At JM Pet Resort, we know how important it is to find the right fit when it comes to doggie daycare, and we believe every dog deserves a daycare or boarding experience that feels just right for them. Whether your pup is bursting with playful energy, learning how to socialize, or still unsure around new friends, our PLAYtrain® Evaluation is designed to meet them where they are— and guide them towards a place where they can truly thrive.        

This full-day evaluation is the first step we take in discovering your dog’s unique personality and helping them begin their journey into safe, enriching, and joyful group play.        

What is a PLAYtrain® Evaluation?

A PLAYtrain® Doggie Daycare Evaluation is designed to help us get to know your pup’s unique personality, energy level, and comfort in social settings. It allows our team to gently assess your dog’s temperament, social skills, and comfort level in a welcoming, structured environment.        

This isn’t just a check-box assessment—it’s the start of their journey into our trusted PLAYtrain® Doggie Daycare program, where training, socialization, and play go paw-in-paw. We use this time to observe how they interact with both people and other pups, allowing us to thoughtfully place them in the PLAYtrain® group that best suits their needs and personalities.        

Because we know that dogs do best when they’re not just supervised, they’re understood.        

How We Evaluate Your Dog’s Behavior and Social Skills

If you’ve ever wondered how dogs get evaluated for daycare, this is where it all begins. Our dog playgroup evaluation helps us match your dog with the right environment, ensuring a fun and safe experience. Here’s what you can expect on the day of your pup’s evaluation:       

Morning Drop-Off & Orientation

  • Drop-off is at 7:30 AM, and pick-up should be no earlier than 3:30 PM. This full day helps us get a well-rounded view of your dog’s personality and play style.

  • A 15-20-minute orientation with a team member during drop-off gives us a chance to learn more about your pup’s quirks, preferences, and history—because no one knows them better than you!

  • To make the day go smoothly, please make sure your dog arrives with:
    • A martingale collar
    • Name tag, rabies tag, and town license
    • Proof of up-to-date required vaccines (these should be loaded into the Pet Portal prior to your pup’s evaluation day)

Required Vaccines:      

    • Rabies (not required for puppies under 6 months)
    • Distemper
    • Bordetella (6-month booster required)
    • Canine Bivalent Influenza (this vaccine is a two-part series)

Highly Recommended:      

    • Leptospirosis
    • Lyme

Need more information about what your pup needs? Give us a call to schedule vaccinations at our Veterinary Clinic or sign into your Pet Portal for more information.        

If you need help with a name tag or martingale collar, we recommend arriving a bit earlier than 7:30 AM—our team is happy to help check everything off your list!       

Getting Acclimated

We’ll ease your pup into the day by giving them space to adjust to the sights, smells, and sounds of the Resort. There’s a lot to explore, and we want your dog to feel safe and curious from the very beginning.  Next, they’ll meet a few of our friendly staff members so we can observe their response to human interaction. Every tail wag, nose boop, or moment of hesitation helps us learn how to support them best.        

Meeting New Friends

Once your pup starts to feel more comfortable, we introduce them to a small group of trusted, social dogs matched by size, energy level, and temperament. This step is carefully managed by our most experienced trainers, who observe how your dog initiates play, responds to new social cues, and settles into the group dynamic.        

Once ready, your pup will be placed into their designated PLAYtrain® playgroup, where they’ll have their own staff attendant and a space designed to match their personality and energy.        

Group placements are never a one-size-fits-all— or set in stone. Your pup’s social journey is always evolving. As they gain confidence and new skills or even just outgrow their initial group, we may transition them into a new playgroup that better reflects who they are becoming.        

Playing, Training & Socialization

PLAYtrain® is more than just playtime— it’s play with a purpose. Throughout the day, we incorporate positive, motivational obedience training into your dog’s experience. That means we gently guide your pup using rewards, encouragement, and clear communication to help them build:       

  • Good manners (like polite greetings and calm behavior)
  • Confidence in group settings
  • Respectful play habits
  • Emotional resilience when facing new experiences

Our team is trained to read canine body language and craft interactions to each dog’s comfort level. We’re not just supervising play— we’re shaping social skills and emotional wellness in a fun, supportive environment.        

Want to see the magic in action? We offer live webcams so you can check in on your pup throughout the day and watch them learn, grow, and play.        

After the Evaluation

When you return to pick up your pup, you can check in with our Client Care team at the front desk. They’ll let you know which PLAYtrain® group your dog has been placed in and share any available updates. While a full report may not be ready just yet, the assigned group can give you a glimpse into how your pup’s first day went and what’s ahead on their PLAYtrain® journey.       

By the end of the day, a detailed digital Report Card will be uploaded to your Pet Portal, giving you personalized insights and notes from your dog’s evaluation. We’ll send you an email to alert you when it’s ready!       

Still have questions? You’re not alone! We’ve compiled all the questions pet parents typically ask into our handy PLAYtrain® FAQ Blog to make preparing for PLAYtrain® even easier.        

Re-Evaluation Made Easy (and Worth it!)

If your dog hasn’t attended daycare or boarding in 8 months, we’ll ask you to schedule a re-evaluation to ensure they’re still in the best-fit group. This process is simple to book and incredibly beneficial— it helps us ensure your pup continues to have safe, positive, and confidence-building experiences every time they’re with us.        

Think of the way puppies change and grow so much in their first 6 months of life. Or maybe you have a dog who is starting to grow older and having some difficulty with mobility. Dogs change and grow over time, just like people— and we’re here to meet them at every age and stage.       

Preparing Your Dog for Their First Day of PLAYtrain®

Our PLAYtrain® Evaluation is the beginning of a happy, healthy journey for your dog (and for you)— and we’re honored to be part of it! Contact us today to schedule your pup’s first day and take the first step towards a confident, happy dog. We can’t wait to welcome your four-legged family member into ours.