I'm reviewing only for the grooming service. I had a really bad experience at PetSmart that left my Cavalier KC traumatized and in the ER; you can imagine I was pretty anxious in taking my baby back to a new place. Daniella is the only groomer there so she personally takes care of each dog from beginning to end. I explained all that had happened in the past and she was super understanding, texted and kept me updated throughout the service until the end plus my doggie looked so fluffy, cute and well groomed! I'm definitely going back to her! The price is also very reasonable so a plus on that as well! Thank you Daniella! read more

Crate Escape - My baby all groomed - Pet Groomers Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

I no longer trust Crate Escape to care for my dog. Our dog had gone to the Crate Escape since he'd had his shots. He was well cared-for, and enjoyed going there. The last few times we brought him there, the staff was clearly under-trained and awkward with him. After one pickup, we noticed a nasty abrasion on his skin with some bleeding. I got an "oh gosh, we didn't notice that", and a followup phone call that meant nothing. They have switched to an online booking system that's poorly designed and a pain to use, very different from the days when you'd just call and make a reservation. I strongly recommend avoiding these folks. They used to be great. I would have gone out of my way to bring in more customers for them back then; all the good will is gone. read more

I can't say enough about the people of Crate Escape! Absolutely phenomenal, kind people, with the biggest hearts imaginable. We sent our yellow lab Sammie to doggy day there for over ten years, and received nothing but the highest quality care. Crate Escape and their employees truly treated her like she was their very own. They truly have a compassionate, caring, loving, and responsible staff, one that any owner can trust with their dogs! Crate Escape - thank you so much for the way you treated our Sammie over the past decade, especially in her last months! She loved going there and adored the staff (and attention)! read more

Absolutely wonderful. Our Lab loves going, and when we drop him off, he never looks back to see where we are, just prances off with whomever takes him from us. When we pick him up, I expected him to be thrilled to see us, but he runs to the front desk, asks for a treat, then agrees to head home! We feel so fortunate to have such a safe and happy place to leave him. read more

I found them online and was skeptical because there are so many groomers out there that are booking out months and a lot of them are not taking on new clients. When I called, they got me in within two weeks. Everyone was very helpful and pleasant. The drop off was easy and both of my dogs looked fantastic and we're not disheveled that evening. Most times my dogs come home very nervous and out of sorts, but very happy this was not the experience. They are now going to be a permanent staple in my dogs routined grooming read more

WARNING! Terrible hack job on my goldendoodle!! Do not use grooming services!! Just moved to the area. Many groomers aren't taking new clients but finally found Crate Escape who was. My goldendoodle gets a significant grooming every few months plus goes to doggy day care and overnight boarding. Thought this could be a one-stop-shop. NO!! My dog came back from the grooming area looking like a drunk Edward Scissorhands attacked him. I've moved around all over the country in the past 10 years (his age) and NOWHERE has done a worse job. He's had some crazy cuts, too. It was so bad that I asked to speak to the groomer who did a completely unsatisfactory job explaining why he had whole chunks taken out of his hair on his head. I mean the cut was awful. And it was $100. When I got home I called the front desk and told the young lady to leave a message for the manager. I said, "I am completely unsatisfied with how my dog's hair turned out today and am going to write a bad Yelp review. I would like to extend your manager the courtesy of discussing it with her first. I believe that is fair." I then left my contact info. And you may be shocked to discover that I never heard a peep (sarcasm). I could have potentially spent thousands here and referred many in my grad school program to this establishment. Never again will I patronize this establishment. Photos included. read more

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FOR A BATH/NAIL TRIM: This was such a weird grooming experience. We were asked to arrive between 9-10 am, they don't do appointment times. We were told that we would be called when our dog was ready to be picked up... but an hour went by, then two. I called to ask how much longer and they said another hour, but that time passed too with no communication. I ended up having to call again, after they had had my dog for four hours, and they said he was ready, seemingly not planning on calling to tell me that. He also came out with a strange scrape on his nose that I didn't notice until later. I don't know what happened to him in there or how it possibly took them so long to give a dog a bath, but he will not be returning. read more

