Dog Daycare: Convenience or Necessity? A Sterling VA Healthy Hound Playground Perspective
Dog Day Care: Convenience or Necessity?
A Sterling VA Healthy Hound Playground Perspective
Day Care…for Dogs? Really? Certainly everyone understands the need for a boarding facility or kennel to watch after Fido while taking that family beach vacation, but regular doggie day care? Why do dog owners bring their dogs for regular play sessions?
Healthy Hound Playground in Sterling VA has found that the reasons are as varied as their owners. Some work long hours and can’t stand the thought of their pup sitting at home all day by themselves. Others want to make sure their dogs have a positive socialization experience with as many different types of dogs as possible. Some dogs, especially the younger pups, have energy to burn and even a couple hours of play or a long walk after work won’t suffice.
Doggy Day Care provides different things for different dogs. Whether it’s simply the companionship of humans and other dogs, access to regular outdoor potty breaks, or the trained supervision of an Animal Behaviorist– there are huge behavioral and health benefits to Dog Day Care. Active dogs tend to be more trim, and dogs that aren’t overweight tend to have longer, healthier lives. Doggy Day Care can certainly help keep your dog healthy and always ready for swimsuit season.
Not all Doggie Day Cares are created equal: Do your research
The delivery of the Northern VA Doggy Dare experience can vary greatly from facility to facility. A few things that are important and why they are important:
- Regular Outdoor Potty Breaks – reduces anxiety of the anticipation of a walk, also encourages dogs to take-in the proper amount of water
- A clean facility – facilities that aren’t properly cleaned or maintained can harbor bacteria and disease
- 24×7 on-site staff members- ensures safety and well-being of dogs at all times
- 100% daytime cage-free doggy day care – many facilities have “mandatory crating breaks” to allow for employee lunch breaks
- An In-house Animal Behaviorist – ensures safety of play and proper training of all staff members
- Separate Play Areas for Large/Small dogs – allows smaller dogs to socialize in a setting that isn’t too overwhelming
- High Ratio of Open Space per dog – allows for ample room to roam, but also makes the occasional indoor accident easily spotted for quick clean-up
- Cushioned Rubber Flooring – prevents slipping that occurs on smooth floors that can lead to ligament injuries and unnecessary joint stress
- High Ceilings and Fresh Ventilation – minimizes airborne particles and allows clean fresh air for your dog at all times
www.HealthyHoundPlayground.com Serving Northern VA’s Sterling, Herndon, Centreville, Chantilly, Ashburn, Reston & Dulles VA Communities
We would like to introduce you to one of our Blue Pearl vets (and friends), Dr Chivvis. Dr. Gal Chivvis is an experienced emergency veterinarian with over a decade of hands-on clinical practice. Driven by a passion for education and accessibility, she founded Critter Care Collective, a platform dedicated to making pet health information clear, practical, and engaging for pet owners everywhere. Through her website, www.crittercarecollective.com, Dr. Chivvis and her collaborators offer a wide range of resources covering pet diseases, medications, toxicities, behavior, and more. Her content is designed to empower pet owners with the knowledge they need to confidently care for their animals. As a published author, Dr. Chivvis has written multiple books, including The Dog Owner’s Guide to Health Emergencies, a hands-on activity book for kids aged 5-7, and a collection of fun and educational coloring books for children, teens and adults. She’s also currently working on a picture book series for young children. The Dog Owner’s Guide to Health Emergencies offers dog owners clear, vet-backed information to help recognize, respond to, and prepare for common canine health emergencies. The book covers essential signs to watch for, what you can do at home, and what to expect at the veterinary clinic. With straightforward explanations, an emphasis on prevention, and a variety of helpful forms, charts, and visuals, it empowers pet owners to act confidently when every minute counts. The Critter Care Collective’s, “One Team, One Goal: Collaborative Pet Care,” reflects Dr. Chivvis’s core belief: that the best outcomes for animals happen when veterinary professionals and pet owners work together. Through her work, she strives to continue to bridge the gap between clinical expertise and everyday pet care. #vetlife #crittercare #dog #emergencymedicine #doghealth #oneteamonegoal #vets #dogsofinstagram #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #veterinarymedicine
