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June 2024 by Alissa Nosal
Wonderful staff- my dog dragged me in the door on her second day. She was sooo excited to go and to see the staff every day. When I tick was found an email went out immediately and all dogs searched. Staff was very responsive to her needs regarding anxiety and a sore back leg. The staff love their dogs and my dog loves it rhere!
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August 2023 by Nicolas P
We’ve been going here for almost a year and the staff has consistently gone above and beyond daily. Their daycare is great and they all personally know the pups personalities and nuances. We’re constantly impressed by their professionalism and how personable they are. Very easy to schedule and great to have as a daycare for our pup. We highly recommend them to anyone and everyone.
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July 2023 by Andrea Carenini
Amazing experience. Staff is friendly, professional, they take good care of your pup and they go above and beyond when it comes to customize the care based on your pet’s behaviors and needs. Very flexible when it comes to scheduling and time. Highly recommend
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June 2023 by Tracy S.
My pup went here for two years. We had an absolutely wonderful experience and I wrote two glowing reviews about both management and my dog's experiences during that time that I've now taken down because this place has changed. Four times when I went to pick up my dog the manager appeared to be under the influence, slurring words and dropping items, and when I reported it to the daycare owner I was told there was no evidence. During that time, my dog got attacked by a dog who I was told (by the manager) had a history of causing incidents in the playroom--they allowed that dog to return the very next day until I reported the incident to animal control, after which the manager told me she felt "sad" that the dog who attacked mine was not at the daycare and that she needed me to understand how sad she felt. Meanwhile my dog was seriously hurt to the extent he needed emergency surgery to repair the damage, and obviously we no longer go here but six months later we are still dealing with the repercussions. I was appalled by the way things changed here and the lack of accountability and responsibility. I've since heard from other dog owners/clients and also a former longterm employee about incidents swept under the rug. A place that once cared deeply about each pup in their care became a money-hungry establishment with unkempt floors and ceilings falling apart, and dogs getting hurt, and lives irreparably changed in the process. What a betrayal to the people who put their trust in this place.
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April 2022 by Richard Kaufman
Have been bringing my dog here for 11 years. I know he is well cared for and can go about my business without worry.
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January 2022 by Elle D.
The staff are wonderful and friendly and they love the dogs! I think my dog loved it! But she was so dirty with scuff marks all over her when I picked her up, into the bath she went as soon as we got home.
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December 2021 by Wendy Nguyen
Found a new doggie daycare for teddy!!! I was really really impressed that unlike other daycares , your dog doesn’t come home smelling like cleaning chemicals and urine smells . The place is SO clean (which is a plus!) and they do daily updates of the dog on their ig account . Staff is also so so niceAlso , his face cracks me up everytime we come . He is actually EXCITED for daycare and I’ve never seen him smile so much like that HAHAHHA
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December 2021 by Katie Bates
I’m feeling really sentimental today but Working in the dog field for as long as I have I have realized that it’s rare to find a place where work feels like home. I have worked with Riverdog for three months. Exactly three months & the amount of appreciation that has been shown to me joining the team is unimaginable. Every interaction I’ve had with coworkers or management has really made me feel apart of the team. Upon meeting each and every person that works at Riverdog you can sense that not only do they care about your dog but they also care about you. Riverdog has made it just as comfortable for the clients as they have me who come in so much that I’ve walked by conversations that are like “how’s your kids soccer games, what are you making for dinner tonight”. You’d think something so small wouldn’t matter to people but it does & Riverdog gets that. They have the connection with dogs to know what’s going on at home and within daycare, they know their clients on a first name basis & they treat you like you as if you were their best friend, brother, or sister. It’s amazing to see & I love to see it. I tend to be a helicopter parent with Goose, he’s my best friend but everyday I’m shown that I can trust my whole world with this company because of how well they care for Goose and how much they love each and every dog. If you were looking to socialize your dog, looking for any services in regards to dog work sincerely consider any of the locations under Riverdog. You’ll be more than pleased. It’s more than just a daycare where you drop your dog off, it’s a place your dog is eagerly waiting to get back to. So Thank you Riverdog for allowing me to be apart of the team & Thank you for allowing me to grow with in the business. I’m so very grateful for you guys. ??
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October 2021 by Briah D.
I worked here for a couple of months . I was treated very differently from all the other staff . Being the only POC There I always felt singled out and picked on . When I complained about a coworker who was I guess was of superior gender and race I was fired . This coworker talked down to me and made me feel less than after only working there for days ! When I took this to managements attention I was portrayed as the angry black woman and was fired on the spot without any type of warning or write up . It's sad discrimination still exists in 2021.
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September 2021 by Lauren Doxsey
I absolutely DO NOT recommend any of the Riverdog locations. I had a NIGHTMARE of an experience with them, specially at the Dogwood Cottage location - please DO NOT take your dog here! My dog escaped from an opening in the fenced-in backyard at Dogwood Cottage early on Monday morning (9/13/21) and I was not contacted by the daycare for 3 HOURS after he went missing. I found out that my dog was missing/running around town frantically via a Melrose, MA Community Facebook post and not by the daycare that I had trusted to care for my dog. This alone is completely unacceptable and unfathomable! After speaking with the Chief of Staff at Riverdog/Dogwood Cottage, I was told that the 3 staff members on site that morning did not see my dog escape (there was NO ONE watching the dogs at the time) and only realized he was missing 2 hours later when a headcount was done. I was not even contacted after headcount was done as none of the staff members on site felt comfortable picking up the phone to tell me that my dog was missing. Rather, they waited another ~hour until a manager arrived on site who then called and told me that my dog was lost. Riverdog/Dogwood Cottage is definitely not up to the standards that they advertise and they are understaffed (the staff aren't even WATCHING THE DOGS)! Communication amongst staff and clientele is also an enormous issue and in the business of caring for someone's pet, communication is key ESPECIALLY in the event of an emergency. I still cannot believe that I was not called immediately when my dog went missing. This resulted in additional hours of tears, worry, anguish and frantically searching all over Melrose and the surrounding towns for him. I did find my dog ~30 hours later thanks to the city of Melrose workers (mailmen, police officers and department of public works) and I am lucky he is home and safe, but I am EXTREMELY upset with the way this daycare is operating. It is disgustingly negligent, irresponsible and frankly I do not understand how they are in business. On top of all of this, the owner of Riverdog has not reached out to me once to apologize. I find this VERY odd. As an owner/CEO of a small business, I would be making every attempt to reach out to my customer to acknowledge the incident. Save yourself the trouble and take your dog to ANY OTHER day care other than Dogwood Cottage or Riverdog.
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August 2021 by Maegan Hoover
Just fantastic all around! My pup loves her daycare time. And I love knowing she's safe, cared for, and having fun while I'm at work.
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July 2021 by Tracy Strauss
My dog has separation anxiety but not when I bring him to Riverdog. He loves the staff (as do I) and has flourished at this daycare. They really care about the dogs who come in, know them as individuals, and create a positive and safe atmosphere for all. A great, trustworthy place, with a live-in cat who keeps everyone in line.
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July 2021 by Julia Kim
Amazing staff who loves your dog! They also have pet food and supplies. Located in Union Square. I think they also deliver.
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February 2021 by Tori T.
My puppy LOVES going to RiverDog for day care. We get a few stores away and she starts running towards the store, and then she is sad to leave. The staff is so knowledgeable and welcoming and I'm so glad Theodora has puppy friends at RiverDog.
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December 2020 by Xia Rondeau
My little dog Snufkin loves it here! Always awesome staff, very friendly pups, and a super cute resident cat. RD goes far for you and your fluffy pals.
