What to Look for in a Dog Daycare: 10 Questions to Ask
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May 1, 2026
Choosing the right daycare is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your dog. Here’s exactly what to ask — and why it matters.
Let’s be honest about why most of us start looking into dog daycare in the first place.
Maybe you work full-time and the guilt of leaving your dog home alone all day has finally won. Maybe you work from home — which sounds ideal in theory, until your dog decides that your 9am Zoom call is the perfect time to demand a play session, bark at a leaf, or just stare at you with those eyes until you completely lose your train of thought. Either way, you’ve reached the conclusion that your dog needs somewhere to be, with someone who can give them the attention you want them to have during the day. Completely valid. Welcome to the daycare conversation.
You’ve decided your dog needs more than a couch and a food bowl during the day. Good call. But with so many dog daycare options out there, how do you know which one is actually a good fit — and which ones are just pretty Instagram photos?
The truth is, not all daycares are created equal. Some are loud, overcrowded, and poorly supervised. Others are thoughtful operations built around your dog’s safety, health, and happiness. The difference matters enormously — especially for first-time daycare families.
Here are 10 questions every pet parent should ask before enrolling their dog. We’ll also tell you exactly what great answers look like — because you deserve to know.
01 Do you require a temperament test before a dog joins?
A good daycare doesn’t let just any dog walk in on day one. A temperament evaluation assesses how your dog interacts with other dogs and with people — and helps staff determine the right playgroup fit. If a facility skips this step, that’s a red flag. It means every dog goes in together regardless of personality, energy level, or history.
At Camp Run-A-Mutt: Every dog is temperament tested before joining the pack (even if they’ve been to another daycare before). We evaluate energy, play style, and social comfort so your dog is always with dogs they actually enjoy being around.
02 How are playgroups organized?
Dogs shouldn’t all be lumped together in one giant group, and size alone doesn’t tell the whole story. Just because two dogs are both 40 pounds doesn’t mean they have the same play style or belong in the same play yard — a dog’s temperament and energy level matter just as much as their size. A facility that doesn’t dig deeper when organizing groups might not be thinking about your dog’s individual experience.
At Camp Run-A-Mutt: We consider a dog’s size, temperament, and energy level when determining playgroup placement. The goal is always to find the right fit — so every dog can play confidently and comfortably with dogs that actually match their vibe.
03 What is your staff-to-dog ratio?
Supervision is everything. Ask how many dogs each staff member is responsible for at any given time. A low ratio means more eyes on your dog, faster response to any issue, and better individual attention. If a facility can’t give you a clear answer, wonder why.
At Camp Run-A-Mutt: We maintain staffing levels that allow our camp counselors to actively supervise, engage, and intervene when needed — not just observe from across the yard.
04 Can I take a tour of the facility?
Any reputable daycare will welcome a tour without hesitation. You want to see where your dog will actually spend their day — the play areas, the rest areas, the indoor/outdoor setup. Look for cleanliness, space, safety fencing, and whether the environment feels calm and organized or chaotic and loud. A facility that resists tours should make you nervous.
At Camp Run-A-Mutt: We love showing off our camps. Our facilities are open, transparent, and built with dogs in mind — including outdoor play areas at every location.
05 What vaccinations are required?
Vaccination requirements aren’t just bureaucracy — they protect your dog and every other dog in the building. At minimum, look for requirements around rabies, Bordetella (canine cough), and DHPP. A facility without a strict vaccination policy is putting the whole group at risk.
At Camp Run-A-Mutt: We require proof of up-to-date vaccinations for every dog. It’s non-negotiable — and it means your dog is always surrounded by healthy, protected playmates.
06 Can I check on my dog during the day?
Leaving your dog somewhere new for the first time comes with a learning curve — for you as much as for them. Being able to peek in during the day isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a genuine trust signal. A facility that’s comfortable being watched is a facility that’s confident in what they’re doing. Ask whether they offer any way to see your dog while you’re apart, and what your options are if you just need reassurance that everything’s okay.
At Camp Run-A-Mutt: We have live Muttcams running throughout the facility during business hours — so you can check in on your pup from your phone, your desk, or anywhere in between. And the best part? They’re available to anyone, even if your dog isn’t enrolled yet. Want to see what a day at camp really looks like? Go ahead and tune in. If you ever can’t spot your dog on camera, just give us a call — we’re always happy to do a check-in.
07 Is there indoor and outdoor space?
Outdoor space allows for exercise, fresh air, and enrichment that indoor-only facilities simply can’t provide. It also encourages and reinforces potty training. But climate-controlled indoor space matters too — especially in extreme heat or rain. The best facilities offer both.
At Camp Run-A-Mutt: Every Camp Run-A-Mutt location has dedicated outdoor play areas so your dog can soak up fresh air, sunshine, and the kind of off-leash freedom they live for as well as indoor play areas for those less-than-perfect weather days.
08 What surfaces will my dog be playing on?
This one surprises a lot of pet parents — but it matters more than you’d think. Hard cement is tough on joints, especially for dogs who are running and playing all day. Gravel and dirt can leave your pup filthy (or worse, cause paw irritation). And slippery tile indoors is a sprain waiting to happen. Ask specifically what’s underfoot both inside and outside, and why those surfaces were chosen.
At Camp Run-A-Mutt: Our outdoor areas feature premium synthetic turf — clean, soft, and paw-friendly, so your dog comes home tired but not dirty. Inside, we use solid, non-porous rubber flooring which is more sanitary and joint-friendly. Every surface is chosen with your dog’s comfort and safety in mind.
09 Do their hours and pricing work for you?
This one sounds obvious, but it’s easy to fall in love with a facility only to realize their hours don’t actually fit your schedule. A daycare that closes at 4pm isn’t much help if you’re in back-to-back meetings until 5:30. Check drop-off and pickup windows carefully, and ask whether they offer flexible pricing options — full days are great when you need them, but paying for a full day when your dog only needs a few hours doesn’t make sense either.
At Camp Run-A-Mutt: Our locations set their hours with working pet parents in mind, so you’re not scrambling to make an early pickup work around your calendar. We also offer both half-day and full-day pricing options, so you’re only paying for what your pup actually needs. Check your nearest location for specific hours.
10 What are other pet parents saying?
Online reviews are one of the most reliable ways to vet a daycare before you ever walk through the door. Look for consistency across platforms — Google, Yelp, Facebook — and pay attention to the themes that keep coming up. Are pet parents raving about how happy their dogs are at pickup? Commenting on the staff’s attentiveness? Mentioning they’ve been coming for years? That’s the kind of signal that tells you a facility is doing something right, day in and day out — not just on the days people are watching.
At Camp Run-A-Mutt: We’re proud of what our camp families say about us — and they say a lot. Our reviews consistently highlight happy dogs, attentive staff, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing their pup is in great hands. We’ll let them do the talking — go ahead and look us up.
The right daycare changes everything.
A great daycare isn’t just a place for your dog to pass the time. It’s a place where they build friendships, burn energy, build confidence, and come home genuinely happy. The questions above are meant to empower you to find the right fit for your specific dog.
At Camp Run-A-Mutt, we believe in full transparency, because we’re proud of every answer. If you’re curious about daycare for your pup, we’d love to show you what a day at camp really looks like.
