Everything You Need to Know About
Doggy Day Care in Washington, DC
On This Page:
An Introduction to Dog Daycare
A note from Pant & Wag's founder, Sean Prichard:
In 2010 my own dog, Noodles, forced me to quit my good paying job in corporate communications so I could take her on daily hikes and trail runs through the woods. As a dog Dad, I only wanted the absolute best for her and this was the very beginning of how and why Pant & Wag (PAW) was founded. If you're reading this you're probably a terrific pet parent who is every bit as obsessed with your dog as I was with Noodles and you realize traditional pet service companies such as dog daycare aren't sufficient in fulling your dog's best possible life.
Actual Picture of a DC Dog Daycare Facility
The primary problem with doggy day care is that it is a human concept that is being applied to non-humans. The first childcare facility opened in France in the 1840s to care for the children of working class women [1]. Human children need constant supervision and childcare provides a means for parents to work during the day while the child is being looked after. The first dog day care was opened in New York City in 1987 [2]. But a dog's needs are very different from a child's. In addition to the basics like proper nutrition and belly rubs, dogs have four daily requirements:
- Outdoor Time
- Socialization
- Aerobic Exercise
- Sleep
Dog day care usually only provides one (socialization) of these four requirements and may actually impede the other three. When I took Noodles to day care I quickly realized she deserved better and that's when she and I created the Fitness Adventure concept.
This page compares Pant & Wag's Fitness Adventures to dog daycare (particularly daycare in urban cities like Washington, DC) in the four daily requirements dogs have. We've even provided information on the most popular boarding facilities in Washington, DC so you can check them out for yourself as well as videos from real PAW adventures so you can compare and contrast. If you agree that daycare isn't the best option for your dog I invite you to check out our dog hikes and exercises pages and then sign-up for our Fitness Adventure program to get your dog active with a small group of his doggy friends, in the fresh air and open spaces that nature provides.
Pant & Wag vs. Dog Day Care:
Outdoor Time
Many people are surprised to learn that their precious little fur baby is genetically identical to a wolf! But it is true, dogs are just domesticated wolves and even though they have adapted to our human way of life, they still need (and want) to spend time in their ancestral natural environment—the great outdoors.
Unfortunately, daycare can't provide this type of experience for your dog. This is especially problematic for doggie day care companies in large cities like Washington, DC, where commercial real estate is so expensive that they only way the business can remain profitable is to to cram as many dogs as possible into a very small indoor space. Where does the dog go to the bathroom? Inside. Where does the dog socialize and play? Inside. What does the dog explore and sniff? Cement walls and hard floors. Not only is it an unnatural setting for your dog, but it is probably unhygienic and un-fun.
All Pant & Wag adventures occur outside. We take groups of dogs to dog-friendly nature parks where they can explore the wilderness as their noses were intended too. They'll get to experience real wildlife. They'll get to pee on top of the pee of 10,000 raccoons. They'll get to feel real dirt and grass under their paws. This is a dog's happy place.
Time Outdoors Winner: Pant & Wag (by a mile!)
Socialization
One of the few real benefits of daycare is your dog will get to meet lots and lots of other dogs. The regular exposure to large groups at daycare helps dogs learn to navigate social cues, communicate effectively through body language, and develop essential social skills. They have the chance to interact with dogs of different breeds, sizes, and temperaments, fostering tolerance and adaptability.
In order to keep your dog safe and active, we keep our Fitness Adventure groups small in size, generally just 5-8 dogs per human. Your dog will meet less dogs while in Pant & Wag verses daycare, BUT, he/she will generally be with the same group of dogs each week, allowing them to form incredibly deep bonded friendships that often last their entire life.
It is impossible to quantify which method is better for your dog — daycare with lots of superficial dog acquaintances, or Pant & Wag with a few dog friends with lifetime meaningful connections.
Socialization Winner: Tie
Aerobic Exercise
The definition of an aerobic exercise is an activity that is performed at a moderate level of intensity over a relatively long period of time. For example, running several miles at a moderate pace is a aerobic while sprinting a short distance is not. Activities with brief bursts of energetic movement within longer periods of casual movement may not be aerobic. [3]
In an instinctual effort to conserve energy, dogs, like most mammals generally do not let themselves enter the cardio-zone. In an unstructured setting such as daycare, dogs may play intensely for a few minutes, and then rest, sniff around for a bit, and then play again. Thus most of the activities that occur in a boarding facility are inherently anaerobic, not aerobic.
During a Pant & Wag Fitness Adventure we are able to keep your dog consistently active for longer periods of time. This is due to our small human-to-dog ratio (just 5-8 dogs for each human vs. 20+ dogs per human in daycare), our always on-leash policy (vs. the off-leash policy of daycare) and the vast openness of the nature parks and trails we visit (vs. the small cramped spaces of urban boarding facilities).
Aerobic Exercise Winner: Pant & Wag
Sleep
Adult dogs require significantly more sleep than humans. Nearly 50% of a dog's life is spent sleeping [4] versus 30% of a human's life. If you and your dog sleep 8 hours at night that means your dog needs an additional 4 hours of sleep during the day. But if your dog is at daycare all day that means your dog should be sleeping for half of his daycare time (in which case you are literally paying for your dog to sleep!) or your dog isn't sleeping at daycare and instead sleeps after you pick him/her up which means he/she is sleeping during most of your and his/her time together (4 hours after pickup + 8 hours at night). Some dog daycares have realized that sleeping is a problem for their business concept so they have now introduced mandatory nap times in their facilities; some even force dogs into crates during this time! However this means you are now obligated to pay for your dog to sleep whereas your dog would almost certainly be more comfortable sleeping on your own couch where you wouldn't have to pay a dime.
