Board and Train in Austin, TX: Capital City Notes

Trails, hills and a lot of dogs.

County

Travis County

From Austin

In town

Main roads

Interstate 35, MoPac (Loop 1) and Loop 360

Where dogs walk

the trail around Lady Bird Lake and Zilker Park

Travis County's seat sits at the foot of the Balcones Escarpment, with rolling limestone hills to the west and flat clay to the east. The Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail loops 10.1 miles around Lady Bird Lake, and the Barton Creek Greenbelt starts at Zilker Park. With that many shared paths, polite leash manners are a daily need, and they top the list of reasons owners look at a stay.

Interstate 35 is the only interstate serving the city, with MoPac, Loop 360 and U.S. 183 handling much of the rest. Traffic can be heavy, so ask each program about drop-off windows, and whether the trainer is open to a handoff somewhere convenient. If you work from home, tell the trainer. Dogs who spend all day with one person often need help learning to settle alone.

Austin summers regularly reach 95 degrees or higher, and the thin soil on the western hills makes flash flooding a concern after heavy rain. Ask how dogs are protected from both. At home, rebuild the day gradually: short walks, quiet rest and a few minutes of practice. When you go back to the trails, start early and give other dogs plenty of room.

See every program →

Before you book. Three steps.

1. Decide which habits you want to change and write them down.
2. Ask each trainer about travel, weather plans and whether the handoff can happen near Austin.
3. Pick a calm route near the trail around Lady Bird Lake and Zilker Park for the first week home.

Nearby communities. Also in this guide.

• San Antonio
• Waco
• Houston
• All areas

Local resources. Learn more about Austin.

• About Austin, TX (Wikipedia)
• Travis County government