WHAT TO EXPECT

ALL ABOUT DOGGY DAY CARE

What is doggy day care?


To us at Dogs HQ, day care is foremost a dog’s home away from home. A bit like school but with an extra emphasis on fun, daycare is a place where pups can get the love they need when you're not able to be with them, learn from us and each other, engage their minds and senses, build their confidence, and play with their pals.

Is daycare suitable for every dog?


Not all dogs are day care dogs, and that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with them!! We’ve rarely met a pooch without a behavioural quirk or two, and we’re passionate about working with dogs and their parents to help them be able to thrive in the day care experience. But day care can be a highly stimulating environment, which can sometimes lead to over-excitement and over-arousal. Your pup’s safety and well-being is the most important thing, so we'll always be honest with you if we think day care's not a great fit.

How do we assess them?


Once you enrol, we review the info you provide about their history and behaviour; if we think daycare sounds suitable for them we’ll arrange to book in their first visit on a day when you’re available to collect them early if need be.

Most dogs need a bit of time to fully settle in and do best when they have a gradual introduction to us and their new friends. On their first day, we ask you to arrive early - that way your pooch has some time to get to know the space and us, and to meet the other pups one-by-one while we assess how they respond to the daycare environment and each new stimulus.

We keep you updated on how they’re doing, and if all goes well they can stay for the day!

OUR DAILY ROUTINE

A Day in the life of a Dogs HQ dog

7:30 AM

The day begins


The day begins from 7:30am, when our excited pups start arriving for a day full of fun, friends and socialisation! Each dog is warmly welcomed and settled into their designated playroom, where they’re greeted by their pals.

8:00 AM

Early morning excitement


Throughout the morning our attendants are keeping a close eye on everyone to make sure each pup is settling in happily and comfortably. The playrooms are buzzing with activity as dogs engage with one another, make new friends and enjoy plenty of interactive play. From chasing their buddies to discovering favourite toys and taking part in fun activities, there’s always something exciting happening!

9:30 AM

Mid-morning reassessment


By 9.30am, the fun is well underway! With most of the pups having now arrived we reassess the playgroups, making sure everyone is comfortable, happy and enjoying their day. We keep a close eye on the dynamics within each group, ensuring every pup is having the best possible experience and make adjustments if needed to ensure every dog is in the right environment to thrive.

11:00 AM

Late-morning rest, relax & recharge


After a big morning of play, socialising and making new paw pals, it’s time for our pups to slow things down. At 11:00am, the atmosphere becomes calm and cosy as the lights are dimmed, comfy beds come out and soothing music fills the playrooms. Our attendants help everyone settle into a peaceful rest, with plenty of gentle pats, cuddles and reassurance. It’s the perfect time for our pups to recharge their batteries before the fun begins again!

12:00 PM

Mid-day enrichment & brain games


By midday, our pups are feeling refreshed and ready to get their brains working! From 12:00pm, we introduce a variety of fun enrichment activities designed to mentally stimulate and challenge curious minds. Snuffle mats, brain-teasing games and agility activities encourage the dogs to think, explore and problem-solve, while our attendants continue to guide calm and controlled play. It’s a wonderful balance of learning, enrichment and fun — keeping both their minds and bodies happily engaged!

2:00 PM

Mid-afternoon chill time


At 2:00pm, we reintroduce a peaceful rest period, creating a calm environment where our pups can relax and recharge. Our attendants encourage positive self-regulation, helping each dog recognise when it’s time to take a break and settle their energy. By providing this quiet time, we help prevent overstimulation and ensure our pups remain happy, balanced and comfortable throughout the rest of their day.

4:00 PM

Getting ready for home time


As the day begins to wind down, our pups transition into a slower pace as we prepare for home time. From 4:00pm, toys and puzzles are packed away, and our attendants focus on gentle obedience activities and positive reinforcement, giving pups plenty of opportunities to earn rewards for good choices. We practise important skills such as sits, recall and polite gate manners, while also making time for plenty of cuddles. It’s a calm and positive way to finish a fun-filled day before heading home to their families.

6:30 PM

Hometime & happy goodbyes


As the day comes to an end, it’s time for our pups to say goodbye to their paw pals and head home. By 6:30pm, excited tails are wagging as dogs reunite with their owners in reception. After a big day filled with play, enrichment, socialisation, learning and plenty of cuddles, our pups head home happy, content and wonderfully tired — ready to snuggle up and rest before doing it all again tomorrow!

HOW TO GET STARTED

Here’s how it works:

1. Enrolment

Complete the online enrolment to tell us a bit about your pup and their behaviour and history.

2. Let's chat

We’ll be in touch to book your pooch's first visit or to chat further if we have any questions.

3. First day

Arrive early so your dog can meet us and be assigned to a play group. We’ll get them settled and assess their behaviour closely.

4. Relax & enjoy

If all goes well with the assessment, you can relax and enjoy the rest of your day knowing they’re having an awesome time!

5. Home time

Collect your tired, happy pup by 6.30pm and take them home for cuddles and a quiet night!

Ready to begin?

Keen to give doggy day care a try? Fill in the online enrolment form and we'll take it from there!

Prices & memberships

We have a range of flexible pricing options to suit your needs.

Contact Us

Our centres in Abbotsford and South Melbourne are easy to get to, with dedicated parking for convenient drop-off and pick-up.

Abbotsford HQ

South Melbourne