About Urban Dogs
As dog owners, we all know the struggle of leaving our dogs at home all day and then trying to make time to attend to their play and exercise needs at night.
Urban Dogs Dog Daycare provides a fun, safe, all weather environment where you can drop your dog off and we will fill their days with activities, naps, hugs, treats and plenty of dog social time - so that at the end of the day, you pick up a happy, pooped pup!
We are more than happy to show you around so you can see what your pup is getting up to, plus we post photos every day on Facebook so you can check in with your dog and their friends!
We are proud to not only offer a quality daycare facility for dogs, but a community of like-minded, dog-loving people. Your pups happiness and wellbeing is our first priority, we would love the chance to show you what we do.
Dog Squad
We like to think we have the best squad in the world! If you take a peek at the camera rolls on our phones, you’ll discover one thing - dog photos. So many dog photos. At parties, you’ll find us in the corner, chatting with the dog and enthusiastically showing off our latest canine snapshots to anyone who will listen.
There was that one time at a staff dinner when we spotted one of our UD Fam strolling by outside... and, in a burst of excitement, we all ran into the street to say hi. To the dog, obviously. The poor dog mum was a bit overwhelmed, and the manager of the restaurant was very concerned we were dodging the bill.
Once you are a part of this family you are a part of a crazy team of dog lovers who dedicate their day to taking care of your pups and making sure they have the best day possible!
Leanne Andersen
CCO - Chief Cuddle Officer
Leanne has been sending her dog to daycare since he was a tiny pup, firmly believing that a well-socialised, well-cuddled dog is a happy one. So when the chance came to swap her management role for running a daycare full of furry chaos, she didn’t just say yes—she ran towards it like a dog spotting an unattended sandwich.
When she’s not surrounded by the UD pups, you’ll find her at the UD Farm, conquering the wild terrain on her trusty ride-on mower, Bruce. She also takes great pride in organizing our legendary squad parties - because when you don’t have neighbours, the only noise complaint comes from the cows!
Kerry Johnstone
ACO - Associate Cuddle Officer & Grooming Queen
Kerry may not have any formal dog training, but she does hold an A++ in dog cuddles (self-awarded, don’t question it). Kerry has a background in Marketing & Sales and has a very important job outside of UD, but loves nothing more than keeping our pups groomed to perfection! She reckons its easier than her other job, and the dogs are better listeners.
When she’s not multi-tasking like a legend, you’ll find Kerry and her rescue pup Poppy enjoying their favorite weekend activity - professional-level afternoon naps.
Beka
Dog Squad
Beka has a Degree in Costume Design, which means she’s either busy making movie magic on a film set or covered in dog fur at UD (her true happy place).
Beka is mum to Felix, an outrageously adorable black spoodle she adopted in 2021, and Harrison, an equally adorable baby human born in December 2023.
She’s our resident Disney princess - though if she got to choose, she’d definitely be Sleeping Beauty … purely for the unlimited naps.
Cassidy
Dog Squad
Cassidy started with us as a teenager, doing work experience while studying Canine Behaviour. It very quickly became apparent that UD would be a better place with her in it on a regular basis so we asked her to join our Dog Squad permanently.
Now, Cassidy is off to Wanaka to trade in her dog daycare duties for full-time slope adventures. We’re pretty sure the pups are plotting a rescue mission to bring her back but we will keep you posted ...
Hannah
Dog Squad
Hannah started out as a groomer but quickly realised that five dogs a day just wasn't enough! So she upgraded to full-time dog chaos, bringing her endless smiles and enthusiasm with her - she's a walking serotonin boost and we are lucky she decided to trade in her clippers for poop bags!
Hannah is mum to a pup called Looney, who is about the happiest puppy you will ever meet!
Imogen
Dog Squad
Immy kicked off her career in tourism, but the call of wagging tails and belly rubs was just too strong to ignore. So, she traded in sightseeing tours for dog training and earned herself a diploma in Canine Behaviour. Lucky for us, she joined the Dog Squad, and life has been way fluffier ever since.
