Arrival / Departure

• Check-in: 2:00–4:00pm
• Early check-in: 10:00–12:00 (+£20). Earlier than 10am → book the previous night.
• Check-out: 10:00am–12:00pm
• Late check-out: 2:00–4:00pm (+£20)
• Collection up to 9:00pm: please book an additional night

• Your dog’s own food (labelled). Fridge & freezer storage available.
• Medication with clear written instructions (oral medication only).
• Your dog’s flat collar, well-fitting harness, and lead (see “Collars, Harnesses & Training Tools”).
• Optional: a comfort item from home — avoid chokeables (tiny balls/rope toys).

We provide beds, bowls, slow feeders, and enrichment set-ups. 🎁

Three days before arrival you’ll receive a pre-arrival email with a link to update your dog’s profile.
Please ensure details are accurate and fully disclosed (especially medical and behavioural history).

MedicationMonitoringPreparationIf your dog has any active medical conditions, please email details to info@thedogchester.co.uk.
It’s imperative we are fully prepared prior to arrival — medical issues can be exacerbated by stress.

The Dogchester is designed as a fun holiday destination for dogs (think kids’ club / 18–30s holiday vibe):
structured outdoor time, enrichment, stimulation and routine changes. While we’re highly skilled in behaviour and welfare,
we are not veterinary professionals. For ethical reasons, we only accept dogs whose medical needs we can safely meet in a non-clinical environment.

Mandatory disclosure

• All medical conditions must be disclosed before booking (or immediately if something develops).
• Even if your dog stayed under previous management, we may request a meet/trial for dogs with medical conditions.
• If an undisclosed medical condition is identified and we believe we cannot provide appropriate care, the booking may be terminated without refund.

We do NOT accept

• Palliative care / end-of-life care: not accepted (full stop).
• Seizures: not accepted if your dog has had a seizure within the last 6 months.
• Conditions requiring injections, intensive monitoring, or specialist nursing.
• Dogs who must be forced to take essential medication.
• Conditions we believe could be dangerously exacerbated by boarding stress.

Geriatric dogs (beyond typical life expectancy)

• New customers: we do not accept geriatric dogs.
• Regulars only: may be considered case-by-case if they are very well settled when here.
• We require full vet history, written vet confirmation the dog is fit to board, and an emergency contact collection guarantee.

Minor conditions we may accept (case-by-case)

• Allergies / skin conditions
• Occasional ear conditions
• Other minor stable conditions with prior written approval

Nature walksLong grassPrevention requiredDogs staying at The Dogchester will enjoy nature walks through long country grass and natural environments.
This makes it essential that your dog is kept up to date with vet-recommended parasite prevention.

• Please ensure your dog is on a current flea, tick and worming programme.
• If parasites are observed during the stay, we may need to apply treatment and/or contact a vet.
• Any parasite treatment, products, or veterinary costs required will be charged to the owner.

IsolationWelfare firstImmediate collectionIf we observe symptoms that suggest a contagious illness (for example: repeated vomiting/diarrhoea, coughing, suspected kennel cough,
lethargy with fever indicators, or other concerning symptoms), we must protect the welfare of your dog and all guests.

What we will do

• Your dog will be isolated immediately and kept away from other dogs.
• We will contact you and your local emergency contact right away.
• We will require your dog to be collected immediately by your emergency contact (or you, if you are local).

Must be localMust collectCommitment requiredYou must provide an emergency contact who is local and who can commit to collecting your dog
should we believe your dog is unwell, injured, not coping, or needs to leave for welfare reasons.

• Your emergency contact must be reachable and willing to collect your dog at short notice.
• If you do not have someone suitable, please speak to your vet — some veterinary clinics may be willing to act as the emergency contact,
  where your dog can be collected and boarded at the vets if required.

StressWelfare firstEarly collectionBoarding is not suitable for every dog, even if they are “good dogs”. Some dogs experience significant stress away from home,
and we will always prioritise welfare over “pushing through”.

Examples of “not coping” indicators

• Persistent distress vocalisation (especially night-time barking that does not improve)
• Panic behaviours, frantic pacing, repeated escape attempts
• Refusing food for a prolonged period alongside stress indicators
• Stress-linked soiling, repeated vomiting, or intense shutdown behaviours
• Escalating aggression or unsafe handling risks

Heat riskRespiratoryVet approvalFlat-faced breeds (Boxers, Pekingese, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, etc.) can struggle to breathe
in warmer weather and when adrenaline/stress is high.

During warmer months, we strongly recommend you do not board high-risk brachycephalic dogs.
If you wish to board your brachycephalic dog during summer, we require a written vet letter/email
confirming your dog is fit and healthy to cope with warmer temperatures and the boarding environment.

If your dog would be calmer at home, we can recommend reputable pet-sitters.

