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Boarding & daycare checklist
How to Choose the Right Boarding or Daycare for Your Dog
Every place says it loves dogs. The difference is in the details. Here are the questions we'd ask if we were choosing for our own dogs, what a good answer sounds like, and how we answer them ourselves. Take this list with you wherever you tour. 🐾
Save or print this checklist and bring it to every tour (including ours!).
Where they play
5 questions| Question to ask | Why it matters | What a good answer sounds like | How Dog Dude Ranch answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01★ Key questionDo dogs play on real grass or artificial turf? | Heat is the big one. In a 2026 peer-reviewed study, artificial turf reached about 147°F, while natural grass under the same conditions stayed below 104°F, and the dogs chose to spend more of their time on the grass. In a 2025 summer backyard trial, turf stayed above the skin-burn threshold for almost four hours a day. Any surface can get hot in full sun, so shade matters too. | A clear answer (real grass, artificial turf, concrete or indoor floors), real shade over the play areas, and a plan for checking that the ground is comfortable for paws on hot days. | Real grass. Almost 3 acres of natural grass under big shade trees and shade sails, with no artificial turf. On hot days, dogs cool off with sprinklers and misters. |
| 02How much time do dogs actually spend outside each day? | "Daily play" can mean a quick potty break or real time with friends. Researchers who study kenneled dogs have recommended group play as a way to support their well-being. | A number in hours, plus what happens when it rains. | Over 2 hours of outdoor group play every day, as part of the routine. Indoor play space for stormy weather. |
| 03How are play groups matched, and can a shy dog take a break? | Good matching keeps play fun and safe for big dogs, little dogs, seniors and shy dogs. Animal-shelter veterinary guidelines say every dog should have a chance to retreat, especially fearful or anxious dogs. | Groups by size, age and temperament, with supervision, a quieter option, and a calm place to rest. | Dogs are grouped by size, age and personality, with groups for big dogs, little dogs, active dogs and slower-paced seniors. Play is supervised, and dogs who want a breather can relax under a shady tree or rest in their own room. |
| 04★ Key questionHow does the facility keep dogs cool safely? | Water play is a great way to cool off, but shared water is where parasites can spread: dogs can track urine and feces into a shared pool and then drink the water. According to the CDC, chlorine kills many germs within minutes, but Giardia can take about 45 minutes and Cryptosporidium can survive for days, even in properly treated water. | Shade, rest breaks and water play that isn't a shared pool, plus a plan for heat and lightning. If there's a pool, ask how the water is disinfected. If there are sprinklers, ask whether the water is fresh or recirculated. | No pool, on purpose. Dogs cool off and splash under sprinklers and misters instead. The water is always fresh and used once, never recirculated, so no one is swimming in or drinking from water other dogs have shared. We think that's the healthier way for a group of dogs to cool off. Big shade trees and shade sails, and fresh water in every room. When lightning is close, play moves indoors. |
| 05Is there anything to explore besides other dogs? | Enrichment (new sights, sounds and smells) tires a dog's brain as well as their legs. | Specific enrichment that's part of the day. | It's a real ranch: chickens, horses, friendly ranch cats and goats, plus plenty of space to sniff and explore. |
Where they sleep
3 questions| Question to ask | Why it matters | What a good answer sounds like | How Dog Dude Ranch answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06★ Key questionWill my dog be walled off alone overnight? | Dogs are social. In a 2024 study, shelter dogs housed with a companion showed fewer signs of stress than dogs housed alone. Some facilities use solid walls between rooms, which can leave social dogs feeling cut off. | Dogs can see and hear other dogs at night, neighbors are matched thoughtfully, and every dog still has a calm space of its own. | Never alone: close enough to touch noses with their buddy next door. Dogs bunk with friends in private rooms, divided by see-and-smell-through fencing rather than solid walls, so buddies can see, hear, sniff and touch noses all night. During group park time, our team watches who each dog plays with and rooms them next to those friends. Raised beds and fresh water, too. |
| 07How are the rooms cooled and ventilated? | Some dogs do best with airflow and some need A/C, so ask whether there's a choice. | A clear description of the setup, plus an option for dogs with medical needs. | Open-air rooms with evaporative cooling and fans, plus optional A/C rooms (ask about availability). Tell us your dog's needs before booking. |
