News & Politics

Love Your Pet: Doggy Daycare

Your long workday is hard on your dog, too. Instead of being cooped up in the house or left in the yard to bark, more dogs are attending daylong supervised play groups.

This article is from 2006's Pet Guide package. The information may be out-of-date, so please call locations listed for new information.

To see the new Pet Guide from 2008, click here.

The standards for doggie daycare have evolved with the industry. Daycares have admission requirements to ensure the safety of all the dogs; animals with fear and aggression problems are not good candidates.

Ana's Ark Doggie Depot, 7300-1 Westmore Rd., Rockville; 301-738-6781; anasark.com. Keep an eye on your dog and his buddies with the five Web cams–you may not get any work done.

City Dogs, 1832 18th St., NW; 202-234-9247; city-dogs.com. Daycare and cageless boarding. Also hosts training classes and private sessions with Tressa Everts, owner of Professor of Paws.

Clever Dog, 2621 Garfield Ave., Silver Spring; 301-587-5820; cleverdog.net. Different rooms accommodate dogs of different size and temperament. Also offers boarding and grooming.

Dog Day Afternoon, 305 E. Market St., Leesburg; 703-779-1333; thedogdayafternoon.com. Dogs play in pairs and trios instead of large groups.

Doggie's Den, 12823 Wisteria Dr., Germantown; 301-515-1020; doggiesden.com. Indoor cageless daycare, with field trips to local dog parks.

Dog-ma, 821 Virginia Ave., SE; 202-543-7805; dog-ma.com. Indoor and outdoor play areas. Training available.

Dogs by Day, 1724 14th St., NW; 202-986-6301; dogsbyday.com. Open 24 hours for cageless daycare and boarding. Charges by the hour.

A Dog's Day Out, 2800-A Gallows Rd., Vienna; 703-698-3647; adogsdayout.com. An enormous warehouse space divided into play areas for dogs of different sizes and personalities.

Happy Hounds, 909 S. Randolph St., Arlington; 703-553-0555. Also offers dog-walking and pet sitting.

Your Dog's Best Friends, 2000-A Jefferson Davis Hwy., Alexandria; 703-566-1111; yourdogsbestfriends.com. Indoor cageless daycare and boarding.