I recently took my little darling Parmaranian, Winnie, to Crispy Paws. I was a little nervous…read morebecause she had never been boarded. However, after meeting with the owner, Chris, I was taken in by her welcoming attitude and caring personality. After chatting with her for a while, I felt my little doggie would be well cared for while I was away for 14 days.

From the owner: Crispy-Paws offers in-home boarding, doggy daycare, convenient pet taxi pick-up and drop-off, and…read morebathing services for dogs up to 40 pounds. Your pets are family to us, so we provide top-notch care and a loving environment for every furry friend. Chris, our owner and Pet CPR certified caregiver, ensures your dog receives personalized attention, daily playtime, and plenty of cuddles in a cozy home setting. Whether you need reliable daycare or a safe place for overnight stays, Crispy-Paws is your pet’s home away from home, giving you complete peace of mind whenever you’re away.

Archie went to camp with Gina for three weeks and came home a different dog. I'm still a little…read moreamazed. He's a five-pound chihuahua who shakes when someone new walks in the room and basically lived on my lap or behind my knees. I'd worried a trainer would either give up on him or scare him worse, but from the very first day Gina put so much thought into making him feel safe. She texted that afternoon to say he'd already jumped into her daughter's arms. When he barely ate the first couple days and I got worried, she talked me through it and told me he'd come around, which he did. She took him on long walks around the park and the neighborhood to burn off his nerves before she ever asked anything of him. His crate became his safe spot at her house, a familiar place that was all his in the middle of a busy home with other dogs and parrots and training going on. And she started him on tiny, predictable rules, sitting before a door, coming when called, so he always had something he understood to hold onto in a new situation. She explained that for an anxious dog, knowing what to expect is half the battle. She also refused to pick him up every time he got scared, and warned me that part would be harder for me than for him. She was right. Somewhere around the second week he started smiling in the photos. He was hanging out with her little dogs and her family, going on field trips to the park and coffee shops, staying on his place while she walked away, heeling next to her. He knows sit, place, heel and here now, and he does them for me too. The turnover at my apartment took a couple hours and it was real work. She sat me down and explained everything before we ever touched the dog, then had me practice with Archie while she corrected what I was doing wrong. She's kept sending reminders and answering my questions since, including a few dumb ones about shampoo and brushes. Here's the part I still can't get over. We went to a party a couple weeks after he got home, which is a huge deal for Archie. He sat on other people's laps. He licked hands. He barely cowered. Six weeks ago he would have spent the whole night shaking under my chair. Everyone at the party noticed and commented on the change in his demeanor. I was a proud mama that day! If your dog is the anxious type, the one who hides, trembles, won't eat around strangers, or has to be carried everywhere, I really want you to hear this. A lot of trainers are set up for big confident dogs and don't know what to do with a scared little one. Gina does. She never rushed him, never forced him, and never made me feel silly for babying him all these years. She reads a nervous dog and meets them where they are, then slowly builds them up until they can handle the world on their own. That's exactly what Archie needed. I honestly feel like Gina is just getting started with him, and I'm already thinking of when I can work with her again. If you have a tiny, anxious dog and you're on the fence, go with Gina. Archie is a different dog and so am I. Thank you again for everything you did for him, and for me. Archie sends smooches. Sheri

I can't say enough good things about Brandi and Perry Bailey of RSK9. Their work has given my pup…read moreand I so much freedom and balance. Pebbles (blue heeler, 1.5 years old) would never listen to me, would not sit or lay still, and had a lot of other obedience issues that caused her to be stressed or confused. She was a TOUGH dog to train and I was concerned I couldn't find the solution for her to get basic concepts. This view has completely changed since working with RSK9's 3 week program. I would HIGHLY recommend them and their methods - you can tell they genuinely love working with dogs and it's made a huge difference in giving my dog the chance to find real rest at home. They send DAILY updates with photos and videos which was so nice. This isn't a regular class or something you just pay for; it's truly an investment that you and your dog will be using for the time you get to share together. Side note: it's worth doing 3 weeks versus 2 weeks. At the 2 week mark is when Pebbles really started to understand her marks and cues. From here there is so much more that can be refined and Brandi/Perry really capitalize on that threshold being crossed!

