Locally-owned, community-focused



Helpful Resources from the owner, krista heinz



When Doggy Style opened in 2002,I dreamed of it being a place where local pet owners could gather, learn and improve the lives of their four-legged friends. At the time, a book called "Not Fit for a Dog! The Truth about Manufactured Dog & Cat Food" was shaking up the pet food industry and opening the eyes of many pet owners. Learning about the lack of regulations and the terrible ingredients allowed in our pet's foods, and treats, brought out the passion people have for their furry companions and sparked the growth of companies who made less processed and better pet foods. In addition, Positive Reinforcement Training methods were starting to become commonly used with our fur-friends and research was starting to prove that dogs and cats experience many of the same emotions that we do.

Sadly, the book about our pet's food did not change much in the industry and regulation of manufactured pet food remains the same. Your dog and cat's food, in the U.S., is considered 'animal feed'. It is regulated by the FDA and held to the same standards as the cow or chicken feed that is used on factory farms.

Thankfully, there are now many companies that have gone out of their way to hold themselves to higher standards. Over the years, I worked to identify these amazing companies and carry products that are made using better ingredients from companies that hold themselves to high ethical standards. I believe this is the least we can do to support our pets and celebrate the incredible bond we have with them.

Today, there is a lot of research that is being done to improve the lives of our companion animals. I know, from experience, that finding credible resources can be confusing and frustrating, so I want to share some of the resources that I rely on to make my decisions about the products we carry.



Learn About the Pet Food Industry here in this video:
Pet Fooled! The Shocking Truth About the Pet Food Industry


Learn About New Science that can help your Canine Companion live Younger, Healthier and Longer, in the book The Forever Dog, in Hardcover, or on Audiobook or in Paperback


Authors Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib also have a blog called Inside Scoopers, where they share the latest research and review pet foods, supplements and more. It is an invaluable resource for dedicated pet owners.


Read Reviews about Dog & Cat Foods and find out which ones are really the front runners in the industry with Susan Thixton's Truth About Pet Food list. This list changes yearly and it is important to keep up with the changes, as pet food companies are often bought out or take on outside investments that can have a big affect on the quality of the foods.


Interested in taking a more natural approach to your dog or cat's care? Here are some resources that can help:


Local Holistic Veterinarians:

Meridian Veterinary Services, Silver Spring, MD

Holistic Veterinary Healing, Gaithersburg, MD


Learn about the benefits of Raw Food Diets and why these diets, and other less processed foods, are so popular today. Learn About Raw


Learn about the benefits of Herbal Remedies. Going to the vet is often necessary to save your dog's life and keep them out of pain. But, food and herbs can help to support your canine's body and keep them in peak physical condition. They can also help them recover faster after surgery or illness. The Herbal Dog by Rita Hogan gives you a guidebook on how to best support your dog at home. Stay tuned! Rita Hogan will be at Doggy Style on June 14th, 2025 for a book signing!


Learn About the Incredible new Research in Medicinal Mushrooms and how they can improve our animal companion's lives. Dr Silver's Book There's a Mushroom for That covers all types of incredible benefits mushrooms can have for your dog's health and longevity.



Learn about pure essential oils and the powerful health, and calming, benefits that they can offer to your pets. from Local expert, Lyndi's Lifestyle Center, has over 20 years of experience working with dogs, cats and horses and offers free consultations for you and your pet.


Many of the resources above are not free. I know that it can be frustrating to pay for resources like these, but it is important to remember that these people have dedicated their time and resources to research and uncover the truth in a mostly unregulated industry. Their work holds companies accountable and ultimately can improve the quality of life for all of our four legged friends. When we know better, we can do better.



Doggy Style Barkery, Boutique & Pet Spa
1632 17th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

Store & Pet Spa: 202-667-0595

Cat Resort: 202-855-4800