The ongoing pandemic made contacting trainers/organizations and coordinating the initial meeting tricky especially with the pet adoption boom. I admittedly got my hopes up when I saw Active Paws business given her numerous qualifications even in agility work and immediate availability to schedule a session immediately over the summer. Her rates started at $120/hour which seemed standard after also conferring with other personal dog trainer contacts. As you can tell by the low rating the stars did not align as a mutual fit. The website was easy to navigate and Cara the owner was very responsive. You can easily schedule an appointment on there for personalized training. Perhaps we didn't pick a neutral enough location now knowing what we know now (after finding on site in person group puppy classes) to set our pup up for success over the summer at 3.5 months old and 20 lbs. Unfortunately Cara came up to our back deck which may have been interpreted as an interloper encroaching on her territory so as a puppy with bad manners she barked incessantly. She threw some small pieces of mozzarella cheese that didn't interest the pup (we are realizing now she's not super food motivated). That "reactive" behavior was enough to confirm to Cara after a serious bite earlier in the week to "pass" on training our dog. We still got the folder with pamphlets, and branded pen and clicker as she quickly retreated. Maybe in retrospect we should have met up at a park instead of our property. Granted this was the reaction that our puppy has when uncertain in greeting most new people but once she sniffs them she calms down quickly once she sees that we are friendly with them. The damage was done. Cara immediately followed up through email with an apology and a couple links to other (more expensive) trainers, one of whose website wasn't even working. I flutily attempted to reach out but also received no response so those were dead ends too. As for the socialization aspect she recommended a place all the way down in Franklin, and the MSPCA Angell which was not operational or equipped to respond during the pandemic (over the summer). Of course this experience left me completely demoralized and slightly jaded. I sometimes see their branded vehicles parked at the Dog Ranch area and walkers taking dogs around there to go walking. Thankfully we were able to enroll her in puppy daycare and now start some group training classes I alluded to earlier at the beginning of this year for adolescent pups. Funny enough she's now one of the least reactive dogs in her classes. read more

Active Paws - Dog Walkers Near Me

I was going insane trying to figure out how to train my puppy. After a week of no sleep and constant stress and some tears, the *MOST WONDERFUL* dog trainer came by and showed me some skills and helped me figure stuff out. I feel like I'm working with my puppy now instead of fighting against him. Absolutely the best thing I've done since getting my wonderful puppy is contacting Active Paws. Cara, you saved my sanity. He's ALREADY doing so much better it's WILD honestly. Puppy photo included just because LOOKIT HIM. To be more specific: Cara made the core concepts behind training my dog very easy to understand, provided me with references for when I get stressed and forget, and left me feeling empowered to have a fantastic relationship with my dog. read more

Active Paws - Dog Walkers Near Me

We heart Active Paws! Our dog is in playgroups twice a week and has such an amazing time. They know a ton about dogs and are always prompt, reliable, and responsive. read more

My experience with Active Paws' cat sitting services was exceptional! My doggie daycare place highly recommended the Active Paws team for its cat sitting services when I recently went on vacation. I was impressed from the first phone call. In fact, the husband and wife team that runs Active Paws were on their honeymoon in Ireland when I first called. But so I wouldn't have to wait until they returned (and possibly get in touch w/ another pet sitting service, thinking they were being unresponsive) I received a phone call from one of their helpers, letting me know I'd be hearing from the owner shortly. I continued to be won over when Cara and one of her helpers arrived at my home to discuss their services and meet my cat. They were kind and loving toward him and didn't at all mind getting down on the floor to interact with him. These were "cat people" through and through. Not just a business, but a passion. I knew my cat would be in good hands. I was especially pleased that Active Paws was able to pay my cat two half-hour visits per day--as opposed to one hour-long visit. He's a finicky cat and the twice-daily visits gave me the peace of mind I needed in order to have a relaxing vacation. I was able to call and check in on how things were going while I was away, and Cara left a kitty report card about his behavior during her visits. He got tons of brushings I could tell, the litter box area was super clean, and my 14-year-old cat seemed unfazed that we had been away for ten days. Big props to Active Paws. I'd call them again in a heartbeat. P.S. They're bonded, insured, certified, and all that important stuff, too. read more

