We’d love to welcome your lovely dog to our calm and cosy home. Wagging Trails is a relaxed, home-based environment where dogs can enjoy gentle social time, a familiar routine, and the comforts of a small, trusted group.

To help keep things peaceful and positive for everyone, we ask that dogs meet a few simple guidelines — but we also know no dog is perfect! If you’re unsure, just reach out for a friendly chat. We’re always happy to explore things together.

🩺 Health & Safety

• Vaccinations or Titre Tests — all dogs must be fully vaccinated, including kennel cough. We also accept up-to-date titre test results.

• Flea & Worm Protection — dogs should be on a regular treatment plan to help us maintain a clean, healthy space for everyone.

⚖️ Size, Neutering & Energy Levels

• Small to Medium Dogs (up to 30 kg) — we specialise in dogs under 25 kg but may welcome calm, well-socialised dogs up to 30 kg if they’re a good match for our group. Gentle larger breeds may occasionally be considered on a trial basis.

• Neutering — neutered dogs are always welcome. Puppies and adolescent males who aren’t yet neutered may be accepted while their behaviour remains calm and appropriate. We’re unable to accept entire males over 12 months. Unspayed females are welcome outside of their season but must stay home during their season.

• Energy Levels — most of our group are low to moderate energy, but friendly livelier dogs are welcome as long as they can settle calmly during quiet times.

🧠 Behaviour & Training

• Sociable & Friendly — dogs who enjoy gentle companionship with people and other dogs usually settle beautifully.

• Polite & Well-Mannered — we aim for calm behaviour indoors, manageable barking, and respectful play. Some dogs are more expressive, and that’s okay — we’ll see how they adapt.

• Play Style — relaxed, friendly play is encouraged (sniffing together, pottering, or a calm game of chase). More energetic dogs are welcome too, as long as they can adjust their energy appropriately.

• Basic Training — dogs who respond to simple cues (come, sit, stay) often find the routine easier. We’re happy to support those still learning, as long as they’re friendly and responsive.

• Young Dogs & Puppies — we welcome calm, toilet-trained puppies from 16+ weeks who are sociable, vaccinated, and showing early signs of good manners. All young dogs begin with a gentle trial period.

• House-Trained — dogs should be reliably toilet trained before joining us. Occasional accidents are understandable, but regular toileting indoors or marking may not be the best fit.

• Safe Around Others — to keep everyone safe, we can’t accept dogs who show aggression, bullying, or resource guarding.

🏡 Home Adaptability

• Stairs & Hard Floors — our home includes both. Dogs should be comfortable with them, or able to manage with gentle support.

• Car Travel — we visit a secure dog park daily, so dogs should be okay with short car journeys. Smaller or nervous dogs are always helped in and out of the car at their own pace.

🌿 A Peaceful Home-From-Home

Whether you’re looking for regular weekly day care or a calm boarding stay, if your dog enjoys friendly company, gentle routines, and a peaceful setting, they’re likely to feel right at home here.

👉 Still unsure if we’re the right fit? Just pop us a message — we’re always happy to chat things through 🐾

If we feel like the right fit, here’s how our regular weekly day care works — including trial days, flexible time off, and a calm, consistent space your dog can truly settle into.

This isn’t just day care — it’s gentle, consistent care your dog can rely on. With a small group of friendly faces, a familiar daily rhythm, and a relaxed home-from-home setting, dogs quickly build confidence and feel part of the family.

✨ Our Calm Care Ethos

At Wagging Trails, we believe every dog deserves thoughtful, respectful care in a peaceful environment.

We don’t do noisy crowds or big pack energy — just small-group companionship, daily enrichment, and a gentle routine where your dog can truly relax and thrive.

🐾 Why Routine Works So Well

Dogs love familiarity. Attending on the same day each week helps reduce anxiety, builds trust, and supports positive social habits — all while giving your dog a sense of safety and stability.

🐶 What’s Included

• £27/day – billed monthly Your dog’s space is reserved each week, offering continuity and comfort in a calm, well-balanced group.

• Familiar Faces & Calm Companions A consistent group of friendly dogs means stronger bonds, less stress, and a deeper sense of belonging.

• Time Off – Up to 4 Free Weeks Per Year Includes two scheduled closure weeks (not charged) and up to two weeks of flexible Pause & Save days for holidays or illness. Pause days are prorated based on when you join. We know life happens — which is why you’ll never be charged for days you’ve booked off with notice.

