Recording a dog leaving and returning the same day

Record it as two events on the same booking: a checkout and a new check-in, with times. A dog that leaves and comes back the same day is not still in the building from the morning; the record should show the gap. Write the time out, the person who collected, the time back, and who returned the dog, so the day's history is readable at a glance.

Split the day into two entries

Close the morning booking at the actual departure time, then open a new entry or check-in for the return. Keep the same dog and household. If the booking record allows only one stay, use the desk note to show both times clearly. Do not overwrite the morning time with the afternoon one.

A sample two-part entry

Illustrative, invented details:

• Before: Booking #D-31 for dog "Nori," checked in 8:05, no other times.
• 11:30: Owner collects Nori for an appointment. Booking closed at 11:30, note: "Out with owner, expected back."
• 1:15: Owner returns Nori. New check-in at 1:15, note: "Returned by owner, same day."
• After: The booking shows 8:05 out at 11:30, back at 1:15. The day count reflects Nori present again after 1:15.

What you can verify: both times appear, and the gap is visible rather than hidden inside one long stay.

When the dog does not come back

If the owner says the dog will not return that day, close the booking at the departure time and note it. Do not leave an open return expectation on the board. If the return is uncertain, write "return not confirmed" and check with the owner before close, then update the note with the answer.

Keep the feeding and behavior notes with the dog

A same-day return can land the dog in a different group. Check the dog's feeding and behavior notes before the second check-in, and note any change in the return entry. The visible change for this decision is a booking that shows two times and a clear gap, plus a return note that the next shift can follow.

Related: Dog Daycare Manager features.