Atlas Doghouse Washington, DC, Maryland

My dog Lou is an anxious boy who can’t handle kennels or crates, so Atlas came to our rescue. Fighting DC traffic is EASY knowing that Lou will be taken care of while I’m working. Not to mention, when I had a car break-in/emergency happen at home, Atlas accommodated the delays in me being able to pick Lou up on time. They were generous, understanding, and truly a source of calm for me on an otherwise very stressful day. I am grateful for them and they have earned a lifetime customer in me!

My partner and I are new to the area and it was really important to us to find a place that can take care of our two big dogs as we are frequently out of town. We both have pretty high standards for doggy daycare, and Atlas has exceeded our expectations! The staff are so welcoming and friendly, and it’s clear they really care about each dog that comes in. They’ve gotten to know our dogs’ personalities and share stories about them when we pick them up. One of our dogs has allergies, and the staff are very attentive and always make sure he gets separate treats. Atlas also makes scheduling really easy through their app or by calling. Even though space is limited, they always try to accommodate us. Recently we traveled for Thanksgiving and had to board our dogs, and Atlas was full by the time we called. They put us on the waiting list and kept us constantly updated, knowing we were in a tight spot. Somehow, space opened up and they called us immediately and got us in. It really felt like they did everything they could to make sure our holiday went smoothly. And we were so thankful! Finally, Atlas does great with the space they have. They don’t use cages and the dogs have beds to rest in. Staff are always closely supervising the dogs. The dogs seem to have a great time in the indoor space. Our boys always come home happy and exhausted! In all, we couldn’t be happier we found Atlas here in DC. And a shout out to Stephanie, who always goes the extra mile to make our boys feel special!

We had our first dog training today with Danny at Atlas. Couldn't have asked for more clear and concise direction for how to correct a few behavioral issues with our pup. Danny listened to our needs and gave us step by step directions on how we as parents should interact and train our dog with positive reinforcement and reward. He was focused and engaged and really passionate about helping us learn. We have used a handful of trainers in the last two years and Danny by far is one of the best. We have begun using what we learned in our session today -- and seeing a change already with our dog.

You can trust Atlas Doghouse with your pup and the guidance they give. I was on the brink of having to return my rescue and needed to board him until I could finalize the arrangements. A 30 minute conversation with the owner, Danny, and his counsel put me on the path to keep my new family member, Buddy. Since that day in 2018, Buddy and I have grown and learned together and Atlas is with us every step of the way.

Great place for boarding, daycare, and training. Thomas (the trainer) was great with our puppy Max, a pandemic puppy with separation anxiety - as we prepare to return to the office. His approach is to give you all the tools you need in one session and is available to answer follow up questions by texts after. A cost-effective approach, especially considering how effective he was as a trainer. Highly recommend..

We had a private training session through Atlas Doghouse and I wanted to give others the chance to make a more informed decision about what is best for them and their dog before scheduling a session or utilizing other services. We assumed that Atlas would teach positive reinforcement training as many others do, which rewards your dog for good behavior rather than punishing them for bad or unwanted behaviors. However, I want to clearly communicate that Atlas uses punitive, dominance theory based training methods. We told our trainer that we had been working on using positive reinforcement methods, and he never clearly indicated that his training philosophy may not match our preferences. The fact that our trainer did not interact with our dog once other than to correct or punish him should have been the biggest red flag, but we had no reason not to trust him as a professional and because we have boarded with Atlas. He taught us about “Evolutionary” training, designed to mimic how dogs speak to each other and interact. We were told to “bark” (a loud vocal correction), “bite” (a hard jab with your fingers to the thigh, shoulder, or neck), and “pin” (picking the dog up and rolling him onto his back, restraining him until he “submits”). We were told that pinning didn’t happen 90% of the time, and that it was the “nuclear option” that would be employed in the middle of a dog fight or something commensurate. The way it was described, none of these methods would hurt the dog. Then we went on our demonstration walk with the trainer, where he sharply jerked our dog’s leash, forcefully and repeatedly jabbed our dog when he would bark, and culminated in him pinning our dog onto the pavement in the middle of a crowded sidewalk and holding him down, causing him to sustain a small cut on his forehead. I’m not sure if the “nuclear option” was truly necessary here or was just part of the demonstration, but it felt completely inappropriate. He also told us we could talk to our dog nicely afterward so that people around us wouldn’t worry. Our dog has no history that we feel would reasonably elicit such an extreme response during a walk. After the walk, we asked if there were any additional resources for his methods, and he told us that there isn’t a ton out there about it because it is so new. After he left, we learned that his techniques were part of dominance theories written decades ago, and that alpha rolling (“pinning”) particularly was recanted almost 20 years ago by the same group of trainers that initially taught it (I wonder why this part was left out of our trainer’s history lesson on the methods he showed us?). As it turns out, there is actually a great deal of information out there regarding the negative effects of alpha rolling your dog and dominance training theory. If we had had any idea of what was going to happen, we never would have consented to those methods being used on our dog. If Atlas is proud of using these methods, why aren’t they advertised on their website, talked over during scheduling, or presented by their trainers in a historically accurate way? Why deny the existence of resources when asked? None of this sits right with us, and in the vulnerable position of trusting a professional with our dog, we feel that we should have received more transparent information about what tools we would actually be learning. I’m not here to bash on individuals who choose to use punitive training techniques. From our experience, I recommend doing research on which training philosophy works best for you, and asking questions (of any facility) before boarding or hiring a trainer.

