Big Little Paws, The Most Fun Dog Daycare in Austin
Sonya and Bryce Garcia run Big Little Paws out of their home in East Austin. Your dog spends the day with walks, yard time, and playtime with their best friends. They get plenty of exercise, relaxation, and 1-on-1 attention all day long.
You get regular photo and video updates and a daily report card so you know exactly how their day went. Every dog here was personally approved before their first visit. That's how we keep the pack happy and safe for everyone!
Is Big Little Paws Right For Your Dog?
Is your dog bouncing off the walls when you get home?
They've been home alone all day with no where to put their energy. You love them, but it's a lot. Dogs need exercise, companionship, and mental stimulation every single day.
Is your dog often alone, not socializing with other dogs?
Dogs need a pack. Without it, they can get anxious, restless, or completely bored. Socialization isn't optional. Every dog needs it to stay balanced, friendly, and happy.
Did your dog come home from another daycare stressed?
Every dog is personally approved to fit the pack, so your dog actually loves being here. And you get daily report cards so you know exactly how their day went!
Big Little Paws Exists Because of Bear
Bear was our King German Shepherd. Sonya rescued him from a shelter after he was hit by a car and left on the side of the road. She paid for his hip and leg amputation out of pocket because he was uninsurable due to pre-existing conditions.
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When Bear needed care, Sonya was never comfortable leaving him just anywhere. She wanted real updates and photos, and someone who would love him the way we did. She couldn't find that place.
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So she became that place.
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She started watching the dogs in her apartment complex for free because she genuinely loved it. Once word got out and people started asking her to watch their dogs, it made sense to start doing dog boarding and daycare to help pay for Bear's expensive medical bills. It just blew up into a business from there. Customers loved what Sonya was doing and kept coming back. They told their friends and referrals poured in. Eventually we bought our current home to have a much bigger space for the dogs because we couldn't fit everyone in the apartment anymore.
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Bear isn't with us anymore, but his paws and ears are in our logo. He was, and forever will be, our soul dog. Every dog that walks through our door gets exactly the care we gave him.
This is not a facility. It's a home.
Most places don't screen the dogs they let in.
That means your dog can be surrounded by aggressive dogs, dogs with a history of fights, and ones that get territorial over food and toys. Or dogs that bark and whine the entire day, making your pup stressed out. Some of these places don't even have a yard. Just a big room full of dogs in cages.
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Big Little Paws does not accept aggressive dogs or dogs that don't fit the pack. The safety and happiness of the existing group always comes first. This place is not a fit for everyone, and that is by design.
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This is Sonya and Bryce's home in East Austin.
Every dog here was personally screened and approved before their first visit. Sonya and Bryce know every dog in the group. They know who gets along with who, who needs a few minutes to warm up, and who is going to be first in the water on Field Trip Friday. Dogs are grouped by behavior and energy, so your shy dog isn't getting steamrolled by one with no off switch.
What Your Dog's Daycare Day Looks Like
Every arrival is its own little celebration!
Your dog walks in and the whole crew lights up. Tails wagging, everyone excited to see their best friends. They head outside and the day gets started!
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Walks, yard play, and outdoor time make up a big part of the day. Sonya and Bryce get the dogs outside while Austin's weather cooperates and they make the most of it. There are shaded areas outside too, and when the temperature climbs everyone moves inside.
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By midday the pack has burned through a good chunk of their energy and starts settling in naturally. Some find their favorite spots inside. Some head to the shaded areas outside. Around 1 or 2, nap time takes over and the whole house gets wonderfully quiet.
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After the nap, it's back to play! Outside if the weather is good, inside if it's not.
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Honestly, most dogs don't want to leave at the end of the day! It's one of our favorite things! Owners show up and their dog gets so excited to see them, then tries to pull them right back inside.
We send regular photo and video updates and a daily report card so you always know exactly what your pup was up to.
Rose says it best: "They send regular updates through social media, texts, and even detailed report cards, which gives us so much peace of mind while we're away."
