Pup Pup & Away

I decided to write a review for this place months after leaving. Random, but it’s because as I drove by today, I thought “this place is so convenient… why don’t I go here anymore? So I thought for a bit and here’s specifically why this place didn’t work for me, and here’s what you might not be seeing. And before I start, let me just say I actually want this business to succeed, and silent attrition does make an impact on small businesses. I have gone here a bunch of times and I have used many of their services, including boarding, daycare, training, etc. So I feel that I have a pretty good understanding of this business and how it operates. Here is my feedback: - Daycare pickup and drop-off is by far the least accommodating I’ve encountered across multiple facilities in San Antonio. - Drop-off is limited to a window in the morning (around 7:00 - 9:00 AM), and if you arrive even slightly after 9, your dog is KENNELED until early afternoon instead of joining the group. I’m paying for my dog to have a good day… and instead my dog is confined because of timing. THIS was why I left. I understand the explanation about maintaining group energy, but in practice this feels unnecessarily rigid and not aligned with how most other daycares operate. I’m sending my dog to daycare so they can play and be happy, not confined and isolated, so this kind of treatment just doesn’t sit well with me. The structure is so rigid that it undermines the very benefit your service is supposed to provide. I have experience with dog daycares in more than one major Texas city including San Antonio. Many other daycares offer flexible drop off times and even half day options. - Package credits don’t roll over. The overall structure feels inflexible compared to other options in the area. (This was the case when I was a client here, I do not know of credits roll over now or not.) - I also had experiences where I felt pushed toward additional services that didn’t seem necessary based on my dog’s behavior and prior evaluations at this exact facility and other facilities. I was pushed to enroll in “extra programs” instead of daycare. While every daycare has its own standards, the approach here felt noticeably more upsell-driven than individualized. Overall, this may work for owners who prefer a very strict, highly structured environment, but for those looking for flexibility and transparency, there are other options in San Antonio that better meet those needs. I personally found a much more flexible place that my dog is as excited about as I am. Interestingly, when I told them the name of our previous daycare (Pup Pup & Away), they remarked how a lot of their clients are former clients of PP&A specifically. I think that is indicative of something. I wish the owner the best and I do understand that this is my personal experience, and likely does not reflect others who frequent this place…but as a business owner, even constructive feedback is important to consider even if it’s disagreeable. I have nothing to gain or lose from this review, I’m just offering insight that others (who just left PP&A and never returned like me) probably don’t take the time to give that could improve the client experience at your business. I don’t want this feedback to dissuade potential customers, it’s more of a signal that if flexibility is important to your lifestyle…this MAY not be a great fit. I wish someone had highlighted these things for me before I was a client.

I am so happy I found Pup pup & away! They are the absolute best fit for my wild 1.5 year old beagle Tod. I was having some behavior issues with him and he had even gotten kicked out of another day training place and he has done completely amazing here!! No issues at all - so much so that the trainers asked me more than once what exactly it was he got kicked out of the other place for lol He loves going there and is SO tired and calm when we get home. I LOVE the pics and thorough details of the report cards. I love the honesty and transparency as well. Ex: - today Tod had to go on a brief time out for humping/being overstimulated. They explained what happened, what they did to correct the behavior, and what happened afterward. I will continue to bring him for his fun days with his new friends!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I can’t say enough good things about Steph at Pup Pup & Away! My girlfriend and I reached out to her after our dog, Blanche, was diagnosed with chronic arthritis. Stephanie guided us through transitioning Blanche to a healthier, more balanced diet and helped us choose the right supplements to support her joints and overall wellness. The difference has been incredible Blanche’s energy, body, and even her mood have improved so much. Stephanie’s knowledge, compassion, and genuine love for animals truly shine through in everything she does. We’re so grateful for all her help and can’t recommend her enough to anyone who wants to give their pup the best care possible. Thank you, Stephanie! 🐾💛