We would like to introduce you to one of our Blue Pearl vets (and friends), Dr Chivvis. Dr. Gal Chivvis is an experienced emergency veterinarian with over a decade of hands-on clinical practice. Driven by a passion for education and accessibility, she founded Critter Care Collective, a platform dedicated to making pet health information clear, practical, and engaging for pet owners everywhere. Through her website, www.crittercarecollective.com, Dr. Chivvis and her collaborators offer a wide range of resources covering pet diseases, medications, toxicities, behavior, and more. Her content is designed to empower pet owners with the knowledge they need to confidently care for their animals. As a published author, Dr. Chivvis has written multiple books, including The Dog Owner’s Guide to Health Emergencies, a hands-on activity book for kids aged 5-7, and a collection of fun and educational coloring books for children, teens and adults. She’s also currently working on a picture book series for young children. The Dog Owner’s Guide to Health Emergencies offers dog owners clear, vet-backed information to help recognize, respond to, and prepare for common canine health emergencies. The book covers essential signs to watch for, what you can do at home, and what to expect at the veterinary clinic. With straightforward explanations, an emphasis on prevention, and a variety of helpful forms, charts, and visuals, it empowers pet owners to act confidently when every minute counts. The Critter Care Collective’s, “One Team, One Goal: Collaborative Pet Care,” reflects Dr. Chivvis’s core belief: that the best outcomes for animals happen when veterinary professionals and pet owners work together. Through her work, she strives to continue to bridge the gap between clinical expertise and everyday pet care. #vetlife #crittercare #dog #emergencymedicine #doghealth #oneteamonegoal #vets #dogsofinstagram #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #veterinarymedicine
Drama from our medium playroom. Is Franklin innocent??
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #viral #dog #doggy #dogs #dogoftheday #doggydaycare #doggo #court #investigation #drama #whodidit #instagram #socute #instagood #trial
Drama from our medium playroom. Is Franklin innocent??
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #viral #dog #doggy #dogs #dogoftheday #doggydaycare #doggo #court #investigation #drama #whodidit #instagram #socute #instagood #trial
Harley refuses to acknowledge she is a teensy bit too big to sit on our laps. #ififitsisits😼 #goldenlife #goldenretrievers #goldens #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #dogs #rockville #doggydaycare #socute #goldensofinstagram #goldenlove
Harley refuses to acknowledge she is a teensy bit too big to sit on our laps. #ififitsisits😼 #goldenlife #goldenretrievers #goldens #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #dogs #rockville #doggydaycare #socute #goldensofinstagram #goldenlove
Happy birthday (or recent birthday), to some of our daycare & grooming friends! 🎉🎈🥳 #Happybirthday #dogbirthday #rockville #doggydaycare #socute #socute #dogs #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #birthday
Happy birthday (or recent birthday), to some of our daycare & grooming friends! 🎉🎈🥳 #Happybirthday #dogbirthday #rockville #doggydaycare #socute #socute #dogs #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #birthday
It’s Daisy’s into day and she already has us wrapped around her little paw. 🩷 #dogs #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #rockville #dogsofinstagram #doggydaycare #socute #petme #bellyrubs #dogslife #doggydaycamp
It’s Daisy’s into day and she already has us wrapped around her little paw. 🩷 #dogs #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #rockville #dogsofinstagram #doggydaycare #socute #petme #bellyrubs #dogslife #doggydaycamp
We’re pretty sure Sky had a fun time on her intro day! 😂 #puppiesofinstagram #puppy #sillypuppy #rockville #doggydaycare #dogs #germanshepherds #dogsofinstagram #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #puppyfun #germanshepherdpuppy
We’re pretty sure Sky had a fun time on her intro day! 😂 #puppiesofinstagram #puppy #sillypuppy #rockville #doggydaycare #dogs #germanshepherds #dogsofinstagram #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #puppyfun #germanshepherdpuppy
When the parents bring bubbles, it makes for a special day!
