Best Dog Daycares 2022
Chinatics
Chinatics is a social group for chihuahua lovers that operates a cage-free daycare and boarding facility exclusively for small and medium-sized dogs in East Central Austin. Originally founded as a Meetup group more than ten years ago, the company now boasts a community of more than 1,000 members--the second-largest chihuahua group in the world--and opened its indoor/outdoor facility in 2012 to create a place where small dogs can socialize and play without fear of aggression from larger dogs. After a vigorous day of supervised play, overnight lodgers cuddle with staff on the couch and watch TV or listen to music, with optional grooming services available upon request. Animals receive 24/7 attention, and there is no additional charge for administering medications.
Doggy Day Out
Doggy Day Out is a pet boarding company with two North Austin locations providing full-service daytime and overnight care for dogs and cats. Facilities are monitored 24/7 and feature climate-controlled indoor kennels, outdoor play areas with natural grass yards, and a state-of-the-art cattery with quiet kitty condos and a controlled play space separate from the dogs. Animals play for hours in small, supervised groups based on age, size, and temperament; and owners who wish to spoil their pets may opt for a variety of additional services like bathing, massage, and personalized play time. The company also periodically offers group obedience training classes that employ positive reinforcement techniques and are supervised by its Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partners.
Austin Pup Culture
Austin Pup Culture is a dog daycare company that caters to clients in Austin. Lodging accommodations include climate-controlled and spacious indoor rooms, three elimination breaks, dinner and lunch, and comfortable bedding on raised orthopedic beds. Rooms have decorations and private glass doors to provide a home-like ambiance. The facility also provides supervised play for many hours and personal human cuddle time. Its staff provides daily health checks and monitoring and tries to accommodate every client request.
Austin Dogtown Boarding & Daycare
Austin Dogtown Boarding and Daycare has served dog owners since 2006. Its overnight boarding service has 24/7 on-site care. The facility's activities include playtime and interaction with daycare kids and pack-building exercises that reinforce positive socialization. Amenities include extra-large crates, blankets, toys, and comfy bedding. The facility has more than 3,000 square feet of outdoor play area and more than 5,000 square feet of indoor area. Owner Rebecca Brannian has cared for animals all her life.
Pups & Pals Pet Lounge
Pups & Pals Pet Lounge is a dog daycare with two South Austin locations: South Park and Oak Hill. It offers boarding and pet daycare services for all dog breeds, and features spacious yards and an indoor exercise room where animals enjoy plenty of play time. For new clients, Play Day Evaluations allow staff to get to know the dogs and how they'll best fit in at the facility. Customers can book training and grooming services, and pet photography sessions.
Howl N Woof
Howl N Woof provides basic and advanced obedience training, daycare, and overnight boarding services for dogs of all kinds in South Austin. The owners have both volunteered as rescue team members for Austin Pets Alive!, and they are passionate about building a "pack" mentality for the dogs that come to play and lodge at their home-like facility, which is located on a fenced acre of land and provides ample space for active dogs to run and socialize with human trainers and other dogs in a fully-supervised setting. Animals are divided into play groups based on size and temperament and are taught a combination of obedience and calming behaviors using positive reinforcement techniques. The company also proudly partners with local expert trainers from DeBono Dog Training to provide owners in-depth attention for particular problem behaviors.
Midtown Groom & Board
Midtown Groom and Board is a dog daycare facility that caters to residents of the Austin metro and its surrounding communities. It offers daycare and overnight stays for all kinds of dogs. Overnight boarding is available 365 days a year. The facility provides several hours of socialization and playtime each day. It also offers grooming services such as nail trimming, express baths, and eye and ear cleaning. Midtown Groom and Board started operating in 1970.
Happy Mailman Dog Retreat
Happy Mailman Dog Retreat is a dog daycare that caters to clients in Austin. It provides overnight boarding services 365 days a year. All dogs are given over eight hours of playtime each day, and the facility provides outdoor and indoor group socialization in cageless, spacious areas. Grooming services are also available, which include shampoos and nail trims. Clients can opt for the in-house grain-free dog food, bowl, and bedding. Its staff can handle minor injuries and administer dog first aid.
Bobbi Colorado's Canine Camp
Bobbi Colorado's Canine Camp is a dog daycare for clients in Austin. Its facility offers food, individual attention, and exercise provided by staff members who are present 24 hours daily. It has climate-controlled, secure, and large indoor kennels with sleeping quarters that can accommodate large dog families. Playtime is conducted on eight tree-shaded outdoor yards. The training camp also consists of four weeks of lessons on basic manners and a refresher course. The facility's trainer is a certified dog training and behavior specialist.
