Metro Dog

I just picked my dog up from a week long stay. He had a blast as always. He didn't want to come home!!!! I have a hyperactive cazy terrier that can be a challenge to handle. They know exactly how to handle him. Not everyone does! The facility is great. I love that they don't separate the dogs by size and put them in small unsupervised rooms. My dog is small, but likes to play with bigger dogs. They have such a large indoor area the dogs can really run around, also an outdoor area to play and go potty. They have a low employee turn over rate so the staff really gets to know your dog. I expect my dog to come home smelling like a dog. That way I know he has been playing with the other dogs and having a good time. I have been taking my dog there for the last 5 years and wouldn't take him anywhere else!!! He always comes home healthy, happy and really tired. Thanks Metro Dog. Don't know what we would do without you!!!!

Pros: knowledgeable staff
Cons: not close to my home

My partner and I have a rescue dog and we wanted to be sure our dog was in good hands. We have been taking him to Metro dog for the past year and a half and I have noticed that he ALWAYS comes home smelling of Urine, even after he has been given a bath. The past few times we have taken him there for all day stays he has come home with a corneal abrasion and last night he was acting strange after all day stay. We noticed when we touched his right ear he would wine and pull away. We called Metro dog to ask if they noticed anything or if another dog had bitten our dog and they said everything was fine and they didn't see anything. After a closer examination of his ear we found that it was very bloody and there was a large wound on his ear. I feel the employees are very friendly and genuinely care about dogs, but perhaps Metro dog needs to reconsider the number of the dogs they take in each day, if they cannot effectively monitor every dog and miss something as big as a dog bite to the ear. Due to injuries and concern about the cleanliness we have decided to no longer use Metro Dog for day care.

My 1.5 yo lab TJ loves "going to school" 2-3 days a week. Watching the staff work with the animals, they really know their stuff, and are Dog People. Whenever they've noticed a problem with TJ, whether off-behavior, digestive troubles, or possible injury, they've notified me right away when I pick him up (once calling me when it seemed like he'd twisted an ankle) They've also let me know right away about changes to the facility, schedules, etc.

The facility is clean and open, and while some reviewers have commented on "the smell" I've only noticed that my dog smells like a DOG when he's done romping with his buddies for an afternoon.

The trial session policy was one thing that really attracted me; they seemed willing to work with animals that needed help integrating with the pack (since anytime more than 1 dog is in a room, a pack is formed) and really understood the dynamics that get set up. In fact, they've taught my pup some really good manners - not to jump, how to interact with strange dogs we meet in the park, how to be friendly and non-threatening to small dogs..

Pros: talented staff, well-run, and organized
Cons: location can be tricky at rush hour for getting back to Ballard

I really appreciate the service Metro Dog offers and how well they take care of my two dogs. Specifically, one of my dogs is young and rambunctious while the other is older and shy (was abused by her previous owner). The staff at Metro Dog take both of their personalities into account and make sure the older dog never feels too overwhelmed while also making sure the younger one is playing safetly with other dogs.

What was very remarkable to me was that one of the first few times I showed up - after my husband had dropped the dogs off that morning - they knew exactly who I was and who my dogs were. That is very important to me because is shows me that the staff is paying attention to all the dogs rather then simply putting them into the playfloor and ignoring them. I want my dogs to have doggie and human interaction when I'm at work and this is achieved at Metro Dog. Equally as important, there seems to be very little turnover of staff which ensures consistency for both me and my dogs.

Sure the dogs come back smelly from time to time - but they also come back smelly and wet when I take them to the park. I'd rather they have access to the outdoors during the day then being locked into a room and the smell is nothing that the waterless bath spray doesn't take care of. More importanly, my dogs come home tired and get very excited when I tell them that we're "going to daycare."

Pros: Multiple dog discount, half day rate applies to time under 6 hours, they *know* the dogs, low staff turnover
Cons: nothing I can't handle

My dog was very scared when I brought her in for a trial day. I thought she was just nervous because of the very loud, echoing barking by the pack of dogs greeting her arrival and would snap out of it. The staff seemed knowledgeable and were very friendly. I took her back 2 times for 4-5 hours each time while I was at work. Each time, she was just as scared, I had to force her out of the car, and she did not want me to leave her there. I noticed each time I brought her home she smelled very bad, and she began having accidents in the house - even right in front of me! As soon as I stopped bringing her in, the accidents stopped.

I have since taken her to another location that has a much bigger outdoor play area and isn't so noisy inside. She jumps out of the car happily!

I think staff is good, just a very stressful environment for the dogs, and I think they are allowed to go to the bathroom whereever they feel like it.

I also don't allow my dog on furniture, so having it available for the dogs sends mixed signals!

Pros: nice, knowledgeable staff
Cons: noisy, smelly, stressful!