Daycare & Assessments
Understanding your dog. Supporting their wellbeing.
Every dog has their own history, preferences and way of coping with the world. Our assessment helps us understand whether group daycare can meet their needs, how to introduce them comfortably and what support will help them enjoy their time with us.
Why we assess
Enjoying a walk with other dogs is different from sharing a daycare environment. We consider your dog’s comfort around people and dogs, their ability to rest and recover, and the practical care they need. We also consider the wellbeing of the dogs already in our care.
Our MCSL Assessments bring together owner-reported history, staff observations and an individual suitability decision. The same welfare-led framework applies to puppies, adult dogs and older dogs, with observations adapted to their age, health and experience.
What we look at
Confidence & recovery — how your dog arrives, explores, responds to everyday activity and recovers after excitement or uncertainty.
Dog interactions — comfortable distance, voluntary greetings, play, pauses and the ability to move away or coexist quietly.
Rest & regulation — whether your dog can pause, disengage and settle, with appropriate space and support.
People & routine care — responses to staff, gentle handling, leads, harnesses and everyday care, where appropriate.
Resources & personal space — owner history and behaviour around food, toys and resting places during ordinary care.
Individual needs — health or pain concerns, medication, previous experiences, routines and adjustments that may affect comfort or suitability.
We record what we actually observe, including situations not observed. Space, choice and gradual introductions guide the visit. We pause, adapt or stop if a dog becomes distressed or safety is compromised.
MCSL Assessments & C-BARQ Assessments
Every dog receives an MCSL Assessment. For dogs aged six months and over, we also ask the owner to complete the C-BARQ questionnaire. This adds information about everyday behaviour outside daycare and is reviewed alongside our observations before acceptance is finalised.
Puppies under six months follow our age-appropriate MCSL Assessment. If accepted, we record their six-month birthday and arrange a reminder for the C-BARQ Assessment and review at that stage. Concerns can prompt an earlier review.
Please tell us about changes in health, medication, behaviour or circumstances, previous incidents and the support that helps your dog. We review information already held and clarify changes or gaps.
Your visit & the outcome
Start with a tour, then complete Registration and arrange the assessment. Assessment visits last two hours, Monday–Friday, 1:30–3:30pm, and cost £35. Introductions are supervised and paced to the dogs involved.
The assessor records the findings, limitations, suitability decision and any care plan, then signs the assessment. We explain the outcome and next steps. These may include acceptance with an agreed introduction plan, additional support or review, or a recommendation that group daycare is not the right setting at present. Veterinary or specialist behaviour input may be recommended where appropriate.
A successful assessment is followed by the remaining health, terms and booking checks before services are agreed.
Behaviour monitoring continues
An assessment provides a starting point. Behaviour can change with age, health, experiences and circumstances, so our team continues observing comfort, social interactions, rest and recovery during attendance.
Relevant changes and concerns are recorded in Change in Behaviour Forms and discussed with the owner. We review patterns, adjust the care plan and set follow-up dates where needed. Three documented behavioural incidents within a rolling 12 months trigger a staff review; any attendance decision considers the evidence and welfare of everyone involved. A serious welfare or safety concern can require an immediate pause in attendance.
Our aim is a suitable, supportive environment where your dog can feel comfortable, enjoy appropriate company and have the rest they need. Please keep us informed so we can review their care together.
Please check our current Terms of Service for health and attendance requirements, including vaccinations, neutering and seasons. Discuss relevant medical or welfare needs with us before booking.
Ready to begin?
1. Tours — meet the team and see the setting.
2. Registration & assessments — share your dog’s details and complete the age-appropriate assessment steps.
3. Agreed care & bookings — review the outcome, complete the required checks and agree services and attendance.
Book a tour or assessment in the Client Portal →