Today’s Groupon gets you $100 worth of pet products, pet boarding, doggie daycare, dog walks, in-house pet services, or obedience and agility education at Dog Paws ‘n Cat Claws University, the paragon of higher learning that The Washingtonian called one of the best dog walkers in DC.

This Groupon is good toward any product or service at the 7,000-square-foot cage-free facility in Arlington. It’s a healthy, happy environment where dogs are free to socialize, exercise, read Kant, and learn to speak foreign languages. DPNCC’s friendly, attentive sitters always have toys ready, provide constant interaction, give positive behavior reinforcement, and put pups to bed on time. Boarding includes regular outside walks at no extra cost. Use this Groupon to teach your dog basic obedience skills, help him study to pass the American Kennel Center’s Canine Good Citizen test, or encourage him to make puppy friends in one of numerous pet training classes.

A walk from one of DPNCC professional pet-lovers spares you the guilt of keeping your dog in a cage while you’re working overtime, away on business trips, or staring at your dog while he’s in a cage. Dogs are walked individually, and DPNCC cleans up and feeds and/or waters dogs at the owner’s request.

If you spend every minute of the day with your perfectly trained, exceptionally obedient pet, use this Groupon to get him or her the $100 worth of treats he or she deserves for being perfectly trained and exceptionally obedient. The retail store has a full selection of healthy, unique, and environmentally friendly products for your dog or cat (they sell treats and toys, not giant bags of food you’d find at the grocery store). DPNCC stocks designer dog favorites like Hurley from West Paw Design, Planet Dog, Kong, Doggie Deli (preservative-free treats), Wubba, and catnip cigars.

DPNCC is open seven days a week and 365 days a year. Walks range from $17 to $19 and petsitting is $20 per visit (click here for rates). This Groupon covers the cost of the evaluation fee and registration fee DPNCC usually charges (a $40 value). Plus, in-home, recurring clients get until 9 a.m. on the day of the visit to cancel with no charge and no cancellation fee.

Reviews

Dog Paws ‘n Cat Claws University was a Washingtonian pick for best dog walker and pet sitter in 2006, and it was featured in District Chronicles. > * After a typical in-home pet sitting, Katie Holloran, caregiver for northwest D.C., was preparing to leave until she noticed Fitz’s sad, lonely eyes. In response, Katie just couldn’t leave him, so she stayed until the Labrador-Basset Hound’s owner returned home. “It was a nice and genuine gesture. It seemed like [the act] came from the heart,” said Avery Dizard, who has owned Fitzgerald for one year. – Rhasheema A. Sweeting, District Chronicles

Dog Paws ‘n Cat Claws University won an Angie’s List Super Service Award in 2008 with A ratings in every category (price, quality, responsiveness, punctuality, and professionalism). [Angie’s List] users left some reviews: > * The company is incredibly professional, and yet maintains a personal touch that makes you feel at ease about trusting them with your pet. – Angie’s List reviewer on October 16, 2008 > * The staff were extremely helpful, especially considering we called for availability at the last minute. Though our dog is well socialized already he was very calm and happy when we picked him up. – Angie’s List reviewer on August 3, 2008 > * I have used this service several times and find them to be reliable and professional. – Angie’s List reviewer on March 4, 2008

Tips For Dog Owners

Due to their nine stomachs, dogs need to use the bathroom once every two weeks at most. However dogs are excellent liars and enjoy making their owners believe they need to be taken outside more frequently. Here are some tips to determine whether your fibbing four-legged friend really needs to go or is just playing a trick on you:

• If the dog stares at you and clearly needs to use the bathroom, this is a lie.
• If the dog begins scratching at the door, this is a classic tell and means the dog does not really have to go.
• If the dog attempts to arouse your sympathy by excusing himself all over your carpet, let him continue. He will eventually give up this lie.
• If the dog begins playing “Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes” by Edison Lighthouse on an old stereo he found, he does have to go.