Hip Hounds
Hip Hounds is a daycare facility for dogs residing in Austin and nearby communities. It has climate-controlled indoor areas and spacious outdoor yards where the canines can run, play, socialize, and rest. It is also equipped with doggie pools, playground equipment, and indoor webcams so pet owners can watch their dogs. Additionally, the pet center offers supervised daycare and overnight or extended dog boarding services. Hip Hounds is an independently owned facility acquired by Michael Mayer in 2006.
Exmoor Pet Care Services
Exmoor Pet Care Services is a dog daycare center that caters to residents of Austin. It provides services such as day care, grooming, dog training, birthday parties, and massage therapy. Its spacious facilities have more than 44 fenced play yards with expansive room for running, playing, and exercise. Its buildings have heating, air conditioning, windows, and decorations to make pets feel comfortable. Exmoor Pet Care Services has more than 42 years of animal training and grooming experience.
Jackie's Play & Stay
Jackie's Play & Stay is a dog daycare and boarding facility serving clients in Austin. It offers socialization and playtime for dogs regardless of breed and size for up to nine hours in an open play environment. Its staff divides dogs into playgroups depending on their size, age, and personality. The facility also has a temperature-controlled area where dogs can have a mid-day nap. In addition, Jackie's Play & Stay offers boarding and grooming services that include baths, ear and eye cleaning, and teeth brushing.
Jumping Jack Dog Ranch
Jumping Jack Dog Ranch is a dog daycare that serves clients in Austin. It uses training methods with positive, force-free reinforcement, and provides dogs with a low-stress environment. Its services include private pool rentals, grooming, overnight boarding, daycare, and day training. Brett Mundy, co-owner and founder of Jumping Jack Dog Ranch, started the business on February 17, 2017, after working in the industry for over 15 years. Jumping Jack is known for its amazing photography and daily report cards, as well as its 1/4 acre dog park with a swimming pool that is rented for private parties.
SkyBlue Kennels
SkyBlue Kennels is a dog daycare facility based in Austin. Its facility has no breed restrictions but has canine vaccination requirements such as bordetella, distemper, and rabies vaccines. Its services include grooming, daycare, and basic baths for dogs of all sizes. Additionally, the facility houses indoor and outdoor kennels for its night boarding services. SkyBlue Kennels also has dog training programs that teach basic manners, clear communication, reliable recall, and behavior modification. Each program includes private lessons that can be customized.
Taurus Academy - Burnet
Taurus Academy serves pet owners and their pets in its home area of Austin. The business was started by William and Melanie McLeroy in 1994 and has since provided training, care, and safety services for dogs. Its daycare services include supervised playtime in custom playgroups and rest in climate-controlled kennels. The staff aims to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the dogs, and they serve as trainers who are equipped to teach them how to act appropriately and positively with people and other dogs.
BHV - Austin
BHV-Austin is a luxury dog daycare and boarding facility. To ensure its boarders’ comfort, it provides custom large suites and refrains from using crates. It has two VIP suites with assorted furniture, TVs, and Kuranda beds. All play yards comprise misting systems, remote-controlled screens, and large heating systems. It also offers grooming services such as baths, blow drying, ear cleaning, and nail clipping. Vanessa Calabria, the current owner, started out as a manager in the company 17 years ago.
Expert Answers To Common Questions:
- Introduction
- What is a dog daycare?
- What happens at doggy daycare?
- Should I take my dog to daycare?
- How much is doggy daycare per day?
- How do I know if my dog likes daycare?
- How do I prepare my dog for daycare?
- Do dogs learn bad habits at daycare?
- Is a doggy daycare good for dogs?
- When can dogs go to daycare?
- Is doggy daycare good for puppies?
- Can unneutered dogs go to daycare?
- Does dog daycare help with socialization?
- Is doggy daycare safe?
- Does doggy daycare help with separation anxiety?
- Does Disney have dog daycare?
- Do you need a license to run a doggie daycare?
- Q: Introduction
- A: It can be stressful for dog parents to leave their fur babies alone at home while they’re away. They worry about their pooch being anxious, lonely, bored, and destructive. Plus, safety is a concern, along with the fear that their dog will leave unwelcome surprises for them in their home. If that describes you, dog daycare may be the solution.Doggie daycare can help socialize your pup while ensuring that they have care, exercise, regular potty breaks, and safe supervision. Dog owners who use doggy daycare services provide additional reasons for their choice. It can offer a better quality of life for their four-legged friends, keep homes free of pet messes, and help with canine health and physical fitness.
- Q: What is a dog daycare?
- A: Dog daycare is on-site, supervised daily care for dogs. Pet owners bring their animals to the daycare location on their way to work, then return at the end of the day to pick them up. There are commercial doggie daycare facilities and private, in-home options. Commercial daycare businesses usually have more staff and more dog clients than private ones.
- Q: What happens at doggy daycare?
