Training Tips Blog > DAYcare Tips by Alice Fisher CPDT-KA
by Alice Fisher , posted on September 2, 2014
What to ask when considering daycare for your dog.
- Do they have a current business license?
- How long have they been in business?
- Can you observe them at work?
- Do they have Insurance i.e. liability?
- Are they pet first aid certified? Do they care emergency supplies with them?
- Are they familiar with the veterinarians in their neighbourhood and in an emergency can they transport your dog there?
- (Many vets, and emergencies need a credit card on file and a signed release to attend your dog - you need to do this)
- What do they do in the case of a dog fight? Do they have a protocol?
- Do they implement punishment - choke chains, pinch collars, shock collars, alpha roll, hoses, spray bottles to control the dog?
- What happens if your dog gets lost...do they have current pictures and id?
- Who has access to your dog, when you are not with them? (Be careful. Children should not be left with dogs / many children are inappropriate with dogs)
- Who delivers and picks up the dog? If they deliver to your home, are they bonded?
- Do they have a check in list? Give you a report of the day's activities?
- Are they asking about the dogs' bathroom habits and general health?
- If you were to visit unannounced, what would you see?
- Do they have a limit on the number of dogs and what is the ratio of dogs to caretakers?
- Ask them their definition of play:
- How do they put the dogs together for play?
- Are they interrupting humping and letting you know about resource guarding?
- Are the dogs allowed toys, chews?
- Do the dogs get scheduled downtimes with their own space and what does that look like?
- Are they asking you for detailed information about your dog and doing a trial to see how your dog adjusts to the people and location?
- This is your dog and you want the same boundaries you have at home to be implemented at daycare or on dog walks. Daycare should be just that, care, for your dog, keeping them mentally stimulated and physically active and recognizing their individual needs.