The people at Crate Escape are great. They greet you and your pal by your first names and make your Pal feel relaxed. When I pick Peppa up she will go outside, go to the bathroom and then pull to go back in. That says it all. Mark & Peppa read more

I've used both their van service and drop-off daycare for a while. The staff obviously love dogs and they seem to treat mine with great affection. Their facility looks clean and well managed. And my dog is obviously happy to go there! As soon as he realizes we're at Crate~Escape, his tail starts wagging. And he's nice and tired when we bring him home. However, they seem almost secretive about the doggie play area. They won't let me back where I can see the dogs. Probably they just want to prevent all the dogs from getting overly excited or something, but I thought it was a little weird. I've observed the van service - seems pretty chaotic. A mini-van full of dogs (like 6 or 8 of them!). And they leave the dogs unsupervised in the van at times - which isn't great. But overall I'm a fan. read more

Crate Escape - Puppy Kindergarten at Crate Escape! - Pet Groomers Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

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I have two dogs and I have been bringing my dogs to crate escape for about three years and I have never had a bad experience I would really recommend crate escape to anybody who need a dog daycare read more

We have brought our two dogs here for years. They are amazing. Our dogs have trouble on leash with others, but with the help of the wonderful team at Crate Escape, they are able to play and stay and be their goofy selves. When they get picked up by the van, the joy is evident in the gleeful whines and tail wagging. It is such great exercise and enrichment and we are so thankful to the entire team of dog lovers! read more

I took my small dog here and asked about the Huron ave location for small dogs after I had stopped in the Huron ave location. They informed me I would have to go to Belmont location to get on a list. The Belmont location then told me they would let me know when a spot opened. This was in March 2018. I let him go to this location even though they don't separate the dogs by size. My little guy was attacked (Not here though. This happened to Charlie a couple years prior somewhere else) from a pit bull with blood squirting out of his nose so he and I am afraid of having him around larger dogs. I came to pick him up and on 2 separate days noticed I was paying to have him sit on a shelf and watch the other dogs play. At this point I may as well have him home on the sofa. They really should have an area to let the dogs play together by size. While I know not all dogs attack they can still play rough and hurt smaller dogs. It would be a nice idea for someone to open up a place for small dogs. The location is very nice on Huron ave but I'm sure it's "who" you know to get your small dog in there sadly. I wish they didn't string me along with the wait list for small dogs. They have a huge facility so why they don't open one there is beyond me. We won't go back unless something opens on Huron ave. read more

Crate Escape - Charlie sitting on a shelf and not playing. I'm not sure if he's happy or scared to death - Pet Groomers Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

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Everyone at Crate Escape goes out of their way to help accommodate your dog and your schedule. My dog Sammie has been going to Crate Escape for 10 years and never had an incident with another dog. Always come home tired and happy. Sammie has also been on overnights, as well. Can not say enough good things about all the staff and the van drivers at Crate Escape. So grateful! read more

After years of knowing the owner and many staff members; it was shocking and surprising at the arrogant and dismissive attitude of the Cambridge and Belmont staff. First on the phone a few weeks ago when I was told maybe we could come in July for an interview and then today when I changed my work schedule to bring my dog to Cambridge for an "interview". Then to be called that she would have to "interview" again in Belmont and I could call on my own to book that. We had not only great neighborly relations in Huron Village, friendly with many of the original team members, but also used Crate for many of the dogs we have had over the years. And referred many that still use them (whom I'll be sure to share this with) It is clear that customers DO NOT matter, even those you have known for years. My dog is a very good lab puppy who works with a trainer. We have a lot going on at home and need a place for her to go, have fun and meet friends - Crate was our 1st call. I will never recommend or walk into the store in Huron Village ever again. Remember it is all about Karma. Perhaps you should look back and some of your outstanding team members that made your business special and recognize this is the reason for your business today. To say I'm disgusted and disappointed is an understatement. Lisa D'Allesandro-deMont read more