I can't say enough about the amazing services of Active Paws. For the past year + I have used Active Paws' dog walking services and I must say they must be the best because I would never think of switching in a heartbeat. Cara and her husband Gerard love pets and it shows. They and their staff will go above and beyond the call of duty and make sure that my dog's needs are met. There have been a zillion times I've needed an extra walk, last minute change; and they never skip a beat. My dog is my family, I would not trust him to any other team. Acitve Paws are the best! read more

I've been a loyal customer to active paws since they opened, spending at least $100 monthly on food and supplies. I work in the pet industry and on a daily basis refer people away from petco to this local joint. The customer service is a little se-saw depending on who's working, but overall I've been pleased. So why 2 stars? Well, this morning I went in to buy some food, walked through the open front door with a smile, and was greeted by the owner, (who was sitting at the register) with "we don't open for another 15 minutes." So I left... It didn't seem like it would have put her out too much to have made a small exception. I've worked in many retail stores where people have come in up to 30 min early or late and if we are there, they were never turned away. Even at my current job, my boss takes great care in her customers, accommodating even when it seems unreasonable to me. Now I understand why. Although I won't badmouth the products or the other businesses attached to it, for a small local place to turn down a regular customer is certainly upsetting enough for me to take my business elsewhere. read more

Love love love these guys.... Megan is absolutely amazing. She fit us in last minute.. Came every day... Took photos and emailed them to us along with updates. The cats loved her and she left the house in amazing condition. I loved the photos and cute emails and they made me feel worry free about the house... Also, she knew we weren't coming home until later the next day and we hadn't planned on having her come in so she had the foresight to leave extra food and water out. She also asked us to email when we got in so she knew the cats were taken care of... Which is amazing since things do happen that keep people from getting home and the fact that they would be able to come back and look after them is a huge load from my shoulders. They are professional, take credit cards, are extremely pleasant (both Cara and Megan are amazing!!! And so sweet... They even left us a Christmas card from the company addressed to the whole family and kitties), certified in CPR and administering pet meds, trust worthy, reasonably priced, and offer many services. We will use them again. So happy with the service and love them! read more

If you're in the Waltham/Watertown/Belmont, MA area, Active Paws are a great alternative to the big-box pet stores. They don't have everything, but everything they do have is top-quality, and they take product recommendations. They stock only high-quality pet food and treats and are happy to offer suggestions to make sure your pet is getting everything it needs. They also do pet sitting, dog walking, and playgroups. Meg, one of their walkers, has managed to get our crotchety little mutt from being a friendless loser to having little doggie friends that she happily walks with and plays with twice a week. Their rates are also crazy-reasonable and what they offer is priceless. They're always expanding and working on new ideas, too, like the private dog run they just opened in Newton to keep their playgroup pups safe from predators and other dangers and give owners peace of mind that their furry friends are in a contained environment. They're also a great resource to have in your back pocket when it comes to other related businesses. We love the groomer (Grateful Dog in Watertown, fyi) they recommended to us and are hoping to begin some training with their recommended behaviorist soon. read more

My entire house (and our dog Lucy) highly recommends Active Paws. These people are rare gems in the dog-walking world. The personal attention, care for animals, professionalism, and determination (they walk Lucy in the deadest of winter storms!) is really unmatched with any other company. We used to drop Lucy off at daycare all day, but now we feel good leaving her at home and having AP come once a day to walk and visit her. That's right - we rely on Cara and company every day of the work week to take care of our dog. Lucy LOVES everyone who comes to visit her - many are vet techs and every person who has ever worked with Lucy has given her the care and attention of pros. We could not be more pleased with this company. We especially love notes on Lucy's walks/playgroups, seeing pictures of dogs on the Web site and Facebook, updates almost instantly through phone and email when necessary, and the total peace of mind we feel all day knowing that AP is on the job. Good going AP - keep up the good work! read more

