Few people realize that the dog care industry is an unregulated industry here in Canada. Anyone can make a business card and claim to be a dog trainer, dog walker, pet sitter, groomer or daycare/boarding/kennel facility. There are many experienced and talented professionals out there providing the best and safest care for your pet and it’s easy to find the right ones, if you know what to look for. Hiring care for your dog is an important decision and with these kind of questions, hopefully you will be better equipped to find a safe and reputable pet care provider for you and your dog.
12 Questions To Ask A Dog Daycare Or Dog Professional Before Hiring
1. What training & certifications do they have?
Ideally, you want to hire someone who is knowledgeable on dog behaviour, dog body language, canine CPR & first aid, health, play-style and behaviour management. Anyone can own a dog and say they have 10 years experience. The very best professionals will have credentials, certifications and believe in education and continuing that education. They spend their time learning about practices in their field, whether it’s seminars, working with other industry consultants, attending workshops and classes, pursuing new certifications, expanding their knowledge and skills and learning forever! Please ask what formal training and certifications a dog professional has before hiring. Most if not all will list these on their website as they have worked hard for these qualifications. Do your homework, ask around your community and most importantly, talk to other pet professionals. It is highly recommended that any pet professional you hire has ‘pet first aid’ training at the bare minimum. Any professional pet provider that holds pet first-aid will happily show you their certificate.
2. Are they insured? bonded?
Proper insurance covers the individual animal for any injury or disease. If something is to happen to your dog while with a business, they may not be covered by their home insurance and your personal pet insurance may not cover either. Who will be paying the vet bill?
3. What is the staff-to-dog ratio?
Taking care of several dogs is not easy. Staff should not get overwhelmed by taking care of too many dogs. You want to make sure that there is an appropriate ratio of staff to the number of dogs, that the dogs in a group are well-matched temperaments and play styles. Too many dogs can be a very stressful experience for your dog. Less is always more when it comes to dog care.
4. What are their vaccination/health requirements?
Dogs should be vaccinated to prevent the spread of diseases. Inquire about their vaccination requirements to guarantee your dog’s health and safety or at the very least minimized.
5. What training methods are used to manage dog behavior within the group?
Make sure your pet professionals discipline and training policies are in line with your own philosophy and expectations. Ask what methods or tools are used to deter unwanted behaviour.
6. What is their temperament testing/trial/evaluation process?
To ensure a safe environment, all dogs should be tested for behaviours such as aggression, separation anxiety, confidence levels, resource guarding etc. This basically evaluates how well your dog tolerates and gets along with other dogs. Not all dogs enjoy being in a group environment and many outgrow it as they mature. This is perfectly normal dog behaviour. A tired dog does not always equal a happy dog. There is a big difference between a dog who sleeps when he gets home because he’s tired and content, versus a dog who sleeps because he’s exhausted from a stress-filled day.
7. How are dogs grouped in a setting?
To ensure the safety of your dog, professionals usually group dogs based on factors such as size, age, play-style and energy level. For example, you don’t want a highly energized large dog with a low energy small dog.
8. What is the procedure if there’s a medical emergency? Will my vet be contacted? Will I be contacted?
While nobody likes emergencies, they are inevitable. A good pet care provider should be prepared for emergencies, if they should strike.
9. What will my dog be doing throughout the course of the day?
Lots of people think daycare is all play, all day. But this kind of extended high excitement activity is exhausting for dogs, and not in a good way. It can increase stress and can result in an increase in problem behaviours. Knowledgeable dog daycares balance dog/dog play, human/dog play, mental stimulation like trick training, puzzle games, obedience training and have scheduled down time to prevent over-arousal and stress. Keeping a consistent daily routine helps dogs relax, be calm, and encourages good behavior.
10. Will my dog be able to play outside as well as have access to indoor shelter?
Many owners prefer a facility that lets their furry friend get some fresh air during the day. At the same time, cold temperatures and inclement weather mean that your dog should also have access to warm, dry indoor shelter too.
11. Is the fencing secure?
A dog daycare should have secure, high fencing. This is to make sure that dogs won’t be able to jump over the fence and run away. Another aspect to look for is a set of double doors or a gate that lead directly outside to deter door dashing.
12. Can you tour the facility?
Think of this question as a qualifying test. Every reputable doggy day care will let you tour their facility.
A good pet care provider will take the time to answer your questions, address your concerns, find out as much as they can about your dog and make the experience fun and safe for all. Remember that you need to advocate for your dog and make the right decisions on their behalf, so please take the time to make sure that who you decide to hire is the right fit for you and your furry family member.
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