Great staff and great place. Peace of mind to know Georg is safe and happy to be a "dog" when we're not with him

My doggy loves his friends and the staff. I would not go anywhere else to get him slobbered and tired out. This is truly the place where everyone knows your name, and your dogs name too! I love the selection of food and treats. They truly care about quality. Get the play date packages. You'll save, and promise you you'll keep going back for the sake of your four legged friend. Only advice I have, and it may just be me and only me silly enough to walk in with heels to retrieve my dog, but if you do, be cautious of the lay out as you walk to the door. It is small rocks and I've crashed and burned in heels with the assistance of my young pup who still is not leashed trained. I'm sure some if not most of you come from work, so bring a pair of flat shoes to grab your dog if he's a puller. I do (some times) =((( Rollo loves it here so much the minute we walk through the front door I'm a distant memory. He runs straight to the door into the welcoming arms of any of the ladies, even the men (thank you crate for helping him out with his fear of the male species!) I think today he found a girlfriend. I can't lie, I think it's his dashing curves around the mid section that lured her in. HA! read more

My dog is my child. She is 100% dependent on me making good decisions for her care and well being. That's why when she needs doggie daycare, she goes to Crate Escape. The staff at Crate Escape are amazingly kind and flexible with our less-than-scheduled attendance. They are always accommodating - and welcome our pup by name. Our dog even developed a "puppy crush" on one of the staff! She loves it - and we love that she loves it. Prices are very reasonable. The facility is clean. And there is grooming on site, so - she can get clipped every so often to maintain her beautiful flowy golden locks. There is also boarding, although we have not used this service. I highly recommend Crate Escape to anyone looking for reliable, loving daycare for their dog. read more

This is similar to a review I just posted of Crate Escape's not-at-all-evil twin and sister store, Raining Cats and Dogs, over in Huron Village: They love our dog almost as much as we do. Goose the dog is preposterously happy at RC&D and CE. He plays all day, non-stop, with the other dogs there. (CE posts video of it on their facebook page to prove it!) He cries a little bit when it is time to leave. Then he comes home and sleeps - usually a ratio of two units of completely conked-out dog for every one unit of time spent at CE. We just got back from a quick out-of-town weekend where we left the Goosester at CE. We were gone for two days and picked him up Monday morning. He was delighted; now he's asleep, and we don't expect to hear from him until Thursday evening. Bless you CE. read more

Crate Escape is the BEST!!! My dog absolutely loves it here! He plays all day with his doggy friends and comes home zonked. I feel so good when he's at CE because I know he is well taken care of - the facility is huge and very clean, there are only about 10 dogs to every human...I like this because if a scuffle were to start, it could be easily diffused. The staff at Crate Escape are all so friendly too. They make it a point to learn your name and who your dog is so when you walk in to pick up, they just call the dogs name and someone brings him right out to you, leashed and ready to go. We used to send our dog to Tail Waggerz in Newton (which I would definitely NOT recommend) and he would come home and drink an entire bowl of water before I could even get his leash off. Now he comes home hydrated, exercised, and soooo happy. It's a little pricey, but as others have said, totally worth it. Watch out for the grass on the way in...there are no turd bombs or anything but your dog will keep you out there sniffing around for days. read more

