Dog Boarding for Puppies in Austin: What Every New Dog Parent Needs to Know
- biglittlepaws2
- 24 hours ago
- 5 min read
Quick Answer:
Big Little Paws accepts puppies for dog boarding in Austin as long as they are vaccinated and planning to be spayed or neutered. Puppies 7 months and older must already be spayed or neutered. All new dogs go through our full intake process: New Dog Inquiry Form, approval, free meet and greet, and a free trial daycare day. We keep groups small, evaluate every puppy individually, and group them by energy and behavior. Boarding is $65 per night.
Fill out the New Dog Inquiry Form below to get started!
Dog Boarding for Puppies in Austin: What Makes It Different
Boarding a puppy is not the same as boarding an adult dog. Puppies need more supervision, more structure, and a whole lot more patience.
A giant kennel with 50 dogs is not the right place for a six-month-old who has never been away from home.
At Big Little Paws, we run a home-based dog boarding and daycare in University Hills (78723). We keep our groups small on purpose. Your puppy is not lost in a crowd here.
They get real attention, real structure, and a calm home environment that makes the adjustment so much easier!
What Age Do We Accept Puppies for Boarding?
We accept puppies as long as they are up to date on their vaccines. There is no strict age minimum as long as your puppy is vaccinated and you are planning to get them spayed or neutered. Before their vaccines are complete, the risk of illness in a group setting is too high and we cannot safely bring them in.
If your puppy is still working through their vaccine schedule, the best thing to do is get them finished up, fill out the New Dog Inquiry Form, and let's get the process started from there!
Do Puppies Need to Be Spayed or Neutered?
Puppies under 7 months can join us as long as they are up to date on their vaccines and they are planning to get spayed or neutered. Once they hit 7 months, they need to be spayed or neutered before they can come back.
Dogs who are never going to be spayed or neutered are not a good fit for Big Little Paws, and we want to be upfront about that. Intact dogs are more likely to hump other dogs, mark inside the house, become reactive or aggressive, and in the case of intact females, we simply cannot risk an unwanted pregnancy with another client's dog. We take our responsibility to every dog in our care seriously and this policy is a big part of how we protect the whole pack.
If your puppy is not yet fixed but has a scheduled surgery date, let us know when you fill out the New Dog Inquiry Form. We will work with you on timing.
Dog Boarding Is Not a Replacement for Training
Boarding and daycare are not dog training and we are not dog trainers.
We actually prefer dogs who have already been through basic obedience training. Well-trained puppies are easier to manage in a group, more comfortable in new environments, and just have a much better time overall. If your puppy has not started training yet, we strongly recommend doing that alongside or before regular boarding and daycare. It makes the whole experience better for everyone.
We are not able to take on puppies with serious behavioral issues or a history of aggression. That would not be fair to our other dogs.
How Does the Intake Process Work for New Puppies?
Every new dog at Big Little Paws goes through the same process. You fill out the New Dog Inquiry Form below. We review it and reach out if we think your pup is a good fit.
From there, we schedule a free meet and greet at our house in University Hills (78723).
You come check out our home, get comfortable with us, and see exactly where your dog will be staying. Your pup gets to explore the space, meet some of the dogs, and start getting familiar with the environment. And we get to assess whether it is a good fit for everyone. It is a really important step and we love doing them!
If the meet and greet goes well, we schedule a free trial daycare day. You drop your puppy off in the morning, we watch how they do with the group all day, and you pick them up that evening. We send updates, photos, and videos throughout so you are never guessing. If the trial day goes well, your puppy is approved and ready to start booking!
How Do We Group Puppies?
We separate dogs by behavior and energy level, not by age or size alone. Most puppies land in the higher-energy group. They are fast, curious, and still learning how to play nicely. We make sure every dog in that group can keep up and that no one is getting steamrolled.
We never mix a timid senior dog with a wild puppy. That is not fair to either of them. Our groupings change based on who is here each day and we watch the dynamics closely the whole time.
What Should I Bring for My Puppy's Boarding Stay?
Keep it simple! Bring your puppy's exact food, pre-portioned with clear feeding instructions. Puppies have sensitive stomachs and changing their food in a new environment is a recipe for an upset tummy.
A blanket that smells like home genuinely helps anxious puppies settle in faster. You can also bring their bed or crate if you want but we have plenty of both here already.
Please do not bring toys. Dogs can get territorial over toys in a group setting and it causes conflict we do not need. We have enrichment here for your pup!
Other FAQs About Boarding Puppies at Big Little Paws:
What vaccines does my puppy need before boarding?
Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella are required. Bring documentation to the meet and greet.
How many puppies do you board at one time?
We keep total group sizes small. On a typical weekday we have between 4 and 12 dogs. Puppies are grouped with compatible dogs based on energy and behavior. On super busy weekends and holidays, we cap out at 20 dogs.
Will my puppy sleep in a crate?
We have crates available and use them when needed! If your puppy is already crate trained, you may bring their crate. A familiar crate can really help a puppy sleep better away from home.
Is dog boarding safe for puppies?
Yes, when it is done right! The key is small groups, real supervision, and matching your puppy with dogs they can actually play with. That is what we do here. We have cared for several hundred dogs of all ages and breeds. Your puppy is in good hands!
If you want to board your pup with us, fill out the New Dog Inquiry Form to get started!
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