Daycare
The good kind of tired.
Guided play, real rest, and people who learn your dog's name on day one. Daycare at Leader of the Pack is structured around what dogs actually need, not just keeping them busy.
A typical day
Your dog's day, hour by hour.
Daycare at Leader of the Pack isn't constant chaos, and it isn't dogs left to sit around all day. It's a day with rhythm. Active play, real rest, and time for individual attention when a dog needs it. Here's how it goes.
From 6:30am
Morning arrival
Drop off anytime the doors are open: 6:30am to 6:00pm Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 6:00pm Saturday. Each dog gets a quick check-in with a familiar handler, then heads to their play area. We greet your dog by name.
Morning
Morning play
Dogs in their groups, indoor and outdoor. Climate-controlled rooms with glass doors that open onto the yards, so dogs can move between as they want. Group enrichment built into the morning.
Midday
Midday rest
Every dog gets a scheduled rest period in a quiet space. Not optional. Rest matters as much as play, and it's how dogs avoid getting overstimulated.
Afternoon
Afternoon play
Back to the group, refreshed. Afternoon often includes more focused enrichment activities, plus a trail walk if it's part of your dog's day.
By pickup
Pickup and the report card
You get a report card with real photos sent shortly after the day ends, and someone's available to answer any questions about your dog's day.
How we place dogs
Four play areas, rarely the same day twice.
We have four play areas. Who plays where changes daily, based on the dogs in care that day. We watch size, energy, play style, and how each dog is feeling, then group them so the play is good for everyone. Not a fixed system. A reading-the-room system.
A bouncy young lab might be in a different group on Tuesday than they were on Monday. A senior dog who wants quiet might join a calmer group when the regulars are out. A nervous newcomer might start in a smaller group and move up as they get comfortable.
Our handlers know every dog by name and quirk, and they make placement decisions based on what each dog needs that day.
Our recommended tier
Hybrid Daycare. Group play plus the extras.
Most dogs do well with group play. Some dogs do even better with a little extra. Hybrid Daycare combines a full day of group play with two one-on-one enrichment sessions tailored to your dog. Same day, more depth.
- Full day of group play with carefully matched friends
- Two one-on-one enrichment sessions (15–30 minutes each)
- Activities matched to your dog: scent work, structured walks, puzzle work, focused training games, or quiet cuddle time
- Daily report card with real photos
Hybrid Daycare is what we recommend for high-energy dogs, working breeds, puppies still figuring out social play, and senior dogs who benefit from individual attention. It's also just a great way for any dog to have a fuller day.
Hybrid Daycare is $55/day.
Packages available.
The short version
Family-owned. Purpose-built.
Who we are
We’re Mary and Ray, and we started this because we needed better care for our own two dogs, Breck and Gil. Ten years later, our own dogs still come here, and so does the rest of the family, hands-on, every day.
Read the whole storyWhere your dog will be
22 acres on the edge of Sun Prairie, purpose-built in 2022 around what dogs actually need. Climate-controlled rooms, glass garage doors to the yards, wooded trails out back.
See the facilityRated by 297+ Google reviews · Best of Sun Prairie 2026 (gold) & 2026 Best of Madison (silver)
Why us
Why families bring their dogs here.
Family-Run, Ten Years Strong
Built for Dogs, Not Adapted for Them
A Place for Every Dog
Recognized by the Community
Pricing
Simple, fair pricing.
Hybrid Daycare
Group play and two one-on-one enrichment sessions
Classic Daycare
A full day of group play
Two Dog Daycare
Same family, both dogs at daycare
What's included with every visit
- Daily report card with real photos
- Medication administration at no extra cost
- Indoor and outdoor play access throughout the day
- Scheduled rest periods built into the day
- Handlers who know your dog by name
- If you bring lunch, we'll serve it at no additional cost
Notes on packages
- Packages must be purchased in advance for the discounted rate
- All package days expire 90 days from purchase
- Packages are non-refundable and non-transferable
Common questions
Daycare, answered.
What's the difference between Classic Daycare and Hybrid Daycare?