I reached out to Atlas for their one on one training services. Prior to I had gone through a few trainers and I did not want to sign up for those super expensive one time training sessions with no guarantee. Thomas was a miracle worker honestly. Benny went from a sweet fluffy 15 pound puppy to a 60 pound 6 month terror! Was just unmanageable and overwhelming to deal with outside our home. In the house, he was the sweetest dog. We kept trying our previous trainer’s method and it was just not working to modify his behavior at all. I was pretty frustrated and super stressed taking him outside for walks. Everyone in the building was scared of him, it was just generally not a good time in our home lol. Thomas sat down and explained everything for the first 30min, and then we went on a walk. I can honestly say I watched my dog transform. It was such a weight off my shoulder, within an hour he was more manageable, well behaved, and calm. Then I would walk him and Thomas would give me pointers. Thomas made it VERY clear this was a one and done training session, not an on going saga of just handing over your money. He trained you and showed you the tools he uses. You are expected to do the work after that. He does offer follow up sessions if you are having specific problems. Which we did! He was great following up to see how things have progressed and when I had an issue he came right back, which I appreciated alot! I can honestly say Benny is a new dog and I feel much more in control and confident about handling him. Ive recommended Thomas to strangers on the street who have the same look I had when my dog was barking, lunging, pulling and not listening.

Thomas is a miracle worker. My dog struggled with leash aggression for most of his life but despite the countless trainers I’ve been to, none have been able to help in the way that Thomas had. I could tell the moment we met that he was a true dog lover and an experienced trainer because my dog ran right up to him wagging his tail (which is extremely uncommon). Thomas spent the first half of the session going over his technique and approach. This was helpful because he went in to detail about dog behavior and taught us how we can adjust our behavior to ensure our dog’s success. After just 45 minutes outside walking on a leash, my dog was unrecognizable. We walked past dogs, people on bikes and scooters, construction workers, etc, and only once did my dog react. Even then, Thomas got him under control immediately and my dog had no issues after that. Thomas gave me the confidence to know that I can be in control of my dog. All I want is to give my dog a good life, and Thomas gave me the tools to make that happen. Now it’s up to me to continue and be consistent with the training!

I booked a training session through Atlas with Thomas and I couldn't have more positive things to say about the experience. His knowledge of canine behavior and training was exceptional. He really took the time to explain what I needed to do to train my dog properly and also detailed why she was behaving the way she did. Within one session he left me confident that I'd be able to correct my dog's issues. He has even followed up through text messages which is truly going above and beyond. I highly recommend Atlas and Thomas for anybody interested in training their dog.

Our dog stayed here for July 4 holiday weekend. Received a call during the weekend that another dog was aggressive and bit ours. The aggressive dog was booked to stay the weekend, so we were assured that the dogs would be separated, the aggressive dog would be banned in the future, and our dog only had a scratch so no need for a vet. Picked up our dog the next day and the day staff had no idea that our dog was bitten or which dog had bitten her. The bite mark was bloody and clearly a puncture that needed vet attention. Understand that dogs will be dogs, but the lack of communication and the severity of the bite was extremely disappointing and concerning.

We love Atlas! The staff are so lovely and attentive and we know our pup is well looked after and taken care of. Couldn’t recommend them more!

This post is overdue. As many did, I adopted a puppy during the pandemic to have as a sibling for my 12-year-old dog, Rex. Little did I know what a ball of energy I was adopting. At first, I struggled to find a groove between both the dog's needs and wants. I am so thankful for finding Atlas Doghouse. Zazu looooooves going to Atlas Doghouse. He loves playing all day with the friends that he has made. In fact, in the morning he will sit by where the leashes are hung to let me know he is ready for "school". :) Stephanie rocks! She always provides me with a wonderful report of the day. Her big smile just has us coming back. You know that she is very attentive and understands what is happening with your dog. Nicolle welcomes you every morning with a warm greeting. Zazu runs to her with his tail wagging ready to get into the mix of dogs on the other side. This is a full-service operation. Danny, the owner, also provided some well-needed training for I shattered my leg tripping on a DC sidewalk 2 years ago and needed some confidence building for both Zazu and myself. Zazu is the strongest dog I have owned. His knowledge and unique ability to understand dog's behaviors were incredibly valuable for us. I can't recommend this place enough. It is nice to be part of this wonderful "dog pack".

