How Often Should My Dog Go to Daycare? The Best Dog Daycare Schedule in Austin
- biglittlepaws2
- Feb 22
- 3 min read
Quick Answer: There is no perfect number of days for dog daycare! The ideal frequency for your dog depends on their energy, how social they are, and your schedule. At Big Little Paws, we have dogs who come 5 days a week and absolutely love it, and we have dogs who come once a week for a social outlet. The right schedule is whatever keeps your dog happy, healthy, and excited to return!
Every Dog is Different
We see it all here! There's no one size fits all when it comes to caring for dogs. We have dogs coming to Big Little Paws 1-5 times per week:
The 5 Day a Week Routine
This is less common but we have regulars come 5 days per week! They are high energy, social pups and their parents worked every day of the week.
The 2 to 3 Day Schedule This is the most common schedule we see! This schedule keeps dogs in the pack rhythm without burning them out.
The Once a Week Social Outlet Some dogs only need one day a week at daycare and that works perfectly for them! This is great for dogs who just need a playdate to stay social and burn off energy.
We Are Flexible With Your Schedule
We understand that work schedules change, life gets busy, and your dog's needs might shift over time. We are totally flexible with how often your dog comes!
Just remember that you need to book more than 24 hours in advance. We do not allow same day bookings because we need to plan our group size and make sure we have space for everyone.
If you start with 2 days a week and realize your dog loves it so much they need to come more, you can absolutely add days. If you are coming 4 days a week and your dog needs more rest, you can scale back. We are here to support whatever works best for you and your pup!
Signs Your Dog's Schedule is Working
You will know pretty quickly if your dog's schedule is working! Here are the signs we see all the time:
Your dog gets excited when you pull onto our street. They know where they are and they cannot wait to get inside and see their friends!
Your dog comes home happy and tired, not stressed or anxious. They eat well, sleep well, and are relaxed at home after daycare.
Your dog enters the pack with confidence and plays well with their friends. They have healthy boundaries and genuinely enjoy being here.
If you are seeing these signs, your dog's schedule is perfect! If your dog seems stressed, exhausted, or does not want to come anymore, they might need fewer days or daycare might not be the right fit for them.
Daycare Packages for Every Frequency
Our daycare packages are designed to support whatever schedule works for you! There is no penalty for changing your frequency as your dog ages or your work schedule shifts.
Our packages:
10-day pack: $350 (great for 1 to 2 days per week)
20-day pack: $650 (perfect for 2 to 3 days per week)
50-day pack: $1,500 (smart for 4 to 5 days per week)
If your dog comes regularly, the packages save you so much money compared to paying $45 per day every single time. Our regulars who come frequently tell us the packages are a no brainer once they do the math!
Finding the Right Schedule for Your Dog
The best way to figure out the right frequency is to start somewhere and adjust based on how your dog responds! A lot of our clients start with 1 to 2 days a week and then add more days once they see how much their dog loves it.
We are always here to give you feedback on how your dog is doing. If we notice they need more rest days or are getting overstimulated, we will tell you. If we see them thriving and think they would benefit from coming more often, we will tell you that too!
The goal is to find a schedule that works for your dog, your budget, and your lifestyle. There is no wrong answer as long as your dog is happy and getting what they need!
Ready to Build a Routine Your Dog Loves?
Fill out the New Dog Inquiry Form below. Free meet and greet and free first daycare day for all new dogs. Once your dog is established, you can figure out the perfect schedule and start using our daycare packages to save money on regular visits. We cannot wait to meet your pup!
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