Your Dog's First Day at PAWS
Prepare for your first visit: what to bring, when to arrive and what happens next. Every dog adjusts at their own pace; staff assessment determines suitability.
Your First-Day Checklist
The essentials for your confirmed Intro Day.
- Vaccination records on file — upload them with your Intro Day request or email/bring them
- Secure leash + flat collar or harness (no retractable)
- Recommended arrival: 7:30–8:00 AM — follow any different time confirmed by staff
- Label belongings with your dog's first and last name
- Potty break before you come inside
- Recommended first-day pickup: 3:00–4:00 PM so we can review the day; pickup until 7:00 PM is available if needed
- Bring labelled food if your pup eats midday
- Call us for any same-day changes
The Free Intro Day is for new Calgary-area dogs comfortable in group play. No package purchase is required. Staff confirm the requested date and assess suitability. Dogs with behavioural concerns start with an initial assessment call instead; call us to set it up. Behavioural support may have different pricing.
Before You Request
- Requirement
Vaccinations
All dogs attending daycare must have the CORE vaccines (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) and Rabies. Bordetella (aka kennel cough) is strongly recommended every 6–12 months. Puppies must be at least 12 weeks old with 2 sets of shots (or a vet's approval letter). You can upload records with your Intro Day request or email/bring them — just have them on file before your first day.
- Requirement
Spay/Neuter Requirement
Dogs over 1 year old must be spayed or neutered. Puppies under 1 are exempt — they're welcome before they're fixed, as long as their vaccinations are current.
- Requirement
Safety Concerns
We specialize in socializing dogs with behavioural challenges, and we take a limited number at a time so each dog gets the attention they need. If your dog has shown behavioural concerns — like reactivity toward dogs or people, resource guarding, or severe anxiety — your dog starts with an initial assessment call instead of the Free Intro Day. Call us at (403) 984-9247 to set it up. The right path may include some dedicated training support, which we'll always talk through with you upfront.
Request your Intro Day
For dogs comfortable in group play. Dogs with behavioural concerns skip these steps and start with the assessment call in Safety Concerns above.
- 1. Tell us about your dog
Answer a few questions, create your PAWS login and verify your phone.
- 2. Request a date
Choose an available date, review the requirements and terms, add vaccination records and sign the agreements.
- 3. Await staff confirmation
Submitting leaves your request pending. It does not confirm a reservation or approve your dog for daycare.
What a Day Looks Like
We welcome one new dog per day. Staff supervise introductions and observe your dog's comfort with the group. This is a typical day.
- MorningPack walk. Staff supervise the group walk and observe how your dog responds.
- DaytimeSupervised play. Structured Socialization: one pack of all sizes, led by pack leaders who read body language and adjust play as needed.
- AfternoonRest. Quiet downtime to recharge — a tired dog is a happy dog, but rest matters just as much as play.
- 3:00 – 4:00 PMPickup & report card. We recommend collecting first-day pups now, before the evening rush, so we can walk you through how the day went.
New or nervous? Completely normal. Our pack leaders guide anxious dogs at their own pace and never force an introduction. Behavioural concerns? Start with an assessment call instead of requesting a date.
Arrival & Drop-Off
General drop-off is 7:00–10:00 AM. For Intro Day, we recommend 7:30–8:00 AM. Follow any different arrival time confirmed by staff.
Potty Break Before You Enter
Give your dog a quick potty break before coming inside. A comfortable dog is a confident dog — and it keeps the space fresh and welcoming for everyone.
Leash & Collar
Bring your dog in on a secure leash with a flat collar or harness — please skip retractable leashes, which make safe control at the door difficult. Keep the leash attached until our staff removes it. If your pup is extra excited, we may walk them into the pen on leash to keep everyone safe, especially when other dogs are working on their socialization skills.
Label Their Belongings
Clearly label everything with your dog's first and last name — leashes and food containers look a lot alike. Tags or bright ribbons make them easy to tell apart.
Food & Medication
If your dog eats midday, pack a labelled lunch and we'll feed them on your schedule — just include simple instructions. The same goes for medication: send it labelled with clear directions and we'll administer it during the day — though please note we cannot administer injections of any kind.
Parking & Entrance
Street parking is available out front on 16 Avenue SW — come in through the main entrance and our team will meet you and your pup.
Pickup & Your First-Day Report
On your first day, we recommend pickup between 3:00 and 4:00 PM — it's quiet then, before the evening rush, so we have time to sit down with you. You'll get a report card, a one-on-one rundown of how the day went, and photos of your pup in action.
