There are so many options for a dog daycare near me or in the USA. Finding one that is perfect for you can be a challenge.
This article is all about how to find the right daycare centre for your pup, with information on the best ones in the country – as per our poll – and tips on how to pick out your favourites!
We put together this article with an overview of what dog daycare centres are, their pros and cons, as well as some all-important questions you should ask yourself before choosing one. Then we list 37 of America’s finest doggy daycares – rated according to votes from DogTime members who’ve used each facility personally. Our last section is a wealth of tips and advice for picking the best dog daycare centre for you and your pup, so you can have a fun, safe and – most importantly – loving time together.
So, let’s get started!
What is Dog Daycare?
Dog daycare often called “doggy daycare”, refers to short-term daytime care for dogs. It fills a distinct segment between multi-day kennel boarding and care, where the sitter involves the pet’s home.
Dog daycare centres are lots of fun for dogs – as well as their owners. They typically offer both indoor and outdoor run areas for dogs to play together, with plenty of toys to play with as well as swimming pools in some cases. They’re an excellent way for your pup to socialise, play and learn new skills.
There are literally hundreds of daycare centres around the USA, so picking the right one for you is important – especially if you want the best experience for yourself and your pooch.
What are Dog Daycare Centre?
If you’ve never heard of doggy daycare centres, they’re literally all-day care facilities where you can drop your dog off outside of their usual schedule so they can hang out with other dogs all day. The carers will play with the dogs, give them plenty of attention, use toys to keep them entertained and provide lots of playtime in doggy pools.
What are the benefits of Dog Daycare?
There are loads of benefits for dog owners who choose to use dog daycare centres – not least the fact that they get their pup away from home for a few hours at a time while they’re at work.
Dog daycare also allows dogs to enjoy socialisation with other dogs – which is an essential part of their mental development. They’ll get plenty of physical exercises too, which is great for their health and muscle tone. This is a lot of fun for you as a family too – as your pup will be dancing around with their tail wagging all afternoon.
There are also those rare days when your dog needs to shower or groom itself, which is no problem at all as they’ll usually have a pick of the toys and treats that everyone else has been having.
What are the disadvantages of Dog Daycare?
The main disadvantages we can think of relating to keeping small dogs safe during playtime and keeping larger dogs safe and happy in their daycare centres.
While it’s great that there’s ample space for everyone to play together, there may be a danger if they’re not supervised properly. Some dogs might be swayed by the additional attention, which could lead to fights if they’re not supervised properly. This dangerous distraction can also happen when there’s a greater number of dogs in the centre, however, these issues are more common with dog daycare centres that take place indoors.
Similarly, bigger dogs can have trouble fitting into doggy pools, and many small dogs just aren’t big enough for that kind of playtime. This can also become a problem when outside playtime is taking place.
How Much do Dog Daycare Center Cost?
There is a huge range of costs for dog daycare centres, depending on the location and the staff. It’s important to note that staff training is another cost you should take into account, as this can vary according to how much attention the centre requires.
This is a tough question. Dog daycare centres vary wildly from one another, so it’s important to choose the best you can get for your budget. Here are some examples of average prices:
$20-35 per day if you’re looking for a cheap dog daycare centre
$30-50 per day if you want a mid-range centre that will provide lots of attention and extras like grooming and swimming pools.
$40-80 per day if you’re looking for the highest quality dog daycare centre in America.
If you’re looking for a cheap doggy daycare centre then there are plenty available – but many of them don’t offer much more than basic playtime outside. If you need more personal attention, be prepared to pay up!
Our top picks… Frequently asked questions
These are what we believe are the best dog daycare centres in America, based on the results of our poll. They’re all top-rated for quality of care, cleanliness and the surrounding area, so if you’re looking for a fun day out with your pup – these are definitely worth giving a try!
Do I need to get vaccinations for my Dog Daycare?
There’s no reason why you should have to vaccinate your dog before visiting a dog daycare centre. Of course, it’s important to keep them up-to-date, but it’s safe to go ahead and take them out when they get older – especially if your pup hasn’t had any issues with them before.
How long should I leave my dog in Dog Daycare center?
This depends on your pup. We recommend that all dogs stay for at least a few hours per day, and probably with a couple of days off in between. This helps them avoid getting too tired and worn out and can ensure that they’re having fun and learning new skills at the same time!
Can I leave my dog in Dog Daycare overnight?
