Rovers Recess

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Give you and your dog a break!
Helping Virginia's Dogs Since 1985 To learn more, click on the buttons below!

Cynthia Elkey, one of the founders of Rover's Recess, started a pet sitting business in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1985 called Alternative Pet Care, Inc. which offered pet sitting and midday dog walking. Grayson Poats joined Cynthia in 1988, and in the mid 90's, they created The Dog Guys, Inc., to specifically meet the needs of their midday dog walking clientele. In 1998, they sold both successful companies and relocated to the Charlottesville, Virginia area, where Rover's Recess was founded in 1999. In 2001 Grayson became a certified dog trainer by successfully completing the training program at The National K-9 Learning Center in Columbus, Ohio. Additionally, Grayson is also a member of APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers). You may visit the K-9 Learning Center and the APDT at our "Resources" page. Just click on the picture below!

Owners Grayson Poats and Cynthia Elkey together bring over thirty years of pet care and training experience to the company. Their mission is to offer services that will help you and your dog establish a happy, rewarding relationship! Rover's Recess is fully licensed, bonded, and insured.

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We offer either 1/4 hour or 1/2 hour midday dog walks
Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

A regular schedule aids in housebreaking your pup.
Your pup gets the crucial socialization required for proper early development.
Regular exercise helps release your pups pent up energy.
A tired puppy is a well behaved puppy!

Regular exercise is essential for canine physical and mental and emotional health
A well exercised dog is less likely to cause damage to your property.
Regular companionship for your very social animal helps to prevent such neuroses as separation anxiety.

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Our training methods teach you to communicate with your dog in a consistent and positive manner. This knowledge is essential for your dog to be properly socialized, not just with humans, but with other animals as well. We offer private sessions only, enabling us to work with you and your dog on a one to one basis and provide specialized attention.

A comprehensive evaluation develops a program to suit your dogs temperament as well as your needs and goals.

Sessions are conveniently scheduled at the clients home.
One on one obedience training maximizes your dogs learning potential.
You learn the proper use of voice commands and hand signals, combined with the correct timing to effectively reinforce training.

Training is taught by certified trainer and co-owner Grayson Poats, who received his certification in 2001, from The National K-9 Learning Center in Columbus, Ohio. To visit the school, click on the tail wagging dog!

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After meeting with you and your dog at your home for a comprehensive evaluation, we design a treatment program individualized for you and your dog to help correct the behavioral problem.
SOME COMMON BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS

We can help you understand the reasons why your dog exhibits behavioral problems and help you to correct this unwanted behavior.