Starmark Animal Behavior Center

What Starmark Animal Behavior Center does

Starmark Animal Behavior Center is a Central Texas-based dog training, boarding, and daycare facility operating from a 200-kennel climate-controlled campus at 200 County Road 197 in Hutto, TX, just outside Austin. Founded in 1997 (originally as Triple Crown Dog Academy), the company offers tiered overnight boarding ($43-$70 per night across Basic, First Class, Platinum, Luxury, and Studio Suites tiers), daytime daycare (~$32/day), and a broad training portfolio that includes Stay & Train in-kennel programs ($1,302-$2,404 for 14- and 28-day packages), private lessons ($95-$145), group classes, Day School, and behavior modification for aggression, anxiety, and reactivity. All staff kennel team members hold Fear Free Certified Pet Professional credentials, and several trainers are AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluators supporting an AKC-affiliated curriculum (S.T.A.R. Puppy, CGC, Tricks, Scent Work).

The company's technology layer is intentionally thin: no proprietary platform is disclosed, with reservations handled via the third-party myKC App and retail distributed through a Shopify-based Pro Shop that sells training tools, treats, interactive toys, and gift cards. Approximately 40 staff support operations, including 15 certified training and behavior specialists sourced from Starmark Academy, the affiliated dog-trainer school. Integration with the broader Starmark ecosystem (Academy, Pet Products) is the principal source of talent and brand equity.

Commercially, Starmark is a direct-to-consumer services business with pay-as-you-go unit pricing across nearly all SKUs. Customer segments are overwhelmingly individual pet owners in the Central Texas region, supplemented by a discounted rescue-adopter program that has historically channeled training to roughly 1,300 homeless dogs and approximately $4 million in donated services to local rescues. The company has no disclosed revenue, no funding history, and no M&A activity, consistent with a mature, privately held, single-location operator.

Name

Starmark Animal Behavior Center

Legal name

Starmark Animal Behavior Center

Website

https://dogtrainingandboardingaustin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Starmark Animal Behavior Center is a Hutto, TX-based dog training, boarding, and daycare facility serving Central Texas pet owners from a 200-kennel campus, with affiliated AKC-certified programs and a Shopify Pro Shop.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Hutto

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Boarding Services: Overnight dog boarding in various service tiers (Basic, First Class, Platinum, Luxury, Studio Suites) with pricing ranging from $43-$70 per night. Revenue from spacious climate-controlled indoor suites with outdoor patio access.
2. Dog Daycare: Daycare services for dogs with activity packages. Basic Daycare at $32/day includes playtimes and treats.
3. Training Services: Multiple training modalities including Stay & Train (in-kennel), Private Lessons, Group Classes, Day School, and Behavior Modification. Training programs range from $95 per private lesson to $2,404 for 28-day programs.
4. Activity Add-ons: Premium activities such as Beach Club swimming, Nature Walks, Discovery Playground, Canine Massage, and Interactive Puzzle Toys available as add-ons or included in premium boarding packages.
5. Pro Shop E-commerce: Online retail store selling mental stimulation toys, treats & rewards, training tools, interactive play items, and gift cards through Shopify platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Starmark Animal Behavior Center operates a 200-kennel dog boarding, daycare, and training facility near Austin, TX, offering overnight boarding across five service tiers, multi-modality dog training (Stay & Train, Private Lessons, Group Classes, Day School), behavior modification for problem behaviors, daycare, and enrichment activities such as Beach Club swimming and nature walks. The company also runs a Shopify-based Pro Shop retailing training tools, treats, and interactive toys.

