Greetings lovely Pawshakers!

My name is Samantha,, and I have a passion for little dogs with big needs 🤩 I'm currently offering 24/7 holiday, and respite care for older dogs, and those under 20 kg.

We are also currently offering PUPPY DAYCARE on Tuesday's and Wednesdays! See below 👇

My homestay / retreat for adult dogs, morphed 3.5 years ago, when I rescued an elderly toy poodle. The Famous Seamus (now 15.5 yrs) was re-homed to me due to his challenging behaviour, and separation anxiety. Even though he is now a much calmer dog, he still needs supervision, to maintain his wellbeing. He is well socialised, fully vaccinated and loves having guest dogs stay!

So Seamus and I promise that your dog will get the same, 24 hr loving care, when you select PAWSHAKE DOG BOARDING dates for weekends, or short, or long stay with us.

For LONG STAY REDUCED RATES see tail end 👇 (Book as usual, and I will offer you a reduced rate, before confirming, relevant to the length of your booking).

Early morning pick up and afternoon drop off's might be arranged for $10 up to 20 klms from Laingholm.

Daily beach or bush walks where possible, and as required. Able bodied guests may also join our weekly pack walk, usually on Wednesday's.

I am employed part-time, as a care worker for Vision West (police checked ✔️) where I care for (mostly elderly) humans 2- 8 hrs a day, on Monday’s and Friday’s.

While I'm at work, my good friend Josie will be taking great care of the dogs.

We are hoping very soon to be able to offer a few extra, bespoke canine care services. These services could include, but are not limited to, caring for convalescing, or aged dogs, offering timely reassurance training for anxious / timid or reactive dogs, PUPPY DAYCARE (Tuesday's and Wednesday's in August) and providing support for dogs that need lots of one on one time.

Any instructions pertaining to medications, or dietary requirements are strictly adhered to.

Guest numbers are limited to 4.

These can be booked through the following available calendar slots:

Pawshake DAY CARE (x2) up to 6 hrs $35

Pawshake DOG WALK (x2) $40, and $45 on weekends and public holidays for up to 10 hrs daycare, including a dog walk where possible, and if required.

PUPPY DAYCARE on Tuesday's and Wednesdays (X4) $50 choose ONE IN-HOME FEEDING OPTION for free early morning pick up and TWO IN-HOME FEEDING OPTION ($55) for early morning pick up and afternoon drop off, includes a beach/bush/park walk where possible.

Pawshake DOG BOARDING (1-2) for up to 17 hrs daycare, or for an overnight stay.

$45 Tues - Fri

$50 Fri - Mon and public holidays.

Both above options include a daily beach walk, where possible, and if required.

Through our collective expertise, and backed up by the PAWSHAKE GUARANTEE, Josie and I are totally committed to giving our guest dogs the best possible care, in a fun, and safe, homely environment. 🏡💕

🌳 🌳 🏡 🌳 🌳 🤗🤗😊😊❤️🐕🐕🐕🐕

Need to know more?

I’m a supporter and member of Force Free Dog Training and amongst others follow Karolina Westlund, [link hidden] Mark Vette, Rocky Knaka, and Cesar Milan.

I've become a member at

TheOn-lineDogTrainer.com with Doggy Dan, and have all his training videos on call.

I'm 30 yrs in as an experienced dog owner, and have sadly nursed many dogs out over the rainbow bridge. I hold a current pet first aid certificate, and have done so for the last six years.

My compassion and empathy for all animals, but especially dogs, is second nature to me. My many, regular clients, attest to that. They would be happy to speak with you, if you'd like a personal reference. Or click the review link, for PAWSHAKE client references.

Little Dog Retreat 🏨

Over the years, my open plan, character built home, has become an all purpose dog hotel. Beautifully situated in Laingholm, north facing and sunny, it is surrounded by Waitakere bush and the Manukau Harbour.

The house can be halved for puppy daycare, and further enabled into seperate areas, using baby gates, or sliding room dividers. Great for puppy play time and old doggy time out, and feeding each dog, separately.

I have a QUIET, “hide under the bed” or “chill out” room. A sunny PLAY room with a doggy double bed and lots of toys, and direct access to outside. The adjacent living room has a fireplace and COMFY dog furniture, and soft bedded crates for COSY winter evenings. The dogs can choose any of these areas to sleep at night, but often they sleep by me. Awww 🥰 I generally encourage them to do what they are used to doing, at home.

At night, and during times of very heavy rain, or if guests are physically challenged, a fully fenced "ensuite" is easily accessed from the covered front deck, ALL ON ONE LEVEL, and the side gate allows EASY ACCESS ONTO THE BACK LAWN. This is also where guest dogs "sign in".✍️😊

The fully fenced backyard is also accessible from the playroom, and open plan living areas. When the main doors are closed, the dog door might be held open, to allow the dogs to come and go outside, at will. In all cases, they exit first onto an enveloped, and elevated, wrap around deck. From there we have to accompany them, to open the stairwell gate. In this way WE CONTROL who can, or cannot, go down the 12 stairs, onto the back lawn.

