Small Dog Daycare Services in Darlinghurst
Where Little Dogs Live Big Lives
Darlo Dogs is Sydney’s trusted dog daycare for small breeds, conveniently located in Darlinghurst — welcoming everyone from playful puppies to wise old paws. Safe and fully supervised, our holistic approach to their health and well-being offers balanced days of socialising, learning, play, and rest, giving you peace of mind and your dog the happiest tail wags.
Recognising that daycare isn’t the right fit for every dog, we require all newcomers to complete a 3-hour trial or join our Baby Puppy Social Club for puppies aged 10–16 weeks. This allows them to settle into a new space slowly and meet friends in a calm, controlled way, ensuring each visit is a positive experience.
With most of our pups starting at just 11–12 weeks old and returning weekly for years, you know it’s more than just daycare — it’s the Darlo Dogs difference.
Why Small Dog Daycare Is Great for Your Pup
Socialisation
A confident dog is a happy dog. We can help your dog build confidence safely by exposing them to various experiences, people, and other four-legged friends in a safe and controlled environment.
Behavioural Benefits
At Darlo Dogs’ small dog daycare, we provide a personalised and gradual introduction to the new environment at your dog’s own pace. Much like humans, you don’t want to overwhelm them! We’ve successfully found this approach significantly reduces any anxiety and stress our new friends may experience, while still giving them the experiences they need to develop their confidence.
Starting out and want to know how to set your puppy up for life?
Our comprehensive Social Stars: Playbook to Socialising your Puppy has all the tips your need.
Understanding their needs from the beginning
Tips on introducing new friends
Setting boundaries for a calm and confident dog
Socialising your puppy is more than just play; it’s a crucial step that sets them up for a happy, well-adjusted life. We absolutely love watching puppies learn and grow each day at our daycare. With a personal touch, we nurture each puppy’s unique needs, helping them thrive in their own special way. Download your free copy today!
Premium Facilities
From our indoor temperature controlled play area, to our dedicated resting space, we’ve built world-class facilities at Darlo Dogs so that we can provide world-class care. We maintain the highest hygiene standards, so your dog walks away feeling as happy and healthy as possible. We also passionately believe in being environmentally conscious, with indoor grass toileting and degradable poo bags.
Why Darlo Dogs is the Best Choice for Small Dog Daycare
A Safe & Fun Environment for Your Dog
As a dog owner, you keep a close eye on your puppy. So do we! Our custom-designed space ensures your dog’s safety with secure play areas. One of our experienced staff members will always be with your dog, taking the time to understand their individual personality and likes and dislikes. This allows us to facilitate engaging activities to keep them happy and stimulated, making every visit truly engaging for them.
Experienced & Passionate Dog Handlers
If you can find a bigger pack of dog lovers than our experienced team, we’d like to meet them! Through careful selection and rigorous training, our passionate and caring team is able to provide the best dog day care in Sydney.
A Day in The Life at Small Dog Daycare
- Mental enrichment is in the form of practicing manners and playing some agility games.
- Desirable socialisation—we don’t force your dog to interact with us or other dogs. We want them to be relaxed, so if they’re an older dog not loving the high-energy puppies, they will have respite away from them. Cuddles are paramount!
- Walks outside to one of our nearby parks or a variety of great smelling trees to leave pee-mails
- An opportunity for them to have quiet time. Incredibly important for a well-rounded, balanced day.
How To Enroll Your Dog in Our Daycare
Our online booking system gives you complete control over securing your place. As a new client, we require a few details about you and your dog when you book your 3-hour Temperament Trial. We do have a cap on numbers to ensure complete safety, so a booking before 7:30 a.m. on the day is a must to attend. No drop-ins are allowed.
FAQ
We open at 7:30am and once everyone has been checked in the day will begin!
Half dayers will join in from 7:30am or 10am.
Depending on which dogs are in that day your dog will join in a group with a similar energy level. This may change multiple times throughout the day.
There will be play, stimulating games, wee walks, some rest and chill, some more running, more play and of course 100% no nasty tasty treats for positive behaviour. (with your permission)
Our aim at Darlo Dogs is not to run the dogs ragged but for them to leave suitably exercised and content. This makes for a well balanced dog.
Pick up for you dog is anytime before 6:00pm. This gives us a chance to clean efficiently, set up for a new day and gives us sufficient time to recharge for the next days fun and frivolities.
No. We welcome all dogs as most start from 10/11 weeks old. However, as with all dogs, there is a strict temperament test before being allowed to join in the fun. We have the right to refuse any dog due to aggression or anti social behaviour.
