Every Dogchester holiday starts with a Trial Night.
It is how we get to know your dog properly, make sure they feel comfortable here and create the best possible stay for them.
Because your dog’s happiness matters more than filling a room.
The Dogchester is not a book-anyone-in boarding kennel. We only welcome dogs who are likely to feel safe, comfortable and able to enjoy our environment.
A Trial Night gives your dog time to meet our team, explore their accommodation and experience the rhythm of a Dogchester evening and morning before a longer stay.
It also means we can keep the hotel calm and positive for every dog already in our care — particularly important for sensitive, shy or easily overwhelmed guests.
What happens from first enquiry to membership.
Book a Trial Night
Choose a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday that works for you and book your dog’s initial overnight visit.
Tour & check-in
We will welcome you for a short tour, talk through your dog’s routine, food, health and preferences, then help them settle in.
Your dog’s trial stay
They enjoy a carefully managed evening, bedtime and morning, with appropriate rest, enrichment and outdoor time.
Honest feedback
We contact you the following day with clear feedback and the most suitable next step for your individual dog.
For dogs who genuinely enjoy the company of other dogs.
Social Club is a calm, small and carefully supervised experience for suitable Dogchester guests. It is never a free-for-all play group.
During a Trial Night, where appropriate and at your dog’s own pace, we can start to explore how they feel around other dogs. Hotel membership and Social Club approval are separate decisions: many dogs are happiest enjoying their own solo walks, field time and enrichment.
Suitable guests may have the opportunity to meet Bear — our resident social butterfly, with the patience of a saint — through calm, safe introductions.
- Introductions are slow, supervised and tailored to the dog
- We look for relaxed, appropriate communication and genuine enjoyment
- Only dogs who are likely to benefit are invited into Social Club
- Dogs can always enjoy a brilliant stay without participating in group social time
More than simply “passing” or “failing.”
We are looking at whether The Dogchester is genuinely the right environment for your dog — and what they need from us if they join.
- How they settle, rest and cope away from home
- Whether they are comfortable with staff, handling and their routine
- Their feeding preferences and response to enrichment
- Mobility, medication or health needs we need to plan around
- Whether group social time is appropriate, or solo adventures suit them better
- What helps them feel most relaxed, confident and safe
Simple preparation for a comfortable first night.
We will confirm everything when you book, but these are the essentials that help us follow your dog’s normal routine.
Their food
Please bring your dog’s usual food in clearly labelled portions, so we can keep their tummy and routine settled.
Medication information
Bring any medication with clear written instructions, including dosage and the best way your dog accepts it.
Important details
Tell us about their habits, comforts, anxieties, likes and dislikes — the small details help us provide better care.
You may be able to place a provisional room hold.
We understand that popular dates can fill before your Trial Night. If your trial is scheduled within the next two weeks, ask us whether we can hold a suitable room provisionally until you complete it.
If we do not have availability and you no longer wish to proceed with the Trial Night, we will refund the Trial Night booking.
Arrange a Trial NightA clear answer, tailored to your dog.
We will always be kind and honest about whether we believe a Dogchester stay is likely to be positive for your dog.
Your dog is happy and comfortable here, and can go ahead and enjoy future Dogchester holidays.
Your dog may benefit from a tailored routine, a second settling night or particular support during future stays.
If we feel our environment is not the right fit, we will explain why and put your dog’s welfare first.
Ready to see whether your dog will love it here?
Book their Trial Night and let us get to know them properly.
Arrange a Trial Night