Reviews of Archie and Friends Dog Daycare and Training in Cambridge

They were amazing until they take your money one day and the next they disappear with no explanation. It's been mo ths and months and I have not been returned the money they owe me....

I am leaving this review here as it seems the company’s Google review options have been taken down likely because of all the negative reviews. I found the owner to be very disorganized with no time or attention to really give your dog one on one care or training. I’m not sure if he’s taken on too much but the training was not adequate and you’re better off going on YouTube and training yourself. He didn’t even remember my dog’s name. I also found the kennel itself to be very dirty and unkept with dogs left in crates and unattended to. Because of that, I only went for training and didn’t even bother entertaining the free daycare that came with it and definitely would’ve never boarded there.

After now having experience with other trainers and daycare, I would not recommend this place at all. Was a total waste of money as the training was not at all at the level I would’ve expected from a self proclaimed “animal behaviourist” and the place needs serious remodelling, even for a kennel.

It’s the first time ever using a boarding service and I was skeptical based on the negative reviews. I visited the site and the owner and he said brand new dog pens were being installed to replace the old wired ones. The smell was pretty harsh even for a dog kennel, but I figured it’s for one night and they do have a lot of dogs. I was not shown around, but basically could only look
At the place from one area. I asked about calling to see how my dog was and was told I could try, but likely no one would answer. I was told I would get kind of a report on how my dog was, but that never happened. I called in after a few hours and the owner did say my dog was doing well which I was happy about and it seemed everything was going great. When I dropped my dog off i gave some toys and treats and pee pads for his crate and asked if they could just put a pad inside for him over night and give him a treat. The next day I come at 5 because you cannot pick up between 12 and 5 as there is no one there during the day. I had gotten there just a minute behind the guy that opened the place and he was in a rush cause apparently a dog got out and made a mess everywhere. Not sure how locked up dogs get out. I then pay may fees and I watch as the guy goes to another section of the building different from what I was shown which is clearly under renovation and this is where some dogs were kept. He gets my dog from a small travel crate that my dogs bed barely fit into. I asked the guy is this where my dog was kept and he said yes and I’m thinking, but you kept my dog in a travel crate for 5 hours and there is barely any room in there. He then gives me back my dog stuff and I notice not one pee pad was used as the package was brand new and unopened and also not one of my treats were used or any of his toys as they should have been in the crate with him, but there were in the same bag I gave them which he handed to me before he got my dog. He brings my dog to me and he is not his excited self that he normally is when he sees me. Soon as he sees me he starts to pee everywhere and his bed was dry meaning he couldn’t go to the bathroom for 5 straight hours as there was no room in the crate except for him and his bed. My dog signals for water right away when I got home and he drinks the whole bowl in the fastest time I’ve ever seen and then drinks 3/4 of another bowl too. Did this place really leave my dog without access to water for 5 hours cause this is not normal. I was also told that the dogs have full access to water at all times, so another huge lie because my dog was clearly in need of water. The staff do not seem interested in the dogs and I was also told that while the dogs are out they are fully supervised, but when I came to drop off my dog both staff members were with me and would look through the window at the dogs. Also, one bigger dog was really giving it to another dog and the girls just shouted and banged on the window for the dog to stop which it didn’t, so hopefully they are all neutered or someone may have some new puppies. I am now wondering where my dog was actually kept during the night and I’m hoping it wasn’t in that crate. It is for sure not a place I will ever bring my dog again and recommend other people don’t either.