Is dog daycare good for dogs? How to tell good from bad

If you’ve searched this, you’ve probably found some worrying reading: threads about dogs who came home more anxious, and trainers warning that daycare undoes good manners.

The short answer: for the right dog, yes, when the daycare is run well. Not every dog enjoys a room full of other dogs, and a good daycare will tell you if yours doesn’t. For the ones who do, it comes down to a handful of everyday practices, and you can check each one yourself.

We’ve run crate-free daycare in New York City since 2011, now at McCarren Park, Waterfront, 23rd and 1st and Long Island City. Here’s what we’ve learned makes the difference.

What a good day looks like

Dogs play in groups matched by energy and play style, in an open room where staff can see every dog. Collars and harnesses come off before play. Food stays out of the room, and each dog eats apart from the group. A dog who wants a break can rest on a raised bed at the edge of play. And staff are in the room all day, watching the play and stepping in early.

Why each practice matters

Groups by energy and play style, not just size. A 60-pound couch potato and a 20-pound couch potato are better company for each other than two 60-pound dogs with opposite ideas of fun. The smallest dogs are the exception: dogs 10 pounds and under have their own area, because at that size a friendly paw from a big dog can hurt.

An open room, with no play equipment. Jumping on and off ramps and platforms is hard on spines and knees, and equipment gives a pushy dog something to claim. Most of all, a dog who’s had enough shouldn’t have to hide. In an open room, staff see that dog early and give them a real break, on a bed at the edge of the room or in a quieter group.

Gear comes off for play. Dogs play with their mouths and paws, and collars and harnesses get in the way: teeth and legs catch in them, which can choke or injure a dog in rough play.

Dogs eat apart from the group. Food is one of the most common triggers for guarding and squabbles, and a dog with a sensitive stomach shouldn’t be eating whatever the dog beside them is. Each dog gets their own food, portions and timings, and there are no treats in the play area.

Rest when a dog wants it. A fixed nap-and-play timetable treats every dog the same, but some need more rest and some more play. A dog who would rather watch for a while can, and joins in when ready.

Beds that can be cleaned. Cloth bedding invites marking and chewing, and it’s hard to clean between dogs. Ours are Kuranda beds: raised, firm and easy to clean.

People step in, so dogs don’t have to. Left to themselves, dogs sort out a tense moment on their own, and that’s how small things escalate. Our staff step in first, in whatever way the moment needs: a dog goes on a leash for a minute, a gate closes between runs, or a group is split or mixed differently. Our rooms are connected runs with gates, so staff can change who’s with whom as the day’s energy changes.

Staffed for the dogs in the room, not a number. Checklists often ask for a staff-to-dog ratio, and the question behind it is a good one: will someone be watching my dog? A ratio is a rough answer, because dogs aren’t interchangeable, and neither are the people watching them. A room of calm regulars needs less watching than a few dogs on their first day, and one experienced handler sees more than two new ones. So we staff each room for the dogs in it that day, with more hands when the room is new or lively. Everyone on the floor has been through our in-house training, and most of our team have been with us more than a year. Ask any daycare how they decide who’s in the room; the answer tells you more than a number.

No toys in the group. In a room full of dogs, toys become things to guard, fight over or swallow. The dogs have each other, and in a group the risk is too much excitement, not boredom.

Affection at the dog’s level. Picking a dog up looks loving, but in a group it can set off the other dogs, a squirming dog can fall, and it’s risky for dogs with long backs or weak hips. Good staff crouch down and let the dog decide how much is enough.

Help for a stressed dog, not an audience. Humping, frantic tail-chasing, nonstop barking at one dog: these can look funny, but they’re usually a dog who is stressed or overstimulated. Good staff step in and help the dog settle.

For more on these, see What you won’t see on our Instagram.

What to check on a tour

Most daycares look alike on a website. In person, a few minutes tells you a lot.

Book your tour ahead rather than dropping in. The people on the floor are there to watch the dogs, and a walk-in pulls one of them away. You’ll see the play areas from beyond the lobby rather than walk through them, and every check below works from there.

Smell. Dogs smell like dogs, and a little of that is normal. A lingering smell of urine means cleanup isn’t keeping up.

Sound. Some barking when you walk in is normal. What matters is whether it settles quickly and the room stays calm the rest of the time. Watch how staff settle the room: a calm presence is a sign of training; shouting and spray bottles aren’t.

Sight. Watch the staff on the floor: are they watching the dogs, rather than giving your tour or doing something else? Ask how dogs are split into groups, and how that changes through the day. If a daycare won’t let you see the play areas at all, in person, through glass or on a camera, take note.

Touch. Run a hand along the front desk, the entry and the gates. Dust and grime there tell you about the rest of the building. Notice the air too: a stuffy room isn’t one you’d want to spend the day in either.

Instinct. Are the staff unhurried and open with you, or does it feel rehearsed? Can you meet an owner or a manager?

Bring our 11 questions with you.

Common questions

Do vets recommend dog daycare?

For the right dog, yes. VCA Animal Hospitals lists less time alone, more exercise and play with other dogs among the benefits, and injury and disease among the risks. It says daycare may not suit a dog who is already aggressive toward other dogs, or a shy dog who prefers time alone. Dr. Marty Becker, a veterinarian writing for Vetstreet, says outgoing, playful dogs who need more exercise benefit most. That’s why every dog starts with a Day 1 with us: it’s how we find out whether group play is fun for your dog.

What are the disadvantages of dog daycare?

The real risks are stress, illness and injury, and they rise with crowding, food in the group, forced schedules and staff who can’t read dogs. A well-run daycare works around each one.

What vaccines does a dog need for daycare?

Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella, which the New York Department of Health requires. A good daycare checks every dog’s records.

Is it better to leave a dog at home or take them to daycare?

It depends on the dog. Dogs who are social, relaxed around food and comfortable with other dogs usually do well at a good daycare, and get exercise and company from it. A very anxious dog may need a slow start, or may be happier with a quieter option.

Is dog daycare worth it?

For a dog who enjoys other dogs, the exercise and company usually beat a long day alone in an apartment. For a dog who’s anxious or doesn’t like other dogs, a sitter or a smaller setting may suit them better.