- A: Reputable, well-rated dog daycare operations typically offer several activities for the dogs they care for. That includes walks, playtime, naps, dog food, and water. Some providers also offer companionship, snuggles, and special options, such as dispensing medication, grooming, and training. When choosing a doggy daycare, ask about all the available services and whether visits or video observation are available.
- Q: Should I take my dog to daycare?
- A: Answers to the following questions can help you decide on doggie daycare services.
- Are you away from home for several hours most days of the week?
- Does your pup engage in destructive behavior while you’re gone?
- Is your pooch crated for several hours every day?
- Does your dog walker report issues?
- Q: How much is doggy daycare per day?
- A: Rates vary, depending on location, demand, and competition. But the national average typically ranges from $25 to $40 per day. Half-day rates may also be available. Commercial dog daycare centers commonly charge a bit more than in-home providers. Many facilities offer price breaks on weekly and monthly packages as well as discounts to multiple dog families.
- Q: How do I know if my dog likes daycare?
- A: The following are signs your pup likes doggy daycare. She falls asleep on the ride home, exhausted from a full day of activity or she quivers with excitement when you mention the daycare and is beside herself with joy leaving the house. Also look to see if your pup exhibits positive body language at the daycare — like a wagging tail that means they're eager to see everyone.
- Q: How do I prepare my dog for daycare?
- A: They’ll be around other dogs all day, playing and interacting. So, take your pup to a dog park several times for an introduction to dog language with other canines. Bring your fur baby to the daycare to meet the staff before using the service. Plus, walk your pup before drop-off and be upbeat and positive to avoid stress.
- Q: Do dogs learn bad habits at daycare?
- A: Most doggie parents happily report that their pooches don’t pick up bad habits at daycare. Though it’s not unheard of. But adequate supervision and ample activity typically keeps your pup too busy and happy to act out. If you do notice your dog exhibiting new, unwelcome behaviors — like excessive whining or barking — rule out anxiety first.
- Q: Is a doggy daycare good for dogs?
- A: Sending dogs to daycare rather than leaving them home alone all day is beneficial for most pups. They get the social interaction and activity they crave. That’s typically a good idea for puppies and adolescent canines, especially high-energy breeds. However, anxious, fearful, aggressive, or reactive canines may not do well in this environment.
- Q: When can dogs go to daycare?
- A: Doggy daycare providers rarely take puppies younger than 12 weeks of age. Your dog must also be dewormed and up-to-date on vaccinations. Intact females should not go to dog daycare while they’re in heat. Finally, keep sick and contagious pups home. Get treatment and wait until they’re fully recovered to take them back to daycare.
- Q: Is doggy daycare good for puppies?
- A: Doggy daycare can be a wonderful experience for puppies that are at least 12 weeks old. They learn how to behave around other dogs. Also, lots of activity means they’re less likely to be bored and become destructive at home. Early positive exposure to other dogs also helps prevent your pooch from developing anxiety or aggressive behavior towards other canines.
- Q: Can unneutered dogs go to daycare?
- A: It’s rare to find a dog daycare provider that accepts dogs who haven’t been neutered. That’s because intact male dogs tend to be territorial, more dominant, and often aggressive around other canines. This may cause problems and legal liability issues.
- A: The doggy daycare experience can help your pooch maintain socialization skills. However, don’t count on a daycare provider to be the sole means of teaching your pup socialization. Dogs who already enjoy being around other canines are the best candidates for dog daycare. Daily interaction then helps build on and improve that positive behavior.
- Q: Is doggy daycare safe?
- A: Safety is a critical standard for dog daycare. So, choose your provider carefully. Tour the facility first. Look for cleanliness, adequate lighting, a high staff-to-dog ratio, and separate areas for large canines, small dogs, and puppies. Roomy indoor play areas and fenced-in outdoor spaces are also good signs. Finally, be sure the facility is bonded and insured.
- Q: Does doggy daycare help with separation anxiety?
- A: Separation anxiety is typically caused by undependable schedules, the introduction of new people, the loss of a family member, or a move. Separation anxiety can be awful for your four-legged companion. Fortunately, doggy daycare is an effective countermeasure. It gives your dog a dependable routine with lots of mental stimulation and physical exercise, lessening the effects of separation anxiety.
- Q: Does Disney have dog daycare?
- A: Walt Disney World’s Best Friends Pet Care provides doggy daycare to guests while they enjoy the park. It features 17,000 square feet of indoor space and 10,000 square feet of outdoor play areas and dog runs. There’s also a 25,000 square-foot dog park. The daycare employs 75 pet care providers.
- Q: Do you need a license to run a doggie daycare?
- A: Licensing requirements for dog daycare centers vary, depending on the jurisdiction. No federal licensing requirement exists. So, many state, county, and local governments establish laws, regulations, and ordinances for businesses that board animals. Check with your local government administration office and your state board of agriculture to learn about any licensing or permitting requirements in your area.