A Paradise for your Pets: Pet Resorts Australia new luxury pet accommodation in Queensland

The award-winning Pet Resorts Australia revealed the latest in luxe facilities across its two Queensland locations at Eumundi and Townsville.

Pet Resorts Australia has unveiled destination-themed suites for pampered pups, a splash park, commando course, doggy day care, and dog training in response to increased demand for luxury accommodation for Australia’s furry friends.

Australian households are home to almost 30 million pets and Aussies are forking out a staggering $33 billion annually on their fur-babies and best mates. This has seen pet resorts across the nation record a huge uptake in bookings since travel restrictions eased.

Pet Resorts Australia Chief Operating Officer Blake De Bruin said the uptake of both pet accommodation for short stays along with doggy day-care has spurred the business to create state-of-the-art facilities that are leading the way in innovation, quality and care.

“At our Eumundi resort on the Sunshine Coast, dogs can now stay in a Destination Suite with rooms inspired by the plains of the African Serengeti or Tuscan villas for example, and during playtime, they can try their skills on our custom-built commando course or cool off in the splash park,” De Bruin said.

Pets Resort Australia Eumundi-Noosa - Commando Course

Pet Resorts Australia Eumundi-Noosa - Splash Park

“Our canine guests in Townsville can enjoy the ultimate in luxury pet accommodation with our brand-new Hamptons Suites, all our resorts also offer Pet Postcards – so owners get progress reports and photos of their pet’s time with us – and additional services like Room Service”.

Pet Resorts Australia Townsville - aerial view

The family-run Pet Resorts Australia opened the two Queensland locations in 2022, providing Queensland’s pampered pets with a safe and enriched environment where they can stay, play and relax, supported by passionate, highly trained professionals.

“In Queensland, we’ve been busier than ever, we are seeing resorts booking out three-to-six months in advance, so we have heavily invested in quality accommodation across both our sites,” De Bruin said.

“We know people and their pets got accustomed to being together day in, day out during COVID. Since people have returned to work and are holidaying freely again, we know that pets are experiencing a lot of anxiety and owners don’t want their furry friends left alone.

Pet Resorts Australia Eumundi-Noosa - Tuscan Villa Destination Suite

“Now more than ever, Australians are willing to spend the money on quality accommodation and enriching entertainment for their four-legged friends if it means having peace of mind that their pets are cared for as they would be at home.

“It is paramount that we as a company continue to evolve with the changing attitudes of Australians and lead the way in pet care through investment in our facilities,” De Bruin concluded.

The new facilities and offerings are open and taking bookings. Find out more at petresortsaustralia.com.

About Pet Resorts Australia Eumundi-Noosa

Set amongst the rolling hills of Eumundi, our 15-acre property features a custom-built commando course and splash park, and premium pet accommodation, including luxury Destination Suites.

About Pet Resorts Australia Townsville

Surrounded by secluded tropical gardens, Pet Resorts Townsville has a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere and features premium pet accommodation.

Related Stories:

Tips for Choosing a Dog Boarding Kennel

Record Australian dog ownership along with offices reopening has seen interest in doggy day care skyrocket, with national dog care provider Kip seeing phone inquiries more than double month on month and trial day bookings at the centres spiking 50 per cent. Kip has put on 35 new staff across their centres in November alone to keep up with rising demand.

Almost one fifth of Aussie dogs were purchased during the pandemic, according to a survey by Animal Medicines Australia [1]. That means many pooches will have had no experience of spending time alone. It was part of a pandemic pet surge, with 69 per cent of Australian households now including an animal, up from 61 per cent two years earlier, the survey found[2]. Those animals are nearing on two years of having their pack at home twenty four hours a day, and many will be in for a shock when their parents return to the office.

Owners are turning to doggy day care to help ease the issue of separation anxiety. Kip day care centres are designed to give dogs maximum fun and cuddles from a team of animal experts, as well as plenty of room to run, socialise, and play. It’s doggy day care with a difference — with loads of enrichment activities under the guidance of their highly-trained staff.

Dog behaviouralist, trainer and author Lara Shannon said she’s already fielding calls from desperate dog owners reporting issues with separation anxiety.

“It’s not surprising given how much time our dogs have spent with us over the past two years,” she says. “And it’s unreasonable to expect they won’t be confused and anxious by the change. Their fear about being left alone can be a similar experience to a person having a panic attack in some cases. What they need is our understanding and help.”

Lara says this should begin before your first day back in the office. “Start physically distancing yourself from your dog three to five times a day while at home, gradually building up the amount of time. Leave them with treats, interactive toys or a long lasting chewing so they begin to associate being alone with being rewarded.”

She says plenty of exercise and stimulation is essential, with doggy day care a brilliant way to ensure dogs enjoy a day of fun and socialisation while you’re back at work.