| 08Is a person on the property overnight? | An alarm or a camera can't open a door. | A person on site all night, with scheduled checks. | Yes. The owner and another family live on the property, so someone is here 24 hours a day. Room checks at 8 PM and 11 PM every night, and our team can watch the whole ranch on camera 24/7. |
Care and health
4 questions| Question to ask | Why it matters | What a good answer sounds like | How Dog Dude Ranch answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09Can they give medications at any time, including after hours? | Meds on schedule matter, especially for seniors and dogs with special needs. | Yes, at any hour, with clear written instructions from you. | Yes, at any time of day or night, because someone is always here. Seniors and special-needs dogs are welcome. |
| 10★ Key questionWill they accept my dog's breed? | Some facilities turn away certain breeds, however friendly the dog is. | Each dog is met as an individual, with an introduction and well-matched play groups. | We welcome breeds some facilities won't take, and all sizes. Every dog is met as an individual during an introductory daycare visit, then grouped by size, age and personality. |
| 11Which vaccines and parasite prevention do they require? | Dogs who play together share germs. The CDC notes that dogs at boarding facilities face a higher risk of leptospirosis, which spreads through urine and standing water. | Current vaccines checked before the first visit (including leptospirosis and Bordetella), and required flea and tick prevention. | Rabies, Distemper/DAPPVL (which covers leptospirosis) and Bordetella must be current, and records are reviewed before the visit. Flea and tick prevention is required, and flea/tick collars aren't allowed. Daily nose-to-tail check-overs and professional pest control. |
| 12How and how often do they clean, and with what? | How cleaning is done matters as much as how often: some disinfectants can hurt dogs if they aren't diluted and rinsed properly. | A set schedule, products used as directed, and openness about what they use. | Rooms, beds, walls, aisles and floors are cleaned and sanitized twice a day with our pressure-wash process. Ask us anytime about the products we use. |
Updates, drop-off and booking
6 questions| Question to ask | Why it matters | What a good answer sounds like | How Dog Dude Ranch answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13How will I know my dog is doing well? | Peace of mind. Ask what kind of updates you'll get and who keeps an eye on the dogs. | Updates you can count on, plus real supervision on site. | We try to send updates and report cards, plus photos when possible, though we can't promise one every stay. Our team can watch the whole ranch on camera 24/7. |
| 14What are drop-off and pickup like, and when? | A calm, simple handoff starts the day off right, for you and your dog. | Clear hours, a secure handoff, and open on the days you need. | Curbside, 7 days a week, 7:00 AM–5:30 PM, for boarding and daycare. You never leave your car: our team greets you at your car in our secure circle at the gated entry and takes your dog and their food. (On holidays there's no pickup or drop-off, but staff are always on site.) |
| 15Is there a pickup and drop-off service? | It can save you a drive, but only if it fits your schedule. | Days, hours, and how you'll know where your dog is. | Yes. Our school bus pickup and drop-off runs Monday–Friday, 7–11 AM, with a text containing a live tracking link. It serves all of Miami-Dade County. |
| 16Can my dog visit before the first overnight stay? | A first visit shows how your dog fits in, and lets you see the place in action. | A tour, plus an introductory day before boarding. | Yes. Come take a tour. New boarding guests start with an introductory daycare visit before their first overnight stay. |
| 17What's required to book? | Clear policies up front mean no surprises. | A simple, clear booking policy and a list of what to bring. | A valid credit card is required to book, processed securely through Stripe. Bring current vaccination records, and your dog's food. |
| 18How much experience do they have, and what do other families say? | Experience and lots of reviews tell you more than a high rating alone. | A long track record and a strong rating backed by many reviews. | Caring for animals, including dogs, since 1987 (2027 is our 40th year); officially a dog ranch since 2010. 4.9 ★ on Google: see our Google reviews. |
Sources (5)
- Turf vs grass surface heat and dogs' preference: Da Fonseca et al., Animals, 2026
- Turf above the skin-burn threshold ~4 hours a day: Building and Environment, 2025
- Why shade matters: Hudak, J Appl Anim Welf Sci, 2023
- Chlorine kill times for Giardia and Cryptosporidium: CDC
- Companion housing and stress in dogs: PLOS One, 2024
The best place is the one that fits your dog. Bring this list on every tour, ours included. 🐾
Still have questions? Call or text (305) 702-0475
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