Please Note: We have two Day Care locations: one for small dogs only who weigh 10-25 lbs in Columbia Heights and one for all size dogs in Brookland that has three specialized spaces to accommodate dogs who weigh 8-85lbs.

Wonderful! Please note: Columbia Heights accepts new customers on Thursdays and Fridays only, on a space available basis.

That's great! Please note: Brookland accepts new day care customers on Mondays and Tuesdays only, on a space available basis.

Unfortunately, at this time we do not offer service for occasional/out of town clientele. Please contact us directly for further details or if you have any questions.

We will email you a follow-up form with additional questions for you to complete once your form has been submitted.

Here are some things that every first time dog day care human should know about the dog day care experience:

1. General Health and vaccinations are extremely important.
   A dog day care is an active environment where as many as ten dogs at a time can be running around in a supervised play group. With all the interaction happening there, it's important that all our guests are fully vaccinated and generally in good physical health.
   We require vaccinations for: bordetella, rabies, and DHLPP. You will be asked to provide proof of these vaccinations, and keep them current in our scheduling software if your pup is to attend day care with us.
   If your dog shows any signs of illness or injury, please let us know and keep them home. If we observe any illness in our guests, we will let parents know.
   All dog parents sending their dog to any canine facility should know what kennel cough is. Please educate yourself about kennel cough.
2. Age matters
   We restrict our participation in day care 2.0 to adult dogs ages 6 months to 13 years. This is because puppies and their developmental periods are extremely important, and a puppy should not be in a day care environment that is not specifically designed for puppies and those specific development periods. Older dogs 13+ are generally (but not always) in need of some individual attention in a setting that is less rigorous than day care.
   We do have invitation only options for puppies and senior dogs, if you're interested get in touch with us.
3. Structure matters
   We plan our play groups for individuals with compatible play styles. Gone are the days of the all day "free for all" in a crowded room full of dogs. Instead, Day Care 2.0 provides the structure that dogs thrive on. Wrestlers are placed with wrestlers and soft touchers are placed with fellow soft touchers or other compatible styles. The soft touchers really appreciate this!
   Structured nap time is also huge. While some dogs regulate themselves pretty well, others absolutely do not. Much like young children, when they go-go-go and don't get their nap, they become grouchy. In a dog day care this over-tiredness because of a lack of self-regulation can lead to dog fights. We will assess your dog and provide a care plan that balances fun and rest in the right amounts for your dog's needs.
   The individual activities are also very special. An australian shepherd will not enjoy the same activities as a brachycephalic french bulldog. We know that and we plan fun for both of them in ways that they will enjoy.
4. Consent Matters
   All of our process is force free, pain free, and fear free. We don't tell the dogs to do anything, instead we ask them. After they've been with us for a short time, they learn very quickly and go where we ask and do what we ask. We don't spray them with water bottles for being "naughty," lock them in crates for "time out," or drag them around the facility by their collars. We also avoid picking them up or grabbing their collars, but we reserve the right to do so in case of an emergency.
5. We Use Lingo
   We have specific words we use at our facilities to ask the dog's to do things throughout the day. If you have your own words, please let us know because we wouldn't want to confuse them!
   Our lingo:
   • "Sit" = butt on ground
   • "Wait" = stay where you are until "ok"
   • "Ok!" = proceed
   • "Off" = Jump down from an object/platform
   • "Up" = Jump up on an object/platform
   • "Down" = elbows & butt on the ground
   • "Potty Time" = go to the grass area
   • "Play time!" = go to the playroom
   • "Shhh!" = stop barking
   • "Come" = come to me from wherever you are
   • "Nap time!" = go to the nap condos
6. Behavior Matters
   We actively discourage these types of behavior from happening in our facilities:
   • -Mounting
   • -Indoor Marking or Accidents off the Grass Patches
   • -Excessive Barking
   • -Excessive Jumping Up on Humans
   • -Excessive Mouthiness toward dogs or humans
   • -Excessive Destructive Behavior
   • -Any sort of Barrier frustration such as barking at other dogs on leash or barking at other dogs through our glass windows
   We discourage these behaviors through purely positive means. But because dogs learn from each other, we have to be strict about not allowing it to happen in a group setting. Once one dog has an accident inside off the grass patch, or barks in the window at another dog going by, other dogs will follow in a "monkey see, monkey do" situation. We evaluate all these things in our behavior assessment process, and if a dog needs improvement in any of these areas before participating in day care, we have a plan for that and will let you know. All of our staff are certified force free, fear free, pain free dog trainers.
7. Minor Injuries Can Happen
   While we do not invite aggressive dogs to participate in day care at Patrick's Pet Care, just like kids at the elementary school playground, there can be scuffs and maybe a skinned knee once in a while. This particularly true among the "wrestler" and "body slammer" play styles who play appropriately with their teeth! And it is exactly why we would never put a body slammer in the same play group as a soft toucher. In addition, our staff is well-trained, vigilant and will intercede if we think that any dog or staff member feels uncomfortable with what's going on. If you're concerned at any point, please bring your concerns to our attention because we want to hear from you.
8. Enrichment Day Care 2.0 is not your traditional "doggie daycare"
   Enrichment day care 2.0 is much more like dog Montessori school than it is a place to leave your dog for the day. It does cost a bit more than other day cares, but the results and benefits are well worth it. In addition, our staff are all paid at least a DC living wage, so they can avoid stress themselves and focus on providing the best care for your dog while they are with us. Check out this comparison.