What happens if it is raining?

As an outdoor facility, we do need to work with our weather. While the forecast is handy, it is not always reliable. We review the forecast weather conditions for the week ahead and will communicate with you directly to advise of any cancellations. We try to reschedule for the same week where possible, however, this is not alway possible. We do not charge for any days that we cancel due to weather.

We continue to run daycare on days where rain is forecast to be minimal and passing. Daycare is cancelled on days where rain is forecast to be high and constant. A sun shower is fun for dogs and humans alike, but a torrential downpour is less enjoyable. In the event that torrential rain and storms arrive unexpectedly, we will pack up for the day and may drop your dogs home early.

What happens if it is really hot?

Our location is aptly named "windy hill" as when there is a slight breeze elsewhere, we get a big one! Combined with our large beautiful trees, dam, The Billabong and splash pools, there is almost always a way to stay cool. 

Occasionally, however, some days are just too hot and for the health and safety of your dogs and our staff. We cancel daycare on days when the forecast temperature is 35-degrees Celsius or more and assess the days forecast between 30 & 35-degrees Celsius.

Do I need to pack my dog lunch?

No. You do not need to send any food to daycare with your dog. On daycare days, simple feed your dog their regular meals. This may be breakfast, dinner or both.

If your dog experiences car sickness, we will advise and request to withhold their breakfast on daycare mornings to minimise upset.

You may find your dog's eating habits differ on daycare days with some dog's choosing to not eat their breakfast prior to daycare. There is generally no reason for concern with a display of this behaviour and your dog will most likely return home especially ready for dinner.

If your dog experiences continued food refusal, it is recommended to consult your vet.

Can I pack my dog their breakfast?

Yes. We are happy to take breakfast provided by you for your dog, separate them from the pack and provide their meal to them upon arrival.

It is common, however, that dogs show a disinterest in eating their packed meal due to the excitement and stimulation of the environment and other dogs at The Paddocks.

Please note, we do not have a fridge or ability to keep meals cold at daycare.

Do you provide food at Daycare?

No. We don't routinely provide meals for dogs at daycare.

I didn't feed my dog their breakfast, can you feed them at daycare?

We try our best to accommodate this. Depending on how much notice is provided, we may have the ability to stop by The Embark Raw Pantry and collect a meal for your dog to consume upon arrival at daycare. This is subject to meal availability, run scheduling and the notice provided and the cost of this meal will be invoiced to you.

Did my dog eat anything at daycare?

We often have training treats on hand we use to reward good behaviours and we utilise treats during snuffle enrichment activities.

Some dogs frequently consume grass and commonly dig and eat clay at The Paddocks.

Can I pick my dog up/drop my dog off?

No. Our setup does not facilitate owner drop off or pick up. Unlike other dog daycares, we do not have a physical office, our staff are constantly in The Paddocks with your dogs.

Our facility consists of fenced zones with full visibility internally and externally between paddocks. Having visitors on site is highly disruptive and results in high energy displays within the pack, excessive barking and is not conducive to the calm and safe environment we foster during daycare hours.

If you wish to view The Paddocks, this can be arranged via appointment outside of daycare hours.

Do I need to be home at drop off / pick up?

We require you to be home for the initial collection of your dog on their first daycare day. For most dogs this will be the first time we meet them and for the safety of our staff, we require an owner present at the property.

Following this, it is not necessary that you be home for collection or drop off. If you will be absent during these times, we ask that you notify us at their first collection so we can run through a procedure for accessing your home to collect your dog and returning them securely in the afternoon.

Some dogs are placed through a gate, into a secure yard, some homes have lock boxes and some owners provide us with a key to access locked gates and/or doors to collect and return dogs on the daycare days they are not home.

What time is pick up?

We collect dogs between 7:00am - 9:30am.

The time your dog is collected will depend upon their place on the collection run schedule which is often determined by their location.

Due to the pack continuity, we try to establish a routine run which is the same each fortnight and provides you with a more consistant pick up time.

This may vary, without notice, based on new dog's joining the collection run and/or unforseeable events causing delays.

What time is drop off?

We drop dogs home between 3:00pm - 5:30pm.

The time your dog is dropped home will depend upon their place on the run schedule which is often determined by their location.

Due to the pack continuity, we try to establish a routine run which is the same each fortnight and provides you with a more consistant drop home time.

This may vary, without notice, based on new dog's joining the drop home run and/or unforeseeable events causing delays.

Can I request a specific collection / drop off time?

You can request a collection / drop off time time and where we can, we will do our best to accommodate this, however, it is not always possible for us to fulfil these requests.