Puppy Daycare in Round Rock

Why structured socialization matters for young dogs

Puppies who don't get regular, supervised time around other dogs in their first 18 months often grow into adolescents and adults with social problems, reactivity on leash, fear-based aggression, inability to read body language. Daycare isn't a replacement for puppy classes or basic obedience, but it's one of the best ways to give a young dog regular, healthy interaction with peers in a controlled environment. They learn dog-to-dog communication, bite inhibition through other dogs' corrections, and how to settle around new dogs without losing their minds.

Our 6-month and neuter requirement

This is the question we get asked most. Our policy: dogs over 6 months must be spayed or neutered to attend daycare. The reason is purely behavioral, not medical:

Intact adolescent dogs change group dynamics. Hormones drive behavior in ways that are unpredictable in a multi-dog setting. We've seen well-socialized intact dogs become reactive in a group; we've seen calm groups become tense around an intact dog.
We can't responsibly screen for it on a per-day basis. The only fair line is to set a policy and stick to it.

We know your vet may recommend waiting longer for some breeds, particularly large breeds where delayed neutering helps with growth plate development. We respect that completely. But we can't make exceptions to the daycare policy. Once your puppy is neutered, we'd love to meet them.

What puppy daycare days look like

Same schedule as the regular daycare: drop-off at opening, supervised play with their group, midday nap from 12 to 2pm, more play until pick-up. Where puppies are different:

Group placement. We typically place new puppies in groups with at least a few mellow adult dogs who tolerate puppy energy well. Older dogs are excellent teachers, they correct rude puppy behavior in ways no human can.
Energy management. Puppies often overdo it on their first few visits. We watch for signs of overtiredness (snapping at playmates, refusing to settle) and pull them aside for a quiet break when needed.
Smaller groups for the first few visits. We don't drop a brand-new puppy into a 30-dog play room on day one. They start in smaller, calmer subgroups and integrate over a few visits.

How often should your puppy attend?

For most puppies, 1–3 days per week is the sweet spot. Daily attendance can be too much for young dogs who haven't built up endurance, they end up overtired, cranky at home, and sometimes turn into reactive messes from sensory overload. As they get older and more acclimated, daily attendance becomes fine for dogs who tolerate it well. We'll give you honest feedback on what we see.

Vaccination requirements

Same as any dog: current on Rabies, Bordetella, Distemper, and Parvo. Most puppies complete their core vaccine series by 16 weeks. Make sure your vet's records reflect the most recent boosters before evaluation day.

What to expect during a puppy's evaluation day

Like any new dog, your puppy gets a free evaluation day before joining the regular program. We do a slow introduction: meet 1–2 calm adult dogs first, then a small group, then full integration if all goes well. Most well-socialized puppies do great. Some puppies need a few visits to fully relax. We'll tell you honestly how it went and what we recommend for next steps. More on evaluation day →

Puppy daycare pricing

Puppy daycare uses the same rates as adult daycare. Sibling discounts apply automatically.

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 →

Frequently asked questions

How old does my puppy have to be?

6 months minimum, and they must be spayed or neutered. The age cutoff is behavioral, younger puppies don't have the impulse control or social skills to do well in our group setting, and intact dogs over 6 months change group dynamics in ways we can't manage.

My vet wants to wait longer to neuter. Can my puppy still attend?

We respect your vet's recommendation and the medical reasons for waiting. Unfortunately, our policy on intact dogs over 6 months is firm, it's a behavioral standard for the safety of the group. We can't make exceptions, but you're welcome to come back once your puppy is neutered.

What vaccinations does my puppy need?

Same as any dog: current Rabies, Bordetella, Distemper, and Parvo. Most puppies are fully vaccinated by 16 weeks, but we can't waive these requirements for puppies who haven't completed their series.

Will my puppy play with adult dogs or just other puppies?

Both. We don't run a puppies-only room. Most puppies do best in groups with a mix of adult dogs who tolerate puppy energy well, older dogs are great teachers and naturally correct rude puppy behavior. We place each puppy carefully based on their evaluation.

How often should my puppy come?

1–3 days per week is usually ideal. Daily attendance can be too much for puppies who haven't built up endurance, they get overtired and cranky. As they get older and acclimated, you can bump up to daily if your schedule needs it.