My eight-month-old Spinone had only ever done daycare in small settings via Rover, and Atlas was the first place where she’d ever gone to big girl daycare. The folks at Atlas were both patient with my neuroses (no, youuuuuu called them multiple times to inquire after your dog’s emotional well-being and the composition of her friend group) and accommodating to my little Birdie. She boarded for an evening a couple weeks later, and came home tuckered out and blissful. The staff clearly loves dogs and they keep a close eye on your pups! Her first day at daycare, Birdie approached a dog who wasn’t into her affections. They separated them, told me about it when I rang to check in, and appear to have been proactive at the first sign that the other dog wasn’t in the mood. The fact that they group dogs based on play style and energy levels rather than temperament is also a huge plus, as I have a gentle giant who prefers a small dog friend. The only drawbacks: No camera feed! I would also love it if they adopted a District Dogs-style approach of composing a report card with pictures. Neither of these things makes me want to take Birdie somewhere that isn’t Atlas, though— that’s saying something from this helicopter dog parent!

I have a 3 year old corgi with a little separation anxiety who is not a fan of loud noises. Once I had to go back to the office I started looking of a doggy day care and after some searching found Atlas Doghouse. My dog Kira has been going there a couple days a week for a few months now and I LOVE it. The team is super nice and friendly and most importantly they love all the doggies. Every time I pick her up, they give me a run down of her day and tell me who she played. I would highly recommend this place! Thanks Atlas team :)

I have used Atlas Doghouse for training, walking, boarding, and daycare. Ruby was a wild woman who wouldn’t listen to the training methods that worked on all my other dogs, so I sent her to Danny and now she is a very well behaved young lady. Prior to the pandemic, I used Atlas for walking. Ruby absolutely loved Marcus and all my neighbors would tell me what a good job he did with her. Ruby now lives for going to daycare! She actually gets depressed if I don’t send her enough. She is well taken care of even with all her food allergies so I never have to worry. Can’t say enough good things about this place and everyone who works there!

Atlas Doghouse has been a godsend. As a first time dog owner I found myself a little bit overwhelmed trying to meet the activity and exercise needs of my energetic pandemic pup. My guy LOVES going to Atlas to spend the day with his doggy friends. The staff is super attentive and Stephanie provides regular updates on how my dog did that day and which dogs he played with. I also think going to daycare has improved his confidence. When we drop off in the morning he greets Nicole and walks to the the back for daycare without giving me a second glance now! Their online appointment system is very user friendly and convenient. I also want to make a note of how nice and conscientious the staff is. They always pay close attention to any notes about my dog that I may have included in his reservation. This is a really well run business that cares about giving both the pups and dog parents a great experience. They even go so far as to offer pictures with Santa.

We love the friendly, caring and attentive staff here! Their daycare and boarding services are great and our dog loves it! I highly recommend.

We've been taking our dog here for 4 years now. It is always a great experience for him. The staff is wonderful and I always feel comfortable leaving him with them.

Our dog loves her daycare days!! The staff are so friendly and knowledgeable and clearly love dogs. We’ve also done a training session with Danny the owner, very helpful and informative.

We love Atlas, and more importantly, so does our dog. Staff members are clearly warm and attentive with the dogs, and all the dogs I've seen coming in and going out look happy to be there. The only way it could be better would be with webcams to check out the action during the day.

Such caring people who clearly are intelligent in handling dogs. Love this place.

Dan and his staff are incredible. Our dog butters has struggled socially around other dogs. Dan took the time to help us integrate him into Atlas's environment and because of that butters social skills have improved tremendously. We have always been scared of leaving butters in a daycare environment but Atlas doghouse caters to each dogs needs and provides a safe space that fits their temperament. We will be recommending them to all our friends. We are so thankful for Dan and his staff! Please please take your pets to them. They will provide the best care.

The best dog daycare in the city. Period. Atlas has really taken the time to hire tremendous staff and it shows. My dog is always treated well and loves coming here. Cannot recommend Atlas Doghouse more.

