Melbourne
10 Best Dog Daycare Centers in Melbourne
The right dog daycare depends on your dog’s temperament, activity needs and your expectations for supervision and communication. This guide compares Melbourne centres by the care, settling-in and extra services they describe.
Our method for this guide
This guide does not try to list everyone. It is our pick of dog daycare centers in Melbourne, built on each business's public reputation and on how central this service is to what it does.
Featured positions are clearly marked and only offered to businesses that already earned their place in the guide.
Complete list
10 Dog Daycares in Melbourne Compared
Dogs HQ
Dogs HQ is a dog day care centre where dogs can play and socialise while their owners are at work. The team provides updates at collection and posts photos and videos through Instagram Stories during the day. It suits puppies, older dogs and shy dogs, with staff monitoring individual comfort and behaviour.
Notable strengths: Instagram Stories let owners check in during the day
Owners needing daytime care for their dogsPuppies needing social interactionShy or older dogs requiring attentive supervision86-88 Hoddle St, Abbotsford VIC 3067, AustraliaThe Woofs of Ball st
The Woofs of Ball st provides dog day care in Mordialloc, with a caring, closely monitored approach for dogs attending daycare or an overnight stay. The service includes updates through daily photos and videos, while progress reports can give owners insight into a dog’s day and development. New or anxious dogs may be eased into socialising at their own pace.
Notable strengths: Daily photos and videos provide a detailed view of a dog’s time in care
Owners wanting regular updates while their dog attends carePuppies or anxious dogs needing a gradual introduction to group socialisingFactory 3/13-23 Japaddy St, Mordialloc VIC 3195, AustraliaPlayful Pups Doggy Daycare
Playful Pups Doggy Daycare in Braeside provides regular day care for dogs. It suits owners seeking a caring daytime environment where dogs can play, socialise and return home tired and content. Communication is a notable part of the service, with video updates, social media tags, newsletters and yearly reports available to families.
Notable strengths: Provides video updates and family communication
Owners needing regular daytime care for their dogsDogs that enjoy play and socialising11 Citrus St, Braeside VIC 3195, AustraliaKip Brunswick Dog Daycare
Kip Brunswick Dog Daycare is a custom-built Brunswick centre offering structured play, indoor and outdoor areas, air-conditioned comfort and regular photo or video pup-dates through a customer portal. It suits dogs needing supervised socialisation and activity, with puppy school also available. Attendance begins with a First Day Trial, and vaccination and desexing requirements apply in specified circumstances.
Notable strengths: Provides photo or video pup-dates through an online customer portal
Dogs needing structured play, socialisation and daytime care197 Albion St, Brunswick VIC 3056, AustraliaDogs HQ - South Melbourne
Dogs HQ South Melbourne is a dog day-care centre focused on supervised care, play and socialisation. The facility is described as clean and safe, with attentive staff, online booking and updates through photos and videos during the day. It can suit dogs that need daytime activity or gradual confidence-building, including dogs that are initially shy or anxious.
Notable strengths: Photos and videos provide visibility into the dogs’ activities
Dogs needing daytime play, care and socialisationOwners who value updates during their dog’s dayUnit 2/186 York St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, AustraliaHoundz Paradise Doggy Daycare & Grooming
Houndz Paradise Doggy Daycare & Grooming provides dog day care in Maribyrnong, with supervised exercise, play and attentive care. It suits energetic dogs and owners who want regular updates during the day. New dogs undergo a trial run before acceptance, while the service is also described as supporting dogs with separation anxiety through familiarity with their individual personalities and needs.
Notable strengths: A trial run is used to assess whether a new dog is a good fit
Energetic dogs needing exercise and stimulationOwners wanting updates and photos during daycareDogs needing a gradual trial before joining daycareUnit 2/2 Caulson Cl, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, AustraliaKip Fairfield Dog Daycare
Kip Fairfield Dog Daycare provides daytime care, play and training for dogs in Thornbury. It suits owners who need care while working or want their dogs to socialise and return home tired. The daycare is distinguished by staff who learn individual dogs’ quirks, incorporate manners and walking skills, and provide photo and video updates during the day.
