Supporting puppies during their earliest weeks of development.
Gentle, home-based short care sessions for puppies on Auckland’s North Shore.​
Designed for puppies who are too young for older doggy daycare and benefit from individualised support in a calm, home environment.​​
Ideal for breaking up your puppy’s day while you’re at work, out for appointments, or need a few hours of puppy care and enrichment.
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One-on-one puppy care or a maximum of three puppies at a time, depending on temperament and fit. Carefully supervised socialisation is offered.
About Sarah's Early Puppy Care
What I Offer:
Care focuses on early socialisation, rest, and age-appropriate enrichment during this critical window of learning.
Sessions include:
* Gentle enrichment and play
* Short pet stroller walks / lead walks / outings for safe outdoor exposure where suitable
* Toilet breaks and routine support
* Day time feeding (you provide the food for dietary consistency)
* Calm settling and rest support
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You will receive an update message and photo of your puppy at each session.
Who This Is For:
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This service is suitable for:
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Puppies approximately 8–20 weeks old* or slightly older if suitable.
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Puppies who are medically well and have started their vaccination programme (may have had one/two vaccines so far)
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Puppies in their early learning and socialisation stage
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Families needing calm support during the day either at your house or mine.
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Puppies who want to avoid overwhelming group dog daycare environments
This service is not suitable for high-energy / reactive dogs.
My Home
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Puppies will spend time in a spacious, open plan area that is light, airy and air conditioned.
The indoors open out to a large deck and only a few steps down to a lawn.
The property is fully fenced, safe, and away from the road. We have a shallow dog paddling pool that will only be filled when supervised.
Pick-up & Drop-off:
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Local pick-up and drop-off can be included within the Murrays Bay area and nearby North Shore suburbs (approximately a 10-minute drive radius) to keep care calm and unhurried.
Suburbs include: Murrays Bay, Mairangi Bay, Rothesay Bay, Pinehill, Windsor Park, Browns Bay, Campbells Bay, and Castor Bay.
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Please enquire about non-local travel costs.
My Dog, Ella the therapy dog:
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My own gentle, fully vaccinated dog, Ella, will be present. She is a 5 year old golden retriever who is an (unofficial) therapy dog in my psychology clinic. She is loving and patient with other pets.
Ella is a calm role model and can provide brief social interaction where suitable for socialisation. ​This will be fully supervised. Check her out on instagram: ellabella.therapydog​​
About Sarah
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Hi, I’m Sarah Bell-Booth. I am a clinical psychologist and experienced dog owner with a calm, gentle approach to early puppy care.
I volunteer with a service dog charity and a dog rescue charity and have always had dogs as part of family life.
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I focus on low-stress, positive handling and creating predictable routines that help young puppies feel safe and settled during their early developmental stage.​
Services and Pricing
Puppy Walk or Visit
(30 or 60mins)
A local WALK / stroller ride
for safe exposure and socialisation
OR
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VISIT in your puppy’s home
for gentle play, enrichment and
connection
Morning / midday / early afternoon
ONE visit:
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30mins $30
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60mins $35
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Enquire about rates for
TWO visits per day.
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Enquire about availability for OLDER dogs if they are well-trained and non-reactive.
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Availability​:
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Book in advance.
Limited spaces.​​
Weekdays except Tuesday.​​​​​
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Regular bookings available while your puppy is between
8-20 weeks old.
*Older puppies may be accepted depending on availability & suitability.
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Please enquire about rates for:
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older pets
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multiple pets
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multiple visits
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travel costs for non-local areas more than 10mins from Murrays Bay (ie. outside East Coast Bays)​​​​​​​
Puppy Care Session
(2 - 3 hours)
Home-based care, enrichment socialisation & connection
+ walk / stroller ride if requested
Morning / midday / early afternoon
Local drop off / pick up included
(see surburb details above)
$45 per session
Enquire about availability for OLDER dogs if they are well-trained and non-reactive.
2
Full day Puppy Care
(5-8 hours)
Home-based care, enrichment socialisation & connection
in Sarah's home
+ walk / stroller ride
and/or special outing.
Local drop off / pick up included
(see surburb details above)
$65* per day
Enquire about discounts if there are existing puppies in my care
3
Payments & Cancellation Policy:
Payment is required on the day of service. Weekly bookings may be paid at the end of the week.
Cash or bank transfer accepted. Account details provided upon booking.
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Please provide 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or changes. Late cancellations may be charged 50% of the booking fee, as spaces are limited.
Cancellation fees waived for illness.
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Owner responsible for all veterinary expenses.
Testimonials
"Sarah is absolutely amazing with puppies. She is highly experienced, dedicated and trustworthy. Sarah has loved our Golden retriever Maggie like she is her own - always calm, caring and gentle with her - and Maggie adores her. Sarah’s own retriever Ella is also beautiful - such a gentle, tolerant and loving girl and we have valued seeing Maggie interact with her and learn from her. This is a great service that I whole heartedly recommend."
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"Sarah is absolutely wonderful with puppies - very kind, attentive, gives them lots of fun and stimulation and good quality training, (having studied behaviour management at university as part of her doctorate in clinical psychology) and years and years of experience with her own puppies and dogs"
Contact:
Sarah Bell-Booth​
Murrays Bay, North Shore, Auckland​
Email: sarah.earlypuppycare@gmail.com​
Mobile: 0273462707​​
Enquire below:
© 2026 by Dr Sarah Bell-Booth
Please Note: Sarah’s Early Puppy Care is a pet care service only and is separate from my clinical psychology practice.