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 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, or have up-to-date titre test results.

• Flea & Worm Protection — dogs should follow 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 suit our relaxed group.

• Neutering — calm, friendly neutered dogs usually integrate best into our small group. We can occasionally consider younger dogs who haven’t yet been neutered while their behaviour remains settled and polite, but we’re unable to accommodate entire males over 12 months or females during their season.

• Energy Levels — most of our dogs are low to moderate energy. Livelier personalities are welcome too, as long as they can settle peacefully during quiet times and adjust to our home’s calm rhythm.

🧠 Behaviour & Training

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

• Polite & Well-Mannered — we aim for calm indoor behaviour, manageable barking, and respectful play.

• Play Style — relaxed, friendly play is encouraged (sniffing, pottering, or a calm game of chase). Energetic dogs are fine too, provided they can read the room and soften their energy when needed.

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

• House-Trained — dogs should be reliably toilet-trained before joining us. Occasional accidents can happen in new places, but frequent marking or indoor toileting isn’t suitable for our home setting.

• Safe Around Others — to keep everyone happy and 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. Dogs should be confident travelling in the car and able to jump in and out independently. Small dogs under 10 kg who can be lifted safely are, of course, helped in and out.

🌿 A Peaceful Home-From-Home

Wagging Trails is a calm, consistent environment for friendly dogs who enjoy gentle company, outdoor adventures, and relaxed home comforts.

We focus on regular weekly day care, with home boarding available exclusively for our established day care dogs who already know our home and routine.

👉 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 calm, consistent day care runs — from gentle trial days to flexible time off, all designed to help your dog feel safe, settled, and part of the family.

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 routine, and a relaxed home-from-home setting, dogs quickly build confidence and feel right at home.

✨ 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 rhythm 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, build trust, and support positive social habits — all while giving your dog a sense of safety and stability.

🐶 What’s Included

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

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

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

• Flexible Scheduling Need to move your regular day? You’re welcome to swap 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 whenever 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 for Regular Families

£37 per 24 hours (weekdays) | £42 per night (weekends)

Home boarding is available exclusively for our established day care dogs, giving them calm, consistent care in the same familiar home-from-home setting.

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

🧡 New to Wagging Trails?

Every new dog begins with a relaxed Trial Day — a half-day settling session to gently introduce them to our group and routine.

It’s a no-pressure way to ensure everyone feels happy, relaxed, and comfortable before joining.

👉 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 meet-and-greet 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 our weekly day care:

• 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, form relaxed bonds within the group, and feel secure in our calm home setting.

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

💤 Trial Sleepover (for Boarding)

Once dogs are confident and settled through day care, we may arrange a trial sleepover for families who plan to use our boarding service.

This allows us to:

• Ensure your dog feels relaxed and comfortable overnight

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

Standard boarding rates apply, and we ask that the trial is completed at least two weeks before any planned holiday stay so your dog has plenty of time to feel fully at ease.

Home boarding is available exclusively for our regular day care dogs who are already familiar with our home and routine.

🐶 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 boarding when needed, in a home they already 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 only, 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.
  

Home boarding is available exclusively for established day care dogs.

📖 Booking Policies

Day Care

• Weekly day care spaces are secured on a monthly basis, giving your dog continuity and comfort in a familiar group.

• Membership includes priority access to overnight boarding when needed.

Advance Boarding Bookings

• Regular weekly members: book up to 12 months in advance.

• New families: we require at least 6–8 weeks’ notice to allow time for settling sessions and a trial sleepover.

• If a date is full, we’ll add you to our waiting list and contact you if a space becomes available.

💳 Payment Terms

Day Care

• Invoices are issued monthly on the 1st for that month’s care.

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

Home Boarding

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

• The 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 Overnight 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 every dog like family — with calm routines, gentle care, and a peaceful home setting that helps them feel safe, settled, and completely 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, clearly labelled with feeding instructions.

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

• Comfort Items (optional) – a blanket, bed, or favourite toy that smells like home.

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

🍽️ Feeding Policy

• Day Care Dogs – meals aren’t provided unless needed for medical reasons. Please feed your dog before arrival and again when they return home.

• Boarding Dogs – we follow your feeding instructions using the food you provide. Meals are given either before or after day care hours, served no earlier than 6:30 am and no later than 6:30 pm. This helps everyone stay settled and keeps our routine calm and consistent.

• Water & Treats – fresh water is always available, and with your permission, we offer treats throughout the day as part of a calm, positive routine.

💤 Where Your Dog Will Sleep (Boarding)

We aim to mirror your dog’s usual bedtime routine so they feel completely at ease during their stay. Every dog relaxes differently, so we follow what helps them settle best. They may:

• Sleep in their own bed from home, a cosy dog bed, or an open crate

• Settle in our bedroom or a quiet sleeping area

• Join us on our bed if that’s their normal routine at home, or if they simply need a little extra comfort and reassurance

We keep bedtime calm, predictable, and relaxed so your dog can drift off happily, knowing they’re safe and supported.

During the day, dogs enjoy plenty of rest — curling up on soft beds, snuggling on the sofa, or snoozing in a peaceful spot whenever they choose.

💊 Medication Administration

We’re happy to administer vet-prescribed medication. 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 keep a close eye on 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).

• If needed, we’ll use your nominated vet or our trusted local vet, Rackheath Vets

• You’ll receive updates as soon as it’s safe to do so

Please ensure your vet knows that Wagging Trails may bring your dog in for treatment if required.

🐕 What We Provide

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

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

• Poo bags, enrichment toys, and crates for rest time (if needed)

• Plenty 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 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, gentle fuss, or training practice

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

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

👉 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 fitted 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 dogs in an emergency

• Ensure everyone is covered under our licensing and safety protocols

• Maintain consistency and control across the group for calm, smooth transitions

It’s all part of creating a safe, well-managed, and relaxed 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 support and gradual introduction tips

• Help your dog feel comfortable wearing one before their stay

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

👉 Next up: 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 your dog’s booking type:

🏡 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 always wrap things up smoothly and fairly.

💛 Our Approach

Our goal is to keep things fair, kind, and transparent — while protecting the calm, consistent routine that helps every dog in our care feel secure.

👉 Next up: 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 any accident or negligence while in our care.

✅ 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 every dog is treated with the same care and attention as our own.

👉 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.