Arlington’s Snouts & Stouts is a pet-owner’s dream. It offers grooming services and a self-wash station, plus a bar and restaurant. And now it’s partnered with Canine Cardio for training, dog walking, boarding, daycare — and a new Canine Cardio Dog Bus.
The Canine Cardio Dog Bus
The bus is fully outfitted to safely transport dogs of all sizes. It has secure tethers and plenty of space for them to ride comfortably in their own seat with an extension board. According to Brittany Schneller, founder of Canine Cardio NOVA, every ride is supervised by trained handlers who know how to keep the pack calm and settled on the road.
“We pick dogs up right from their homes and bring them to our indoor fitness and enrichment facility for structured cardio park sessions, half days, or full days of exercise, play, and training,” Schneller says. “At the end of the day, we load them back on the bus and drop them off at home tired, happy and ready to relax.”
Not every dog rides the bus daily. So Canine Cardio uses a routing system for who’s signed up that day to plan the most efficient pick-ups and drop-offs. Routes are never longer than 90 minutes. There are two pickup windows in the morning and three drop-off routes in the afternoon. Once the driver departs for their route, owners get a text with a half hour pickup window. That way they know exactly when to have their dog ready to board.
“Our main bus primarily serves the Old Town and Del Ray neighborhoods, as well as other parts of Alexandria where Canine Cardio first started back in 2018,” Schneller says. “Depending on the day and the dogs scheduled, we also use the bus for nearby areas like Arlington, and our SUVs and minivan help cover places like Annandale and Springfield.”
What to Expect on Bus Rides
To sign up for the bus, dogs must complete an evaluation (you can schedule one on their website). After they pass, owners have access to an app to schedule cardio park sessions. Canine Cardio handles the bus arrangements. Routines and time blocks are kept consistent, so dogs know what to expect on rides.
“Many dogs come to us a little unsure at first, especially if they have not been part of a structured pack environment or have never ridden on a bus before,” Schneller says. “We handle that by leading them, not babying them — our job is to protect them, set clear expectations, and earn their trust so they feel safe and know who to follow.”
Canine Cardio takes the time to get nervous dogs comfortable with the loading and unloading process. Handlers pay close attention to a dog’s body language and give clear directions so the dogs understand what is expected.
And Canine Cardio is planning to grow and expand. They have recently integrated a “Field Trip Friday.” They take dogs out to a three-acre farm about 50 minutes away.
“Adding the bus gave us more space and made it even more fun for the dogs,” Schneller says. “Right now, we are focused on keeping our first bus in top shape and making sure it runs safely through small city neighborhoods that can be tough to navigate.”
Snouts & Stouts Additional Amenities
Dogs and their owners can purchase a Snouts & Stouts membership or day pass. There’s also a bar and restaurant with both human and dog-friendly treats. The restaurant serves typical bar food like burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Pet-friendly treats include a warm steak and rice bowl, sliced hot dog, and cheese curds. There’s even a dogarita with cucumber, blueberries, apple sauce, Greek yogurt, and a crushed treat rim.
At Club Canine Cardio’s day care and boarding, dogs can participate in agility courses. They can also run out their energy at treadmill stations, take swimming lessons, and by using interactive toys.
In addition to a self-wash station, guests can opt to have dogs groomed by a professional.
Snouts & Stouts Events
Snouts & Stouts also offers events, including breed-specific ones. The July 10 “Bulldog Bash” is for English, French, and American Bulldogs. There will be poolside cooling stations, gentle, slow-paced play, and even a snoring contest.
The store will host a July 13 vaccination clinic. And in August, expect days like “Doodle Day” on August 14 and “Mutt Madness” on August 28.
Feature image courtesy Brittany Schneller, Canine Cardio
