Doggy Daycare | 4 Very Important Considerations

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Doggy daycare is a staffed facility where your dog spends the day with other dogs while you are at work or away, usually with supervised play, rest periods and meals if needed. It suits some dogs very well and others not at all. Before you book, check four things: whether your dog actually enjoys the company of other dogs, what vaccinations and health checks the provider requires, how many dogs each member of staff looks after, and what you see when you visit. Requirements differ from country to country and between providers, so treat the details below as a checklist to take to a visit and to your vet, not as rules that apply everywhere.

What a day at daycare usually looks like

Most providers mix group play with quieter time. A good day is not non-stop play: dogs need somewhere clean and comfortable to rest, and a well-run facility separates dogs by size, age and play style rather than putting everyone in one room. England’s statutory guidance for licensed day care, for example, says the facility “must be able to separate dogs” and that staff “must consider the age, size and behaviour differences between dogs to minimise the risk of injuries”. It also limits crating to no more than one hour in any eight-hour period, and only with the owner’s consent.

Ask any provider how the day is structured, how groups are chosen, and where and how often dogs rest.

1. Is your dog suited to daycare?

Daycare tends to work for dogs that are relaxed around unfamiliar dogs and people, are healthy enough for active play, and cope with being apart from you for the day. It is a poor fit for a dog that is frightened of other dogs: being placed in a busy group is not a way to “get over” that fear. Dogs Trust’s advice is to introduce dogs to new people, dogs and experiences slowly and never to force interaction, because getting a dog to “face their fear” can make things worse.

Some dogs need extra thought before you book:

• Older dogs, nervous dogs and dogs on medication. England’s guidance tells staff to pay particular attention to dogs that are elderly, nervous or on medication. Talk to your vet first if your dog has a health condition or exercise restrictions.
• Young puppies. Most providers will not accept a puppy until its first vaccination course is finished (see below).
• Dogs that do not enjoy group play. Plenty of adult dogs are happier with a dog walker, a sitter or a friend’s house than with a room full of dogs. That is a preference, not a problem.

A responsible provider will want to assess your dog before the first full day. England’s rules require that every dog is “screened before being admitted to the premises” to make sure they are not afraid, anxious or stressed around other dogs or people. If a daycare is happy to take your dog with no questions and no assessment, look elsewhere. If you are unsure how your dog reads other dogs, our guide to understanding your dog’s behaviour is a good place to start.

2. Vaccinations and health checks

Wherever many dogs share a space, infections spread more easily, so expect a good provider to ask for proof of vaccination. What they ask for depends on where you live and on the provider’s own policy, so confirm the list with them and with your vet.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), whose guidelines are written for vets worldwide, defines “core” vaccines as those that all dogs should receive. For dogs in every part of the world those protect against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus and canine parvovirus. Rabies is core wherever it is endemic, and WSAVA highly recommends leptospirosis vaccination where that disease is endemic and suitable vaccines exist.

“Kennel cough” vaccines (against Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus) are classed by WSAVA as non-core, meaning your vet decides based on your dog’s risk. Many daycares still require one. England’s licensing guidance, for instance, lists distemper, parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis and leptospirosis as required, adds that kennel cough vaccination “may be required”, and says a puppy’s primary vaccination course must be completed at least two weeks before it starts day care. Some providers will accept a vet’s certificate of a recent antibody (titre) test instead of a booster; that is the provider’s choice.

Beyond vaccines, a careful provider will also ask about flea, tick and worming treatment, your dog’s medical and behaviour history, and your vet’s contact details. If your dog is unwell, coughing, or has had diarrhoea, keep them at home and call your vet.

3. Staff, ratios and supervision

The single most useful question to ask is how many dogs each member of staff looks after, and whether that changes during busy periods. There is no worldwide standard. In England, licensed day care must have enough staff to meet every dog’s needs, and the statutory guidance says each member of staff “should have 10 dogs or less to care for”; providers aiming for the higher rating need at least one full-time member of staff per 8 dogs. Rules elsewhere may be stricter, looser or absent, which is exactly why it is worth asking.

Ratios are only part of it. Ask:

• What training staff have in dog behaviour and first aid.
• How they introduce a new dog to a group.
• What they do when play gets too rough, or a dog looks worried.
• Which vet they use in an emergency, and how they will contact you.
• How they train or correct dogs. England’s guidance requires training to be reward-based and says dogs “must never be punished so that they are frightened”. Be wary of any provider that uses spray bottles, shaker cans or shouting to manage dogs.

Signs a dog is stressed

Good staff watch for stress all day, and you can watch for it too, both during your visit and when your dog comes home. Dogs Trust lists these early, subtle signs:

• turning the head or body away
• lip-licking or yawning that has nothing to do with food or tiredness
• ears pulled back, eyes narrowed or the whites of the eyes showing
• sudden stillness or freezing, and tension in the body and face

More obvious signs include a lowered or tucked tail, cowering, hiding, shaking, panting when not hot or exercising, pacing, and not responding to treats or toys. At home, a dog that is sleeping much more or less than usual, going off food, or becoming unusually quiet or clingy after daycare days may be finding it hard. If you notice changes like these, tell the provider and speak to your vet, who can check whether something medical is going on.

4. Visit first, start with a trial, and look past the price

Always visit before you book, and call ahead to ask when it is convenient. A provider that will not let you see where the dogs spend their day is not one to trust with yours. When you are there, look for:

• dogs that look relaxed and are playing in small, matched groups;
• staff who are actively watching and engaging with the dogs, not just in the room;
• clean floors, fresh water, and separate rest areas;
• a way to keep a new or unsettled dog apart from the group;
• a displayed licence or registration, where your country or region requires one. In England, dog day care is a licensable activity and the licence must be on show.

Start with a short trial or half day if the provider offers one, and ask for honest feedback afterwards. Even a dog that passes the assessment may turn out not to enjoy it, and a good provider will tell you so.

Prices vary widely between countries, cities and providers, so compare what is included rather than the headline rate: group sizes, ratios, rest areas, how long dogs are crated, whether meals or medication are given, and what happens if your dog is ill during the day. The cheapest option is not automatically poor value, and the most expensive is not automatically the best for your dog.

What to pack

Ask the provider for their list before the first day. Typically they want a copy of your dog’s vaccination record, a lead and a well-fitted collar or harness with ID, any food or medication with clear written instructions, and your contact and vet details. Many providers do not allow toys from home, to avoid squabbles and the spread of infection. In England, for example, toys must be cleaned and disinfected after play, and any toy brought by the owner must be sent home with the dog. If your provider does allow one familiar toy, a soft plush toy with your dog’s scent on it can help a nervous dog settle.

See the ZippyPaws Skinny Peltz squeaky toys on Amazon.

After daycare: rest and quiet play at home

Many dogs come home tired and need a quiet evening rather than more excitement. On non-daycare days, short play sessions with toys you rotate can keep things interesting without overdoing it. Our guide to high-quality dog toys covers what to look for. Supervise plush and squeaky toys, and take away any that are torn so your dog cannot swallow stuffing or the squeaker.

See the Jalousie 12-pack squeaky dog toys on Amazon.

Final thoughts

The right daycare can give a sociable, healthy dog company and exercise on days you cannot be there. The wrong one, or the wrong dog in the right one, can leave a dog stressed. Check that your dog genuinely enjoys other dogs, confirm the vaccination and health requirements with the provider and your vet, ask how many dogs each carer looks after, visit before you book, and keep watching how your dog behaves after each day.

Frequently Asked Questions