Best Holiday Dog Boarding Austin: Thanksgiving, Christmas & Long Weekends

Quick Answer: Big Little Paws offers holiday dog boarding in Austin for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and long weekends at $75 per night. We only accept dogs who have already boarded with us before the holidays to keep our pack safe and stress-free. New dogs must complete our full process (inquiry form, meet and greet, free daycare day, and at least one boarding stay) before booking holiday stays. Book early as holiday spots fill up weeks in advance with our regulars.

Submit New Dog Inquiry Form

Why We Only Accept Established Dogs for Holiday Boarding

Holidays are our busiest time of the year! We can have up to 20 dogs staying with us during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. That is a lot of excited energy in one house.

We do not accept new dogs during the holidays for the safety and comfort of our entire pack. We need to know how your dog interacts with other dogs, how they handle new environments, and what their personality is like before bringing them in during our busiest days.

We do not want your dog's first experience at Big Little Paws to be when there are 15 other dogs here and its a little busier than normal. That is stressful for your dog and unsafe for our pack. We want every dog here to feel safe, comfortable, and genuinely happy!

Our Process for New Dogs

If you want to board your dog with us over the holidays, here is what needs to happen first:

Every new dog must complete our full screening process before we can accept them for boarding. This includes a new dog inquiry form, a free meet and greet at our home, a free first day of doggy daycare where you leave so we can see how your dog does on their own, and at least one successful boarding stay before the holidays.

This process helps us make sure your dog is a good fit for our group and helps your dog get comfortable with us, the environment, and the other dogs before the busy holiday rush.

Holiday Rates and Availability

Holiday boarding is $75 per night. This applies to Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and other major holiday weekends.

Holiday spots fill up fast! Our regulars book weeks or even months in advance because they know availability is limited. If you are planning to travel over the holidays, reach out as early as possible to secure your spot.

Which Holidays Fill Up First

Thanksgiving and Christmas - New Years are our busiest holidays by far. These dates book out the fastest because so many families travel during these times.

Fourth of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and long weekends also fill up quickly.

If you know you are traveling during any of these times, do not wait to book!

What Makes Holiday Boarding Different

During the holidays, we have more dogs than usual staying with us. That means more playtime, more energy, and more excitement! Your dog gets to be part of a bigger pack and make even more friends.

We still send daily photos, videos, and report cards throughout the entire stay. You will know exactly how your dog is doing even when you are out of town celebrating with family.

We keep the same routine we always do. Two walks per boarding night, meals on schedule, calm time to rest and digest, and plenty of outdoor play. The only difference is there are more dogs having fun together!

How Far in Advance Should You Book

For Thanksgiving and Christmas, we recommend booking at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance. Our regulars know this and plan early.

For New Year's and long weekends, 3 to 4 weeks is usually enough notice, but earlier is always better.

If you are a new dog and want to board over the holidays, you need to factor in even more time. Remember, you have to complete the meet and greet, free daycare day, and at least one boarding stay before we can accept holiday bookings. Plan at least 2 to 3 months ahead if you are starting fresh!

Building a Relationship Before the Holidays

The best way to secure holiday boarding is to become a regular at Big Little Paws well before the holidays arrive.

Dogs who come for daycare regularly or board with us throughout the year get priority booking when the holidays roll around.

This is not just about securing a spot. It is about making sure your dog has a familiar, comfortable place to stay when you travel. Your dog already knows Sonya and Bryce, already knows the other dogs in the group, and already feels at home here. That makes the holiday stay so much easier for everyone!

What Happens If You Wait Too Long

If you reach out during the week before Thanksgiving or Christmas, we are almost always fully booked. Our regulars plan ahead and fill up all available spots.

If you are a new dog and the holidays are coming up soon, we will not be able to accept you for holiday boarding. You will need to complete our full process first, which includes at least one successful boarding stay, and then you can book for future holidays.

Start Planning Now

Fill out the New Dog Inquiry Form below. Complete the meet and greet, free first daycare day, and a boarding stay so you are ready for the next holiday season. Our regulars love having a reliable place to bring their dogs every time they travel, and you can too!

Submit New Dog Inquiry Form