Sam Mendelson, Head of Daycare at Kip, said many owners are using Kip centres as part of a suite of tools to help their pets adjust and manage the challenges of separation anxiety, which can come with destructive behaviour, barking and digging.

“We don’t offer a one-size-fits-all approach at Kip,” he said. “We get to know your pet, and provide expert care, fun activities and in some centres even training. And they absolutely love it. Our guests’ tails start wagging as soon as they know they’re on their way to Kip.

“We think people have recognised that doggy day care, along with training, exercise and rewards, can be an excellent part of the mix in helping pooches have a stress-free transition to a post-lockdown world,” he says.

To celebrate the opening of six new Kip doggy daycares across Melbourne and Adelaide, Kip are giving one lucky pupper 5 FREE daycare days at the Kip of your choice!

For more details on how to enter, please visit Kip on Instagram @KipHappyStays and on Facebook @KipHappyStays

Fore more information on Kip Dog Daycare options, visit kip.com.au

Lara Shannon's Tips for Helping your Dog Learn to be Alone:

✔️ Give them plenty of exercise, ideally not long before your departure.

✔️ Keep their brains and bodies stimulated when left alone. 

✔️ Make them work for their treats. Leave them with food dispensing toys and puzzles; toss their dry food around the yard for them to sniff it out; freeze some meat or treats in an ice-cream container.

✔️ If your dog digs up your garden block off access to areas they like to dig in and make them a sandpit. You can bury treats and toys in it to encourage their digging in that designated spot to help relieve their boredom or anxiety (common reasons for digging!).

✔️ Use a dog walker to break up their day.

✔️ Book them into doggy day care.

✔️ In the lead up to returning to work, give your dog a treat or interactive toy then distance yourself from them three to five times a day, gradually increasing the amount of time they are left alone.

✔️ Don’t make a big fuss when leaving or arriving home.

✔️ Use calming sprays and pheromone diffusers or collars for dogs with mild anxiety. Definitely talk to your Veterinarian about medication options if your dog displays medium to severe anxiety.

[1] [2] Source: Animal Medicines Australia, 2021, Pets and the Pandemic: A Social Research Snapshot of Pets and People in the COVID-19 era

MEDIA RELEASE, 8th December 2021

Raise the Woof: Hanrob Playgrounds opens Westfield’s first doggy daycare at Westfield Warringah Mall

Hanrob Playgrounds flagship location opens Thursday 28th October and will provide dog playground, professional grooming and premium retail offering for the first time so customers can shop and drop off.

Westfield Warringah Mall today announced the arrival of Hanrob Playgrounds, the first doggy daycare and retail store available at Westfield. An Australian- owned specialist provider of paw-fessional pet care, Hanrob Playgrounds will quickly become a firm favourite for all pet owners across the Northern Beaches.

Hanrob is a 40-year-old family-owned business offering premium pet accommodation for short and long-term stays, obedience dog training, dog daycare, animal transport and vocational education. Drawing upon decades of experience of caring for dogs, Hanrob is for the first time expanding its business offering to retail, offering doggy playgrounds, day-care facilities, professional grooming, and premium retail services.

At 700sqm, the Westfield Warringah Mall Hanrob Playgrounds features three playgrounds to cater to dogs of all sizes and temperaments, as well as a soundproof, quiet zone for pets who need time to recharge after a ruff day.

“Our Westfield Living Centres are designed to meet the needs of our customers in all stages of life – and more than ever, pets are part of people's lives,” said Westfield Warringah Mall Centre Manager, Andrew Davidson.

“We are thrilled to welcome Hanrob Playgrounds and launch a doggy daycare in one of our centres for the first time. We can’t wait to see our community connect with the Hanrob Playgrounds brand and take advantage of this fantastic service that enables customers to drop their pet off while they shop.”

CEO of Hanrob Playgrounds, Andrew Biggs said: “I’ve grown up with animals all my life and my philosophy across everything we do is: how will dogs have a better life? 

So, at the foundation of creating our new Hanrob Playgrounds was ensuring the experience delivers improved wellbeing to the dogs in our care. Everything we do in this new environment at Westfield Warringah Mall is centred around the dog’s wellbeing and for both pet and owner to enjoy their experience with us.”

The new Hanrob Playgrounds will allow dogs to make their own fluffy friends while they play amongst the trees, rocks, and log tunnels, or relax in the chill out room under a woof full of stars. 

They will be losing their tails over the paw-fessional in-house grooming salon and premium re-tail offer. The site exceeds the amount of space required and all handlers are professionally trained.

For convenience, customers will have direct access to Hanrob Playgrounds from the car park, with customers able book their dog's playtime for two hours, half a day (4 hours) or full day (8 hours), while they shop, dine, or relax.

This will be the first of several Hanrob Playgrounds to open across Australia in the coming months.

