Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Dog Daycare Attendant

🎯 Role Definition

A Dog Daycare Attendant is responsible for the day-to-day care, supervision, and enrichment of dogs in a high-volume daycare or boarding facility. This role requires strong animal handling skills, excellent customer service, attention to health and safety protocols, and the ability to read canine body language to maintain a safe, clean, and fun environment. The Dog Daycare Attendant enforces facility policies, supports intake and discharge procedures, documents incidents and health concerns, and contributes to a positive client experience through clear communication and reliable care.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Kennel Attendant / Kennel Technician
Volunteer or Support Staff at an animal shelter or rescue
Pet Sitter / Dog Walker

Advancement To:

Senior/Lead Daycare Attendant or Shift Lead
Dog Daycare Manager or Kennel Manager
Canine Behavior Specialist / Trainer
Operations Manager within pet services

Lateral Moves:

Dog Trainer / Behavior Consultant
Groomer
Adoption Coordinator or Customer Relations Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Supervise multiple dog playgroups throughout the day, actively monitoring interactions, intervening to prevent escalation, and separating dogs when warranted to maintain a safe group dynamic.
Conduct intake screenings for every dog at arrival, verifying vaccination records, documenting medical conditions, allergies, behavior notes, and special instructions from owners.
Continuously assess canine body language and behavior to identify stress, fear, aggression, or illness; act promptly to de-escalate, isolate, or administer first aid as needed.
Administer medications and topical treatments precisely as prescribed by owners or veterinary staff, documenting administration times, dosages, and any adverse reactions.
Implement structured enrichment and exercise plans (playtime rotations, walks, puzzle feeders, scent games) tailored to the size, age, and temperament of each dog to reduce stress and promote socialization.
Maintain strict adherence to cleanliness and sanitation protocols: clean and disinfect play areas, kennels, food and water bowls, bedding, and common areas to prevent disease transmission.
Perform scheduled feeding and meal preparation according to individual dietary plans, monitor consumption, and report any changes in appetite or gastrointestinal issues to management and owners.
Complete accurate, timely record-keeping for each dog, including check-in/check-out logs, behavior incident reports, health observations, vaccination status updates, and owner communications.
Manage safe and efficient drop-off and pick-up processes, verifying owner identity, processing payments or package updates, and communicating notes about the dog’s day and any concerns.
Enforce facility policies and safety procedures, including staff-to-dog ratios, leash rules, gate and door protocols, and emergency evacuation plans.
Conduct daily health checks and log temperature, respiration, and obvious signs of illness or injury; escalate any concerns to veterinary partners or management immediately.
Execute separation and quarantine protocols for dogs exhibiting contagious conditions, following facility guidelines for isolation, cleaning, and owner notification.
Train and coach new attendants on safety procedures, playgroup management, behavior recognition, cleaning regimens, and client service standards to ensure consistent care quality.
Respond to emergencies — bites, injuries, choking, allergic reactions — with calm, competent first aid and CPR procedures and coordinate veterinary transport when required.
Facilitate behavioral modification or re-introduction plans under manager or trainer direction for dogs needing additional structure or supervised socialization.
Maintain inventory of supplies including cleaning agents, food, treats, toys, leashes, and first-aid materials; reorder or escalate low-stock items to management to prevent service interruptions.
Use facility software or point-of-sale (POS) systems to update reservations, check-in/out, invoice clients, schedule repeat bookings, and maintain accurate billing and contact records.
Conduct routine facility walkthroughs to identify and report maintenance issues (damaged fencing, hazardous materials, broken equipment) and ensure a hazard-free environment for dogs and staff.
Capture photos and short video clips of dogs during the day (following privacy and consent policies) to share with owners and support marketing or behavioral records.
Lead or participate in team briefings and shift handovers to communicate behavior trends, medical notes, and special client instructions, ensuring continuity of care.
Follow and help refine standard operating procedures, health & safety policies, and COVID/communicable disease mitigation tactics to stay current with industry best practices.
Provide compassionate, accurate client communication by phone, email, and in-person about a dog’s day, behavior, health, and recommendations for follow-up care or training.

Secondary Functions

Assist with scheduling, appointment confirmations, and adjusting reservation capacity based on daily attendance and staffing levels.
Support marketing and community outreach by participating in open houses, adoption events, or social media content creation that showcases facility services and happy clients.
Participate in ongoing professional development, including animal first aid/CPR certification renewals, canine behavior workshops, and company training sessions.
Help coordinate with external partners (veterinarians, trainers, groomers) for referrals, emergency care, and specialized services when a dog’s needs exceed daycare scope.
Prepare and implement seasonal or thematic enrichment activities (puppy socials, senior dog hours, agility workshops) to increase customer satisfaction and repeat bookings.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Canine CPR and pet first aid (certified or demonstrated competency) — ability to perform emergency procedures and stabilize dogs until veterinary care.
Strong knowledge of canine body language, social signals, and basic behavior assessment to manage group dynamics and prevent incidents.
Medication administration and safe handling of topical and oral pharmaceuticals, including accurate documentation.
Vaccination verification and health-screening protocols to ensure compliance with facility and public health requirements.
Group play supervision and pack management techniques (rotations, ratios, leadership signaling, break-out strategies).
Sanitation, disinfection, and biosecurity procedures to reduce disease transmission (knowledge of safe cleaning agents and PPE use).
Proficiency with scheduling and kennel management software (e.g., Gingr, ProPet, KennelConnection) and basic POS/payment processing.
Basic grooming skills (brushing, drying, safe nail trimming) and ability to identify grooming-related health issues.
Recordkeeping and incident reporting — clear, accurate written logs for health, behavior, and owner communications.
Leash handling, safe dog restraint, and secure gate/fence protocols for intake, release, and transport.

Soft Skills

Exceptional observational skills and attention to detail to notice early signs of illness, injury, or behavioral changes.
Calm, decisive problem-solving and crisis-management mindset in stressful or emergency situations.
Outstanding verbal and written communication to interact with pet owners, team members, and external partners professionally.
Empathy and patience when working with anxious dogs and worried pet owners; ability to build trust quickly.
Team-oriented attitude with collaborative approach to shift handovers, training, and daily operations.
Time management and prioritization to balance cleaning, feeding, play, and administrative tasks across a busy shift.
Conflict resolution and de-escalation skills when addressing owner complaints or dog-to-dog disputes.
Physical stamina and dexterity to handle lifting, bending, and continuous movement during shifts.
Adaptability to changing schedules, fluctuating attendance, and evolving protocols or client needs.
Professionalism, dependability, and integrity when handling client property and private information.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; relevant vocational training or certifications preferred.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or certificate in Animal Science, Veterinary Technology, Canine Behavior, or related field.
Certifications such as Pet First Aid & CPR, Fear Free Certification, or canine behavior coursework are highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Animal Science / Animal Care
Veterinary Technician / Veterinary Assisting
Canine Behavior / Training
Biology or Psychology (behavioral courses)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–3 years working in daycare, kennel, shelter, veterinary clinic, or professional dog training environment.

Preferred:

1–2+ years of hands-on experience supervising dog playgroups, administering medications, and performing intake/checkout processes.
Demonstrated experience with high-volume facilities, group management, and customer-facing roles in pet services.