First visit
Every new daycare dog starts with two quiet hours.
We call it an assessment but really it's an introduction. Your dog comes in for a short, calm visit so we can see how they handle the space, meet a few other dogs, and settle. Nobody's tested. Nobody's failed. We're just making sure daycare is genuinely right for your dog before they're here all day.
Already done your assessment? Book daycare online → · See pricing & packs
Photo:
New dog being introduced to the space, calm and curious
The 2 hours
What actually happens.
15 min
Hand-over & chat
You meet the staff who'll be with your dog. We run through any quirks, fears, food sensitivities — anything we need to know to do right by them.
~1 hr
Gentle intro
Your dog enters a calm zone with one or two well-matched mates. We watch how they read other dogs and how they respond to staff. If they settle, we open it up.
45 min
Wider play & debrief
If your dog's comfortable, they join a bigger group for a play. When you come back we'll tell you what we saw and how it'd look if they joined full daycare.
Before you come
What to bring & have ready.
Knock these out before drop-off and the morning runs smoothly.
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Filled intake form
Download the PDF above, fill it in, bring it with you (or email it ahead).
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Vaccination records
C5 or equivalent up to date. We need to see proof at or before the assessment.
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A flat collar & leash
No retractable leads at drop-off — keeps things calm and predictable at the door.
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Anything they need
Medications, special food if any. Most dogs don't need anything beyond water (which we provide).
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A bit of patience
First-time daycare dogs can be wired or overwhelmed for an hour after. Totally normal — they'll sleep it off.
Common worries
"Will my dog be okay?"
My dog has never been to daycare. Most dogs we meet haven't — that's exactly what the assessment is for. A short, controlled visit beats throwing them in the deep end.
My dog is shy / reactive on lead. Tell us when you call. We've worked with plenty of dogs who present nervous on lead but settle beautifully off it. We design the assessment around what you tell us.
My dog isn't desexed. No problem — we accept all dogs once they've passed the assessment. The one exception is females in heat, who need to skip those days.
What if it doesn't work out? Honest answer: occasionally daycare isn't right for a dog and we'll tell you. That's the whole point of the assessment — better to find out in two hours than across a whole day.
Pick up the phone.
Assessments are booked by phone so we can chat through your dog before you come in.
