We know your dog is like a member of the family, which means you don’t want to leave them somewhere that you are unsure of. Whether boarding for several days or needing just a few hours a week, the place you send your dog off to play needs to be safe and enjoyable. When looking at dog boarding or daycare choices, here are few things to pay attention to.

1. Find out if they offer a temperament test. This is good for your dog as well as the other dogs that are already there. Sometimes it may just not be a good fit, and you want to know that before committing your dog there for several days and running into problems. This also brings peace of mind to regular customers because they know the business is watching out for the safety of all dogs at the facility.
2. Find out how the staff corrects and disciplines dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, professionally trained staff should never use punishment for bad behavior. Reward-based action is best. You can monitor this yourself a little as you drop off and pick up your dog. How do they treat your dog and other during this time?
3. Make sure the business is licensed on bonded.
4. You’ll want to ask if the staff has been trained in basic animal care, safety procedures, and how to respond to behavior issues. They should understand canine body language and know when to step in if problems arise. They also need to know how to spot illness or stress in dogs.
5. Assess the cleanliness and organization of the facility. Naturally dogs are messy, and hair, slobber, or toys spread around are going to be common throughout the facility. What you’ll want to check for is if there are damaged items around that could be harmful to your dog, feces or urine that has been ignored for a while, or unorganized and cluttered areas throughout the facility.
6. Check for places for mental stimulation and exercise. Part of the reason you’re sending your dog there is to have a fun and enjoyable time, not to be locked in a kennel all day. If the facility is smaller and they don’t have play yards, ask how often the dogs get walked and socialized.
7. Find out if they give you a daily or weekly report about the dog’s experience while at their facility. This is a great way to know how they did and make adjustments if necessary. You can also see if they have cameras where you can check in on your furry friend or see if they’ll notify you promptly if something goes wrong.
8. Monitor your dog’s behavior at drop off and pick up. If you picked up your dog and they seemed nervous at first, it may not be cause for alarm. But if you go to take them back and they continue to display anxiousness, there may be a problem.

Communication is important at any animal daycare or boarding facility. Make sure the staff is open with you and explains their procedures well. On the Spot Play & Stay takes great pride in our care for the animals and the safety of our furry clients.