Dog Boarding in Alexandria
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Sara recently booked dog boarding with Alyssa in Alexandria
Alyssa was so sweet with my senior guy! She sent me lots of adorable pics and I’d definitely trust her with him again!
Every sitter on Rover has passed a background check
What is dog boarding with Rover?
Dog boarding with Rover is an alternative to traditional overnight dog care in a kennel. Rover allows you to search thousands of local five star dog sitters who provide overnight dog boarding in their homes. Now instead of dog boarding in a kennel you can give your pup the personal attention it deserves from a background checked dog sitter.
Features pet owners love about dog boarding on Rover
High quality pet care
Rover has the largest network of five star sitters providing dog boarding services. Rover sitters are background checked and reviews help give confidence that sitters are trusted by other dog owners. Enjoy the peace of mind that your sitter will treat your dog like their own during your dog boarding stay.Communication is just a touch or call away
During your dog boarding stay you can keep in contact with your sitter via the Rover App, text message, email, or a phone call with your sitter.Photo updates during your dog boarding stay
Rover sitters love to take photos of your dog during their dog boarding stay. Enjoy getting updates of your dog enjoying their stay while you are away. If you receive 5 or more photo updates during your dog boarding stay we will put together a slideshow with the highlights of your dog’s stay.Unmatched support
Every dog boarding stay booked on Rover is covered by 24/7 customer support, the Rover Guarantee and Reservation Protection.FAQ
Where will your dog stay during their visit?
Rover sitters provide dog boarding in houses, apartments, townhomes, condos, and more. Instead of your dog being stuck in a small kennel, like traditional dog boarding, they can enjoy the comfort of staying in a sitter’s home. If your dog enjoys going outside you can find a sitter with a yard or access to local parks where they can take your dog for a walk. To learn more about the amenities dog boarding sitters offer, check their profile page or contact them directly.
Is Rover dog boarding right for my dog?
Rover provides dog boarding to dogs of all sizes, ages, and needs. This includes puppies, older dogs, disabled dogs, dogs that require medication, dogs with separation anxiety, and more. If your dog has special needs that you want to ensure your dog boarding sitter offers, check their profile page or contact them directly.
Preview local sitters providing dog boarding in Alexandria
We make it simple to find the perfect dog sitter for you
See what owners are saying about dog boarding in Alexandria
Alexandria dog sitters were rated 5 out of 5 stars from 1,000+ reviews
Michielle's review on Oct 06, 2019
What a fantastic experience with Sawsan! She was super responsive and sent photos, updates and videos throughout the stay. We have a VERY energetic dog and she seemed to handle her with ease. Sawsan made us feel comfortable throughout the stay and I would highly recommend!
Jessie's review on Oct 05, 2019
Lorraine was wonderful! She is the best dog sitter I have had so far. I could tell she took great care of my dog and she was always sending me updates and pictures.
James's review on Oct 02, 2019
Chat is great! Conscientious, professional, great communicator. Sent pics and itinerary of our dog who walked much longer than normal. First class!
Sarah's review on Sep 23, 2019
Kendra is the BEST! She loved my baby girl so much so that daisy wanted to stay behind when she got picked up! I am so lucky to have found Kendra and I felt so at ease being away from my baby girl!
Carla's review on Sep 03, 2019
A little late for the review but just wanted to thank Jacqueline for being so great with Brody! She is really sweet and you can tell she loves animals. I know Brody can be a lot but she went above and beyond. Highly recommend! Thank you so much Jacqueline!!
Stephen's review on Sep 01, 2019
Marketta did an excellent job with our dog Maya! Lots of pictures were provided, which was greatly appreciated. Our dog has never had a sitter for a whole week, but she seemed comfortable the entire stay. Would not hesitate to book Marketta again in the future.
Nikki's review on Aug 30, 2019
Christen is a very reliable and caring dog person. She takes the time to assist in training during her walks, and is genuinely lovely with our dogs.
