Day care isn’t just for your kids anymore. If you’re a pet parent, chances are you’ve probably caught wind of others who let their four-legged friends head to doggy day care, with playtime, social interaction and more.
If you’re heading back into the office and are concerned about keeping your dog entertained, or you’re merely looking for a way to keep them busy during social distancing during the COVID-19 era, here are NoVA’s doggy day care locations that can keep tails wagging all week long.
Note: COVID-19 could be causing local services and hours to change on a weekly basis. If you are looking to enroll your dog in a nearby doggy day care, be sure to call ahead for additional information on locations, offerings and safety procedures during this time.
A Dog’s Day Out
Voted by Northern Virginia Magazine readers as one of the best pet day cares in our 2019 Best Pet Care list, A Dog’s Day Out provides small, medium and large spaces for doggy day care and boarding, where dogs are able to socialize and interact with the dog-loving staff all day long. All dogs are separated by size and kept cage-free all day. Spaces are also climate controlled, and some locations have outdoor spaces for your dog to enjoy. // Multiple locations, check here for the location nearest you; Pricing varies by location
Affectionate Pet Care
Wagging tails are so much better than lonely days spent at home, so let your pup play and roam with Affectionate Pet Care in Fairfax. At the doggy day care, your dog can run through large fenced-in grass yards, swim in the doggy pool, jump, bark, nap and sniff the day away. Dogs are divided into size and temperament groups, and trained staff encourage good behavior with positive reinforcement. // 3851 Pickett Road, Fairfax; $32 per day, memberships available from $150
Capitol Canine Club
A typical day at Capitol Canine Club will keep your pup moving and socializing, with down time too! All dogs are walked outside before and after playtime, where they will also learn basic training and manners, and will be given a midday nap period to rest and recuperate for an afternoon of fun. The club offers the same high-quality service expected from the Old Dominion Animal Health Center and is proud to have served the NoVA community for the past 40 years. // 6719 Lowell Ave., McLean; $39 per day, memberships available from $185
Dogtopia of Alexandria
A day for your dog spent playing their heart out sounds just about perfect for them, and will keep them entertained while you’re at work. Your pup will get up to 10 hours of play at this Alexandria location, where they’ll have access to climate-controlled playrooms, dog groups of their size and more. Plus, you can tune into the webcam to check in throughout the day. // 3121 Colvin St., Alexandria; $38 per day, memberships available from $525
Dogtopia of Herndon
The Herndon location of this national brand has been providing day care services, overnight boarding and spa services since 2011. At Dogtopia, you can be sure your dog will spend the day filled with fun at the fully equipped gym (for large dogs) and romper room (for small dogs), fit with rubberized flooring and even a webcam so you can tune in and watch your pup from afar. // 720 Jackson St., Herndon; $36 per day, memberships available from $240
Dogtopia of Tysons Corner
The Tysons Corner location of this national brand was the launching pad and original location, which opened in 2002 and made Dogtopia a household name to many across the country. The state-of-the-art facility provides dogs both big and small with the opportunity to play up to 10 hours a day, and ensures an all-in-one approach to your dog’s health and happiness while away from home. // 1524 Spring Hill Road, Suite EE, McLean; $38 per day, memberships available from $248
Dog Tales Daycare
Doggy day care may sound great and all, but what if your pet has specific needs? Take your pup to Dog Tales Day care to get the specialized attention they’ve been looking for, through small play groups, frequent outdoor walks and much more. The caring and attentive team is ready to help your dog get out all of their pent-up energy and give them the opportunity to have as much fun as they can. // $32 per day, memberships available from $145
Fur Get Me Not
A 4,000-square-foot playroom is a whole lot bigger than your living room, so it’s hard to see how your pup wouldn’t enjoy getting to run, jump, slide and play around with other dogs for the entire day. All pups are divided into five playgroups depending on size and personality, and at Fur Get Me Not, they’re allowed to play depending on their age, size, physical needs and more in a safe and positively reinforcing setting. // 4140 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington; $39 per day, memberships available from $148
