Hilltop Dog Camp

Hilltop Dog Camp Our dog camp features over 25 acres just NE of Austin for dog boarding, training & fun!

More Hilltop adventures because we couldn’t fit them all in one post☀️🐕
05/30/2026

More Hilltop adventures because we couldn’t fit them all in one post☀️🐕

Better late than never… here’s what the campers have been up to lately!🐾
05/30/2026

Better late than never… here’s what the campers have been up to lately!🐾

🐾 Help Us Find Dolly the Perfect Home 🐾🎉UPDATE: Dolly has a pending home!🎉Thank you to everyone who shared💕 ‼️We have tw...
05/28/2026

🐾 Help Us Find Dolly the Perfect Home 🐾
🎉UPDATE: Dolly has a pending home!🎉
Thank you to everyone who shared💕
‼️We have two others who are still looking for their forever home👀 dm me for more info!❗️

Dolly is a 2-year-old chocolate mini Labradoodle looking for a loving new family. She originally came to us for puppy camp when she was little, and now her owner is making the very difficult decision to rehome her because life and work schedules have made it hard to give Dolly the time and lifestyle she deserves.

She’s around 40 lbs, sweet, loved, and comes with her vet records, food, toys, bed, and belongings. Her owner’s biggest priority is finding her a home that can give her plenty of love, attention, and room to enjoy being a dog.

If you think you may be a good fit for Dolly or would like more information, please send us a message❤️🐶

Lexie, one of our regulars posing next to our parade banner!🐾
05/06/2026

Lexie, one of our regulars posing next to our parade banner!🐾

🎉🐾 Lexington 60th Homecoming photo dump! 🐾🎉What an unforgettable weekend celebrating 60 years of Lexington pride! From s...
05/03/2026

🎉🐾 Lexington 60th Homecoming photo dump! 🐾🎉

What an unforgettable weekend celebrating 60 years of Lexington pride! From small-town traditions to wagging tails and great memories, we loved being part of such a special hometown event.

Here’s a little look back at all the fun, community spirit, and Hilltop Dog Camp adventures from homecoming weekend. ❤️

05/03/2026

It's not about the crate.

I know people feel very strongly about crates.
And I understand why.

So this isn’t about crating every dog.
But we do need to prepare them for times when they may have no choice.

Think overnight stays at the vet.
Evacuation centres that insist on them.
Kennels or dog stays that use them if you need to leave your dog.

This is about making sure they can cope if they ever need to.

The same crate can be a safe, predictable space or somewhere they panic in.

That difference doesn’t come from the crate.
It comes from what your dog has learned to feel in it.

Rushing is where distress starts.
Closing the door too soon.
Using it when they’re already stressed.
Expecting them to “get used to it” or “cry it out”.

That builds stress and pressure.
And those two things will never create the calm we are aiming for.

A well-introduced crate should be quiet, cosy and predictable.
A place where good things happen.
A place they can truly settle.

A poorly introduced one feels very different.
Restricting.
Confusing and distressing.
Somewhere they just don’t want to be.

Dogs don’t resist crates for no reason.
They’re responding to how it feels.

How it feels is up to us.

04/29/2026

Vaccine Shedding — What Dog Owners Should Understand

Not all vaccines behave the same.

Some—specifically live attenuated vaccines—contain a weakened form of the organism that can briefly replicate in the body after administration. Because of that, there is a short window where shedding of the vaccine strain can occur.

In dogs, the most relevant example in everyday settings is the intranasal or oral Bordetella vaccine (kennel cough). After administration, the organism can colonize the upper respiratory tract for a short period. During that time, dogs may shed small amounts of the bacteria and, in some cases, develop mild symptoms like coughing or nasal discharge.

This is well recognized in veterinary literature. For example, the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine notes that vaccinated dogs can still carry and spread Bordetella, even if they show minimal or no symptoms.

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/bordetellosis

There is also documented evidence that vaccine strains of Bordetella can be shed after intranasal vaccination and, in rare cases, transmitted—particularly to individuals with compromised immune systems (including both animals and humans).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10466264/

More broadly, the concept of vaccine shedding with live vaccines is well established:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine_shedding

⸻

Why This Matters Around Other Dogs

In most healthy adult dogs, this isn’t a major issue. The risk is generally considered low.

But in certain situations, it becomes more relevant:

* Young puppies with immature immune systems
* Recently vaccinated dogs whose immune systems are still responding
* Immunocompromised or stressed dogs
* High-density environments like boarding, daycare, shelters, or transport

A recently vaccinated dog is not instantly protected. Their immune system is still building a response, which can make that overlap—shedding + exposure + stress—more significant.

This is one of the reasons why respiratory illness can still circulate in vaccinated populations. It’s not always a failure of the vaccine—it’s often a matter of timing and environment.

⸻

The Practical Takeaway

This isn’t about avoiding vaccines. It’s about understanding how they work in real life.

With live vaccines like Bordetella:

* There can be a short shedding window
* Recently vaccinated dogs may still be vulnerable
* Close contact environments can amplify even low-risk factors

Good dog care isn’t just about what you do—it’s about when you do it, and who your dog is around when you do it.


This week’s little moments with our furry crew😋
04/27/2026

This week’s little moments with our furry crew😋

04/27/2026

Conrads back from puppy training camp! Highly recommend Hilltop Dog Camp for your training needs! He will definitely be going back for advanced lessons!
Now time to continue his groom training, he's getting better!

Photo dump from the happiest place on Earth (according to the dogs)🐶
04/20/2026

Photo dump from the happiest place on Earth (according to the dogs)🐶

Address

Lexington, TX
78947

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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