To celebrate the grand opening this Thursday 28th October, Hanrob Playgrounds will commence a schedule of fun-filled activities, events and special offers, including the following three limited time offers*:

• Free 2-hour dog day care visit
• 40% off dog day care 10 session passes
• 20% off any full grooming service

From 10am until 1pm on Opening Day, Hanrob Playgrounds will welcome all two- and four- legged friends to join in the celebrations with guided tours and complimentary gift bags. A balloon animal artist and caricature artist will also be on hand to provide entertainment.

For more information on Hanrob Playgrounds and the celebrations taking place at Westfield Warringah Mall, customers can visit: www.westfield.com.au/warringahmall or playgrounds.hanrob.com.au

MEDIA RELEASE, 28th October 2021

Our hectic lifestyle comes with longer working hours and less precious free time to spend with our dogs. Meanwhile, the new generation of pet owners owners increasingly treats their companion animals as family members so it comes as no surprise to see an exponential boom in dog day care centres, offering state-of-the-art facilities and well-trained staff to cater for our beloved pooches.

Once limited to the inner city, doggy day care centres are now spreading out to outer suburbs allowing more pet parents to head to work reassured that their pets are not locked up in the house or a backyard for 10-12 hours with little physical or mental stimulation.

We asked a number of dog day care centres and a professional dog trainer why they feel these pet services are increasingly popular and also their expert advice on choosing the right provider for your dog/s.

1) Why is Doggy Day Care so popular in Australia?

Doggy day cares are a great option for dogs with separation anxiety, says Ness Jones of Separation Anxiety In Dogs Decoded.

Day care can take the pressure off owners as they won’t feel guilty about leaving their dogs home alone in a state of panic and distress, enabling them to go to work, meet friends or pop to the shops knowing their dogs are having a blast.

Day cares can be amazing places where your dog can thrive and return home exhausted, but fulfilled and contented, or they can be centres of chaos which stress your dog out and unsettle them to the point they need a few days to decompress afterwards.

So it’s important to test the waters and ensure your dog is comfortable in the one you choose. That might be a case of taking them to the centre and staying with them for a while to see if they are actually having a great time or, in fact, shutting down and feeling overwhelmed. Alternatively, drop them off at the day care for half an hour and, if the staff are open to it, ask them to do a live video feed so you can see how your dog is settling in – and obviously return if you can see it is too much for them.

Most importantly, for a dog with separation anxiety that struggles with crate confinement, ask if they kennel the dogs during the day. The last thing you want with a dog with crate phobia is for it to be put in a crate and left to “bark it out” simply because the staff don’t understand the absolute fear and panic your dog is going through." adds Ness.

“Dog day care is definitely a growing industry “agrees Maggie Curr-Smith, co-Director of The Hound Lounge in Annandale (inner Sydney). “With our dogs becoming more a part of the family than they are pets, people are increasingly looking for an option to provide socialisation, supervision and mental stimulation for their dogs while they are out of the house. 

A good dog day care provides all this and more - and is therefore a popular option for those of us who are out of the home for long hours or want to give our dogs the best we can when we aren’t able.” “The Covid-19 pandemic has also been a contributing factor with many owners finding their dogs are having trouble with the transition back to work and spending time alone. 

Day care is a great option for social dogs who don’t like to be alone and can help them learn some independence from their owners and have some play time in the process. Learning independence and having a social and mental outlet is a great option and can even be a stepping stone to dogs becoming more comfortable at home on their own.”

"Doggy day care was once thought of as something for over indulged fur babies, however today it is becoming a normal activity for dog owners." said Neil Roberts from DogFX in Adelaide. "These days dog owners are better educated and want to ensure that their dogs lead a happy and enriched life.

I am yet to find a dog that doesn’t enjoy doggie day care. Some dogs are not into a lot of play but they like to be part of the group or just enjoy following the team member around wanting cuddles and treats.

We are a specialist small breed centre as we know that smaller breeds (e.g. Maltese, Shih Tzu) play very differently to larger breeds so everything we do is aimed at keeping them entertained. Being smaller breeds we offer smaller toys and balls and over the years we have added Doggy TV - DVDs made especially for dogs!"

Steve Rush and his family took over the running of The Dog Ranch in Mona Vale (Northern Beaches of Sydney) which opened in 2020 and also went through a lockdown in early 2021 so he offers a fresh perspective on the pet industry.

"COVID restrictions have led to an increase in dog ownership: with people spending more time at home, they decided to share that time with a loving and loyal companion. 

Many did put their furry friend in day care for 1 or 2 days a week for socialisation, exercise and mental stimulation.

Photo Credit: The Dog Ranch

Interacting with and socialisation of your puppy, with other dogs, is so important for their development during this puppy stage, to learn good behaviour and build confidence.

It also helps them feel comfortable in different environments, helps address separation anxiety and relieves boredom. Now as many people are starting to return to work, we are also seeing more dog owners using day care to ensure that their dogs are supervised in a loving and caring environment while they are at work.”

