17 Dog Daycare Attendant Interview Questions and Answers

Dog daycare attendants are responsible for the care and supervision of dogs during the day. They keep the dogs safe, exercised, and entertained. They also clean up after the dogs and keep the daycare facility clean.

If you’re interested in working as a dog daycare attendant, you’ll need to be able to answer some common interview questions. We’ve put together a list of some of the most common questions and answers to help you prepare.

Are you comfortable working with dogs?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with dogs. They want to know that you are comfortable handling the daycare’s dogs and can keep them safe while they’re in your care. If you haven’t worked with dogs before, consider volunteering at a local dog shelter or rescue organization. This will give you valuable experience working with animals and help you decide if it’s something you’d like to do as a career.

Example: “I grew up with two dogs of my own, so I am very comfortable around dogs. In fact, I love spending time with dogs and helping them feel comfortable. I think I would be an excellent fit for this position because I understand how important it is to treat all dogs well.”

What are your favorite activities to do with dogs?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience with dogs. They want to know if you have any special skills or talents that can benefit the daycare. Try to answer honestly, but also try to highlight a skill that is relevant to the job.

Example: “My favorite activity to do with dogs is taking them on walks. I love exploring new places and meeting other people and their dogs. I find it so rewarding when I get to see a dog overcome its fear of another dog or person. It’s always nice to be able to help someone in need.”

How would you handle a dog that was aggressive or hostile towards you?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to handle challenging situations. Use examples from past experiences and explain how you used problem-solving skills to resolve the situation.

Example: “I once worked at a dog daycare where we had a few dogs that were aggressive towards other dogs. I learned that these dogs needed more one-on-one attention, so I would spend extra time with them during their playtime. This helped me build a relationship with the dog and eventually gain its trust. The dog started playing with other dogs without any issues.”

What is your experience working with animals?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with animals. They want to know if you have any previous experience working with dogs and how well you can handle a large group of them at once. In your answer, share what kind of pets you’ve had in the past and what kind of work experience you have that relates to dog daycare attendants.

Example: “I grew up with two dogs, so I’m very familiar with their behavior. I also volunteered at my local animal shelter for three years, where I learned how to care for all kinds of different animals. There were many times when we would get overwhelmed with too many animals coming into the shelter, so I learned how to manage a large group of animals while still providing each one with individual attention.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to manage a difficult animal behavior issue.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenging situations and whether you have experience with similar issues in your past. Use examples of how you handled a situation that was difficult, but also how you resolved it to show your problem-solving skills.

Example: “In my last role as an animal behaviorist, I had a client who brought their dog into our facility for daycare. The dog would bark at other dogs when they were playing together, which made some of the other dogs uncomfortable. We talked about ways we could work on this issue, including giving the dog treats when he behaved well around other dogs. After several weeks, the dog started barking less often and became more comfortable with the other dogs.”

If a dog was particularly sad or upset when its owner picked it up, how would you handle this situation?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to handle challenging situations and how you might use your empathy skills to comfort a dog. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you would be able to recognize when a dog is upset or sad and have strategies for helping them feel better.

Example: “If I noticed a dog was particularly sad or upset when its owner picked it up, I would first ask the owner if they knew what may have caused this behavior. If they didn’t know, I would try to interact with the dog myself to see if I could figure out what was wrong. For example, maybe the dog missed their owner or wanted more playtime. Once I figured out the cause of the problem, I would do my best to make the dog feel better by offering extra attention or play time.”

What would you do if two dogs started fighting in one of the play areas?

Dog daycare attendants need to be able to handle conflicts between dogs and ensure the safety of all the animals in their care. Your answer should show that you can use your problem-solving skills to diffuse a conflict, keep everyone safe and prevent injuries.

Example: “I would first make sure that no one was injured during the fight. Then I would separate the two dogs and give them time to calm down. Once they were relaxed, I would try to find out what caused the fight. If it happened again, I would take both dogs for a walk or playtime separately until they got along better.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

Employers ask this question to see if you can handle stressful situations. They want to know that you are able to perform well even when the job gets busy and there is a lot of pressure. In your answer, explain how you manage stress and remain calm in high-pressure situations.

Example: “I am very good at handling pressure. I have worked in several fast-paced environments before, so I am used to working quickly while still maintaining quality work. When things get hectic, I stay focused on my tasks and try not to worry about anything else. This helps me keep my composure and continue performing my duties.”

