My Dog's Place - Stonington, Connecticut

Kristin Intelisano

The Pro: Positive behavior training was a great experience for my pup. (It was also a great communication tool for my boyfriend and I, both in our own day to day and all things regarding the pup). He loves going to daycare here too. He hops right out of the car. The staff very obviously work as a team. They care a lot and they do a great job and the facility is super clean. He comes home properly tired and happy.

The con: At 6 months they kick you out until you fix your dog (and don’t really provide this info up front). Unfortunately my vet says 9 months for the overall health of my dog. Their response to this is that you are “welcomed back” at that point. While this might make sense to them regarding dog behavior and their set up- it doesn’t make sense to the dogs routine nor the working dog parent. If this was made clear we probably wouldn’t have extended all the effort here and would have found a different sitter/training/daycare/situation. 3 months is a long time to just say “your prob not ours”. On that note, we did 6 really late evening classes. They were good for our dog/family, but we are now getting communication about another mandatory 7 week class for “adult daycare” once he’s “welcomed back”. And now, today I’ve used the last of a four session “puppy pack”. When I request him to go, they typically oblige and send a new invoice when needed. I often pay it immediately. This time I forgot. So on the day I chose to use the 4th one (two weeks after initial “bill”) I received a resent bill with a $6 “late payment” fee.

While I realize there are many things a business relying on the group behavior of dogs (and humans) must do to keep running safe and smooth, I’d overall rank some of their business practices and difficult and lacking accommodation. It’s disappointing that a place we really loved to start has fallen so short in its ongoing delivery.

Matt Joeckel

I don’t even know where to begin. The owner Marge would not allow my dog back due to his barking. He was with them from 3 months to 6 months old and we also went to their puppy primer classes on the weekends and about to finish our second round of classes with them.

The staff and trainers were always nice and a pleasure to work with and we really like our trainer and received a lot of positive compliments about him progressing but according the owner Marge (who isn’t even there all time) he is a problem and not allowed back.

Billing is also a complete mess, the owner is a complete mess and beyond rude when she is interacting with you. She told me “well, you need to follow the training at home as well”. Really? Where do you get off saying such a thing? She is the most condescending/rude/manipulative person I have talked to in a long time and after a few minutes of interacting with her you’ll realize it as well.

There a many, many other places out there and I’m finding that My dogs place is one of the most expensive out there. I was going here because of convenience and really wanted it to work out but it’s abundantly clear now that it is worth driving out of my way for quality daycare. I’m glad this abomination of a business will not be receiving another penny from me and my dog will be going elsewhere from now on.

Jennifer Griffin

My dog Lilly was trained here as a puppy and now still goes once a week for daycare 2 years later we love it!

Whitney Pope

The absolute BEST staff!!! Our pups love going to daycare and get excited as soon as we pull up to the building. Kim, Van, Tamar, Savannah and all the other employees are patient, kind, and care for our pups like they were their own! We have also done several training classes through MDP that have helped our dogs gain the skills and confidence needed to be great pups, thanks to the knowledge and guidance of the MDP trainers. I really can't say enough wonderful things about this place!!!!

Ash

I think the fact that my dog literally drags me into the building every time we pull up to the parking lot speaks for itself! Staff is super nice and I love that they are also training/correcting behavior of dogs throughout the day. My dog leaves every daycare day tired out from playing with all her friends! 🙂

Update: while it doesn't really diminish the quality of the daycare I've removed a star due to how difficult the process is to get your adult dogs into this daycare. They require you to take a class at their facility then need to do interviews and in person visits with the dog. I found it frustrating because the times they provided to do this were all during my work hours and it is incredibly difficult and frustrating to get your dog enrolled. The classes I took were also a bit too hands off for my preference.

Natasha Hopkins

I've been taking my dog to classes at My Dog's Place for nearly two years now, and the change in my dog is DRAMATIC from when we started. His increased confidence is an incredible change to witness and he works so hard in class every week.

Marge has been very patient and understanding with my family and my dog, Russell. Russell is fearful and with new people, unpredictable, but knowing those things never stopped Marge and the rest of her wonderful staff from helping Russell to become the best version of himself. I love how when we were first getting started, how Marge would let everyone know that Russell needed space. He is now able to be off leash in Agility class and is so happy and EXCITED to go inside the building when we park.

My dog wouldn't be the dog he is today if it wasn't for everyone at MDP.

Zac McGrath

My Dogs Place is an incredible company, with equally incredible staff. You can feel how much they care about your dogs with all the services they offer. If you have a new puppy, I highly recommend looking into the Puppy Play & Learn Club. It's wildly important to socialize your puppy from a young age, and the Learn Club has been an amazing opportunity to do just that. With two locations serving southeastern Connecticut, finding a class or daycare within reasonable distance from your home is easily accomplished.
I highly recommend My Dogs Place. You won't regret it.

Alli Saindon

Love mdp staff and facilities. A lot of opportunities for your dog to learn if you're willing to put in the time and effort!