• Flexible Scheduling Need to move your regular day? You’re welcome to swap to another within 7 days before or after (subject to availability), with 7+ days’ notice.

• Extra Days When Needed Want an extra play day? You’re always welcome to request additional sessions when space allows.

📆 Bank Holidays

We remain open for most bank holidays and festive periods, subject to availability and surcharges.

If your regular day falls on a bank holiday, you can:

✔️ Reschedule within 7 days (with 7+ days’ notice), or

✔️ Cancel without charge (with 7+ days’ notice)

Surcharges:

🎄 Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day – 100% 🌼 All other bank holidays – 50%

Surcharges only apply if care is provided on the day itself — you’re always welcome to reschedule or skip that week.

🛏️ Boarding Benefits

£37 per 24 hours (weekdays) | £47 per night (weekends)

✔️ Priority access for weekly day care families — book up to a year in advance

✔️ Calm, consistent care in a familiar home-from-home setting

🧡 New to Wagging Trails?

We offer a relaxed Trial Day for calm, friendly dogs who might be a good fit. It’s a gentle way to introduce your dog to our group and routine — with no pressure to commit until we’re all sure it feels right.

👉 Ready to learn more? Let’s take a look at how we introduce new dogs to the group 🐾

Every dog deserves a calm, welcoming start. That’s why we’ve created a gentle, structured introduction process — helping each dog settle in at their own pace, while giving us time to get to know them properly too.

👋 Meet-and-Greet

We begin with a complimentary session at a calm, neutral location — usually a privately rented dog park.

This relaxed setting allows us to:

• Observe your dog’s sociability and comfort in a peaceful space

• Introduce them to our own Cavaliers, Bramble and Jasper

• Chat about your dog’s personality, routine, and any special needs

• Answer your questions and talk through what to expect

To keep things settled at home for our current guests, we don’t hold meet-and-greets at our house — but you’re very welcome to explore our Home Tour page or check out behind-the-scenes photos on our socials.

🧡 Settling-In Period

All new dogs begin with a structured settling process before joining day care or boarding:

• A complimentary 3–4 hour half-day session as a gentle first visit

• 3–4 full day care sessions across 2–4 weeks to build confidence, routine, and group familiarity

This gradual approach helps your dog adjust gently, create relaxed bonds with the group, and feel safe and secure in our home.

If at any point we feel Wagging Trails may not be the right fit, we’ll always speak openly and supportively — and we’re happy to suggest other options that may suit your dog better.

💤 Trial Sleepover (for Boarding)

For dogs needing overnight care, we then arrange a trial sleepover once they’re confident and familiar through their day care sessions.

This allows us to:

• Make sure they feel relaxed and comfortable overnight

• Introduce bedtime routines gently, in a space they already know

Standard boarding rates apply, and we ask that this trial is completed at least 2 weeks before any planned holiday stay, so your dog has plenty of time to feel confident and relaxed. Once the trial is complete, your dog will be welcome for future overnight bookings.

🐶 Becoming Part of the Wagging Trails Family

Once your dog has completed their settling-in period, they’ll become an official part of the Wagging Trails family.

They’ll enjoy:

• Routine, comfort, and familiar faces each week

• A peaceful, structured environment to thrive in

• Access to home boarding as needed, in a space they know and trust

👉 Next up: Let’s look at our day care hours, booking process, and how payments work.

Routine matters — for both you and your dog.

Here’s how our opening hours, booking process, and payment terms work to keep things running smoothly and fairly for everyone.

📅 Opening Hours

Day Care (Monday to Friday)

• Open: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm

• Drop-off: 7:00 – 9:00 am

• Pick-up: 4:00 – 6:00 pm

• Occasional late pick-up until 7:15 pm is available by prior arrangement (£10 late fee).

Weekend Day Care

• Available to regular weekly members

• Subject to availability and a weekend premium

Overnight Boarding (7 days a week)

• Drop-off (first day): 7:00 – 9:00 am

• Pick-up (final day): 7:00 – 9:00 am

• Late pick-up (4:00 – 6:00 pm) includes a full day care session, charged at the standard rate.

📖 Booking Policies

Day Care

• Weekly spaces are secured on a monthly basis.