We needed mid-day walks for our young dog until she is able to be alone for a full workday. She…read moreloves our dog walker Keenan so much, I don't think we have in our hearts to ever stop the service. The service is very reliable and our dog walker is so wonderful, we feel zero guilt leaving her for a long work day. The app is great and you get great feedback on the days walk. This is a great service.

Fetch and Jamie in particular are simply the best. Jamie was our long term dog walker before…read morepersonal circumstances changed and we miss him every day. He is reliable, provided detailed updates and most importantly our dog loves him! Rain or shine Jamie would show up for our dog and her absolute delight in seeing him was something special. I cannot recommend Jamie or Fetch enough. We love you Jamie!

I have been using Wagabout since February when I started working 30 minutes from home and knew my…read morelittle poodle needed some TLC and a short walk in the middle of the day. Kelly leaves a little note every day with the time she arrived and what they did during her 15 minute visit. She is also very understanding and accommodating when I need him walked longer (30 minutes) or at a different time of day. In order to not be charged for a cancelled visit, you need to provide at least 24 hours notice, which is sometimes impossible because, hey, life happens. I understand they have a schedule to work around, but I wish there were 1 or 2 "freebies" for cancelling with less than 24 hours notice (or at least only charge half for 12 hours notice). That being said, I know my dog is in great hands while I am at work, which is extremely comforting. I would recommend Wagabout to anyone who is looking for a dog walker in Bethesda or surrounding areas!

I have used Wagabout for over four years, and I have been consistently satisfied with their work…read more AJ is a good communicator and loves dogs. His walkers are reliable, friendly, and love dogs too. I have no complaints or areas for improvement. I continue to be a satisfied Wagabout customer.

The staff is great! They are very accommodating for my pup who has turned anxious as she's gotten…read moreolder and no longer likes daycare (she figured out how to open their door and just leaves when she feels like it ). They recommended she did day boarding and she loves it! They know us by name and are always happy to see her. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for a place for their pet to relax while you are at work.

Three years ago I raved about Olde Towne Pet Resort to every dog owner I knew. Now I wouldn't board…read morea houseplant here. Great to horrible, entirely self-inflicted. Every booking, every pet, every time: more signatures and "agreements" than a mortgage closing. Somewhere there's a lawyer who's never met a dog and decided the real threat to this business is the guy who's paid them loyally for three years. You carefully fill out the entire grooming form online, pick every option -- then show up and they shove a paper copy across the counter to sign the exact same thing again. And after all that paperwork, they still claim they don't have the phone number they've had on file for three years and called me on before. Let's put this in perspective. I can order dinner to my door in two taps -- Reorder, Apple Pay, done. A stranger drives hot food across town on the strength of my thumbprint. But dropping off dogs these people have known for three years apparently requires a signing ceremony and a fresh liability waiver every single visit. In 2026, that's not caution. That's a business that's forgotten how to trust its own customers. And then there's the membership -- the crown jewel of contempt. They took a system that worked and actively torched it. Gone are the daycare credit packs: fair, flexible, buy-what-you-need, the way a business treats people it respects. In their place, a pricier monthly "membership" that auto-drafts your card whether your dog walks through the door or not, with no rollover for the days you paid for and never used. Read that again: you pay, they keep it, your dog gets nothing, and they call it a perk. It's not a membership -- it's a standing withdrawal from your bank account with a bow on it. It punishes the exact people who kept this place in business: the regulars whose lives don't run on a fixed weekly schedule. Some months my dogs come once, some months five times, because that's how actual life works -- and this program is built to make sure I lose either way. It doesn't serve pets. It doesn't serve owners. It serves a spreadsheet, and it treats every loyal customer as a recurring charge to be maximized rather than a person to be valued. It is, top to bottom, the most openly hostile "loyalty" scheme I've ever been asked to fund. When customers spend more time signing forms and fighting your billing than petting their dogs, you're not a pet resort -- you're a law firm with a kennel attached. Take your pets somewhere that still remembers what the word "customer" means.

