How to Choose a Doggy Daycare

If you feel guilty or worried about leaving your dog home alone while you’re at work, you’re not alone. Many pet parents fret about their dog feeling lonely or bored when they’re gone for long hours, or stress about getting home late due to their work schedules. 

Luckily, there are some great options to keep your dog stimulated and exercised while you’re at work, including hiring a dog walker or sending your dog to a doggy daycare. Below, we’ll share some tips on how to decide if doggy daycare is a good fit for your bestie, and how to choose one that you’ll feel confident about.

TL;DR: When choosing doggy daycare, visit the facility to assess cleanliness, safety measures, staff-to-dog ratios, and how well dogs are supervised. Make sure that the facility requires vaccinations, has proper licensing, and maintains clear policies for emergencies and behavioral issues. Consider doing a trial day to see how your dog responds to the environment and staff.

Is doggy daycare the right choice for your dog?

When trying to decide between a dog walker and doggy daycare, consider your dog’s personality, socialization, and how much engagement they need. 

Dog daycare centers are the canine equivalent of daycare centers for human children: a group setting where dogs can be stimulated and engaged as they play with other dogs. Most doggy daycares have staff members monitoring the dogs in a group setting and interacting with them, offering pets, cuddles, and treats (with your permission). Dogs who thrive in this kind of environment tend to go home happy, tired, and ready to rest and bond with their pet parents.

Here are a few tips to help you determine if doggy daycare is right for you.

Dog walkers might be best for…

A dog walker who comes to your house to take your dog out for solo exercise sessions is a great option for sedentary dogs who tend to nap most of the day. These dog walkers are also ideal for dogs who prefer the company of humans over dogs, or have other special needs or medical requirements that make group settings tricky.

Dog walkers can be great for high-energy dogs, too, as long as you want focused, one-on-one time rather than social play.

Doggy daycare might be best for…

If your dog loves playing with other dogs and needs more than an hour of exercise and engagement throughout the day, doggy day care is a great choice. It’s especially good for social dogs who get lonely or anxious when home alone, or for people with busy schedules who can’t give them constant attention.

Read this related article on Kinship

Should You Send Your Pup to Dog Daycare?

For healthy, active, social dogs, daycare can be a great outlet for getting exercise and social enrichment. Read more.

7 questions to ask doggy daycare

If you want to try out doggy daycare for your dog, don’t just go to the closest facility. These businesses are not created equally, so do your research before making a decision. The most important considerations are safety, cleanliness, and extra features such as grooming or training services. Here are the questions pet parents should ask about a doggy daycare before dropping off their dog. 

1. Will you do a temperament test?

Well-run doggy daycares perform behavior evaluations to ensure dogs are good fits for a daycare environment. Doggy daycare is not the best choice for every dog. Even dogs who are good with other dogs at home might have issues in a group dynamic. Dogs who fail the temperament test are generally not admitted into the facility. In such cases, a dog walker is usually a better choice to keep the dog exercised and engaged. 

Behavioral assessments can also help staff make decisions about which group to place dogs into. Doggy daycare facilities often group dogs together based not only on their sizes, but also their activity levels and personalities. For example, older dogs who enjoy calmer play might be placed with gentler dogs. Younger, rambunctious dogs are usually grouped with active dogs who like rough-and-tumble play. 

2. What is the staff-to-dog ratio? 

Appropriate staffing is important to ensure that dog interactions are well-monitored and that staff can intervene in the event of squabbles between dogs, redirect dogs who become overexcited so they can calm down, or remove dogs showing signs of fear or stress. Higher staff-to-dog ratios also ensure that dogs get plenty of individual attention from humans. 

3. What kind of training does your staff have?

Dog behavior, particularly in a group dynamic, is complex. Staff should receive adequate training in canine behavior and body language so they know how best to help dogs have fun while staying safe.

4. Do you offer additional enrichment activities, dog training, or grooming? 

Some doggy daycares offer extra services, including structured enrichment, such as nosework, puzzle toys, water play, training sessions, agility obstacles, and even outdoor walks. Bathing and grooming services are great if you’d like your dog to get cleaned up before coming home.

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5. What kind of structure do you provide for the dogs?

Doggy daycares shouldn’t just be a free-for-all of pups all day long. Set times for rest, meals, and group play ensure dogs don’t become overstimulated, stressed, or exhausted, all of which can lead to negative experiences for them. 

6. What are your procedures for emergencies?

Find out how the facility handles dogs who need medical care, including if they will transport the dog to a veterinarian when necessary. Also, ask how they handle natural disasters, including pet parent communication and potential evacuations.