Field Trip Friday
On Fridays, Sonya takes the pack on field trips around Austin. Trail walks, dog-friendly water spots, and more around the city. It's an optional add-on that requires owner approval and a separate sign-up. The dogs that do it are absolutely obsessed!
What Your Dog Gets at Big Little Paws
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Real love, cuddles, and one-on-one attention from Sonya and Bryce
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Socialization and playtime with their best friends (regulars have a crew here!)
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Exercise and play that actually gets their energy out
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Supervised group play with pre-screened, approved dogs
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Quiet time and space to decompress when they need it
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Groups divided by behavior and energy so every dog is with the right crowd
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Walks and outdoor time throughout the day
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Shaded outdoor areas and comfortable indoor space
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Crates for feeding (every dog eats separately so mealtime stays calm and each dog gets their own food in peace) and available for any dog that likes to use one to settle down
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Afternoon nap time
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Regular photo and video updates plus a daily report card
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Treats throughout the day if it agrees with your dog's diet (owners bring their dog's own food for meals)
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Flexible drop-off and pickup windows that work with your schedule
What 200+ Big Little Pawrents Are Saying
Poppy & Lily's mom, Luana
We can't say enough wonderful things about Big Little Paws! From the moment we walked in, we knew Poppy and Lily were in the best hands. Sonya, Bryce and Reann are incredibly friendly, professional, and clearly passionate about caring for dogs.
Poppy and Lily absolutely love their time here! Every time we drop them off, their tails start wagging like crazy, and they can't wait to run inside. The facility is always clean, well-maintained, and has plenty of space for playtime and relaxation.
We love the daily updates and pictures we receive, which show just how much fun they are having. Big Little Paws has truly been a lifesaver for us, providing a safe, fun, and loving environment for our pups.
We highly recommend them to any pet parent looking for top-quality daycare!
Slinky's mom, Hana
Where do I start!? Sonya and Bryce are the absolute best. I don't trust many people with my baby but they are exactly the type of people you would want to watch your dogs. My pup Slinky has been going to them since she was 3 months old. I owe a lot of her good behavior and social skills to Big Little Paws.
She has so much fun at daycare and does not want to leave. She would stay forever if she could! Sonya and Bryce are super great when it comes to special requests. Slinky has had bad allergies and UTIs before and they are so great at distributing meds to her.
I never have to worry about her when she's there. They truly love Slinky like she's their own and I'm so grateful that Slinky has this place to call her second home!
Ryder's dad, Trent
Absolutely love Big Little Paws! Sonya and Bryce are hands down the best. They've taken such incredible care of my golden doodle, Ryder, who can be quite the handful. He needs loads of attention, and they keep him entertained and loved, along with plenty of playtime with other adorable dogs.
Finding a place I trust with Ryder is huge for me, and I can confidently say there's nowhere else in Austin I'd rather take him. What really makes a difference are the special updates they send — photos, videos, and all — especially when I'm stuck at work for the day or traveling for the week. Those updates keep me smiling and reassured that Ryder's having a blast.
If you're on the hunt for a place where your furry friend will be treated like family, Big Little Paws is it. I promise, Sonya and Bryce will make sure your pet is in the best hands possible. 100% Recommend!
Shelby's mom, Claire
Hands down the best doggy daycare ever. My dog walks in with a smile and is never ready to leave.
Sonya and Bryce are incredibly caring and communicative, which gives me total peace of mind when I travel.
They truly treat every dog like their own with so much love and personalized walks. Big Little Paws is run beautifully, and I couldn't recommend them enough.
Harry's mom, Mary Grace
Best decision to take Harry to Big Little Paws!
Sonya and Bryce care for him like he's their own. We've been going to them since he was a puppy, and it has quickly become Harry's favorite place!
If you're deciding on a daycare/boarding in Austin, they are by far the best choice!
Greta's mom, Ali
The absolute best dog sitters in Austin! No one else I trust more to watch our Bernese mountain dog at their home!