Pant & Wag's adventures were created around fulfilling what dogs' want and need, not around human concepts such as 8+ hour workdays. Our doggie-clients are usually out of the house for 2-3 hours per day. This is the ideal amount of time for your dog to be active so they can get the right amount of physical fitness and still get the proper amount of sleep when they are at home. Your pup should be alert, relaxed, and cuddly when you are spending time with them. And you'll never have to pay for your dog to take a nap with Pant & Wag!
Sleep Winner: Pant & Wag
The Best (and Worst) Dog Day Care Companies in
Washington, DC
Spoiler Alert - they are all pretty bad
This list ranks the most popular dog daycare companies in Washington, DC. Don't be fooled by lavish entrances, fancy signage, and 24 hour availability; your dog doesn't care about any of that! None of these facilities can meet the daily needs of your dog, so all of these companies are tied for last place. If you're looking for daycare options near the Georgetown neighborhood in Washington, DC, Pant & Wag's adventures for dogs are the best choice!
- Atlas Dog House, located in Kingsman Park, claims to understand the importance of proper service for your pet. While they do offer a play area for dogs to run and socialize, they also have private pens for those dogs who prefer to keep to themselves. Whether your dog is sociable or prefers solitude, the employees will do their best to take care of them, and they do offer complimentary walks so your dog isn't forced to go to the bathroom inside.
- City Dogs, situated in Dupont Circle and Stanton Park, seems to cater to busy dog owners who have little time to spare. Their pick-up and drop-off service aims to save you from leaving your dog home alone. They try to segregate dogs by size to avoid any potential issues so your energetic little furball will have some chances to play and socialize with similar-sized dogs.
- District Dogs, located in Navy Yard and Shaw, wants to be a haven for furry companions. They boast well-equipped facilities for pets of all breeds and sizes. Their secure and supervised play areas are emphasized for safety with constant monitoring from the crew.
- Dog-Ma in Navy Yard is the only daycare facility in DC with a small (very small!) outdoor space. They prioritize supervised playtime, allowing your dog up to 13 hours of play. Their screening process is supposed to ensure that your dog won't encounter any ill-tempered dogs.
- Dogtopia, found in Navy Yard and Mt Vernon Square, offers daycare, boarding, grooming, and spa services. Their goal is to keep your furry family members safe and entertained in their modern open-play facility.
- Doozydog Club in Cardozo wants to provide quality amenities for their clients. From playing calming music to offering scheduled activities in their indoor play park to overnight boarding, they try to keep your dog engaged. They even have an on-site "Style Bar" to handle grooming services.
- Happy Paws in Friendship Heights requires their customers go through a temperament test before admission to ensure a friendly and social atmosphere throughout the day. They also have means to address any medical issues that may arise during daycare, with an on-call veterinarian ready to assist.
- Life of Riley is an Adams Morgan Pet Resort that wants to emulate a classy hotel experience for pets. They have playrooms sorted by size, constantly supervised by staff and webcams. Additionally, they boast top-of-the-line grooming facilities and boarding.
- Patrick's Pet Care in Columbia Heights and Brookland gives pet dogs the opportunity to play with new furry groupmates while receiving attention from the staff. They claim to prioritize the happiness of dogs through health, safety, and security. As a bonus, they provide midday dog walking free of charge so your furry friend isn't forced to go to the bathroom inside the facility.
Dog Daycare FAQs
Pant & Wag Video Gallery
Dogs playing in the snow! What an awesome alternative to being stuck inside a dog boarding facility all day!
Dogs running through the woods. Our adventures provide more exercise than doggie daycare does.
Iconic dog hikes along the Billy Goat Trail. There are no views like this at dog daycare in Washington, DC!
Our adventures for dogs allow your to pup to get outoors and explore nature and see (and smell!) actual wildlife.
Are you Interested in Becoming a Part of the Pant & Wag Team as a Canine Fitness Coach?
Are you looking for jobs in dog daycare? Are you currently employed as staff at a pet care business but are tired of dealing with the kennel smell, breaking up fights, and spending your entire day indoors? If you're an animal lover who enjoys staying active and immersing yourself in a natural environment, we might have an incredible job opportunity for you! Our team of canine fitness coaches consists of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including stay-at-home parents, students, retirees, and professionals with other jobs. What brings them together is their shared passion for dogs, the great outdoors, and physical fitness. If you have a few hours to spare in the afternoon and want to earn income while adventuring with an amazing group of dogs in the beautiful woods, we invite you to explore our Now Hiring page for more information.
Conclusion
If you've determined that doggie day care isn't the best option for your wonderful pooch and are looking for alternatives, take the first step in signing up for a free Pant & Wag in-home consultation. During this meeting we will explain the Fitness Adventure concept and how we are different—and better!—than dog daycare companies, ask questions about your pup's temperament and history and then place him/her in best possible playgroup. Get your pup enrolled in our Dog Adventures program today!
