By booking a Dogchester Daycare Assessment Day or regular daycare visit, the owner confirms that they have read, understood and accepted these Daycare Terms, Conditions & Policies.

All bookings are subject to availability and the dog’s ongoing suitability for daycare.

The person making the booking is responsible for ensuring that information provided regarding the dog is complete, accurate and kept up to date.

All new dogs must successfully complete a Dogchester Daycare Assessment Day before attending regular daycare.

Assessment takes place gradually throughout a real daycare day. We may consider the dog’s interaction with staff, handling, settling, arousal, communication, response to other dogs, play style, ability to disengage, response around food or resources, barriers and their general comfort within the daycare environment.

Successful completion of an Assessment Day does not guarantee permanent acceptance. Daycare suitability is continually reviewed.

Dogs must attend daycare at least once per calendar month to maintain active Daycare Membership.

A dog returning following an extended absence may be required to complete a further assessment before returning to normal daycare.

Owners must provide complete and accurate information regarding their dog’s behavioural, medical and social history.

This includes, but is not limited to, any history of:

• Growling, snapping or biting.
• Aggression or reactivity towards people or dogs.
• Resource guarding.
• Handling sensitivity or aggression.
• Separation-related distress.
• Escape behaviour.
• Significant fear or anxiety.
• Dog-to-dog incidents or injuries.
• Incidents involving a person.
• Previous exclusion from daycare, boarding, grooming or similar services.
• Any behaviour which could reasonably affect safety or welfare.

Disclosure of a behavioural concern does not automatically result in refusal. We consider the individual dog, circumstances, context and triggers.

Knowingly withholding or misrepresenting relevant information may result in refusal of admission, early collection, suspension or termination of Daycare Membership.

Information provided during registration and assessment must be kept up to date.

Owners must inform Dogchester before their dog’s next visit of any significant change in:

• Health or mobility.
• Medication.
• Behaviour.
• Sociability with dogs.
• Behaviour towards people.
• Handling tolerance.
• Food or resource guarding.
• Allergies or dietary requirements.
• Reproductive status.
• Any bite, fight, aggression or significant behavioural incident.

This responsibility continues throughout the dog’s Daycare Membership.

Dogs vary considerably in how much interaction they enjoy with other dogs. Some dogs are highly social, some tolerant, some selective, while others may be uncomfortable around particular dogs or social situations.

Social preferences can change throughout a dog’s life because of maturity, experiences, health, age and individual preference.

Dogchester continually considers whether each dog appears comfortable, safe and genuinely able to enjoy the daycare environment.

We may alter a dog’s group, activities or management, request reassessment, pause attendance or withdraw Daycare Membership where we reasonably believe this is appropriate for welfare or safety.

Booking daycare does not guarantee that a dog will participate in group play or spend the entire day interacting with other dogs.

Dogchester provides structured, enrichment-based daycare rather than continuous high-arousal play.

Activities may include supervised social interaction, exercise, nature walks, scent work, enrichment, training, rest and individual activities.

Staff determine appropriate groups and activities according to the individual dogs attending, including behaviour, communication, play style, arousal, health and welfare.

Dogs will not be forced to socialise.

The owner or nominated emergency contact must remain contactable while the dog is attending Dogchester.

Dogchester may end an Assessment Day or daycare visit early where we reasonably consider this necessary because of behaviour, distress, illness, injury, handling concerns or another welfare or safety issue.

Where collection is requested, the owner or nominated emergency contact must arrange collection as soon as reasonably possible.

An Assessment Day or daycare visit which is ended early remains payable in full because the dog’s place, facilities and staffing have been reserved for that day.

Dogs must be fit and healthy enough to attend daycare.

Dogs must not attend where they are unwell or where their condition may pose an infectious-health risk to other dogs.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Coughing or unusual wheezing.
• Vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Weeping or unusual eye discharge.
• Fleas or ticks.
• Potentially infectious or unexplained skin conditions.
• Open wounds.
• Wounds where stitches remain present.
• Any illness or injury which may make daycare inappropriate.

Dogchester may refuse admission where staff reasonably believe that a dog is not fit to attend.

Where admission is refused on arrival for this reason, the booking remains payable.

If you are unsure whether your dog is fit to attend, please discuss this with management before bringing them to Dogchester.

Brachycephalic or flat-faced dogs can be at increased risk of breathing difficulty and overheating, particularly during higher-energy activity and warm weather.

Risk may be increased further when physical activity and warm weather occur together.

Dogchester will manage activity according to the individual dog and environmental conditions and may reduce, modify or stop exercise or social activity where we believe this is appropriate for the dog’s welfare.

We strongly recommend veterinary clearance before enrolling a brachycephalic dog in daycare, so that owners can discuss with their own veterinary professional whether daycare and the associated level of activity are appropriate for their individual dog.

Owners must disclose any history of breathing difficulty, exercise intolerance, overheating, collapse, airway surgery or other relevant medical concerns before attendance.

Dogchester recognises that owners may make different informed decisions regarding the vaccination schedule and preventative healthcare they consider appropriate for their individual dog.

Owners are responsible for making informed healthcare decisions for their dog and are encouraged to discuss these decisions with their veterinary professional where appropriate.

Regardless of vaccination choices, dogs attending Dogchester must be fit and healthy to attend.

Puppies may attend daycare from 12 weeks of age, subject to assessment and suitability.

Dogchester does not impose a maximum age for daycare.

Older dogs may continue attending provided they remain physically comfortable, appropriately fit and continue to enjoy the daycare environment.

Entire male dogs may attend subject to normal behavioural assessment and ongoing suitability.

Females in season are considered on a case-by-case basis and must be discussed with management before attendance.