Immy is mum to two pups, Marley and Luna, with Luna meeting her brother and litter mate here at Urban Dogs after she started. Some might say it was kismet, and we are so glad it was. Immy is genuinely pawsome, and her love for dogs (and humans) knows no bounds.
Jenny
Dog Squad & Groomer
Jen doesn’t just work with your dogs—she sings to them, dances with them, and we’re pretty sure they love it. I mean, who wouldn’t want a personal concert and a dance party with Jen as their hype queen?
She’s also mum to Zara, and two of those non-furry babies, Josh & Christopher. If there were a Disney princess that had 100 dogs, and spent her days spreading cheer and song, that would be our Jen.
Jess
Dog Squad
If it's trending, Jess already knew about it yesterday. Our in-house TikTok guru, she’s always serving up fresh ideas and making us laugh. She is a social media wizz and tries very hard not to roll her eyes at the Gen X'ers trying stay in touch (when we say "tries very hard", we mean she has managed to reduce the eye rolling to three times a day)
And when it comes to dogs? She’s got that magic touch. They take one look at her at the gate and suddenly, their parents are old news. Sorry Mum & Dad, Jess is the main character now.
Jessie
Dog Squad
From the Isle of Man and now claiming NZ as her home, Jessie comes from a dog walking background but is loving the doggy daycare vibe. She loves a schedule and is happiest when everything is running to plan.
Jessie is mum to a beautiful rescue pup called Layla, but she has formed very strong attachments to some of the daycare pups and we have to keep an eye on her to make sure she leaves at the end of the day with just one dog.
Jordan
Dog Squad
Jordan has a serious soft spot for rescue dogs, she has helped many pups in their journey to find their forever homes, and her own dog Blu is actually a foster fail! We are sure she had every intention of finding him a home, but he was just so damn cute!
When Jordan’s not knee-deep in dog hair and foster adventures, she studying psychology- maybe to better understand why she keeps saying “no more dogs” and then immediately taking in another?
Kerry-Lee
Dog Squad
Kerry-Lee is basically a logistics wizard, a dog squad rockstar, and the zen master we all need in our lives. She’s the one who keeps everything running smoothly while managing to stay as calm as a pup in a sunbeam. If there’s chaos, she’ll fix it before you even notice!
Kerry is mum to Jess the bearded collie, and also has one of those baby humans, the gorgeous and cheeky Ollie who was born in 2023.
Her skills with dogs, humans and organisation are pawsome, and she is a serious asset to the UD team.
Meg
Dog Squad
Meg’s love for animals runs deep, but let’s be real - dogs are her absolute fave (and she’s not even subtle about it).
She’s the proud dog mum of Whiskey, the golden retriever with the waggiest tail in town, and the mum of Quinn - our only girl squad baby, born in 2023 (the official UD baby boom era and, coincidentally, the year we finally retired the reception chair … RIP).
Armed with sharp comebacks and flawlessly blended contour, Meg brings the fun, the sass, and the best one-liners every single day.
Sami-Rose
Dog Squad
Sami is a big fan of rescue pups, she has a soft spot for the underdogs (literally) and is well-loved by the pack - probably because she gives the best belly rubs and has a talent for finding just the right scratch spot.
Sami is mum to Kahu and Manaia, you'll know Kahu from the Facebook photos because he has the most piercing blue eyes you have ever seen!
Sami has worked in a few different dog daycares (but managed to find her way to the best one) and she wouldn’t trade a life surrounded by dogs (and their chaos) for anything.
Tahlia
Dog Squad
Tahlia is the baby of the group - fresh out of school and ready to take on the world, and she is loving learning all about the pups!
Tahlia's pup Jezabel is a sassy girl who is quick to voice her opinions at the top of her lungs - we have found Tahlia a lot less noisy, plus her kitchen cleaning skills are some of the best we have ever seen!
