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The First Day

What can you expect from a Trial Day?

We hold trial days to introduce your pup to our daycare environment and help to set them up for success! It will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about Paws & Pause, as well as for our staff to start getting to know the pup; All the little things that they love and what makes them wag! Prior to coming in for your first day you will be sent a link to our secure portal where you will upload everything we need to know about your dog. 

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Arrival

On your first day, you will be greeted by a member of staff at the gate who will welcome you to

Paws & Pause. If your dog is nervous, we are fully stocked with some delicious treats to make this transition as easy as possible. And then it's time for your dog to enter the daycare for the first time!

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Meeting The Dogs

Our trial days are set up to integrate Paws & Pause into your dog's life from the get go! Trials take place on your intended regular daycare day, in order to introduce your pup to what will be their regular pack from the very beginning! Depending on your dog's age we might suggest either a half day or a full day trial.

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Settling In

As soon as all of the dogs have arrived and had plenty of time to settle in and greet each other, we make sure the group is as happy as can be by ensuring play styles match, our less confident pups are nice and comfy in our quiet zones and that we are always gradually introducing the group at their own pace. 

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Getting To Know The Environment

To ensure that your dog doesn't get overwhelmed by all of the new sensations and the unfamiliar environment, we set up separate quiet areas with high value enrichment and lots of blankets as well as a staff member to sit with. This allows your dog to settle into the environment in their own time.

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Enrichment

Enrichment is a perfect way to get the dogs sniffing whilst relaxing them into their new environment. We have a variety of snuffle mats, licky mats, cardboard shredding and more which engage and nurture your dog's senses whilst creating positive associations!

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Calming Activities

By stimulating the dogs' mind and senses, engaging in enrichment also lowers stress, builds confidence and gives the dogs a feeling of control over their environment which is a great way to reduce anxiety. Not to mention, it's fun!

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Nap Time

Halfway through their trial, we encourage the dogs to settle down for a rest by dimming the lights, spraying some calming lavender spray and putting on some quiet music.

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Time For Rest

Ensuring that the dogs are able to settle down by themselves and have breaks is important to us, as it shows us that they are comfortable in the environment. We make sure our youger dogs have plenty of calming time to sleep regularly. 

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Pick Up

When it's home time, a member of staff  (the main person who has supervised their group) will lead your dog out to the gate and take some time to feedback on their first day.

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Feedback On Their Day

It's important to us to ensure that Paws & Pause are integrated with you and your pup's life as smoothly as possible. So, when you collect your pup as the trial day finishes, you'll find out all about what they got up to, how they found the daycare environment and what the next steps will be!

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