Depending on the dogs booked and our operational capacity, we may be able to accommodate a female in season where there are no relevant intact males attending, or provide individually managed daycare without group play.

Pregnant and pseudo-pregnant dogs cannot attend daycare.

All relevant injuries, medical conditions, recent procedures and changes in health must be disclosed before attendance.

Medical conditions are considered on a case-by-case basis and Dogchester may refuse or modify daycare where a condition makes normal attendance inappropriate.

Oral medication may be administered by prior agreement with management.

Medication must be supplied with clear written instructions, including the medication name, required dose and administration time.

We may request further information regarding the reason medication is required before agreeing to administer it or accepting the dog for daycare.

Owners must provide accurate emergency-contact information and details of their usual veterinary practice.

If a dog becomes ill or injured while attending, Dogchester will make reasonable efforts to contact the owner and/or nominated emergency contact.

Where veterinary attention is required, we may arrange transport to the dog’s usual veterinary practice where practical, or to the nearest or most appropriate available veterinary practice.

In an emergency, the dog’s immediate welfare will take priority and veterinary treatment may be sought where delaying treatment in order to contact the owner could compromise the dog’s health or welfare.

Owners remain responsible for veterinary fees, treatment costs and reasonable associated costs.

Standard daycare drop-off is between 7am and 10am.

Standard collection is between 4pm and 7pm.

Dogchester cannot facilitate drop-off before 7am.

Earlier collection may be arranged where required.

Subject to space and staff availability, late collection up to 9pm may be available for an additional £15.

Late collection must be agreed directly with reception in advance and should not be assumed to be available without confirmation.

Dogs will only be released to their registered owner or another person authorised by the owner.

If somebody else will collect the dog, Dogchester must be notified before collection.

Owners should ideally provide a photograph or sufficient identifying information regarding the authorised collector.

Dogchester may request identification or refuse to release a dog where staff cannot reasonably verify that the person has authority to collect them.

Owners should provide any required lunch or snack in a clearly named plastic bag or suitable food container.

Specific feeding instructions must be supplied clearly in writing and attached to the dog’s food.

Owners must disclose all known allergies, food intolerances, dietary restrictions and any history of food or resource guarding.

Dogchester may use food and treats during training, assessment and enrichment unless instructed otherwise.

Dogs must arrive securely restrained on a suitable lead.

Owners should provide a secure collar and comfortable, appropriately fitted harness for nature walks and other suitable activities.

Dogchester does not accept choke chains, prong collars, shock/e-collars or other equipment designed to inflict pain, fear or intimidation.

Dogchester requires at least 7 days’ notice to cancel or transfer a daycare or Assessment Day booking.

Once a booking falls within 7 days of the booked date, it becomes non-refundable and non-transferable.

Failure to attend does not remove the obligation to pay for the booked place.

Where a dog cannot be admitted because they arrive unwell, unsuitable for attendance or contrary to these policies, the booking remains subject to the same cancellation terms.

These provisions do not affect statutory consumer rights which cannot lawfully be excluded.

Please do not bring toys from home unless specifically requested by Dogchester.

Dogchester provides appropriate equipment and enrichment items during daycare.

Personal belongings left at Dogchester are left at the owner’s risk. Valuable or irreplaceable items should not be brought to daycare.

Owners are responsible for reasonable costs arising from significant damage caused by their dog to Dogchester property, fixtures or equipment.

This is intended to cover significant or abnormal damage and does not apply to reasonable wear and tear associated with normal dog daycare.

Photography and video form part of the normal operation of Dogchester Daycare.

Dogs may be photographed or filmed during assessments, training, enrichment, social interaction, exercise and other daycare activities.

Dog-focused photographs and video may be used for:

• Updates to owners.
• Behavioural or staff review.
• Staff training.
• Education.
• Dogchester social-media channels.
• Dogchester websites.
• Advertising and promotional material.

Dogchester media is intended to focus on the dogs. Identifiable images of owners or visitors will not intentionally be used for promotional purposes without appropriate permission.

Dogchester takes reasonable precautions to provide a professionally managed and supervised environment.

Owners nevertheless acknowledge that normal canine activity and interaction between dogs involves inherent risks which cannot be entirely eliminated.

Dogs may run, play, wrestle, explore outdoor areas and interact with other dogs. Minor scratches, grazes, strains, bumps or similar incidents can occasionally occur even where dogs are appropriately supervised.

Nothing within these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits liability where it would be unlawful to do so.

Dogchester may refuse admission, require early collection, modify a dog’s daycare arrangements, request reassessment, suspend attendance or terminate Daycare Membership where reasonably necessary.

This may include:

• Health or welfare concerns.
• Unsafe behaviour.
• Significant distress or inability to settle.
• A dog no longer appearing to enjoy the daycare environment.
• Significant undisclosed behavioural or medical information.
• Risk to staff or other dogs.
• Repeated breach of these policies.
• Failure to maintain minimum attendance.
• Significant changes in the dog’s behaviour or circumstances.

Decisions are based on safe and appropriate operation of daycare and the welfare of the individual dog and wider group, rather than solely on whether a dog has previously passed an assessment.

Owners are responsible for ensuring that Dogchester has current telephone numbers, emergency-contact information and relevant veterinary details.

The owner or nominated emergency contact must be reasonably contactable while the dog is attending daycare.

The nominated emergency contact should be somebody capable of making arrangements for the dog, including collection where required.

Dogchester may update its daycare procedures, operating arrangements, prices and policies from time to time.

Current information will be published on the Dogchester website or otherwise communicated to clients where appropriate.

Owners are responsible for reviewing the current policies when making future bookings.

These Daycare Terms, Conditions & Policies are governed by the laws of Scotland.

Nothing contained within these Terms & Conditions is intended to exclude or restrict statutory consumer rights which cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.