How to Join Dog Daycare at The Dogchester
Our small-group dog daycare in Lesmahagow begins with a £30 full-day assessment. We take time to understand your dog before welcoming them as a regular daycare member.
We are selective because your dog’s experience matters.
Our aim is never simply to fill places. We want every Doggie Daycare group to feel safe, fair and genuinely enjoyable for the dogs in it.
That means looking at your dog as an individual: their size, confidence, previous experiences, play style, social communication, ability to settle and the companions who are most likely to suit them.
Not every dog needs group daycare, and that is completely okay. We will always be honest about whether this is the right environment for your dog.
A full daycare day to get to know your dog.
Our £30 assessment takes place across a real daycare day, allowing us to observe how your dog settles, interacts, rests and responds to the environment.
Drop-off is between 7am and 10am, with collection normally between 4pm and 7pm. Please allow approximately 15–20 minutes for your welcome tour at first drop-off.
Questionnaire & welcome tour
Complete our dog questionnaire before attending. At your first drop-off, we’ll show you around, introduce your dog to their staff member and discuss their history and needs.
Gentle introductions
We introduce your dog gradually to staff, the environment and, where appropriate, carefully selected canine companions. No dog is rushed into group interaction.
Activities & rest
Across the day we assess confidence, communication, suitable play, enrichment, handling and the ability to settle and rest. Activities are adapted to the individual dog.
Assessment outcome
We share our observations and explain whether regular daycare is suitable. If your dog is approved, you can book future daycare days as a member.
More than “does your dog like other dogs?”
A dog can be friendly and still prefer certain group sizes, ages or styles of play. We look at the full picture.
- Confidence in a new environment and with unfamiliar staff
- Social skills, communication and comfort around other dogs
- Response to staff guidance, recall and gentle interruption
- Ability to settle, rest and recover after activity
- Signs of stress, overstimulation, anxiety or shutdown
- Destructive behaviour, separation-related distress or unsafe chewing
- Whether they may be a flight risk around doors, gates, leads or boundaries
- Which companions, activities and daycare arrangements are the safest, happiest fit
Ready to find out whether daycare is right for your dog?
Book a £30 full-day dog daycare assessment at The Dogchester in Lesmahagow, near the M74. We’ll guide you through every step.
Book a £30 Full-Day Assessment