Waglands Dogs Daycare

Waglands Dogs Daycare Waglands is a spectacular Hilltop Retreat offering the Ultimate Dog Daycare experience. It’s more than daycare—it’s a dog’s paradise!"
(261)

🐾 "At Waglands Dog Daycare, your pup explores over 1 hectare of native bush and open play spaces 🌿, engages in tailored enrichment activities 🎾, and thrives under the care of our expert handlers 🐕.

30/04/2026

🚐 Dog Handler & Driver — Join Our Team at Waglands
Love working outdoors, surrounded by dogs who think you are the best part of their day?
We are looking for a Dog Handler & Driver to join us at Waglands Dog Daycare — our beautiful, rural property in Lower Hutt.

This role suits someone who genuinely loves dogs, enjoys being active outdoora, and has hands-on experience working with dogs. You will be part of a supportive team focused on creating a calm, safe, and enriching environment for every dog.

You will:
🐾 Manage your own small group of dogs (10 -20) throughout the day, maintaining calm, safe, and balanced play.
🐾 Use structure and consistency to guide behaviour and keep your group settled and engaged
🐾 Read canine body language and step in early to prevent escalation or over-arousal
🐾 Plan and deliver enrichment and basic training activities for your group
🐾 Drive our Waglands vans for scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs — efficient, bus-style runs
You will need:
✔ Hands-on experience working with dogs (daycare, kennels, vet clinics, training, or similar)
✔ A clean NZ Class 1 licence and confidence driving vans
✔ A good understanding of dog behaviour and group play
✔ Physical fitness to work outdoors in all conditions (our grounds are hilly and natural) but we do have plenty heated indoor space too.
✔ A calm, reliable, and team-focused approach
✔ Comfortable following structured processes and working as part of a coordinated team

This is an active role where you will be responsible for managing groups of dogs safely and consistently. You will be on your feet most of the day, working outdoors in all weather.

🌿 Why Waglands?
Waglands offers over a hectare of natural bush and open paddocks designed for dogs to thrive. You will be joining a team that values consistency, support, and doing right by the dogs.

This role can be structured as full-time, or split across two part-time team members depending on availability.

If this sounds like a good fit, send your CV and cover letter to
📧 [email protected]
Tell us about your experience with dogs, what you enjoy about working with them.

21/04/2026

Stormy Wellington days 🌧️💨 — not every dog (or human!) loves them, and for some, staying home curled up on the couch can be preferable but not possible for all.

For those who are here with us today, this is where Waglands really comes into its own.

Rather than pushing through the weather, we adapt.

With access to multiple outdoor areas, we use short, purposeful bursts outside when it suits the dogs — then bring everyone back into our warm, purpose-built indoor spaces when it does not.

Because daycare is not about keeping dogs busy all day.

It is about balance:
🐾 Play
🧠 Mental stimulation
😌 Rest

And that balance becomes even more important across a full daycare day — from 6:30am early morning pickups through to 6pm evening drop-offs.

In this video, you will see a slice of what that looks like:

• “Place” work — helping dogs settle and switch off
• Impulse control games — encouraging calm, thoughtful choices
• Confidence building on ramps and platforms — supporting body awareness and cooperative care
• Rotating through different areas — keeping things interesting without overwhelming
• Calm indoor time — reinforcing rest and respect for others’ space

One of the key differences at Waglands is our small group structure.
Each handler works with their own group (around 10–18 dogs) in their own space, building real familiarity and adjusting the day to suit the dogs in front of them — and the conditions around them.

Rain or shine, it is about meeting dogs where they are at.

🚁 Introducing Waglands Drone Pickup Service 🐾In light of the current fuel challenges, we are excited to announce a new, ...
31/03/2026

🚁 Introducing Waglands Drone Pickup Service 🐾
In light of the current fuel challenges, we are excited to announce a new, highly efficient transport solution for our daycare dogs…

Doggy Drone Pickup has arrived.
That is right — no more traffic delays. No more waiting on the roadside. Your dog will now be safely airlifted directly from your property and delivered straight to Doggie Mountain.

Each drone is:
🐾 Custom-built for maximum tail-wag stability
🐾 Equipped with treat-dispensing technology for in-flight comfort
🐾 Fully voice-activated (good luck recalling them mid-air)

We have been trialling this with a select group of “very brave” dogs, and the feedback has been… elevated.
Weather, tree clearance, and mid-flight zoomies permitting, this will be rolled out across all routes from this afternoon.
…
April Fools 😄
We will stick to our trusty vans (and our feet firmly on the ground), but we could not resist this one.
Hope it gave you a laugh — and we promise your dogs are still arriving the normal, non-airborne way today 🐶

04/11/2025

🚐 Senior Dog Handler & Driver — Join Our Team at Waglands
Love working outdoors, surrounded by dogs who think you’re the best part of their day?

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Dog Handler & Driver to join us at Waglands Dog Daycare — our beautiful, rural property just outside Lower Hutt (known affectionately as Doggie Mountain).

This isn’t an entry-level role. You’ll bring real experience, calm confidence, and a passion for helping others lift their game. You won’t be managing staff, but you’ll work closely with our Operations Manager to create a smooth, positive, and enriching environment for both dogs and people.

You’ll:
🐾 Lead safe, balanced off-leash playgroups using structure, consistency, and positive handling
🐾 Model best-practice techniques and support handlers to grow their confidence
🐾 Spot early signs of arousal and maintain calm group dynamics
🐾 Drive our Waglands vans for scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs — no long routes, just efficient, bus-style runs
🐾 Contribute to enrichment programs, learning stories, and training development.