As with most businesses, he admits it hasn’t all been smooth sailing thanks to the pandemic!

“The numbers have been down in general as more people are at home with less need for day care. Our boarding numbers were also down as many people have had to put their holidays on hold. However, more people returning to work we have seen the numbers slowly increase in the early part of this year and hope this continues.”

2) How to know which Doggy Day Care is the right fit for your pooch?

“Dog day care is a great option for dogs who are outgoing and love to socialise and can provide hours of stimulation and fun.” explains Maggie Curr-Smith. 

✔️ Dogs who are suited to day care are happy in the company of other dogs and humans and who enjoy a rumble with their canine friends.

✔️ “A trial session is an important step in discovering if daycare is the right option for your dog. These short sessions allow dogs a taste of the environment without becoming too overwhelmed and allow the staff to watch your dog for signs of being stressed or overstimulated by day care. This session and the communication offered by the staff are key to making the decision to send your dog to a day care long term.

Some dogs may love day care right away, but many may also need several short sessions to help them settle in at their own pace and ensure that they are having the best time possible.”

“Dogs are typically very social animals. It does however depend on each individual dog as to what works best for them” says Steve Rush. 

Photo: The Dog Ranch

“Some love to chase balls all day or rumble with the pack, while others find this overwhelming and would prefer to just relax in a small group or have lots of cuddles. 

It is important to understand what suits your dog.

✔️ At the Dog Ranch, we assess each dog to understand their temperament, and determine how comfortable they are around dogs of different sizes, ages and energy levels. We can then group dogs of similar type together in one of the open play areas or the comfy lounge. 

You get to know each dog’s personality, what they like and what they don’t and with care and attention it’s nice to see how they settle in as they feel more at home and get to know the other dogs. As dogs become more familiar with the Ranch, we can move them around with different groups, under close supervision, to ensure they get the most out of their day.

Dogs are very intuitive and remarkably adaptable. One of our “regulars” is a beautiful Koolie, full of energy and very adventurous. She was unfortunately born deaf and almost blind, but you’d barely know it. When she first came to us, she was a little timid, staying close to us as she took in the whole experience, but she very quickly learned the layout of the Ranch with the help of the other dogs, and now runs around and plays with all the dogs.

It’s amazing to see how the other dogs relate to her. They know that there is something special about her and they seem to accommodate for it. They play differently with her;  they are just that little bit more gentle and more tolerant. It’s beautiful to watch.”

Dogs love unscripted adventures!
Photo: Fitness Dogs

Gustavo Montagut operates two very different but complementary styles of doggy play care: the newly opened Dogs in Town in Alexandria which is a traditional indoor doggy day care centre as well as Fitness Dogs, delivering off-leash dog adventures and real outdoors experiences for dogs.

From his perspective “it can be hard to truly know which day care is best for your dog. Most day cares will say your pup is fine when they actually aren't - whether they're anxious or scared or not playing well with others - so this makes your dog’s experience extremely difficult. 

Which dog would not enjoy a Dogs in Town's
Dogwarts special birthday celebration?

But the day care centres that communicate to you clearly are the ones that are the ‘go to’.

✔️ When they give advice, suggestions or provide resources to help your dog, this shows they truly care for them and just want the best for them.

The new crop of doggy day care centres like Dogs in Town offer a wide range of services: from grooming to special birthday celebrations, off-leash adventures and even doggy pickups in a comfy fully air-conditioned van for all those busy pet parents!

A spokesperson for the Canine Cubby Activity Centre for Dogs (QLD) shared "not only do we offer swimming confidence classes and canine hydrotherapy sessions but our daycare has plenty of running room to help with the dogs built-up energy and we work hard with building their confidence through puzzles and obstacles. 

Our centre allows dogs to dig, play in the rain and under the sprinkler, we also introduce them to home life e.g. with lawn mower noises, blower vacuum, wheel bins, wheel barrow etc."

In addition to their traditional doggy day care, The Hound Lounge also offers obedience training (group and private classes) as well K9 Nose Work - scent detection classes, a great activity to engage dogs physically and also stimulate them mentally. 

Photo Credit: The Hound Lounge

3) What are your tips on how to choose a dog day care centre?

"Always look for transparency when choosing a day care" recommends Ness Jones. "Is the day care comfortable with you touring their facilities? (often this is done out of hours so as not to put undue stress on the dogs having strangers wandering around). If they aren’t prepared to show you the environment your dog will be kept in or are reticent about answering any of your questions, I would run a mile.

Do they provide daily videos or photos, or even a webcam, of the dogs throughout the day? Do the dogs get time-out to rest during the day or is it a free-for-all where the dogs get over-stimulated?

