How To Evaluate Dog Daycare
How To Evaluate Dog Daycare
Blog Article
What to Look for in a Dog Daycare
There are a number of things to look for in a dog daycare that help ensure the facility is safe and secure. Some of the most important include:
Ask about staff qualifications and their knowledge of dog behavior. Check to see if they use positive, science-based training methods rather than dominance-based techniques.
1. Staff-to-Dog Ratio
A quality daycare should have a staff that is both qualified and experienced. Ask what type of training the employees have and if they’re certified in animal first aid. In addition, inquire about their knowledge of dog behavior and body language. Staff with this type of expertise are better able to de-escalate dogs that might be over aroused or in need of some time away from other dogs, reducing the risk of fights.
Finally, find out how the daycare groups the dogs together. Do they separate them based on size, age or play style? If a facility doesn’t separate the dogs at all, it could be a red flag.
Likewise, find out how the daycare deals with issues that arise during play, such as aggressive behavior or injuries. The daycare should have an emergency plan in place and be prepared to treat any unforeseen circumstances. This includes ensuring the facility is equipped with proper first aid kits, including items specifically for dogs.
2. Safety Measures
Reputable facilities prioritize safety through careful screening of dogs, monitoring playgroups to ensure compatibility, and stringent vaccination requirements. They also follow daily cleaning protocols, including veterinary-recommended disinfection of surfaces and pet-safe cleaning products.
Supervision is much more than just being in the same physical space as the dogs; it requires a staff member trained in dog body language and behavior to watch how the animals interact, listen to the tone of their interactions, and be able to break up scuffles quickly. They have a procedure for assessing injuries and communicate with clients when there is an incident.
They offer a lot of space for dogs to move around and exercise, reducing injury risks. They have water available at all times, and the facility manager walks through each building on a regular basis to spot wear or tear that could affect a dog’s safety (like signs near wet areas or floating food pieces in the water). They have liability insurance and other necessary insurance coverages.
3. Training
Dogs must be current on all flea and tick prevention. They should also be on a regular schedule of vaccinations.
Staff should be well educated in dog behavior, body language, Canine CPR and health. Ideally they should have been taught by a certified animal behavior specialist or trainer who is also a dog behavior consultant.
Ask about a facility’s discipline policies and how they are implemented. Many facilities use inappropriate methods such as water hoses or physical correction.
Look for an environment that is supervised by trained staff at all times, whether the dogs are in groups or kenneled for resting or veterinary appointments. Good staff should be able to recognize and read cues such as staring, stalking, rising hackles, tucked tails, cowed hunching, yawning, and sniffing. These are all signs of fear, stress or overstimulation. Staff members should be able to remove a dog from the group when this occurs. This can prevent accidents, injuries and scuffles.
4. Environment
Dogs in a dog daycare will be in close contact with other dogs, so responsible daycares have strict cleaning protocols to prevent illness transmission. Look for a daycare to deep clean their play areas weekly using veterinarian-hospital-grade disinfectants. They should also perform regular spot cleaning throughout the week with all-natural and pet-safe cleaning products.
Look for a facility to have secure fencing to help prevent dog daycares hiring near me escape attempts. The fences should be a minimum of 6 feet tall and contain double-door entries to help prevent door dashing by daycare dogs.
Many daycares require that all dogs be spayed or neutered. This is not a debate about whether or not to have your dog fixed, but a safety issue because intact dogs can react differently in groups and may even fight with other dogs. Most responsible daycares will also require that dogs be vaccinated for Rabies, DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza), and Bordetella (Kennel Cough). Some facilities will also require a health certificate showing a current round of parasite control.