Assessment / Induction Policy
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure the safety, welfare, and suitability of all dogs either attending or wanting to attend Dog HQ Doggy Daycare.
Assessments help determine whether a dog can safely interact with other dogs, staff, and the daycare environment.
Scope
This policy applies to all dogs seeking to join Dog HQ Doggy Daycare and all staff involved in conducting assessments and determining daycare suitability.
Policy Statement
All dogs must successfully complete an assessment process before being accepted into the daycare.
Assessments are designed to evaluate health status, temperament, social skills, behaviour, and overall suitability for a group daycare environment.
Assessment Requirements
To book the assessment day with Dog HQ Doggy Daycare the customer must answer a few important questions over the phone or via email regarding Age, Breed, Vaccinations and or any Behavioural problems that may exist, this will make our trained member of staff determined as to whether the dog maybe suitable for day care in this type of environment.
Once we have spoken with the owner and assessed whether the dog should be suitable for day care, we will then book a date for us to carry out a full assessment in person with the dog and send over the link (My Pet Walker) for them to fill in the registration form and read and agree to our terms and conditions.
Assessment times are 10am – 1pm
Health Requirements
Prior to assessment, owners must provide proof on the app of:
- Current vaccinations as required by local regulations and facility policy
- Parasite prevention and treatment records, where applicable
- Spay/neuter status requirements, if applicable
- Emergency contact information
- Veterinary contact information
Dogs displaying signs of illness, injury, or contagious conditions will not be assessed until cleared by a veterinarian.
Initial Assessment Process
Owner Consultation
Staff will collect information regarding:
- Age, breed, and medical history
- Behavioural history
- Previous daycare, boarding, or socialization experience
- Known fears, triggers, or aggression concerns
- Training background
Behavioural Assessment
A qualified staff member will assess:
- Comfort with unfamiliar people
- Response to handling
- Confidence in a new environment
- Ability to recover from mild stress
- Response to routine daycare activities
Dog-to-Dog Interaction Assessment
The dog will be gradually introduced to suitable assessment dogs to evaluate:
- Social skills
- Play style
- Communication signals
- Tolerance of group interactions
- Ability to respond appropriately to correction from other dogs
Trial Day Participation
On the Assessment Day we meet the dog and its owner in our Reception, where we will have a conversation with the owner regarding their dog to get to know them, their tendencies and behaviours. It is also a good opportunity to build a rapport with a new potential customer; we will also take this time to just verify the information provided to us via the My Pet Walker app and ask any questions we may have.
Our trained member of staff is monitoring the dogs behaviours from the moment the customer and the dog enters the reception, once all the paper work is complete we will take the new dog in to the day care, the dog will be in an area on its own with our trained member of staff.
The dog will be able to see other dogs through the fences of which we can see if the new dog displays any signs of aggression towards other dogs and also at this point we are looking for any signs of stress or anxiousness and aggression to humans.
Once we feel the dog is comfortable with the environment it will be spending its time in, we will proceed to the next step.
Where appropriate, the dog may participate in a supervised trial daycare session to assess:
- Energy levels
- Group compatibility
- Behaviour throughout the day
- Ability to settle during rest periods
- Overall adjustment to the daycare environment
Once we feel the dog is comfortable with the environment it will be spending its time in, we will proceed we will gradually introduce the dog to other dogs of a similar nature, we do this with one dog at a time until the dog is comfortable and we have observed the behaviours of the assessed dogs and the other dogs already attending for the day.
Assessment Outcomes
Accepted
A dog may be accepted when it:
- Demonstrates appropriate social behaviours
- Can be safely managed in the daycare environment
- Does not present an unreasonable risk to staff or other dogs
Accepted with Management Plan
A dog may be accepted with specific management strategies, including:
- Placement in a suitable playgroup
- Increased supervision
- Scheduled rest periods
- Modified participation requirements
Further Assessment Required
Additional assessment sessions may be scheduled if:
- The dog’s behaviour is inconclusive
- The dog requires more time to adjust
- Staff require additional information before making a decision
Not Suitable for Daycare
A dog may be deemed unsuitable if it:
- Displays aggressive behaviour toward people or dogs
- Experiences excessive stress in the daycare environment
- Cannot be safely managed within available staffing and facility resources
- Poses a significant safety risk
- Owners will be informed to come and collect their dog immediately and will put in to a separate area away from the other dogs for safety
Ongoing Assessments
Assessment is an ongoing process. Staff will continuously monitor dogs during attendance and may:
- Reassess group placement
- Implement behaviour management strategies
- Recommend training or behavioural support
- Suspend or terminate daycare participation if safety concerns arise
Documentation
The following records will be maintained:
- Assessment forms (On the My Pet Walker System)
- Health and vaccination records
- Behavioural observations
- Incident reports
- Owner communications
- Reassessment records
Staff Responsibilities
Staff conducting assessments must:
- Be trained in canine body language and behaviour
- Follow assessment procedures consistently
- Document findings accurately
- Prioritize the safety and welfare of all dogs and people
Owner Responsibilities
Owners must:
- Provide accurate information regarding their dog’s health and behaviour
- Inform the daycare of any changes in behaviour or medical condition
- Comply with vaccination and health requirements
- Follow recommendations related to their dog’s daycare participation