Printing Policy 11.21: Behaviour Monitoring Policy on its own.
Policy 11.21 — Eddie's Doggy Daycare, Paddock Farm, Harlow, Essex CM17 9HP
Behaviour Monitoring Policy
Document Control
Document Ref: EDDC-POL-027 | Category: Dog Welfare | Version: 1.0 Effective Date: October 2025 | Review Date: October 2026 | Owner: Edward Kirwan
Behaviour Monitoring Policy
Purpose
All staff must be familiar with — and able to recognise — the signs of stress, fear, and anxiety in order to determine whether a dog is experiencing good or poor welfare. This policy sets out how Eddie's Doggy Daycare monitors behaviour throughout each daycare day, the records we keep, and the actions we take where concerns are identified. It is a licence condition under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
1. Hourly Welfare Checks
We conduct hourly welfare checks on every dog on site. Each check covers:
- Behaviour and overall mood
- Sleep and activity levels
- Toileting (any output or issues)
- Food intake (for puppies — see Puppy Feeding policy)
- Any illness, injury, stress, aggression, or anxiety
The full hourly checklist and recording template are held in the Welfare Monitoring Form (EDDC-POL-009).
2. Recording Behaviour
The behaviour of all dogs — and in particular any changes — must be recorded during hourly inspections on the daily welfare register. Changes in behaviour are often the first sign of illness or injury, so any change must be investigated.
Escalation Threshold
Veterinary advice must be sought where significant or persistent changes in behaviour are noted. Where the vet advises, the opinion of a suitably qualified behaviour expert must also be sought. Eddie's has a trained dog behaviourist on site and on call.
3. Management of Nervous or Stressed Dogs
Dogs showing signs of nervousness or stress can be located in a number of daycare areas depending on their individual disposition:
- Grouping by size to limit exposure to large groups
- Smaller, calmer social groups
- For severe cases — isolation areas such as the staff room or office, with constant supervision
- A separate collection door giving owners easy access to collect their dog without it having to walk back through the main daycare environment
4. Aggressive Dogs
In the majority of cases, dogs display aggression because they feel threatened by something or someone, and the behaviour is generally indicative of poor welfare. Where such situations arise:
- Advice from a vet or suitable behaviour expert may be sought
- The owner must be informed
- A determination is made by management as to whether it is safe for the dog to remain at daycare
5. Group-Level Welfare Trends
Where multiple dogs within the establishment show signs of stress, fear, and anxiety (for example, exhibiting repetitive behaviours), the housing and husbandry routines of the establishment must be reviewed by management. Advice from a veterinary surgeon and/or suitably qualified behaviour expert must be sought where necessary.
6. Owner Communication
When Eddie's has concerns about a dog's behaviour, we must provide information on these concerns to the owner when the dog is returned at the end of the day. Where necessary, the local authority should also be informed.
7. Documentation Trail
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Welfare Monitoring Form (EDDC-POL-009) | Hourly behavioural checks |
| Incident Report (EDDC-POL-020) | Any noted issue, incident, or concern |
| ProPet "Instructions for Staff" field | Recurring traits flagged on all future bookings |
| Owner end-of-day verbal handover | Same-day notification of any concern |
8. Cross-References
- Welfare Monitoring Form (EDDC-POL-009)
- Incident Report Policy (EDDC-POL-020)
- Neutering & Spaying Policy (EDDC-POL-021)
- Section 4.4.1 — Daily Behaviour & Welfare Monitoring SOP
- Section 4.4.4 — Behaviour Intervention SOP
- Section 4.4.6 — Welfare Escalation SOP
Authorised By
Edward Kirwan — Owner & Company Director, Eddie's Doggy Daycare Limited Document Ref: EDDC-POL-027
Read and understood — staff name & signature
Date