Peace of Mind Dog Care: Key Questions to Ask Before You Leave Your Dog Anywhere
Whether it’s boarding, daycare, training, or a pet sitter, finding the best care for your dog requires careful consideration. The best dog care providers are an open book and are proud to show off their establishment. They should easily and happily answer your questions and be eager to show you how they operate.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed, but asking the right questions is the best way to ensure your dog's safety, happiness, and well-being. This guide provides key questions to help you make an informed decision and feel confident in your choice.
Start your search early, especially if you need care during busy times like holidays. Focus on what's best for your dog, not just what's most convenient.
General Questions
These questions are important for all types of dog care:
Can I see all the areas my dog will use?
What kind of training and certifications do your staff members have?
Do you have business liability insurance?
What is your dog-to-staff ratio?
How many dogs do you care for at one time?
Will I get regular updates on how my dog is doing?
Can I have some references from other clients?
How do you keep your place clean and sanitized?
Are your cleaning products safe for
Can I bring my dog's own bed, blankets, or toys?
Do dogs wear collars while they're here?
What's your emergency plan for things like fires or power outages?
Is your staff trained in pet first aid and CPR?
What vaccinations do all dogs need to have, and how do you check?
What's involved in your new dog intake process?
What happens if my dog gets sick or hurt while they're with you?
Which vet do you use, and how would you get my dog there in an emergency?
What's your procedure if a dog gets canine cough?
Has a dog ever been seriously hurt or died while in your care?
What will my dog’s daily schedule be?
What is the meal schedule, and how will you ensure my dog gets their own food?
What are your policies on administering medication?
Where will my dog go potty, how often will they be taken out, and when is the first and last potty break of the day?
Do you have indoor and outdoor areas?
Are your indoor areas temperature-controlled?
Are your outdoor areas fully fenced?
How do you handle extreme hot or cold weather?
Where will my dog sleep overnight or take naps?
Will they be put in a crate, boarding kennel, or room, and what are the dimensions?
Are there barriers to prevent dogs from seeing each other if they aren’t housed separately?
How long will my dog be left in a crate or boarding accommodation at one time?
Do staff members know how to read dog body language to recognize stress or discomfort?
What do you do when dogs do something right? How do you reinforce good behavior?
What do you do when dogs do something wrong? How do you correct them?
What happens if my dog gets very stressed or won’t eat?
What if my dog barks a lot?
Do you use e-collars, bark collars, prong collars, or choke chains?
Do you spray dogs with water?
Do you give dogs medication or supplements to help them relax?
Will you give my dog treats or any food besides their meals? If so, what kind of treats do you use?
Boarding Facilities and Private Pet Sitters
If you're considering a boarding facility or private pet sitter, these additional questions are important:
1. Can my dog come for a "trial run" or “day board” to get used to your place before a longer stay?
2. Is someone on-site with the dogs overnight? If not, what kind of security is in place?
3. How often do you check on the dogs during the night?
4. Are there security cameras in the area where the dogs sleep?
5. What's your plan for handling emergencies during the night?
6. Will my dog participate in group activities and playtime? (If YES, add the Daycare questions to your list)
7. Do you offer alternative options for dogs that don't do well with other dogs or prefer to be alone?
Additional Questions for Private Pet Sitters
We recommend established private pet sitters that own an incorporated small business and have their own insurance. For several reasons, we strongly caution against using any of the apps.
1. What will you do to make sure my dog is safe if you have to leave the house?
2. Where will my dog sleep?
3. Will my dog be watched at all times when they're outside?
4. Will you be taking care of other dogs at the same time as mine?
5. Will you be walking my dog?
6. Will other people be around my dog in your home?
7. Do you have pet sitter's insurance?
8. If you are transporting my dog, how will they be secured in your vehicle?
Daycare and Puppy School
It's important to remember that not all dogs require socialization with other dogs to lead happy, fulfilling lives. Many dogs do not thrive in daycare environments and should not be compelled to attend. When considering a dog daycare, here are some crucial questions to ask:
1. Do you have scheduled nap times during the day? If so, where do they nap?
2. How do you know if a dog is enjoying their time at daycare?
3. How do you know if a dog *isn't* enjoying their time at daycare?
4. If my dog seems unhappy or stressed at daycare, how soon will you let me know?
5. Do you use "time outs" or other methods to manage behavior? If so, how do they work, and where do they take place?
6. How are the groups formed?
7. What is the dog-to-staff ratio during group play?
8. How do you determine if a dog is a good fit for group play?
9. Are dogs ever unsupervised during play?
10. How do you handle dog fights?
11. Are unaltered dogs allowed to participate in group activities?
12. Can you ensure my dog won’t pick up bad habits like jumping on people or playing too rough?
Additional Questions for Puppy School
Caring for puppies requires extra attention. It is imperative that early puppy socialization be done carefully and in a controlled environment. If you have a young pup, ask these questions to ensure their safety and well-being:
1. Are your cleaning products safe for puppies?
2. What kind of preventatives do you have in place for the spread of puppy diseases?
3. What shots do you require puppies to have?
4. If my puppy is not fully vaccinated, do you take them outside?
5. Does your staff have special training or experience with puppies?
6. Do you train puppies the same way you train adult dogs? If not, how is it different?
7. Do you have a separate area just for puppies?
8. Do you ever let puppies and adult dogs play together? If so, how do you make sure the puppies are safe?
9. Are puppies always supervised?
10. How do you help with potty training?
11. What is your protocol if a puppy gets sick?
12. What will you do if my puppy gets scared or panics?
Board & Train
As trainers, we do not recommend board and train programs. We believe owner participation is paramount for success. If you are considering a board-and-train program, beware of quick fixes and guarantees. If it sounds too good to be true, it definitely is! Here are some key questions to ask:
1. How many training sessions will my dog have each day?
2. How long does each training session last?
3. Where will the training take place: indoors, outdoors, or both?
4. What specific skills and commands will my dog learn during the program?
5. Will I be able to watch videos of my dog's training sessions?
6. Will you teach me how to continue the training at home?
7. Will I get a list of all the commands and behaviors my dog will be learning?
8. How will you make sure my dog listens to me when they come home?
9. Can you explain your training methods? What does "balanced training" mean to you?
10. What kind of equipment do you use for training?
11. How do you correct a dog ?
12. Where did you get your training and certification as a dog trainer?
13. Have you worked with any experienced trainers or mentors?
14. Are you a member of any professional dog training organizations?
15. Will my dog socialize with other dogs during the program? (If YES, add the Daycare questions to your list)
Leaving your dog in someone else's care can be stressful. Asking these questions will give you the information you need to make an informed decision and enjoy greater peace of mind while you're apart.