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5 Best Dog Daycare Centres in Melbourne Worth Trusting Your Pup With

Facility Safety: We closely looked at the physical setup of each location to ensure they use secure fencing and high-quality non-slip flooring. This helps prevent any unexpected slips or injuries while the pups run around together.

Staff Qualifications: We prioritised centres that hire experienced handlers who understand complex canine behaviour and know how to handle emergencies. Having trained professionals on site ensures that playtime stays safe and structured.

Daily Enrichment: We checked the daily schedules to ensure the businesses offer an ideal mix of active games and scheduled quiet time. Pups need the perfect balance of physical play and calm rest periods to avoid burning out.

Convenience and Location: We focused on daycares that offer easy drop-off and pick-up systems for busy pet parents. Being situated near major commuting routes makes your morning rush a whole lot smoother.

Leaving your dog behind during a busy workday can feel a lot harder than it should. You want somewhere safe, stimulating, and full of energy where they’re actually excited to stay. 

The best dog daycare in Melbourne isn’t just about supervision; it’s about creating a space where dogs can play, socialise, and burn off energy in a structured way. 

I’ve explored local centres that combine strong safety standards with engaging daily activities and plenty of human interaction. From group play sessions to quiet rest zones, these spots are designed to keep different personalities comfortable and entertained.

Here’s a closer look at the top places that help your dog end the day just as happy as when they started it.

How much does dog daycare cost in Melbourne?

In Melbourne, keeping your dog entertained during the day typically costs between $48 and $80 for a single casual session.

Service TypeAverage Rate Range (AUD)
Casual Daily Rate$48 – $80
Half-Day Session$30 – $50
Multi-Day Packages (Per Day Equivalent)$50 – $65
Extra Perks (Grooming, Pet Taxi)$15 – $35+

1. Dogs HQ – South Melbourne

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Website: https://dogshq.com.au/locations/south-melbourne/

Address: 2/186 York St 

Contact: 390 434 927

Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Dogs HQ has a huge 560-square-metre indoor space where dogs can really stretch out without feeling boxed in. The setup is designed around healthy socialisation, with high staff-to-dog ratios that allow for close supervision throughout the day. 

I’ve heard from a neighbour whose energetic spaniel goes here, and she always talks about how genuinely invested the staff are in each dog’s wellbeing. 

The facility is also kept exceptionally clean, using vet-grade products to maintain high hygiene standards across all play areas.

However, Dogs HQ is often at full capacity for extra-large breeds, so if you own bigger dogs, you might need to join a waiting list before securing a spot.

Pros

  • Special anti-skid flooring
  • Dedicated quiet rest areas
  • Indoor agility equipment
  • Vet-grade cleaning systems

Cons

  • Waitlist for extra-large breeds

Highly recommend

We absolutely love this doggy daycare! The team is so caring and professional, and I always feel confident leaving my dogs in their hands. Bailey and Marlow come home happy, tired, and well looked after every time. It gives me such peace of mind knowing they’re safe and having fun. Highly recommend to any dog parents in Melbourne

The staff are very nice and friendly too

My puppy always gets excited when going to Dogs HQ and have a great time there. Going to the daycare has become the most looking forward event for my pet. I love that they keep posting stories in instagram so I can sometimes spot my puppy via the stories. The staffs are very nice and friendly too, they have created a loving and playful environment for the pupps!

2. Diggiddy Doggy Daycare South Melbourne

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Website: https://digdog.com.au/

Address: 41 Brady St 

Contact: 396 762 000

Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Managing an overstimulated pup can be tricky, but Diggiddy Doggy Daycare is designed to keep energy levels balanced throughout the day. 

They break up active play sessions with a dedicated mid-morning relaxation hour, complete with calming aromatherapy and soft classical music. This structured rhythm helps prevent dogs from becoming overly tired or cranky by pick-up time. 

Every dog goes through a detailed behaviour assessment on their first day to make sure playgroups are safe and well-matched. I like how this kind of setup feels thoughtful, especially for dogs who need a bit more routine in their day. 

They also offer on-site dog grooming services in Melbourne, which makes pick-up time even more convenient. 

However, they require a C5 (canine cough protective) vaccine for all dogs, which is stricter than the typical C3 requirement at most other centres.

Pros

  • Mid-morning relaxation hour
  • Active high-energy exercises
  • Comprehensive behavioural assessment
  • On-site grooming available

Cons

  • Stricter vaccine required

The best daycare for pups and dogs

This is the best daycare for pups and dogs. Harley (our 2 year old TT) has been coming here for nearly a year. He started off as a shy (and sometime reactive) boy, but quickly grew in confidence. He LOVES the team (who are all huge dog lovers) – Stef, Whitney and the groomers – and especially LOVES the amazing dogs. I have peace of mind knowing he is being looked after as the team match the right energy dogs together. I highly recommend this amazing place.

Perfect environment for socialisation

Diggiddy Doggy Daycare is the best – my girl absolutely loves coming here. The staff are caring and fun, exactly who you’d want your pup to be spending the day with – they are dog lovers through and through – your furry friend will be in the safest hand. Such a perfect environment for socialisation! Thanks team!

