the ultimate farm retreat for your dog

TAKE A LEAD Boarding School

Drop off in Sydney | Located in Southern Highlands

Give Your Dog the Holiday of a Lifetime! 🐾

Leaving your furry friend behind while you’re away doesn’t have to be difficult—what if they were living their best life while you’re on vacation?

At Take a Lead, we offer a one-of-a-kind dog boarding experience at our private 100-acre Southern Highlands farm, where your pup will have the ultimate rural adventure! It’s more than just a place to stay—it’s a getaway packed with fun, learning, and exploration.

Imagine your dog running freely, playing with new pals, and engaging in exciting activities that stimulate both their mind and body. From socializing with other dogs to receiving basic manners training from our expert team, every moment is tailored to their needs. We combine play with purpose, ensuring your dog enjoys a well-balanced stay with plenty of rest to recharge.

This isn’t your typical dog boarding—it’s a farm-stay adventure your dog will love, while you relax knowing they’re having a blast in a safe, loving environment.

Book their ultimate getaway today—and let them live the life of a true adventure pup!

About Our Farm

Just 90 minutes from Sydney, our exclusive 100-acre property is a doggy paradise where adventure awaits—rain or shine. Here’s what makes our farm experience truly one-of-a-kind:

All-Weather Fun: Our expansive, covered 140-square-metre sand arena ensures your pup can play, explore, and exercise no matter the weather.
Endless Exploration: With fully fenced open fields and scenic trails, your dog will have acres of space to run, discover, and satisfy their natural curiosity.
A Safe, Loving Home: We provide a warm, family-like environment where your dog receives round-the-clock care and attention, ensuring their comfort and happiness at all times.

It’s not just a stay—it’s a unique, enriching escape that’s designed to keep your dog active, engaged, and surrounded by love!

Boarding Requirements

At Take a Lead, we are committed to providing a safe, enriching, and unforgettable experience for every dog. To maintain this standard, we’ve established a carefully crafted process that ensures each pup’s stay is optimal. Here’s what sets us apart:

Well-Socialized Dogs Only: Our boarding experience is designed for dogs that thrive in social environments. Aggressive or unsocial dogs will not be admitted to preserve the harmony of our farm.
Minimum 4-Day Stay: To fully immerse your dog in all the enrichment and adventure our farm has to offer, a minimum 4-day stay is required.
No Pick-Ups, Drop-Offs, or Handovers on Sundays or Public Holidays: We ensure our team is fully focused on the dogs in our care, so we do not accommodate pick-ups or drop-offs on these days.
Separation Anxiety: If your dog suffers from high separation anxiety, we recommend our Board & Train option, designed to help them feel more comfortable and secure.
Temperament Test Required: All dogs must pass a temperament test during a trial day at our daycare before booking. (Note: Home pick-ups are not available.)
Vaccinations: For the health and safety of all our guests, dogs must provide proof of a valid C5 vaccination upon booking and update it as needed before arrival.
Female Dogs: Must be either:
- Desexed,
- Undesexed and under 7 months (not in heat), or
- Have had their first heat and be under 12 months (not in heat).
Male Dogs: Must be desexed by 12 months and show no signs of excessive humping or dominant behaviour.
Family-Like Environment: To maintain our intimate, family-like atmosphere, we only accept current Take a Lead clients who are sociable, friendly, and comfortable around other dogs.
Trial Day for Non-Clients: Non-current clients are required to book a trial day at one of our day farm trips before boarding. Spaces are limited, and priority is given to regular clients.

We’ve designed our requirements to ensure that all dogs enjoy a safe, joyful, and enriching experience. Your dog’s well-being is our top priority!

A Day in the Life of a Farm Stay Guest

Your dog’s daily schedule is packed with routine, fun, and enrichment, including:

Morning

Wake up, dogs go outside, play, exercise, agility, breakfast
Throughout the Day Activities

Organised and supervised play, Sniff Safaris, obstacle course and other fun activities!

Every activity is supervised by qualified trainers, with a vet on call for emergencies.
Afternoon

Grooming session, rest, and relaxation.
Evening

Dinner, winding down, and cuddle time with our team.
Bedtime

All dogs enjoy a comfortable night’s rest inside our air-conditioned cottage, where we cater to their individual sleeping preferences. Whether they prefer curling up on the couch, lounging on a bed, finding a cozy spot on the rug or Barney bed, or settling into a crate that feels like home, we ensure every pup feels relaxed and at ease. Your dog’s comfort is our priority, and we tailor the experience to their unique needs.

Enrichment Activities

At Take a Lead, every activity is designed to ignite your dog’s energy, curiosity, and intelligence. From thrilling adventures to mind-stimulating exercises, we offer a range of activities that keep your pup engaged and happy. Here’s a sneak peek at the excitement awaiting them!