You can pick up as late as 7:00 PM on Intro Day if needed, but we do not recommend such a long first day. Regular daily pickup runs 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Dogs collected after 7:00 PM are subject to a late fee of $25 for every 15 minutes.
A couple of small things keep pickup calm and safe for every dog:
Please don't tap on the glass or call out to your dog while they're still in the pen — it can unsettle them and the whole group.
And for everyone's safety, please stay out of staff areas. Some dogs are wary of unfamiliar people, and we want every dog and human kept safe. Thanks for understanding.
What Comes Next
The Free Intro Day is as much for your dog as it is for us. At pickup we'll give you an honest read on how it went:
- A great fit — your pup is ready to join the pack whenever you'd like.
- Needs a slower start — some dogs do better easing in over a few shorter visits, and we'll suggest a plan.
- Not quite right, for now — if daycare isn't the best place for your dog at the moment, we'll tell you kindly and point you toward what might help.
Ready to come back? To keep things calm and never overbooked, we require reservations:
- Use our online reservation system
- Give us a call at (403) 984-9247
For same-day availability, always call us directly. Our spots fluctuate, so booking ahead is the safest bet.
Important Daycare Policies
- Females in heat and under 1 year old cannot attend until their cycle is fully complete, and ideally should be spayed before starting daycare
- Please keep your dog home if they're coughing, vomiting, have diarrhea, or have fleas or parasites — let us know and we'll happily rebook
- We release dogs only to the owner or someone pre-authorized on the account — staff may verify ID
- If your dog is injured or unwell during the day, we'll call you right away; if it's urgent and we can't reach you, we'll take them to the vet on file or the nearest clinic
- Reservations are required — drop-ins are not available
- Missing your Free Intro Day without notice may release the spot to the waitlist — please call if your plans change
- We run rain or shine — our pack walks and daily routine carry on through Calgary's weather
- We can't be responsible for loss of or damage to leashes, collars, etc.
- Prices may change without notice
- For everyone's safety, PAWS may decline or pause daycare if it isn't the right fit for a dog
First Day Questions
Everything you need to know before drop-off.
What time should I arrive on my dog's first day?
We recommend arriving between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM on your first day. Follow any different arrival time confirmed by staff.
What actually happens during the Free Intro Day?
After a calm introduction, your dog joins the morning pack walk, then joins supervised pack play with rest breaks through the day. We welcome only one new dog per day, and staff observe how your dog responds. At pickup we'll walk you through how the day went — including an honest take on whether daycare is the right fit.
How long does it take for dogs to adjust to daycare?
Every dog adjusts at their own pace. Our team will assess how your dog responds to the group and discuss whether daycare is a suitable fit. If your dog has behavioural concerns, start with an initial assessment call instead of requesting an Intro Day.
What are the drop-off and pickup times?
Drop-off runs from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM, with a recommended first-day window between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM. Follow any different arrival time confirmed by staff. Regular pickup is 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM — and on your first day we recommend coming between 3:00 and 4:00 PM, before the rush, so we can review the day with you and answer your questions. Pickup as late as 7:00 PM is available if needed, but we do not recommend such a long first day. Dogs picked up after 7:00 PM are subject to a late fee of $25 per 15 minutes.
Do I need to make a reservation?
Yes, reservations are required so we can plan staffing and ensure every dog has a great day. You can book through our online reservation system or call us at (403) 984-9247. For same-day availability, always call directly.
What should I bring, and where do I park?
Bring your dog on a secure leash with a flat collar or harness (no retractable leashes, please), plus any labelled food if your pup eats midday. Street parking is available out front on 16 Avenue SW — come in through the main entrance and we'll take it from there.
- Learn About Daycare
Kennel-Free Dog Daycare
See how our kennel-free daycare works — daily pack walks, Structured Socialization, and experienced pack leaders.
- See Full Rates
Rates & Packages
Compare visit passes and the Calendar Month package. Calendar Month costs $769 + GST, as low as $37/day. Standard 5-, 10- and 20-visit passes never expire.
- Request Free Intro Day
Register Your Dog
Answer a few questions about your dog, create your PAWS login and request an Intro Day date for staff confirmation.
Ready to Join the Pack?
Answer a few questions about your dog, create your PAWS login and request an Intro Day date for staff confirmation. Questions? Email us or call (403) 984-9247.
Request Free Intro Day