,Our dogs aren’t just our pets—they’re family. We have a responsibility to make sure they’re happy, healthy, and thriving in their environment…even when they can’t be with us. For that reason, choosing the best doggy daycare is extremely important, especially if it’s going to be a big part of your dog’s day-to-day life.
But where do you start? How do you make sure you choose the daycare that’s best for your dog?
I love Coastal Doggie Daycare and am the Daycare Operations Manager. I have only worked here for a short period of time and have been impressed with the level of care that each employee provides to the dogs that attend daycare and also board. Dr. Axel Gray, the owner, suggested that I do a comparative analysis of other Dog Day Care facilities within Jacksonville, FL. I tackled the task methodically with my Excel spreadsheet skills, did a cost comparison, evaluated the hours, daycare services that each facility, amenities for each pet, and boarding information. The report was very clear where we ranked in comparatives (on paper). Dr. Gray received my report with a smile…then suggested I go visit each facility and understand how the numbers match up with each competitor. It was time for a field trip.
I entered each facility asking for information about boarding toward the end of the year, and thought introducing my dogs beforehand, and I thought dog day care might be a great opportunity for my dogs… two 125-pound Great Pyrenees (Nimbus age 5 and less social, and Stormy age 1-1/2 and a little nervous). I had planned on taking Stormy with me for the field trip; but after failing the Assessment at Coastal Doggie Daycare I chose to just flash their photos at the reception desks instead of stressing them out in an unfamiliar environment which I will not be willing to leave them for any length of time. I am not going to sling mud at other facilities but I am going to highlight the positive aspects at Coastal Doggie Daycare.
TIPS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT DAYCARE FOR YOUR DOG
We’ll start with something easy—you can do it right from your computer or phone. Do a search for doggy daycares in your area and take a preliminary look at their website. If you like what you see and nothing jumps out at you as a red flag, add them to your list of doggy daycares worth learning more about. You can also ask friends, neighbors, or family for their recommendations.
1. TOUR THE FACILITIES IN PERSON
Give the daycare a call to schedule a tour of their facilities. It will give you a chance to scope it out and get a feel for what your dog’s day would be like. It’ll also give you the opportunity to ask more detailed questions.
While you’re there, keep an eye out for:
Good ventilation: Lots of windows and doors or a fresh-air exchange system.
Solid fencing: Something strong and tall enough to keep dogs contained.
Proper gating: A staging area for dogs to acclimate in before entering the play area.
Safe floor surfaces
Coastal Doggie Daycare is predominantly an outside Daycare environment. We have 12 outdoor play yards and 4 indoor play yards when it is excessively hot or inclement weather. Our fences are solid barriers with multiple gates system to safely transport pups from yard to yard. The outdoor surfaces are artificial turf and wooden boardwalks/decks with coverings in areas for shade. We have fans, misters, raised cots, and pools for activities.
We don’t conduct a lot of walking tours because the daycare dogs have their routine and are familiar with the staff of Coastal Doggie Daycare. If dogs are in the midst of switching play yards, the disruption can be upsetting to the dogs that people that don’t belong in their environment are there. But we will show you a yard that doesn’t have dogs currently in it or let you look over a fence… and at the very least show you photos of the different yards.
2. ASK IF DOGS ARE GROUPED APPROPRIATELY
Are they separated by size and age? Or are they separated based on their temperament and play style? Or both? Safety is important, and if the dogs aren’t separated into groups at all, it might be a sign to continue your search elsewhere.
Coastal Doggie Daycare creates groups their age, size, and energy levels.
3. ASK ABOUT THE STAFF-TO-DOG RATIO
The International Boarding and Pet Care Services Association recommends a ratio of 15 dogs per 1 human as a safe standard. However, they also make allowances depending on the activity level of the group of dogs in question. More active dogs might require more supervisors, while less active dogs might require fewer.
Our Dog to Daycare Attendant ratio is 10:1. And we have a runner to transport dogs from location to location so that the dogs are NEVER left unattended in a play yard.
4. ASK IF THEY FOLLOW A SCHEDULE
When your dog attends daycare, is there a schedule designed to allow your pup to adjust to a new routine? Is there structure to playtime, or is it a free for all experience?
