As we begin a new year, many of us reflect on balance—slowing down after the busyness of the holiday season and setting thoughtful intentions for what’s ahead. For dogs, balance is just as important, and one of the most overlooked components of that balance is rest.
Exercise, play, and socialization are often emphasized in dog care, but rest is just as critical to a dog’s physical health, emotional wellbeing, and overall behavior. Unfortunately, rest is frequently misunderstood or undervalued, especially in group care environments.
At Petite Paws Pet Hotel, rest is not an afterthought—it is a core part of how we care for dogs.
Dogs are not wired to be active all day long. Unlike humans, dogs have polyphasic sleep patterns, meaning they rest multiple times throughout the day and night. On average:
Rest includes more than just nighttime sleep. It also includes quiet downtime during the day—time when a dog’s body and brain can recover, process stimulation, and reset.
During rest periods, a dog’s body repairs muscles, restores energy levels, and supports immune health. This recovery is especially important after physically demanding play, training, or enrichment activities.
Rest plays a critical role in learning and memory. Dogs process new experiences and retain training information during periods of rest. Without adequate downtime, learning can suffer and frustration can increase.
Dogs who are consistently overstimulated without proper rest often show signs of stress, anxiety, or behavioral challenges. Rest helps dogs regulate emotions, respond appropriately to social cues, and remain calm and confident.
At Petite Paws Pet Hotel, we are an enrichment-based facility, and rest is intentionally built into every dog’s day.
Rather than continuous all-day group play, we use small group or private play sessions, carefully matched by size, temperament, and play style. Each activity session is followed by structured rest time in the dog’s own personal space.
This allows dogs to recover physically and mentally, avoid overstimulation, and return to activities excited and engaged—rather than fatigued or overwhelmed.
One of the most intentional parts of our daily schedule at Petite Paws Pet Hotel is our midday closure and rest window, designed specifically to support dogs’ natural need for recovery and regulation.
Our office is closed from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, meaning there are no drop-offs or pick-ups during this time. Within that window, daycare activities pause from 12:00–1:00 PM so dogs can experience uninterrupted rest.
Midday is when dogs—especially those participating in enrichment, play, and social activities—benefit most from a reset. Constant transitions, arrivals, departures, and stimulation make it difficult for dogs to fully settle. By closing the office and pausing daycare, we eliminate unnecessary disruptions and allow dogs to truly rest.
During this time:
This rest period also aligns with staff shift changes, creating a smoother, quieter environment that supports emotional regulation rather than excitement or stress.
This is not lost playtime.
This is intentional recovery time that allows dogs to recharge for the remainder of the day.
Play is an important and valuable part of a dog’s day, and there are many approaches to group care that can work well depending on the dog, the environment, and the structure in place. What’s most important is recognizing that not every dog thrives under the same level or style of stimulation.
For some dogs, extended or all-day group play can be enjoyable. For others—especially those who are younger, older, more sensitive, or highly social—long periods of continuous activity may become mentally or physically taxing without intentional rest opportunities.
Our approach reflects the belief that thoughtful balance between activity and rest helps many dogs enjoy their day more fully, stay engaged longer, and maintain emotional regulation throughout their stay.
There’s a common belief that if a dog comes home from daycare and immediately crashes for the night, they must have had a great day. While a dog who is pleasantly tired can certainly be content, complete exhaustion is not the goal.
When a dog is pushed beyond healthy fatigue, they may return home disengaged or unable to interact with their family. That level of exhaustion can take away from valuable evening connection time—walks, play, training, or simply relaxing together.
When rest is intentionally built into a dog’s day, they return home calm but present—fulfilled, not overstimulated, and still ready to engage with the people who matter most.
At Petite Paws Pet Hotel, we believe daycare should support home life, not replace it. Our goal is to send dogs home balanced, happy, and able to enjoy both their day with us and their time with their families.
As we move into a new year, rest is something worth prioritizing—for ourselves and for our dogs. When we slow down with intention, we create space for better experiences, deeper engagement, and healthier relationships.
And that’s exactly what we aim to provide every day at Petite Paws Pet Hotel.
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