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #fyp #virginia #dog #dogsofinstagram #party
*Do not own rights to music*
When the parents bring bubbles, it makes for a special day!
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #fyp #virginia #dog #dogsofinstagram #party
*Do not own rights to music*
Snuggle Fest with the small dogs! ❤️🐶🥰 #snuggles #cuddles #dogsofinstagram #dogs #socute #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #rockville #dogdaycare #instagood
Snuggle Fest with the small dogs! ❤️🐶🥰 #snuggles #cuddles #dogsofinstagram #dogs #socute #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #rockville #dogdaycare #instagood
More of our Sweetheart Valentine`s photos!
#fyp #dog #virginia #love #animal #photography #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling
Parents should be checking their email for digital copies. Thank you so much for the special gift of caring for your pups and for letting them be our Valentine this year!
More of our Sweetheart Valentine`s photos!
#fyp #dog #virginia #love #animal #photography #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling
Parents should be checking their email for digital copies. Thank you so much for the special gift of caring for your pups and for letting them be our Valentine this year!
These babies have us swooning!
#valentines #photography #instagood #animallovers
We had a lot of pups sign up! We`re working hard to get all of our Valentine`s photos out. Parents should be checking their email for digital copies. If you haven`t received yours yet, we are still working on them. 🥰 Thank you so much for the special gift of caring for your pups and for letting them be our Valentine this year!
These babies have us swooning!
#valentines #photography #instagood #animallovers
We had a lot of pups sign up! We`re working hard to get all of our Valentine`s photos out. Parents should be checking their email for digital copies. If you haven`t received yours yet, we are still working on them. 🥰 Thank you so much for the special gift of caring for your pups and for letting them be our Valentine this year!
Here are a few of our Sweetest Valentines!
#instagood #dog #photography #fyp #love #explore
We had a lot of pups sign up! We`re working hard to get all of our Valentine`s photos out. Parents should be checking their email for digital copies. If you haven`t received yours yet, we are still working on them. 🥰 Thank you so much for the special gift of caring for your pups and for letting them be our Valentine this year!
Here are a few of our Sweetest Valentines!
#instagood #dog #photography #fyp #love #explore
We had a lot of pups sign up! We`re working hard to get all of our Valentine`s photos out. Parents should be checking their email for digital copies. If you haven`t received yours yet, we are still working on them. 🥰 Thank you so much for the special gift of caring for your pups and for letting them be our Valentine this year!
Our #doggydaycare Valentines at #healthyhoundplayground 💖🐩🐕
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #valentines #doggyvalentine
Our #doggydaycare Valentines at #healthyhoundplayground 💖🐩🐕
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #valentines #doggyvalentine
Happy Valentine’s Day! 🩷 Our staff was spoiled today with so much love from your special ones. (Luckily, they treat us like it’s Valentine’s Day everyday!) ☺️ #luckyinlove #love #valentinesday #dogsofinstagram #dogs #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #doggydaycare #rockville #dogkisses
Happy Valentine’s Day! 🩷 Our staff was spoiled today with so much love from your special ones. (Luckily, they treat us like it’s Valentine’s Day everyday!) ☺️ #luckyinlove #love #valentinesday #dogsofinstagram #dogs #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #doggydaycare #rockville #dogkisses
From Han Solo, Poppy, and all of us at Healthy Hound Playground!
#dogsofinstagram #valentines #fyp #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling
From Han Solo, Poppy, and all of us at Healthy Hound Playground!
#dogsofinstagram #valentines #fyp #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling
Josie and Onyx (BFF’s)! Onyx is one of our newest puppies and has quickly realized how much fun daycare can be. 🥰🐶 #puppies #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #rockville #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #socute #puppiesofinstagram #bernadoodle #puppyplaytime #instagood #dogsofdmv
Josie and Onyx (BFF’s)! Onyx is one of our newest puppies and has quickly realized how much fun daycare can be. 🥰🐶 #puppies #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #rockville #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #socute #puppiesofinstagram #bernadoodle #puppyplaytime #instagood #dogsofdmv