Boarding ~ Board & Train:
Basic Info and Testimonials
On a limited basis, I do welcome clients' dogs into my home when they need a place to stay while their people travel. This in-home boarding can be a great option for social, well-mannered dogs who may not be comfortable staying in a commercial kennel. Please drop me an email if you'd like to learn more about acceptance criteria.
​
Another service option is a combination of boarding & training. Typically, this is available to young pups as a way to help give you a jumpstart on good manners and useful obedience skills. Please call or email for more details.
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Here are just a few of my boarders in the past, and below are some testimonials...​
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Virginia takes care of my dogs as if they were her own. She is extremely knowledgeable about training and dog behavior which makes her the perfect caretaker for our precious family pets. I love that my dogs get so excited as soon as they see Virginia and her nice dogs.
~ Connie S., Madison Heights, VA (posted 5-star Google review)
I hired Virginia to board my dog for two weeks. She took such wonderful care of her. I felt confident the entire time that my dog was safe, happy, and genuinely loved. I really appreciated that Virginia provided regular updates with photos and videos. It gave me so much peace of mind. I would absolutely book with her again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for exceptional care.
~ Nicole S. (posted 5-star Google review)
It is hard to express how fantastic Virginia is at what she does! My pup stayed with Virginia for a week, and I could not be more grateful for all of the amazing work Virginia accomplished with him. She specifically addressed the training issues I was concerned about, and I have seen such progress in all areas! I also felt so comfortable leaving my pup with her - you can feel the love for dogs radiating off of Virginia at all times! She was great about sending me regular updates and also providing helpful tips and guidance for continuing my pup's training moving forward. Virginia is also so patient about answering all questions! I already have another visit with Virginia booked for my pup - he definitely misses her!
~ Marisa D. (posted 5-star Google review)
Virginia is amazing. No one else I feel as comfortable with or trust when it comes to my dog's care. Her attention to detail, professionalism and ability to capture the overall cuteness of all the dogs together in daily photos is our favorite. We always feel like our dog is safe and well cared for whenever we leave her. Also she has really helped us to train our dog... I wish I could leave more than 5 stars!
Jon L. (posted 5-star Google review)
We have been entrusting our cherished – and now elderly – golden retriever to Virginia ever since we adopted Lilly eight years ago. Her visits in Virginia’s home have been for both long and short stays while we travel.
Lilly is always happy to arrive and we are confident that she will be safe, well-fed and walked, and entertained by her two best friends who live with Virginia. We appreciate that Virginia is meticulous about ensuring that all her boarders are vaccinated and healthy.
We wouldn’t think of sending Lilly to stay with anyone else. And as a huge bonus, we get messages and videos from Lilly while we are away. We recommend Virginia without hesitation.
~ Judy S.
Both my daughter and I have used Virginia’s boarding and training services on several occasions. We could not be happier with how our dogs (a small 4-lb Chihuahua and a rambunctious Frenchie puppy) have been taken care of and trained. Virginia is a patient, skilled and loving trainer and the dogs in her care are treated like family. I am personally very careful with whom I entrust my precious chihuahua and I have complete confidence in Virginia and her services.
~ Maja M.
​
We met Virginia in the fall of 2018 when we had just adopted Fletcher and she was and is a godsend. She really helped us with Fletcher with her knowledge and down-to-earth training approach. When we were planning a trip to Europe in the fall of 2019 we were thrilled to learn that Virginia was willing to have Fletcher stay with her.
We dropped Fletcher off with his supplies and he was so excited to see Virginia and meet her dogs. She was careful in introducing the dogs and luckily it turned out that among them it was really love at first sight. Each morning we’d awake to a message on how Fletcher was doing and most days we’d get a picture or a video. Now when we take Fletcher to stay, he starts getting excited when we turn the corner to her house!
There are not enough words to describe how confident we are to leave Fletcher with Virginia. She not only knows dogs, she is sensitive to their needs and she communicates with us about how he is doing. Recommend 150%.
~ Andrea E.
We have been fortunate enough to work with Virginia for several years and she is hands down the BEST trainer out there. Virginia worked with our Cavalier on leash walking, bird & squirrel obsessions, and general commands with great success. We got detailed notes and suggestions and demonstrations that have helped us so much. We also board with Virginia and NEVER worry about our dog when she is with her as we know she is in the best of hands. We get lots of adorable updates and photos and our dog is always so excited when we get to Virginia's house which tells us everything we need to know. Virginia is so warm and sweet and has incredible experience and knowledge of animals. Do not pass up the opportunity to work with her!