Sniff Safari

Enriching and energy-boosting

For dogs, sniffing is not just a way to explore the world—it’s their superpower! Our Sniff Safari offers an exciting, energy-intensive treasure hunt that taps into your dog’s natural instincts. On the farm, your pup will embark on thrilling scent-tracking adventures across a variety of surfaces, stimulating their mind and body while creating positive associations with their surroundings. It’s the ultimate scent-filled fun that leaves tails wagging and hearts happy!

Agility

Great exercise and non-stop of fun

Agility training is the perfect blend of physical challenge and mental stimulation. With exciting obstacles like jumps, weaving poles, see-saw balancing, and tunnel crossings, your dog will burn off energy, stay fit, and boost their confidence—all while having a blast! This high-energy activity is not just fun, it’s an athletic adventure that keeps dogs engaged, focused, and eager for more.

Obstacle Course

A mental and physical challenge

Confidence building challenges with ramps, barrels and more!

Treibball

Tap into a core instinct

Tap into their natural herding instincts with this exciting sport, suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes!

Maze Challenge

A fun, explorative problem-solving adventure

Our Maze Challenge is the ultimate test of your dog’s problem-solving skills, providing a perfect mix of mental stimulation, physical exercise, and confidence-building. Whether they’re a puppy or a seasoned adventurer, this engaging activity offers a fun, enriching experience that encourages exploration and clever thinking.

Water Play

Keeping cool while having a blast (summer activity only)

No matter the weather, we’re all about fun in the water! Our variety of pools gives your pup the perfect opportunity to splash, cool off, and play to their heart’s content. For an extra chill experience, we offer refreshing ice baths and fun games like apple bobbing—guaranteed to keep tails wagging and spirits high, especially on those warm, sunny days!

Take a Look at Our Space!

Environment

A spacious, open farm with plenty of room to run, explore, and play. Our doggy guests enjoy calm, natural surroundings and are treated like family, creating a soothing, relaxing environment.
Care

Personalized attention and tailored activities to suit each dog’s personality and needs.
Daily Routine

Enrichment-focused activities, including interactive games and nature walks.
Freedom

Open, natural environment encouraging exploration, play, relaxation and socialization.
Staff Expertise

Skilled trainers and animal lovers who treat dogs like family.
Experience

Adventure-filled farm life with rolling fields, interactive activities, and a vacation-like experience.
Bedding Arrangements

We treat our doggy guests like royalty with tailored sleeping options in our air-conditioned cottage – Barney beds, couches, rugs, or crates for their comfort. Soothing dog music ensures a peaceful night’s rest.
Overall Approach

A retreat and adventure for your dog, offering both mental and physical stimulation.

Farm Stay Dog Boarding:
Sydney Departure & Returns

We offer a convenient shuttle service departing from Sydney’s Lyne Park:

Pick-Up: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Friday pickup can be available during peak boarding periods and upon availability.
Return: Lyne Park 5:00 p.m. Centennial 4:30pm on the scheduled collection day.

Leave the logistics to us – we’ll ensure your dog’s journey is safe, comfortable, and stress-free.

*Please note, we do not offer shuttle bus services on public holidays and weekends*
**Please note, during school holidays pick up and drop off times may vary. Please read confirmation email

What to Pack

We’ve got the essentials covered, including toys, leads, beds, and bedding. All you need to bring is:

Your dog’s usual food (pack 10% extra for busy days).
Medication if required

Important: Ensure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date and that they’ve had recent flea, tick, and heartworm treatment before their stay.

Cost & Inclusions

Farm Stay Price: $120 per day, per dog.

This includes all activities, 24-hour care, and daily updates to keep you connected to your pup’s adventures. Follow along on our dedicated Farm Stay Instagram for regular updates and photos.

ENQUIRE NOW

FAQs

What if it’s too hot?

We have plenty of water activities here at the farm, perfect for those warmer days. Alternatively our boarders have inside access where they can relax in the air conditioning.

What if it’s too cold?

Our dog cottage is air conditioned to keep your dog warm and cozy.

What if it’s raining?

We have covered areas and indoor spaces for play.

What happens in the case of an emergency?

In the case of a health emergency, we make our way to the local vet promptly.

What do the dogs get fed?

Their own food, provided by you, plus home made snacks provided by our chef.

How does transport work?

Shuttle services run Monday to Thursday (Fridays on demand). Weekend and public holiday pickups and drop-offs are not available.

Can I drop off or pick my dog up from the farm?

Unfortunately, due to council regulations and for safety reasons, we cannot accommodate this. Think of it like leaving your child at kindergarten – they settle better without seeing you leave.

Will my dog be supervised?

Yes, all dogs have round-the-clock supervision.

Where will my dog sleep?

We have tailored sleeping options in our air-conditioned cottage – Barney beds, couches, rugs, or crates for their comfort. Soothing dog music ensures a peaceful night’s rest.