Choosing a dog daycare is a lot like choosing a daycare for your child. You’re trusting someone else to care for an important member of your family, and asking the right questions can help you feel confident that your dog is safe, happy, and well cared for.
Not all daycare’s operate the same way, so here are some essential questions every pet parent should ask before enrolling their dog.
How Do You Manage Feedings?
Food management is about much more than convenience, it’s a key part of keeping dogs safe.
At The Modern Dog, we do not allow any food, treats, or chews in our playrooms. This helps prevent resource guarding behaviours and protects dogs with food allergies or dietary restrictions.
When it’s time to eat, dogs are brought to a separate feeding area away from play. After meals, they rest for one hour before returning to group activities to reduce the risk of bloat and allow for proper digestion.
If a daycare allows food in shared play spaces, be sure to ask how they manage allergies, food stealing, and resource guarding.
How Do You Prevent Dogs From Fighting?
Even in the best daycare environments, not every dog will become best friends, and that’s okay.
At The Modern Dog, every dog completes an evaluation process before joining group play. We do not accept dogs with aggressive behaviours, but just like children in school, personalities and play styles don’t always match.
Our team receives extensive training in canine body language, communication, and scuffle prevention. Our playrooms are also equipped with carefully selected prevention tools designed to help coaches redirect, manage arousal levels, and maintain a safe environment.
A good daycare should be able to clearly explain:
- How staff members are trained
- How dogs are grouped together
- What tools and protocols are used to prevent conflicts before they happen
Remember: the goal isn’t to promise that dogs will never disagree, it’s to have knowledgeable staff who can recognize early signs and intervene appropriately.
Do You Have an Evacuation Plan?
Emergencies are rare, but every daycare should be prepared for them.
Ask what would happen in the event of a fire, power outage, severe weather event, or other emergency.
At The Modern Dog, we have a comprehensive evacuation plan and maintain the necessary supplies to safely evacuate every dog in our care should the need ever arise.
A reputable daycare should be able to confidently explain their emergency procedures and how they would communicate with pet parents during an unexpected situation.
How Do You Prevent the Spread of Communicable Diseases?
Dogs play closely together, which means illness prevention should be a top priority.
At The Modern Dog, all dogs must be up to date on their vaccinations, including Bordetella.
We also utilize specialized HVAC systems that completely replace the air in our playrooms every seven minutes. This continuous stream of fresh air passes through UV light filtration to help eliminate harmful bacteria and pathogens.
Unlike facilities with porous surfaces such as turf or grass, our playrooms are designed with materials that can be effectively cleaned and sanitized.
Our cleaning protocols were developed in collaboration with an environmental biologist and veterinarian, ensuring they are both dog-safe and effective.
When touring a daycare, ask about:
- Vaccination requirements
- Cleaning schedules and products
- Air quality and ventilation systems
- Surface materials used throughout the facility
- Illness protocols and reporting procedures
Do Dogs Go to the Bathroom Indoors?
This is one of the most common questions pet parents ask.
At The Modern Dog, we are a fully indoor facility. This allows us to maintain a temperature-controlled environment with a constant supply of clean, fresh air year-round.
Here’s the reality: dogs are scent-driven animals, and they don’t view “inside” and “outside” the same way humans do.
Ask any veterinarian, groomer, trainer, or daycare professional if even fully house-trained dogs go to the bathroom in their facilities, the answer will almost always be yes.
Dogs often eliminate where other dogs have gone before; which is why that corner of the waiting room at your veterinarian’s office tends to be a popular spot.
If a daycare tells you dogs never go to the bathroom indoors, it’s worth asking more questions about their cleaning practices and honesty.
What’s most important isn’t whether accidents happen, it’s how quickly and effectively they’re cleaned and sanitized.
The Most Important Question: Can I Trust This Daycare With a Member of My Family?
Policies, procedures, and facility features all matter, but ultimately, trust is the most important factor.
Do you feel comfortable asking questions?
Are staff members transparent and knowledgeable?
Can you see what happens throughout the day?
At The Modern Dog, transparency is at the heart of everything we do. We provide regular feedback about your dog’s experience and offer live webcams so you can check in on your pup anytime.
Choosing a daycare is a big decision, and you deserve to feel confident that your dog is safe, supported, and cared for by people who treat them like family.
Because when it comes to your dog’s well-being, asking questions isn’t being overprotective—it’s being a great pet parent.
Experience The Modern Dog difference by booking your Meet & Greet today!