When you are planning your dog's first sleepover, it is natural to think about the night itself: the bed, the evening routine, whether they will settle once the lights go down. The bigger difference often happens a little earlier, in the daylight.
At atFrits, your dog must come for at least one daycare day before their first sleepover. We would like them to sleep over once they are settled and feel safe in the environment. The first day is not a test. It is a socialisation process: time for your dog to get used to the people, the other dogs and the place, and for us to see which pack will fit them best.
It is a little like a child's first day at school. You would not usually expect a child to stay overnight before they have spent a day getting to know the classroom, the teachers and the rhythm of the place. A daycare day offers your dog that same start.
Dogs read a new environment with their whole body. A daycare day gives your dog time to take in the people, the sounds and the place at their own pace, and to get used to the environment they will later trust at night.
They follow the rhythm of a real day here: arrival, play, rest, meals, and the quieter moments in between. They get to know the smells of the play areas and suites, and they start to recognise the team who will look after them when they stay over. Knowing where they are, and who is with them, is often what allows them to settle and feel safe.
When they come back for a sleepover, they are not meeting us for the first time as the day ends and their person walks away. They have already practised saying hello, and saying a temporary goodbye.
A big part of that first day is socialisation. We watch how your dog plays, how they take a break, and who they get along with, so we can place them in the pack that suits them best.
Some dogs dive straight into a game. Others prefer a slower introduction and a little time to decide. We simply want to see them among other dogs, so their group feels comfortable rather than overwhelming.
Quieter things matter too: whether they like close company or a bit of room, and what helps them reset. That is knowledge you cannot get from a form alone.
The first night away from home can be unsettled for any dog. We ask for that first daycare day because we want the sleepover to happen once your dog is settled and feels safe.
When the first night follows a day already spent with us, much of the newness has been gently worn away. Your dog has already walked the same paths, met the team, found a pack that fits, and learned that meals, play and rest all belong here.
Leaving your dog with someone who doesn't know them can be a worrying thought. A daycare day is how we make sure that, by the first night, we are not that someone.
The first day also helps our team know your dog as an individual. We learn how they eat, and whether they are a gulper or a grazer. We notice the little quirks that do not always make it onto a booking form, and we see their behaviour in a real social setting.
That knowledge travels with them into the sleepover. The team who feed them in the evening have already seen them at lunch. The people who check on them overnight already know what "content" looks like for this particular dog.
Owners often tell us that the hardest part of a first stay is the moment they leave. Peace of mind is not a slogan for us; it is the reason we ask for that first daycare day before a sleepover.
After a day with us, you have already seen your dog walk in, meet the team, and begin to find their feet. You know the place, and you know that we know your dog a little already, so the first sleepover drop-off feels different.
You can also look in during the stay. Petflix, our 24/7 live cameras, has been part of atFrits since day one. It means you can check in when you need to and see your dog in real time.
Vaccinations. To keep every dog in our care safe, we require up-to-date vaccinations. Please bring proof that your dog is vaccinated against rabies, DHLPP and kennel cough. If you are unsure whether anything is due, check with your veterinarian before you book.
What to pack. Bring your dog's usual food, clearly labelled, so their meals stay consistent. A familiar blanket, bed or toy from home can also help them settle. If they are on medication, pack it with clear instructions.
Timing. Your dog must have at least one daycare day before the first sleepover. We recommend that day a week or two beforehand, so the visit is still fresh when they return for the night. If your dates are tight, talk to us and we will still plan that required first daytime visit.
If a sleepover is coming up, the kindest place to begin is a daycare day. It is how your dog gets used to the people and the environment, finds a pack that fits, and arrives for the night already settled and feeling safe.
When you are ready, you are welcome to book your dog's first daycare day with us. We will take it from there, one unhurried day at a time.