I love Crate Escape! We've been bringing our rescue puppy Sally here for daycare since she was 4 months old and the staff have been nothing but kind, patient & accommodating. Over the last 6 months we've seen quite a positive change in our puppy -- she's gone from being extremely timid & afraid of everything to being much more outgoing, friendly and less of a scaredy-cat. The daycare facility is big & clean. Smells fresh. The dogs potty outside. They're actually supervised & play with other dogs of the same temperament. There are mandatory new client temperament evaluations, which is fantastic because it means that only dogs that play well with other dogs & humans are permitted. Probably a lot of people can easily think of some bad dog park experiences with aggressive or unfriendly dogs menacing the submissive ones; that stuff doesn't happen here. I feel like my dog is safe here, as silly as that sounds. I would have her board here in a second, if need be -- they don't use kennels, but the boarders spend the night in a sort of apartment space with a caring human(s). Nikki, the manager, and her staff have always gone above & beyond to accommodate us, even at the last minute. They are true animal lovers & often tell us in detail about Sally's day. It can be scary to leave your puppy with strangers all day. Having visited other doggie daycares in the Boston area, THIS is the only place I trust. We've been talking up Crate Escape to every dog owner we know. CRATE ESCAPE ROCKS!!!! read more

Crate Escape is amazing. Not only is the staff always super friendly and loving to the dogs, but they host adoption events and provide free daycare for fosters. An amazing company that truly cares about animals. read more

We adopted a very high energy Brittany. Living in the city with such a wired puppy can be quite a challenge. We brought her up to a "free range" kennel up in NH where our last dog thrived - but the experience with this high strung pup was a very negative experience. Crate Escape did a great job of evaluating our dog's social skills with other dogs and her willingness to behave for the human pack managers. Almost very Saturday, we bring our dog to the Belmont location for a day of play and fun. She comes back home tired and relaxed! read more

Hate to be the outlier, but my experience there wasn't so great. I bought my cavachon in for what I thought would be the full monty: Trim, wash, nail-trim, anal glands, etc. I was hoping that the entire package of services would be articulated to me but the front desk pretty much called the groomer and she told me she'd take care of "everything" when I asked about what she'd do to my dog. In retrospect, I wish I had specifically asked for all the things that would be done, but it all felt a bit rushed. I at least wish I got an itemized list of services on my receipt so I knew the exact services performed. My dog came out looking and smelling clean, and her tear stains were removed. I appreciated that. However, when I got home and she jumped on me and it felt like I was being clawed by a tiger, I realized that there was no nail trim. The other issue I had is that when I got home, I realized my dog no longer had her flea collar on. I made a call later in the week to check in with the staff to see if they had it lying around somewhere, and was told I'd get a call back to confirm if they had it or not. Never got a call back. So I called again and finally had someone commit to checking in on it and they did get back to me saying they couldn't find it. This was really annoying because I just bought it for her, so that was pretty much $50 down the drain. I might give this place another shot because admittedly it was big, clean, and generally an impressive facility. However, they could shore up on the communications piece by articulating the different packages they have, and by making sure they are clear and up front on the exact checklist of services to be performed. Ultimately When my dog was finished, I felt like I paid $55 for a mere bath. read more

I took my West Highland terrier, Menzies, here to get his post winter cut and they did a hack job on him. I asked for a traditional Westie cut and they claimed to know what they were doing but his head and back were trimmed far too short while his skirt was left bushy and unkempt. Also, his whole coat was jagged, uneven, and not properly blended. The cut did not seem professional and was definitely not worth the $50 cost. What's more is that when I dropped him off I specifically told them to call my boyfriend when the cut was done because I was at work. The called me nonetheless and I didn't get the message until two hours later, leaving poor Menzies waiting their alone. I was extremely dissatisfied and would not recommend their grooming services to anyone who cares about their dogs appearance. read more

This place is amazing! My dog is young, big and has some anxiety about being left alone. My husband and I both work 9-to-5 jobs so she would be at home a lot if we didn't take her to doggie daycare. She LOVES Crate Escape. She's always happy to go, and the people and other dogs are always happy to see her. They know her by name, and never mind if I call during the day to check in on her. Even better, the shuttle service is great and picks her up whenever we ask - no problems with her getting left behind or picked up late. It's not cheap, but no daycare is, and it's worth every penny for our dog to be happy and well looked after. read more