The backyard is a great place to explore, and enjoy time together. It’s cool on summer afternoons, and catches the sun on winter mornings. I love to try teaching even the old dogs, new tricks. Games are for holding attention, and strengthening recall. And snapchasing bubbles! The paddling pool cools the guests in summer, and is a fun way to get cleaned up in winter, especially after our beach walks. A fluffy fun towel dry is usually welcomed by all, before heading back inside.

The foyer or entranceway is where able bodied doggies get ready for their daily walk. All dogs are haltered, then secured, or crated in the car.

Depending on the conditions of the day, the type of dogs in my care, their agility and energy, we may choose to go off-leash to Cornwallis (before 9am) or take the on-leash Pine Ave bush / beach walk. We can go off-leash at Kakamatua, or on leash at Armour Bay. On rainy days we do recall training at the tennis courts there, close to the car! Or we exercise our meet n greet manners in Craigavon Park. It’s never about how far, or fast we can go, but how to sniff out the MOST enjoyment!

Dogs are constantly living in the moment, and know best, how to make the most of it. I love to try capture those special times, in your doggy holiday snaps, and in portrait. I will also keep you regularly updated on their adventures, and welfare.

In addition, i have an avid interest in training and helping small dogs, with big problems. Very happy to talk over any issues you both might be experiencing.

While I do consider all booking enquires, I usually do not book dogs over 20 kgs. I also will not be able to re-book any dogs that prove to be problem barkers. Puppies (under 18 months) are welcome to join puppy daycare on Wednesdays, so please stipulate the age of your dog.

I ask that you bring familiar bedding, and more than enough of their usual food to cover their stay.

Dogs should display their registration tag, a personal name tag, and/or be micro-chipped. All must be fully vaccinated, including for kennel cough, as they are walked regularly, off leash when possible.

My Winter 2026 PAWSHAKE charges, are as follows:

First compulsory meet n greet is FREE, usually in a local park, to introduce your dog to mine, and any current guests. All going well, you come and check us out, then we can check you in. 😊

A TRIAL STAY could then follow, for $50 for up to 36 hrs. Principally to familiarise your dog, by introducing them to our daily routines, and pilot their halter training, in preparation for safer transportation. Also discovering their habits and preferences in advance, helps towards a stress free stay for all.

YOU must be available on-call to discuss any issues, and / or allocate someone who can pick them up, if a situation occurs, like problem barking, for example.

PUPPY DAYCARE all day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only, $50 including early morning pick up (choose ONE IN-HOME FEEDING OPTION and late afternoon drop off ($55 choose TWO IN-HOME FEEDING OPTION) and a beach/bush/park walk if possible. 

DOGGY DAYCARE: 5.30 am - 10.30 pm

Monday- Friday $35 for up to 6 hours (choose Daycare) which may, or may not, include a dog walk, depending on circumstances. I will offer you an approximate $5 reduction using Pawshake calculators.

$40 for daycare including a walk, or more than six hours, and $45 on weekends and public holidays for up to 10 hrs (choose Dog Walk) includes a beach / bush / walk in the park as possible, and if required.

$45 - $50 for up to 17 hrs daycare, (choose Dog Boarding) as overnight charges apply. Includes a beach / bush / walk in the park if possible. and if required.

HOMESTAY dates that include WEEKENDS / PUBLIC HOLIDAYS (+ on peak 15 Dec - 16 Jan)

*$50 PER 24 HOURS or

Friday evening - Sunday evening *$100

Long weekends *$150

4 day weekends *$200

*daily excursions unless you state otherwise

SHORT STAY Tuesday - Friday

$45 per 24 hrs

Saturday- Monday

$50 per 24 hrs

Includes a daily walk, (unless stated otherwise). Beach walks, where possible

LONG STAY: 24/7 constant loving care, in a homely environment ❤️🐾

Above rates apply, but once booked, can be reduced once I make contact. Charges are therefore APPROXIMATE, due to PAWSHAKE's own rate calculators.

APPROXIMATELY

1 week $300 ...........*2 dogs $580

2 weeks $600 ........*2 dogs. $1,100

*negotiable if under 5 kilos

Includes a daily walk, unless stated otherwise. Beach walks where possible.

In all cases, I will pick up or drop off if possible. $5-$10

Little Dog Retreat is a great safe place for your dog's next holiday, so please contact me by sending a booking request now, as places are very limited.

❤️🐾

Little Dog Retreat 4 little dogs only!

Sam ❤️🐶 🐶 🐩 🐕