You just registered your pup for a New Kid Day.

Now what?

Whether you’ve welcomed a brand-new puppy into your family or you’re introducing your dog to daycare for the first time, it’s completely normal to have questions.

Many pet parents ask us:

What happens during New Kid Day?
Is this a temperament test?
What if my dog is shy?
What if my dog doesn’t like other dogs?
How are dogs placed into playgroups?
What happens after the assessment?
What should I expect at drop-off and pick-up?

We know leaving your dog somewhere new can feel like a big step. That’s why dogs interested in our Social Play Groups or Assisted Canine Care programs participate in New Kid Day. Think of it as a “getting to know you” day where your dog can explore, meet our team, and settle into our environment while we learn about their personality, comfort level, and individual needs.

Dogs participating in our Play My Way program do not require a New Kid Day and may begin reserving visits immediately.

First Things First: You’re Officially Registered

Once you’ve:

Created your account
Scheduled your New Kid Day
Submitted current vaccination records
Signed your Pet Care Agreement

Our team reviews your information and prepares for your pup’s arrival. At this point, you’re officially registered and ready for your dog’s first visit.

What Is New Kid Day?

New Kid Day is a full day of daycare that gives your dog time to become familiar with our resort, team, and routines while helping us learn about their personality, comfort level, play style, and individual needs.

Most importantly, this is not a pass-or-fail test.

Every dog is different. Some thrive in social play groups, while others are more comfortable with individualized attention or a slower-paced environment.

Our goal isn’t to decide whether your dog can attend daycare—it’s to understand what your dog is telling us and how we can help them feel comfortable, confident, and successful over time.

New Kid Day Is About Finding the Right Fit, Not Passing a Test

Throughout the day, our certified handlers carefully observe your dog’s behavior and interactions.

Comfort Level

We’re evaluating:

Does your dog appear relaxed?
Are they curious about their surroundings?
Do they recover quickly from new experiences?

Social Skills

How do they greet other dogs?
Do they understand canine social cues?
Can they appropriately engage and disengage from play?
How can we support them?

Confidence

Do they confidently explore new environments?
Do they seek interactions?
Do they need additional support and encouragement?

Emotional Wellness

We also monitor for signs of stress or discomfort such as:

Excessive hiding
Avoidance behaviors
Constant pacing
Trembling
Whale eye
Lip licking
Difficulty settling

Understanding canine body language is an important part of creating safe social experiences. Our trained handlers continuously monitor each dog’s comfort level and emotional well-being throughout the day.

Ability to Take Direction

Our handlers evaluate how dogs respond to:

Redirection
Structured play
New environments
Rest periods
Social boundaries

We’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for comfort, confidence, and overall well-being.

What Happens After the Assessment?

At the conclusion of New Kid Day, we’ll discuss our observations and recommend next steps to help your dog feel comfortable, confident, and successful during future visits.

That recommendation isn’t a label—it’s a starting point.

Many dogs gain confidence as they become familiar with our team, routines, and environment. As they grow and develop, their needs may change too. We’ll continue monitoring their progress and adjusting their experience as needed to help them thrive.

Social Play Groups

Designed for dogs who enjoy social interactions with other dogs.

Dogs are grouped based on:

Size
Temperament
Play style
Energy level

Social Play Groups provide opportunities for supervised dog play, healthy socialization, confidence building, mental enrichment, and physical exercise in a carefully managed environment.

Play My Way (Individual Care)

Not every dog wants to spend the day in a crowd.

Whether it’s having the splash pad to themselves, chasing a tennis ball with a team member, exploring enrichment activities, or simply enjoying one-on-one attention, Play My Way lets dogs spend the day doing what they love most.

It’s daycare, their way. Just like humans don’t always feel like being social, dogs can have days when they prefer a little more personal space and one-on-one attention. That’s why dogs can transition between Social Groups and Play My Way as needed.

Assisted Canine Care (ACC)

Perfect for:

Senior dogs
Dogs with mobility limitations
Dogs who benefit from a quieter environment and slower-paced day

Every recommendation is made with your dog’s best interests in mind.

New Kid Day Drop-Off & Pick-Up Instructions

Because New Kid Day includes an assessment and consultation, drop-off and pick-up times differ from our standard daycare schedule.