Great, reliable sitting service (I use them to sit for my cat). They have always fit us in, even on short notice, and make sure we know which sitter is vising our cat. The sitters are responsive and attentive during visits and always send emails with updates and pictures (despite a few minor delays in the past, 98% of the time they send on-time updates). A note is also always left upon my return with a summary of the visits. They always take my concerns seriously and are super friendly and attentive to my cat's needs! They are a bit pricier than the average cat sitter, but I appreciate and trust their organization so the slightly higher price doesn't stop me from using their services. My one suggestion to this organization would be to provide more updates and pictures of their cat clients on social media, not only to promote the other offerings of their business, but to give their cat clients some love! Overall, great business, I would recommend to anyone in the area! read more

This review is for the Active Paws Pet Supply shop, not their dog walking services. What's not to love about this place? My husband and I recently adopted a dog and I had been doing a lot of research on different dog foods and what to buy/not buy. A lot of the big name dog food companies have fillers in their food that your furry friend just can't digest, so I was looking for a store that had food with less fillers and found that almost none of the big chain pet stores carry them. I stumbled upon Active Paws Pet Supply's website and saw they had almost all of the good brands that I had researched for a reasonable price. In addition to their online store, they had a brick and mortar shop in Waltham where I work. How more convenient could that be? Yeah, it's true I also drive by Petco on my way there but the products at Active Paws are actually cheaper than those big name shops anyway. Just an example, the Kong Classic was $5 at her shop as opposed to $6-7 at the big name shops. So why not just support local businesses? Cara was so helpful and explained the differences between the foods and what she liked/disliked. She also shared the story about her pups' allergies and why it's important for your dog to have real, genuinely nutritious food! She wasn't afraid to talk price points and didn't push the more expensive products on us. You can really tell that Cara cares a lot about your pet (and you too)! If you're looking for a pet store that can fit all your needs, Active Paws Pet Supply is the place to go. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and they have just about everything you'll need for your pet. You might not get the HUGE selection you may have at Petco/PetSmart, but who really wants to spend an hour sorting through products to find the good from the bad? Active Paws does all the sorting for you and carries only high quality products at a good price! You'll leave the store happy knowing that you didn't buy something you and your pet won't be satisfied with. read more

Active Paws is the best dog walking/pet store in the area. We were lucky enough to find them when they were just starting out and they helped us out with any and all pet issues we had over the 5 years we used them. We haven't met any people who care about pets as much or are more willing to help out pet owners than the people at Active Paws. read more

Great, reliable, and affordable. We use Active Paws a few scheduled days a week for our dog. If we ever need a last minute change they are always so accommodating and make it work. It is so nice to be able to rely on someone to take your dog out and know that they are treating them as you would. I would highly recommend to anyone in the area!! read more

Cara, the owner and chief kitty sitter, has been great to work with. We have used her services over a half dozen times now and she has always been able to accommodate the dates we needed. She texts us photos of our cat when she gets to the house so we can see how he's doing, plays with him, makes sure he has food and water, and keeps the litter clean. In other words, Active Paws takes good care of our cat. read more

I took a PetTech Dog & Cat CPR class from Taught by Cara and can highly recommend this to anyone in the dog walking or boarding business. It's a hands on course and Cara does a great job. I plan to have all my employee dog walkers certified by her as well. Bonus was getting to meet her adorable boxers! read more

I am still here, still using Active Paws and still loving them! After over 10 years (?) now of service I can still only say great things about them. I have had a few different walkers over the years and I each one has brought an amazing energy and love to taking care of my dog. They have a new portal for scheduling and providing updates after every visit or dog walk. I love getting these updates, and knowing that without fail over the last 10 years I have never had a single, "oops" with them. I HIGHLY recommend them. Kudos to Cara and Gerard for having an amazing business with great staff! read more

