Do You Know How to Pick the BEST Dog Day Care Near You?

From the moment they look at you with those puppy eyes, you’re hooked.  Dogs are family, plain and simple, and as such you want the absolute best for them. When you get that new puppy, you’ll probably spend time researching the best puppy food, safest toys, the top rated dog trainers, and get nervous alongside them when they go to the vet.  But many don’t put that thought into picking the best dog day care, simply settling for the dog day care near them.  Why?

Short answer, they shouldn’t.  But sometimes it can be hard to tell if a facility is trustworthy or not.

Looking for the Best Dog Day Care Near You

In your quest to find the best dog day care, there are several things you can look for.  Below are some things to keep top of mind:

• Keep it clean!  The dog day care you pick should show no signs of dirtiness.  Likewise, it should smell neither overly “doggy” nor like strong chemical cleaners. Both are indicative of poor air quality and cleaning.
• Dogs need to be comfortable and safe with playmates of similar size and play style.  Little dogs are especially at risk when thrown in with the ‘general population’ and large dogs, as they might get hurt accidentally. Don’t let your pup be endangered by a badly run facility!
• Safety first!  Review the safety measures they have in place, and know how they’ll handle emergencies if they arise.

Additional Things to Look For in a Dog Day Care

Take notice of how the place makes you feel from the moment you walk in.  Is it warm and inviting? Is the staff helpful and happy? You should never feel like you’re just a number to them, or less than important.  After all, if they don’t treat you well, how will they treat your pup?

Ask the staff questions, and get to know them.  Do they love their job?  WHY do they love their job? You should get a sense that dogs are their favorite ‘people’, as that’s the top reason staff love working at a dog day care.

Look through their reviews online.  Don’t dismiss a dog day care near you over a single bad review, but be wary when it seems like there’s a trend to the negative reviews.  Ask the staff about the reasons they got those negative reviews, and what they’ve done to correct the situation. And obviously, if the bulk of the reviews are happy, you’re probably in the right place!

Ask if they provide webcam access so you can check in on your pup throughout the day.  Many places do this now, and it’s really comforting to know you can peek in in between your daily activities to see how your dog enjoys the day.  (note: many dog day cares turn off the web cams for ‘quiet time’ when the dogs are resting after lunch)

Final Thoughts on Picking a Dog Day Care

There’s a lot to digest above, but don’t feel overwhelmed!  If you keep the above in mind when you go in for a tour, you’ll make the right choice.  At Dogtopia, we schedule tours along with a meet & greet with your pup to see if they’ll enjoy the Dogtopia experience.  As always, contact us if you have any questions, or if you’d like to schedule a tour to see the Dogtopia difference.