Frequently asked questions

Yes. Every dog meets one of our pack leaders (our managers) before joining the pack. The evaluation is $30 for new guests. We get a read on your dog's temperament and energy, place them with the right group, walk you through the booking app and answer your questions. Book it online or call 571-FIT-WDOG.

Rabies, Distemper and Bordetella, all current. Dogs also need to be free of fleas and ticks. If your dog has been sick in the past 30 days, we'll ask for a vet clearance before they join the group.

Your dog on a leash, a vaccine record from your vet (a photo or PDF is fine), and your contact and vet information. If your dog takes medication or has a health condition, tell us at the evaluation so we can plan for it.

Dogs must be at least 16 weeks old and current on their vaccines.

No. Intact dogs over seven months are charged a $10 Intact Dog Management Fee for each daycare, enrichment or boarding day, and dogs in heat can't attend.

Often, yes, and that's exactly what the evaluation is for. Some reactive dogs do great in a structured, smaller group. Others are better served by one-on-one Dog Gym sessions (every gym activity is 1:1) or a training program with Brittany at Canine Cardio Academy. We'll tell you plainly what we think will work for your dog.

We'll explain what we saw and suggest a path, usually a training plan or one-on-one gym sessions first. You're welcome to re-evaluate later.

Not right now. Evaluations are focused on your dog rather than a walk-through, and we've paused tours while Dog Gym hours are limited. Once full gym hours open back up, we'll offer tours again. In the meantime, the evaluation is the best way to see how we work and ask questions, and you're always welcome to call or text us.

2709 S Oakland St, Arlington, VA 22206, in Shirlington. Call or text 571-FIT-WDOG or email support@caninecardio.com. Get directions.

Through our online booking (MoeGo). It works from any phone browser, no app needed. Book days, add enrichment or a ride, and manage your schedule yourself. Existing clients can also email support@caninecardio.com for schedule changes.

We're closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Black Friday and New Year's Eve we're open 8 AM to 4 PM with no transportation routes. Days booked on national holidays carry an $18 holiday fee. See the full holiday schedule.

Structure. Every group is led by a trained pack leader and the day follows a rhythm of activity, enrichment and enforced rest instead of an all-day free-for-all. Dogs are placed with a pack that matches their temperament and energy, and each session has physical and behavioral goals. Most families see a calmer, more focused dog within days.

Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM. Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM.

A half day is up to 6 hours ($50). A full day ($60) is anything longer, up to closing.

A rotation: pack play, treadmill cardio, puzzle and food work, sensory and engagement games, and scheduled rest. Those foundation activities are included with every daycare day. Add an enrichment program for extras like the lure course, pool time, scent work, agility and Field Trip Fridays.

Yes. Rest and reset time is built into every day. Overstimulated dogs don't learn or settle; rested ones do, which is why your dog comes home calm instead of wired.

By temperament and energy first, with size and age considered. A 60-pound couch potato and a 15-pound firecracker don't belong in the same group, and the evaluation tells us where your dog fits.

Yes. Multi-day daycare packages are available in the booking app, and two-dog households can get a second package at 50% off by emailing support@caninecardio.com. Other promotional discounts can't be applied to packages.

Daycare is reservation-only, and the cutoff is 7 PM the night before. Same-day may be possible if there's space, with a $12 last-minute booking fee. Call us and we'll check.

Latest pickup is 7 PM on weekdays and 4 PM on weekends. After closing, a late fee of $1 per minute applies. If you know you'll be late, call us so the team can plan.

Yes. You'll get a rundown at pickup on how the day went, and report cards are sent through the booking app. If you don't see one, ask at the front desk and we'll sort it out.

If your dog has shown signs of illness in the last 30 days, we need a vet clearance before they rejoin the group. If your dog has vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, loss of appetite or lethargy, please keep them home and call your vet, and let us know so we can keep an eye on the group.

Yes, with a $10 per day Intact Dog Management Fee for dogs over seven months. Dogs in heat can't attend.

Saturdays and Sundays, 10 AM to 4 PM, starting October 17, 2026. It's $60 per session and reservation-only. Book a weekend session.

Same structured day: a pack matched to your dog's temperament and energy, real play, conditioning, enforced rest and a report at pickup. Weekends are booked as one session rather than half or full days, and the weekday enrichment rotation (pool, lure course, field trips) runs Monday to Friday.

