Before your dog is booked in for a stay with us, we ask that you visit us with your dog so that they can familiarise themselves with our home environment. Please see ‘before you visit’ below, to find out what you need to know before the session. You will be invited to look around our home and garden and be able see where your dog will eat, sleep, relax and play.

If your dog appears to settle OK, we would ask you to leave them for a while so that we can see how anxious they are without you and how they behave. We may also ask to walk your dog.

If all goes well, and your dog seems happy, you will be invited to fill in a registration form which will enable us to find out more about your dog and will give you an opportunity to have any questions answered.

We will invite you to book a daytime trial session to see how well your dog will fit in to our home and how well it will settle happily with us. This is for the welfare of your dog.

Vaccinations, flea and worm treatments.

Your dog MUST be up to date with vaccinations. We will need to see a valid vaccination book showing current vaccinations against the following: canine distemper, canine parvovirus, leptospirosis and infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus). 

For dogs starting a new course of vaccinations, we are unable to accept them until 2 weeks after their second injection is given (or 3rd if applicable) this will be approximately 6 weeks after the course has been started ie after the initial injection.

Booster vaccinations can be given at any time.

Kennel cough - if your dog has received a vaccination for KC, we ask that they do not visit for at least two weeks as this is a live vaccine.

A certified titre test from a certified vet may be accepted. This must state that it is valid for the period during which the dog is to be boarded. Dogs must still have a yearly booster for Leptospirosis.

Your dog will also need to be up to date with flea and worm treatments. Any dog found to have fleas or worms during their stay will be treated and the cost reimbursed by the owner.

Tilly’s Tails cannot accept:

• Un neutered males over one year in age
• Unspayed bitches
• Dogs registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 including wolf hybrids 

Tilly’s Tails does not accept dogs who are:

• Aggresive 
• Destructive (bite or chew furniture, furnishings or household items)
• Known to bark, howl or whine excessively
• Known to pull excessively hard when walking on a lead
• Jump up repeatedly, especially at peoples’ faces
• Known to scent mark about the home
• Not fully housetrained

Please tell us about any health problems your dog may have. That way, we can watch out for any problems or treat them according to your instructions.

Does your dog have separation anxiety? Is it reactive? Eg does it worry about noise, other dogs, traffic? If so, please tell us so that we can keep your dog happy and stress free during their stay.

Food and treats

We ask you to supply all of your dog’s food and treats. This is so that we can be sure not to give them anything which upsets their routine too much or their tummies. Treats can even cause a bad upset if dogs aren’t used to them. We do keep a supply of treats here but would prefer to use what your dog is used to having.

We supply all feeding and water bowls. If you prefer to supply your own, as dogs often have preferences to what they will eat from, please feel free to do so. Tilly’s Tails cannot be held responsible for any damage your dog may do to its own bowls of feeding dishes.

Bedding and blankets

We know that a lot of dogs like to sleep on the furniture, sometimes in the oddest of places. For that reason, and because our own dogs have always slept on the sofa, your dog will be allowed on all furniture and beds.

We also have plenty of beds and dog blankets, if however, you want them to sleep in their own bed (which may help the, settle), please bring it with you.

Tilly’s Tails cannot be held responsible for any damage your dog may do to its own bed or bedding.

Toys and puzzle feeders

We have plenty of soft squeaky toys, balls, tuggies and puzzle feeders. Dogs often settle more with their own familiar and favourite toys. If this is the case, please bring them with you.

Tilly’s Tails cannot be responsible for any damage your dog may do to its own toys.

Collars, leads, harnesses, coats.

All dogs must be supplied with a well fitted collar and ID tag. When your dog goes off the premises, it will wear an ID tag for Tilly’s Tails with contact details.

Please supply a good quality short lead and if used, a Flexi lead (tape preferred). If your dog wears a harness, please supply this. We have a few adjustable harnesses for emergencies or when transporting dogs in the car for walks.

If your dog wears any rainproof coats, warms jumpers or cool coats, please bring them with you.