Welcome to
the Doggy Den Mount Gambier
woof! woof woof! Wag, wag, woof! 🙂
The Doggy Den is a locally owned, purpose-built daycare
and grooming facility – where your dog can play, learn,
thrive and be pampered by certified and loving care.
Meet The Doggy Den Family
We’re Shanae and Todd, proud owners of The Doggy Den. As dog parents to our two Dalmatians, Indie and Ellie, and our Cavoodle Spencer, we know how challenging it can be to balance work while giving your dog the life they deserve. That’s why we’re passionate about meeting the enrichment, socialisation, and physical needs of every dog in our care.
Since opening in 2024, we’ve grown quickly and moved into our own brand-new, purpose-built facility. We continue to offer group play daycare for dogs who thrive in that environment.
Our staff truly know dogs. We understand canine behaviour, how dogs communicate, and how they interact and play together. We care for and deeply respect every dog in our care, and their wellbeing is always our top priority. All handling is fear-free, creating a safe, happy, and engaging environment where dogs can relax, have fun, and thrive.
At The Doggy Den, we take the time to know every dog as an individual, building trust and connection so they feel safe, supported, and happy. Seeing them grow in confidence and thrive is what inspires us every day.
Here’s what sets us apart
We know dogs
Our team knows dogs, with diverse backgrounds in dog training, grooming, kennels, dog walking, breeding, veterinary nursing, farming to animal care, and more. All staff are PackPro Certified, trained in canine body language, group management, dog interactions, new dog evaluations, and canine health, first aid, and CPR.
Structured & enrichment daycare
We follow the PackPro “1/3 rule,” with roughly one-third of the day spent in active play, one-third resting, and one-third in structured engagement and enrichment.
Customised play groups
Our dogs are divided into smaller groups based on breed, size, energy levels, play style, and temperament. Each group has a dedicated staff member providing constant supervision while actively engaging with, redirecting, and managing the dogs to ensure a safe environment and enjoyable daycare experience for all.
Purpose-built facility
Our brand-new facility features three indoor play areas, three outdoor play yards, and dedicated rest areas. The outdoor spaces are packed with enrichment, including in-ground sand pits, boulders, logs, bark, and trees for digging and exploring scents, as well as shaded areas, tyres, tunnels, play equipment, and doggy splash pools. Pet-grade artificial turf keeps dogs clean at pickup and allows us to sanitise and maintain a safe, hygienic environment.
Check out our social feed
TRY DAYCARE FOR FREE
Not sure if daycare is right for your dog? That’s okay! Book a free “come and try” session and let your dog experience The Doggy Den
Contact us to book today!
Phone
Address
13 Avey Road, Mount Gambier
Want to know more?
FAQ
Our grooming price list is here 🐾✨
If your pup is due for a freshen up, send us a message to book in 🫧
Can’t make the pick up or drop off times? Your dog can stay with us for the day in daycare (daycare fees apply) 🐶
Please note:
All dogs must be up to date with their vaccinations, and records must be provided
We can’t wait to pamper your pups 🩵 … See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Some of our beautiful dogs for your feed 🥰 #thedoggyden #dogdaycare #doglife #dogdaycaremountgambier #happydogs … See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Why Our Structured Daycare Is a Better Alternative to Other Off-Leash Options 🐾
Health & Safety
💉All dogs must be up to date with their vaccination schedule; sick dogs are not permitted. Unwell dogs are isolated and sent home, with a required quarantine before returning.
🧽 Facility cleaned throughout the day and deep cleaned nightly with F10 veterinary-grade disinfectant.
Controlled Group Management
⚡ Dogs are carefully matched by size, breed, energy, temperament & play style to prevent conflict, overstimulation, predatory drift, prey drive, or frustration/fear from mismatched interactions.
🐶 All adult dogs desexed unless exempt; any entire dogs with undesirable behaviours are temporarily dismissed.
Structured Daily Routine
⏰ Balanced schedule: 1/3 play, 1/3 rest (group or crated), 1/3 engagement.
💤 Puppies, young adults, and high-energy dogs still learning how to regulate excitement are rotated & crated throughout the day to decompress, practise impulse control, and neutrality.
🎯 Group activities build focus, obedience, and calm co-existence.
Constant Supervision
👀 Staff trained in canine body language and group management, supervise all interactions to ensure they remain appropriate and safe.