Healthy Hound Playground
A happy dog is one that gets to spend a day filled with play, and they can get that easily at Healthy Hound Playground. With multiple locations across Northern Virginia, these doggy day care centers are ready to welcome your pup for much-needed exercise and socialization, or even individualized attention with outdoor walks and sessions on the treadmill. If you want to boost your pup’s experience (fit with an individual cottage for nap time), enroll them in day boarding for extra services and all the benefits of a day of play. // Multiple locations; $35 per day, memberships available from $165 per week
Just Fur Pets
Sure, your dog loves getting a lot of exercise and playing with other dogs, but what about playing fun games and engaging with trained professionals throughout the day too? At Just Fur Pets, your dog will get to play, exercise and rest, but also will participate in games such as Follow the Leader, Find the Human, Red Rover, Group Sits and story times. Want to add a little something extra? Add on a frozen treat for your pup or simple training for the “trick of the month.” // 6230 Rolling Road, Springfield; $34 per day, memberships available from $319
Reserved Barking
With convenient locations in Springfield and Alexandria, Reserved Barking is ready to welcome your dogs and their wagging tails. Bring your dogs to day care for social interaction with other furry friends and “pack leaders” (the humans in charge), as well as playtime in indoor and outdoor playgrounds and more. Plus, your dog will get an afternoon nap time to rest and get ready to play even more before you come back to pick them up! // 6404 Telegraph Road, Alexandria and 7500 Fullerton Road, Springfield; $35 per day, memberships from $165
The Animal House
If your dog is left home alone, or simply bored throughout the day while you work nearby, you could notice some behaviors that seem to be disrupting, or different from their normal routine. Avoid potential new habits of bad behavior or curiosity chaos by enrolling your pup in doggy day care at The Animal House. All dogs need some sort of stimulation depending on their needs, and The Animal House is happy to provide them with that throughout the week! // 20789 Great Falls Plaza, Suite 170, Sterling; $35 per day, memberships available for $500 per month
The Backyard Pack
Your nine-to-five job doesn’t have to depress your pup: give them the chance to enjoy their days being social rather than lonely when they head to The Backyard Pack for doggy day care. The Lorton-based location has an indoor, climate-controlled playroom, as well as a sunroom that emulates the feeling of home and allows for your furry friend’s nap time. Please note that specific services are not available during day care, listed on the website. // $33 per day, passes available for as low as $28 per day
Wag More Dogs
Located adjacent to Shirlington Dog Park, this Arlington location offers an upscale environment with playrooms for every size, including rubberized flooring, playground equipment and cots for relaxation. You can have the comfort of viewing your dog on the company’s all-day live webcams, and knowing that your pup will be equipped with an ID tag that makes them quick to identify, making sure they get the proper food, medicine and attention they deserve. // 2606 S. Oxford St., Arlington; $40 a day, passes available starting at $24 a day
Whole Dogz
This Alexandria location was inspired by the founder’s and team’s love of dogs, and they can’t wait to share it with yours! At holistic doggy day care, all pups get to play with their “pack” (dogs of their same size and stature), in a safe and sustainable environment both indoor and outdoor, as well as custom exercise depending on your dog’s activity level. On hot days, pups will even get to play in the fresh air, on the grass and in a puppy pool. There’s too much fun to list, so check it out for yourself. // 4748 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria; $35 per day, membership prices vary
Woofs! Dog Training Center
Woofs offers doggy day care fit for dogs ready to play the day away. But if you have a puppy, or a dog that simply needs a little more time and attention, you might consider enrolling them in day school. Your pup will get a day full of learning filled with lessons for sit, stay, lay down and even remaining calm in a crate. For more advanced or custom training, reach out to Woofs for more information, or simply register them for a day of day care to enjoy as much play as they can. // 4241a N. Pershing Drive, Arlington and 4160 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington; $38 per day, memberships available from $185
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