***** Following our licence renewal inspection in March 2022 by Durham County Council, Paws n the Paddock is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded the highest possible rating – 5 stars!! *****
Thank you to all our lovely clients with their wonderful dogs for your continued support.
We also look forward to welcoming new clients, please contact us with your enquiries.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How do I book my dog into day care or overnight/holiday boarding with you?
Please call 01388 417 548 or email Marisa at marisathepaddock@outlook.com
If you are a new client, after a chat about your requirements you will be invited to visit with your dog to meet us.
In accordance with DEFRA and council regulations, please bring to the first meeting:
1. Your dog’s vaccination card – or valid titre test results – for Distemper/Canine Hepatitis/Parvovirus, and also for Leptospirosis (a copy of which will be held on our records). Kennel Cough is optional.
2. Details of your dog’s microchip number (we have our own microchip scanner here, if you have misplaced the paperwork).
3. Details of your dog’s up to date worm and flea treatment routine.
Please note that dogs cannot be accepted without the above information, which is required by law.
A trial overnight will then be arranged, to give your dog the opportunity to spend time here before you book their first stay with us. This allows both you and us to check that your dog will be happy here. Please note that we cannot accept new dogs without a satisfactory trial overnight stay first.
You will also receive a Paws n The Paddock booking form and a copy of our terms and conditions. Please read and sign the forms and bring them with you for your dog’s trial overnight stay.
No booking is confirmed until payment has been received. Please see Prices page for further details.
Q. Why do you require a non-refundable deposit for overnight stays/home boarding?
It is common business policy for dog sitters to take a deposit. This safeguards us against no-shows or cancellations which leave us out of pocket as, due to strictly limiting the number of dogs that we take, we will in all likelihood have turned another dog down after receiving your booking.
Q. Do you walk dogs off the lead?
Following Defra and council regulations, written consent is required from owners for off-lead exercise and we will only allow your dog off the lead on our dog field if we feel their recall is reliable. This is for the safety of your dog and any others who may be staying with us at the time. However, the great advantage about having our own dog field is that we can let your dog run around quite happily on a 25m lead so that they still enjoy themselves as usual but, if their recall is unreliable, we can pick up the lead to get them back to us. Please note that if your dog is exercised off our property it is our policy to keep them on lead.
Q. What should I bring for my dog’s stay with you?
Their food and titbits (to prevent any upset stomachs), a crate if used, a collar containing an up to date identity tag with your details, lead, plus grooming equipment if appropriate. We can supply bedding if you wish or you may bring your own.
Our booking and Terms and Conditions forms are required to be completed before your dog’s trial overnight stay. This will be kept on record to cover all future stays so that when you drop your dog off all the paperwork and payment will already have been taken care of.
Q. Do you have any breeds that you won’t take?
No. As an experienced trainer of a variety of breeds and temperaments, Marisa prefers to assess dogs based on their character, not their breed’s reputation. However, although we are privately situated we do have neighbours and Paws n The Paddock is run from our own home so dogs who are reactive or bark excessively, are destructive, scent mark or toilet indoors, have separation anxiety/fear issues or escape tendencies would unfortunately be declined. Dogs who show such behaviours during their stay will be required to be collected by your or your emergency contact or will be rehoused in boarding kennels at your expense until your return.
Please note: as other dogs will be here during your own dog’s stay, it is important that your dog is dog friendly or at least dog tolerant. Any dog who shows signs of aggression, reactivity or anti-social behaviour will require to be collected immediately by their owners or their emergency contacts. Failing this, they will be relocated to boarding kennels at the owner’s expense and the booking payment made to us will be forfeit
Q: Do you take entire male dogs?
Yes, up to the age of 18 months after which time they must be neutered please. We find this best suits the balance of our pack.
Q: Do you take young puppies?
Yes although we limit the number we accept at any one time due to the extra work involved and it attracts an additional cost for this reason.
Q. Why do dog care businesses need to be licensed?
Government (Defra) rules and regulations require that ANYONE who looks after other people’s dogs for money must be licensed by their local council. This applies whether you are operating from your own home or a business premises. Being granted a licence involves a thorough inspection of your facilities by a dedicated council official during which you will be expected to demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of dogs and how to care for them. You are also required to be insured specifically for this purpose and to be canine first aid trained as well as having emergency procedures in place. Please note, using an unlicensed dog sitter will unfortunately invalidate any insurance either you or they may have in place as it’s illegal to take payment for dog sitting unless you have a council licence.
Following our latest council inspection Paws n The Paddock was awarded a 5 star rating, the highest award possible.
Q. Do you provide day care or home boarding out of normal hours?
Yes, please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Q. Do you take bitches in season
Unfortunately we are unable to take bitches in season.
Q. Are you insured?
Yes, we are fully insured. We will show you our insurance documents, canine first aid certificate and council licence (DCC/ALA/088280) during your first visit. We are also DBS (formerly CRB) checked.
Q. Why do dog care businesses need to be licensed?
Government (Defra) rules and regulations require that ANYONE who looks after other people’s dogs for money must be licensed by their local council. This applies whether you are operating from your own home or a business premises. Being granted a licence involves a thorough inspection of your facilities by a dedicated council official during which you will be expected to demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of dogs and how to care for them. You are also required to be insured specifically for this purpose and to be canine first aid trained as well as having emergency procedures in place. Please note, using an unlicensed dog sitter will unfortunately invalidate any insurance either you or they may have in place as it’s illegal to take payment for dog sitting unless you have a council licence.
Following our inspection in March 2022, Paws n The Paddock was thrilled to receive a 5 star rating, which is the highest rating possible.
