Wag the Dog

02/25/09

Still the best!

by baxtersmom at Citysearch

I?ve been going to Wag the Dog for almost six years now-- since it opened-- and I?ve never been anything but delighted with the service, people and the care of my dogs. We, like many people, have dogs for children and we expect that they are given the very best of care. I know that both of my dogs are better off for having spent so much time in the care of Christine and her staff. My lab mix had all kind of behavioral issues when we first adopted her and Christine and her staff worked with her to change her nipping and occasionally aggressive behavior. I can?t say enough good things about the behavioral work she got while at Wag the Dog. Christine went out of her way to give me a full report each day when I picked her up on a list of things I needed to do to improve her behavior. This was often hard to hear (and frankly if I hadn?t heard it day after day I wouldn?t have believed it. My Princess is perfect?or so I thought!) She has improved incredibly and is much better mannered. We also have an older dog, as well. He has some hip issues and he seems to have much less joint pain playing at Wag the Dog than at the dog park or at other daycares we?ve taken him. I understand the flooring is well-padded and made of recycled materials. He often plays in the puppy room because he can?t handle some of the rough and tumble play in the larger room (with our other ruffian the lab)? and I appreciate that the staff is always looking out for him. They come home happy and a little dirty sometimes but nothing that a bath or a wipe down can?t fix. Thanks for continuing to be the best doggy daycare in Portland, Wag!

• Pros: Dog behavorist on staff, convenient hours, clean, fun!

02/19/09

Not for everyone, but it's for my girl!

by fastjm at Citysearch

While I can see why some pampered little prissy dogs might not like this place, my big girl has been going for years and loves this place. She even likes staying over during the weekends sometimes. I think you've gotta try it out and see if it fits for your dog. And your dog will have lots of fun playmates to roll around with (especially if she or he is a Lab.) Keep up the good work Wag on making a great home away from home for my little Princess.

• Pros: Caring staff, lots of dogs to play with, weekend boarding
• Cons: sometimes she's a little dirty, not always have availability for boarding

01/20/09

not recommended

by bigfootmama at Citysearch

For the few who mentioned that they "fell" for the "Best Doggie Daycare" title that Wag posts on propaganda...it was a Willamette Week's readers poll in 2005...to put it in perspective.

I moved from another part of town where my dog went to a more expensive but superior daycare, in my opinion. They were helpful, friendly, and informative about what my dog had done. My dog came back tired and friends even mentioned how clean she smelled. Then I moved to the SE and tried Wag. My experience there was disappointing to say the least. Christine, I agree, is not a "people" person. As the owner of the place, I would have thought she would put more effort into communicating with her patrons. Not so. My interactions with her were always brief, not only because she was always turning around and walking away from me, but also because what little interaction I did have with her were awkward.

Her staff are a lot more approachable and friendly, though they didn't seem as genuine as the attendants at my previous daycare, who my dog showered with kisses at every opportunity. I think Wag has too many dogs--more than 50 on a given day--that they don't have time to form individual connections. I never saw my dog greet them or show interest in giving kisses.

Finally, I have to confirm what other posters have said about the smell. Yes, my dog came back smelling LIKE URINE, not only on feet, but the entire body. How does that happen...?! I have volunteered at humane society in a few cities, including Portland's, and the shelter dogs do not smell nearly as bad. Of all the negative factors that led me to leave Wag, this was the more egregious. I would have ignored my interactions with the staff if I felt that they were treating my dog well. Having my dog come home smelling like urine showed me that they weren't really paying attention.

If you value the quality of service that your dog receives, you'd be better off paying a couple bucks extra and going elsewhere.

• Pros: location, price
• Cons: poor service, unclean

01/29/08

My dogs LOVE it!!

by TheGnome at Citysearch

Wag the Dog is a GREAT doggie daycare! I cant even say the word "play" without my dogs going bonkers! They love it there! All the staff is realy nice and caring!! And Christine knows so much about dogs, its amazing!!! Sure sometimes the kids come home a little smelly, but hey, they were playing with a bunch of other dogs all day long, you couldnt possibly expect your dog to come home smelling like roses! And I am always plesently suprised at how clean (and clean smelling) the facility is! I highly recomend Wag the Dog to anyone who has a happy dog that loves to play!! Your dog will LOVE it!!

• Pros: My dogs get to interact with other dogs, and they play all day, so they come home nice and sleepy!
• Cons: The lady at the resale clothing store will have your car towed if you park there for 2 minutes while you are picking up your dog!

