Daycare for Dogs
A Checklist
Many dogs enjoy play sessions and socializing with their four-legged friends. Daycares may be a good option for keeping your dog busy while you are at work or on vacation. Daycares can also be a fun way to expend extra energy and create canine “friendships.” Before settling on a particular facility, make a criteria checklist and ask yourself a few questions...and always remember: a daycare facility is only one component to your dog’s health, well-being and lifestyle.
- GOALS
When you consider a daycare, set an intention. What do you hope to accomplish with sending your dog to daycare? - PERSONNEL
Who operates this daycare? What are their credentials? Are the owners and working team actual certified dog trainers (with certifications)? Who supervises playtime or are the owners/certified trainers working at the facility? What is the “turnover rate” of their employees? Do you have the same people involved with your dog’s care? What is the training of the employees?
Consistency among daycare employees allows your dog to build relationships and trust with their caregivers. Reading a dog’s body language is essential to avoid kerfuffles and personality differences. Having the same people in charge of your dog’s activities can provide essential feedback for you to feel confident that your dog is happy and enjoying a positive experience while away from you. - FACILITY
Are the runs, kennels and play areas spacious and clean? Are the surface areas in the playroom safe (mats or concrete)? Are there water stations in each run, kennel or play area and are those bowls clean and freshly filled? Are their toys scattered around?
Injuries can occur with dogs jumping or romping on hard surfaces. You also need to consider size appropriate toys – for example, tiny dog toys can easily be chewed or swallowed by large breed dogs. - RATIOS AND GROUPS
When the daycare is assessing where your dog’s needs will be best met - do they consider your dog’s age, training level, energy level, breed tendencies, reactivity levels? What is the dog to people ratio in the group play area supervising the dogs? How many dogs to a group? How often are new dogs introduced or does the daycare try to keep the same group together? When introducing a new dog to the group - what are the procedures?
Too many dogs and too few caregivers can create a dangerous situation by a lack of attentive supervision. - OVERNIGHT OPTIONS
If the facility offers overnight accommodations, ask about onsite staff during the evening. If the facility is not staffed overnight, how are emergencies handled? Do they have monitored cameras in place in each kennel? - ACTIVITIES
Does the daycare offer “downtime” options?
Playtime can be energetic fun but dogs need downtime to rest, reset and avoid overstimulation.
- REFERENCES
Do you know anyone who boards their dogs at this facility? Look at their testimonials and social media reviews. While almost any daycare could receive a less than stellar review from a disgruntled dog owner, look for a pattern of grievances: dogs left unattended; dog showing signs of stress; dirty kennels or play areas; inappropriate, broken play equipment; engagement of workers to dogs (e.g., are the staff playing with the dogs instead of their cell phones?), etc. - BEHAVIOR
You know your dog best. After spending an afternoon in daycare, how are they behaving when you pick them up? Are they pleasantly tired and happy to see you? Nervous? Breaking down the doors to get out of the facility? Panting? Easily settling down in the car for the ride home? Did the staff give you feedback on how the day went?
While this list is not all inclusive, hopefully it gives you a helpful starting point to find the best fit for you and your dog. Daycare is NEVER a substitute for training and socializing your dog. However, in the proper context, daycare can provide enjoyment, stimulation and positive reinforcement. When incorporated with a consistent program of training, exercise, rest, healthy food and water options, positive reinforcement and plenty of time building a positive, grounded relationship with your dog, daycare can be a wonderful addition to keeping your dog living his/her best life!
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Karin Roseman and her husband Ken have turned their passion for optimal pup nutrition into a company, Deer Valley Danes, that Karin runs out of the Greenville home they share with their two dogs, Maisie and Cheyenne.