Frequently Asked Questions

General

• What is dog daycare?

  Dog daycare is a safe, supervised environment where dogs can socialize, exercise, play, and relax while you're at work or away for the day.

• Which dogs are suitable for daycare?

  To ensure daycare is the right fit, all new dogs are required to attend a 30-minute evaluation, held on weekdays between 10:30AM - 11:00AM when most of our daycare dogs are already out for the day. During the evaluation, we'll introduce your dog to a small group of our daycare dogs that remain on-site and observe how they interact with both our dogs and handlers. This helps us assess your dog's comfort level, social skills, and whether they'll enjoy and thrive in our daycare environment.

• What age can my puppy start daycare?

  Puppies can usually join once they have received their core vaccinations and your veterinarian has confirmed it is safe for them to socialize.

Health and Safety

• Are vaccinations required?

  Yes. For the safety of all dogs, we require all vaccinations to be up to date according to our admission policy.

• Does my dog need flea and tick prevention?

  Yes. To help keep all dogs healthy and comfortable, we require every dog attending daycare to be on a regular flea, tick, and parasite prevention programme. This helps reduce the risk of parasites spreading within our daycare and protects the wellbeing of every dog in our care.

• What happens if my dog becomes sick during daycare?

  If your dog shows signs of illness during daycare, we'll separate them from the group and monitor them closely while assessing their condition. We'll contact you as soon as possible to discuss the situation and the best course of action.

  Depending on your dog's condition, we may decide to send them home early so they can rest and recover in a familiar environment. If we believe they require prompt veterinary attention, we may take them to the veterinary clinic conveniently located next door while keeping you informed every step of the way.

• What happens if my dog gets injured?

  Minor injuries are treated with basic first aid. If veterinary attention is required, we'll contact you immediately. In an emergency, we'll seek veterinary care first while keeping you informed.

• Can my dog attend if they're unwell?

  Please keep your dog at home if they're showing signs of illness, including vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, fever, or any contagious condition.

Temperament & Behaviour

• Does my dog need to be friendly with other dogs?

  Yes. Since daycare involves group play, dogs should be comfortable around other dogs and people.

• What if my dog has never been to daycare before?

  That's perfectly normal. We introduce new dogs gradually and monitor them closely to help them settle in comfortably.

• Do you provide dog training?

  No. We are not certified dog trainers, so we don't offer formal obedience training or behaviour modification services.

  Our focus is on providing a safe, fun, and enriching daycare experience where dogs can socialise, exercise, and build positive interactions with other dogs and people. While dogs may naturally pick up good social manners and routines through regular daycare, this should not be considered a substitute for professional training.

  If your dog requires obedience training or help with behavioural issues, we'd be happy to recommend working with a qualified dog trainer.

Daycare Daily Routine

• What does a typical daycare day look like?

  Every day is designed to provide a balance of exercise, enrichment, socialisation, and rest. A typical day includes:

  • Supervised group play with compatible dogs
  • Outdoor outings, including visits to the dog run or neighbourhood walks
  • Rotating enrichment activities to keep dogs mentally stimulated and engaged
  • Scheduled rest and nap periods to prevent overstimulation
  • Fresh drinking water available throughout the day
  • Regular toilet breaks
  • Plenty of cuddles, attention, and positive interaction with our handlers

  No two days are exactly the same! We regularly rotate our enrichment activities and outings to provide new experiences and keep daycare fun, exciting, and rewarding for every dog.

• Do dogs nap during the day?

  Yes. Rest is an important part of a balanced daycare experience. Dogs are encouraged to take regular breaks to avoid becoming overtired.

• Will my dog be supervised at all times?

  Yes. Your dog's safety and wellbeing are our top priorities. All dogs are supervised by our trained handlers throughout the day, and our team works in groups of 3 - 4 handlers to ensure there are always multiple sets of eyes on the dogs.

  Working as a team allows us to closely monitor play, recognise body language, manage group dynamics, and step in quickly whenever needed, creating a safe, positive, and enjoyable environment for every dog.

• How are dogs grouped?

  For everyone's safety and comfort, we separate dogs into groups based primarily on size, so that small and large dogs can play with companions of a similar size. Within these groups, we also consider each dog's play style, energy level, and temperament to ensure safe, positive, and enjoyable interactions throughout the day.

• What is your dog-to-handler ratio?