Once you’ve decided to join Darlo Dogs head to the “Join the Family” button at your convenience. Choose the day and time that suits you for your temperament trial.
Complete the one time form and agree to the “Terms & Conditions”.
To book an exclusive daycare spot you must pre-pay as a casual or buy a credit pack (becomes cheaper too!) and then book the space online. We cap numbers for the safety of all dogs and staff.
All new dogs are required to undertake a temperament test before being allowed to join in the fun. This helps us understand if a dog is suitable to the daycare environment.
The safety of all dogs and carers is our number one priority! We have a designated ‘time out’ space where dogs are placed for a short while if they show any signs of anti-social , aggressive behaviour or their energy gets too high.
Over excitement permitted I mean, who doesn’t get over excited occasionally?
Aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated.
Most certainly! Our team will always be watching, interacting, cuddling or playing with the dogs.
We have created a safe and positive environment exclusively for small breed puppies to learn vital social skills in a controlled environment.
They certainly will! They will go on walks to the local parks and have short visits to the closest trees during the day. For younger puppies and inside dogs we have real grass inside! (trialling.. so far so good!)
We open at 7:30am and once everyone has been checked in the day will begin!
Half dayers will join in from 7:30am or 10am.
Depending on which dogs are in that day your dog will join in a group with a similar energy level. This may change multiple times throughout the day.
There will be play, stimulating games, wee walks, some rest and chill, some more running, more play and of course 100% no nasty tasty treats for positive behaviour. (with your permission)
Our aim at Darlo Dogs is not to run the dogs ragged but for them to leave suitably exercised and content. This makes for a well balanced dog.
Pick up for you dog is anytime before 6:00pm. This gives us a chance to clean efficiently, set up for a new day and gives us sufficient time to recharge for the next days fun and frivolities.
They crave social interactions and thrive in the company of other dogs.
They need social interactions so they don’t become reactive, miss dog cues when meeting others or become aggressive when they don’t understand. Critical for young puppies to grow into well balanced adult dogs.
Being alone for long stretches, they are likely to get bored and up to mischief!
We accept puppies once they are sufficiently vaccinated to be around other fully vaccinated dogs. This is when you vet says they can walk on the footpath but not yet ready for the grass.
We will spend a few minutes with you and your dog when you first arrive before allowing them to join the daycare group. We separate the pen and give them a chance to settle in with us before introducing them to a dog with a similar energy level. When they are ready they’ll join the others. .
We aren’t just looking for potential aggressive tendencies but also signs that your dog may be too anxious in a daycare scenario. The last thing we want is to make the whole experience traumatic for your dog and leave them with long lasting issues. Some puppies and dogs may take more than one visit to feel comfortable. We want them to have the best fun and every visit a positive one!
All new dogs are required to undertake a temperament test before being allowed to join in the fun. This helps us understand if a dog is suitable to the daycare environment.
The safety of all dogs and carers is our number one priority! We have a designated ‘time out’ space where dogs are placed for a short while if they show any signs of anti-social , aggressive behaviour or their energy gets too high.
Over excitement permitted I mean, who doesn’t get over excited occasionally?
Aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated.
Puppy’s are welcome from 10 weeks of age and once your vet has said they’re able to socialise around other fully vaccinated dogs. When they’re okay to walk on concrete but not the grass.
It is a requirement that dogs older than 12 weeks of age are up to date with their C3/C5 and Kennel Cough vaccinations. We understand that an annual vaccination program may not suit all dogs or owners so a copy of their titre test results showing sufficient immunity will also be adequate.
In order to prevent the spread of fleas and worms between dogs at daycare, all dogs must be up to date with flea and worming treatments in order to be eligible for daycare or grooming. Fleas, like nits for kids at school love spreading the love amongst their hosts.
Yes, once a new puppy or dog is given the chance to settle in and, when they’re ready, they will join the rest of pack.
We will feed your puppy if they eat during the day. Please bring their food so they don’t get an upset tummy trying something new. They will be taken to a separate area and allowed to eat without distractions. You can also add on ‘Lunch’ to a booking and they will be given a size appropriate scoop of Ziwipeak.
With your permission pups will be rewarded for positive behaviour with our 100% natural treats.
Our approach is to always reward, distract and encourage positive behaviour.
Yes. We offer drop-off’s by foot and are $28 for up to 10 mins walk from Daycare.
You want a well balanced, confident and socialised little buddy. Small dog puppies are just that.. small. Tiny in some cases, so a safe place to learn and play is perfect! Everyone deserves a break from one of the daily park runs once in a while, don’t they? You not them!
Ready to play?
We can’t wait to meet you!