Classic Daycare is a full day of group play, matched to your dog's size, energy, and play style. Hybrid Daycare adds one-on-one enrichment sessions throughout the day. We're big fans of Hybrid because it combines the social fun of group play with the focused mental work of enrichment. Most dogs come home more settled, more tired in the good way, and more fulfilled.
My dog has never done daycare. Will they be okay?
Every new dog starts with an evaluation day, so our handlers can see how they do in a group setting before we place them on a regular schedule. Most dogs adjust faster than their parents expect. Some need a few visits to fully settle in, and that's completely normal. We adjust placement based on how your dog is feeling that day.
How are dogs grouped? Will my smaller, older, or anxious dog be in with the bigger active ones?
Our four play areas are organized by size, age, play style, and how dogs get along with each other. Our handlers spend the first few visits really getting to know your pup, so they end up in the group where they'll feel happiest. Smaller and gentler dogs go with the group where they'll thrive, not in with the bigger active ones.
What if I'm late picking up my dog from daycare?
Daycare wraps up at 6:00pm. If you're running late, just give us a call. There's a $10 late fee for pickups after closing, and if your dog is still here 30 minutes after we close, we'll move them into boarding for the night. We get that life happens, and we'll work with you whenever we can.
Will you tell me if my dog has a hard day?
Yes. If your dog has a rough day, whether they're not feeling social, got into a scuffle, or just seemed off, we'll tell you at pickup. You should know how your dog is doing here, not just the highlights.
Do you have webcams so I can watch my dog?
No, and it comes down to trust. A camera shows a few seconds from one angle, with no sound and no context, and that isn't real transparency to us. We hire people we trust with our own dogs, then we actually trust them: we don't ask our team to spend the day being watched, we ask them to spend it watching your dog. What you get instead is a report card with real photos after every visit, from the handler who was actually there. If you want to know sooner, call or text and we'll tell you exactly how the day is going.
Are puppies allowed?
Yes, and we love having them. Puppies can attend once they've had their second distemper shot, there's no separate minimum age requirement beyond that. Our full vaccine requirements still apply as your puppy becomes old enough for each one, so bring whatever records you have and we'll work with your vet's schedule.
What families say
From the dog parents.
(The dogs agree.)
Over 297 reviews from Sun Prairie families.
“After trying 2 other doggy daycares I felt like this was the best fit for my puppy. She’s 1 year old & extremely energetic & loves to go here. Every time we go she is pulling to get in & can’t contain herself dying to see her buddies & the people working there. I think the staff is wonderful & always get the impression they’re glad to see her too. I couldn’t do without them!”
Jodie
“We have been taking our Australian Shepherd here for a year now and absolutely love it! He’s always excited in the mornings that he gets to go ‘play with his friends’! For an energetic breed like our pup, this is the perfect place and he always comes home tired from playing so hard.”
Kacy
“This is probably the best daycare in Dane county. They do an excellent job and have an excellent facility. Being able to do nail trim and baths on sight saves me a lot of time and hassle.”
Alan
“Grizzly, my black mouth cur/Aus Shepard mix loves all her new friends human and furry. She never wants to come home at night. Worth every penny. Extras are very reasonable also. From tooth brushing to nail trim. Great place! Hope they’re in business for a long long time.”
David
Getting started
Three steps. That’s the whole process.
01
Register in Gingr
One account. Same login for daycare, boarding, and grooming.
02
Get your dog's records to us
Vaccine and fecal records, uploaded straight into Gingr or sent to us directly. You don't need them to make a reservation, just before your dog's first visit.
03
Come for their first day
No trial day, no evaluation fee. Your dog meets the pack and gets placed in whichever play group fits. If group play isn't their thing, we'll let you know and figure out the right plan together, one-on-one time is always available.
Stuck on step one? Call (608) 571-7225 and we’ll register your dog with you.
As voted by our neighbors
Nominated and voted for by Sun Prairie and Madison families.
No closed-door panel. Local families nominate and vote for their favorites every year. We're honored to have won gold for Best of Sun Prairie in 2026, a step up from silver the year before, and silver for Best of Madison in 2026.
Best of Madison
2026 Winner
Silver
Best of Sun Prairie
2026 Winner
Gold
Best of Sun Prairie
2025 Runner-Up
Silver