--- title: Dog Day Care vs a Dog Walker: Which Fits? | Happy Paws url: https://happypawskennels.com/compare/day-care-vs-dog-walker/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Guides](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/) - Day care vs a dog walker # Day care vs a dog walker A dog walker gives your dog a set visit at home, while day care gives a full day in one place with space to run. At Happy Paws day care is $38 a day or $7 an hour, capped at the daily rate, on the 2026 rate sheet. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) If your dog is home alone while you work, you have two sensible ways to break up the day. They solve different problems, and plenty of owners use both. ## How they differ | | Dog walker | Day care at Happy Paws | | --- | --- | --- | | Where | Your home and neighborhood | A property of about 10 acres near Dixon | | Time out | A visit of agreed length | A day, or by the hour at $7 an hour | | Space to run | Streets, parks, your yard | Large fenced play areas and a grass field | | Price | Set by each walker | $38 a day, $32 for an additional dog sharing, 2026 rates | | Routine | Same time at home | Drop-off 7:30 to 11:30 AM or 2 to 5 PM | ## When a walker is the better fit - A dog who prefers a quiet home and one short outing - A senior dog who tires quickly - An owner who lives close to a good walking route - A single mid-day break ## When day care is the better fit - An energetic dog who needs real space to run - An owner who commutes toward Dixon, Davis or Vacaville and can drop off on the way - A young dog learning to be calm after exercise - A dog who may board with us later and wants to know the place first ## Doing the math Five days a week at $38 is $190. The buy 10, get 12 package is $380 for one dog for 12 days, so the effective day rate is lower. If you only need a few hours, hourly care is $7 an hour up to the $38 cap. See [day care packages](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-day-care/packages/) and [hourly day care](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-day-care/hourly/). ## Trying it Tour any day 9 to 11 AM or 2 to 4 PM, no appointment needed, or send a booking request. Reviewers mention dogs coming home happy and tired. Read [is day care good for dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/is-dog-day-care-good-for-dogs/) and [how often should my dog go](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-often-should-my-dog-go-to-day-care/). ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [Happy Paws Kennels 2026 rate sheet (PDF)](https://happypawskennels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-Rates-EFFECTIVE-1-1-26.pdf) - [Happy Paws Kennels: touring the facility](https://happypawskennels.com/touring-the-facility/) - [Happy Paws Kennels: hours](https://happypawskennels.com/hours/) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Dog day care](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-day-care/) - [Day care packages](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-day-care/packages/) - [Hourly day care](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-day-care/hourly/) - [Dog day care cost](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-day-care-cost/) - [Is day care good for dogs?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/is-dog-day-care-good-for-dogs/) - [Dog day care for Dixon commuters](https://happypawskennels.com/areas/dixon/dog-day-care/) ## Read next - [Cattery vs cat sitter](https://happypawskennels.com/compare/cat-boarding-vs-cat-sitter-compare/) - [Country kennel vs a city pet hotel](https://happypawskennels.com/compare/country-kennel-vs-city-pet-hotel/) - [Kennel boarding vs an in-home sitter](https://happypawskennels.com/compare/boarding-vs-in-home-sitter/) - [Board or bring your dog on the trip?](https://happypawskennels.com/compare/boarding-vs-taking-your-dog/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### Is day care better than a dog walker? They do different jobs. Day care gives a longer day with space to run, and a walker gives a shorter visit at home. ### What does day care cost? $38 a day, or $7 an hour capped at $38, for one dog on the 2026 rate sheet. ### Can I use both? Many owners do, using day care on some days and a walker on others. ### Does day care need a reservation? Please send a booking request or call 707-678-6600. The kennel confirms every reservation.