Canine Cab

Doggy Daycare Requirements: Vaccines, Age, Temperament [2026]

Every doggy daycare requires: rabies, distemper, bordetella, flea/tick prevention, spay/neuter after 6-7 months, and a passing temperament test. Full checklist + age + breed considerations.

Faz
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· 8-MIN RIDE
Editorial flat lay of doggy daycare intake paperwork with vaccination records and dog leash
QUICK TAKE

Doggy daycare enrollment requires: (1) current vaccinations — rabies, distemper, parvovirus, bordetella, leptospirosis (recommended), (2) flea/tick prevention proof, (3) spay/neuter after 6-7 months at most facilities, (4) a passing temperament test (2-4 hour evaluation), (5) recent fecal exam (some facilities), and (6) completed intake paperwork covering health, behavior, medications, and emergency contacts. Puppies under 4 months are usually excluded; senior dogs over 10 require slower-paced or rest-focused programs.

FACT-CHECKEDLast reviewed May 2026 by Canine Cab. We update this guide when operator pricing or airline policies change.

Every doggy daycare enrollment requires: current vaccinations, flea/tick prevention, spay/neuter after 6-7 months, a passing temperament test, and completed intake paperwork. This guide is the full requirements checklist plus age, breed, and senior-dog considerations.

Standard requirements

RequirementStandardNotes
Vaccines (core)Rabies, DHPP, BordetellaBoosters within 12 months
Vaccines (recommended)Leptospirosis, Canine FluSometimes required in outbreak areas
Flea/tick preventionCurrent within 30 daysTopical or oral; proof required
Spay/neuterRequired after 6-7 monthsIntact dogs excluded (hormonal risk)
Minimum age4-6 monthsVaccine series complete
Temperament test2-4 hour evaluation$0-$45 one-time
Fecal examWithin 6-12 monthsSome facilities; checks parasites
Intake paperworkHealth, behavior, meds, emergencyProvided digitally 1-2 weeks before first day

Vaccinations: full breakdown

Veterinarian preparing vaccinations for a calm dog at vet clinic, warm professional light
  • Rabies — legally required. Annual or 3-year vaccine depending on state law.
  • Distemper / Hepatitis / Parvovirus (DHPP combo) — core vaccine, annual boosters.
  • Bordetella (kennel cough) — required at all reputable daycares. Booster every 6-12 months.
  • Leptospirosis — recommended; required in some regions due to wildlife exposure.
  • Canine influenza (H3N2, H3N8) — increasingly required in NYC, LA, SF, Chicago due to outbreak history.
  • Important timing: all vaccines must be administered at least 7-14 days before first daycare day to allow full immunity to develop.

Age + breed considerations

  • Puppies (4-6 months): separate puppy-only programs with smaller groups + more rest. Full vaccine series required.
  • Adolescents (6 months-2 years): high-energy standard daycare. Best fit for high-energy social dogs.
  • Adults (2-10 years): standard daycare with size/energy-matched groups.
  • Seniors (10+): senior-day programs, smaller calmer groups, half-day options. Look for facilities with dedicated senior programming.
  • Brachycephalic breeds (Frenchies, Pugs, Bulldogs): usually accepted but with heat-restriction policies in summer (limited outdoor time).
  • Restricted breeds: some facilities exclude Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Mastiffs based on insurance policy. Call ahead to confirm.
Daycare staff evaluating dog's temperament with two test dogs in controlled play area

Frequently asked questions

What vaccinations are required?
Core: rabies, DHPP, bordetella. Recommended: leptospirosis, canine flu (required in outbreak areas). Plus current flea/tick prevention. All vaccines must be 7-14 days before first day for full immunity.
Spay/neuter required?
Yes after 6-7 months at most facilities. Hormonal aggression + marking + pregnancy risk. Some facilities accept intact puppies under 6 months in puppy-only programs.
Minimum age?
4-6 months at most facilities, with full vaccine series complete. Puppy-only programs available for 16-week+ puppies with core vaccines done.
Reactive or aggressive dogs?
Most facilities won’t accept aggression cases. Reactive (not aggressive) dogs may fit smaller-group facilities or specialized reactive-dog daycares in major metros.
Fecal exams required?
Many facilities require within 6-12 months. Annual at some. Cost $25-$50 at vet. Reduces parasite transmission.
Breed restrictions?
Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Mastiffs sometimes restricted (insurance, not behavior). Brachy breeds accepted with heat-restriction summer policies.
What documents to bring?
Vaccine records, flea/tick prevention proof, fecal exam (if required), photo ID, emergency contact, medication list, vet authorization to treat, microchip number.
Can senior dogs go?
Yes for 10+ in good health passing temperament test. Look for senior-day programs, half-day options, separate quiet rest spaces. Avoid high-energy mixed-age facilities.
METHODOLOGY

Requirements per AAHA guidelines + 30+ US facility intake policies. Vaccine timing per AVMA. Refreshed annually.

Sources & references

Faz

Faz leads the editorial team at Canine Cab. A long-time pet enthusiast and pet-care advocate, Faz has spent years navigating pet transport firsthand – vet runs, cross-state moves, airline cargo paperwork, the works. The Canine Cab brand traces back to the mid-2000s as a Colorado-based pet taxi and dog walking service; Faz now leads its current chapter as a national editorial team covering pet transport pricing, airline pet policies, and operator vetting across all 50 states.

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