• Membership includes priority access to overnight boarding.

Advance Boarding Bookings

• Weekly members: can book up to 12 months in advance.

• Boarding guests: can book up to 3 months in advance, with at least 6–8 weeks’ notice for new dogs (to allow for settling sessions and trial sleepover).

• If a date is full, we’ll add you to our waitlist and be in touch if a space becomes available.

💳 Payment Terms

Day Care

• Invoiced monthly on the 1st for that month’s care.

• Payments are taken automatically via Stripe from your nominated card.

Home Boarding

• For bookings of 3+ nights, a 50% deposit secures your space.

• Remaining balance is taken on the 1st of the month of your dog’s stay.

• Cancellations with 28+ days’ notice receive a full deposit refund.
  

Please ensure your card has sufficient funds, as bookings are only confirmed once payment is received.

📆 Bank Holidays & Late Pick-Up

Bank Holidays

We remain open across all bank holidays (including Christmas and New Year), subject to availability.

Surcharges apply as follows:

• 🎄 Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day – 100% surcharge

• 🌼 All other bank holidays – 50% surcharge

Surcharges only apply if care is provided on the day itself — you’re always welcome to reschedule or skip that week.

Late Pick-Up Policy

• Grace period until 6:15 pm — no charge (for occasional delays only).

• 6:15 – 7:15 pm — £10 late collection fee (by prior arrangement only).

• 7:15 – 8:00 pm — £15 emergency late collection fee.

• After 8:00 pm — Converted to an Emergency Last-Minute Boarding Stay (£50 flat rate, with morning collection between 7:00–9:00 am).

Strictly no collections after 8:00 pm. These policies ensure every dog receives the right care while keeping our evenings calm and sustainable.

👉 Next up: Let’s explore what your dog can expect during their stay — from daily routines and feeding to sleeping arrangements and a little pampering along the way.

At Wagging Trails, we treat your dog like family — with calm routines, gentle care, and a peaceful home setting that helps them feel safe, settled, and truly at ease.

Here’s what to expect when your dog joins us for day care or overnight boarding:

🎒 What to Bring

To help your dog feel at home, please pack:

• Harness or Collar – a well-fitting harness is required for safe walking and car travel.

• Food – enough for their stay, with clear written instructions.

• Medications or Supplements – clearly labelled with dosage and timing.

• Comfort Items (optional) – bedding, blankets, or a favourite toy.

👉 For day care, we only need essentials (harness, medication, or food if required for medical reasons).

🍽️ Feeding Policy

• Day Care Dogs – meals are not provided unless needed for medical reasons. Please feed before arrival and again at home.

• Boarding Dogs – we follow your instructions using the food you provide. Typical mealtimes are no earlier than 6:30 am and no later than 6:30 pm. If your dog eats once a day, just let us know your preferred time.

• Water & Treats – fresh water is always available, and regular treats (with your permission) are given as part of a positive routine.

💤 Where Your Dog Will Sleep (Boarding)

We aim to mirror your dog’s usual bedtime routine. Depending on what suits them best, they may:

• Sleep in their own bed, a comfy dog bed, or an open crate

• Stay in our bedroom or a quiet sleeping area

• Use bedding brought from home for extra comfort

During the day, dogs can relax on cosy beds, enjoy a crate if they like, or snuggle on the sofa — whatever feels most like home.

💊 Medication Administration

We’re happy to administer vet-prescribed medications. Please ensure:

• All medication is clearly labelled with your dog’s name, dosage, and frequency

• Written instructions are provided at drop-off

We’ll administer medications carefully and monitor your dog for any concerns.

🏥 Illness or Injury

If your dog becomes unwell or injured while in our care:

• We’ll contact you straight away (or your emergency contact if you’re unavailable).

• Depending on the situation, we’ll use your nominated vet or our trusted local vet (Rackheath Vets).

• You’ll be kept fully updated as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Please let your vet know that Wagging Trails may bring your dog in for care if needed.

🐕 What We Provide

We supply everything your dog needs for a calm, comfortable stay, including:

• Fresh water and food bowls (unless a slow feeder is required)

• Poo bags, crates for rest time (if needed), and plenty of treats

• Lots of love, attention, and a gentle daily routine

And if the weather takes a turn — don’t worry, we’ve got it covered.