You’ll need:
✔ Proven experience in a senior or lead role within dog daycare, kennels, or training
✔ A clean NZ Class 1 licence and confidence handling vans
✔ Solid understanding of canine body language and group dynamics
✔ Physical fitness to work outdoors in all conditions (our grounds are hilly and natural)
✔ A calm, kind, and structured approach that keeps both dogs and people on track

🌿 Why Waglands?
Waglands offers over a hectare of natural bush and open paddocks designed for dogs to thrive. You’ll be joining a growing team with strong values, where your input and experience will directly help shape how we do things.
🕓 Flexible start: We’re ready now, or in the new year — your choice.

If this sounds like your kind of challenge, send your CV and cover letter to
📧 [email protected]
Tell us about your handling experience, what you value in a daycare and when you’d like to start.

22/10/2025

📢 Daycare Closed Today – Wind Warning Update

Hi Waglands Whānau,

With the red wind warning still in place and no change to the forecast, we’ve made the call to close daycare today. While we could still manage safely, it really would not be a fun or enriching day for the dogs with winds this strong.

We think everyone is best off staying safe and warm at home today 💨🐾

If you are really stuck for care, please message us directly – we will help where we can. And if you would like to swap to this Friday or add a day next week, just let us know – we would really appreciate that.

Stay safe and snuggled up with your furry friends today!

We had the lovely people from Boom Rock visit today! Their road is out of action, so rather than miss out out on their o...
30/09/2025

We had the lovely people from Boom Rock visit today! Their road is out of action, so rather than miss out out on their outdoorsie fix, they came up to us and tested out our lovely big bush space instead... and even coming back for more tomorrow! 😅

💛 In Loving Memory of Buddy 💛We recently said goodbye to a very special member of the extended Waglands family – Buddy, ...
29/06/2025

💛 In Loving Memory of Buddy 💛

We recently said goodbye to a very special member of the extended Waglands family – Buddy, the much-loved companion of our incredible van driver and long-time team member, Tinni.

Buddy was a 16-year-old Schnoodle (Schnauzer x Poodle) who had been by Tinni’s side through life’s many adventures. He was her loyal shadow, always close by at doggie mountain or curled up at home.

He was part of Waglands from the very beginning, quietly woven into our story through his bond with Tinni. His presence was felt by many of us and his gentle spirit will be deeply missed.

To Tinni, we are wrapping you in love during this time. Buddy was one of a kind, and the legacy of love he leaves behind is something truly special. 🌈🐾

Rest easy, sweet Buddy. You’ll always be part of the Waglands whānau.

🐾🚌 New Stops Added! Waglands Daycare Just Got Easier! 🎉Good news for dog owners in the CBD and Upper Hutt—joining Waglan...
31/03/2025

🐾🚌 New Stops Added! Waglands Daycare Just Got Easier! 🎉

Good news for dog owners in the CBD and Upper Hutt—joining Waglands daycare is now more convenient than ever with our extended bus service!

📍 CBD - Katherine Mansfield Memorial Park
Mon, Wed & Fri: 6:30am & Mon–Thurs: 7:50am

📍 CBD - Hawkestone Street - St Mary's College
Mon & Wed: 4:40pm & Mon–Fri: 5:50pm

📍 Upper Hutt - Silverstream - Eastern Hutt Road
Tues & Thurs: 6:30am & 4:40pm

📍 Lower Hutt - Percy Scenic Reserve
Mon–Thurs: 6:30am, 7:40am, 4:40pm & 6:00pm
Fri: 7:00am & 5:20pm

🐶 Your furry friend deserves the best—play, learning, socialisation, and safe adventures at Waglands!

👉 Learn more: www.waglands.co.nz

🕵️‍♂️🐾 We love a good challenge at Waglands, and on Saturday morning, the stakes were high as we hosted the ultimate can...
31/03/2025

🕵️‍♂️🐾 We love a good challenge at Waglands, and on Saturday morning, the stakes were high as we hosted the ultimate canine crime scene investigation!

Twenty of Wellington’s finest four-legged detectives sniffed their way through the clues to crack the case of "The Abduction of Chief Forensic Investigator Krueger." From tracking down the weapon 🔎, to uncovering dropped evidence 👕, the dogs worked paw-in-hand with their handlers to solve the mystery.

This fantastic event was part of Lucy’s Confident Canines https://www.facebook.com/confidentcaninesnz Scent Investigators series — a fun and challenging experience for dogs and their humans! Whether you are a first-time handler or a seasoned pro, it is the perfect way to strengthen your bond and put those incredible canine noses to work.

🐶 After solving the case, the dogs celebrated with a well-earned run in our beautiful yards — tails wagging and smiles all around! 🐾

If this sounds like a scent-sational adventure for you and your dog, Check out www.confidentcanines.co.nz. Your dog may have what it takes to be the next top detective!

Confident Canines NZ

17/03/2025

🐾 Balanced Days = Happy Dogs! 🐾

At Waglands, we structure each day thoughtfully—rotating through engaging playtime, mental enrichment activities, and restful downtime in cosy lounges. Here’s a glimpse of one of our lounge breaks, where our furry friends pause to recharge and relax between their adventures.

Rotating mental enrichment, playtime, and rest helps your dogs stay happy, healthy, and ready for more fun!

Address

310 Normandale Road
Lower Hutt
5010

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 10am
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 10am
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 10am
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Thursday 8am - 10am
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Friday 8am - 10am
3:30pm - 5:30pm

Telephone

+6445650691

Website

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