I would also ask what the staff-to-dog ratio is, how many dogs they have in over one period and if the dogs are segregated in terms of size, so the smaller ones aren’t inadvertently injured by a boisterous bigger one. But it’s not just size, dogs with varying play energies will have a better time if they are paired with dogs of the same ilk. If you can find a day care that also does guided activities during the day, as opposed to letting the dogs run wild for eight or so hours, that’s even better.

I think it is really important to also know what experience the staff have, how aware they are of dog body language and their abilities to determine escalation of bad behaviour. Also remember, if they are inexperienced with dogs that can lead to frustration on their part, and this might be transferred to the dogs in their care."

"One important consideration is firstly the location and ease of getting the dogs in and out of the day-care centre" says Neil Roberts from DogFX. "You don’t want to be parking a mile away and having to walk when you are rushing to work in the morning!"

For The Dog Ranch's Steve Rush “it’s about finding a place with caring, attentive and knowledgeable staff, as well as a clean and well-maintained facility with a variety of activities to keep your dog stimulated.

Photo Credit : The Dog Ranch

The Ranch has a large open space for dogs to run around, chase balls, have a splash in the pond, and rumble with the pack. 

We also provide hours of ball throwing, ramp runs and rope tugs to cater for all energy levels, with an agility course for mental stimulation. 

Some quiet time is also allocated each day to ensure that dogs are not over-tired, and there’s even an air-conditioned lounge to accommodate older, smaller or less active dogs.

✔️ The staff should be able to get to know each dog and provide regular feedback to the owner on how they have progressed. It’s also good to be able to pop in at any time to see your dog playing and regular photo updates are always fun.

But like all doggy day care owners, I’m biased. I would suggest asking other dog owners who use day care and even trialling a few and compare for yourself. Of course, each dog is different and your reason for using a doggy day care may be different, but possibly the best indication of which centre is best for your dog is how excited your dog is to return on subsequent visits.

It’s very rewarding for me to see dogs pulling on their leads to enter, as you greet them each morning, excited for another fun filled day!" adds Steve Rush.

'Frens' that snooze together, stay together!
Photo: The Hound Lounge

Maggie Curr-Smith agrees “communication is the key, look for a place that is open and honest about how your dog is doing in the day care environment.

We all love to hear when our dogs are doing well with someone else, but it is equally - if not more important - to know when they may be having a tough time. A good day care will be able to help your dog work through any difficulties they may be having, and help them to settle in, whilst being honest about the progress your dog is making or not making. 

✔️ Staff should of course love dogs, but also be very familiar with reading their body language and listening to what the dogs are trying to tell us. Training and behaviour qualifications and experience are also a massive asset to any dog day care, and staff should be open and willing to discuss any concerns you may have or help you through training issues.

✔️ A good social media presence is something many people look for as it will allow you to see snapshots of your dog’s time in day care as well as see how things are set up and how the dogs are interacting with each other.

Overall look for somewhere that makes both you and your dog feel comfortable, all day care environments are a little different to each other and your dog may be happier in one than they are in another, and that’s okay!" concludes Maggie.

Gus from Dogs in Town agreed whole-heartedly and advised any interested dog owner to “call in and schedule to have a look at the place to see if it's the right kind of environment for your pup, then book an assessment and ask for detailed answers on how the dog did that day. 

If the day care assessment is too quick or the answer dismissive, e.g. ‘yep they're great’ then they may not be the best place for you?

Another red flag is “if your dog starts acting differently or in a negative way, maybe try a different day care if you notice this happening more than once?”

Gus recommends to "start your dog at an early age if possible and also to be consistent to ensure the best outcome".

"Sometimes, a better option for a dog that is overwhelmed by larger day care centres is a smaller, less frenetic home care facility. Again, look for the experience of the person running the home care, how many dogs are present, where they are kept (fencing may be an issue if your dog is an escape artist) and check if your dog is comfortable there before leaving them entirely alone" suggests Ness.

Please Note:

A reminder to dog owners considering sending their dogs to doggy day care for the first time.

✔️ Keep your dogs safe by checking the training and behavioural qualifications of the operator you're entrusting your dog to and also that they use only positive reinforcement training methods (meaning dogs are not punished for undesirable behaviour but rewarded for their good behaviours).

✔️ All dogs must be up to date with their C3 and Kennel Cough vaccinations in order to attend day care, dog boarding and dog training and dog sports classes. 

Some providers understand that an annual vaccination program may not suit all dogs or owners and a copy of titre test results showing sufficient immunity can also be adequate but make sure if you check first what the centre's exact policy is.

We'd like to thank Ness Jones from Separation Anxiety in Dogs Decoded, Steve Rush from The Dog Ranch, Maggie Curr-Smith from The Hound Lounge, Neil Roberts from DogFX and Gustavo Montaigut from Dogs in Town / Fitness Dogs and Canine Cubby Activity Centre for Dogs for their contribution to this story.