Yes, the same evaluation as weekday daycare. Dogs who are already approved can book weekends right away; new dogs start with the evaluation.

The Dog Bus runs on weekdays. On weekends, please plan to drop off and pick up yourself between 10 AM and 4 PM.

Yes. Weekend groups are smaller than weekday groups, so book ahead, especially for holiday weekends.

Weekend daycare closes at 4 PM and a late fee of $1 per minute applies after that.

Add-ons to a daycare day. Drive ($10) is drive-and-conditioning work: flirt pole drills, weight pulling, core and balance work, lure course and light conditioning. Explorer ($15) is adventure and brain work: agility circuits, pool time, scent work, outdoor adventure and Field Trip Fridays. Ultimate ($20) is both, with up to three activities a day.

Enrichment rotates daily on the calendar on the daycare page, so your dog gets variety instead of the same thing every visit. If something is off-limits for your dog (no pool, for example), tell us and we'll work around it.

No. Treadmill cardio, puzzle games, sensory work, fetch and engagement games, and rest are included with every daycare day. Programs add the extras.

Single credits or discounted packages: 5-Day (Drive $45, Explorer $70, Ultimate $95) and 20-Day (Drive $160, Explorer $240, Ultimate $360). 5-Day packages expire 30 days after purchase and 20-Day packages after 60 days, so pick the size that matches how often you come. See the programs.

Explorer and Ultimate dogs head out for an off-site adventure on Fridays, weather and group permitting. It's one of the most popular days of the week.

Yes. Two-dog households can buy a second package at 50% off by emailing support@caninecardio.com.

In a home-style setting with couches, dog beds and cozy sleeping areas instead of kennels, with a trained caregiver on site overnight. During the day they're at the facility with their daycare group for play, treadmill workouts and structured fitness.

$89 per night. Behavioral Boarding, where your dog stays with trainer Brittany and gets the same full day of structure and exercise, is $110 per night.

Drop-off is 11 AM to 12 PM and pickup is by noon. Add the Late Pick-Up Option (+$55) to pick up any time until 7 PM; it includes evening exercise and optional home drop-off. Without it, a $1 per minute late fee applies after noon. From October 17, weekend drop-offs and pickups follow weekend daycare hours, 10 AM to 4 PM.

Yes, the $30 evaluation is required for new guests. We also recommend a few daycare days before a first overnight so your dog already knows the pack and the routine.

Your dog's regular food, portioned by meal (switching food mid-stay is the fastest way to an upset stomach), any medications with written instructions, and a vaccine record if it isn't on file yet. We have beds and toys; bring a comfort item only if your dog can't sleep without it.

Yes. Bring medications in their original containers with clear written instructions on dose and timing, and go over them with us at drop-off.

Yes. Every boarding day includes a full day at the facility with their group. Drive, Explorer and Ultimate enrichment programs can be added for extra activity.

Stays of three or more nights include a required exit bath on checkout day (a Quick Bath priced by size) so your dog comes home clean. A full groom booked for checkout day replaces it.

Yes. Boarding pickup and drop-off are available as add-ons when you reserve. Ask us about timing, especially on weekends.

We call you right away. If we can't reach you and your dog needs care, we'll get veterinary care at your cost. We recommend every dog carry pet insurance; we trust Trupanion.

As early as you can (reserve here). Holiday weekends and the weeks around Thanksgiving and Christmas fill up fast, and days booked on national holidays carry an $18 holiday fee.

Yes, with the $10 per day Intact Dog Management Fee for dogs over seven months. Dogs in heat can't board.

No. All grooming is by appointment, and every service is done one-on-one, so your dog is the only dog our groomer is working on.

A Bath includes shampoo and conditioning, 15 minutes of brushing, a nail trim and ear cleaning. A Trim-Up adds a tidy-up of the face, feet, paw pads and sanitary areas. A Full Groom adds a full-body haircut to your preference or breed standard.

Prices are by size: Bath from $75 (small) to $175 (giant), Trim-Up from $90 to $185, Full Groom from $100 to $200. Final pricing is confirmed after a hands-on look at your dog, because coat type and condition matter. Extra time for de-matting or behavior may add to the price.

Teeth brushing $10, a 15-minute brush or de-matting session $20, de-shed treatment $25 to $40 depending on coat, paw balm $5, nail grind upgrade $5 and anal gland expression $25.