Ok short version first... Atlas Doghouse and their team are so amazing and made me and my dog feel right at home. Danny and his team are a godsend. Would recommend 10/10!!! Long version... I was desperately in need of a place to board my dog and was terrified that I wouldn’t find a place to take her because of her breed and because I was nervous of how she’d behave. I didn’t realize how much I projected my own fear of her interactions with other dogs. So when I’d walk her around other dogs, I’d start to panic and she fed off this energy so again I kept her secluded. Finally, I mustered up the courage to have an evaluation with Danny and my dog to see if she could even be boarded and to get some insight into her “aggressive responses”. Literally, after one session with Danny, some repetitive correction of my behavior around her with other dogs, my pup was ready... well actually I was ready. The Atlas Doghouse team is amazing as well. While out of town, they sent me videos and pictures of her time there and it was like a weight had been lifted off my chest. I’m so happy and so is my dog. She’s making new friends and erasing the skittishness I projected with my own anxiety.

What can I say about Atlas Doghouse? They did an amazing job with my wild boy, Fang. After he was badly injured the last time he was boarded, I did not know if I could ever leave him with anyone again. I mean, how would you feel if a place you had boarded your animal and where he had been in daycare for YEARS, left him needing stitches between his toes, and bleeding profusely? The amazing folks at Atlas showed me otherwise. They did such a great job with him in doggy daycare. At the second day, instead of his normal anxiety, he ran right to he door, waiting to get in to be with the other dogs. He was so happy! I cannot thank the great staff at Atlas enough for taking such good care of my wild boy. I absolutely recommend Atlas Doghouse for daycare for your dogs.

My boyfriend and I did dog training with the owner Dan today and we are so happy. We have 2 male dogs, a senior Pit Bull adopted as a senior and a puppy Cane Corso adopted as a puppy. Two boys from different walks of life who we want to live in harmony together. Dan helped us to better communicate with our dogs, explained not only how they should behave, but how we as humans should behave within our home and with our "pack". Dan made sure to address the challenges we were facing (loose leash walking, dominant behavior, continuous barking, sibling rivalry, and understanding one's role) along with giving us direction for continued training in our home/lives. I know we went to him for dog training but Dan is a genius, about everything, he understands dogs, people, and the world. He is patient, rational, knowledgeable, and fair. If you have an opportunity to train with him, do not miss out. You & your pack will be in harmony thanks to Dan. THANK YOU AGAIN!

I have a recent rescue pup who has grown into a large dominant male and we sought out training with owner Dan after months of fantastic daycare supervision but mounting dominant behavior. Dan was thorough in explaining the science behind dog behavior and translating that into explicit techniques that have helped us and our dog immensely. I can't say enough about the quality of the staff he has at Atlas and his savvy and finesse with handling big tough pups like ours. Highly recommend him and Atlas for daycare/dog walking and training needs!

I can't say enough great things about this place. Easily the best doggy daycare we have ever taken our 2 dogs to. Everybody is friendly, fantastic, knowledgable, and knows and loves our dogs. Our little one never liked going to daycare previously at other places; her tail would always be tucked between her legs upon entering, and she would always pull to get back at us. However, at Atlas, she gets so excited, tail is wagging, and enthusiastically goes with the staff without even looking back! Also, we took a dog training lesson with Dan, the owner, for our bigger dog, and it was absolutely excellent. He gave us an entire structure and framework with which to work - not just things to do for 10 minutes at a clip a few times a day. He has an incredible working knowledge of dogs and their behaviors. Highly highly recommended in every respect!

I have finally had time to sit down and really articulate how much I enjoyed atlas doghouse. Dan, the owner and all of their staff, ALL of THEM were a godsend to our crazy bro dog Fudge! Atlas is not a place where you just dump your dog and let your dog run around for hours and then come and get them, but atlas is a place where they actually care about your dog they learn your dog’s ways and they actually are hands-on in training and enforcing good behaviors in your dog. Fudge used to come home tired from all the work and so well behaved and most of all HAPPY ! He almost always jumps out of the car when we pull up. And never wants to come home, I was starting to get offended lol! But that is what I wanted, a place to love my dog as much as I do! We had to relocate back home, and Fudge was so sad to not go back to his normal routine... but I couldn’t let any more time go by without sharing this gem of a place... I could go on and on... this place is def home away from home

Holy smokes! Totally worth all the hype. I was very close to rehoming a new dog who was harassing our old dog, alienating herself from every dog park and dog in the building, as well as lunging and barking so much she made every walk miserable. Even reactive dog class wasn't helping. She was very close to being returned but I thought I would try Dan because of his reviews. WHAT A DIFFERENCE TWO HOURS MADE. In two hours Dan had changed how my dog interacted with other dogs and even helped with walks. His ideas and techniques made sense and were easy to use. They made a difference the SAME DAY. Now Albi can go to daycare, is better on walks, and my other dog is more confident since he sees us speaking their language and controlling her misbehavior. Like everyone else I can't say enough good things.Worth every penny. Dan should charge for his initial conversation, from which I learned a great deal. His methods don't include just treating your dog for every little thing but instead speaking their language (which they understand immediately!). Recommend recommend recommend!