Squad Dogs
The staff dogs are, without a doubt, the funniest, naughtiest, and sassiest members of the team. They’re the first to cause chaos, the last to follow the rules, and somehow still the best teachers for the daycare crew. Whether it’s showing the newbies how to perfect their zoomies, demonstrating the fine art of begging for treats, or leading by questionable example, the Sqaud Dogs keep things entertaining - and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
FAQs
Feel free to contact us to ask if your question isn't covered here...
Are large dogs separated from small dogs?
Dogs are grouped in order of size and temperament. It is important for small dogs to interact with big dogs and vice versa as when their owners take them out and about they can’t control who they run into. However, at Urban Dogs mixing is done very carefully by our qualified team who know dog body language and the groups are ALWAYS supervised. We would absolutely not mix a large high energy dog with a small low energy dog.
Will my dog learn to bark more?
There’s three main reasons dogs bark - over excited, bored or under stress – for the comfort of all our dogs, our team and our neighbours, we don’t allow excessive barking. A little barking while playing is accepted and a bit of excited barking on drop off (dogs just love coming to daycare) and when seeing their owners on pick up (dogs just love their owners) but that’s it. Our team will work with the parents of any excessive barkers.
Are the dogs constantly supervised?
Yes – dogs are supervised AT ALL TIMES by our trained team. Click here to find out more about our team.
Will my dog get on with the other dogs?
All dogs must pass the pre-play assessment before being accepted into Urban Dogs. The squad are constantly reading the dogs body language and moving the groups around so that all dogs are comfortable and having fun.
Is there an area designated for dogs to lie down?
Yes, there is plenty of bedding, we also have “Mat time” in the middle of the day. For relaxing we have four chill our areas where dogs can lie on beds and sofas and rest. Our team are constantly reading the dog body language and grouping dogs so that are dogs are happy. If a rowdy puppy is annoying the older ones they will be separated. We have nine different areas for this as well as separate day beds so your puppy will get regulated rest time (as they don’t know how to regulate their own play) and your older dog will get to relax without being annoyed.
Can you offer training for specific problems with my dog?
Yes, we have loads of great options for dog training. Click here for more training info.
What is the policy on food and snacks?
We do offer our doggos treats during the day if they are allowed, so please let us know if your dog has any special requirements - we are happy to accommodate.
Dogs are usually fed at home before and after daycare, however if you have a young puppy or older dog that requires an extra meal in the day, you can drop the food off with your pup - we feed all dogs separately. Dogs should rest for 15 minutes after being fed to prevent bloat, and stomach issues, so we ensure this is done at daycare too.
If you are bringing your dog’s lunch or snacks with them please clearly mark with their name (just like children’s lunches).
Where do they poop?
Without an outdoor area, all toileting is done inside - but don't worry, dogs know the difference between daycare and home so they rarely continue this behaviour outside of daycare. The Squad pick up and mop up as soon as the pups toilet.
My dog hasn't been to dog daycare before - I'm nervous but want to give it a go?
It’s fine to feel nervous when trusting your furbaby into the care of others. Our expert team will look after your pup and let you know how they settle in. We want you and your dog to feel comfortable when using our services, so we offer your dog’s assessment and trial free so you and your dog can try us out with no cost or obligation.
We will send you updates and photos so you can see how your pup is doing on their first day.
You are more than welcome to come and drop by as many times as you like before your first day. If you’d like to only do a half day that’s also fine.
Will they make friends?
Most dogs make friends easily, they are grouped with other dogs who have the same interests and temperament so they all get on.
Do you have a desexing policy?
It is part of our terms and conditions that all pups need to be desexed at 6 months to attend daycare - there are differing opinions on what age is best for your dog to perform the desexing operation and we advise that you research what works best for you and your pup. Daycares have the 6 month policy purely because of behaviour and safety issues, and we are happy to go through these reasons if needed.
Is fresh drinking water available?
