How to Choose The Best Doggy Daycare

Our dogs are an extension of our families. As their owners and protectors, we have to make sure that they are happy, healthy, and safe in any environment they step foot into that including when we can’t be around. One of the places where your dog might find themselves is a dog daycare South Jersey. When looking into a doggy daycare, you should keep in mind a couple of things before trusting them with your dog for a day or multiple days a week.

Before jumping into deep looks, do some basic searches on Google with your phone or computer. If no immediate red flags jump out on their website, add them to the list as a potential spot for your dog. If researching isn’t your thing, ask for a few recommendations from your peers.

The first thing you should do is take a look at the facilities in person. Give the doggy daycare in question a ring and schedule a tour of the area where your dog will be spending a lot of time at. It will give you an opportunity to see other dogs that are already at the facility and how your dog might fit in. On top of this, it’ll put you in front of a knowledgeable employee that can field more questions. A few things to look for are good ventilation, fencing, grating, and comfortable floor surfaces.

Another point to bring up is how are the dogs organized and grouped together. Great doggy daycares will group dogs based on size, age, temperament, and play style. Safety is very important. If all dogs at the doggy daycare roam together, two conflicting play styles could lead to a dangerous encounter.

The staff to dog ratio of the doggy daycare is an important metric to look at. A high staff to dog ratio could signal that staff is being overburdened which can cause caretakers to miss out on keeping an eye on their whole pack of dogs. Based on how your dog is grouped will determine how many caretakers will be present. Obviously, more relaxed groups will receive less attention than overactive, hypergroups.

Ask about the staff’s training and their policies in case an emergency happens. A doggy daycare’s staff should be able to safely and correctly use first aid as well as know when serious medical intervention needs to be taken. A plan should be in place that all caretakers should be familiar with that can allow your dog to quickly receive care in the event of an issue arising.

Lastly, ask about how doggy daycare works. Is there a set schedule for the day or is it an all-day free for all? Ideal doggy daycares have a set schedule that allows for your dog to adjust to its environment a lot easier and develop a robust routine that they are comfortable with.

I hope this helps!