Our Half-Day Assessment is designed to give your pup a slow, gentle introduction to Camp. 🐾We’ll introduce them to our team, the Camp environment and a few carefully selected dogs at a pace that feels comfortable for them. Along the way, our team will get to know their comfort level, social skills, play style and how they respond to our handlers.The goal is to make sure your pup feels comfortable at Camp, enjoys the daycare environment and is a good fit for group play.After the assessment, our team will let you know how your pup did and whether they’re ready to join Day Camp.

Create your pup’s profile in MoeGo, upload their current vaccination records and submit a Half-Day Assessment request for an available date.You’re welcome to submit your request as soon as your vaccine records have been uploaded. However, we won’t be able to accept the assessment request until all required vaccines have been verified by our team.Once everything checks out, we’ll confirm your assessment and your pup will be all set for their first visit to Camp! 🐾

Half-Day Assessments are offered Tuesdays only.Drop-off: 7:00–8:00 AMPick-up: 12:00–1:00 PMCost: $15 + taxAssessment drop-offs are booked at staggered appointment times within the 7:00–8:00 AM & 12:00pm-1:00pm window. This allows us to welcome each new pup individually and give them a calm, gradual introduction to Camp without several new dogs arriving at once.Because these appointment times are carefully scheduled, please arrive at your selected drop-off and pick-up time.

Your pup’s assessment takes place at Camp Shake-A-Paw, 3023 Westdel Bourne, London.When you arrive, drive up the long driveway and stop at the top of the circle near the gate by the brown barn.If another family is ahead of you, please remain in your vehicle with your pup until they have been taken inside. Once it’s your turn, bring your pup out on leash and wait by the gate. A member of our team will come out to greet you and get your pup settled in.Keeping pups in their vehicles until their turn helps us give each new Camper a calm, one-on-one arrival without meeting unfamiliar dogs at the gate. 🐾

What is a properly fitted flat collar? A properly fitted flat collar is a secure yet comfortable collar designed to sit snugly around your dog’s neck without causing discomfort. It should meet the following criteria: Snug but not tight: You should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck. This ensures it’s secure enough to stay in place without being restrictive. Flat and durable: The collar lies flat against the dog’s neck and is typically made of materials like nylon, leather, or other durable fabrics. Appropriate sizing: The collar should be the correct size for your dog, sitting high on their neck (not loose or drooping). Adjustable collars are great for achieving the perfect fit. What a flat collar isn’t: Not a slip, prong, or choke collar: Flat collars do not tighten or constrict when pulled. Not a harness: A flat collar goes around the neck only, unlike harnesses, which wrap around the chest and shoulders. A properly fitted flat collar ensures your dog’s safety and comfort while preventing it from slipping off or causing irritation. Why is a flat collar necessary? A flat, fitted collar is an important safety tool at camp. It ensures that our team can safely and securely guide dogs when needed, whether during play, transitions, or emergencies. Loose or improperly fitted collars can pose a risk of slipping off, while harnesses and other gear do not provide the same level of quick, safe handling in a group play environment. For the safety of all our Campers, we require dogs to wear a properly fitted flat collar while at Camp. Please spend some time acclimating your pup to a flat collar prior to the assessment. The assessment day should not be the first time your pup wears a collar as it can be overstimulating and could affect the outcome of the assessment. Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns.

No, pet parents don’t stay during the assessment. Dropping your pup off allows us to give them a calm, gradual introduction to Camp and helps our team get to know how they settle in, interact with other dogs and respond to our handlers in a new environment.It also gives your pup the opportunity to experience Camp just as they would during a regular daycare day.