Paw by Paw Playhouse Dog Grooming & Daycare

Paw by Paw Playhouse is a dog grooming salon and daycare in Lonsdale, in Adelaide's southern suburbs, built around a force-free, cage-free approach where dogs are free to roam before and after their groom rather than wait in a crate. The salon runs two main grooming rooms alongside a private mini grooming room set up with a single station and bathing area for more sensitive pups, and viewing windows let owners watch the work happen.

Much of the focus here is on anxious, rescue and emotional dogs, and on those carrying memories of a negative grooming experience elsewhere. Staff are specifically trained to work patiently with nervous dogs, and the salon welcomes social, friendly dogs of any age, size or breed. Puppies under six months get their own gentle introduction package that includes daycare time, with the recommendation to build up over two to three visits before moving on to a full style. The daycare side adds an in-ground pool, sniffing stations, play equipment and quiet rest zones, with a separate small dog area opened in early 2025.

The business was founded in 2018 by Beth and Gabby, who between them bring more than twenty years in the animal industry, including grooming salons Gabby ran in the UK before moving to Australia. The whole space is air-conditioned and set up with the dogs' comfort in mind.