FACILITY RICHMOND · VA
Black Ice Working Dogs · Richmond, VA

ELITE BOARDING

Your dog is family. When you're away, they stay with handlers who train at the highest level — in a facility built around structure, safety, and daily engagement.

24/7 Supervised Care
Daily Exercise
Pro K9 Handlers
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Structured Daily Routine Expert K9 Handlers Climate-Controlled Facility Daily Exercise Sessions Real-Time Updates All Breeds Welcome Training Add-Ons Available Richmond, VA
Structured Daily Routine Expert K9 Handlers Climate-Controlled Facility Daily Exercise Sessions Real-Time Updates All Breeds Welcome Training Add-Ons Available Richmond, VA

NOT A
KENNEL.
A STANDARD.

Most boarding facilities store dogs. We manage them. Every dog that comes through our doors is handled by professional K9 trainers — people who understand pack structure, drive, and the daily routine that keeps a working dog mentally balanced.

Your dog doesn't stop being a working dog just because you're traveling. At Black Ice, structure is the standard, not an add-on. From morning exercise to evening wind-down, every day is intentional.

01
Handler-Led, Not Staff-Managed

Your dog is never passed off to untrained help. Every interaction is with a certified K9 handler who reads body language and adjusts to your dog's needs.

02
Structure Every Single Day

Feeding, exercise, rest, and enrichment happen on a consistent schedule — because consistency is what keeps working dogs balanced and stress-free.

03
You Stay in the Loop

Regular photo and video updates throughout your dog's stay so you know exactly how they're doing — no wondering, no worrying.

04
Training Never Stops

Optional daily training add-ons mean your dog can come home sharper than they left. Every stay is an opportunity to reinforce and advance their skills.

// Facility Overview
Climate-Controlled Indoor Runs — private, fully enclosed spaces sized for working breeds, maintained at ideal temperature year-round
Secured Outdoor Exercise Yards — fully fenced, monitored exercise areas with daily structured movement sessions morning, midday, and evening
Separation from General Population — working dogs, sport dogs, and reactive dogs are assessed and housed with appropriate spacing and separation
Emergency Vet Protocol — established veterinary partnership and emergency contact procedure in place for every boarding guest
Owner-Provided Diet Honored — we feed your food on your schedule. No forced diet switches, no guesswork on nutrition
Black Ice Boarding is designed specifically for working breeds, sport dogs, and dogs with high-drive temperaments — not just any dog, but the dogs that need more than a standard kennel can offer.

CHOOSE YOUR
LEVEL OF CARE

Every tier includes professional K9 handler supervision, structured daily routine, and facility safety protocols. Select the level that fits your dog and your goals.

01
Standard
Structured Stay
$50
Per night · All breeds welcome

The foundational Black Ice boarding experience. Full handler supervision, structured routine, and a safe, clean environment — everything a working dog needs while you're away.

  • Private climate-controlled run
  • 3× daily exercise sessions
  • Handler-led feeding on your schedule
  • Morning & evening check-in updates
  • Potty walks throughout the day
  • Basic obedience reinforcement
  • Emergency vet protocol
Reserve This Tier →
03
Premium
Immersive Stay
$130
Per night · Long stays & complex dogs

The highest tier of care at Black Ice. Multiple training sessions, full daily logs, and a structured development plan for dogs in active training programs or long-term stays of 7+ nights.

  • All Training Stay inclusions
  • 2–3 training sessions per day
  • Full daily log with video recap
  • Personalized development plan
  • Direct line to your assigned handler
  • Departure progress debrief session
  • First priority kennel placement
Reserve This Tier →

TRAINING
ADD-ONS

Every boarding stay can be enhanced with targeted add-on services. Mix and match to build the perfect stay for your dog's current training stage and goals.

Extra Training Session

An additional 30-minute handler-led training block focused on obedience, leash manners, place command, or handler-assigned skill work. Stackable per day.

