The Dog Den day care centre to open its doors in Dereham

The Dog Den, launched by business partners Linda Hams and Phil James, will sit beside the Dereham Dog Academy in Yaxham Road.

The owners have more than 30 years of experience with dogs with Ms Hams previously running Perfeq Pets in Sonham and Mr James being an established dog trainer.

Business partners Linda Hams and Phi James have extensive experience working with canines (Image: Linda Hams)

The Dog Den will be a safe space for canines to spend their days with a range of stimulating activities.

It will feature indoor and outdoor areas filled with toys, slides, a sandpit, a quiet nap area and a separate isolation zone for sick dogs to rest.

The centre will have a range of toys and activities including slides and a sandpit (Image: Linda Hams)

Ms Hams said they will also provide training to the dogs in their care as she believes "the most important thing is to hand back a better-behaved dog than the owners gave you".

READ MORE: Romanian rescue terrier up for adoption in Norfolk

She has two whippets of her own, Sonic and Logi, and said she understands the struggle of finding them a day care that she is happy with.

Having two whippets herself, Ms Hams understands what dog owners need to feel confident when putting their pets in someone else's care (Image: Linda Hams)

"We're dealing with a member of peoples' families here," she said. 

"People don't book their dogs into a day care because they don't care - it's because they want them to have the best time possible while they're away."

The pair treat each dog as if it was their own (Image: Linda Hams)

She added they always "treat the dogs as our own" and form strong bonds with them over time.

Interested owners are asked to get in touch to complete an initial onboarding form before their dogs undergo a temperament test to assess their suitability.

Dogs will then have a trial session to check they enjoy the experience and get along with the other pooches in the group.