STEPP Day Boarding
Did you know that dogs are crepuscular animals?
Canines are most active around dusk and dawn, and sleep during the day and night. Most of our high-energy activities take place in the morning, and in the late afternoon, following their typical energy cycles when possible.
STEPP stands for Socialization, Training, Enrichment, & Play Program. STEPP provides small-group social outlet sessions with other pups matched by play preferences, enrichment activities, decompression, and opportunities for learning.
Typical STEPP Schedule
7am – 12pm: Social Outlet Sessions with Appropriate Decompression Opportunities
10am – 1pm: Exploration Walks; Independent Enrichment Activities
12pm – 1pm: Lunch (optional)
12pm – 4pm: Brain Games; One-on-One Play Opportunities
2pm – 5pm: Exploration Walks; Independent Enrichment Activities
2pm – 7pm: Social Outlet Sessions with Appropriate Decompression Opportunities
Requirements
Rest is an important part of your dog’s visit, so they must be comfortable being confined to a suite. All our suites have a dog bed, fresh water, and are appropriately sized for your dog.
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 location in Alexandria, Virginia. 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.