How to choose a dog daycare: the questions to ask, and the answers to listen for

Start here, because a great daycare can still be the wrong place for your dog. The AKC describes the ideal daycare dog as well-socialized, enjoying the company of other dogs, and benefiting from frequent exercise and stimulation. That fits a lot of young, social dogs. It doesn’t fit every dog.

• Good candidates: young, high-energy dogs that love other dogs, and dogs that get bored or destructive home alone all day.
• Think twice: dogs that are fearful of other dogs, guard toys or food, are reactive on leash, or are senior and easily overwhelmed.
• Probably not: dogs with a history of aggression toward dogs. Dog trainer Cathy Madson writes for Preventive Vet that these dogs should not be put in a daycare environment at all.

If your dog is a maybe, a dog walker, a smaller home-style daycare, or a couple of days a week instead of five can work better than a big group. Some people also mix daycare with boarding at the same place; our story on daycare vs boarding cost compares the two.

Most checklists give you 25 questions. These are the ones where the answer actually separates good facilities from risky ones, with what a good answer sounds like.

A temperament test (sometimes called an evaluation or assessment) is a trial session where staff decide whether your dog will be safe and happy in group play, and which group fits. The AKC recommends choosing a facility that assesses a dog’s behavior before accepting it. Treat a daycare that skips this step with caution: it has no way of knowing which dogs it is putting together.

A good evaluation usually runs a few hours to a half day. Staff often introduce your dog to one calm dog before a group, check how it tolerates handling and a short time in a kennel, and watch for stress signals. Ask what would make a dog fail, and ask for feedback afterward even if your dog passed. A facility that tells you “she was a bit overwhelmed by the big dogs, so we’d start her in the small group” is paying attention.

Many daycares also start new dogs with a few shorter days before full ones. That isn’t upselling: it gives your dog time to learn the routine and gives staff a better read on which dogs it plays well with.

Don’t take a failed test personally. A daycare that turns some dogs away is a daycare that protects the dogs it accepts, including yours.

There is no national standard, and most states regulate daycares lightly if at all, so you have to ask. Preventive Vet’s trainer suggests at least one well-trained staff member for every 8 to 10 dogs, and prefers 1 to 5 to 7 in high-energy groups.

The number matters less than two other things. First, is someone physically in the play area at all times, not watching a camera from the front desk? Second, how big is the group? Separated daycares usually run 10 to 20 dogs per area, while open “dog park style” setups can put 30 to 40 dogs together, according to Preventive Vet. Bigger groups are harder to read and faster to tip into trouble.

The AKC suggests visiting without your dog first, so you can just watch. A Texas A&M veterinarian adds that a good facility should be proud to show you around; be wary of one that won’t answer questions or allow a tour. Some daycares don’t allow walk-throughs while dogs are in group play for safety reasons, but those should offer a viewing window, a webcam or video instead.

• Smell and cleanliness: some dog smell is normal; strong urine or ammonia isn’t. Ask what cleaning products they use and how often.
• Fencing and doors: secure fencing at least 6 feet high outdoors, and a double-door entry so a dog can’t slip out when someone comes in.
• Hazards: loose cords, broken toys, gaps in fencing.
• Temperature and shade: air conditioning indoors, shade and water outdoors.
• The dogs themselves: loose, wiggly bodies and play that pauses and restarts are good signs. Dogs cornered, hiding, or being chased relentlessly are not.
• The staff: are they watching the dogs, or their phones? Do they know the dogs’ names?

After a few visits, your dog will tell you. The AKC lists the signs: coming home tired but happy, seeming relaxed rather than stressed, and being eager to go in rather than needing to be dragged through the door.

• Good signs: pulling toward the door at drop-off, a loose, tired dog at pickup, normal appetite and sleep at home.
• Watch for: hiding or trembling at drop-off, new scrapes, a hoarse voice from barking all day, new fearfulness around other dogs, or being wired and unable to settle at night.

Many dogs do best with two or three days a week rather than five, and some dogs who struggle in a big group thrive in a smaller one. Ask staff for a report card or a quick chat at pickup: a good daycare will tell you who your dog played with and how the day went. Daycare also isn’t open every hour you might want; see dog daycare drop-off hours before you commit to a commute.