Do you have experience cleaning and maintaining kennels and other dog care equipment?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience with the cleaning and maintenance of dog daycare equipment. They want to make sure that you know how to properly clean kennels, feeding stations and other areas where dogs play and interact. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure these facilities are always clean and safe for dogs.

Example: “I am very familiar with the process of maintaining a dog daycare facility. I worked at my previous job as an assistant manager, so I was responsible for overseeing the cleaning schedule for our facility. We had two employees who cleaned the facility every morning before opening and again in the evening after closing. I also helped train new employees on proper cleaning techniques.”

When should you start introducing a puppy to the dog daycare environment?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your experience with dog daycare and how you interact with puppies. Your answer should include a specific example of when you introduced a puppy to the environment, including what age they were and how it went.

Example: “I usually start introducing puppies to the dog daycare environment around eight weeks old. I do this by taking them into the play area for short periods of time until they’re comfortable being there. Then, I gradually increase their time in the play area over the next few weeks. This helps me ensure that the puppy is comfortable in the environment before other dogs are present.”

We want to improve our customer service. How would you improve your communication with dog owners?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you can improve their company’s customer service. They want to know that you have ideas for improving the quality of their services and making customers happier. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to make sure dog owners feel welcome at the daycare.

Example: “I think one way I could improve communication with dog owners is by having a system in place where they can check on their dogs throughout the day. For example, I could create a website or app where they can log in and see photos of their dogs playing. This would allow them to see exactly what their dogs are doing while they’re away. It also gives me an opportunity to send out regular updates about the daycare.”

Describe your process for monitoring the overall happiness and well-being of the dogs in your care.

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure the safety of all dogs in your care. Use examples from your previous experience to explain how you monitor dog happiness, well-being and overall health.

Example: “I always start my day by checking in on each dog’s individual needs. I make sure they are fed, hydrated and comfortable. If a dog seems unhappy or uncomfortable, I will check for any injuries or other issues that may be causing them distress. For example, if a dog has separation anxiety, I will try to find another dog to play with them so they feel more at ease.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for a dog daycare attendant position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are the best candidate for the job. Consider mentioning any experience or skills that relate to the position.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate because I have extensive dog handling experience. In my last role as a dog walker, I cared for many different breeds of dogs. I learned how to handle dogs with behavioral issues and how to keep them safe while they were outside. I also understand the importance of safety procedures in a dog daycare facility. I know how to follow all rules and regulations set by the American Kennel Club.”

Which dog breeds do you have the most experience with?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with a variety of dogs. If you have worked with many different breeds, share your experiences and how they helped you develop skills to work with all types of dogs.

Example: “I’ve had the most experience with small-breed dogs like pugs and dachshunds because I used to volunteer at an animal shelter where we primarily cared for these types of dogs. However, I also volunteered at a dog daycare facility that specialized in larger breeds, so I learned how to handle more energetic dogs as well.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of being a dog daycare attendant?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what it takes to be a good dog daycare attendant. You can answer this question by describing your personal approach to working with dogs and how it benefits them.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of being a dog daycare attendant is making sure each dog has fun while they’re at work. I know that if my job was to play all day, I would have so much fun that I wouldn’t want to leave. Dogs are no different, and I make it a point to interact with every dog in the facility to ensure they feel comfortable and happy.”

How often should you clean a dog’s food bowl?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. In your answer, provide the specific steps for cleaning a dog’s food bowl and explain why it is important to clean it often.

Example: “I would recommend cleaning a dog’s food bowl after every meal. This ensures that the bowls are sanitary at all times. If I notice any residue or buildup on the bowls, I will wash them immediately. Dog food bowls should be washed with hot water and soap. After washing, they should be rinsed thoroughly and dried completely before being placed back in the cage.”

There is a new dog in the play area, but it won’t interact with the other dogs. How do you handle this?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your ability to handle potentially challenging situations. In your answer, demonstrate that you can use your problem-solving skills and interpersonal skills to help the dog feel comfortable in the play area.

Example: “I would first try to get the new dog’s attention by calling its name or clapping my hands. If it doesn’t respond, I would then call for one of the other attendants to come over and help me distract the dog with some treats. Once the dog is distracted, we would encourage it to interact with us and the other dogs. We would also give it time alone if it seems overwhelmed.”