I have had my dog at 2 daycares, the Adogo in Minnetonka is considered the 2nd. I will first share the Adogo experience then the other which is a facility not in MN.
Adogo Mtka: Walked in on a Friday after work around 4:45pm to check out the facility and was hoping to get a tour. There were 2 employees up front. Was told they only do them at their scheduled times. I was able to get my dog scheduled the next day. There was no paperwork to fill out asking about my dog's temperament, etc. Just needed the vet information. I was also told it would cost $24 and my dog had to stay a minimum of 4 hours. Went there the next day and told the gentleman, he is not aggressive but will get on his hind legs when with larger dogs. The gentleman looked at my dog for one minute in the lobby and said he was approved.
Other location (not a chain): Walked in after work asking for a tour. She got another employee and gave me a tour of the entire facility: play areas, where leashes go, outdoor fenced potty area, grooming room, birthday party room, and human bathrooms. I was also given a price sheet, 4 full pages about my dogs temperament, what he likes, his behavior around other dogs, etc. From that questionnaire, they would get a pretty good understanding about my dog. I was also given a sheet on what was required for him to be there like immunizations etc. I was told he had to have a temperament test so we got that scheduled. That was not super convenient because their trainer does those, they are busy and was not able to schedule for a week and a half. The trainer assessed my dogs interaction with me in the lobby and other dogs coming in, read my questionnaire, talked to my dog by name and petted him, held his leash then took him behind closed doors for 10 minutes. After all that interaction, he passed. I was not charged for the assessment nor required to leave my dog there for a minimum of 4 hours.
Adogo Mtka: After the "assessment," I was given a tour of the main floor 2 play areas only. Nothing else. I inquired about the outdoor play area and was told it was too hot for today to take them out. The dogs were not running and playing with "friends," but all barking excessively in both areas. There was one employee with approximately 20 dogs or more in the small area and less dogs in the larger dog area. I was surprised how many dogs were barking and they huddled in a pack by the fence when they saw us. It was warm in that room which surprised me too. I was told they were going to split up the smaller dogs and some would go in the training room up stairs and that it was cooler up there (which it was). We walked in to the little gated area where they let the dogs get acclimated for a few minutes before going in to the play room. Again the dogs packed to the gate barking. My dog would not stay in that area and was trembling. I took him to the lobby and told him he would be alright. Went back in the room and asked how soon would they split the dogs. We then went upstairs to the other room. It was cooler, larger and because of the windows with logos and not all white and lit up, felt calmer. I then left my dog there with an
Adogo Mtka: upon pick up, the dogs were still barking non-stop. They had moved the small dogs back downstairs just recently. They brought out my dog and said he did fine. I asked for any leftover food. The employee left and don't recall him coming back. It was a little chaotic. Paid for the time and left. My dog was panting heavily so I went back in and put water in his bowl. He drank three times. I will say he was tired. Was he happy, I don't know. He was happy to see me. I felt anxious to get him outside where it was quiet.
Other location: He did not whine or cry when I left him and he was happy to see me. They call your dog by name and give you information on how he did. I had no anxieties.
My first assessment at both locations: i would not hesitate leaving my dog at the other location and both my dog and I seemed calm. I will give Adogo Mtka another try but will watch the videos this time. I was told it was a busy weekend and that is why so many dogs. I will assess that next time as well. Can Adogo do more to improve - absolutely.
I hope this honest experience will cause them to look further into my comments and make some positive changes. I will be happy to give another review. Thank you. read more