ABOUT GOOD DOG SOCIETY

  • Good Dog Society is a boutique, small-group dog daycare designed around a simple idea: a good dog day is about balance.

    We combine socialisation, structured play, enrichment and rest in a calm, thoughtfully managed environment.

    We're not trying to be the biggest daycare. We're creating a place where dogs can have fun, feel comfortable and genuinely be cared for.

    Small groups. Calm play. Genuine care.

  • You’ll find us at Unit 11/6B Nelson Road, Cardiff, in Lake Macquarie.

    We’re busy getting the place ready, with opening planned for November 2026.

    The dogs have been very little help with the fit-out.

  • We're currently working towards an November 2026 opening.

    We'll confirm our official opening date as soon as everything is ready to go.

    Want to be ready for opening day? BOOK YOUR TEMPERAMENT ASSESSMENT NOW

  • We keep groups small, get to know each dog and pay attention to what makes a good day for them.

    That means thoughtfully matched company, supervised play, things to sniff and explore, and proper time to rest. We notice who’s ready for more and who’s ready for everyone to take a hint.

    You get people who know your dog. They get a day that suits them.

    A full day doesn’t need to be full-on.

THE DOGS

  • GDS suits dogs who enjoy other dogs’ company and feel comfortable in a small-group daycare setting.

    Every dog starts with a temperament assessment. We get to know their confidence, energy, play style and ability to settle, taking their age and individual needs into account.

    It helps us work out whether they’ll enjoy our kind of day—and feel comfortable with the company.

    Good company starts with a good match.

  • Yes—provided they’re ready for the experience and meet our age, desexing, health and vaccination requirements.

    We assess each puppy individually, looking at their confidence, experience around other dogs and ability to enjoy group activities and settle between them.

    We keep introductions gradual and give them time to find their feet.

    Making friends is a big deal when you’re new here.

  • All dogs must have an up-to-date C5 vaccination, including canine cough coverage, before attending GDS—even for a temperament assessment.

    We’ll need a current vaccination certificate before their first visit. If your dog has recently been vaccinated, please check with us before booking so we can confirm any waiting period.

    The paperwork is boring. Keeping everyone well is worth it.

  • Yes! All dogs attending GDS must be desexed. It’s part of how we keep our small groups happy, safe and harmonious!

  • Potentially, yes. Some dogs need a little longer to feel comfortable with new faces—and we respect that.

    During their assessment, we’ll look at how they respond to people, other dogs and the space, whether they can settle, and what support they might need.

    A gradual introduction may help some dogs find their feet. For others, group daycare may feel overwhelming, even with smaller groups and a slower pace. We’ll be honest if we think that’s the case.

    We want them enjoying their day, not just getting through it.

  • We don't simply put dogs together based on size.

    When creating groups, we'll consider factors including:

    • Age 

    • Size 

    • Energy level 

    • Confidence 

    • Play style 

    • Temperament 

    • Social experience 

    • Individual personality 

    Groups may change throughout the day depending on the dogs and what they need.

    The right dog. The right group. The right day.

  • We keep groups small and match dogs by temperament, play style, confidence and energy.

    Group sizes vary depending on who’s attending and what each dog needs.

    It’s about who gets along, not how many fit in the room.

THE DAY

  • Every day will be a little different, but the general rhythm will include:

    Arrive & settle: A calm transition into the day.

    Play & socialise: Thoughtfully managed interaction with other dogs.

    Explore & enrich: Activities designed to engage both body and brain.

    Rest & reset: Dedicated downtime to decompress and recharge.

    More play & enrichment: Depending on the individual dog and group.

    Head home: Happy, settled and ready to tell you all about it.

  • Absolutely.

    Rest is deliberately built into the GDS day.

    Dogs don't need to play constantly to have a good day. Downtime allows them to decompress, recharge and practise settling in a stimulating environment.

    We want dogs going home happy and fulfilled - not completely fried.

  • Activities will vary depending on the dogs, their needs and the day.

    These may include:

    • Structured social play 

    • Scent and sniffing activities 

    • Exploration 

    • Interactive games 

    • Puzzle-based enrichment 

    • Individual activities 

    • Calm sensory experiences 

    • Supervised downtime 

    The aim isn't to constantly entertain dogs.

    It's to give them interesting things to do - and permission to do nothing for a while too.

PRACTICAL

  • GDS is open Monday to Friday, 7.30am–6pm. We recommend morning drop-offs and afternoon pickups so your dog has time to settle in and enjoy their day. There are no fixed drop-off or collection windows.

  • Daycare is $70 per day, with discounted 10-day and 20-day passes available.
    See our full pricing & packages →

  • We' have a simple booking process designed around regular, manageable group sizes.

    Before booking daycare, your dog will need to:

    1. Complete a Temperament Assessment with the GDS team

    2. Provide the required health and vaccination information.

    3. Receive approval to join the GDS pack.

    4. Finalise their booking profile  and get ready for their first day!

  • For regular daycare, we'll keep the list simple.

    Your dog should arrive:

    • Wearing a secure collar or harness 

    • With identification 

    • On a lead at drop-off and collection 

    • Ready for a good day 

    We'll provide the rest of the GDS environment.

    If your dog has specific dietary, medication or care requirements, we'll discuss these with you before their first day.

    And yes, please label anything you send in. Dogs aren't renowned for their organisational skills.

  • The health and safety of the whole pack comes first.

    If your dog becomes unwell during the day, we'll assess the situation, contact you and arrange collection where appropriate.

    Dogs displaying signs of contagious illness should remain at home until they're well and meet our return-to-daycare requirements.

    We'll provide our full illness and exclusion policy before your dog's first visit.

  • We'll never expect a dog to simply "get over it."

    If a dog is struggling to settle, our team will assess what's happening and adjust their environment, activity or interactions where appropriate.

    Sometimes a dog needs more time. Sometimes they need a quieter space or some downtime. And sometimes we may decide that daycare isn't the right environment for them.

    Our priority will always be the dog's wellbeing - not forcing them to fit the program.

Still have a question?

No problem - we know there’s a lot to know when it comes to your dog.

Send us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

No question too small. No dog backstory too detailed.