Yes. Book it as an add-on and we'll fit it into your dog's day. Boarding stays of three or more nights include an exit bath on checkout day.

Cancellations within 24 hours of the appointment and no-shows are charged 50% of the scheduled groom.

Usually, yes. Tell us ahead of time. One-on-one grooming is already calmer than a busy salon, and we'll go at your dog's pace. We won't force a dog through a groom that's unsafe for them or for the groomer.

Small is under 20 lbs, medium 20 to 44, large 45 to 75, XL 76 to 100, and giant is over 100 lbs.

You book a session, bring your dog, and work the equipment together with our team setting you up and keeping it safe: treadmills, slatmill, lure course, scent work, tug and weight pulling, and one-on-one swim sessions. Staff escort you to your activity area and all equipment is used under staff supervision. It's the first self-service dog gym in the DMV.

Temporarily Monday to Friday, 5 to 7 PM, while we build toward longer hours. Tell us which hours would work for you and we'll let you know as they open.

No. Everything is available a la carte: treadmill or slatmill $15 for 30 minutes, lure course $30 for 15 minutes, scent work $25, tug pulling $25, weight pulling $40, and a 1:1 swim session $60 for 30 minutes. Add a weighted vest to any session for $5. Book a session.

Rookie Dog ($59/mo or $649/yr): four treadmill sessions, one lure or tug session and 10% off other gym services. Athlete Dog ($169/mo or $1,699/yr): unlimited treadmill, four lure or tug sessions, two scent work sessions, two swims, 15% off other gym services and 5% off daycare and boarding. Alpha Dog ($199/mo or $1,999/yr): unlimited treadmill, lure and tug, four swims with additional swims 50% off, two scent work sessions, one weight pull, 20% off other gym services, 7% off daycare and boarding, and priority booking for evenings and weekends. Compare memberships.

Yes. Claim your free first gym session and our team will confirm a time.

Absolutely. Every gym activity is one-on-one. Book as usual, let us know when you arrive, and our team will escort you to your area so your dog never has to pass another dog.

No. Gym sessions are one-on-one with your own dog. Dogs do need to be at least 16 weeks old, current on Rabies, Distemper and Bordetella, free of fleas and ticks, and leashed coming in and going out.

Yes, most dogs start that way. Sessions begin slow with our team coaching you on setup and body language, and swim sessions are one-on-one with flotation vests when needed.

The gym is an activity you book: treadmill, lure, swim, scent work and so on, with you handling your dog. The Academy is a training program led by Brittany that starts with a behavioral evaluation and is built around changing behavior. Plenty of dogs do both.

Add the free Competition Run add-on to your appointment and let a staff member know when you're ready. Events are Treadmill Distance (most distance in 10 minutes), Lure Sprint (fastest timed run) and Pool Laps (most laps in 10 minutes), and results go on the leaderboard. Competition 5-packs: Pool $270, Lure $135, Treadmill $65.

Children under 18 must be supervised, children under 10 aren't permitted in the active gym and enrichment areas, and anyone handling a dog must be 18 or older.

Your dog on a leash and a few minutes to spare before your session. Please leave outside toys, treats, food and drinks at home; it's a facility rule that keeps the gym safe for every dog.

Our training program, led by founder and head trainer Brittany Schneller, who has spent nearly two decades in canine care as a walker, daycare leader, veterinary technician, trainer and foster for German Shepherds and other power breeds. We use a balanced Train for Reality method: calm confidence, fair structure, two-way communication and real-world results. Every program starts with a behavioral evaluation and is customized to your dog.

One-on-one training sessions, Board & Train (your dog stays with us for structured boarding and daily training, then you get three transfer sessions and three weekly follow-up practice sessions so it sticks at home), and Behavioral Boarding with Brittany. Daycare dogs can also add training-focused work through the Foundation Program.

Balanced training: rewards and relationship first, with fair, clear structure. Depending on the dog, tools like slip leads, prong collars or remote collars may be used. Any tool is conditioned properly before it's introduced, and you'll be taught how to use it before it ever goes home with you.

Yes, that's a large part of what we do. We ask for full disclosure of any bite history, reactivity, resource guarding or severe anxiety up front so we can plan safely.

No honest trainer can guarantee a dog's future behavior. Results depend on genetics, temperament and, most of all, consistency at home. That's why our programs include transfer and follow-up sessions: the goal is a plan you can actually keep.

