A Dog’s Best Friend – West

Edited to add:
We’re actually clients at the East location, I wasn’t paying close attention to which site I was reviewing. I’ve been to West, but not very often and can’t say much about it.
Original review:
I’ve been bringing dog #1 here since I moved to Vancouver in 2009 and it’s generally been a good experience. We go most days of the week and I’ve used boarding services several times under both the previous and the current management. Like others have mentioned, prior to the newer management taking over it appeared that the business was struggling. There were a lot of changes in the last few years, almost all for the better. (There are a few of the staff that I was sad to see go, but I do realize that people move on.)
One thing I really appreciate is their willingness to work with me and on more than one occasion they’ve been able to suddenly accommodate my dogs for an overnight stay when I’ve gotten stuck at work late or when I’ve had car problems.
They have a relationship with Must Love Dogs rescue that ultimately led to my acquiring dog #2 and discounted daycare for him for the first few weeks after I brought him home.
I’ve also been happy with their grooming. I’m not picky about styles or anything and my dogs are mixes and there’s not a standard style for them so I can’t comment on that. I know they come home cute, tidy, clean and not nicked or cut (which is the reason I don’t try to groom them myself.)
I wouldn’t mind if they were open an hour later, but if they were I’m sure I’d still sometimes find it hard to get there before close.

The people weren’t friendly at all. Did not introduce themselves, didn’t offer to give us a tour, gave us the wrong price over the phone for the daycare and misinformed us about the policies over the phone. Definitely going to try another daycare.

Our girl goes here and we love it– the folks know how to form pack dynamics that are safe and fun for the dogs and provide a loving place for my kids while I’m at work. I tried other facilities but came back to this one because we love it so much and feel so much safer knowing they are taken care of.

My girls love this place! My dogs truly are my children and I worry leaving them anywhere. Around May of 2010 a coworker told me about A Dog’s Life Doggy Day care. I decided to check it out. I really didn’t get a «good vibe» and decided that my dogs were fine at home. Shortly after that my coworker stopped bringing her dog there. She said she just wasn’t happy with the place anymore. I few months ago I heard that they had new management and had changed the name. Since they are so conveniently located to my home I decided to check it out again. We have been going once or twice a week for a couple of months now and I am thrilled with it and I believe my girls are too. This morning on the way there my dog was shaking she was so excited. Again, I was a bit concerned by this since this isn’t normal behavior for her. Any worry I may have had was quickly dispelled once we pulled up in front of the day care. She couldn’t get out of the car and inside fast enough, and she LOVES car rides. Both of my girls were very excited to run inside and play with their new friends.
I think the new ownership has drastically cleaned up the facility. I’m not sure what the other reviewer has against a fresh coat of paint but the place looks a million times better. Most important to me is that the focus is on the safety and well being of my dog. Having a clean and safe environment falls into that category for me. I was turned off originally by the decrepit look of the building. I was concerned that the neglect of the daycare equated to the neglect of my dog. The place is now clean and inviting and I feel very confidant leaving my dogs there. They come home tired from playing all day which equates to everyone in the house being happy. I feel the staff there is very friendly and honestly care about the health and well being of the dogs in their care.
A Dogs Best Friend is truly our Best Friend!

This used to be a fantastic daycare, but it was sold around Christmas 2011, and everything has slid downhill since. The focus has shifted from taking good care of people’s dogs to painting and decorating.
We used to take our dog here 2 days a week every week until we found a much better place. He came home on multiple occasions with injuries ranging from small scratches to large bleeding wounds. His ears were always all chewed up around the edges. When we would ask if anyone had noticed any incidents, we were told no one noticed anything. This tells me they were not paying attention.
Furthermore, we were forced to endure a sales pitch from one of their employees about the great dog food her friend makes that we should switch to. If i want to know about dog food I’ll ask a professional, not some random girl who can’t even adequately supervise a room full of dogs.
I only wish I had found a replacement daycare sooner, and had not given them as many chances to improve. Avoid this place if you can, there are many better places in Vancouver.