Blaine Kennels Boarding, Training & Daycare — Local services in Blaine

Let me be honest – I had some pretty serious regrets after adopting my puppy Tulla. She quickly earned the name “Tulla the Terror.” She had endless energy that got her into constant mischief. She needed constant supervision. I wasn’t even able to take a shower without putting her in her kennel. Otherwise I’d risk having at least one human possession ruined. (shoes, mail, food, you name it). Even after 3-5 walks a day (of at least 30 minutes each!) her energy would not wane. She didn’t want to be a naughty dog, she just didn’t know what to do with all her energy.

I often worked from home, and Tulla was so disruptive, I often had to take calls from my garage so that my clients couldn’t hear her barking/whining from her kennel. I needed help! I found out about Blaine Kennels Doggy Day Care and began taking her there 3-4 times per week. Not only did this give me a break from her, it gave her a chance to socialize with other dogs, and wear herself out. Taking her to daycare drastically improved her energy overload, and we turned a very critical corner. I no longer wanted to give her away! But she was still a puppy, and not a great listener. I mentioned this at Blaine Kennels and they told me about their training options. They do weekly group training classes. (Which I’m actually doing with Tulla now, and they are outstanding!) But they also offer an intensive course called Dog Squad. During Dog Squad the dogs stay at Blaine Kennel for 3-4 weeks straight. They are immersed in a training schedule and get 1:1 time with a trainer, play time with other dogs (to teach socialization skills) and lots of extra love and attention from the staff. At first I was hesitant. How could I leave my little girl for a month! But, the more I brought her to daycare, and got to know how loving, attentive and knowledgeable the staff is at Blaine Kennels, I knew it was what we needed to do. Tulla went through dog squad in March 2017. She is a completely different dog. I cannot even explain how drastically different she is now. She is a confident dog who happily takes commands and listens extremely well. She thinks it is her “job” to follow the humans’ commands and can tell she takes so much pride in her ability to do her job well. She has learned how to channel her endless energy in a productive way and my whole family (including Tulla) is so much happier. I am not exaggerating when I say that Blaine Kennels has molded me an exemplary dog. I know it is up to me to keep up with her training, and that no dog is perfect, but this is definitely one of the best investments I have made. Every single person at Blaine Kennels is like a loving family member. Blaine Kennels is Tulla’s second home and she absolutely loves it there. It is so wonderful to have such a supportive and loving support system to help me raise my pup.

I’d like to make a special shout out to Moriah. She is one of the head trainers at Blain Kennels and she is absolutely outstanding. Just by talking to her for a few minutes, you can tell that she has a special bond with dogs. It was no surprise for me to hear that she has completed training directly from Cesar Millan. She is undoubtedly a...

We boarded our dog, who we had for 5 years since she was a pup, there multiple times. I'm just going to tell you what happened and try not to editorialize, even though that is difficult. Our dog, a pit/terrier mix that weighed about 40 lbs, was excellent and loving around people but not around smaller dogs. Blaine was well aware of this, it was in their notes. 2 hours into a weekend trip out of town we got a call that our dog had killed another dog there. We were devastated of course. They said she got under a fence or moved some cement block and got into another area of the kennel and killed a small dog.

A police report was filed by the other family, understandably and we were called and questioned. When we picked our dog up Thomas the owner said he felt terrible, consoled us and then just as we were leaving gave us the other dog's vet bills ($342) and asked us to pay it. We were still in shock, knowing we were going to have to put our dog down now after our discussion with the police and this was how he left us? "Pay this bill" We had boarded our dog that weekend specifically to keep her safe and any other dogs we might be around that weekend.

We feel terrible for the other family of course. They had to be in shock too and hopefully they were treated fairly by BK. But it is clear BK were responsible for 2 dogs losing their lives that Friday, not me.

We put our dog down that week - very traumatic. After a week or so and we were no longer in complete shock we decided to go back to see exactly what had happened. Thomas took us to the back kennels and showed us where it happened and now were told a NEW story. He said our dog had climbed a 6 foot chain link fence and got into the other area. This was a small contained area with no room to run and jump for a head start. We have a 4 ft chain link fence around our entire backyard where our dog had run free for 5 years and never once had even got up on one link - let alone up and over the fence (and we have small dogs in 2 neighboring yards). She was a relatively small dog - it is absolutely impossible for her to do what they said she did. There must have been some severe negligence on their part that forced them to come up with this story. I was willing to let it go as just an unfortunate incident (and have for the most part) but when he told me this ridiculous story and then added with asking me to pay for the other dogs vet bill and cremation, well I still haven't got over it months later.

Bottom line - Blaine Kennels was directly responsible for the death of 2 great dogs AND callous enough to ask me to pay for their negligence. Needless to say I have not paid it yet. Thomas, how about Blaine Kennels pay us the $300 it cost to kill our dog for something we had nothing to do with and you were responsible for? We never asked for it but I would have gladly paid that and much more to have our dog and the other dog kept safe...

• Update to response from Blaine Kennels* As far as the boarding fees (which is the least of my issue) Like another reviewer said she was lied to, we were too....the blonde middle aged woman in glasses at the desk told us when I asked her what time we need to pick up, she said anytime before 6:00 pm. If that time would add another day of boarding fees, why did she not say before 10:00 am unless you want to add another $32.00? VERY misleading. Next, the food that was never fed to our dog, three feedings in 48 hours were not touched. Stop, if you say they put them in a bowl only to be carefully put back in the small ziplock baggie it came in. No one would believe such a thing, especially me. Listen, my dog would eat paint off a wall if given the chance, she has been in much more stressful situations, and she is a BIG eater. She would not turn down any meal, or treat. No treats were gone in the bag either. Do you want to know how I know that? When we dropped her off Christmas Eve to leave town, as we were pulling out, I observed one of your employees walking three small cattle dogs, one was pulling a little bit, and your female employee took two steps forward and kicked the dog in the chest. I said to my husband that I wanted to just go back inside and get her. He said hopefully it'll be okay. Not once did I get a call or text in regard to her not eating, and as a matter of fact the same woman at the desk said her stay was perfect, no problems! -when I asked. If an animal is so under distress that she doesn't eat (this has never happened with any other facility yet) Surely one would ask, why all of the sudden, if it were true...Or is it more logical to believe her feeding schedule was overlooked? Again, we won't be back. I knew no one would be accountable, this is why I didn't call you directly.

I am very disappointed in Blaine Kennels. We took our one year old retriever there to board for two days. They say on the website "best price in town, $32.00 a day" We asked for one extra play time for $7.50, and when we picked up, the cost was $102.00 BEFORE the tip they ask for when paying by credit card. (we tipped 20% without knowing what we know now) How does that add up? Then we got home and she pee'd longer than she has ever pee'd in her life....and we noticed she wasn't fed at all today, and it was after 11:00 am when we picked her up, and she wasn't fed her dinner meal we sent along with her, even though this is what we specifically instructed the evening before....so that means she went almost 24 hours without a meal. I packed each meal individually with the date and meal time on each bag, so there is no reason she went so long without food.

We have used this place for daycare as well, but after this, we...