My husband and I have been bringing our dog to crate escape for over a year. We could not say better things about this facility. Our dog is never in a crate, and is put with other dogs that share his high energy level. The staff is extremely knowledgable and friendly. We are a bit over protective of our dog, and feel 100% comfortable when we drop him off at crate escape. Our vet also agrees that crate escape is a wonderful place for dogs! read more

Crate Escape - Tre, after being at the crate escape all day. - Pet Groomers Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

I have a shy puppy who was having a tough time transitioning from a rural setting to suburban/city life (cars, lots of people, strollers, etc). Crate Escape has definitely helped get him out of his shell. The staff is very friendly and flexible. The dogs have good temperaments thanks to CE's screening process, so no dog will be bullied or subjected to other stressful situations. The facility is very well kept. I would have no worries having my dog board overnight. I (+ happy pup) highly recommend this place if you're looking for a responsible, attentive daycare. read more

I don't know what we'd do without Crate Escape. For about the same price as having a dog walker, our pup gets to run around and play with other dogs all day and come home happy and exhausted. The staff is super friendly and responsive and we can't imagine ever taking our dog somewhere else! read more

I LOVE taking my dog here. He has so many dogs to play with and the staff is great, the place is clean! My only regret is that they are super expensive for everyday and that they are not open past 6:30pm..... who works only 9-5 these days!?!? I hate this but we may have to seek an alternative place because neither my fiance nor I can ever get there by 6:30pm and I can't afford drop off fees all the time. Honestly if they were open till 8pm and I payed a little less.... I'd send my dog there every day of the week. He's so happy to go and I love seeing him come home exhausted knowing that he's had so much fun. All in all if you can afford to pay the fees and they're local for you AND you work 9-5 then you've found doggie daycare heaven! read more

We can better deal with the hours now that we occasionally use their shuttle service--they'll bring our dog home if we won't be there in time to pick her up. And my biggest complaint at first was about the one day's notice, which isn't a problem anymore (well, maybe it is for some people, but not us). Now that we're loyal customers and the staff knows our dog well (she's quite lovable and very easy to care for--as long as you don't mind petting her for 7 straight hours!), they are good about letting us drop her off spur of the moment. We still try to call ahead, but for instance, when I'm sick on a day I was supposed to be home with her, they've never had a problem taking her in that day. They've also instituted a pay-in advance plan, so we get 10 days for about the price of 9, which is of course helpful! read more

I love this place. We moved into the area recently, and in Rhode Island we used Metropet, which I could not have been happier with. So when we moved I was worried about finding a comparable place. That staff seems VERY knowledgeable and genuinely concerned about each dog. The place seems very clean and they separate the dogs according to their energy level. My dog is a large dog and was VERY nervous at first so after the initial temperament test, they suggested a half day to start... which tells me they cared more about her genuinely getting used to the place instead of wanting the extra $ for her to be there all day. She has been going once every other week now and we plan to use them for boarding later this month. This place does not keep them in crates overnight which is even once step better than the place we used to use. Lots of space, lots of dogs, lots of people there. Plus they have a van which offers pick up service... while I don't use it I think it's adorable. The ONLY reason I didn't give them 5 stars was for price... a little on the steep side... we are used to paying about 25% less than this for boarding/daycare... but that was also in Rhode Island. They do however have packages for daycare which make it slightly less expensive... but the boarding they do not offer packages with. read more

My dog loves Create Escapes ... dragging me to the front door when we get out of the car. The Staff is kind and accommodating. They remembered our dog's name the second time we were there and it was a three week gap between. read more

This is a great place to take your dog when you're busy for the entire day. Just make sure to pack a lunch! One day I forgot my puppy's lunch, but they were more than accommodating and found food for him at no charge. Like previous reviewers have said, they do not let you see the play areas. It would be great if they hosted an open house in the future. read more