HeatIce/StormsSafety firstFor safety and welfare, activities may be modified during extreme weather (heatwaves, storms, ice, high winds, etc.).
This may include shorter walks, more indoor enrichment, adjusted play schedules, and additional rest.

• We prioritise hydration, shade, and calm enrichment during hot weather.
• We may reduce outdoor time during storms/high winds for safety.
• Some dogs (especially brachycephalics, seniors, and dogs with medical conditions) may be restricted further.

SafetyPositive handlingNature walks

Required for nature walks

• Your dog must attend with a flat collar and a well-fitting harness.
• The lead is attached to the harness, with an additional safety connection clipped to the collar (backup attachment).

We do not allow

• Slip leads, martingales, choke chains
• Prong collars, shock/e-collars
• Any tool designed to use pain, discomfort, or fear to control behaviour

ComfortMobilityTrial stayWe adore seniors. Once dogs are beyond typical life expectancy, the risk of health events increases — especially with the added stress of boarding.
Geriatric guests are accepted only as established regulars, and only with vet clearance + emergency collection guarantee.

Home-from-homeSuite safetyWe love exuberant characters — but our home-style suites include soft furnishings. We can clear some rooms; however, skirting, doors and flooring remain.
Due to past repair costs we require a trial night where destruction is likely, and may recommend an alternative provider for excessively destructive dogs.

Calm hotelSettling plansWe’re building a stress-reduced hotel — relaxation music, nature walks and enrichment feeding.
Alert barking on arrivals is normal; persistent or night-time barking unsettles resting dogs and our on-site family.

If barking is excessive we’ll advise alternatives and share recommendations.

HousekeepingHotel standardsThe Dogchester is run as a hotel-style environment, so maintaining clean, fresh rooms is essential.
Dogs are given ample opportunities to toilet outdoors throughout the day.

Occasionally, a dog may urinate, defecate, or vomit in their suite. When this happens, it requires a mid-stay deep clean,
which can be time-consuming and may take staff away from other dogs.

• Extra cleaning can create time delays during busy shifts.
• In some cases, staff may need to start early to keep standards and routines on track.
• We want every suite to remain clean, hygienic, and hotel-fresh.

If soiling becomes frequent or appears linked to stress or a medical issue, we may contact you and may request early collection where appropriate.

Owner choiceProof of immunityWe respect informed owner choice. We accept titre tests as proof of immunity (with appropriate vet documentation).
Please ensure records are current and available.

Solo walksCareful routingHonest historyWe can accommodate dogs who are reactive or uncomfortable around other dogs with individual exercise and careful routing.
Suites have solid walls/doors to reduce visual triggers.

• If a dog has injured another dog requiring veterinary treatment in the past 18 months, boarding may not be suitable.
• Social Club is reserved for truly social dogs.

Staff safetyEligibilityFor safety reasons we cannot accept dogs with a recent human bite history (last two years).
Please email us if you’re unsure.

Trust-buildingLow-stress handlingWe often build lovely bonds with initially hand-shy dogs using gentle approaches and positive reinforcement.
If we cannot safely apply a harness/lead, we cannot provide walks or safe care — please discuss concerns with us ahead of time.

EligibilitySocial ClubRespectful playWe do accept intact males. However, testosterone-linked competitive behaviours can make some dogs less suitable for Social Club.
Intact males should be well-practised meeting unfamiliar dogs, respond reliably to handler guidance, and show respect for other dogs’ requests for space.

Social Club access is at our discretion following assessment.

Sunshine CottageSeparationOn-call contactWe strongly recommend avoiding stays while a female is in season, as proximity to multiple dogs can be stressful.
If your dog will be in season (or starts unexpectedly), we may be able to continue the stay by moving her to Sunshine Cottage
— our premier VIP suite located separately with more space and privacy.

• In-season females are not eligible for Social Club.
• An emergency contact must be on standby to collect if we believe her presence is causing distress or is operationally unsuitable.

Many in-season stays are unremarkable and go smoothly — we’ll assess case-by-case.

Kibble/Wet/FreshFrozen RawNo cooking on siteWe accept most diets including kibble, wet, fresh, and owner-supplied frozen raw (pre-portioned and labelled).
We cannot accept diets that require cooking as we do not have kitchen facilities for guest meals.

Coming soon: an optional home-cooked complete meal add-on you can select during booking.

SafetyNo chokeablesHotel housekeepingComfort items are welcome, but we must keep the environment safe and hygienic.

• Please avoid high-risk items such as tiny balls, rope toys, or anything your dog could swallow or shred.
• We may remove items if we believe there is a choking, guarding, or ingestion risk.
• We cannot be responsible for loss or damage to personal belongings during normal use, play, or cleaning.

Family dogsSafetyContingencyDogs from the same household may share a suite if they live together peacefully and you request shared accommodation.