100% Caring about my baby. Treats him as their own. I have…read moreinstalled cameras throughout my entire home and all have shown so much fun and Love I watch them over & over. Highly recommended.

Great service from start to finish. We spoke with Andy upon our initial request and within two days…read morea provider contacted us to set up our free 30 minute consultation. Michelle was our provider for the 10 days of vacation and she was awesome! She took photos and gave us a brief description daily on how our two cats were. I would highly recommend it's a great option for out of town visits short or long!

My pup loves Pup Scouts! The staff are very attentive and caring and my dogs tail wags like crazy…read morethe moment he walks through the door. He does daycare 5 days a week and falls asleep the moment he gets in his travel kennel when I pick him up after work. Also the webcams help out the first few times to alleviate any nerves about leaving them but honestly don't look at them anymore since they are such great people to have watching my pup.

So far, so good. I…read morelearned about Pup Scouts Dog Care because I saw it from the window of a nearby gym. Since I was planning to go on an international trip very soon, I decided to stop by and inquire about its boarding services. I thought Henry, the owner, did a wonderful job explaining the ins and outs of Pup Scouts' boarding services during our impromptu meeting. He even provided a quick tour of the facility. While the boarding situation seems pretty standard, I was impressed to learn that it is a cage-/crate-free environment. Prior to booking a stay, the dog must complete 10 hours of of doggy daycare. I was not surprised by this stipulation. However, I was shocked (in a positive way) to learn that the 10 hours of doggy daycare is free. While Pup Scouts is a business, this showed me that they are interested in ensuring that the dog is a good fit rather than just focusing on profits. Online booking makes things pretty easy for reserving a spot. In most cases, I have been able to reserve slots for doggie daycare a few hours before dropping off the dog (e.g., booking in the morning for an afternoon stay). In terms of price, I think Pup Scouts is on par (if not slightly lower) to compared to other places in the area. While I've met only a few members of the staff, both persons were very professional and seemed to really care about working with dogs. During every instance of dropping off and picking up my pup, 1-2 customers would highlight how much they enjoyed working with Pup Scouts.

I have used this vet forever. First for my standard poodle and then for the last 10 years for my…read morelab. They are consistently wonderful. As for my lab, he had a mast cell tumor, which they operated successfully on and now are dealing with a recurrent ear infection. i would note in particular that I have used Dr. Talbot for much of my dog's treatment and, contrary to one of the reviews above, she has been first rate on every occasion. I now always ask for her by name when I make an appointment. I also happily board my dog here when I need that. Lastly, my dog always is delighted, not fearful, when I take him back here. He endorses it!

