Club DiOGi offers specialized daycare and boarding for man’s (smaller) best friend

STORY: Claire Ruhlin

As a dog parent and pet industry veteran, Courtney DeDi knows first-hand that little dogs can be a big responsibility, which is why she created Club DiOGi, a members-only daycare and boarding facility that caters specifically to small dogs.

“After being in the pet care industry for almost 15 years now, I have heard from plenty of little-dog parents who have expressed that a space like Club DiOGi is a need,” says DeDi, who started her other business, DiOGi Pet Services—a dog-walking, dog-training and petsitting service that caters to pets with behavioral issues—in 2010. “They want a safe, controlled and fun environment for their little baby to play with other dogs their size.”

Club DiOGi, which opened in Virginia-Highland last month, offers attentive, specialized daycare and boarding for dogs under 35 pounds. And even the most doting dog parents needn’t worry about their pup becoming lonely without them; furry guests will be organized into playgroups based on age and temperament, with plenty of breaks throughout the day for amenities such as classical music and aromatherapy.

“Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise,” says DeDi. “Our goal is to not only provide a safe and fun environment, but to have each dog go home behaviorally improved from when they were dropped off.” There are abundant benefits to having more intimate playgroups and breaks throughout the day, DeDi says, including reducing anxiety, teaching self-regulation, establishing friendships and providing healthy play.

To board a pup at Club DiOGi, members must commit to at least one day a week so dogs can become familiar with their surroundings— and with one another. The club is staffed 24 hours a day for overnight guests, and all team members are trained in pet first aid and CPR, and are enrolled in DiOGi’s continuing education program.

Additional daycare amenities include grooming services, dog training classes, a retail shop, webcams and a taxi service for clients within two miles of the facility. “This service comes in handy for clients who may work early or late hours outside of our scheduled drop-off and pick up-times, or if they are coming home from vacation late and would like to just get home to snuggle their pup,” says DeDi.

clubdiogi.com