🔄 Behaviour is redirected, arousal managed, and practical skills reinforced (recall, wait, sit, settle, crate training).
Come & Try Sessions for New Dogs
🌟 Each new dog completes a session to assess suitability.
🐾 Dogs screened for social skills and inappropriate behaviours such as aggression, resource guarding, mounting, nipping, or severe anxiety.
✅ Dogs may be dismissed if they are unlikely to benefit from daycare or could negatively impact our groups. Daycare isn’t the right fit for every dog and that’s okay.
Confidence & Desensitisation
🌟 New/shy dogs start with one other dog, gradually progressing to small handpicked groups of 2–6. Calm, neutral dogs provide positive social models.
🐾 Introductions are gradual and supportive.
📅 Confidence & social skills are developed progressively, keeping dogs under threshold and ensuring positive experiences.
#thedoggyden #structureddaycare #dogdaycare #dogdaycaremountgambier #doglife … See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Happy Easter from some of this week’s crew 🩵🐰🐾 #easteregghunt #happyeaster #dogeaster #doglife #dogdaycare … See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
We are so heartbroken to hear that beautiful Buckley has crossed the rainbow bridge 🌈💔
A regular at The Doggy Den, Buckley was a true social butterfly, loved by everyone and happy to play with all dogs big and small. He was always the instigator of the fun and fit so effortlessly into our own little pack.
Buckley formed such a special bond with us all and brought so much joy with his bright, happy nature. His daycare friends will miss him dearly.
Our condolences go out to his family during this difficult time. Goodbye, sweet Buckley. You’ll always have a place in our hearts and at The Doggy Den 🩵 … See MoreSee Less
17 CommentsComment on Facebook
Professional grooming now at The Doggy Den. Contact us to book 🧼✨ #doggroomingmountgambier #mountgambier #thedoggyden #doggrooming #doglife … See MoreSee Less
Message Page
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thanks so much to our amazing clients, we feel so lucky to care for all your wonderful dogs! With so many of your beautiful pups coming through our doors, our big dog spots are filling up fast, which means we may have to decline most big dog casual booking requests moving forward.
If your dog usually comes on a casual basis, or you’re thinking about adding extra days, now’s the perfect time to get in touch and secure a permanent schedule so they don’t miss out on their daycare day.
Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to continuing to care for your dogs and providing them with the high-quality care they deserve 🩵 … See MoreSee Less
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Our grooming service opens this Thursday! Mikayla can’t wait to meet all our new dogs this week and ensure every dog’s grooming experience is safe, comfortable, and supported 🩵
All dogs are welcome, no daycare attendance needed to book!
Message us via Facebook or call/text 0402 000 576 to secure your spot 🐾 #thedoggyden #mountgambier #mountgambierdoggrooming #doggrooming #doglife … See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Welcome to The Doggy Den family! 🐶
🐾 Emmy the German Shepherd
🐾 Bailey the German Shepherd
🐾 Sooty the Miniature Dachshund
🐾 Trevor the Miniature Dachshund
🐾 Luna the Border Collie
🐾 Koda the Border Collie
🐾 Remi the Border Collie
🐾 Wagon the Border Collie
🐾 Cloud the Border Collie
🐾 Tala the Border Collie x
🐾 Jess the Border Collie x
🐾 Teddy the Jack Russell Terrier
🐾 Willow the Toy Cavoodle
🐾 Boss the Border Collie
🐾 Leo the Mastiff x
🐾 Winnie the German Shorthaired Pointer
🐾 Chase the German Shorthaired Pointer
🐾 Indi the Labrador Retriever
🐾 Murphy the Labrador Retriever
🐾 Houston the Whippet
🐾 Drizzt the Whippet
🐾 Zylo the Kelpie x
🐾 Duke the Jack Russell Terrier
🐾 Poppy the Labradoodle
🐾 Teddy the Golden Retriever
🐾 Mac the Irish Wolfhound x
🐾 Pepper the Miniature Schnauzer
🐾 Teddy the Australian Cobberdog
🐾 Audrey the Groodle
🐾 Lou Lou the Labrador Retriever
🐾 Ralph the Cavoodle
🐾 Winston the Golden Retriever
🐾 Calais the Border Collie
Missing a few first day faces in these pics, but they are coming soon! 📸🐾
Contact us to book a free come-and-try session and see how The Doggy Den can benefit your dog 🩵 … See MoreSee Less
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