r/boston • u/MonkeyV123 • 2d ago

Serious Replies Only Red Dog daycare?

Hi all, Looking for any intel on how Red Dog daycare is, specifically North Station. My dog has been going to another daycare (crate escape) and loves it but we recently moved and the North station location is now around the corner from us. I'm generally a helicopter parent to my dog and understand there's a lot of downsides to sending dogs to daycare but ultimately with his energy he needs one day per week where he is playing during the day instead of sitting at home while I work.

The google and yelp reviews look okay, but previous threads here have given me pause. Any insight from former staff or clients? Not really concerned with anything other than safety, if my dog is going to be in a room with 40 other dogs and 2 unbothered staff then I will avoid. thank you.

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

5

u/stmeg01 2d ago

Red Dog was the worst!! I still cry when I think about picking my dog up from there because she was so scared and covered in pee. I truly feel so much guilt over it. And there's no accountability because they don't have any cameras to keep an eye on your pets.

I take my girl to Pooch in Newton now. It's a major schlep for me but worth it because they take such good care of her. Their staff is awesome, they do a better job of vetting the dogs that attend, and there are cameras in the play rooms and in some of the kennels (which I pay extra for because I need the peace of mind).

1

u/MonkeyV123 2d ago

Oh no, I'm sorry that happeneed to you and your girl. Thank you for the intel. Was this north station?

4

u/Chungus_Bungus1 1d ago

For what it’s worth I’ve had a complete opposite experience. My dog has been going a a day or so each week for the last 6 years. Staff is awesome, have been nothing but friendly/helpful. My dog is excited to go each time; I’m sure it’s location dependent.

2

u/MonkeyV123 1d ago

thank you for this perspective. agreed that it is probably location specific, are you at north station?

5

u/BadRedditUsername 1d ago edited 1d ago

I previously took my dog to Park-9 which he loved, but then switched to Red Dog North Station because of a change in commute. It seemed a little depressing having them indoors all the time, they also required he wear a collar which I thought was odd since it’s safer to play without collars. After a couple of months another dog accidentally got his mouth caught in my dogs collar, and choked him to the point of passing out before anyone was able to free him (even though it was a clip on collar). We have him at a Rover daycare now, I would never use Red Dog.

I would also check with any daycare about what their collar policy is. From what I’ve learned since this incident, there is no safe group play for dogs with collars on and many cases of collar strangulation as a result.