+ $25 / session
Socialization Session

Controlled, handler-supervised socialization with a compatible dog. Ideal for dogs working through dog reactivity or those who benefit from structured neutral-dog exposure.

+ $20 / session
Enrichment & Scent Work

Mental engagement through scent games, puzzle exercises, and nose-work drills. Exceptional for high-drive dogs that need more than physical exercise to decompress.

+ $20 / session
Drive Development

Prey and hunt drive exercises using tug, flirt pole, and drive-building drills. Built for sport dogs, protection dogs, and working candidates in active development.

+ $30 / session
Daily Video Update

A short daily video clip of your dog during exercise, training, or downtime — sent directly to you each afternoon. Perfect for anxious owners or extended stays.

+ $10 / day
Mid-Stay Handler Call

A scheduled 15-minute call with your assigned handler for multi-week stays. Review your dog's progress, discuss training adjustments, and ask any questions directly.

+ $0 (free for Immersive)

A TYPICAL DAY
AT BLACK ICE

Every boarding dog follows a structured, professional daily schedule. Here's what a standard day looks like from drop-off to lights out.

AM
Morning Routine

6:30 AM wake, potty, and morning exercise session. Handler-supervised yard time followed by breakfast served on your dog's normal schedule. Assessment walk and behavioral note for the day.

MD
Midday Block

Training session (tier-dependent), enrichment, or a second exercise rotation. This is when add-on sessions are run. Dogs on Structured Stay receive a midday potty walk and handler interaction.

PM
Afternoon & Dinner

Late afternoon exercise block, cool-down, and evening feeding. Video updates sent to owners. Dogs are settled in their runs with enrichment items and allowed to decompress from the day.

NT
Evening Wind-Down

Final potty walk by 9 PM. Lights dimmed, ambient calm. Dogs are checked on before handler signs off for the night. Facility camera monitoring active overnight for safety.

Every Stay Includes

Private run, clean bedding, handler-administered feeding, 3× daily exercise, morning and evening owner updates, emergency vet access, and professional behavioral observation throughout the stay.

Breed & Temperament Policy

We accept all breeds including working lines, high-drive dogs, and dog-selective dogs. Each boarding guest is assessed on arrival. We reserve the right to decline dogs that pose a safety risk to staff or other animals.

Vaccination Requirements

All boarding guests must be current on Rabies, Distemper/Parvo (DHPP), and Bordetella. A copy of your vet's vaccination records is required at drop-off. No exceptions — this protects every dog in the facility.

Booking & Cancellation

A deposit is required to reserve a boarding slot. We are a boutique facility with limited capacity — early booking is strongly recommended for holiday periods. Cancellations within 48 hours of drop-off may forfeit the deposit.

WHAT OWNERS SAY

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I travel for work every few weeks and leaving my Mal used to give me serious anxiety. Since switching to Black Ice, I actually look forward to seeing his progress report when I land. He comes home calmer every single time.

MR
Marcus R.
Belgian Malinois owner · Training Stay client
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My GSD is dog-selective and reactive on leash. No regular kennel would take him without issues. Black Ice assessed him properly, managed him perfectly, and sent me updates every afternoon. Night and day from anywhere else.

KT
Keisha T.
Working line GSD owner · Structured Stay client
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We used the Immersive Stay for a 10-day work trip. I gave them a list of skills we were working on and they ran with it. He came back with a solid place command and off-leash recall tighter than when I dropped him off.

DJ
Derek J.
IPO competitor · Immersive Stay client

READY TO
BOOK?

Fill out the reservation form and we'll confirm availability and send you a deposit link within 24 hours. Space is limited — don't wait for holidays or peak travel weeks.

48-hr cancellation window Deposit required to hold Vaccines required All breeds welcome Dog-selective ok Richmond, VA facility
BOARDING RESERVATION

We'll confirm availability and follow up within 24 hours.