Business Details
6 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Pet Training and Care Services in Alexandria
Founded in 2020, Off Collar is a professional pet care service based in Alexandria, Virginia, dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions for pet owners. Our services include dog training, dog walking, pet sitting, and kitty care, all tailored to meet the unique needs of each pet. Led by certified canine behaviorist Lauren Tracy, our team prioritizes safety, consistency, and personalized attention to ensure pets remain comfortable and happy in their home environment. We utilize a balanced training approach to address behavioral issues while fostering trust and communication between pets and owners.Our membership programs offer discounted rates, priority booking, and on-demand scheduling flexibility. Fully insured and bonded, we maintain rigorous hiring standards, including background checks and practical experience verification, to ensure the highest quality of care. Our GPS-tracked walks and detailed visit reports provide transparency and peace of mind for clients. With flexible service hours and emergency response protocols, we aim to be a reliable partner for pet owners seeking expert care and long-term companionship benefits.
Services
Dog Training
Pet Sitting
Dog Walking
Kitty Care
Emergency Services
Drop-in Visits
GPS Tracking
Medication Administration
House Maintenance
Visit Reports
Details
- Year established: 2020
Highlights and features
- Our certified canine behaviorists specialize in reactive dog training with proven results
- GPS-tracked walks provide real-time visibility into your pet's activity
- Customized care plans tailored to each pet's specific behavioral and medical needs
- Fully insured and bonded with rigorous staff screening processes
- 24/7 emergency response team for urgent pet care situations
Associations and certifications
- Pet First Aid Certified
What people say
Incredibly professional
Best dog walker
Peace of mind
Responsive and sweet
Transformed behavior
Services
Dog Training
Our certified canine behaviorists address reactive behaviors and obedience issues through personalized training programs. Combining in-person sessions with online resources, we develop customized plans to improve communication between pets and owners. The Leadership Through Understanding method focuses on building trust and modifying behaviors through positive reinforcement techniques.
Pet Sitting
Professional pet sitting services maintain your pet's routine in their familiar home environment. Our caregivers provide feeding, medication administration, playtime, and house maintenance tasks. Overnight stays include multiple visits with detailed activity reports delivered through our mobile app.
Dog Walking
Flexible dog walking options include private 15-30 minute walks and 2-hour pack walks with GPS tracking. Our trained walkers accommodate specific route preferences while ensuring proper socialization and exercise. Emergency walk rescheduling options maintain consistency for pet owners with unpredictable schedules.
Kitty Care
Specialized cat care includes feeding, litter box maintenance, and playtime activities tailored to feline needs. Our caregivers administer medications, including insulin injections, while maintaining household routines. Clients receive visit updates with photos through our digital reporting system.
Emergency Services
24/7 emergency response handles unexpected pet health issues during service hours. Our protocol includes immediate veterinary contact using pre-authorized emergency numbers. Clients receive detailed billing for additional services while maintaining priority care for their pet's urgent needs.
People
Lauren Tracy
Canine Behaviorist & Owner
Certified Dog Behavior Modification Trainer with over 15 years of pet care experience. Founded Off Collar in 2020 to combine behavioral expertise with personalized service. Specializes in reactive dog training and owner education.
Questions
What pet species do you care for?
We care for dogs (all breeds), cats, ferrets, rabbits, birds, fish, reptiles, and horses. Our trained staff handles most common household pets except spiders.
How do you handle medical emergencies?
We contact emergency numbers on file and transport pets to pre-designated veterinarians. Clients receive immediate notification and are billed for actual services rendered.
Can I customize my pet's care plan?
Yes, all services are tailored to individual pet needs including specific walking routes, medication schedules, and behavioral training requirements.
Do you provide visit verification?
Yes, our mobile app delivers real-time visit reports with GPS tracking for walks and detailed activity updates during pet sitting visits.
What happens during severe weather?
We adjust visit times, shorten walks for safety, or reschedule when necessary. Clients receive immediate notification of any weather-related changes.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Nadim Hallal
Sep 25, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Reliability,Responsiveness
I am so deeply thankful for the way they take care of my precious Kiki. Always reliable and trust worthy. For training, dog walking, and dog sitting.
I am so deeply thankful for the way they take care of my precious Kiki. Always reliable and trust worthy. For training, dog walking, and dog sitting.
Para Cat
Jul 03, 2021
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The owner herself arranged for pet sitting services to be provided. Charged in advance and did not show up on the day of service. I called her frantically multiple times for 1.5 hours and no response! It was not until I reported the matter and my credit card company called her that she bothered calling back to return the payment. Very unprofessional and unreliable. I would not recommend this business to anyone that cares about the well-being of their pet.
Crystal Jones
Oct 01, 2020
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Unfortunately, I don't have a good review for this company. I really wanted to like Off Collar, because it's the perfect fit for my dog who isn't into daycare boarding (too overstimulating), and my dog loved the sitters/walkers, but overall this is not executed well. The administrative side is not organized, and that's the foundation of a business like this. I scheduled my dog to have a series of overnight stays across NYE that included a few walks every day as well. She sent me the invoice and as I reviewed, I noticed I was being overcharged by around $130. I brought this to her attention and
Luxeandlucid
Nov 19, 2019
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Positive:Responsiveness
I have been very happy with Lauren and her team's services thus far. They are responsive, attentive and personable. Lauren is very hands-on and I feel confident that she has my pets' best care in mind.
I have been very happy with Lauren and her team's services thus far. They are responsive, attentive and personable. Lauren is very hands-on and I feel confident that she has my pets' best care in mind.
Daniela Alzate-Molina
Jul 21, 2019
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Lauren has been great from the moment I contacted her. She was able to quickly set up meet and greets (with her and a potential dog walker, Fernanda, who's also amazing!), answer all my questions, and walk my dog the very next day. She has been very accommodating with last minute switches in my schedule; whether it's canceling or adding a walk. Lauren somehow makes the schedule work and I trust that if I need help with my dog Off Collar Pet Care is there to help. The portal is easy to use and navigate. Also, I love that I get updates and pictures after every walk. Thank you Lauren and Fernanda
Rj H.
Jul 15, 2019
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Off Collar has been walking my little old Labradoodle for almost three years. I have nothing but nice things to say and am never worried about my dogs care in their hands. Super easy to communicate with and make schedule adjustment when life throws a wrench at ya.
Amanda Chambers
Jul 13, 2019
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Theyre great, and if you live in the Mark Center apartment/townhome community, you couldnt ask for anything more convenient! Lauren is flexible, and knows how to handle any kind of pet, including my neurotic pup! Ill 100% use her again, and I would recommend her to anyone and everyone looking for dog walking, sitting, boarding, or any kind of service she offers!