My energetic dog goes here twice a week and she's completely wiped when she comes home. Thank. God. The staff is great, the space is huge, and my dog is happy! What more could I ask for? read more

We love Crate Escape.! Our puppy Cooper, ( Super Cooper ) gets so excited when we drop him off. He comes home happy, exhausted, and socially satisfied. Additionally, the staff is excellent and they are always willing to answer questions. I highly recommend Crate Escape. read more

We love Crate Escape and our Cairn Terrier, Zuri, does too! He is always exhausted when he gets home. We use their shuttle service once per week (we call it the "school bus") - its a great deal if you can't get home from work in time. They will bring your dog right into your home. The staff is friendly and the prices are good. I'd recommend buying the 10 day package as it saves you some $$. The facility is large and extremely clean. We checked out a few places in the Watertown/Belmont/Waltham area and this was definately the best. read more

Agree with Kitty H - our experience matches. At the Belmont facility they take your dog at reception and dont allow you to see the facility. There are much better options for regular care. read more

This is the place we take our dog when our schedules are busy and we know we won't be having much time to play with him. Our dog simply loves this place. To the point that he completely forgets us when he sees the parking. And that says a lot. Everyone who works there is very attentive and they love what they do. They love animals. The front desk people are friendly and attentive. I wish I could name all their names. I might a second review. They really take a good care of the dogs and all the other dogs that are they are friendly. The place is clean, smells good and they offer different sections for different size dogs. It's huge. Every time our dog goes there and comes home exhausted from playing too much. And he ( and us) sleeps really well. Love everything about Crate Escape. read more

I took my dog there for a temperament test to see if he would be suitable for their doggie day care because he was being under-socialized and in need of such. First of all, when you walk into their lobby, there is a giant corrugated metal wall blocking off visibility of the day care play area, which seems slightly odd if not concerning. Why keep the dogs out of view? Perhaps there is a logical reason for this, perhaps not. But I would prefer, when walking in, to see how the day care is being conducted and how the dogs are being treated. As opposed to out of sight of the passing eye. Any ways, my dog was deemed too aggressive for their play group after he was said to growl at another male dog during this temperament testing. FIne, he does do this at times when we encounter other dominant male types at the park. However, other males are far more often the initiators of this type of exchange. And more often than not he gets along with most dogs. But that is why I wanted him to be a part of a play group so, as Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer says, he can learn from other dogs how to best get along with other dogs. To be a part of a "pack". Apparently they only accept dogs that are already perfectly socialized. If this is their MO, then fine. So be it, they don't go out of their way to work with dogs that are under-socialized in order to bring them up to speed. That's their business model and I don't fault that. However, being in the business of dealing with hundreds or thousands of dogs, you would think they could offer alternative suggestions for dog owners like myself. AKA, "Sorry we won't work with your dog but here's the name and number of a great service or person who deals with what you need." But they had nothing to offer me along the lines of advice or a reference to someone who works dogs gradually into a group setting despite my inquiring. Hence, two stars. read more

I took my dog here a few times. She had good experience coming here. She was tired after she came home :-) The last time,I dropped her off at 8AM, I saw another small dog (I have a small dog - about 12 lbs), that was put on a crate. They let the small dog out of the crate when we came in and saw them put my dog and the other small dog in the small pen. I didnt even think anything about the crate that the small dog was in. When I came to pick up my dog at 4:15PM, she was in a crate with ANOTHER dog (the same dog I saw in the morning!!!) and the woman behind the counter tells me that "oh, she had only been in the crate with the other dog for 30 minutes." OMG!!! WTF! I pay them $30 a day and I find my dog in a crate with ANOTHER dog? And what a coincidence, the name of the place is crate escapes?! Regardless, I am not taking her there again. If you have a small dog, BEWARE, your dog could be put in a crate and youre paying them $30 a day. What a scam. read more