Pet Kindergartens Go Selective as Safety and Socialization Take Priority (Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 29 (Korea Bizwire) — In a nation known for its rigorous education system, even dogs are facing entrance exams. A growing number of South Korean dog daycare centers — dubbed “pet kindergartens” — are implementing admission tests to assess a dog’s socialization, obedience, and emotional stability before enrollment.
The trend has sparked comparisons to the cutthroat academic competition portrayed in the popular drama SKY Castle, leading some to jokingly coin the term “SKY Dog Castle” (스카이개슬).
These “doggy entrance exams” vary by institution but often include tasks such as sitting on command, entering a kennel, resisting temptation (like waiting for treats), and displaying non-aggressive behavior toward other dogs. At one high-end center in Seoul’s Gangnam district, dogs must pass a four-part, 10-item evaluation and score at least 60 out of 100 to be admitted.
Even celebrities are getting involved. Actress Chae Jung-an recently revealed on a YouTube show that she hired a private trainer to prepare her dog for the required kennel-training portion of the test.
Pet kindergartens in South Korea are becoming increasingly upscale. One such example is Bauraum, a luxury pet care center recently featured on a popular YouTube channel. Spanning 1,322 square meters, the facility houses a hotel, kindergarten, animal hospital, and grooming salon. Its premium kindergarten—uniquely integrated with a veterinary clinic—is the only one of its kind in the country. It employs 13 trainers, 4 pet stylists, and 2 resident veterinarians who oversee the health and well-being of the dogs. (Image courtesy of Bowraum)
The boom in pet kindergartens comes amid heightened concerns about dog-related accidents in shared facilities. In recent years, incidents involving injuries and even fatalities at grooming salons and dog hotels have made headlines, prompting daycare centers to tighten safety standards.
“Entrance exams help ensure the safety and compatibility of the dogs,” said one kindergarten operator. “They also help us evaluate how well the dog interacts with humans and other animals.”
The rising demand reflects a broader cultural shift in how pets are viewed. Increasingly, pets are considered full-fledged family members — and the spending shows it.
A recent joint survey by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korea Consumer Agency found that pet owners spent an average of 254,800 won ($195) per month on dog daycare, exceeding the average monthly preschool tuition for children in Seoul.
Pet Parenting Goes Next Level as Dog Kindergartens Mimic Human Schools (Yonhap)
“More pet owners want emotionally stable and focused dogs, not just obedient ones,” said Chung Kwang-il, director of the Korea Dog Behavior Psychology Center. “Pet kindergartens are evolving into spaces that offer enrichment through aromatherapy, massage, and agility training.”
What once was a simple solution for busy owners has transformed into a competitive, structured environment — one that mirrors Korea’s wider education obsession, only this time with wagging tails.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
