Picking a daycare and boarding facility can be stressful: Will your dog be safe? Loved? And have fun, too? We’re here to help with a series highlighting the pup-lovingest daycares and boarding facilities in the Twin Cities and beyond.
Metro Dogs Daycare
Location, location, location — Metro Dogs is situated in downtown Minneapolis’ hottest ‘hood. But it’s not only convenient for North Loop residents: For those who live or work near downtown, it’s a freeway-adjacent, tucked-away spot that’s easy to wag in and out of.
Give the doggos what they (and you) want
This established North Loop biz prides itself on a low-stress environment for new and returning canine clients. As owner Amy Rosenthal explains, its practices include the use of five different playrooms, which separate dogs by size and temperament; a separate play area in the lobby for very young puppies where they can play like crazy while their immune systems fully develop; and uncompromising dog-to-staff ratios in the playrooms.
Also part of the Metro Dogs experience: FREE training exercises take place in all playrooms (so your good dog can graduate to goodest dog status).
“We’ve heard about the benefits of this from customers who’ve happily reported that their dogs are behaving better in their condo lobbies and apartment building elevators,” Amy says.
More playrooms, more room for new fur-iends
Metro Dogs’ recently converted one of its previous boarding areas into a daycare playroom to accommodate more doggos, and it’s accepting new daycare frendos.
Also NEW to the Metro Dogs experience: an OUTDOOR area where the puppers can run ‘n play in the sun (yasss!):
It’s important to the folks at Metro Dogs that they get to know their guests on an individual level: “That way, we can respond with what motivates each dog, be it a belly rub, a little massage, or a treat.” (Editor’s note: My Brody would do anything for a rump rub!)
The Hooman Perspective
The reviews are in: Bonnie G. says, “The staff treats Madden like he’s one of their own. We love their convenient location and extended hours. Most of all, we love how happy he is whenever we get there and pick him up — his happy puppy jumps and squeaks say it all.”
Another client, Pat S., writes, “[We] have always been thrilled with the care Scout has received. She loves it so much she literally drags me in.”
The Quick Sniff
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- Contact info: MetroDogsMN.com, 612-333-3612
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- Location: 506 11th Ave. N., Minneapolis (six blocks north of Target Field in the North Loop; map)
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- Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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- Starting rate: $31.50/day; discounts with frequency packages
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- Advanced daycare reservations required: Yes
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- Breed restrictions: All dogs are individually evaluated for suitability in Metro Dogs’ space
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- Spay/neuter required: Yes
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- Amenities: Air conditioning, foster dogs accepted, half-day pricing (weekends only), indoor play areas, online scheduling, outdoor potty yard, separate play areas by size and temperament, webcams, webcam phone app
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- Services: Behavioral consultations, grooming, one-on-one cuddle time, training
- Nonprofit ruv: Metro Dogs is a proud supporter of Can Do Canines, People & Pets Together, Safe Hands Rescue, National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, Pet Project Rescue, plus many other smaller organizations.
Your dog’ll be spinning in happy circles at the thought of getting to return to this downtown daycare. Don’t forget to tell ’em Sidewalk Dog sent you!
This spotlight was sponsored by the pup lovers at Metro Dogs Daycare, who strive to make life easier for busy urban dog parents and who are now accepting new doggos! Need boarding? Its partner, Dog Days, has you covered. (Know or own a daycare or boarding biz we should feature? Doo tell!)