Notable strengths: Daycare includes training, play and social interaction
Owners needing regular daytime care for social dogsDogs that benefit from play alongside basic training and stimulation221 Grange Rd, Thornbury VIC 3071, AustraliaBarks and Recreation Dog Daycare
Barks and Recreation Dog Daycare is a Coburg North dog daycare with large indoor and outdoor play spaces and qualified carers in attendance. It suits owners needing daytime company, exercise, stimulation or socialisation for puppies and adult dogs. The centre distinguishes itself through transparent communication, tours, regular photo and video updates, highlight videos and carers with tertiary animal-care qualifications and previous relevant experience.
Notable strengths: Qualified carers remain in attendance and understand dog behaviour and body language
Owners needing daytime care, play and stimulation for their dogsPuppies needing socialisation in a supervised settingOwners who value regular updates about their dog’s day4 McDonald St, Coburg North VIC 3058, AustraliaKip Bayswater Dog Daycare
Kip Bayswater Dog Daycare provides daytime care and social time for dogs in Bayswater North. It suits owners looking for a regular setting where dogs can spend time with other dogs and familiar staff. The centre also offers baths, and repeated accounts describe dogs becoming comfortable and more confident through attendance.
Notable strengths: Regular attendance is associated with dogs forming friendships and becoming more confident around larger dogs
Dogs needing regular daytime socialisationOwners seeking daycare with bathing available17 Burgess Rd, Bayswater North VIC 3153, AustraliaKip Bayside Dog Daycare & Boarding
Kip Bayside provides dog daycare, boarding and pet transport in Moorabbin. Daycare includes play and socialisation, while boarding provides a private room, bedding and daily playtime. Owners can receive photo and video updates through a customer portal, and boarding extras include medication administration, outdoor exploration, solo playtime and additional daycare.
Notable strengths: Photo and video updates are delivered through a customer portal
Social dogs needing daycare or overnight careOwners who want regular updates during a dog’s stay8 Levanswell Rd, Moorabbin VIC 3189, Australia
The numbers on the map match the positions in the list.
For businesses
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Daycare features described by the listed centres
- Supervised daytime playCentres describe indoor or outdoor spaces, structured play, exercise, stimulation and social time for puppies and adult dogs.
- Settling support for individual dogsSome teams discuss gradual introductions or extra attention for shy, anxious, older or otherwise unsettled dogs.
- Photos, videos and progress updatesCompare Instagram Stories, customer portals, daily photos, video updates, newsletters, reports and collection updates.
- Training, grooming and extended careOptions include puppy school, manners and walking skills, baths, grooming, boarding, pet transport and tailored boarding extras.
How to choose dog daycare in Melbourne
- Think about your dog’s social styleAsk how a centre introduces puppies, anxious dogs, shy dogs or dogs that need a slower pace before joining group play.
- Check entry requirementsKip Brunswick requires a First Day Trial, Houndz Paradise uses a trial run, and Kip Brunswick also states vaccination and desexing requirements in specified circumstances.
- Decide how much feedback you wantIf updates matter, compare centres offering portals, photos, videos, progress reports or collection-time information.
- Match care with your routineFor extended needs, check whether the business describes boarding, transport, grooming, baths or specific weekday hours as well as daycare.
Frequent questions
Which daycare centres provide updates during the day?
Dogs HQ, The Woofs of Ball st, Kip Brunswick, Playful Pups, Dogs HQ South Melbourne, Kip Fairfield, Barks and Recreation, Kip Bayside and Houndz Paradise all describe photo, video or other family updates.
Are trials required before regular daycare?
Kip Brunswick states that dogs complete a First Day Trial, and Houndz Paradise describes a trial run before acceptance. Confirm the current process with the centre.
Which options mention support for anxious or shy dogs?
Dogs HQ - Abbotsford, The Woofs of Ball st, Dogs HQ South Melbourne, Barks and Recreation and Houndz Paradise describe individual monitoring, gradual socialisation or support for dogs that are shy or anxious.
Do any listed centres offer boarding as well as daycare?
The Woofs of Ball st describes daycare and overnight stays, while Kip Bayside provides daycare, boarding and pet transport with optional boarding extras.