The Dog Ranch is the first themed doggy day care in Australia and it opened recently in Mona Vale (NSW) on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

"We wanted to create a place that not only makes the dog happy but also every single human who walks through our doors", explains Co-founder Natalie.

Partner and Co-founder Trent hand built each and every single feature on the premises whilst Natalie decorated, painted and designed all the themed areas, this being their fourth renovation project together! A lot of what is in the ranch came from their own wedding, which was also themed country and western.

If it wasn't challenging enough to start a new business venture, the official opening day on March 28 coincided with the start of the lockdown!

"Initially we had over 40 people RSVP to our opening but it was tough to know whether or not they would show up or if we should cancel. With the shut down and social distancing measures in place few attended which was of course disappointing but in the end we persisted with remaining open. The Covid-19 crisis really was a struggle for us to the point where we did think about shutting up shop" admits Natalie, but "as we put all our blood, sweat, heart and tears into this place we persisted and we have finally come out the other end."

So let's throw open the gates to see what wild adventures await your pooches...

The inspiration behind The Dog Ranch Doggie Daycare

Main Street, Deadwood, South Dakota, 1876

Founders Natalie and Trent came up with the theme “Deadwood” as they have a soft spot for old country movies like Calamity Jane, country music and more recently the Deadwood series - Deadwood (South Dakota) was established in 1876 during the Black Hills gold rush. 

The Dog Ranch comes with uniquely themed areas spread over a 500m2 play area, which will appeal to all dogs but especially your high-energy dogs.

Dog Ranch resident dog Kodah is a blue merle Border Collie so the owners understand how hard it is to find a place that will tire out your working breed! This why they have two dedicated “Working Dog Days" for those pooches requiring that additional mind stimulation and physical exercise.

Pooches are separated in two groups: small dogs and large dogs and they will visit each area throughout the day to enjoy all the fun including cowboy movies, ball games, swims, runs, mining for gold, treats not to forget a visit to the General Store!

The Gold Miners Cave

Featuring Chesterfield comfy couches and luxury endless cowboy movies for your "shep" - Wild West slang for dog of course), the Miners Cave is designed to keep your pooches warm in winter and cool in summer. 

The Miners Camp

This is where dogs can sit around the campfire, swap stories and watch the stars of the Wild West frontier. 

A Dog Swamp is upon the ranch for your fur baby to dip in on those hot days - or just to have a splash if they love water.

Ye Old Dog Wash

As an optional extra ($40), your "Shep" will be washed and pampered in the purpose-built Deadwood Bathhouse.

Starting with a deep cleansing shampoo, suited to your pooches skin and coat needs, followed by a treatment conditioner, your baby will receive a massage from head to toe, a deep relaxing rinse is next, a wild blow dry, a silky brush out, a touch of cologne, tasty treats throughout and of course lots of TLC.


Deadwood Saloon

This space is designed for the doggies to go back in time and relax, they can nibble a treat and drink water from the troughs on the saloon porch, whilst watching other cowboys ride by. 

They will be served Wild West whisky shots - healthy  Vegemite or beef frozen treats - each day!

There will be plenty of time for them to explore the Ramps and Forts of the Wild West, located above the ranch.

Dogs can run their hearts out and keep a look out for the forts scattered over the whole of Deadwood Dog Ranch.

The Mind Stimulation Area

Because it's as important as physical exercise for dogs, there's also a huge space full of mind stimulating activities and games, agility equipment etc. to not only give your doggy the best experience of the day, but also to tire out their little brain!

They'll be ready for a good night's sleep after their fun adventures in the Wild Wild West! 

Your furry best friends will be photographed in the "Wanted" photo booth to make all his fur pals drool on social media!

“Just to know your dog is having a good time and a great day, puts your mind at ease and warms your heart because you know that once your dog comes to Deadwood, we are going to treat them like our own with all the love, play and nurturing they deserve.” concludes Natalie.

So if you're a dog parent on Sydney's Northern Beaches, what are you waiting for? Yeehaa!

The Dog Ranch is throwing a Grand Opening Party on Saturday 27th February 2021, from 11am until 3pm.

Prices & Where to Go

Prices are as follows: River Rider: $49; One Off Cow Boy: $55; Half Day Run Wild: $39 

Address: 

The Dog Ranch

Shop 3/4 Taronga Place, Mona Vale, NSW, 2103

Phone: (02) 9446 7457

For details, visit www.thedogranch.com.au

Catch up with the latest "shep" action on Facebook at www.facebook.com/deadwooddogranch or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/deadwooddogranch/

More people are opting for convenience over space in our large cities and our hectic lifestyle also comes with longer working hours and less precious free time to spend with our pooches. Many inner-city dog owners actively search out alternatives to leaving their dog alone all day and are turning to services such as doggie day care, dog sitters or dog walkers to ensure their pet’s wellbeing.

We spoke to the operators of three doggy day care centres around Australia to find out why these services are increasingly popular and asked their best tips on how to find the right provider for your dog.