Bryan & Megan's review on Aug 23, 2019
Chad and Kimberly here amazing and took great care of Marley. Pictures daily and let him do his thing, chill out. I would highly highly recommend them to anyone!
Top Dog Parks in Alexandria
The Alexandria African American Heritage Park is a satellite of the Alexandria Black History Museum. Throughout the 7.6-acre park, you can see sculptures by Jerome Meadows depicting important events in Alexandria’s black history. Another interesting stop is the remains of the Black Baptists Cemetery, with 21 known burials and six identified headstones. Hooff's Run, a tributary of Great Hunting Creek, runs through the park, so Alexandria dog walkers can walk along the paths to explore the local wildlife and plants. A bridge constructed by Orange and Alexandria Railroad in 1856 crosses over Hooff's Run and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Cameron Run Regional Park has many fun outdoor activities for the whole family. On the park’s 26 acres, you can perfect your swing at the batting cages or practice your putting at the 18-hole miniature golf. You can also go to the Great Waves Waterpark, which has water slides, a splash pad, and a wading pool. If you need a break from splashing in the water, head to the Paradise Play Area, a beach-themed playground, or grab some food and sit in one of the shady areas for a rest. Trout-stocked Lake Cook, also in the park, is perfect for fishing.
Ben Brenman Park was named after the late Colonel Ben Brenman of the US Army, who was an active Alexandria community activist involved in the acquisition of the parkland, a portion of the former US Army Base at Cameron Station. The 59.3-acre park has a fenced dog park for your pooch to frolic. There are plenty of sports fields, picnic areas, and walking trails. In the summer, you can attend a fun concert series at the park’s amphitheater. The large pond in the park is full of koi fish and sunning turtles, and has three fountains you can see from the nearby ornamental gazebo. The park also hosts the annual Arts and Wine Festival, and the Cambodian Festival.
50-acre Dora Kelley Nature Park is a hidden gem in the middle of the city. The nature preserve is in an upland oak-hickory forest located in the Holmes Run Stream Valley Gorge. The park offers a paved bike and walking path, plus a self-guided nature trail. It’s a great spot for birdwatching: Keep an eye out for woodpeckers, nuthatches, and kingfishers. Occasionally you can see raptors like Bald Eagles hanging out in the park. To learn more about the wildlife and plants, check out the Nature Center. Alexandria dog walkers will find their pups love splashing in the streams along the paths, and you will enjoy spotting the wildlife on the freshwater marsh.
Alexandria's Bark Score
How Alexandria got their Bark Score
We love crunching numbers almost as much as we love caring for dogs, which is why we came up with the Bark Score. It's all about how dog-friendly a city is, and is determined using census statistics, local business information, and our own data. Alexandria received a 48 out of 100 in vet availability, which includes the number of emergency veterinarians, regular vets, specialists, and the average premium for pet insurance in the area. For pet services—like groomers available, number of dog trainers, and count of Rover sitters—this city earned a 66. For the parks and fun category, Alexandria received a 72 for its number of dog parks, sunny days, and dog-friendly restaurants and hotels. And last but not least, for quality of dog life which includes overall dog population, average yard size, and number of dog-friendly property rentals, this city earned a 64.
Top Dog Neighborhoods in Alexandria
Old Town
Old Town Alexandria is just minutes from Washington DC. You can cruise the Potomac River on a riverboat from the plaza to the monuments in DC. This historic district—the oldest part of the city—was designed in 1749 and boasts charming historic townhouses, galleries, antique emporiums, and bars and restaurants. The neighborhood is beautiful with red-brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets. Some interesting landmarks in the area include General Robert E. Lee’s boyhood home, a model of George Washington’s townhouse, and the famous Gadsby’s Tavern. One of the coolest places to tour is the Torpedo Factory Art Studio, a working art studio that welcomes dog companions. Market Square, one of the oldest continuing operating marketplaces in the United States, neighbors Alexandria City Hall. George Washington even sent his produce from Mount Vernon to be sold there.
