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How to Register for STEPP
Registration for our STEPP Daycare & Enrichment Boarding Services are currently closed. We will review our registration status after Labor Day 2023. Thank you for your patience during our busy season!
What is STEPP Daycare?
STEPP is not just daycare, but a customized day of enrichment for dogs of all life-stages. STEPP provides custom social outlet sessions with other pups match by temperament, and includes ample enrichment activities for decompression and opportunities for learning. Our staff can customize social outlets and enrichment based on each dog’s energy level, social tolerance, age, and other preferences.
Example of a Typical Day in STEPP
7am-9am: Drop-off: Breakfast (optional, owner provided)
9am-10am: Social Outlet Session
10am-10:30am: Puzzle/Snuffle Activity
10:30am-11am: Exploration Walk
10:30-11:30am: Social Outlet Session
11:30am-1pm: Independent Enrichment & Rest
12pm-2pm: Camp Activity (arts & crafts, photo session, or special themed activity)
1pm-2pm: Social Outlet Session
2pm-2:30pm: Brain Games with a trainer or assistant trainer
2:30pm-4ppm: Independent Enrichment (Digestible Chew & Rest Time)
4pm-4:30pm: Exploration Walk
4:30pm-5pm: Social Outlet Session
5pm-7pm: Pick up – Dinner (optional, owner provided)
Requirements
STEPP is for all ages! Every visit is customizable to any life-stage, energy level, and temperament. If your puppy is under 12 months old, they may be eligible for our Puppy STEPP Daycare.
All dogs participating in STEPP must be comfortable being isolated to a suite. All our suites have a dog bed and are appropriately sized for your dog. If your dog has separation anxiety concerns, please reach out via email to training@theboardhound.com prior to registering for STEPP.
Dogs participating in STEPP are not required to be altered. However, please keep your dog home if they are in heat. Unaltered participants may be restricted from interacting with some dogs (i.e. intact males and unaltered females will be kept separate).
At The Board Hound, our daycare was established to enrich the lives of the dogs in our community through healthy outlets for play and socialization. Our smaller play groups come with individual care and attention, while providing a low-stress, safe, daycare environment at our locations in Arlington and Alexandria. Since safety is our first priority, we start with providing a high staff to dog ratio of about 1 to 10. This personalization ensures that your dog is always closely monitored.