~ Christina R. (posted 5-star Google review)
Virginia Dare is a premier trainer with an innate ability to positively communicate with dogs.
I had a scrappy, undisciplined, yet timid 3 month old toy poodle puppy named LuLu. Now LuLu is a gem thanks to the excellent training/boarding experience. Virginia demonstrated that gentle instruction, without frustration, produces positive results. It was like she and Lu were speaking a private language. Watching Virginia with Lu and the other dogs, I realized Virginia has a special talent not bestowed on most.
Lu was not even concerned when I was leaving, which was very unusual because she would never let me out of her site. Lu was immediately at ease with Virginia. When I picked Lu up a week later, she knew all of her basic commands and was also a more confident and a peaceful puppy.
I unequivocally recommend Virginia Dare.
~ Joan C., Glen Allen, VA
You have helped us with my first puppy’s training and boarding services to give us a peace of mind when we travel for the last 4 1/2 years. We love that you follow each dog's schedule and food requirements. Our dogs love to go to your place and run about in your fenced-in property. I highly recommend North Star Canines to all my friends and family. We are so happy to have found you and would rather our dogs be boarded at the comfort of a home and not a vet or kennel.
~ Carla C. (posted 5-star Google review)
Over the Christmas holiday, we boarded our two golden retrievers for a week. The puppy, Gracie, needed basic training, and the four year old, Maggie, needed socialization as she was a rescue dog and appears to have been neglected or abused as a puppy. Virginia has five dogs that live in her home, though it is certainly not obvious as they are very well mannered and the home is neat and clean. Maggie was right at home with her new friends and blended into the pack beautifully. Normally very skittish, she truly was over-the-moon happy! Gracie needed basic training: sit, come, down, settle (on your bed, in your crate), don't touch the food (off). Virginia accomplished so much with her in one week, it was phenomenal! With three boys at home, I now need her to come by to teach them how to work with Gracie so we all are consistent.
I would highly recommend Virginia Dare as a trainer for your dog, and frankly, have done so with two other friends who have young dogs. Thanks!
~ Barbara T., Richmond, VA
Boarding ~ Board & Train:
Basic Info and Testimonials
On a limited basis, I do welcome clients' dogs into my home when they need a place to stay while their people travel. This in-home boarding can be a great option for social, well-mannered dogs who may not be comfortable staying in a commercial kennel. Please drop me an email if you'd like to learn more about acceptance criteria.
​
Another service option is a combination of boarding & training. Typically, this is available to young pups as a way to help give you a jumpstart on good manners and useful obedience skills. Please call or email for more details.
​
​
Here are just a few of my boarders in the past, and below are some testimonials...​
​
Virginia takes care of my dogs as if they were her own. She is extremely knowledgeable about training and dog behavior which makes her the perfect caretaker for our precious family pets. I love that my dogs get so excited as soon as they see Virginia and her nice dogs.
~ Connie S., Madison Heights, VA
I hired Virginia to board my dog for two weeks. She took such wonderful care of her. I felt confident the entire time that my dog was safe, happy, and genuinely loved. I really appreciated that Virginia provided regular updates with photos and videos. It gave me so much peace of mind. I would absolutely book with her again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for exceptional care.
~ Nicole S. (posted 5-star Google review)
It is hard to express how fantastic Virginia is at what she does! My pup stayed with Virginia for a week, and I could not be more grateful for all of the amazing work Virginia accomplished with him. She specifically addressed the training issues I was concerned about, and I have seen such progress in all areas! I also felt so comfortable leaving my pup with her - you can feel the love for dogs radiating off of Virginia at all times! She was great about sending me regular updates and also providing helpful tips and guidance for continuing my pup's training moving forward. Virginia is also so patient about answering all questions! I already have another visit with Virginia booked for my pup - he definitely misses her!
~ Marisa D. (posted 5-star Google review)
Virginia is amazing. No one else I feel as comfortable with or trust when it comes to my dog's care. Her attention to detail, professionalism and ability to capture the overall cuteness of all the dogs together in daily photos is our favorite. We always feel like our dog is safe and well cared for whenever we leave her. Also she has really helped us to train our dog... I wish I could leave more than 5 stars!