Our pup goes all the time for daycare and overnight boarding.
They care so much about the dogs they watch and are amazing with continuous verbal and photo/video updates. Cannot say enough great things about Sonya & Bryce/Big Little Paws!
How To Get Started With Daycare At Big Little Paws
Step 1: Fill Out the New Dog Inquiry Form
This is where it all starts!
Fill out the New Dog Inquiry Form and tell us about your pup. Their personality, their energy level, how they do with other dogs, and what you're looking for. Sonya and Bryce read every submission personally.
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If it looks like a good match, you'll hear from us to set up your free meet and greet. Big Little Paws does not accept last-minute requests for new dogs. The safety of every dog in our pack is our top priority. We have owners who trust us with their dogs every single day, and we protect that trust by making sure every new dog goes through the full process before joining the group.
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[Button: Fill Out the New Dog Inquiry Form]
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Step 2: Free Meet and Greet
This is where we get to meet your pup in person, and honestly, it's one of our favorite parts!
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You bring your dog to the house and we get to see them in action. We watch how they behave with the other dogs, including Magnus, our resident King German Shepherd who sets the tone for the whole pack. We look at how they handle a brand new space, how they approach the other dogs, and what their body language and energy are telling us. Every detail matters.
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The meet and greet is completely free. Despite sitting for 200+ dogs, we have had very few incidents, and that is because of how seriously we take this process. Not every dog is a fit for Big Little Paws, and that's okay.
Step 3: Free First Daycare Day
Dogs who pass the meet and greet come back for a full free first daycare day. This is where we really get to know your pup, because dogs often show a completely different side of themselves when their owner is not there.
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Some dogs are totally comfortable right away. Others are nervous and need a little time to warm up. Both are completely normal, and we will work with your dog to help them get acclimated and feel safe here.
If it is a great fit, you are approved to book.
If it is not going to work out, we will let you know. Most families are on a regular schedule within a week of their first visit!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need to bring food?
Most dogs do not bring food for day care since their dog eats before coming and after getting home. However, each owner can bring food for their dog if they want during daycare. We give treats throughout the day if it agrees with your dog's diet.
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What is the crate situation?
Sonya separates dogs during mealtime using crates so every dog eats in peace. Some dogs also choose to use a crate on their own when they need to settle down. You do not need to bring one for daycare. If you are boarding, bring your dog's crate if you would like them to use it overnight.
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Do you offer pickup and dropoff?
Yes, for select areas in Austin. $15 one way, $25 round trip.
Advance notice and approval is required, and we ask for some flexibility on timing as we coordinate pickups and dropoffs at the house throughout the day.
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What is Field Trip Friday?
Field Trip Friday is an optional add-on where Sonya takes a select group of dogs on trail walks and dog-friendly adventures around Austin. Sonya schedules it based on her availability so it does not happen every Friday, but it comes up regularly throughout the year. Spots are limited to dogs that are a great fit for group outings. If your dog is well-behaved and a solid member of the pack, we would love to have them join. Owner approval required and separate sign-up needed.
How much does daycare cost?
Packages range from $30-35 per dog per day depending on which package you choose. See the full pricing breakdown below:
Rates and Packages
All of our regular daycare clients are on packages. It is the best value and the easiest way to keep your dog's schedule consistent.
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10-day pack: $350 (save $100)
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20-day pack: $650 (save $250), most popular
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50-day pack: $1,500 (save $750)
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Single day: $45 for one dog, $75 for two from the same household.
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For multi-dog households:​
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10-day pack: $650
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20-day pack: $1,200
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Pickup / Drop-off packages (20 pickups & drop-offs):
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1 dog: $240
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2 dogs: $320
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We Can't Wait to Meet Your Pup!
We review every application personally. If it looks like a good fit, you will hear from us to set up the free meet and greet. Come see what all the tail wagging is about!
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Submit the New Dog Inquiry Form below to get started:​
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