I've been debating whether to share my experience at Country Dogs. I'm not typically a…read moreconfrontational person, and I usually avoid posting negative reviews because I feel for the staff working at places with bad reviews. However, I wish I'd known more about other people's negative experiences with Country Dogs before going through my own. So, as you read this (admittedly long and frustrated) review, please know it's not meant to be disrespectful--just informative for other dog parents about my experience with Country Dogs.
My dog, Boon, is an Australian Shepherd--a high-energy breed. He would go to daycare about twice a week because crating him for 8+ hours while my fiancé and I worked wasn't ideal. He's a young, active dog, and without stimulation, he'd have way too much pent-up energy. My fiancé's work schedule usually allows him home on the other days to keep Boon occupied.
In August 2024, I dropped Boon, off at Country Dogs around 7 a.m. Everything seemed normal. When I picked him up at 4 p.m., the staff didn't mention anything unusual, handed me his leash, and we headed home.
Usually, after daycare, Boon is full of energy/excitement --rubbing his face all over the back seat and sprinting to his water bowl when we get home because he plays hard and forgets to hydrate. That day was different. He didn't rub his face, which I thought was odd, but I figured he was just extra tired from playing.
When we got home, I let him out of the car. He jumped down but stumbled, landing awkwardly. My heart sank. Boon is extremely athletic and only 1.5 years old, so this was alarming. Then, as I watched him struggle up the stairs, I knew something was wrong.
Inside, he limped to his water bowl and I noticed blood on the floor near his back leg. It wasn't much, but where was it coming from? I frantically checked his paws, ears, and mouth but saw nothing. Then, as I petted him to find the source, I found two puncture wounds on his inner thigh--and then two more on the outer thigh. I called my fiancé in a panic, sending him pictures, and he suggested calling the daycare to see if they could explain what happened.
After several attempts to reach them, the daycare called back. I stayed calm, avoiding accusations, and just asked if anything had happened. They admitted there had been an incident with another dog earlier that morning but claimed they checked Boon for injuries and didn't see anything. While I appreciated their honesty, it was frustrating that they hadn't notified me of the incident at pick-up.
We brought Boon to the emergency vet. He had four puncture wounds--likely from a bite--and needed sedation, shaving (which is not ideal for an Aussie), and cleaning to properly treat the injuries. The total vet bill came to about $1,500. While it could have been worse, we were heartbroken and angry about what had happened.
After some deliberation, we decided not to ask Country Dogs to cover the vet bill. Instead, we requested a refund for the unused $520 daycare package since we no longer felt comfortable sending Boon there.
My fiancé called and left a message, but the staff member responsible for Boon that day happened to pick up. She was sweet and apologetic, expressing genuine concern for Boon, which we appreciated. She said she'd pass along our request to the owner.
The owner responded via email, saying they don't have a refund policy and that "dogs will be dogs," but wished Boon a speedy recovery. We replied, explaining that our frustration wasn't just about the incident but the lack of communication. Even if they didn't notice injuries initially, they should've informed us about the altercation so we could check him ourselves. We never received a response to this follow-up.
We decided to switch daycares and found an amazing alternative: Fenway Bark. While it's slightly more expensive, it's worth every penny. They have structured "school" activities, themed events, private walks (for an extra cost), and even holiday goodie bags (for free). Boon loves it there, and we feel so much more at ease.
I later found out from coworkers and friends that others have had similar experiences with Country Dogs. While the staff are friendly and the hours are convenient, I encourage other dog parents to do thorough research before choosing a daycare. My intent isn't to bash Country Dogs but to share our story so others can make an informed decision.
For us, switching to Fenway Bark has made all the difference, and I can't recommend them enough!