Jon L. (posted 5-star Google review)
We have been entrusting our cherished – and now elderly – golden retriever to Virginia ever since we adopted Lilly eight years ago. Her visits in Virginia’s home have been for both long and short stays while we travel.
Lilly is always happy to arrive and we are confident that she will be safe, well-fed and walked, and entertained by her two best friends who live with Virginia. We appreciate that Virginia is meticulous about ensuring that all her boarders are vaccinated and healthy.
We wouldn’t think of sending Lilly to stay with anyone else. And as a huge bonus, we get messages and videos from Lilly while we are away. We recommend Virginia without hesitation.
~ Judy S.
Both my daughter and I have used Virginia’s boarding and training services on several occasions. We could not be happier with how our dogs (a small 4-lb Chihuahua and a rambunctious Frenchie puppy) have been taken care of and trained. Virginia is a patient, skilled and loving trainer and the dogs in her care are treated like family. I am personally very careful with whom I entrust my precious chihuahua and I have complete confidence in Virginia and her services.
~ Maja M.
​
We met Virginia in the fall of 2018 when we had just adopted Fletcher and she was and is a godsend. She really helped us with Fletcher with her knowledge and down-to-earth training approach. When we were planning a trip to Europe in the fall of 2019 we were thrilled to learn that Virginia was willing to have Fletcher stay with her.
We dropped Fletcher off with his supplies and he was so excited to see Virginia and meet her dogs. She was careful in introducing the dogs and luckily it turned out that among them it was really love at first sight. Each morning we’d awake to a message on how Fletcher was doing and most days we’d get a picture or a video. Now when we take Fletcher to stay, he starts getting excited when we turn the corner to her house!
There are not enough words to describe how confident we are to leave Fletcher with Virginia. She not only knows dogs, she is sensitive to their needs and she communicates with us about how he is doing. Recommend 150%.
~ Andrea E.
We have been fortunate enough to work with Virginia for several years and she is hands down the BEST trainer out there. Virginia worked with our Cavalier on leash walking, bird & squirrel obsessions, and general commands with great success. We got detailed notes and suggestions and demonstrations that have helped us so much. We also board with Virginia and NEVER worry about our dog when she is with her as we know she is in the best of hands. We get lots of adorable updates and photos and our dog is always so excited when we get to Virginia's house which tells us everything we need to know. Virginia is so warm and sweet and has incredible experience and knowledge of animals. Do not pass up the opportunity to work with her!
~ Christina R. (posted 5-star Google review)
Virginia Dare is a premier trainer with an innate ability to positively communicate with dogs.
I had a scrappy, undisciplined, yet timid 3 month old toy poodle puppy named LuLu. Now LuLu is a gem thanks to the excellent training/boarding experience. Virginia demonstrated that gentle instruction, without frustration, produces positive results. It was like she and Lu were speaking a private language. Watching Virginia with Lu and the other dogs, I realized Virginia has a special talent not bestowed on most.
Lu was not even concerned when I was leaving, which was very unusual because she would never let me out of her site. Lu was immediately at ease with Virginia. When I picked Lu up a week later, she knew all of her basic commands and was also a more confident and a peaceful puppy.
I unequivocally recommend Virginia Dare.
~ Joan C., Glen Allen, VA
You have helped us with my first puppy’s training and boarding services to give us a peace of mind when we travel for the last 4 1/2 years. We love that you follow each dog's schedule and food requirements. Our dogs love to go to your place and run about in your fenced-in property. I highly recommend North Star Canines to all my friends and family. We are so happy to have found you and would rather our dogs be boarded at the comfort of a home and not a vet or kennel.
~ Carla C. (posted 5-star Google review)
Over the Christmas holiday, we boarded our two golden retrievers for a week. The puppy, Gracie, needed basic training, and the four year old, Maggie, needed socialization as she was a rescue dog and appears to have been neglected or abused as a puppy. Virginia has five dogs that live in her home, though it is certainly not obvious as they are very well mannered and the home is neat and clean. Maggie was right at home with her new friends and blended into the pack beautifully. Normally very skittish, she truly was over-the-moon happy! Gracie needed basic training: sit, come, down, settle (on your bed, in your crate), don't touch the food (off). Virginia accomplished so much with her in one week, it was phenomenal! With three boys at home, I now need her to come by to teach them how to work with Gracie so we all are consistent.
I would highly recommend Virginia Dare as a trainer for your dog, and frankly, have done so with two other friends who have young dogs. Thanks!
~ Barbara T., Richmond, VA