Every plan is customized, so we quote it after the behavioral evaluation. Book the evaluation and you'll leave with a clear recommendation and price.

Yes. Grab the free Dog Training 101 guide: our eight core principles plus fundamentals like body language, focus and leash communication. It works for any dog at any age.

At your home, across Arlington, Alexandria and the surrounding addresses between Arlington and Mount Vernon. Not sure if we reach you? Send us a message and we'll tell you.

30-minute walk $32, one-hour walk $42, 15-minute drop-in $25. Additional dogs in the same home are 50% off.

A 15-minute visit for a relief break, feeding or quick check-in. For cats, that's feeding and litter box care. Pricing varies with the number of animals we're caring for.

With a $15 meet and greet at your home so we can meet your dog, see the setup and go over entry instructions. After that, you book visits through the booking app.

That's the point. Leave us entry instructions (lockbox, code, building access) and our walker follows them.

Early morning or late night +$12, weekend visits +$8 per day, bookings made less than 10 hours ahead +$12, cancellations less than 5 hours ahead +$18, and national holidays +$18 per day.

Yes, on weekdays. Round trip is $15 and one way is $10. Enter your ZIP and we'll confirm whether we reach you.

Routes change as the pack grows, so the ZIP checker is the quickest answer. If we don't reach you yet, we'll let you know when we do.

Leave entry instructions and our trained staff will follow them so your dog never misses a day.

Pickup and drop-off windows depend on your route. We'll confirm yours when you sign up for transportation.

The Dog Bus runs on weekdays. There are no routes on Black Friday or New Year's Eve, and we're closed on major holidays.

Yes, as an add-on when you reserve your stay. Ask us about timing, especially on weekends.

No-show $18. Last-minute booking $12 (book by 7 PM the night before). Last-minute cancellation $18 (less than five hours' notice). Holiday booking $18 per day on national holidays. Late pickup $1 per minute after closing (daycare) or after your scheduled pickup (boarding). Intact Dog Management Fee $10 per day for unaltered dogs over seven months. If fleas or ticks are found, treatment is applied at a cost of $60. Full details on the policies page.

Daycare and boarding are paid at pickup. Packages and memberships are paid when you buy them.

Memberships renew automatically and are non-refundable and non-transferable. To cancel, let us know at least five business days before your billing date.

Two-dog households can buy a second package at 50% off (email support@caninecardio.com). Athlete Dog and Alpha Dog gym members get 5% and 7% off daycare and boarding. Other promotional discounts can't be applied to packages.

Yes, for every dog in our pack. We trust Trupanion: no payout limits, and they can pay your vet directly.

Aggressive, unsafe or disruptive dogs may be dismissed from a group or a service, and any dog bite results in immediate dismissal from gym access and services. It's a one-strike policy because the safety of every dog in our care comes first.

We love sharing the pack on social media and in our marketing, and our service agreement includes a media release. If you'd rather your dog not be featured, tell us and we'll note it on their profile.

A private, on-leash indoor space inside Canine Cardio in Arlington that we reserve for your group. It isn't a walk-in dog bar; it's booked for private events only.

Birthday pawties, team outings, fundraisers and adoption events, club meetups, photo and video shoots, training workshops, and other dog-friendly gatherings. If you have an idea that isn't on that list, tell us in the request form.

Up to 40 people and 25 dogs.

We quote each event based on the date, how long you need the space, the size of your group and what you need from us. Fill out the request form and we'll reply within two business days with availability and a quote. The Birthday Package ($99) and the Ball Pit ($150) are fixed-price add-ons.

A 10-inch round dog cake from Leia's Treats (feeds 10 or more dogs), customized with your colors, text and imagery, a personalized bone-shaped treat for the birthday pup, and six dog-friendly pawty bags so every guest takes treats home.

Yes. Our kitchen and bar aren't currently in service, so outside food and catering are welcome. Let us know what you're planning in the request form and we'll include any handling details in your quote.

No evaluation is needed for events, but every attendee bringing a dog signs our dog waiver, dogs stay on leash, and all dogs should be current on their vaccines.

Submit the request form. Once we confirm availability and you approve the quote, a 50% deposit holds your date and the balance is due seven days before the event.

14 or more days before the event: full refund. Seven days before: 50% refund. Within 72 hours: no refund.