Most daycares make sure to insert supervised periods of rest between playtimes to make sure no one’s getting too tired or dehydrated.
Coastal Doggie Daycare’s Attendants evaluate the needs of the dogs. Certain breeds want more rest and a time out from their more active playmates. Others get overstimulated and need an occasional break as well. All dogs that bring their lunch will get a lunch break in the A/C and then rejoin their playmates.
5. LEARN THE TOY POLICY
Even the most well-rounded dogs can be susceptible to resource guarding and show aggression when a playmate gets near a toy that dog thinks is theirs. If you know your dog is prone to this common behavior, make sure to alert the staff so they can keep an eye out and prepare to safely handle the situation.
Coastal Doggie Daycare does not have toys in the play yards. If a dog is boarding and brings a toy, it will stay in the boarding area so that they have it as a comfort and distraction in the evening.
6. ASK ABOUT A TRIAL OR TEMPERAMENT TEST
Not all dogs are cut out for doggy daycare, and that’s okay! The daycare you’ve selected should require a trial run to make sure your dog will adjust okay, or a temperament test to make sure they’re suited to the routine and being around other dogs. These extra steps are a sign that they have high standards for their four-legged guests’ health and wellbeing.
Coastal Doggie Daycare has a required assessment for dogs that want to participate in daycare. It starts with a Senior Staff Member taking the pup to an empty play yard to allow them to familiarize themselves with our environment. The dog’s comfort is our primary focus. Our next step would be to integrate the dog being assessed with several established daycare dogs who are well behaved and are predictable in their reactions to new daycare attendees. We watch for anxiety, aggression, avoidance, or integration, playfulness, and happiness.
7. ASK ABOUT THE STAFF’S TRAINING
The staff at your selected doggy daycare should have experience working with or training dogs, and the daycare should require or provide extra training on how to handle dogs safely in a group environment. While most doggy daycares take extra steps to ensure they’re providing and enforcing a safe environment, they should be prepared to handle scuffles if they break out.
We encourage our staff to complete continued education to enhance their skills with our dogs. Coastal Doggie Daycare has a Certified Dog Trainer on staff and utilizes her skill set to educate others on a consistent basis.
8. MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A PLAN FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE
Not only should the staff be trained in how to safely and correctly administer first aid in the event of an injury, but they should also have a plan in place for what to do and where to go if a dog in their care requires a vet or emergency medical care.
Keep in mind that a doggy daycare having an emergency plan in place doesn’t mean they anticipate frequent injuries or accidents—they’re just prepared in case one occurs, which is extremely important.
Coastal Doggie Daycare operates adjacently to Coastal Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Gray (our owner), continues to practice at Coastal Veterinary Hospital.
Daycare Attendants would assess the immediate medical situation and if life-threatening, immediately transport the dog next door to Coastal Veterinary Hospital for urgent care.
If not life threatening medical issue, the pet owner would be immediately called to ask whether we should transport them next door for care or would they prefer to pick up the dog and make the medical decisions in person.
CHOOSE COASTAL DOGGIE DAYCARE
Now that you’ve compared the doggy daycares available in Jacksonville, choose the one that makes you feel the most confident about leaving your pup in their care, and then pay attention to whether your dog is having a good time! If he’s tired and relaxed when he comes home, the daycare has had enough activity for them and is probably a good fit.
Coastal is not the most or least expensive daycare facility in Jacksonville, but the facilities are unmatched with outdoor space, cleanliness of areas, and safety for the dogs. We are growing but are keeping the small-town familiarity with each dog and their owner. Understanding what makes your furry bundle of joy special helps us to provide the level of care and activity that they need and want.
Please ask to see where the dogs will spend their day, what activities the dogs participate in, who will be watching them, are they fed, how are they treated when a conflict between dogs arises, how do they treat medical issues… our furry family members cannot voice their concerns and we must be their advocate. I put in the same effort when I was searching for child care for my kids.
Jacqueline Stiles
Daycare Operations Manager
904-253-3022 office
jackie@CoastalDogDaycare.com
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