Woodcrest Kennel

When we had to board our 4 month old Golden Retriever while we were on vacation, we were very nervous. We called a veterinarian clinic in Fairlee, VT for a recommendation and they told us about Woodcrest Kennel. Simply put, Woodcrest Kennel was top notch in the care the provided our puppy during her 7 night stay at the kennel. We left her at 7 p.m. each night and picked her up at 8 a.m. each morning.

At all times, our puppy never hesitated during the nighttime drop-off and she would always run to us AND return to the kennel staff member for a quick goodbye when we picked her up every morning. We were more than pleased with the ENTIRE staff at Woodcrest Kennel. That is, the put our mind at ease with the care they provided our puppy.

Woodcrest Kennels stands out amongst all kennels I have used -in other states as well as New England. Jay lives on site and oversees every aspect of animal care. He has cared for young pups, aging dogs, dogs on special diets, and everything in-between. He has called me on vacation when he thought one of my hyperactive dogs was looking too thin, so we adjusted her feeding while I was gone.

When I had to leave town in an emergency, he agreed to keep (in isolation), and be the sole caregiver for, a dog who was being medically treated for intermittent aggression. Most recently, he called when my elderly dog had refused breakfast-something he and I both knew was a grim sign for this particular dog. "Hurrying home" from out West is a bit of a misnomer, but Jay called every 2 hours or so with an update.

He offered to meet us at 2am so we could get the dog home. He has moved my dogs around throughout the day so whomever needed companionship, or to be left alone, could get what they needed. Recognizing that a bad experience is possible at any kennel, I can only relay mine: that over multiple years, stays, 7(?) dogs, and the full spectrum of issues related to their care, my experience at Woodcrest has been nothing short of exceptional.

Just rating the daycare. I was told at drop off that its too dangerous for group dog play so they only get to go out for 15-30 min every 2 hrs. The exact words "were we try to" - which left me with not much confidence. I do appreciate them being upfront about that. I was in a bind so had to leave for him for the day and I can tell you my pup came out crazier than I have ever seen him.

Really hard not to think he spent most of the day in a cage. As I said, this is probably fine if thats all you need but its hardly on par with other doggy daycares we have used in the past. I really think they should update their website to reveal what a real day is like in daycare. With all that said, the place is clean and professional and I think it would do well for most dog owners. Not a place for a Vizsla that really needs exercise during the day.

There are an excessive number of dogs barking here and the two owners spend very little time there to be available to pick up and drop off. The prices are OK but no bargain and the dogs are mostly left alone as far as I can tell. They feed them and mostly just put them in the cage and probably use the rest of the day to enjoy their massive profits, making thousands a day with little overhead.

My two dogs came back stressed which hasn't been the case and other kennels. One had barked so much she couldn't anymore since she lost her voice. They will keep the dogs safe and are generally responsible to that extent, but the dogs are left to bark, and there are 50 cages. They also have a prayer of some availability when most other places are booked full very far out, Which I attributed to their willingness to have a great deal of dogs per person working there and devote minimal time.

Safety and availability are the most crucial things so they get three stars. While the dogs will get their basic needs taken care of and they will remain safe, they just might come back a little shaken.

Cares enough that he has Pure Solutions from Lyme spray their organic pesticide to kill ticks. Thank you!

The best groomer ever. Kind people. Exceptionally clean and organized. My long haired dog still looks groomed after a month and he loves the staff.

Wonderful Airedales breed by the best in the business. Jay and his team have the commitment and know how to keep this fine breed available to all who love a furry pal. I have 2 females from Last July 22nd's litter. A joy and a pleasure to have such companions. Be ready for action and the unexpected! Very affectionate and trainable.

Jay, Steve, and Cam take great care of Harley. She has become more social with other dogs and with men since going to doggie day care and staying there for a week while we were on vacation. She loves turning the corner now on Sawyer Brook Rd in Orford. I'm so glad we found Woodcrest Kennel they have been so great for Harley. I would recommend them to anyone.

We're not always in the area, but we have used Woodcrest a number of times for boarding and for grooming. I know they specialize in Airedales, but our Collie always comes home looking handsome and appropriately groomed. Jay obviously takes pride in his business and in the dogs. The staff has always been professional and they treat the dogs well. I recommend them highly! OK.if you want a negative.they are so good that it is sometimes hard to get an appointment! The quality is there.

I couldn't possibly find the words to express how wonderful Woodcrest Kennels has been. We have two difficult rescue dogs whom no one had been able to successfully groom in the past. Our vet highly recommended Woodcrest. They were so patient, gentle and loving and worked with our dogs to gain their trust. The pups come back from the groomers both happy and looking fabulous.

We are forever grateful to Jay and Heidi. Sadly we are moving out of state and won't be able to go there anymore. To facilitate work with the new groomers, Heidi wrote a very comprehensive note to guide the new groomers in working with our pups. Highest recommendation!

We have been taking our dogs to Woodcrest since 2003 and it has always been a positive experience. Jay and his staff came highly recommended to us when we first started using them, and they have always been competent and accommodating. As an owner of rescue dogs, I sometimes have reservations about handing over our rambunctious furry pals to people who are accustomed to working with hand-raised and highly trained animals, but our dogs' behavior has never been an issue for Woodcrest. Also, when we got our first dog, a malamute mix, back in 2003, I spent a fair amount of time picking Jay's brain about caring for this breed. Jay was generous with his time and advice. I have always felt the dogs got good loving care at Woodcrest.

It's troubling to see this outrageously negative earlier review based on questionable interpretation of a very limited experience. My wife Suzy and I are highly satisfied clients of Woodcrest Kennels, having adopted an Airedale from Jay and Rose this summer. We could not be more pleased with the entire process, in which Jay's competence, experience, and commitment to his dogs was very obvious to us.

From our perspective, Jay is a superb breeder, and Woodcrest is a kennel of well-earned, splendid reputation. We strongly suspect it's among the very finest in New England. Based on our recent and current experience we would recommend Woodcrest and Jay in the most positive terms to anyone seriously interested in obtaining a fine Airedale from a breeder who is an invaluable source of wise counsel, and who will remain devoted to each of his dogs for its entire life. It simply doesn't get any better than that.

I bring my dog to daycare at Woodcrest Kennel once a week, to make sure he's socialized well with other pups. He's always returned to me very happy and very tired. He has a great time, and wags his tail with delight when he's told he's going there for the day. The owners and employees are all wonderful, and I know they're looking after my dog well.

They give me reports on how he did, and offer advice for raising my puppy right. I absolutely trust them to take good care of my dog. I can't say enough good things about Jay and everyone at Woodcrest.

And the saga continues. This is the email response from Jay the owner --------------------------- Amin- Given your lack of communication when this first happened, you could have immediately gotten out of your car and have the odor problem solved within 5 minutes given you picked your dog up out of hours and our fees are not outrageous to say the least.

That along with your Negative review will not get you a refund. ---------------------------- What is interesting is, when we checked in we asked the staff if Maggie could be groomed. We were told 'no' because there were no grooming slots open. Jay finally picked up the phone and called me to berate me about how I'm a customer he would fire. Interestingly, throughout all of this he never took responsibility.

There was never a "sorry we screwed up; what can we do to make things right" or a "next time you come, we'll take care of everything - can't wait to see you and Maggie". Jay might be the best breeder in NH however he's an exceptionally small man with an inflated sense of self worth.