Subjects Vary by Kindergarten
Commands Like "Sit" and "Wait" Must Be Passed
Admission Denied for Aggression or Separation Anxiety
Some Call It "Sky Gaesle"
Entrance exams are now common at dog kindergartens, which are sought out when owners cannot leave their pets alone. On July 28, Yonhap News reported that dog kindergartens require certain tests for admission, such as proving sociability and emotional stability. As a result, these kindergartens are sometimes referred to as "Sky Gaesle," a term inspired by the competitive atmosphere. Previously, on July 10, actress Chae Jung-an appeared on a YouTube channel and said, "Dog kindergartens also have entrance exams. Since my dog was not trained to enter a kennel (pet carrier), I hired a trainer for private lessons."
Entrance exams are rampant at dog kindergartens and similar facilities that owners seek when they cannot leave their pets alone. Photo is not related to specific content of the article. Photo by Heo Younghan
This situation has led to the term "Sky Gaesle," modeled after the JTBC drama "Sky Castle," which depicted the fierce competition of school admissions. The entrance exam "subjects" differ by kindergarten. Checking for aggression and separation anxiety is standard. Some also assess whether the dog can follow basic commands such as "sit" and "wait." At one dog kindergarten in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, the entrance exam consists of four categories and ten items in total.
The test includes six items for basic behavior, one item for sociability with other dogs, one item for problem-solving ability, and one item for impulse control. Requirements include basic training such as sitting, lying down, making eye contact, and entering a kennel, as well as patience to wait for treats and sociability to mix with other dogs without issues. The perfect score is 100 points, and admission is not possible if the dog scores below 60 points.
Pet dog boarding facility at the Domestic Terminal Pet Center of Gimpo Airport, Gangseo-gu, Seoul. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Kang Jinhyung
Another dog kindergarten in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, checks a total of six items during its attendance test, including adaptation to the space, other dogs, and trainers. There are also reviews from owners whose dogs failed the entrance exam because it was too difficult. Last year, a user on a social networking service (SNS) wrote, "My dog failed because he could only 'wait for a treat' for two seconds, while a Welsh Corgi from another household passed by waiting for ten seconds. A Shih Tzu was next, but that Shih Tzu failed because it did not understand the command." The user added, "The Shih Tzu's owner called it 'Sky Gaesle.' It was absurd and funny."
Concerns Grow Over Safety Accidents Such as Dog Bites in Facilities
The reason dog kindergartens require entrance tests is that recent dog bite incidents have heightened concerns about safety accidents within facilities. In February last year in Daejeon, an owner left their two-year-old dog "Boss" at a pet grooming and hotel business, only for the dog to be bitten in the eye area by another dog, resulting in a risk of blindness.
Temporary Shelter for Pet Owners and Pets at Yeouido Hangang Park Swimming Pool in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang
In July 2023, singer Jang Pilsoon revealed that her dog "Camus" died from heatstroke symptoms just ten hours after being left at a dog hotel in Jeju Island. In 2022, the story of a Maltese named "Kunja" suffering brain damage after being bitten by a large dog at a dog kindergarten was also made public. On July 28, a representative from a dog kindergarten explained, "We have established these standards to ensure that dogs can live more safely. Through the entrance exam, we check the relationship between the owner and the dog, and observe what signals the dog knows regarding its temperament and sociability."
This also reflects a shift in perception, with pets now seen as family members. In a survey conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korea Consumer Agency in April and May last year, 300 consumers who had used dog kindergartens in the past two years reported an average monthly payment of 254,800 won. This amount is even higher than the average monthly cost (about 226,491 won) paid by parents sending their children to kindergartens in Seoul last year.
Jung Kwangil, director of the Korea Dog Behavior Psychology Therapy Center, explained, "There are more owners who value their dog's communication and empathy skills, and dog kindergartens are evolving from places that simply pass the time to spaces offering various programs such as pet aromatherapy, massage, and agility. This represents a change in pet culture." He added, "As more owners consider their dogs as family members, they are raising dogs not just to be obedient, but to be emotionally stable and have a certain level of concentration."
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