28 years of Retriever guardianship
24 years as a Professional Guide Dog puppy trainer
Ensures the Gold Class Care your companion deserves
Specialist skill in service and therapy dogs
Servicing All of Melbourne for dog sitting/Wedding Chaperone
Servicing Melbourne's outer East for Dog walking/Puppy Day care
Your loyal companion is a special part of your family. We acknowledge the importance of this relationship, and promise we will build rapport with your dog to ensure this human bond is respected and flourishes whilst in our care.With 24 years of experience at Guide Dogs Victoria, Naomi most recently served as team leader of puppy development. This consisted of managing a program of 150 retrievers, as well as having provided guidance and training to 350 carers in the raising of pups for Guide Dog Assessment.We specialise in Retriever care, but we do not limit the services we provide to pure breed retrievers.All enquiries are welcome.
Services
Retriever Manor
In-home care for your loved retriever at our Moooroolbark location. Drop off/pickup welcome, or chaufFUR service available.Short and long stays welcome!
Golden Hours
Offering Gold Class dog walking by our experienced handler. Adventures tailored to your companion's needs.Ensure your dog is enriched and active throughout the day.
Puppy Day Care
Allow us to keep your pup company and avoid unwanted behaviour while you're out of the house.Prepare your puppy for greater independence as they grow.
Wedding Chaperone
Let us assist on your special day! Ensure a stress free photographic memories with your pooch.Wedding night or honeymoon boarding available on request.
Work history 24 years - preparing Retrievers for future Guide Dogs.
Naomi most recently served as team leader of puppy development. This consisted of managing a program 150 retrievers, as well as having provided guidance and training to 350 carers in the raising of pups for Guide Dog Assessment.Naomi has owned Golden Retrievers and Labradors for the last 28 years. Naomi also has experiencing in serving as a dog trainer with Croydon Dog Obedience Club, and alongside her Labrador Penny, became Australian Flyball Champions.Naomi has also served as a Responsible Pet Educator for the Department of Primary Industries.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
See answers to common questions to the right side of the page. Expand the question by clikcing on it to view the answer.Once you're ready, you can submit an expression of interest. We will then arrange and meet and greet. Following a sucesssful meet and greet, we will send you a link to a questionnaire, through which you can share details about your dog so we can ensure their needs are met during their Puppy Day Care or for Dog Minding stay at Retriever Manor.
Yes. Though our area of expertise is with Retrievers, we are willing to discuss Retriever cross breeds and we will arrange a meet and greet. Please note, we will only welcome dogs into our home who are non aggressive with all dogs and humans.
Yes, we specialise in house-training future Guide Dog puppies. We offer daycare and boarding for young pups and can assist with crate training and early socialisation.
Yes we have experience caring for elderly dogs and managing their health, medications and daily routines. If required we can add in a scheduled vet visit if the clinic is within a 15 km radius. A travel fee would be added for any longer distance non-emergency scheduled visits.
Yes, we carry all required liability insurances.
We service all areas for boarding and Mooroolbark and surrounding areas for dog walking.
Please get in touch using the contact form below and let us know which service you are interested in. We will be in touch as soon as possible to assist you with your booking enquiry.
Guest Hall of Fame
Business partners
Wolf pack
We have partnered with a number of local businesses to help support the care of our loyal companion. For dog training, grooming and health care you can review for yourself businesses we have tested.
Partners coming soon...
Gold Class - Retriever Care
Please get in touch to secure an appointment for your pet using the form below, indicating the service you are interested in
Contact Us
We service a 20km radius around Mooroolbark, in Melbourne's outer Eastern suburbs.
FAQ
What is your experience in the industry?
Naomi has worked at Guide Dogs Victoria for 24 years, where she was most recently the Team Leader of Puppy Development. She has also worked in the nursery with breeding dogs and pups for some of her career. Naomi managed a program of 150 retrievers, guiding
and training 350 volunteers and temporary carers to raise the pups for Guide Dog Assessment. She managed a team of 9 within her department.Naomi has owned Golden Retrievers and Labradors for the last 28 years. She was a dog trainer with Croydon Dog Obedience Club and, with her Labrador Penny, became Australian Flyball Champions.Naomi has also served as a Responsible Pet Educator for the Department of Primary Industries.
Do you have current references?
Yes, Google reviews and/or references can be provided upon request.
Do you have a current background check?
Naomi has a current Working with Children Check and Police Check.
What services do you offer?
- Dog Walking
- Puppy Day Care
- Dog Boarding/Sitting
- ChaufFUR pick up
- Wedding Chaperone
How many dogs do you care for at one time?
We limit in-home care at Retriever Manor to 3 retrievers, plus our own pet, to maintain a calm and homely environment. This provides the benefits of a home stay, as opposed to a kennel setting. Dogs have access to people, toys, quiet spaces, sunbaking spots,
couches, crates, and dog beds at all times. We also ensure they receive the number of walks they're accustomed to.
Do I provide the dog's food myself?
