How to Choose a Dog Daycare: 12 Questions to Ask Before You Book

By the PetU Team — K9 Higher Education · Updated June 2026 · 8 min read

Learning how to choose a dog daycare comes down to one thing: asking the right questions before you book. From the outside, two daycares can look identical — clean lobby, friendly staff, happy photos online. The real difference is invisible at the front desk: how dogs are grouped, how closely play is supervised, whether staff are trained for emergencies, and whether the day includes rest. The 12 questions below cut straight to what keeps your dog safe and happy, so you can tell a structured program from a chaotic free-for-all.

We’ve organized these the way we’d want a family to evaluate any daycare — including PetU. If a facility can answer all twelve clearly and confidently, that’s a very good sign.

The 12 questions to ask before you book a dog daycare

1. How do you group dogs for play? The best answer is small groups sorted by size, energy, and play style — not one big open room. Proper grouping prevents most mismatches and injuries.
2. What is your staff-to-dog ratio? More eyes on the floor means safer, better-supervised play. Ask how many dogs one person watches at a time.
3. Is play actively supervised the whole time? You want humans in the playgroup reading body language and stepping in early — not watching from a window or a camera feed.
4. Is your staff trained in pet first aid and CPR? Emergencies are rare, but training shows the facility takes safety seriously. PetU’s staff are pet-first-aid trained.
5. Do you require a temperament evaluation before enrollment? Good daycares screen new dogs to protect the whole group. A facility that takes any dog sight-unseen is a red flag.
6. What are your vaccination requirements? Strict requirements (Rabies, DHPP/DAPP, Bordetella, often canine influenza) keep illness out of the playroom.
7. Is there scheduled rest time? All-play-no-rest creates overtired, overstimulated dogs. Built-in rest is the mark of a thoughtfully run program.
8. Can I tour the facility during operating hours? A clean, transparent facility will happily show you the play areas, rest space, and where dogs spend the day.
9. How do you handle a dog who isn’t having a good time? Listen for a real plan — moving the dog to a calmer group, a rest break, or a check-in with you — not “they’ll figure it out.”
10. What happens in a medical emergency? Ask who they call, which vet they use, and how quickly they’d reach you.
11. How do you communicate with me about my dog’s day? Report cards, photos, or a quick verbal update at pickup all show the staff actually knows your individual dog.
12. What are your hours, and how does pricing work? Confirm drop-off and pickup windows fit your schedule, and ask how packages compare to drop-in rates. (More on cost below.)

What are the green flags and red flags?

As you collect answers, sort them into two buckets:

How much should dog daycare cost?

As a general market guide, single-day dog daycare commonly runs in the $25–$40 per day range, with most facilities offering multi-day packages that lower the per-visit cost. Don’t choose on price alone — the cheapest option is rarely the safest, and the most expensive isn’t automatically the best. PetU uses a U-Pass system with part-time and full-time options so families who attend several days a week pay less per visit. Because rates depend on how often your dog comes, the most accurate quote comes from calling the location directly.

Should I tour before I commit?

Yes — always. A tour tells you more in ten minutes than a website tells you in an hour. Watch how the dogs in the playroom look: are they relaxed and engaged, or frantic and ignored? Is the space clean and odor-controlled? Are staff calm and attentive? Trust what you see in person over what you read online, and bring your list of twelve questions with you.

How does PetU answer these 12 questions?

PetU — “K9 Higher Education” — was built around exactly the standards above. We run structured, supervised small-group play sorted by size and temperament, balance play with scheduled rest, require a temperament evaluation before enrollment, and staff the floor with pet-first-aid-trained team members. We’re trusted by local vets and rescues, and we welcome tours. Beyond daycare, the same trusted team offers boarding, training, and baths, so your dog’s care can grow with their needs. Hours are 6:30 AM–6:30 PM Monday–Friday, weekends by appointment.

PetU locations across Wisconsin

• PetU Milwaukee — 6120 S. Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207 · (414) 766-1100
• PetU Racine — 2625 Eaton Ln, Racine, WI 53404 · (262) 619-0109
• PetU Mequon — 10510 N. Port Washington Rd, Mequon, WI 53092 · (262) 302-4116

Want to go deeper before you book? Read Is Dog Daycare Good for My Dog? and, if you’re weighing training options too, Does Board & Train Really Work?

Frequently asked questions