Tom Dowse, CEO of Centennial Bark (Sydney), reveals “we hear stories about people being harassed or abused because their dog is barking a lot and that’s just heart-breaking to any dog lover. There are options for addressing separation issues in dogs and dog day care is the one we’ve chosen to offer as part of the solution. 

The Sydney City Council also offers great advice and assistance to educate people when it comes to responsible dog ownership in the city.

Co-Founder Shane Matthews adds “there will always be people who love dogs and those who prefer the company of other (or even no) animals. 

With the growing popularity of inner-city dog ownership we don’t want to see this divide cause friction. We see part of our mission at Centennial Bark to help build communities of dog owners so that the experiences of everyone in the city can be positive. Because our clients’ dogs know each other from day care they tend to be better behaved in their local dog parks and in other public places. This in turn sends such a positive message to those sharing the space with them.”

WHY IS DOGGIE DAY CARE INCREASINGLY POPULAR?

Renee Hughes, Owner of Pooch Play Care (Adelaide) believes that doggie day care has become the norm for a lot of families for many reasons. "First, we all love our pets and want the absolute best for them! She believes that dog owners don’t want to leave their pooch home alone all day and instead choose to increase their dogs’ social skills and stimulate their minds. 

Accessing a dog day care centre gives their pooch a day of play, learning, socialising and care whilst they’re at work or away for the day so it is a great alternative. 

Owners are also starting to realise the benefits of providing their dog with the stimulation they can only get from other dogs.

Pooch Play Care caters to many dogs that are destructive if left home alone. Often a day of play can help alleviate the boredom or separation anxiety some dogs experience when they are left home alone for hours at a time.

But the most common reason people bring their dog a day care centre is because they want a social dog. A dog they can take for walks, go to the dog park with, take to other people’s homes and generally have them be a part of their everyday life. Providing your dog opportunities to socialise early in life and regularly throughout their life will help ensure your dog is comfortable around other dogs."

Centennial Bark staff also provides daily walks 

Shane adds that "exercise, interaction and stimulation throughout the day is far more beneficial to any dog’s wellbeing than the size of its living area." 

Tom also recommends day care to people who have something planned for that night: "they will pick up their dog ready for a long night’s sleep after a day with us, and their owner can go out and enjoy their evening knowing their dog is content.”


Leah and Angela O'Meara from Houndog Daycare (Brisbane) explain that "a lot of their customers are time-poor: they may have had a child recently or gone back to work - and their dog may not be getting the attention they were used to… Taking them to a doggie day care helps alleviates some of that guilt!

Some customers use our services to “maintain” their dogs’ social skills by mingling with a regular friendly group of doggy friends. Many owners like the fact that a daycare centre offers a controlled environment where dogs are fully supervised by expert dog trainers. In some cases owners no longer take their dogs to the park or the beach, because of their reputation for dog fights etc. We only visit these locations at off-peak times, knowing that this is a much safer option. We do what we can to avoid the public (and their dogs) as this situation comes with too many 'unknowns'. 

For high-energy dogs,  a 3 or 4-hour session of running, playing and swimming is a great way to drain their energy so they’ll be tired by the time they’re ready to go home!

Houndog Daycare regularly takes its furry customers to the beach - which owners rarely have the time to do - and for those dogs needing to lose weight in particular, swimming offers a low-impact exercise. "Lots of the dogs will happily swim during our outings - as they mimick each other - yet, they will refuse to do so with their owners. It’s a funny thing to watch: a group of dogs with four trainers in the water and lots of squeaky toys, all having a good time! They love it!" 

In 2016 we launched a very unique concept with our doggy day trips to Stradbroke Island. No other doggie daycare provider in Australia has ever taken a group of dogs (on a ferry across Moreton Bay) to spend a day on an island!

Houndog Daycare day trip to the tropical paradise of Stradbroke Island: a first in Australia!

HOW TO KNOW IF DOGGIE DAY CARE IS RIGHT FOR YOUR DOG?

"Generally dogs that have frequented dog classes, dog parks and had opportunities to socialise will do well in dog day care. But not always!" explains Renee from Pooch Play Care. 

Pearl, Baxter, Oscar, Freddie, Duchy & Ollie love Pooch Play Care

"When a new dog starts with us, they go through a very slow, calm and controlled introduction to the other dogs in our care to ensure they aren’t put through unnecessary stress and anxiety. 
Not all dogs will enjoy dog day care, whilst others love the running, tumbling, playing and socialising it can provide. Like humans, dogs have their likes and dislikes…. Some of us like loud parties, some of us like quiet dinner parties, dogs are the same! 

