Safety and wellbeing at Doggy Day Academy

At Doggy Day Academy, your dog’s safety, health, and happiness always come first. We go above and beyond standard protocols to provide a secure, clean, and enriching environment where dogs can thrive.

Clean & Healthy Spaces

Daily Deep Cleans – play and rest areas are sanitised every day (often more than once) using veterinary-grade, dog-safe products
Infection Control – regular cleaning helps reduce the spread of infectious diseases
Hand Hygiene – sanitiser stations and wash facilities are available for staff and visitors

Safe School Design

Our site is covered by 24/7 CCTV monitoring, using cameras that record video footage, with some also recording sound, so we can review incidents fully and keep standards of care high.

Two-Door Rule – always two doors between dogs and the outside world for extra security
Indoor & Outdoor Play Areas – spaces designed to reduce stress and encourage social play
Safe Surfaces – rubber flooring for joint protection, Astroturf for a natural feel, and hard areas for natural nail wear
Rest Spaces – dogs can unwind on comfy sofas, mats, or in quiet corners. Crates are available only as a final option and only for dogs who are already crate-habituated. They are never used to “store” dogs or left occupied for hours – instead, they’re used sparingly and kindly for dogs who find comfort in them

Attendance Policy

We offer two types of attendance to best support both dogs and families:

Regular Weekly Schedule – dogs attend on the same day each week (minimum one day per week). This builds routine, consistency, and familiar friendships
Flexible Pass – for those who cannot commit to a weekly schedule, dogs must attend at least once per month. This ensures they remain familiar with the environment, staff, and other dogs, keeping things safe and enjoyable

This approach allows us to create predictable playgroups, reduce stress, and ensure staff know each dog’s normal behaviour and wellbeing.

Behaviour & Health Requirements

Behaviour Assessment – all dogs complete a friendly assessment before joining
Vaccinations – proof of up-to-date vaccinations is required (yearly renewal). Kennel Cough is optional but requires a 3-week gap after the live vaccine
Parasite Prevention – regular flea, tick, and worm treatment required

Our Staff

Highly Trained – all staff complete training in positive reinforcement, canine body language, canine first aid, and CPR
Low Dog-to-Staff Ratio – small groups mean safe, supervised play and more one-to-one attention
Ongoing Learning – staff regularly update their knowledge through accredited courses and CPD

Play, Rest & Enrichment

Small Group Play – dogs are carefully matched by size, energy, and play style
100% Supervised – dogs are never left alone together
Collar-Free Policy – collars are removed during play to prevent accidents. Slip leads are used only for safe movement between areas
Structured Rest – just like athletes, dogs need rest to recover and regulate. We balance play, enrichment, and downtime throughout the day

The result? A safe, supportive, and structured environment.