THE URBAN DOG - COME PLAY, COME STAY

What Pet Parents Should Look for in a Doggy Daycare & Boarding Facility

With over 25 years of experience in dog boarding and daycare—and a lifetime spent training, evaluating, and loving dogs—this is my most important advice to pet parents:

The best daycare or boarding facility isn’t the cheapest or the most convenient. It’s the one that feels right.

Tour every place possible. Ask lots of questions. Pay attention to how the dogs and staff interact. Trust your instincts, just like you would when choosing care for a child.

Your dog can’t tell you if something feels off—so it’s up to you to choose wisely. If you wouldn’t feel comfortable spending the day there yourself, your dog probably wouldn’t either.

1. Human Interaction (This One’s Huge)

Dogs are social animals—not warehouse items.

Look for a facility where:

  • Staff interacts with dogs, not just supervises from a distance.
  • Dogs receive hands-on care, reassurance, and guidance.
  • Team members know dogs by name, personality, and play style.

Staff-to-dog ratios matter. In North Carolina, the Animal Welfare Act includes staffing requirements during group play (commonly referenced as 1 staff member in the enclosure per 10 dogs).

Red flag: “No touch, no eye contact” policies. Ask your potential provider what their policy is. Some franchises explain this using “pack mentality” ideas which is scientifically and behaviouly flawed.

2. Outdoor Play & Real Potty Breaks

Dogs need sunshine, fresh air, and space to move.

Ask:

  • Do dogs go outside daily?
  • Are potty breaks outside (not indoors)?
  • How often do dogs rotate between play and rest?

Look for:

  • Large outdoor yards
  • Covered outdoor areas for weather days
  • A healthy balance of play and downtime

3. Structured Play Groups (Not Chaos)

Good daycare isn’t a free-for-all.

A quality facility:

  • Groups dogs by size, temperament, and energy level
  • Actively manages play—not just “letting dogs work it out”
  • Provides breaks and nap times to prevent overstimulation

Red flag: Large groups with minimal supervision. During group play, staffing and direct supervision are critical—situations can escalate quickly without them.

4. Rest Time & Quiet Spaces

Dogs need downtime to stay happy and healthy.

Ask:

  • Are nap times built into the day?
  • Do dogs have calm areas to decompress?
  • Is the environment noisy or chaotic all day?

Well-rested dogs = safer, happier play.

5. Transparency & Tours

A great facility has nothing to hide.

You should be able to:

  • Take a tour during open hours
  • See where your dog will play, rest, and potty
  • Ask questions—and get clear, confident answers

Red flag: “No tours” or restricted viewing areas.

6. Experience & Stability

Longevity matters.

Look for:

  • A facility with years in business
  • Experienced leadership
  • Consistent staff (not constant turnover)

Experience shows in how dogs are handled, grouped, and cared for.

7. Safety & Policies

Ask about:

  • Vaccination requirements
  • Staff-to-dog ratios (commonly referenced as 1 staff member over age 16 per 10 dogs)
  • How incidents or injuries are handled
  • What happens if a dog is stressed or overwhelmed

Good facilities prioritize prevention, not reaction.

8. Individualized Care

No two dogs are the same.

A quality daycare will ask about:

  • Energy level
  • Social preferences
  • Health concerns
  • Feeding routines
  • Special needs or sensitivities

Your dog should never be treated as “one-size-fits-all.”