If you are unsure how your dog might respond in care it’s a great idea to book them in for a short visit to see how they respond. Make sure you ask the provider to send you pictures and updates throughout the day so that both you and the dog day care centre can monitor your dog’s body language and behaviour. This will help ensure your dog is comfortable in their new surroundings. At Pooch Play Care, we send a progress report during the day and a final report at the conclusion of the first visit to advise dog owners how their dog integrated in day care."

Angela explains the process they follow at Houndog Daycare: "we like to do a phone interview first to have a chat with a potential customer about 'why' they’re looking for a doggy day care and what they’d like to achieve. We build a dog profile which includes basics like their dog breed, social ability, personality traits etc.

We then book a trial day (3 to 4 hour period) to assess each new dog’s suitability with 4 to 6 trainers present on that day. As we operate day tours we need to check how they travel in the doggy bus (any travel issues like car sickness) and if they’re comfortable in close proximity to other dogs (any space issues). Upon arrival at the park, do they mix and mingle well with new dogs of various breeds and temperaments and what are they more interested in: e.g. chasing balls, or doing their 'own thing' like sniffing and exploring?

We will give the owner a full run down on how their dog went and if the trial is successful, the new dog will start by joining our regular day trips on either a once a week or once a fortnight basis.  We don’t offer casual visits or day trips as we feel there is way less chance of conflict when a group of dogs know each other and remain "familiar" with each other: this is the recipe for harmony among the pack!

EXPERT TIPS TO CHOOSE A DOG DAY CENTRE

Tom offers his tips: “apart from basic requirements such as a clean well-maintained daycare space, paying attention to your dog’s wellbeing should be top of mind when choosing a provider. 

The caring staff at Centennial Bark

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the services offered, how much time your dog spends playing, exercising and resting, and how staff manage things like fights and bullying behaviours between dogs. 

There should be a balanced mix of play, exercise and rest throughout the day. Above all, if you’re thinking about dog day care or pet sitting, ask to see the space where your dog is going to spend the day. Any good dog professional will be very open with you on this point.”

Shane recommends to "choose a day care centre that has staff and facilities that you feel comfortable with. You should expect a thorough debrief on your dog’s day, particularly after the first few visits. We also like people to see what their dog is doing when they’re with us – and most places will offer web cams or photo updates throughout the day as a measure of transparency for you.”

“Houndog has a very strict ratio of one trainer for every 4 to 6 dogs and a maximum of 10-14 per group at any time" advises Leah. Our trainers and staff members understand breeds, canine body language and dog behaviour – this is critical for safety reasons – and also receive continuing education and training.

She points out that owners should be "wary of daycare centres that accept random or casual dog visits or have huge numbers. Dogs naturally live in smaller packs. It only takes one dog to upset the balance and scuffles can break out quickly" so they should be supervised at all times. In addition to the screening process to ensure sociability (with dogs and humans), each dog must be desexed and up-to-date with flea and tick control (preferably wearing a tick collar).

Renee adds that "you know your dog best! Do you think they would enjoy a whole day spent indoors or would they like to venture outside also?" Pooch Play Care is an indoor/outdoor centre providing dogs a choice to spend their day playing where they are most comfortable. She feels it is in our dogs’ best interest to provide them with a natural experience and this includes being able to splash in a pool, dig in the dirt and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine!

Smiles all around from Jordan (Shepherd), Dexter (Labrador) and Rubi (Husky) at Pooch Play Care

She also suggests to "ask if the centre has a behaviour management philosophy? She believes that centres using force-free methods are always preferable. Pooch Play Care strictly supports positive reinforcement only: meaning dogs are not punished for undesirable behaviour but rewarded for their good behaviours.

Tom also says “it’s important to understand the limitations of any doggy day care. Yes, it can deliver many positive enhancements to your dog’s behaviour but it will be virtually impossible to deal with any significant behavioural issues you may not even realise your dog has. The better places will tell you if your dog isn’t adjusting to the experience. If they find that your dog has behavioural concerns, they will direct you to a trained dog behaviour specialist if necessary.”

Renee also shared some fur parents' special requests with us.

"Being dog lovers ourselves there isn’t much that surprises us! We have an incredibly adorable Dachshund who visits us that prefers to drink out of a mug. Don’t we all though? Another puppy needs to be nursed to sleep for his midday nap and we all fight over that job! When it comes to the food, some of our precious puppies eat cooked lunches, vegetable casseroles, grass-fed meats and grilled fish! This can get awkward when staff brings in vegemite sandwiches!"

On a personal note, we'd like to see more of this new breed of facilities and services around Australia especially - speaking from our experience - in the outer suburbs where dogs are left alone the longest due to our longer commutes. It certainly would make for much happier pooches, owners and communities generally!

We'd like to extend our thanks to Shayne Matthews and Tom Dowse from Centennial Bark, Renee Hughes from Pooch Play Care, Leah and Angela O'Meara from Houndog Daycare for their contribution to this article.

Related Stories:

The Rise of Doggy Day Care in Australia

How to Raise a Puppy in the City