This was, without question, the worst experience we've ever had leaving our dog in someone else's…read morecare. We booked the Luxury Suite for our 2-year-old corgi for two nights (about $285). It was advertised to include three potty breaks a day, six hours of daycare, a complimentary bath, and 24/7 camera access. Ironically, the only thing we actually received was the camera. Instead of giving us peace of mind during our vacation, it became a live stream of our dog struggling. The first red flag came at drop-off. A young staff member immediately tried to force a thin slip lead over our dog's neck and started pulling before giving him any chance to get comfortable. He choked and panicked. Looking back, we should have trusted our instincts and walked out. Our corgi has been leash-trained since he was a puppy. He's been to groomers, veterinary hospitals, dog sitters, and other boarding facilities without anyone ever saying he couldn't be safely handled. Later, we were told the staff didn't want to leash or touch him because they were worried about getting bitten. Because of that, he wasn't taken outside for potty breaks, didn't go to daycare, and spent almost the entire two days alone in his "Luxury Suite." Our dog is fully potty trained and will hold it for as long as he can. But when no one takes him outside, eventually he has no choice. He ended up peeing and pooping in the room and was left sitting in it. Watching the camera was heartbreaking. Throughout our trip, we repeatedly checked the live feed and kept seeing him alone--standing or lying by the door for hours. Corgis are active, social dogs that need exercise and interaction. Knowing we were hundreds of miles away and couldn't help him completely ruined our vacation. When we picked him up, he had urine and feces on his legs and body. He was clearly stressed, had lost almost a pound in just two days, appeared dehydrated, and later developed stomach problems. What hurts the most is that nobody called us. If they truly believed they couldn't safely care for our dog, why didn't they tell us? We would have turned around immediately or found another place for him. Instead, they simply stopped providing the services we paid for and still charged us the full price. We were also promised a call from a supervisor on Monday. That call never came. Their website says, "We're more than just a boarding facility; we're a luxury retreat for your dog... give your pet the vacation they deserve." After what we witnessed, those words feel painfully ironic. The camera was supposed to give us peace of mind. Instead, we spent our vacation watching our dog alone in his room for hours through Canine Clubhouse's own camera system. We've preserved the complete camera footage from his stay and stand behind every statement in this review. If Canine Clubhouse believes our account is inaccurate, we welcome them to share the relevant footage or any other evidence publicly. We genuinely hope no other family has to experience what we--and more importantly, our dog--went through.

Dog Walking DC is the only dog walking service I've used, and I am very pleased with it…read more COST: The cost for my dog is $15 per half an hour. I believe my walker sometimes lengthens the time of the walk in order to pick up another dog, which is a bonus! You pay the bill monthly, and the walker marks a chart in your home every day so you know she was there. SERVICE: My walker, Andrea, is friendly and reliable. My dog loves her, and she is very good with him. I was a little worried about entrusting a stranger with keys to my home, but upon meeting JJ (the owner) and Andrea, my fears were immediately allayed. One of the great benefits of this service is that JJ gives helpful advice on animal behavior. My dog is challenging to walk, and JJ advised switching to a different harness and using certain training techniques to help him increase his confidence. Our walker also uses these techniques, so he gets consistent training. The advice and the training was spot on, and my dog's behavior has noticeably improved. I am so grateful to have walkers who are interested in creating a happy and healthy life for my dog, not just dragging him once around the block. Having a reliable dog walker who really cares about my dog means the difference between going to work feeling guilty and worried about leaving my dog and going to work confident that my dog is well-cared for. That is incredibly valuable to me, and I recommend this service to any pet owner. NOTE: Dog Walking DC also does pet boarding, but I have never used that service.

Dog Walking DC walks our dog, and we've been very happy. JJ is incredibly enthusiastic and…read morehelpful, and gave us a lot of advice when we were first adjusting to our dear dog. By big-city standards, the price is certainly right too. Moreover, Dog Walking DC also boards dogs when you're travelling. On our last trip, we sent our dog to JJ's rather than the nearby kennel, and she came back freshly bathed and brushed, and incredibly happy-- it made us feel like we'd almost been neglectful dog-owners ourselves! Because JJ keeps the dogs at her house, there isn't always room for boarding if you don't ask ahead of time (and she has cats, which make some dogs manic), but we will definitely go to her with all of our boarding needs whenever we can.

Lyndsay is fantastic with my 3 toy dogs-all very different temperament and ages. I feel very at…read moreease and comfortable when my fur babies are with her in my absence. The care of my fur babies is just as important to me as child care was when my kids were young, and I'm so happy to have found Lyndsay. Lyndsay is super friendly and a great communicator, and her boarding space is immaculate. Love her and so do my fur !!

Great service and my 2 pups seemed so happy after a stay with them! It is so nice not worrying…read moreabout my dogs, knowing they are in good, trustworthy hands with Potomac Pet Re-Treat!!