7. What is the doggy daycare cost? 

Obviously, cost is a factor when it comes to choosing a doggy daycare: You should expect to pay between $35 and $50 per dog, per day. Daycare for dogs isn’t cheap, but many pet parents feel the benefits for their dogs are worth the cost. (You don’t want to simply choose the cheapest option.) Make sure the facility provides a safe and enjoyable experience for your dog, and that their hours of operation and policies work for you. 

Some dog daycare centers offer discounts for multiple dogs and lower rates if you purchase a package of multiple days. Some dog daycares also run sales and promotions throughout the year. Stay in the loop about upcoming deals by signing up for email or text communications.

Daycare facility visit and research

After doing some research, it’s time to visit the facilities that stand out. Many doggy daycare centers offer tours to potential clients. When touring a facility, leave your dog at home. If you like the place, you can schedule a fit test (sometimes called a trial day) at a different time. Some doggy daycare centers even offer the test day free of charge. 

Your visit is a great time to ask how the center prevents illnesses from spreading, as well as how the facility is cleaned and sanitized. During your visit, pay close attention to the condition of the facility, the appearance and behavior of the staff, and the behavior of the dogs at the daycare. Don’t be put off by loud barking or dog odors — this is pretty standard — but you shouldn’t see or smell excessive urine or poop. 

Some things you should look out for:

• Does the facility look and smell relatively clean, with messes cleaned up promptly? 

• Does the center seem well ventilated with sufficient air circulation?

• Does the space seem large enough to comfortably and safely accommodate the number of dogs there?

• Do the enclosures and equipment look sturdy and well-maintained?

• Are staff happy and engaged with the dogs, stepping in to redirect any behavior issues?

• Do the dogs look happy (wagging tails) and seem to be enjoying their play?

Trust your instincts

Once you’ve done your research and visited some facilities, go with your gut. If a dog daycare center seems great on paper and you get a good vibe after your visit, book a few visits to see how your dog does. One of the best signs that you’ve found a great fit is a dog who acts just as happy when dropped off at daycare as they are when you pick them up.  

Commonly asked questions

How much does doggy daycare cost?

Doggy daycare costs vary depending on where you live, the various amenities and activities offered, the staff-to-dog ratio, and the employees’ level of training and skill. But on average, doggy daycare will cost between $35 and $50 per dog, per day. 

What’s the difference between doggy daycare and boarding?

Doggy daycare centers are different from boarding facilities because, instead of staying for extended periods of time, dogs are generally dropped off in the morning and picked up at the end of the day. That said, some doggy daycares offer boarding services in addition to daycare. The dogs who are boarded get to enjoy the same playtime during the day as those dogs who come just for the day.

What should I look for in a doggy daycare for small dogs?

A doggy daycare for small dogs should provide separate play areas for larger and smaller dogs, secure enclosures that small dogs can’t slip through, and high staff-to-dog ratios to ensure all the dogs are having a safe and fun experience.

Does doggy daycare help with separation anxiety?

Yes, doggy daycare can help some dogs with separation anxiety, but this depends on the individual dog and if they enjoy a group-play environment. Not all dogs with separation anxiety do well at doggy daycare, but it’s worth trying to see if it helps your dog.

Does dog daycare help with socialization?

Dog daycare can help with socialization for dogs who are generally friendly with other dogs and need a little extra canine playtime and exposure. However, the large group setting of doggy daycare can be too chaotic and unstructured for dogs who are shy, nervous, fearful, or aggressive towards other dogs. 

Are board and trains worth it?

Board and trains are worth it for dogs who need serious, intensive training from a professional. For long-term success, the trainer should teach you how to continue your dog’s training at home. Dog boarding and training programs are not the same as doggy daycare centers, which provide group play with other dogs in an unstructured setting.

References

Greenville County, Greenville County Animal Care, greenvillecountysc.gov/ACS/pdf/no_time_for_my_dog.pdf.

“How Much Does Doggy Daycare Cost?” The Dog People by Rover.com, 14 Apr. 2020, www.rover.com/blog/how-much-does-doggy-daycare-cost.

Pet Daycare/Kennel/Grooming Inspection Check List: How to Prepare for Your Pre-Operational or Routine Inspection. 2020, cdn.kingcounty.gov/-/media/king-county/depts/dph/documents/health-safety/environmental-health/pet-business/daycare-kennel-grooming-inspection-checklist.pdf.