Free Temperament Test — Rotterdam, NY
The Free Temperament Test:
Your Dog's First Day at the Palace.
Every dog at Barkingham Palace starts with a free temperament evaluation — a supervised trial day that lets us assess your dog's play style, body language, and social behavior before placing them in a group. It's how we keep every dog safe, and how we make sure your dog has a genuinely great first day.
✦ The Royal Standard ✦
Nearby Vet Care
Support close by when needed
Live Webcams
Watch your dog play from anywhere
Luxury Turf
Purpose-built for everyday play
Overnight Check-Ins
Routine checks · rotating coverage
Licensed & Insured
Thoughtful care from day one
Thoughtful Grouping
Matched by play style and energy
One Simple Next Step
Request a Free Temperament Evaluation
Use our simple contact form to tell us about your dog and your preferred timing. Our team will follow up to confirm the right next step.
Open the Contact Form →Why every dog starts with a temperament test
Not every dog is a good fit for group play. That's not a bad thing — it's just information.
Group play is wonderful for the right dogs. But not every dog thrives in a group environment, and placing a dog that isn't ready into a play group is unfair to them and to the other dogs. The temperament test is how we find out what your dog needs — and how we design a daycare experience that's genuinely right for them. It's also completely free, with no commitment required.
What Happens During the Temperament Test
A Step-by-Step Look at Your Dog's Trial Day
The temperament test is a supervised evaluation that typically takes about an hour. It is designed to give our staff enough time to observe your dog's behavior, body language, and social responses in a controlled environment before introducing them to a full play group.
Arrival & Paperwork
You arrive with your dog and current vaccination records (Rabies, Bordetella, DHPP). We review your dog's history, temperament, and any behavioral notes you want to share. This context helps us design the evaluation appropriately.
One-on-One Introduction
Your dog is introduced to a staff member in a calm, low-stimulation environment. We observe how they respond to new humans, new smells, and the facility environment. Signs of anxiety, excitement, or aggression are all noted.
Controlled Dog Introduction
We introduce your dog to one carefully selected dog — a calm, socially confident dog that we know reads body language well. We observe how your dog initiates contact, responds to the other dog's signals, and handles the interaction. This is the most important part of the evaluation.
Small Group Play
If the one-on-one introduction goes well, we introduce your dog to a small group of 2–3 dogs. We observe play style, energy level, and how your dog handles the increased social complexity. We watch for resource guarding, overstimulation, or signs that the dog needs a break.
Debrief & Placement
After the evaluation, we discuss our observations with you. We'll tell you which play group your dog is best suited for, any behavioral notes to be aware of, and what to expect on their first full day. If we don't think group play is right for your dog right now, we'll tell you honestly — and suggest alternatives.
What We Assess During the Evaluation
Body Language, Play Style, and Group Fit
Our staff are trained to read canine body language — the subtle signals that tell us how a dog is feeling before that feeling becomes a behavior. A dog that is stiff, whale-eyed, or showing hard stares is communicating stress or arousal that needs to be addressed before it escalates. A dog that is loose, wiggly, and offering play bows is communicating confidence and social readiness.
Play style matters as much as temperament. Some dogs play rough and tumble — they love wrestling and chase. Others prefer parallel play — running alongside other dogs without direct contact. Some dogs are social butterflies who want to interact with every dog in the yard. Others are more selective. None of these play styles is wrong — but they need to be matched appropriately to prevent misunderstandings between dogs.
We also assess responses to specific triggers: handling, leash pressure, and the presence of other animals. We keep the evaluation environment distraction-free so we can observe your dog's baseline behavior without external variables. This gives us the most accurate picture of how your dog will behave in the daycare environment.
Dogs Only — Sorry, No Cats
Barkingham Palace is a dog-exclusive facility. We specialize in dogs only — sorry, no cats. This allows us to maintain a consistent, dog-focused environment during evaluations and throughout the daycare experience.
What to Bring to the Temperament Test
Requirements and What to Expect on Evaluation Day
Vaccination Records
Current Rabies, Bordetella, and Distemper/Parvo (DHPP) records are required. All vaccinations must be current and on file before the evaluation begins.
Spay/Neuter Status
Dogs over 7 months must be spayed or neutered. This is a firm requirement for the safety and comfort of all dogs in the facility.
Your Dog on a Leash
Arrive with your dog on a standard leash. No retractable leashes. We will take it from there once you arrive.
Your Dog's History
Any behavioral notes, previous daycare experience, known triggers, or health conditions are helpful. The more context you give us, the better we can design the evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Temperament Test Questions
How long does the temperament test take?
About an hour. We ask that you drop off your dog and let us conduct the evaluation without you present — dogs often behave differently when their owner is watching, and we want to see their authentic social behavior.
Is the temperament test really free?
Yes. Completely free. No commitment required. If we determine that group play isn't right for your dog right now, you owe us nothing.
What if my dog doesn't pass?
We will be honest with you about what we observed and why. Some dogs need more time, training, or a different environment. We would rather tell you the truth than enroll a dog that isn't ready and create a bad experience for them or the other dogs.
My dog has never been to daycare before. Is that okay?
Absolutely. Many of our dogs are first-timers. The evaluation is specifically designed to assess dogs with no prior daycare experience. We go slowly and watch carefully.
Can I watch the evaluation?
We ask that you drop off and wait. Dogs behave more authentically without their owners present, and we can give you a much more accurate assessment that way. We will call or text you when it is complete.
What happens after the evaluation?
We debrief with you, assign your dog to the appropriate play group, and schedule their first full day. Most dogs are ready to start within the same week.
Do you accept cats?
We specialize in dogs only — sorry, no cats.
Ready to Get Started?
Ready to Book Your Dog's Free Evaluation?
It takes about an hour. It's completely free. And it's the first step to giving your dog the best day of their week, every week.