Every new hotel guest completes a Trial Night before a longer stay. It gives us the chance to meet your dog, understand their individual needs and see how comfortably they settle into the Dogchester environment.

Trial Nights normally take place from Tuesday to Thursday. You will have a tour, we will discuss your dog’s routine and needs, and we will give you an honest update after their stay.

We will contact you with the outcome, normally the following day. This may be full membership, restricted membership where a dog needs specific arrangements, or an honest decision that our setting may not be the right fit.

A second Trial Night may occasionally be recommended if a dog needs a little more time to settle before we can make a responsible decision.

To keep a dog familiar with The Dogchester, members should usually complete either one longer stay each year or four shorter stays across the year.

If it has been a long time since your dog last stayed, we may recommend a refresher Trial Night or assessment before another longer booking.

Our usual minimum stay is two nights. A Trial Night is a separate one-night assessment stay for new guests.

Standard check-in is from 2:00–4:00pm. Early check-in is available from 10:00am–12:00pm for an additional £20.

Standard check-out is from 10:00am–12:00pm. Late check-out is available from 2:00–4:00pm for an additional £40, subject to availability. Collections after 8:00pm require an additional night’s booking.

• Your dog’s usual food, clearly labelled and portioned where possible
• Any oral medication, in its original packaging, with clear written instructions
• A well-fitting harness, flat collar and lead for safe walks
• Any important routine information that will help us care for your dog well

A comfort item from home can be helpful, but please avoid small, easily swallowed or easily shredded toys.

Yes — and we usually prefer it. Familiar food helps keep your dog’s routine consistent and reduces the risk of an upset tummy while they are away from home.

Please bring enough food for the full stay, labelled clearly with your dog’s name and feeding instructions. We will always ask before making any changes to food unless urgent welfare or veterinary advice makes that necessary.

We know it matters to see that your dog is happy and settled. Standard Deluxe Suite guests usually receive one update each day. VIP Suite guests receive two to three daily updates, while Sunshine Cottage guests receive four daily updates.

We believe in full transparency. If there is anything you need to know — whether it is a lovely nature walk, a change in appetite or even a dodgy poo — we will communicate honestly.

We can accommodate many stable, minor conditions and oral medication, provided they are disclosed and agreed in advance. We may ask for veterinary confirmation where appropriate.

We cannot provide injections, intensive monitoring, specialist nursing care or forced medication. Please contact us before booking if your dog has a heart condition, mobility issue, seizure history or any ongoing medical need.

Some older dogs can enjoy The Dogchester very successfully, but we assess every senior guest individually. As a guide, this usually means dogs aged 14+ for small breeds, 11+ for medium breeds, 9+ for large breeds and 7+ for extra-large breeds.

We may request a veterinary letter and require a reliable emergency contact who can collect promptly if your dog’s needs change during their stay.

Many dogs who prefer space, need solo walks or are nervous in new settings can enjoy The Dogchester very successfully. We use the Trial Night to understand what support they need and whether our environment is a good fit.

Dog-reactive dogs may be suitable where they can be safely handled and have no recent injury history involving another dog. They can enjoy carefully managed solo walks, private field time and individual enrichment rather than Social Club.

We cannot safely accept dogs who are human-aggressive, unsafe to handle, highly destructive to soft furnishings, require injections, or need a level of nursing care that a dog hotel cannot responsibly provide.

We may also be unable to accept dogs with recent or repeated seizures, significant heart conditions, or dogs whose welfare is likely to be compromised by boarding. These decisions are always made to protect the dog, other guests and our team.

Social Club is a small, calm, supervised group experience for dogs who genuinely enjoy appropriate company. It is not automatic and is separate from hotel membership.

Suitable dogs are introduced gradually and assessed for their communication, comfort and enjoyment. Dogs who prefer solo walks, field time and enrichment can still have a wonderful Dogchester stay.

Yes, where dogs live together happily and are safe sharing accommodation. If they show tension or conflict during their stay, we may need to separate them into additional accommodation where available, or arrange early collection if that is not possible.

Dogs must have appropriate vaccination cover or an accepted titre test. A kennel cough waiver may be possible in some circumstances, so please ask us before booking if your dog has not had this vaccination.

All guests must also be on an effective flea and tick prevention programme. Please tell us immediately if your dog shows signs of illness before arrival.

Please tell us before booking if your dog may be in season during her stay. We may be able to accommodate her in Sunshine Cottage, subject to availability and an additional isolation charge.

We cannot guarantee that this will always be possible, particularly during busy periods, so early communication is essential.

Your dog’s welfare comes first. If they are persistently distressed, unable to settle, unsafe to handle, unwell, destructive or showing signs that boarding is compromising their wellbeing, we will contact you and your emergency contact to agree the next step.

In some situations, collection may be required. This is never a punishment or a failure — it is simply the right decision for the dog.