👉 Next up: Let’s look at how we adapt care on wet or extreme weather days.

Your dog’s safety and comfort always come first — even when the weather doesn’t quite play along.

We love our daily park adventures, but if the conditions become unsafe or uncomfortable, we adapt the day to make sure your dog still enjoys calm, enriching time with us.

☔️ When We Skip the Park

Outdoor visits may be paused during:

• Extreme heat or cold

• Heavy rain or snow

• Thunderstorms or high winds

These conditions can be unsafe or overly stressful — especially in a group setting — and we always prioritise your dog’s wellbeing.

🧠 What We Do Instead

On indoor days, we create a peaceful, stimulating environment with a mix of:

• Interactive toys and feeding puzzles

• Calm indoor games and enrichment

• One-on-one time for cuddles, training practice, or gentle fuss

• Cosy rest in a safe, warm space with fresh water always available

Even without the park, your dog will enjoy a balanced, engaging day — and as soon as the weather improves, we’ll be back out exploring together.

👉 Next up: Let’s take a look at how we keep your dog safe and identifiable at all times.

Yes — for safety and licensing reasons, all dogs in our care must wear a Wagging Trails collar with ID tags and a GPS tracker.

This ensures every dog is safe, secure, and easily identifiable at all times — whether we’re walking to the car, out at the park, or relaxing at home.

🐾 Why We Use Our Own Collars

We completely understand that some families have preferences about collars or trackers, and we’ll always be respectful of that.

Using our own set-up allows us to:

• Quickly identify and locate your dog in an emergency

• Ensure all dogs are covered by our licensing and safety protocols

• Maintain consistency and control across the whole group

It’s all part of creating a calm, safe, and well-managed environment for every dog.

💛 Not Used to Wearing a Collar?

No problem at all. If your dog isn’t used to wearing a collar, just let us know in advance. We’ll:

• Offer gentle tips and support

• Help your dog feel comfortable wearing one before their stay

Your dog’s safety, comfort, and confidence are always our top priorities.

👉 Need to cancel or reschedule a booking? Here’s how it works.

We know life isn’t always predictable — and we’ll always do our best to be fair and flexible where we can.

Here’s how cancellations, pause days, and reschedules work depending on the type of care your dog is booked for:

🏡 Home Boarding

• Bookings of 3+ nights • Less than 7 days’ notice → 100% of the booking fee applies • 7–13 days’ notice → 50% of the booking fee applies • 14+ days’ notice → Full refund or free rebooking option

• Short stays (1–2 nights, no deposit required) • 7+ days’ notice → cancel without charge • Less than 7 days’ notice → full fee applies

🐾 Weekly Day Care Bookings

Pause Days

Each family receives a set number of pause days per calendar year (prorated depending on when you join).

Pause days can be used for:

• Holidays (with at least 7 days’ notice)

• Illness (yours or your dog’s, if you can’t attend)

Pause days reset each January and do not roll over.

Swapping Days

You’re welcome to swap your regular weekly day to another within 7 days before or after, with at least 7 days’ notice and subject to availability.

Ending or Pausing Membership

If you no longer need weekly day care, just let us know with at least 7 days’ notice before your next invoice. We’ll wrap things up smoothly and fairly.

💛 Our Approach

Our aim is always to keep things fair, kind, and transparent — while protecting the quality of care for every dog in our group.

👉 Wondering about insurance and peace of mind? Here’s how we keep your dog safe and covered.

We’re fully insured to give you complete peace of mind — because your dog’s safety and wellbeing mean everything to us.

Our insurance includes:

✅ Public Liability Insurance Protects you and your dog in the unlikely event of our negligence.

✅ Care, Custody & Control Insurance Covers up to £100,000 for accidental loss, injury, or illness to dogs in our care — with up to £25,000 per dog.

This level of cover reflects our commitment to providing a safe, professional, and trustworthy service — where your dog is always in the best hands.

👉 Still have questions? We’d love to help — here’s how to get in touch.

We’re always happy to help — no question is too small.

If there’s anything you’re unsure about or would like to chat through, just reach out and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

You can contact us via:

📱 WhatsApp: 07396 700204

📧 Email: sam@waggingtrails.co.uk

💬 Socials: Facebook or Instagram

Whether you’re curious about your dog’s first visit, our daily routine, or anything in between — we’re here and ready to help.