  We believe that maintaining a low dog-to-handler ratio is key to providing a safe, enriching, and well-supervised daycare experience.

  Our typical ratios are:

  • Large dog groups: 1 handler for every 3–4 dogs
  • Small dog groups: 1 handler for every 4–5 dogs

  These small group sizes allow our handlers to closely supervise play, recognise each dog's body language, provide individual attention, and step in early if needed. It also means more meaningful interaction, guidance, and care throughout the day, ensuring every dog has a safe and enjoyable experience.

Food & Medication

• Should I bring my dog's food?

  If your dog requires a meal during daycare, please pack their food in a clearly labelled container along with any feeding instructions. We have a refrigerator on-site to safely store fresh meals and can warm up their food before feeding if needed, so your dog can enjoy their meal just as they would at home.

• Can you administer medication?

  Yes, provided medication is clearly labelled with written instructions. Please let us know in advance.

• Are treats provided?

  Yes! We may offer treats during daycare unless you've requested otherwise or your dog has dietary restrictions or allergies. If your dog has a special diet, food sensitivities, or allergies, you're welcome to provide their own treats in a clearly labelled container, and we'll be happy to use those instead.

Pricing & Policies

• What are your daycare rates?

  You can view our latest daycare rates, packages, and pricing details on our page at www.upforpaws.com/rates.

• Can I book just one daycare session to try it out?

  To give your dog the best chance to settle in and become familiar with our environment, handlers, and daycare routine, we require all daycare dogs to enrol with a 10-session package after successfully completing their evaluation.

  We understand that every dog is different. If, for any reason, daycare turns out not to be the right fit, we'll provide a full refund for all unused sessions remaining in your package. We want every dog to enjoy their time with us, and we're committed to making the process as fair and worry-free as possible for both you and your pup.

• Can I send my dog on an ad hoc basis or only once in a while?

  To help dogs build confidence, maintain their social skills, and stay familiar with our environment, handlers, and daycare routine, we require all daycare dogs to attend at least once a week.

  Regular attendance helps your dog form positive relationships with both our team and the other dogs in the pack, making each visit a more enjoyable and stress-free experience. For this reason, we don't offer ad hoc or occasional daycare sessions.

Transport

• Do you offer transport?

  Yes! We offer transport for daycare dogs within our service areas.

  Our transport fees are:

  • $26 for a 2-way trip (pickup and drop-off)
  • $13 for a 1-way trip (either pickup or drop-off)

  If you'd like to arrange transport for your dog, please get in touch with us to check availability and whether your location falls within our service area.

• What time are transport pickups and drop-offs?

  As a guide:

  • Morning pickups: Typically between 7:20 AM and 9:00 AM
  • Afternoon drop-offs: Typically between 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM

  We'll plan the most efficient route each day to ensure all dogs travel safely and comfortably. If there are any significant changes to your expected pickup or drop-off time, we'll keep you informed.

• The transport timing doesn't work for me as nobody will be home. What can I do?

  We understand that our transport timings may not always align with your schedule. Many of our daycare clients provide us with access to their homes so we can safely pick up and drop off their dogs, even when no one is home.

  If this is something you're comfortable with, we're happy to discuss a secure handover arrangement that works for you and your dog.

Up for Paws Adventures

• What is Up For Paws Adventures?

  Up For Paws Adventures is our outdoor adventure service for dogs who love to explore! We'll pick your dog up from home, take them on a fun outing to parks, nature trails, dog runs, or other dog-friendly locations, and then drop them safely back home afterwards.

  Unlike daycare, Adventure dogs do not return to our daycare facility after their outing. It's the perfect option for dogs who simply enjoy getting out, exercising, and exploring the outdoors.

• How is Up For Paws Adventures different from Daycare?

  While both services provide exercise, enrichment, and plenty of fun, they're designed for different experiences.

  Daycare is best for dogs who enjoy spending the day socialising with other dogs, participating in enrichment activities, going on outings, and relaxing with their daycare pack.

  Up For Paws Adventures is ideal for dogs who prefer an outdoor adventure. They'll be picked up from home, enjoy a fun outing with our team, and then be dropped back home afterwards without attending daycare.

• How much does Up For Paws Adventures cost?

  Up For Paws Adventures and Daycare are priced differently as they offer different experiences.

  You can find out more about Up For Paws Adventures, including how it works and our pricing, by visiting https://upforpaws.com/dogwalk/.