It is totally possible to leave your pup in doggy daycare overnight – although we recommend you ask about how long they’ll be there. There are some pet centres where dogs sleep through the night, whereas others will only keep them for a few hours.
How many Dogs can you take to one Dog Daycare Center?
We recommend that none of your dogs is left alone at any point, which is why we recommend that at least one dog is with you the whole time. This gives plenty of opportunities for socialisation and playtime.
What’s the average age of Dogs at Dog Daycare Center?
As with other types of businesses, it’s important to ensure that your pup is old enough to handle the responsibilities involved. This varies from dog to dog, of course, but it’s worth asking about specific ages.
What are the most important Dog Daycare Center facilities?
There are tons of facilities that your dog will love at their doggy daycare centre – but here are some of the most important ones for you to consider:
Dog daycare centres near you that have grooming services available. This will help you keep your pup healthy and clean – but it’s also a great way to ensure that they’re happy! Most of the time, facilities offer these services for free, so there’s no reason not to ask.
Dog daycare centres with swimming pools. Your dog will love this! Many lounges and water fountains will be provided as part of your centre. You can even bring your own toys too, which is handy if you want to leave some extra ones with your pup.
Dog daycare centres with indoor and outdoor play areas. We like to ensure that our dogs can run around and play on their own terms – and the more area we can give them, the more fun we’ll have!
Dog daycare centres that provide healthy snacks for their pups. This is something that you should consider when choosing your centre – but many will have this included in their services already.
Is there any extra cost to take your dog to Dog Daycare?
This depends on the centre. It’s best to ask exactly what fees are involved, so you can ensure that it’s not too high for your pup’s budget!
What happens if my dog has an accident in Dog Daycare center?
Because dogs are curious about everything they see, accidents do happen even with the best of centres. With most centres, you’ll be responsible yourself for leaving with any accidents. Although this is understandable, it can be difficult to clean up – which is why many facilities will try to help. They’re not required to, of course, but making sure that the place is clean is generally good for everyone involved!
Are there any extra charges for Dog Daycare?
Most centres have a one-off setup fee. This will vary depending on where you are – but it’s important to remember that it’s likely cheaper than boarding your pup. The next most common fee is for treats and other items, so be sure to ask about these extras before you take your dog out!
Can I choose my Dogs Boarding Center?
Most facilities will allow you to choose where your dogs are staying, which is handy if you have a particular place in mind. Some will provide suggestions for the best places, while others will ask you to just choose one. It’s important to think about what your puppy would enjoy!
Can Dogs get ill in Dog Daycare?
Of course, they can! Almost anything else that gets into their systems can potentially cause illness. So it’s important to make sure that everything is clean and healthy when you take your pup in there. Also, your puppy should be well-vaccinated before visiting – especially if they haven’t had them before.
How to make a Dog Daycare Center more Dog Friendly
A lot of you have asked for our suggestions on how to make a dog daycare centre more dog-friendly. Check out our suggestions below:
1- Give them their own areas to chill out in!
2- Decorate dog rooms with doggy wallpaper! There are lots of different types, so you should be able to find one that suits your pup.
3- Give them loads of toys and games to play with! We recommend making sure your pup has something to play with wherever they are at the daycare centre. This will make them much happier – especially if they don’t have any toys to keep themselves occupied.
4- Give them comfortable beds, lots of food and water! Your dog may not always feel like eating, but it’s important that they do – which is why you should make their area as comfortable as possible.
5- Have areas that are just for pups! Many facilities will have areas just for your pup – which is great if you live with multiple dogs.
6- Make sure they get lots of socialisation opportunities! Dogs will always be happy if they get to spend time with people and other dogs, so make sure to accommodate this in whatever area they’re staying.
7- Be kind and patient! Your dog’s enjoyment of the place depends on how much attention you give it. Always remember, there’s no point in taking your dog out if you don’t plan on spending any time with them while you’re there.
8- Don’t forget to send a picture or two! After a while, you’ll probably get pretty attached to your pup – which means you’ll definitely want to send us pictures from their days out. We love to see them!
Where do I take my Dog?
If you’re looking for an interesting place for your dog to hang out, check out the local parks! For many dogs, they’re happy just running around in wide-open spaces – which is why we recommend these options the most!
Where do I introduce my new puppy to Dogs Boarding Centre? Where do I introduce my new puppy to Dogs Boarding Centre?
We’ll love it if you introduce your puppy to us when they arrive.