Guide to Choosing Dog Boarding & Daycare in Melbourne’s North-West (Greenvale)

Whilst both dog boarding and dog daycare involve other people taking care of your dog, there are some differences. Let’s look at what is typically included in each of these pet stay services.

Dog Daycare involves leaving your dog in the hands of others only for the day. You drop your dog off in the morning, and pick them up in the afternoon or evening. It might be a one-off, or you may choose to book a dog into dog daycare five days a week.

Dog daycare suits:

• People who work away from home, and want to ensure their dog receives proper care while they’re absent.
• People who mostly look after their dog at home, and are looking for a new adventure for their dog, or need occasional dog care from others.
• People heading to a one-off event, who need someone to care for their dog on the day.

Dogs benefit from dog daycare too, especially:

• Dogs that are nervous being left alone at home, and need companionship during the day.
• Dogs that require heaps of physical activity throughout the day, and get irritable stuck at home
• Dogs that live in small quarters at home, and could benefit from wide spaces to roam in all day
• Dogs that bark a lot when left alone at home
• Dogs that love to socialise, or that need opportunities to socialise under supervision.

At a premium dog daycare service like Dogdayz in Greenvale, you can expect that your dog will receive plenty of attention and affection from staff during the day. They will be exercised, with plenty of access to wide open spaces to run around in, as well as calm areas where they can rest. Any medical conditions they have will be monitored by staff, and in a medical situation, a vet will be called to tend to your dog.

Dog Boarding is where your dog stays overnight in the care of a dog boarding service. This might be just for one night, or for multiple nights.

At Dogdayz premium dog boarding service, your dog will receive the same level of care as they will in our dog day care service—that being access to outdoor space to roam about in, social interaction with other dogs, attention and affection from a dog care team, access to rest areas, and health monitoring. In addition, regular nutritious meals, and overnight accommodation in comfortable, secure lodgings, usually in the company of another suitable dog, or else in a private suite (at an additional cost, limited availability).

Dog boarding suits:

• Those attending an evening event, who don’t have anyone to look after their dog at home
• Those heading off on a work trip or holiday for multiple days, who want to ensure their dog is well cared for while they are away
• Those moving house (locally, interstate or internationally) who would like to have their dog cared for during the transition
• Dog owners who need to go into hospital for a period of time, or who are in recovery after surgery, who want to ensure their dog gets plenty of activity and care when they can’t provide adequate care themselves
• Pet owners going on camping trips to national parks or campgrounds where dogs aren’t permitted.

Leaving your beloved dog in the care of others can be nerve-racking, but if you choose the right dog minding service, you can alleviate a range of concerns.

Dogdayz in Greenvale offers a level of care that your dog may not receive in an average dog daycare or dog boarding service. The benefits of Dogdayz include:

• Wide open spaces in a rural setting, but close to the CBD and Melbourne Airport
• Securely-fenced grounds
• Plenty of enriching activities for dogs, all day
• Opportunities for dogs to socialise with other dogs of a similar size and temperament (Dog daycare and/or boarding are fantastic ways to support your dog’s social development, building confidence and healthy play behaviours.)
• Opportunity to burn off excess energy (a stay at Dogdayz is a great outlet for physical and mental stimulation, giving your dog the opportunity to run, explore, and engage in group activities. It makes for a calmer dog when they get home.)
• 24/7 supervision by our professional dog carers
• Comfortable and shaded areas for rest
• Warm and comfortable sleeping kennels (for dogs who stay overnight)
• Private suites for dogs who prefer their own company (limited availability and an additional fee applies)
• Daily health checks
• Administration of medication for dogs who require it
• Vet on call when needed
• Updates for owners who want to check in on their dog while they are away.
• Dog transport to and from Dogdayz to your home (an additional fee applies)

The alternatives to a professional dog boarding or dog daycare service is to use in-home care, whether it be a dog minder visiting your home at appointed times to attend to your dog’s needs, or you leaving your dog in the home of the dog carer.

Whilst these may be viable options, it can be challenging to guarantee that your dog will receive sufficient and appropriate care.

Here’s a brief list of potential drawbacks when it comes to using home-based dog minding services in Australia:

1. The service may not adhere to regulations
   Home-boarding services must adhere to regulations when it comes to the number of pets they take on at a time. They may only take up to two dogs at a time before they require a permit. If you use a home-based service with fewer than two dogs in care, you may not be certain if they are following safety standards. With more than two dogs, you need to check that they have the appropriate permit and ask questions about adherence to regulation.
2. Limited Supervision
   Some dog minders may only visit your home once or twice a day to see your dog. This may mean that your dog is alone for extended periods of time, and your dog may need more attention than that. It can also be difficult to ascertain how long the visit actually is, unless you use security cameras to check the comings and goings of your dog minder, and that has its own implications in terms of privacy.
3. Unfamiliar Environment (for home boarding)
   If your dog visits another home, they may feel stressed or unsettled. They may not have opportunities to work off this anxiety, especially if the home they are boarding in is small.

3. Security Risks (for in-home visits)
   It poses a risk to your home security to allow a stranger into your home, even if that stranger has great online reviews.
4. Unpredictable Socialisation
   If the minder cares for multiple dogs, mixing unfamiliar dogs can lead to behavioural issues or even fights without proper supervision. At Dogdayz, on the other hand, dogs are carefully chosen so that they bring out the best in each other, rather than pose a risk.
5. Limited Facilities
   Home environments may not have large open spaces for your dog to move around in. In fact, they may be quite confined. Every dog will handle tight spaces differently, so if your dog likes more space, then a spacious dog boarding centre will be preferable to a home dog boarding house.
6. No On-Site Emergency Support
   Unlike professional boarding facilities, home minders may not have immediate access to emergency care or staff trained in pet first aid.

A safer bet may be to opt for a well-known and trusted dog kennel facility, like Dogdayz. Dogdayz has a longstanding reputation for providing high-quality care for dogs. There’s a reason why we often book out months in advance! It’s because our customers know their dog is in safe hands with us.

When selecting a quality dog daycare or boarding service in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, it’s important to consider the following features, exemplified by Dogdayz:

1. 24/7 Supervision: We keep an eye on your dog continuously, meaning you can be assured they are safe and well cared for at all times. ​
2. Supervised Social Activities: Dogs engage in fully-supervised play with compatible companions, promoting socialisation and exercise.
3. Daily Health Checks: Dogs receive regular health checks by carers, and vet visits are available to attend to any dogs that are in need of further care.
4. Secure and Comfortable Facilities: The indoor kennels are clean, warm and secure, ensuring that your dog has a safe and restful sleep.
5. Outdoor Adventures: Access to secure, grassed play areas and fields allows dogs to enjoy outdoor activities safely.
6. Personalised Attention: Individual patting sessions and one-on-one interactions ensure each dog’s unique needs are met.
7. Pet Transport Services: Convenient transportation options are available to and from the facility, easing logistics for pet owners.
8. Flexible Daycare Programs: Special daycare programs offer structured activities and social engagement, catering to various schedules.
9. Qualified and Caring Staff: Experienced professionals provide compassionate care, ensuring a positive experience for your dog.
10. Transparent Communication: Open channels for inquiries and facility tours demonstrate our commitment to your satisfaction. ​