Every new dog at K9 Playtime starts with an evaluation day: a normal, full day of supervised play at our Jandakot daycare. You book online as usual, drop off in the morning window, and our team spends the day getting to know your dog and making sure the group is a happy fit. The first visit is free.
Why do new dogs start with an evaluation day?
Because good daycare is built on the right mix of dogs, not an open door. A playroom works when every dog in it is comfortable, and one overwhelmed or overbearing newcomer changes the day for everyone. The evaluation day lets us meet your dog properly: how they greet, how they play, when they need a breather, and which playgroup suits them. It also answers the question that matters most to you: is your dog actually going to enjoy this? Most do. Some need a slower start. Either way, you'll know by pick-up, before you've committed to anything.
How do you book an evaluation day?
Exactly like any other day. There's no separate form: you book through the normal online booking link on our doggy daycare page, and the system recognises a brand-new dog and prompts you to book an evaluation day. Before the first visit your dog needs a current C5 vaccination, and to be desexed if they're over six months old. Both requirements protect every dog in the room, including yours. One thing we do ask is honesty: if your dog has shown aggression towards dogs or people, daycare isn't the right setting for them, and saying so upfront is far kinder than a stressful day. If you'd like to see the space before booking, viewings are welcome by appointment at the quieter start and end of the day.
What does the day actually look like?
Drop-off runs from 6:30am to 9:00am, and the window is kept strictly, because a predictable routine keeps the whole group calm. From there your dog joins a playgroup matched to their size, energy and play style, in one of three fully indoor, air-conditioned play areas: one for small and medium dogs, two for medium and large. The day alternates guided play with calm rest breaks, so nobody gets overstimulated, and the team supervises the whole time, reading body language and stepping in early rather than after the fact. Pick-up runs from 3:00pm to 5:45pm, and you'll hear how the day went when you collect them.
What are we watching for?
Not obedience. Your dog doesn't need to know a single command to pass an evaluation day, because it isn't a test of manners, it's a read of comfort. We watch how they say hello, whether their play stays loose and bouncy, whether they take breaks on their own, how quickly they settle after excitement, and how they are with our team. A big, slightly overwhelmed first hour is completely normal, plenty of dogs arrive full of beans or a little unsure. What we care about is the trend across the whole day: a dog who ends the afternoon more relaxed than they started it is a dog who'll thrive here.
How can you help your dog have a great first day?
Keep it simple. A walk before drop-off takes the edge off any nervous energy, and a short, cheerful goodbye helps far more than a long emotional one. Arrive inside the drop-off window, and tell us anything worth knowing at the door: quirks, fears, a breed trait, a dog they didn't get on with at the park. The more we know, the better we can shape their day. If you're still deciding whether your dog is suited to daycare at all, our guide to whether your dog is ready for daycare covers the signs to look for.
What happens after the evaluation day?
If the day went well, you choose a membership that fits your routine. Daycare here runs on memberships rather than casual visits, so dogs see the same faces and build real friendships, and we recommend at least two days a week for the same reason: familiarity is what turns a good first day into a confident routine. Daycare runs at Jandakot only, alongside our Jandakot grooming salon, so many daycare dogs have their grooming done in the same familiar place. And if the day showed your dog needs more time, that's rarely a never, it's usually a not yet, and we'll talk you through it honestly at pick-up. Still weighing it up? Here are five real benefits of daycare to consider.
Frequently asked questions
Is the first visit really free?
Yes. Every new dog's first visit is a free evaluation day: a full day of daycare so we can meet your dog and make sure the group is a happy fit before you commit to anything.
What does my dog need before their evaluation day?
A current C5 vaccination, and to be desexed if they're over six months old. Both requirements exist to keep every dog in the playroom safe and comfortable.
Can I come in and look around first?
You're very welcome to. Viewings are by appointment at the quieter start and end of the day, so we don't unsettle the group or disrupt their routine. Get in touch and we'll set a time.
What are the drop-off and pick-up times?
Drop-off runs from 6:30am to 9:00am and pick-up from 3:00pm to 5:45pm, Monday to Friday. The windows are set and strictly kept so the dogs' day stays calm and predictable.
Where does daycare run?
Daycare runs at our Jandakot site only. Byford and O'Connor are grooming salons. Jandakot grooms as well, so many daycare dogs have their grooming done in the same familiar place.
More advice: Is your dog ready for daycare? · Five real benefits of doggy daycare · Pugs at doggy daycare