What to confirm on group sizes, supervision and safety

It's Wednesday morning and you're running late for work again. Your dog is restless, the house feels too quiet when you're gone, and you're wondering whether daycare is the answer. Before you click "book," there's a conversation you need to have with whoever will be looking after your dog—one that centres on numbers, eyes on the ground, and what happens if something goes wrong. These aren't dramatic questions; they're the ones that separate a daycare where your dog is genuinely supervised from one where they're simply warehoused.

How many dogs is actually manageable?

Group size matters more than most owners realise, but not because bigger is automatically bad. A daycare with fifteen dogs and two experienced handlers who rotate breaks might run tighter than one with five dogs and a distracted owner half-watching while answering messages. That said, there's a practical ceiling: if a handler can't see every dog in the space at once, something can happen without anyone noticing.

Don't just ask "how many dogs?" Ask how many supervisors are present during the hours your dog will be there, and what the ratio is. Ask whether that ratio changes at quieter times of day. A facility that gets vague or defensive about these numbers is worth moving on from. You want clarity because you're trying to picture the actual scene: is your dog in a group where individual attention is possible, or are they one face in a crowd?

Supervision in practice, not on paper

Most daycares will tell you they supervise. What you need to know is *how*. Are staff roaming the play area or stationed at a desk? Are they watching dogs in one room only, or can they see multiple spaces? If there's an outdoor section, is it visible from inside, or do dogs move out of sight? What's the sight line like—can a handler notice a limp, a refusal to play, or a tense body before it becomes a problem?

Ask to see the space during operating hours, not just when it's quiet. Watch how staff interact with the dogs. Do they step in when play gets rough, or do they only react after something's gone sideways? Do they know the dogs' names and temperaments, or are they managing a blur? This is where your gut matters. If the energy feels frantic or detached, trust that feeling.

What happens in an emergency

No one wants to imagine their dog having a seizure, stepping on a shard of glass, or becoming severely distressed during daycare. Ask the facility directly: what's your protocol if a dog is injured or unwell? Do they have vet contact numbers saved? Who decides when a vet trip is needed, and how quickly does it happen? Will they contact you immediately, or wait to see if the dog improves?

Confirm they have your emergency contacts and that you've given them permission to seek veterinary care if you're unreachable. Some facilities require written consent; others handle it verbally. Either way, have this conversation in writing—a quick email confirming what you've discussed. Ask whether they carry pet first aid supplies and if any staff are trained in basic first aid. You don't need them to be veterinarians, but you should know they're prepared for common minor injuries.

Before you book: a short check-in

Once you've walked the space and asked the hard questions, here's what matters most:

• Does the handler know your dog's name and can describe their personality without prompting?
• Can they tell you what your dog will actually do during the day (nap, play in bursts, need alone time)?
• Do they ask you questions about your dog's behaviour, triggers, or medical history?
• Are they willing to send regular updates or photos?

A good daycare operator sees your dog as an individual, not a booking reference. They understand that group size and supervision aren't just liability issues—they're the difference between a day your dog enjoys and one where they're stressed, bored, or at risk.

When you're ready to book, look for a provider on Strove who can walk you through their exact setup and answer these questions without hesitation. The right fit will make those late mornings at the office feel a lot less guilty.