Yes, we ask that you provide your dog's food to ensure they stay on their usual diet, which helps avoid tummy issues.
We have freezer space available for raw food diets.
What type of equipment do you provide?
We provide water bowls, toys, beds, I.D. tags with our phone number, air-tags, and crates (for dogs that use them). You're also welcome to bring your dog's familiar bed or crate if preferred.
What equipment must I bring for my dog?
Please bring your dog's food, lead, collar, and walking equipment.
Are you covered by insurance?
Yes, we have public liability insurance. We also recommend that clients have health insurance for their dogs and ensure their coverage is valid during their stay with us.
What is your cancellation policy?
Non-Peak Season cancellations:In the event of a family member’s passing, a full refund will be provided with presentation of a death certificate or medical certificate for a major health incident.Other cancellations; if we can rebook your time slot with another client, a full refund will be issued.If cancellation occurs within one month of the booking and we cannot rebook the slot, payment maybe withheld. However, the amount may be credited towards a future non-peak season booking.Peak Season:In the event of a family member’s passing, a full refund will be provided with presentation of a death certificate, regardless of timing.For other cancellation; if we can rebook your time slot with another client, a full refund will be issued.If cancellation occurs within one month of the booking and we cannot rebook the slot, only 50% of the full payment will be refunded.
Are you happy to handle special medical needs like medication or medicated shampoos?
Yes, we have experience managing medication and meeting specific care needs, including bathing with medicated shampoos provided by you.
Do you take young, unhouse-trained puppies into your care?
Yes, we have specialised in house-training future Guide Dog puppies. We offer daycare and boarding for young pups and can assist with crate training and early socialisation.
Will you care for entire (not desexed) males/females?
Yes, we can care for entire female dogs, and we're happy to manage dogs in season, provided you supply the necessary hygiene products. However, we cannot care for both entire females and male dogs at the same time. If we must decline care for a male dog, there may be an additional cost for caring for an in-season female). We ask that you share your dog's season history to help us manage bookings.We do not care for entire male dogs over the age of 12 months unless we have no other dogs boarding and your dog’s meet and greet proves a suitable match to our pet dog and our home and structure.
Do you require a meet and greet?
Yes, where possible, we prefer a meet-and-greet before accepting a dog for daycare or boarding. This helps us assess their temperament and allows you to feel confident about our care. We use positive reinforcement and aim to continue the training you've already
established with your dog.In cases of emergency boarding, we will conduct a thorough questionnaire and phone discussion in place of a meet-and-greet and provide assistance where possible.
What safety measures do you take?
We have a fully fenced yard with a locked gate, we also provide an air-tag and ID tags for each dog staying with us as a precaution.Dogs have access to the deck for sunbaking and play, they are supervised in the garden to prevent unwanted behaviours like chewing, digging, or ingestion. We ensure proper toilet routines using classical conditioning and positive reinforcement.We also provide separate spaces for dogs who need quiet time. Our house is puppy-proofed, and we supervise all dog interactions. Crates are available for dogs who need rest breaks or can not be directly supervised.Any off-lead time is only in enclosed areas, and we only mix dogs that are already known to each other, we will not enter a dog park with unknown dogs.
How do I book your service?
Please send an enquiry, and we'll discuss availability. We are a popular service, particularly for those who prefer home-based care over kennels or busy daycare environments. We will do our best to accommodate you with plenty of notice. For peak seasons (school
holidays, public holidays, and long weekends), please book well in advance and place your deposit.
How do you handle a medical emergency?
In the event of a medical emergency, we will contact you (or your nominated emergency contact) whilst enroute to the emergency centre. The vet will also speak with you directly on our arrival. You will need to make the payment directly to the clinic.If we can't reach you, we'll have the vet stabilise your dog and only proceed with any necessary treatments, including x-rays and surgeries, once we have your or your emergency contact’s consent. If you have pet insurance, we will have your details on file.If we still can't reach you, in some cases, we may cover the cost of the appointment, but you will need to reimburse us before collecting your dog at the end of the boarding period.
Are you trained in pet first aid?
Yes, Naomi renews her first aid training annually. Her most recent certificate is available in her professional gallery on this website. Naomi has also triaged Guide Dog puppy health calls for the past 24 years and is experienced in identifying emergencies
that require veterinary attention.
Where do the dogs sleep?
Dogs sleep inside the home, either in a crate or dog bed. We aim to maintain the home routine set by their owners, helping them transition back easily once they return home.
How do you structure playtime, enrichment, and rest?
We ensure each dog or puppy has a structured day with walks, enrichment activities, and rest time. We can follow your existing routine or help you set one up. Rest is essential for both growing puppies and older dogs, helping them settle and feel relaxed.
How do you handle triggers and fears?
It's important that you complete our induction questionnaire before your dog's stay. This ensures we can address any fear-based behaviours according to your trainer's instructions, helping your dog build resilience and manage identified triggers.
Do you group walk the dogs?
No, we walk a maximum of 2 dogs per person for safety reasons. Puppies still learning to walk are always walked one-on-one.