New Kid Day Drop-Off

Weekdays

6:15 AM – 8:00 AM

Weekends

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

New Kid Day Pick-Up

Pick-up occurs at your scheduled consultation time.

During your consultation, we’ll discuss:

Your dog’s assessment results
Recommended program placement
Daycare options
Boarding or upcoming reservations
Any questions you may have

Lobby & Arrival Instructions

To help ensure a smooth arrival experience:

Please keep your dog on a secure leash at all times.
Have your dog enter calmly and remain with you until a team member assists.
Make sure all required paperwork and vaccination records have been submitted before arrival.
If your dog requires lunch, please label all food clearly.

Whether your pup arrives excited, nervous, curious, or cautious, our team is experienced in helping dogs adjust at their own pace.

Why Pet Parents Choose Best Friends Fur Ever Dog Daycare

We Use a Rotational Play Model

Imagine spending eight hours at a networking event on your first day—meeting new people, navigating a new environment, and constantly socializing. Even when you’re having fun, it’s exhausting.

Dogs feel the same way.

That’s why our daycare program isn’t built around nonstop play. Our Social Play Group dogs alternate between active play sessions and structured rest periods throughout the day, giving them time to recharge, process new experiences, and return to play feeling successful.

This balanced approach helps prevent overstimulation, supports healthier social interactions, and creates a safer, more enjoyable daycare experience.

Because even the most social pups need a break.

Weather Safety & Seasonal Monitoring

At Best Friends Fur Ever, safety always comes first, especially during Maryland’s warmer months.

Our team closely monitors temperature, humidity, and individual dog comfort levels throughout the day. We use a color-coded weather safety system that helps guide outdoor activity, play duration, rest periods, and hydration breaks.

Extra Care for Heat-Sensitive Dogs

Some dogs are more sensitive to warm weather than others, including:

French Bulldogs
English Bulldogs
Pugs
Boston Terriers
Senior dogs
Puppies
Dogs with certain medical conditions

These dogs receive additional monitoring throughout the day to ensure they remain comfortable and safe.

Dog Daycare Updates, Photos, and Report Cards

Absolutely. We know pet parents want to stay connected to their dogs throughout the day. That’s why we provide report cards, photos, and progress updates so you can see how your pup is adjusting and enjoying their experience.

One of our favorite parts of New Kid Day is sharing your pup’s progress.

Before heading home, you’ll receive a New Kid Day report card with photos and a summary of your dog’s experience.

Social Play Group Dogs

Families with dogs participating in our Social Play programs can view their pups throughout the day using our camera system through the client portal during designated viewing hours:

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Play My Way & Assisted Canine Care Dogs

Dogs enrolled in Play My Way or Assisted Canine Care programs receive personalized report cards and photo updates highlighting their individual activities and progress throughout the day.

Returning Visits

After successfully completing New Kid Day, your dog is eligible to participate in future daycare and boarding reservations.

For all future visits, dogs are required to wear a breakaway collar.

Breakaway collars are specifically designed to release if caught on another dog or object, helping reduce the risk of injury during play.

Breakaway collars are available for purchase at the front desk for $15.90.

Early Drop-Off & Late Pick-Up Options

For families needing additional flexibility, we offer:

Early Drop-Off

4:45 AM (By Appointment Only)

Additional Fee: $15

Late Pick-Up

9:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Additional Fee: $15

11:00 PM – 11:30 PM

Additional Fee: $20

Appointments are required.

Looking for Dog Daycare, Puppy Daycare, or Dog Socialization in Baltimore County?

Best Friends Fur Ever proudly serves families throughout Baltimore County, Harford County, Baltimore, Bel Air, Fallston, Forest Hill, Abingdon, Kingsville, Perry Hall, White Marsh, and surrounding communities.

Whether you’re introducing a new puppy to socialization, helping a rescue dog build confidence, or searching for a daycare program that prioritizes safety, enrichment, and individualized care, Best Friends Fur Ever is here to help.

Our New Kid Day Placement Assessment ensures every dog is matched with the environment where they can be most successful—whether that’s Social Play Groups, Play My Way, or Assisted Canine Care.

Because we don’t believe every dog belongs in the same program.

We believe every dog deserves the right program.

Schedule your dog’s New Kid Day today and discover why pet parents throughout Baltimore County and Harford County trust Best Friends Fur Ever for safe, enriching dog daycare and boarding services.