Before daycare or boarding
First visit / Trial meet & greet
A short, arranged introduction so your dog meets us, sees the kennel and settles in before a real stay. Quoted by message; often the best first step.
What it is
You bring your dog to us at an agreed time. We meet at the gate, walk through the runs together, and let your dog explore at their own pace while we talk about their routine. It is a suitability check for both sides, not a training session.
How long
About 20–30 minutes. If your dog is comfortable, we can extend into a short trial daycare session on the same day by arrangement.
Who it helps
- Anxious or shy dogs who do better with a slow introduction
- First-time boarders who have never slept away from home
- Puppies on their first stay away, once vaccinations allow
- Owners who want to see the space and meet the people before committing
What to bring
- Your dog's vaccination certificate (or a photo of it) and any relevant health records
- A secure lead, collar or harness
- Notes on feeding, medication, allergies and anything that worries your dog (noises, other dogs, handling)
- An emergency contact and your vet's details
What we look at
- How your dog greets new people and settles after the first few minutes
- Reaction to the other dogs in the runs, from a safe distance
- Handling: lead, collar, being moved between areas
- Any health, mobility or behaviour notes that change how we set up their run
What happens after
We tell you honestly whether daycare or boarding is a good fit right now, and what would make it easier if not. Your notes go on your dog's profile so the next booking starts from what we learned. Members can book the real stay online straight away; the deposit is a small percentage paid by card, with the balance at pickup.
Vaccination rules apply to the first visit as well: core vaccinations current and kennel cough given at least 14 days beforehand. See the boarding requirements for details. Boarding requirements