Free Evaluation Day for New Dogs in Round Rock

Why we do an evaluation day at all

Every dog who attends daycare or boards with our Round Rock facility goes through a free evaluation day first. We do this for one reason: not every dog enjoys a high-energy group environment, and dropping a stressed dog into a 30-dog play room is bad for the dog, bad for the group, and bad for us. The evaluation lets us watch how your dog handles introduction, plays with peers, and reacts to the space, before any money changes hands.

Most dogs do great. Some don't. We'll be honest with you either way.

What happens on evaluation day

1. Drop-off at our regular opening time. Walk in with your dog and vaccine records. We'll do a quick intake, questions about your dog's history, energy level, behavior with other dogs, any sensitivities or quirks.
2. Quiet introduction. A staff member takes your dog back to a small introduction area, separate from the main group. They meet 1–2 well-socialized dogs first, on-leash if needed, then off-leash if it's going well.
3. Slow integration with a small group. If introduction looks good, your dog joins a small group of similar-sized, similar-energy dogs in a controlled space. Staff stay with them throughout.
4. Full group integration. If the small group works, your dog joins the larger play room. From here on, it's the same as a regular daycare day for them.
5. Pick-up at the end of the day. We give you an honest report, how your dog did, who they got along with, anything we noticed. We tell you whether daycare looks like a good fit going forward.

The whole evaluation runs the length of a regular daycare day, drop-off in the morning, pick-up in the afternoon. We don't do shorter "meet-and-greets" because 20 minutes isn't enough time to see how a dog actually behaves in our environment.

What you'll need to bring

• Current vaccine records. Rabies, Bordetella, Distemper, and Parvo. Email or text them to us before the day, or bring printed copies.
• Your dog. On a regular leash and collar/harness. No retractable leashes please.
• Yourself, briefly. 5–10 minutes for intake. After that you go about your day.

Don't bring food, treats, toys, or bedding for the evaluation day. We don't need any of it. Bringing too much stuff slows down the drop-off and adds noise to the visit.

Requirements every dog has to meet

• Spayed or neutered if over 6 months. A behavioral standard, not a medical one. Intact dogs over 6 months change group dynamics in ways we'd rather not manage.
• Current on Rabies, Bordetella, Distemper, and Parvo. No exceptions.
• Reasonably sociable around other dogs. Doesn't need to be the friendliest dog in town, just not actively aggressive on first contact.
• Healthy. If your dog is recovering from surgery, has a contagious condition, or is otherwise unwell, please reschedule.

We don't have breed restrictions. Pit bulls, GSDs, bullies, mixes, all welcome to evaluate. We assess every dog as an individual.

What if my dog doesn't pass?

Honest answer: some dogs don't. Maybe your dog is anxious in big groups, or hates rough play, or just doesn't like other dogs much. That's fine, it doesn't mean anything is wrong with your dog, just that our environment isn't the right fit.

If we see signs of persistent stress, tucked tail that doesn't relax, refusal to engage, growing reactivity, hiding behaviors, we'll quietly pull your dog out of the group, call you, and tell you the truth. We won't push a bad fit. We'll often suggest alternatives: in-home dog walking services, a smaller home-style boarding setup, or a quieter facility better suited to your dog's temperament. We'd rather lose your business than make your dog miserable.

The two free daycare days, explained

If your dog passes evaluation, the next two days of daycare are free. Single dog, no commitment, no purchase required. The reason: we want you to actually try the service before paying for it. After two days you'll have a real sense of whether daycare works for your dog, and whether we're the right facility for your family.

If you decide we're a good fit, here's what regular daycare costs after the 2 free days:

Number of Dogs	Single Day	10-Day Pass	20-Day Pass
1st Dog	$30	$270	$510
2nd Dog	$23	$207	$391
3rd Dog	$20	$180	$340

The 20-day pass = $25.50/day for the first dog. All passes are refundable for unused days and never expire. More on passes & pricing →

Why this matters for Round Rock dog owners

Round Rock has its share of dog daycare options now, including a couple of national chains. Most charge $40–60 for a single trial day, often with required first-time fees on top. Our model has been free evaluation + 2 free days since we opened in 2006, and we've never changed it. The reason is simple: when you're picking somewhere your dog spends 8+ hours a day, you should be able to try before you buy. Period.

Frequently asked questions

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