3. Kip Brunswick Dog Daycare

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Website: https://kip.com.au/locations/brunswick/

Address: 197 Albion St 

Contact: 393 840 860

Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Leaving your furry family member behind can bring on a bit of separation anxiety, but Kip Brunswick Dog Daycare is designed to give owners real peace of mind. 

They offer spacious indoor and outdoor playpens for dogs to enjoy throughout the day. I visited this facility last month to check out the layout, and seeing how the dogs excitedly wag their tails made it pretty clear how much they enjoy the space. 

The team is great at matching pups into specific playgroups based on size and energy levels to keep play safe and balanced. Plus, I love how they provide consistent free photo and video updates, so you’re never left wondering how your pup is doing.

Pricing tiers here are flexible, which helps keep weekly costs manageable. 

But because of their tailored matching system, dogs from the same household may be placed in separate play sessions.

Pros

  • Climate-controlled indoor spaces
  • Free photo and video updates
  • Size-based matching playgroups
  • Flexible bulk buy pricing

Cons

  • Dogs under the same household may be separated due to tailored matching

Good experience

My puppy really loves his playdates at Kip Brunswick. The staff is so caring and loving with him and all the other dogs. Every time we take him to daycare, he’s happy and excited.

Thank you for taking such good care of Charlie.

Delightful team

Wonderful daycare and a delightful team! We have two sausage dogs, our little Subi is generally quite an anxious girl, but she enjoys Kip so much that she gets so excited when we pull into the driveway! Our other saussie, Chase, can barely contain his excitement in the morning when getting out of the car.

4. Andy’s Doggy Day Care

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Website: http://www.andysdoggydaycare.com.au/

Address: 2 Rickard St, Brunswick East  

Contact: 488 482 027

Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Providing enough outdoor adventure for a high-energy dog during a busy work week can be a real challenge. 

Andy’s Doggy Day Care stands out by weaving real outdoor exploration into the daily routine, including supervised walks through nearby Fleming Park. 

I like how it feels less like a confined daycare setup and more like a structured day out, especially for dogs that get bored indoors. It’s a great fit for pups who need constant movement and stimulation throughout the day. 

Your peace of mind is also prioritised, with comprehensive pet insurance automatically included in every standard visit. 

Plus, they offer a discounted introductory rate of $45 AUD for new customers. Just a heads-up, though: that rate only applies to first-time visits.

Also, take note that they don’t provide mobile dog grooming services in Melbourne

Pros

  • Supervised walks in Fleming Park
  • Included standard pet insurance
  • Dedicated shaded relaxation areas
  • Affordable initial trial visit

Cons

  • Discount for first-timers only
  • No mobile dog grooming service

It’s been nothing but a joy

It’s been 4 years since Molly joined Andy’s Daycare, and it’s been nothing but a joy. Shane and the team are always cheerful, kind, and full of love.

Molly absolutely loves being part of the daycare family. In the morning, as soon as I say “Let’s go to Andy’s daycare!”, she lights up with excitement.

Thank you to the whole team for taking such loving care of Molly all these years.

The best Doggy Daycare in the area

I started bringing my dog to Andy’s last year and all I can say is Andy’s is by far the best Doggy Daycare in the area. The staff are awesome, patient and accomodating. They treat the dogs as their own and my dog has really come out of his shell since attending Andy’s. A dog who was once not great with other dogs, now runs straight into Andy’s with excitement. Couldn’t recommend Andy’s enough.

5. Dogtropolis Doggy Daycare & Spa

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Website: https://www.dogtropolisdaycare.com.au/

Address: 30-32 Tope St 

Contact: 395 992 787

Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Building confidence in a shy or anxious pup often comes down to creating the right balance of comfort and gentle structure. 

Dogtropolis Doggy Daycare & Spa blends closely monitored physical play with mental stimulation to help dogs slowly build confidence in a supported way.

I like how the staff keep a close eye on every interaction, making sure no pup feels overwhelmed or left out during the day. 

They also offer professional on-site grooming, which makes it easy to bring home a clean, well-groomed dog after a full day of care.

Just keep in mind that every activity is carefully structured and supervised; dogs don’t get much completely unguided, free-roaming time. So if your pet prefers total independence during play, this more guided environment might feel a little restrictive.

Pros

  • Highly monitored guided play
  • Focuses on canine confidence
  • Balanced mental stimulation
  • Professional on-site spa grooming

Cons

  • No unguided free-roaming time

Recommended

Sent my pup here for nearly a year while working nearby on a project. The operating hours were great and the staff were always so friendly and inviting. They took such good care of Norman even when he was acting out. Have moved to another work location but would recommend Dogtropolis to anyone who needs a doggie daycare servcie. Thanks team!

Staff are friendly and professional

Our two Westies absolutely love their daycare days at Dogtropolis! They can’t wait to get there, and they come home tired and happy. The daily report card with photos are adorable, as was the ‘birthday cake’ and party hat for our dog’s birthday. Staff are friendly and professional and get to know your dogs well.

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