Absolutely, water is available at all times, however your dog may still be thirsty after daycare. Please be aware of their water intake as excessive amounts may cause an upset stomach or other problems.
Are vaccination records required before enrolment?
Yes – for the health and safety of all our team and dogs we have some pre-play requirements, please see the rules and regulations page for more info. We have a vaccination management system so you can be assured of the ongoing safety of your dog.
How are dogs disciplined for bad behaviour?
Dogs come to daycare to have fun, but in order to maintain a safe environment they also need to play by the rules we set for them. We believe that it is important for dogs to have structure in their play time. Through the use of basic command practice and positive reinforcement methods, the dogs learn that good behaviour brings rewards (play, treats, verbal and physical praise). We have found that by using positive reinforcement methods, the dogs actually want to learn and are eager to please. While appropriate behaviours are reinforced, inappropriate behaviours are disciplined, through the use of time outs or loss of play.
Our team are constantly reading the dog’s behaviour and are trained to catch problems before they arise as we want to ensure all dogs have a fun and safe experience while at doggy daycare. If a dog is acting up we look into why – there are many different reasons so we tailor our response to the problem. i.e. if a dog is tired and grumpy we will let them chill out in the RSA or behind reception away from the other dogs for a little while. Just like with children when a dog gets too excited or tired they can play up. We always offer training if there are any issues.
Please keep in mind not all dogs are candidates for dog daycare. Some dogs do not do well in this environment. Please do not take this personally as this by no means states that you have a “bad dog”. Our primary concern is for the wellbeing of all our guests by providing a fun, safe environment.
Do I bring toys?
We have loads of dog toys in every shape and size. All toys in the dog play area must remain neutral to avoid possessiveness. We also don’t allow external toys into daycare for hygiene reasons.
Do I get a discount for multiple visits or more than one dog?
Yes, we have discounted rates depending on how often you use us and we offer same family discounts – see our rates page for more info.
What happens if there is an emergency with the dogs?
Our squad are pet first aid certified including dog CPR. We have relationships with local vets should the need arise. We have procedures in place in case of emergency, these are all detailed in our application form.
What does your pre-play assessment involve?
The Urban Dogs team perform all our pre-play assessments, designed so we can provide the safest daycare experience possible. We test for dog aggression, separation anxiety, confidence levels and toy possessiveness. Your pup will stay for their trial day – this could be a couple of hours if your dog is a bit nervous or if the environment is new to him/her. It is important to us that your dog has a positive introduction to daycare, if your dog is overwhelmed, stressed or unhappy the staff will be able to give you advice on if they can overcome this. A gradual introduction to the facility may be suggested, this may not be that convenient for you at first, however sets your dog up to succeed within the environment.
What if my dog fails the pre-play assessment?
If your dog is quieter by nature and didn’t enjoy the group environment or if your dog fails the pre-play assessment, it doesn’t mean your dog is bad. This unique group environment may just be too overwhelming for them. Some dogs just need a little extra training and socialisation before coming to daycare, the dog squad will be able to offer plenty of help around this.
What if my dog is injured or gets sick?
Remember that even normal dog play may result in some type of injury. It is not a common occurrence but it can happen. Just like a child can fall or trip at school. All injuries and illnesses are prevented to the BEST of our ability. If this occurs, you will be notified when you pick up your dog if it is minor, you will be notified immediately if the problem is severe. If there is an emergency and vet care is needed, we will transport your dog to our local vet – all medical costs are the owner’s responsibility.
Find Us
Urban Dogs Dog Daycare Albany
6D Piermark Drive, Rosedale, Albany, Auckland
Phone: 09 415 4920
Email: albany@urbandogs.co.nz
Urban Dogs Dog Daycare Silverdale
8 Titan Place, Silverdale, Auckland
Phone: 09 421 0995
Email: silverdale@urbandogs.co.nz
Hours
We are open 6.30 am - 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday for your convenience.