Product overview

Starmark Animal Behavior Center is a comprehensive dog training and boarding facility offering a unified suite of services. The core offerings include dog boarding (with five tiered packages from Basic to Luxury) and dog training (Stay and Train, Private Lessons, Group Classes, Day School, and Behavior Modification). Add-on services include daycare, spa activities (Beach Club, Nature Walks, Discovery Playground, therapeutic massage), and a retail Pro Shop. The company operates a 200-kennel climate-controlled facility and accepts all dog breeds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dog Boarding Overnight dog boarding in climate-controlled indoor suites with outdoor patio access, offered across five tiers (Basic $43/night, First Class $50/night, Platinum $61/night, Luxury $70/night, Studio Suites $45/night for dogs under 30 lbs), with discounted second-dog rates. Designed for individual pet owners needing reliable care during travel.
• Dog Daycare Daily daycare for dogs including two playtimes, one potty break, and a frozen yogurt or chew ball treat at $32 per day. Provides socialization and daytime supervision for pet owners during work hours.
• Stay and Train (In-Kennel Training) Extended in-kennel training programs where dogs stay at the facility and receive personalized obedience or behavior modification training, available as a 14-day program at $1,302 or a 28-day program at $2,404. Each program includes a free private lesson and a training equipment package.
• Private Training Lessons One-on-one training sessions with certified behavior specialists. Pet Obedience Lessons are $95 per lesson (buy 5 for $475 and get 1 free); Specialty Private or In-Home Lessons are $145 per lesson or $500 for four lessons.
• Group Training Classes Multi-week group classes including AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy ($175 for 6 weeks), Basic Obedience & Manners ($200 for 6 weeks), AKC Canine Good Citizen ($200 for 5 weeks), Odor Squad/Introduction to AKC Scent Work ($400 for 2 days/week over 4 weeks), Swim Class ($200 for 4 weeks), and AKC Tricks Class ($250 for 6 weeks).
• Day School Daytime training program where dogs train during the day and return home in the evening. The 8-day package is priced at $846 and includes Saturday lessons.
• Behavior Modification Training Specialized behavior modification training addressing aggression, destructiveness, fearfulness, compulsive behaviors, separation anxiety, reactivity, and resource guarding. Delivered through Stay and Train, Private Lessons, and Continued Education/Refresher formats.
• Boarding Enrichment Activities Add-on enrichment activities for boarding dogs: Beach Club swimming pool ($25/session), Nature Walks ($25/walk), Playtime ($15/session), Interactive Puzzle Toys ($5 each), Discovery Playground, Ball Playroom, and Therapeutic Canine Massage. Some are included in Platinum and Luxury boarding packages.
• Pro Shop (Retail E-Commerce) Shopify-based online retail store selling mental stimulation toys, treats & rewards, training tools, interactive play items, and gift cards to consumers nationwide.
• Training Evaluation Free initial assessment available in-person or over the phone to determine training needs, goals, and recommend an appropriate training program.
• Medication Administration Services Three-tiered medication services for boarding dogs: Level A at $1 per pill/dose, Level B at $3 per topical treatment, and Level C at $20 per day for senior/special care with mobility issues.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 1,300 homeless dogs trained through Starmark Academy programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Starmark Academy for Professional Dog TrainerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarmark Animal Behavior Center is closely affiliated with Starmark Academy, the largest and most comprehensive dog training school in the world. All certified training specialists are handpicked from top graduates of the Academy. This affiliation provides access to highly trained personnel and ensures consistent training methodology across both organizations.
• American Kennel Club (AKC)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerStarmark offers AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) testing, and AKC Tricks Class. The AKC CGC is a national standardized test for purebred and mixed-breed dogs emphasizing responsible pet ownership and good manners.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Rover: Online marketplace connecting pet owners with pet sitters and dog boarders in home settings. Adjacent rather than direct competition, but increasingly competes for boarding demand through app-based convenience and in-home care alternatives.

Broad incumbents

• PetSmart PetsHotel: National big-box pet retailer's in-store boarding and daycare service. Broad incumbent with overlapping offerings at typically lower price points; competes for the same local Austin customer base as Starmark but as part of a much wider retail portfolio.
• Petco: National pet retail and services company offering boarding, daycare, grooming, and training through Petco locations. A broad incumbent whose services overlap Starmark's offerings at generally lower price points with extensive geographic reach.

Direct peers

• PetSuites of America: Multi-location pet resort offering dog and cat boarding, daycare, grooming, and training across the US. Comparable to Starmark as a premium boarding + daycare + training operator with tiered packages and add-on activities.
• Camp Bow Wow: National franchise offering dog daycare, overnight boarding, and training services with open-play environments. Closely comparable to Starmark's integrated boarding + daycare + training model, though at franchise scale rather than a single owner-operated premium facility.
• Wag Hotels: Premium pet boarding and daycare chain primarily in California and Texas with luxury suites and spa services. Directly comparable in target market (Austin/Texas presence), premium amenities, and tiered boarding model.
• Best Friends Pet Hotel: Pet boarding, daycare, grooming, and training chain with multiple US locations, often co-located with PetSmart stores. Directly comparable overnight boarding and daycare service model, typically at slightly lower price points than Starmark's premium tiers.
• Dogtopia: US and Canadian dog daycare, boarding, and spa services franchise with open-play philosophy. Comparable in core offerings (daycare, boarding, enrichment) and similarly emphasizes certified staff and structured play environments.
• K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel: Luxury dog daycare, boarding, and spa franchise emphasizing high-end suites and personalized care. Comparable to Starmark's premium positioning, multiple tiered packages, and amenity-rich facility concept.

Others

• Starmark Academy: Affiliated dog training school (largest and most comprehensive in the world per company data) that supplies Starmark Animal Behavior Center with certified trainers. Sister organization rather than competitor, but a key ecosystem participant that defines the Center's talent moat.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/StarmarkAnimalBehaviorCenter

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Starmark Animal Behavior Center