11/08/07

Wag is the best in 07

by mypuppiesmom at Citysearch

I have been taking my puppy to wag for over a year. Lilly loves Christine and Toni, when I tell her we are going to day care she is so excited it is hard to get her leash on. We recenty added a new puppy to our family and she loves it there too. Puppies play hard, have fun and are worn out when we get them home. Lilly is white and is a bit dirty but what kid goes out to play and comes home clean? I have Toni give her a bath before I pick her up, she spends one on one time with her bathing, drying and brushing her. They love my dogs and treat them like part of the family. Christine has always been very professional and helpful any time I have had questions. I highly recommed using wag the dog. My girls love it! GIve it a try I am sure your puppies/dogs will love it there too

• Pros: Give baths, clip nails, love our puppies
• Cons: none

10/01/07

STAY FAR FAR AWAY!

by sabye at Citysearch

I started taking my dog there almost 5 months ago, and all the staff have always been nice to me. Christine, the owner wasn't the nicest lady but she wasn't rude at first. Recently, my dog has hated going there. Christine was very rude to me about it and she went psycho. It's dirty in there. My dog is light colored, and always came home black. I questioned christine about this and she was rude and simply told me it was from the floor and there was nothing she could do. That's gross and I don't know how she's still getting business. There are way too many dogs there at a time, and the place looks under staffed, how can they possibly take care of each dog individually?! I would never board my dog there overnight. And I will never bring my dog back there. Christina is insane, she needs to treat dog owners like humans. Maybe she needs some man action, or woman. Whatever it is, she shouldn't be taking it out on her business. I would NEVER EVER recommend this place to ANYONE!!!!

• Pros: Nice staff
• Cons: Crazy owners, unsanitary

09/26/07

VERY BAD DOG KENNEL

by luvurdog at Citysearch

I too have had a terrible time with this doggy daycare. The staff are very rude and un-professional. They let the dogs act crazy with no training, and my dog smelled so bad everytime I picked her up. The owner is rude and tells you what you want to hear. This place is full of lies! I have been taking my dog to Lexi Dog which is by far the best doggy daycare in portland! They train the dogs to not act all crazy (so they don't pick up any bad habbits) and they also get nap time. The staff is wonderful. They are always out with them and they are very well staffed. My mind can rest when I know the staff are out on the floor with the dogs at all times and not sitting on their butt watching them like Wag The Dog. The staff at Lexi Dog are all professional. They are like a big family and treat you like your a part of their family. The prices are great too! My dog never smells when I pick her up at Lexi Dog. Wag the Dog is a very dirty place! Why are they still in business? I highly DO NOT recommend Wag The Dog to anyone. If you love your dog, take them somewhere else!

• Pros: Nothing positive to say
• Cons: Stay Away!

09/21/07

My dog and I LOVE this place!

by stefnilyn at Citysearch

I can't believe all of the bad reviews I've been reading about this place! I've been taking my dog there about twice a week for 6 months or so and have never had a bad experience. Not only does my dog come home happy and worn out (without smelling bad, I might add), he's excited to go there in the morning! Dogs can't pretend to be happy - either they are or they aren't - so all I need to know is that when my dog can't wait to get inside and play, he must be having a great time, and no one is mistreating him there. The staff, including Christine, has been nothing but helpful with every question I've ever had, and I love that they give out report cards to let us "parents" know who they're playing with and how their day went. I've already recommended Wag the Dog to other dog owners and I'll continue to do so!

09/04/07

Great place to take your dog!!

by jenhacking at Citysearch

We love the daycare and highly recommend it to others! You can't ask for better staff or a better place to take your pooch!! Our lab loves it there!

08/20/07

Doggy Day Care You Can Trust

by dirqoise at Citysearch

I have to say that I was apprehensive to take my precious baby Oscar to any doggy day care, as the concept of leaving him with anyone I didn't know was inconceivable. Granted, I am a bit overprotective, but I want the best experiences for my dog, and sometimes I need some help when I get busy. After a great deal of research, I found that Wag the Dog came highly reccomended by friends and acquaintances as well, so I went for it. I will admit that I was nervous the first time, but any reservations were quickly dispelled when I picked him up later that first day. I could tell that he had the best time, and clearly was well taken care of. Since then, everytime we go to Wag the Dog, he knows, and is EXTREMELY excited and always happy. He has even stayed the night there, and I have never had any issue or concern. I have found the entire staff to be trustworthy and friendly, and have recommended the establishment to several other dog parents!

I doubt there are many dog owners as discerning or overprotective as me, and I am the first to tell people where not to go (Normandale Dog Park for example) if I think it is unsafe or unprofessional. Wag the Dog rocks the party, and I totally trust them with my babies life!

• Pros: Reliable, Friendly, Trustworthy, Fun