This store may be tiny but the service, quality and price of products and most importantly the incredibly brilliant and supportive advice found here is amazing. There is no big box store mentality. Cara and her employees are the kindest, caring critter lovers who go out of their way to make you and your pet feel welcomed. It took me awhile before I got a chance to stop in and now I will not go anywhere else. As a pet sitter, I am always in need of answers for unique questions about my little fur buddies and get great tips here. Bev Russo read more

Great boutique pet supply store within walking distance of home. Customer service is top-notch. Knowledgeable and friendly and always willing to give a recommendation. The store is along my walking route with the dog so have stopped in a few times for treats and toys. Will definitely stop here before the big box stores! read more

Rude customer service. Short impolite emails. Not available in Belmont (One town over from Waltham where they are located)

We love Active Paws! They are responsible, reliable, and professional. Our dogs love stopping by the store too! The staff is extremely knowledgeable. Cara has been great with recommending food, treats, and other products for our dogs. We have a dog with allergies and it is good to know we have such a great resource to help us find the right products. We have also taken Cara's pet CPR and First Aid class. She is a great instructor. She kept us engaged and entertained the entire class. I would highly recommend the class! read more

This company seems like they care so much. The couple who runs this business is full of crap and only care about how much money is in their pockets and not how much time should be given to their clients. I would suggest not letting these people handle your animals. Only go to them if you want to be overcharged for short walks. Playgroups consist of your dog being outside for about 15 minutes and one of the handlers roughly handling your dog. If you love your furry kids, don't go to active paws. I can name about 3 other company's right around the same area who care a whole lot more. Sorry if this seems harsh, but I'm just trying to speak for the animals! Update: Shortly after writing my review of this company, I received a message from Cara (the owner). I felt as if I was getting harassed by her for simply writing my "review" of this company and what I have previously experienced. Isn't that what Yelp is for? read more

Cara and her team are the best dog walkers in town! We adopted our yorkie mix puppy back in March and were desperately looking for a play group. We could only find groups for big dogs. Then I came across the Active Paws web site and contacted Cara. She let me know that they offer a small dog play group every Thursday. We signed him up right away! Active Paws not only picks him up/drops him off for group, but they leave a "report card" of his activity that day and my favorite part - they take video and post it on Youtube! read more

Active Paws is the BEST! They are so helpful and friendly and have all natural dog food and treats. We use their store for pet products as well as their dog walking service. They are reliable, trustworthy, and our puppy Great Dane absolutely LOVES his walker (Cassandra). Every time they recommend a service for our puppy they are always 100% spot on- we used their recommended puppy trainer and groomer. We really can't say enough about how excellent the service, people and products are - we wouldn't use any place else! read more

We used Active Paws while my husband was away on business and I was home tending to our infant daughter and our lovable lab. Active Paws came to take our dog on his daily walks. Before we used them for the first time, Cara and Gerard (the owners) came to our house to do a "meet and greet" and find out more information about our dog. They were very thorough! Once we started using them to walk our dog, they were dependable and punctual (even during a snowstorm) and our dog was always wagging his tail with excitement whenever they came to the door. I felt at ease knowing that Active Paws was there to take care of our other "baby" while my husband was on his trip. They took a potentially stressful situation for me and made it a positive experience. Cara and Gerard are very professional and personable at the same time. I highly recommend them! read more

Active Paws is a great little boutique pet store located on Trapelo Road, in Waltham. They have a big selection of quality pet foods. The staff are very friendly, knowledgeable and always happy to help:-) read more

Very bad experience with this company. I booked them to take care of my pets last summer. They put me in the book and only asked me to confirm during the week when my plans, flight, etc. were set. When i called to confirm 2 days later, I was told they took on another client and they could no longer take care of my pets. i trust when a service makes a commitment, it is a done deal. Instead, this company left me stranded. They obviously got a better job for more days and took it The integrity of their service leaves a lot to be desired. If i couldn't trust their word, thank goodness i didn't trust them with my pets, read more