Daycare and boarding for multi-dog households

Two dogs means twice the walks, twice the vet visits, and a lot more planning every time you leave town. If you're looking for multi-dog daycare and boarding in Houston, Pawliday Inn in southwest Houston takes care of siblings, bonded pairs and mixed packs that don't have much in common beyond the couch. This page covers what's different when you bring more than one dog, and what stays the same.

Your dogs don't have to have the same day

People often assume their dogs will spend every minute together. Sometimes that's right. Often it isn't.

Play yards are separated by energy level

At daycare, we separate play yards by energy level. That matters in a multi-dog home, because the dogs in one family are often very different. A two-year-old retriever who wants to run for hours and a ten-year-old terrier mix who wants to sniff the fence line probably don't want the same yard.

So your dogs may play in different groups during the day. That's normal, and for many pairs it's good. The younger dog gets to burn energy with dogs who can keep up. The older dog gets a break from being pestered.

When they do play together

If your dogs are similar in age and energy, they may end up in the same yard. Either way, they all get outdoor play with rest time and snack breaks through the day. For more on how the daycare day runs, see dog daycare in Houston.

Boarding more than one dog

Overnight, every dog gets the same care:

• Staff on site 24/7
• Breakfast and dinner
• Three scheduled potty breaks a day, separate from daycare
• Free yard play

Our kennels come in small, medium and large sizes, and a Great Dane and a Chihuahua from the same house have very different needs at night. When you book, tell us how your dogs sleep at home and ask us about kennel options for your pair.

Boarding add-ons include walks, basic baths and extra meals.

Feeding several dogs

We encourage you to bring each dog's own food. In a multi-dog home, that usually means a few extra steps:

• Pack food separately. Label each bag or container with the dog's name.
• Write down amounts and times. Even if your dogs eat the same food, they may eat different amounts.
• Flag food guarding. If one dog eats the other's food, or growls over the bowl at home, tell us.
• List medications by dog. Write the dog's name, medication, dose and time on one sheet.

Toys and blankets help too. If your dogs share a favorite blanket at home, bring it along. Our packing list for dog boarding has the full checklist.

Tell us about the relationship

You know your dogs better than anyone. Before the meet and greet or the first stay, tell us:

• Whether they get along with each other all the time, or only most of the time
• Any known behavior, such as aggression, fearfulness, resource guarding, separation anxiety, escape tendencies, or prior bites or injuries
• Whether one dog gets anxious when the other is out of sight
• Which dog is the instigator when things get rowdy

None of this disqualifies a dog. It just helps us plan. A dog who is calm at home with a sibling can act very differently in a new place.

Multi-dog discount and packages

We offer a multi-dog discount for daycare, and prepaid packages for both daycare days and boarding nights. If your dogs come often, a package can simplify things. Rates change, so see current rates on our homepage, or call us at (346) 522 4472.

Booking for more than one dog

Every dog starts daycare with a free meet and greet. There's no cost. If you have two or three dogs, each one gets to know the place and us before a full day.

When you book online, a card on file is required. Boarding reservations take a deposit, with the balance due at pick-up.

• Standard boarding: cancel more than 48 hours ahead for a deposit refund.
• Holiday boarding: a longer seven-day cancellation window, with a deposit for the full stay.
• Weekends: two-night minimum.

Every dog needs current Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella vaccinations, plus regular flea, tick and intestinal parasite prevention. Our article on vaccines required for boarding and daycare explains each one. Keep a separate record for each dog. We may refuse service to any dog that doesn't meet requirements or shows signs of illness, even if their sibling is cleared. Full rules are on our policies page.

Getting here

Pawliday Inn is at 11206 Cedarhurst Dr in southwest Houston, near Meyerland, Westbury and Willow Meadows. Look for the larger-than-life pup painted on the building. Weekday hours are 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday by appointment. Boarding runs seven days a week. Pick-up after 6:30 p.m. has a late fee.

Frequently asked questions

Will my dogs be kept together?

It depends on the dogs. In daycare, play yards are separated by energy level, so dogs from the same home may play in different groups. For boarding, tell us how your dogs sleep at home and ask about kennel options when you book.

Do you have a discount for more than one dog?

Yes. We offer a multi-dog discount and prepaid packages. See current rates on our homepage.

Can one dog do daycare while the other boards?

Yes. Each dog can have its own plan, such as daycare for the younger dog and boarding for the older one.

What if one of my dogs isn't vaccinated yet?

Each dog must meet the vaccine and prevention requirements on its own. A dog who isn't up to date can't join until they are, even if their sibling can.