DogBoston

We offer group classes, beginner through advanced. Our specialty classes are very popular: Rocket Recall, Tiny Tykes, and Tricks and Games. We also offer supervised play groups for our clientele on Sundays - some people have been coming for years! Our training methods are based on sound scientific principles and we don’t use harsh corrections here - training should be fun for you and your dog! We are proud that many local vets recommend us, and we love our clients who give us the best word of mouth advertising in the world!

Anne
Paws for Praise
pawsforpraise@verizon.net
978-356-7667
Danvers, MA
http://www.pawsforpraise.com

Vera E. Wilkinson CDBC, CPDT has been training dogs and resolving behavior problems throughout the Greater Boston Area since 1996. She offers classes in Brookline, and in-home consultations for people in the surrounding communities.   She has written several articles on her site and now writes a blog which you should check out!

Vera Wilkinson (CDBC, CPDT, IAABC Dogs Division Chair, APDT Professional Member)
The Cooperative Dog
Brookline, Ma

Website

617-566-2097

Animal Communicator Maureen Harmonay of Animal Translations uses telepathy and compassion to connect with dogs to resolve behavioral and training issues, ease transitions, and provide insight during times of stress and illness.

Maureen Harmonay, Animal Translations
MHarmonay@animaltranslations.com
978-502-5800
Sterling
http://www.animaltranslations.com

Lucky Dog can help your dog get the exercise they need to be healthy and happy while you’re busy working for their kibble. We offer a variety of services to work around both you and your pup’s schedule.

* DAILY WALKS FROM 20 - 40 MINUTES

*Trail Hikes and Gated Park Plays for the active ones
*Vacation and overnight care for the busy ones
*Puppy program for the little ones

Certified,Bonded, Insured

Mila Vaskov
Lucky Dog Pet Services
info@luckydogboston.com
617.308.9307
Charlestown, Cambridge, Somerville
http://www.luckydogboston.com

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Provides daily playgroups, individual walks and comfortable overnight care for dogs in Newton & surrounding towns.

Corbin Kohn
Newton Dog Walking Inc.
ckohn@newtondogwalking.com
617 965 3553
Newton
http://www.newtondogwalking.com

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We offer training classes for puppies through adult dogs that are positive and fun!   Small class sizes allow us the ability to meet the needs of all of our students. Give us a call, your dog will love you for it.

Paula Curran
The Curious Canine
curiouscanine@comcast.net
978-537-2475
Leominster
http://curiouscanine.com

Deborah Muise runs a small dog care - day & night in Ashland, MA.

Big dog-friendly house, not a kennel. 5 wooded acres. Small dogs only. Flexible scheduling, reasonable rates.

Phone 978-973-7855
Email debmuise@theidledog.com
Website http://www.theidledog.com

Guardian Angels, in Framingham, wants the world to know what they’ve become in 2008 and into 2009.  Mostly a training center but they also offer doggie daycare and advice.

Recently they changed their name (from Guardian Angels Mastiffs) and they also offer a wide variety of instructional articles ranging from dog food ingredients to housetraining to carsickness. Recommended books, too.

I think more pet-related websites should also offer tips and advice so they doggie parents can learn every time they visit your site.

Guardian Angels

Phone: 508-864-7452
Fax: 508-872-0512
Framingham MA

Website: http://www.guardianangelsfourpawsitivepaws.com

Spoiled Rotten Doggy Daycare is run by Jillian Millbury, who has 10+ years of experience, and multiple animal certifications (CPR, first aid) to boot.

What I really like about their pricing is that they encourage somewhat of a health club pricing model, where monthly passes end up being far cheaper than a multiple single night stays.

The dog daycare business is very convenience oriented, and living in Quincy means I probably will never bring my dog up to Danvers. But if I lived in Peabody, Salem, or especially Danvers - I might drive a little further to check this place out.

Link to Spoiled Rotten Daycare Website

Who is the best veterinarian or animal hospital in the Boston area?

South Bay Vet Clinic… got a great deal of votes to take the prize for best animal hospital around Boston. Timothy Wosko also got a few specific mentions.

VESCONE in Waltham got high marks as well but is more known for advanced procedures. It happens to be where my dog Tula got her ACL repaired. $3000 bucks later, the knee is still holding up well.

Who is the best groomer or provider of dog washing and grooming services?

Dogfather, located in the Northend, has me jealous of their name. Their website and locations also look equally as cool as the characters in the movie “The Godfather”.

Petco, various locations - again got high marks for widely available and consistent results across the state. Sometimes big can make your pet beautiful.

Best Pet Sitters / Dog Walker ?

Dog Party - Erin Rinaldi, formerly known as the NorthEnd Dog Walker, has a legion of loyal dog walking clients on the web, and they voted in full force to outnumber any of the other walking services by a large margin.

Pembroke Paws - Vicki Lonergan of Pembroke loves what she does and dominated results for south of Boston. Read my interview with her here.

Best Dog Trainer / Obedience Class Provider?

Boston Zen Dog - The positive style training technique is the way to go, and the key to Zen Dog’s Success. Their training teaches your dog to respond out of understanding — not fear. SPCA recommended methods are used by animal trainers around the world.

Curious Canines in Leominster - Paula has people and dogs jazzed up. Paula brings her knowledge of positive training techniques, animal behavior, and the importance of having fun into all of The Curious Canine’s Training Programs.

What is the best OFFLEASH dog park in the state?

Estabrook Woods (Concord) - You can look for OFFLEASH doggie paradise in Boston and guess what - you won’t find it. Drive out west on Rt 2 to take in this Harvard-owned 800-acre spot complete with ponds, pastures, paths, and just plain good stuff. When it gets warm make sure you check out Hutchins Pond - one of the best dog friendly watering holes in the state (Callahan Park in Framingham is excellent as well).

Great Brook (Carlisle) - This OFFLEASH park makes me want to move to Carlisle. Great Brook offers a large meadow, pine and woodland forest, an esker trail, a swamp, and a nice pond (and a working farm and ice cream stand). First timers should check out Pine Point Loop. Warning: On busy weekends, larger four legged animals (horses) can congest the popular paths.

What is the best public place to bring your dog in the state (not offleash)?

Arnold Arboretum - Beautiful Harvard-owned park with fantastic flowers and walkways. Keep your dog on a leash.

Middlesex Fells Reservation - Huge park crossing over many towns north of Boston. The consensus is that the SheepFold area has the best place for dogs and dog-owners to connect. A dedicated offleash dog run/area could be coming soon.

What is the best beach for dogs around Boston?

Stoddards Neck - south of Boston on the Hingham Weymouth line. Right on an enclosed inlet. Tons of dogs running and swimming on a warm summer day.

Revere Beach - “because no one cares”… at the far end of Winthrop Beach. I can’t advocate illegal offleash activity, but I got so many votes saying the same thing… I blame democracy.

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I got very few responses for the following categories (below) that I will probably discontinue these next year. Thoughts or comments - let me know.

What is the best restaurant to bring dogs to, in the Boston area?

Joe’s American Cafe (in the summer months)
Petit Robert Bistro, South End

What is the best hotel/motel to bring dogs to, in the Boston area?

Hotel Marlowe - nice accomodations with extras for dogs.
Westin Waterfront - “great extras”, “they give you the sweet amenities”