Tips for Finding the Best Dog Daycare

Doggy daycare is great for busy pet parents who don’t want to leave their furry loved ones alone all day. But you want to make sure you find the right dog daycare for you and your pet. Before you leave your dog, here are a few things to consider when choosing the facility.

Tour the Facility

Not all dog daycares are going to be the right fit for you and your dog. You need to be able to assess the facility before you leave your dog. Ask for a tour so you can see the environment your dog will be in. Is it clean and properly sanitized? What safety precautions are in place? If tours are not allowed, that should be a big red flag. On your tour look for:
  • Cleanliness: Don’t expect to be able to eat off the floor, but the daycare facility should be tidy and smell decent. See if accidents are being cleaned up quickly and make sure the other dogs look healthy.
  • Ventilation: Whether through open doors or an air change system, the dogs should be getting plenty of fresh air.
  • Fencing & Gating: Fencing is usually what keeps dogs separated for safety and from escaping. Make sure all the fencing looks sturdy and that they are high enough to keep any super dogs from jumping over them. Look for wait gates or a double-gated area where new dogs are given a chance to get acclimated before joining the entire play area.
Insurance

Make sure wherever you leave your dog is bonded and properly insured. If something were to happen to your dog or if your dog were to cause damage, the doggy daycare needs to have insurance to cover those costs.

Supervision & Staff-to-Dog Ratio

You’ll want to know who will be in charge of your dog during their stay and how many staff are on duty at a time. A good doggy daycare will provide proper supervision to ensure safety and good doggy behavior. Look for a staff-to-dog ratio of about one person for every 10-15 dogs. At Lucky Dog Pet Lodge, we group dogs according to size and energy level. Dogs are supervised at all times while playing together.

Experience

This goes along with supervision and staff, but it’s good to know how long the daycare has been in business, who is in charge and what kind of experience they have when it comes to dogs. Look for online reviews of the doggy daycare and ask around to see if it comes highly recommended.

Offers Boarding as an Option

If you are also interested in boarding your pet at some point, it doesn’t hurt to find a daycare that also offers boarding services. It will be easier on your dog to be left overnight someplace if he’s already familiar with the place and enjoys going there to play.

Size

This is one instance where size does matter. One of the main reasons to bring your pet to a doggy daycare is for them to get some exercise and escape the boredom of being cooped up inside all day. Make sure the facility has space for your dog to play and run around.