog handles a busy group environment. Other times, the real difference isn’t the dog at all, but the handler.
What if we swapped handlers between those two dogs? It’s very possible we’d see a dramatic reversal in their behavior. That shy, uncertain dog might begin to engage, while the confident one could become hesitant.
At daycare, dogs interact with a range of people, from the person taking the leash at drop-off to the team members managing playgroups or boarding routines. While having a solid structure is important, having a team of highly skilled handlers is what makes the biggest difference.
So why is it that one team member can walk into a yard and effortlessly recall a group of dogs, while another spends the day writing reports about dogs ignoring them, playing too rough or humping during play? The difference often lies in subtle, practiced skills that experienced handlers have honed over time. Experienced handlers might not even be able to name the skills, which I refer to as foundational micro skills.
An experienced handler carries themselves with a quiet confidence. They seem to be one step ahead of the dogs, calmly managing behavior and gently redirecting situations before they escalate. These handlers are alert, engaged and reading body language with precision. They make it look easy.
These micro skills are rooted in both canine behavior and self-awareness. It’s not just about what you do, but how and why you do it. Are you taking a leash from the owner thoughtfully, or just going through the motions? Are you noticing the dog’s posture and tension before they even enter the yard? Observing them—really seeing them—and knowing what to do next is essential.
Even tasks that seem routine deserve intention. For example, how do you pick up a water bowl when multiple dogs are near it? How do you open a gate or redirect dogs? These moments matter. Small actions communicate big messages to the dogs.
I emphasize early moments, like drop-off, because they may shape the rest of the dog’s day. A chaotic or overly stimulating handoff from owner to staff can lead to lingering stress or excitement that makes group integration more challenging. The handler’s body language, voice, pace and timing all affect how a dog transitions.
For dog daycares, this approach can be formalized into a staff development program. Whether you call them foundational skills, basic handling principles or something unique to your business, defining and teaching these micro interactions can transform how your staff connects with the dogs, and with each other. A unified understanding of these skills means better teamwork, safer playgroups and smoother operations.
Staff should be able to not only observe behavior, but also explain why they make certain choices right down to the way they unclip a leash or greet a nervous dog. Encouraging this kind of self-awareness and discussion builds a culture of learning, curiosity and shared purpose.
Even the most experienced handlers benefit from revisiting these basics. Asking, “Why do I do it this way?” can spark thoughtful conversations and reveal opportunities for growth. It can even uncover habits that no longer serve the team or the dogs.
There’s no universal checklist of micro skills. My personal list has evolved over years of observation, mistakes, successes, and refinements and it continues to grow. Everyone’s list will be unique. Watch your team, ask questions and look for the smallest choices that lead to the biggest shifts in dog behavior.
Subtle human behavior, often overlooked, has an enormous impact on how dogs experience their time in daycare and boarding. The dogs are paying attention, are we?