FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Daycare FAQs
Is there a weight limit for daycare?
Yes. The Best Little Dog House in Texas is a small dog facility, so we take dogs up to 35 pounds based on their estimated adult weight. Little dogs play differently than big ones, and keeping the groups evenly matched means your dog isn’t getting bowled over by a Lab all day. If your puppy is under 35 pounds now but headed higher, give us a call and we’ll talk it through.
Is your daycare cage-free?
Yes, 100%. Dogs at our Montrose location spend the whole day in open playrooms with staff in the room with them, not in crates or runs. The only time a dog is separated is for nap time, meals, or if they need a break from the group.
Does my dog have to be evaluated before their first day of daycare?
Yes. Every new dog goes through a temperament evaluation before joining the group, and it’s free. We introduce your dog to a few of our regulars and watch how they handle the play style and the noise. Most dogs pass without any trouble, and if yours needs a slower introduction we’ll tell you exactly what we saw and what we’d suggest next.
Do I need to schedule an appointment?
Yes, we ask all pet parents to schedule daycare in advance.
What vaccinations are required?
Dogs must be current on Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella vaccinations.
Can I tour the facility before enrolling my dog?
Of course! Give us a call to schedule a visit. We’d love to show you around.
Do you only take dogs from Montrose, or do you serve other parts of Houston?
We’re at 902 Fairview Street in Montrose, and most of our regulars come from the surrounding neighborhoods: Montrose, Midtown, River Oaks, the Museum District, Neartown, Hyde Park, and Fourth Ward. We also see plenty of dogs from Downtown, the Heights, Rice Military, Washington Avenue, Upper Kirby, West University, EaDo, and the Texas Medical Center. Most of those are a 5 to 15 minute drive, which makes us an easy stop on the way to work.
That said, we don’t have a service area cutoff. If you’re willing to make the drive, we’re happy to have your dog. Some of our clients come from as far as Bellaire and the Galleria because we’re one of the few cage-free facilities in Houston that takes small dogs only. There’s street parking on Fairview and a drop-off lane out front, so morning drop-off moves fast.
Boarding FAQs
What size dogs do you accept?
We specialize in small dogs and accept dogs 35 pounds and under based on their estimated adult weight.
Is boarding cage-free?
Yes! Our boarding is 100% cage-free. Dogs sleep in open, comfortable areas with supervision.
Do you evaluate dogs before boarding?
Yes. All dogs must complete a temperament evaluation before staying overnight to ensure a safe and positive experience for everyone.
Can I bring my dog's food and personal items?
We encourage you to bring your dog’s usual food and medication if needed; however, we do not allow toys or other personal items. We have plenty of toys that the dogs are less likely to be possessive over (and everyone is free to destroy them).
What vaccinations are required?
We require proof of current Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella vaccinations.
What will my dog do during the day?
All guests participate in our daycare program, which includes plenty of playtime and socialization.
Grooming FAQs
What size dogs do you groom?
We groom small dogs 35 pounds and under, with pricing based on weight and height from floor to withers.
What's included in a Full Groom?
A Full Groom includes a haircut of your choice, bath, nail file, ear cleaning and hair removal, brush out, and external expression of anal glands upon request.
Do I need to book a bath or groom before getting a hair dye service?
Yes, a bath or full groom is required before any extended-time hair dye service.
How often does a small dog need grooming?
Most small breeds do best on a 4 to 6 week schedule. Doodles, Shih Tzus, and other long-coated breeds mat fast and usually need the shorter end of that. Short-coated dogs like Chihuahuas and Frenchies can stretch to 8 weeks or so, mostly for nails, ears, and a bath. If your dog has been coming to us a while, ask your groomer what schedule they’d recommend for that specific coat.
Do you offer grooming for matted or hard-to-handle dogs?
Yes, we offer dematting, a matted shave down, and special handling services for dogs who need extra care during their groom.
Can I schedule grooming without daycare or boarding?
Yes, grooming is available as a standalone service, and a cage-free option is also available when paired with daycare.
Training FAQs
Where does dog training take place?
Training is incorporated into the daycare day, so your dog gets focused learning sessions along with play time and socialization with friends.
What training method do you use?
We use positive reinforcement exclusively, focusing on PACE — Polite, Attentive, Calm, Exercise — to build good behavior and impulse control.
Do I need to start with Level 1 training?
Yes, Level 1 is the foundation for all other training levels, including Leash Training and Human Socialization.
Is puppy training available?
Yes, our Puppy Kindergarten program is designed for puppies 8 months and younger who have completed their vaccinations.
Can training help with leash pulling or reactivity?
Yes, our Leash Training program works on loose leash walking, distractions, and reactivity both on-site and off-site.
Do you offer training for shy or fearful dogs?
Yes, our Human Socialization course is designed for skittish or shy dogs and focuses on building confidence and trust over time.
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