The Dog Retreat and Spa
219 Bear Hill Rd, Waltham, MA 02451
Overview
The Dog Retreat and Spa is a 20,000 sq ft luxury dog boarding and daycare facility in Waltham, MA offering overnight lodging, daycare, grooming, and physical rehabilitation services. Staffed 24/7 with a 1:12-15 staff-to-dog ratio, the facility features indoor play parks with cushioned flooring, outdoor yards with underground dig-proof mesh, and a high-flow air system with UV sanitization. They require a compatibility evaluation for all dogs and administer medications for a $5 daily fee.
Amenities & Policies
Dog-to-staff ratio: 1:12-15
Required vaccinations: Rabies, Distemper, Bordatella, Canine Flu, Clean Fecal
Policies & Details
Hours & Billing
Cancellation & Deposits
Care & Play
Safety & Emergency
Extras
What Reviews Say
418 reviews analyzedThe Dog Retreat and Spa is overwhelmingly loved by clients, with 95%+ 5-star reviews praising the clean facility, caring staff, and excellent dog socialization. The owners Jalene and Ed are hands-on and frequently praised. However, there are notable concerns: some customers felt nickel-and-dimed by unexpected fees, communication about charges could improve, and a few incidents (kennel cough, tapeworm exposure, aggressive staff interaction) occurred. The facility excels at handling anxious dogs and provides excellent communication via report cards and photos. Value for money is the weakest area due to premium pricing.
People love
Staff shoutouts
Worth noting
Kennel cough outbreak after boarding
“We have dropped 2 of our dogs there to stay for 5 days and when we picked them up they didn't look normal... they told us he has a KENNEL COUGH.”
Tapeworm exposure incident
“When I asked if my dog could have gotten it she actually laughed.”
Aggressive staff interaction in parking lot
“A member of their staff aggressively approached us in the parking lot. Immediately began accosting and threatening us...”
Customer relationship terminated after disputing charges
“Don't ever disagree with a charge from the groomer, or your 3 1/2 year relationship will be immediately terminated.”
Pricing and hidden fees(8 mentions)
“They nickel and dime you for additional fees without warning.”
Communication about charges and services(5 mentions)
“I am asking for more communication about the additional charge and stay information during check-in.”
Dog not accepted after evaluation(4 mentions)
“They reported that she barked when dogs approached her, and did not interact with any of the dogs.”
Inconsistent grooming results(3 mentions)
“The last two times he's been his coat wasn't even and it looked like he barely had any hair cut.”
Required multiple daycare visits before boarding(2 mentions)
“The receptionist required MULTIPLE days of day care to be considered for boarding.”
Top Rated
4.8 stars from 421+ reviews
This facility has earned a Top Rated badge for maintaining a 4.8-star rating across 421 reviews.
At a Glance
Dog-to-staff ratio
1:12-15
Pricing
Contact facility for pricing
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