Daycare Trial Day: Your Dog's First Visit
New here? Read on — or call 613-276-5074 and we'll walk you through it.
Daycare Costs Less Once Your Dog Is Started
The trial day is a one-time first visit. Regular daycare afterwards is $35 a day for one dog, and comes down further the more often your dog comes.
| How often your dog comes | You save |
|---|---|
| 5 or more visits | 10% off |
| 10 or more visits | 20% off |
| Monthly pass — best value for daily or near-daily | 40% off |
Multi-dog rates apply to the trial day and to regular daycare. There are no upcharges for play time, walks or attention — every dog gets the full standard of care.
Why Every New Dog Starts With a Trial Day
Daycare is a group play environment. Before a dog joins a group, we need to see how they read other dogs, how they handle noise and activity, and where they settle when things get busy. There is no way to know that from a form.
The trial day is how we find out — with our team watching closely and the day built around your dog rather than the other way around. It protects your dog, the other dogs in the group, and our staff. It is the first step for every dog joining daycare at Kennel Club Boarding, with no exceptions.
What Happens on the Day
On a trial day, one staff member is assigned to your dog for the entire day. Whenever your dog is interacting with other dogs, that person is with them — not watching the room, watching your dog.
On a regular daycare day, one staff member supervises the playgroup. When there is a trial dog in, one staff member supervises the group and a second shadows the new dog. That is the difference between a trial day and every day after it.
How we introduce your dog
We build up slowly, one step at a time:
- One dog first. Your dog meets a single, carefully chosen dog. We watch how they greet each other and how they play.
- Then two. If that goes well, the next session is with two dogs.
- Then the playgroup. Once your dog is comfortable, they join a regular daycare playgroup.
There is no set pace. We are watching your dog the whole way through, and if they are nervous or telling us they would rather take it slowly, we take it slowly. Some dogs move through all three steps before lunch. Others spend the day on the first one. Both are fine.
Why we do it this way
Two reasons. The first is safety, in both directions — we need to know your dog introduces themselves well, and that the dogs they meet introduce themselves well too. The second is that a dog's first day sets the tone for every day after it. A dog who is overwhelmed on day one remembers that. We would rather spend a whole day getting it right.
Your dog also gets their own private enclosure for the midday rest break, the same as every daycare dog, and time in both the indoor and outdoor play areas.
At pick-up
We will tell you what we saw — what your dog enjoyed, what they found harder, how far they got, and whether daycare is the right fit.
If it isn't, we will say so plainly and explain why. Some dogs are simply happier one-on-one or somewhere quieter. It is better for everyone that we find that out on a trial day than three weeks in, and we will talk through the alternatives with you, including boarding, where the environment is different.
Nervous or shy around other dogs? Read our approach to daycare for submissive dogs before you book.
Before You Book
Two things need to be done before your dog's trial day:
- Create an account on our website.
- Complete the registration form for each dog — this is where we collect vaccination records, medical notes and your dog's history.
We review every registration before the trial day so our team knows your dog before they walk in. Please allow enough time for us to do that.
Vaccinations we require:
- Bordetella (kennel cough)
- Rabies
- Distemper — usually given as part of a combination vaccine labelled DAPP, DHPP or DA2P
Our new daycare customer page walks through the whole process step by step.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Times
| Weekdays | |
|---|---|
| 07:00 - 08:45 | 16:00 - 17:45 |
| Holidays and Weekends | |
| 08:00 - 08:45 | 17:00 - 17:45 |
We are on Fourth Line Road in North Gower, minutes from Highway 416. Drop your dog off on your way into the city and pick them up on your way home. Please arrive within your window — our doors are locked at other times, as staff are out with the dogs.
Who Looks After Your Dog
Patrick and Chandra are the owners and are on site daily. This is not a facility run by rotating staff. Everyone on our team is trained in canine first aid, and we keep dog-specific first aid kits on site.
We also run a custom tracking system that logs feeding schedules, medications, play group preferences and anything you tell us at drop-off. Staff see that information at every stage of your dog's day, so nothing gets forgotten. Ask us about it when you visit.
Not Ready to Book Yet?
Most people want to ask a few questions before booking their dog's first day somewhere new. That is completely reasonable, and we would rather talk it through than have you guess.
- Call us: 613-276-5074
- Email us: info@kennelclubboarding.ca
- See the place first: take the virtual tour
- No dates that suit you? Join the daycare waitlist
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the trial day price what daycare costs every time?
No. The trial day is a one-time first visit. Regular daycare is $35 a day for one dog, and less again with our visit packages — 10% off at five or more visits, 20% at ten or more, or 40% with a monthly pass.
Is the trial day mandatory?
Yes. Every dog new to our daycare starts with a trial day, with no exceptions. It is how we keep the play groups safe for every dog in them, including yours.
How long is a trial day?
A full day, on the same schedule as regular daycare. Weekdays: 7:00–8:45 AM and 4:00–5:45 PM — either window works for drop-off or pick-up. Weekends and holidays: 8:00–8:45 AM and 5:00–5:45 PM.
What do I need to do before the trial day?
Create an account and complete the registration form, which covers vaccination records, medical notes and your dog's history. We review every registration before the trial day, so please book with enough lead time for us to do that.
What should I bring?
Your dog's food for the day if they eat lunch, and any medication with clear instructions. We keep special food on hand for dogs with sensitive stomachs, and we always check with you before changing anything about your dog's routine.
What if my dog doesn't enjoy it?
We will tell you honestly at pick-up. Daycare is a group environment and it does not suit every dog — some are much happier one-on-one or somewhere quieter. If that is your dog, we will say so and talk through the alternatives with you.
Can I book a trial day for more than one dog?
Yes. Select the number of dogs when you book, and multi-dog rates apply. Dogs from the same household are introduced together.
My dog is a senior, or needs medication. Can they still do a trial?
Yes — choose the special care option when booking. It is for dogs who need medication, extra supervision or a calmer environment. On a trial day the shadowing staff member means we can go at whatever pace a senior or anxious dog needs.
Where are you located?
5673 Fourth Line Road in North Gower, minutes off Highway 416 — a short drive from Manotick, Barrhaven, Riverside South, Nepean and Kemptville.
| Dogs | Plays well with other dogs | Special care required |
|---|---|---|
| 1 dog | $65.00 | $80.00 |
| 2 dogs | $105.00 | $125.00 |
| 3 dogs | $145.00 | $190.00 |
Prices per day, before tax. Multi-dog rates are for dogs from the same household.
Book online
Your Dog's First Day With Us
The price shown is for your dog's first visit only. Regular daycare after that is $35 a day, and less again with our visit packages or a monthly pass.
A trial day costs more because one staff member is assigned to your dog for the whole day. They introduce your dog to one dog first, then two, then a full playgroup — at whatever pace your dog sets.
To book: choose the number of dogs, pick the care type, select a date, and click Book Now.
New to us? You will need an account and a completed registration form before your dog's trial day.