The Animals' House

Business Details

25 Years

experience

Professional Dog Daycare & Training Services in Sterling

Founded in 2001, The Animals' House has established itself as a trusted provider of comprehensive pet care services in Northern Virginia. Our team of experienced professionals brings decades of combined expertise in animal behavior, training, and healthcare, with specialized backgrounds ranging from marine mammal training to clinical social work. We offer a full spectrum of services including dog daycare, overnight boarding, obedience training, and specialized programs like therapy dog certification and agility courses. Our facility is designed to meet the physical and mental stimulation needs of dogs, with structured playgroups, outdoor activities, and personalized training sessions. We maintain rigorous safety standards and prioritize individualized care, ensuring each pet receives attention tailored to their specific needs.

Our commitment to continuous education keeps us at the forefront of modern training techniques and animal welfare practices. With convenient hours and flexible service options, we aim to accommodate the diverse needs of pet owners in our community. Our proven track record of successful behavior modification programs demonstrates our expertise in addressing common canine challenges. We maintain transparent communication with pet owners through detailed progress reports and personalized care notes. Our facility's strategic location and experienced staff make us a reliable choice for comprehensive pet care solutions.

Services

Dog Daycare Overnight Boarding Puppy Socialization Obedience Training Agility Classes Dog Grooming Private Lessons Scent Work Therapy Dog Training Mid-day Walking

Details

Year established: 2001

Highlights and features

We offer 20+ years of experience in professional pet care and animal behavior.
Our staff includes certified trainers with diverse backgrounds in animal healthcare.
We provide comprehensive services from basic daycare to advanced training programs.
Our facility maintains strict safety and hygiene standards for all pets.
We offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate working pet owners.

Associations and certifications

AKC
Pet Partners

Website

Update Listing

Services

Dog Daycare

Our dog daycare program provides structured socialization and exercise for dogs of all ages. Pets participate in supervised playgroups, outdoor walks, and mental stimulation activities throughout the day. This service helps prevent behavioral issues caused by boredom while providing essential social development opportunities. The program accommodates both occasional and daily visitors with flexible scheduling options.

Overnight Boarding

Our boarding service offers a comfortable home-away-from-home experience for dogs. Pets enjoy daytime play in our large playroom with nightly private kennel accommodations. We provide bedding, feeding, and personalized attention while maintaining regular exercise and socialization. Owners may bring personal items to make their pet's stay more comfortable.

Puppy Socialization

This specialized program addresses critical early development needs for puppies under 12 months. The 7-week course combines obedience training with structured socialization experiences. Puppies receive crate training, leash instruction, and exposure to various stimuli in controlled environments. The program includes 10 facility visits and group training sessions.

Obedience Training

We offer comprehensive obedience training programs for dogs at all skill levels. Our certified trainers use positive reinforcement techniques to teach basic commands and address behavioral challenges. Programs include group classes, private lessons, and specialized courses for advanced skills development.

Mid-day Dog Walking

Our professional dog walking service provides mid-day exercise and bathroom breaks for pets. Trained staff visit homes for 20-30 minute walks with detailed progress reports. The service includes flexible scheduling options and is available Monday through Friday during work hours.

People

Kathy Benner

Owner & Founder

BS in Biology with 18 years' experience in animal behavior. Former marine mammal trainer at Sea Life Park. Created behavior modification programs for exotic animals and dogs. AKC evaluator and Pet Partners team member.

Nicole McManamon

Trainer

Trainer since 2011 with University of Mary Washington psychology background. Rescued over 300 dogs. Specializes in behavior rehabilitation and socialization. Active in local animal welfare initiatives.

Ashlyn Cohill

Trainer

Biology graduate with specialized training in reactive dog behavior. Certified through Animal Behavior College. Teaches CGC prep, Rally, and Agility classes. Focuses on modern training methodologies.

Amy O'Connor

Trainer

Licensed Clinical Social Worker with advanced dog training certification. Director of Walter Reed's Facility Dog Program. Develops customized behavior modification plans using human psychology principles.

Questions

What services does The Animals' House offer?

We provide dog daycare, overnight boarding, obedience training, agility classes, grooming, mid-day walking, and specialized programs like therapy dog certification.

What are your operating hours?

Monday-Friday 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, and Sunday 8:00-9:00 AM & 4:00-6:00 PM.

Do you offer puppy-specific programs?

Yes, our Puppy Socialization Package includes 10 visits and a 7-week obedience course for puppies under 12 months old.

What training certifications do your staff hold?

Our trainers include AKC evaluators, Pet Partners certified professionals, and Animal Behavior College graduates with specialized certifications.

How do you handle pet safety during daycare?

We maintain supervised playgroups, conduct behavior assessments, and provide regular staff monitoring to ensure safe socialization experiences.

Videos

Reviews (4)

Write a Review

Connor Fleming

May 20, 2022 Report

I didn't want to write a review, but after several weeks I feel that I need to. I took my dog to animal house for a two week boot camp. During the time I had to constantly check in to see if my pup was doing alright. Once my pups boot camp was completed, I arrived to see that his cheek was pretty badly bit. The trainer said oh it was nothing serious, but we took care of it. (Not a veterinarian). I had to take him to the vet because I felt his bite marks he received were not healed.

We were able to get antibiotics( that animal house reimbursed), but my dog has getting in several alterations since then. He has never had this issue and I feel every time I bring him to the dog park, he's getting into a scuffle. I feel my dog is suffering something deep because of the bite marks and now I have to figure out how to get him back on track. Word to the wise, never take your animal here.

Bette Stobo

Apr 25, 2022 Report

I love the animals house, my only wish is I had found them sooner (we went to a puppy class in Springfield first). My puppies Pork & Bean have attended several puppy classes there Advanced Puppy, Tricks & Private Lessons. I have really enjoyed all of of trainers for classes Nicole, Brittany & Ashlyn for private lessons is amazing! Daycare staff is amazing as well, they are all super into the dogs & answer all my questions.

Sarah King

Apr 16, 2022 Report

I always know that my dog is in good hands here. Whenever we pick him up from boarding, he is tired from days of fun. I like how they train him a bit while he is here too. Very friendly staff and I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants their energetic dog to come back home happy and tired.

Shaily Das

Mar 24, 2022 Report

Loved this place. The staff always provided me with detailed report at the end of the day about my pet.