Honestly, not much. Your dog needs proof of a current C5 vaccination, a well-fitted collar or harness with an ID tag, and a lead for drop-off. Skip the food, bedding and toys: our Jandakot team has everything covered, and unfamiliar items from home are more likely to go missing than get used.
What paperwork does my dog need before their first day?
Every new dog at K9 Playtime starts with a free evaluation day: a full day of supervised play at our Jandakot daycare, so our team can meet your dog and match them to the right group. Before that first day, your dog needs a current C5 vaccination and, if they're over six months old, to be desexed. Both requirements exist to keep every dog in the playroom safe, so send through proof of vaccination when you book if you can, or bring it along on the day so there are no surprises at drop-off. Still deciding whether daycare is the right move at all? Our guide to whether your dog is ready for daycare walks through the signs worth watching for.
What should my dog be wearing at drop-off?
A secure collar or harness, fitted so it can't slip over their head, and a standard lead are all you need. A clear ID tag on the collar is worth having even if your dog is microchipped, since it means anyone who finds them loose can call you straight away rather than waiting on a chip scan. Retractable leads are best left in the car: they're awkward in a busy reception and unnecessary once your dog is handed over to the team. Once your dog is inside, the lead comes off and stays off until pick-up, and from there it's guided group play in one of our fully indoor, air-conditioned play areas, matched to your dog's size and energy.
Should I pack food, treats, bedding or a favourite toy?
There's genuinely not much to pack. Feed your dog as usual before you leave home, and let the team know at drop-off, or when you book, about any medication, feeding schedule or dietary need so it can be worked into the day. Toys, bedding and blankets are best left at home too. In a room full of dogs, a much-loved toy is more likely to spark a tug-of-war or go missing in the mix than get any special use, and the same goes for treats brought from home. Our team supplies everything a daycare day actually needs, so the only job for you is getting your dog there happy and settled.
When should we arrive, and when do we pick up?
Drop-off runs from 6:30am to 9:00am and pick-up from 3:00pm to 5:45pm, Monday to Friday. Both windows are kept firmly, because a predictable start and finish is part of what keeps the whole group calm. Arriving inside the window matters more than arriving early, since a rushed, chaotic drop-off unsettles a dog far more than a slightly later one does, so aim for a time that lets you both walk in calmly rather than squeezing it in before work. Daycare runs at our Jandakot site only, the same location as our Jandakot grooming salon, so plenty of daycare dogs have a bath or groom done on a day they're already there.
How can I help my dog feel comfortable on their first day?
A short walk before you leave home takes the edge off any nervous energy, and a calm, brief goodbye works far better than a long, emotional one. Dogs read our body language more than our words, so a cheerful, matter-of-fact drop-off tells them there's nothing to worry about. Tell the team anything that will help shape their day: a breed trait, a fear, a dog they didn't get on with at the park, or simply that they're shy until they warm up. The more we know before the lead comes off, the better we can match them to the right group and read how their day is actually going. Most dogs settle within the first hour or two of an evaluation day, and a big, slightly overwhelmed start is completely normal.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring my dog's food or bowls?
No. Feed your dog as usual before you leave home, and let us know about any medication or dietary needs when you book or at drop-off. We don't need bowls, food or treats sent in with your dog.
What vaccination does my dog need before their first day?
A current C5 vaccination, and desexing if they're over six months old. Both are required before your dog's first evaluation day, to keep every dog in the playroom safe.
Should my dog wear a collar or a harness to daycare?
Either is fine, as long as it's well-fitted and can't slip over their head, with a lead attached for drop-off and pick-up. Once they're inside, the lead comes off and your dog joins group play without it.
What if I'm running late for drop-off or pick-up?
Call the team as early as you can. Drop-off and pick-up windows are kept firmly to keep the day predictable for every dog in the group, so let us know if you're going to be outside them.
More advice: What happens on an evaluation day · Is your dog ready for daycare? · Five real benefits of doggy daycare