If aggression occurs between your household dogs

• If available, we will require you to book a second room so we can split the dogs and continue boarding safely.
• If a second room is not available (or aggression is severe), one or both dogs may need to be collected early.

We cannot allow inter-household aggression while dogs are staying at the hotel.

InsurancePolicyMix breedsWhy this policy? Due to insurance restrictions, certain dog breeds (and their mixes) are unfortunately not permitted,
as we would not be covered for any incident that occurred.

This policy is shaped by insurance requirements — not by an assessment of individual temperament.
We know behaviour is influenced by upbringing and training, but we must ensure our staff and canine guests are covered while at The Dogchester.

Restricted list (examples include):

• Cane Corso
• Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull type
• XL Bully
• Dogo Argentino
• Presa Canario
• American Bulldog
• Mastino Napoletano (Neapolitan Mastiff)
• Bullmastiff
• Boerboel
• Caucasian Shepherd
• Japanese Tosa (Tosa Inu)
• Fila Brasileiro

Mixed breeds: dogs that are mixes containing any of the above may also be affected by this policy.

• Fully supervised sessions; no toys (reduces resource guarding).
• Positive reinforcement recall and handler guidance.
• We interrupt mounting, bullying and overly intense play.
• We encourage sniffing & thinking games, not frantic chaos.
• Dogs who guard food/treats around other dogs are not suitable for Social Club.

If your dog visited before the ownership changeover, we may request a trial to ensure compatibility with our updated routines and standards.
For short stays, the trial may be carried out during the stay where possible.

• Handling: can staff attach a lead and provide routine care comfortably?
• Settling: how do they settle in their suite? (Barking/distress matters.)
• Destructiveness: bedrooms with furnishings require dogs to rest safely unsupervised.
• Optional Social Club check: play style assessed before joining group play.
• Health suitability: confirms medical needs fit what non-medical staff can safely manage.

• Standard Deluxe: private room, TV, chandelier, terrace access. Includes 1 daily update + walk OR enrichment OR cuddle session.
• VIPooch Suites: themed rooms + human bed. Includes 2 daily updates + walk + enrichment + cuddle session.
• Sunshine Cottage: luxury lodge suite. Includes meal-time company + walk + enrichment + cuddle session + welcome gift bag.

• Standard Deluxe: £45/night + £22.50 per extra dog
• VIPooch Suites: £60/night + £22.50 per extra dog
• Sunshine Cottage: £75/night + £22.50 per extra dog

🎄 Christmas & New Year: +£20 per room on 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st Dec & 1st Jan

Because we are a small, limited-capacity business with just 11 suites, cancellations have a significant impact on our ability to operate. The following terms are designed to be fair while allowing us to plan staffing and availability responsibly.

Refunds & Charges

More than 3 months before check-in
• Cancellations made more than 3 months prior to the check-in date are refundable, minus a 5% processing/holding fee.

Between 3 months and 6 weeks before check-in
• Cancellations made within this period are chargeable at 50% of the total booking fee.
• Any amount already paid will be offset against this balance due.

Within 6 weeks of check-in
• Cancellations made within 6 weeks of the check-in date are chargeable in full (100%) and non-refundable.

• Where a cancellation results in an outstanding balance under the above terms:

  • The balance remains payable by the original check-in date.
  • We reserve the right to pause or decline future bookings until any outstanding balance has been settled.
  • This applies to existing and future bookings under the same client account.

  Emergencies

  In the event of a verified emergency, we may, at our discretion, offer a time-limited credit in place of a refund. Supporting documentation may be requested.

Transparency Hotel standardsWe aim to be transparent and fair. Additional charges apply only where extra time, specialist handling, or extra resources are required.

• Mid-stay deep clean (soiling/vomiting): €5 per clean (per room).
• Vet transport / handling: £50 per hour (plus any vet costs).
• Extra handling support: dogs requiring additional handling may be required to book training sessions.
• Where an additional fee is required, we will confirm this in writing wherever possible.

• Dogs must be in good physical & mental health and safe to handle.
• No contagious illness, open wounds, or post-surgery recovery stays.
• Additional needs must be disclosed and approved in advance.

Positive reinforcement only. No aversive handling tools or correction-based methods are used.

Comfort items are welcome, but please avoid choke/swallow risks. We cannot take responsibility for loss/damage during normal use or cleaning.

• We will attempt to contact you/your emergency contact immediately.
• If your contact cannot attend, we can transport your dog to a vet at £50/hour.
• If unreachable, you authorise treatment up to £1,000.
• All veterinary costs are the owner’s responsibility.

We photograph and film dogs for updates and promotional use. By using our service you consent to this use.

• You accept responsibility for injuries or damage caused by your dog.
• Dogs may behave differently away from home (normal).

Your data is used only for booking and care, stored securely, and never sold.

Policies may be updated at any time. Governed by Scottish law.