First there were cellar doors. Then there were farm doors. Now, thanks to an enterprising animal-lover in Yass, there’s the Doggy Door.

For Yass local Karyn Callaughan, it was a no-brainer. Her passion for dogs knew no bounds – until their recent passing, she cared for her two Jack Russells for 19 and 10 years respectively.

“To me, dogs are everything,” she said. “They give you such unconditional love. We can learn so much from them.”

Not happy with the mass-produced dog treats on the market, Karyn started making her own – and Woof Gang Bakery was born.

She began with a few batches in the kitchen of her Yass home where she has lived for 14 years. Today she is selling at markets across the region, including Murrumbateman, Yass and soon at Hall. Most importantly, she reckons she has listened to what her customers – both dogs and humans – want.

She sources her proteins locally from chicken to liver and kangaroo but has to go a little further afield for other popular and healthy treats, including crocodile tail tips and sardines.

Her garage and carport have become her new production space and her original tiny dehydrator has been replaced by a big commercial model.

“It sort of outgrew itself,” she laughed. “It’s all about the fact every dog is different. That’s why we do taste tests with them at the markets. They’ll soon tell you what they like.”

As her dog treat business began to grow, Karyn said she discovered that many of her Canberra city clients were keen to combine the dog treats with some special time with their animals in a more relaxed environment.

So her concept of Doggy Door was born. She has just transformed her large Yass backyard into a haven for dogs – and stressed humans.

They might not taste as good as Woof Gang Bakery treats, but they’re just as popular with Doggy Door guests at Yass. Photo: Sally Hopman.

When Region visited, she was preparing to be hounded, in the best possible way, by a party for a dozen or so Dachshunds.

“The idea is for dogs and their owners to come out here to Yass where we do a tasting plate for them, like a charcuterie board.

“Each dog has their own clipboard with their name and age on it and the owners can tick what foods they’d like their dogs to try. ”

Apart from the proteins, Karyn also makes pupcakes, ranging in flavours from chicken and cheese to pumpkin and peanut butter – and for those special days, she custom-makes dog-friendly birthday cakes.

The dogs have the run of the large yard, with its stick library, water-filled bathtub, teepee, lots of relaxing areas to play or snooze while their tasting plates are being prepared – and a special spot for their humans to just sit and talk.

“The dogs can do what they like here,” she said. “Relax or do zoomies, whatever they want.

Another satisfied customer … this Labrador shows his appreciation for a Woof Gang treat. Photo: Facebook.

“The only rule is that you must relax and enjoy time with your dog – and that I can spoil them.”

Like a cellar door, visitors are charged $10 per dog with that redeemable on whatever Woof Gang products they buy during the visit.

For Karyn, this is already proving to be a great year. She was named a finalist in the 2025 Yass Valley Business Chamber’s awards last week, an honour she described as overwhelming.

Although she does most of the work herself, she said her success so far and plans for the future would not be possible without support from family and friends.

“They are just great,” she said. “They help me so much and just work for dog treats and coffee,” she joked.

Doggy Door operates from 29 Lead St, Yass, and is open seven days. Bookings are essential. Please call or message 0415 540 137.

Original Article published by Sally Hopman on About Regional.