Del Ray
Del Ray is an artistic, eclectic neighborhood made up of historic brick homes. It is easy to get to places in the metro area, since it’s just a short drive to the Reagan National Airport and the Pentagon. There is plenty to keep you in the area, like Mount Vernon Avenue’s unique shops and restaurants. Make sure to go to Your Dog’s Best Friends: The Store, and From Head to Tail Grooming Spa, which offers spa treatments and facials for dogs, as well as “pawdicures.” This area also hosts the annual Art on the Avenue, a celebration of music and art. Del Ray Farmers’ Market sells locally grown produce, meat, and dairy products.
West End
The West End, which includes the Landmark and Van Dorn neighborhoods, offers plenty of activities to explore, including some of the best craft beer tastings and diverse restaurant choices. The new Portner Brewhouse is a must-see in the area. Two sisters brew historic family recipes from Robert Portner Brewing Co., the largest pre-Prohibition brewery in the South. You can also try Beer Yoga, Joggers and Lagers, or Pedals and Pints at the best small brewery in America, Port City Brewing Company. For more active residents, you can make time for Topgolf or the Sportrock Climbing Center. Van Dorn has some excellent Asian cuisine, including Thai Lemongrass and Taste of Asia. The West End is home to some of Alexandria’s top parks Cameron Run Regional Park, Holmes Run Trail, and Ben Brenman Park.
Seminary Hill
Seminary Hill is a mix of older and newer homes, and is an excellent location for commuters since it is so close to DC. Seminary Hill is a beautiful neighborhood with a lot to do if you enjoy being outdoors. It is home to Fort Ward Park, the best preserved Union fort and batteries in the United States. The park is also a pet-friendly setting for walking and exploring history. Make sure to check out the Winkler Botanical Preserve to get in your steps while enjoying the local plants and wildlife. When your dog needs to get out and run free, Alexandria dog boarders can visit the popular Duke Street Dog Park.
Why do dog owners love Alexandria?
Although Alexandria is so close to Washington, DC, it has a rich history all its own. In George Washington’s hometown, you can walk in his steps as you seek out the more than 140 locations associated with him. Or you can head over to Mount Vernon, just eight miles away, and take your pooch on the All the President’s Pups walking tour through canine life at Mount Vernon, past and present. Back in Alexandria, you can tour Carlyle House, home to Alexandria’s co-founder, or head over to the Alexandria Black History Museum, which showcases the city’s strong African American leaders from the 18th century to the present. Alexandria is also home to the US Patent and Trademark Office, National Inventors Hall of Fame, and Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, a tavern first opened in 1785. You can get an excellent view of the city from the George Washington National Masonic Memorial. Alexandria offers many outdoor activities as well. You can explore scenic Virginia on the Mount Vernon Trail, which goes along the Potomac 18 miles from Mount Vernon to Washington DC. Inside the city limits, there are many parks, nature trails, and preserves. Animal Planet named Alexandria one of the most dog-friendly cities in the United States, and it’s estimated that one out of every four residents is a dog. No matter where you go to shop, there are lots of water bowls and treats set out, with more than 2,000 pet-friendly hotel rooms available. There is even a seasonal canine cruise hosted by the Potomac Riverboat Company, and plenty of dog shopping at boutiques like the Dog Park, where you can buy sweaters and premium dog food. There are even restaurants that have puppy dinner menus, including Vola’s Dockside Grill, Virtue Feed & Grain, and Lena’s Wood-fired Pizza + Tap. When you get thirsty, head over to the Doggy Yappy Hour every Tuesday evening in the summer at Jackson 20 in Old Town. The city has 28 public off-leash parks, including Founders Park, an exercise area for dogs near Torpedo Art Factory, Montgomery Park with a fenced dog run near several pet-friendly hotels, and Windmill Hill Park, which has an off-leash area that overlooks the river and has views of Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Some of the best pet-friendly hotels to stay in include Kimpton Lorien Hotel and Spa, Hotel Indigo Old Town, and the Westin.
