Something to Wag About, Inc.

Something to Wag About offers a variety of day programs and dog training services. The Canine Recreation Center provides individualized days with 4-5 activities, rest breaks, and fresh water, focusing on play, enrichment, and mental stimulation. Activities include small group socials, physical exercise, pack walks, canine treadmill use, flirt pole, dog sports like agility and flyball, obedience practice, tricks, puzzle toys, snuffle mats, and scent work.

Day programs include Social Daycare for social dogs, Enrichment Daycare for mental and physical challenges, Day School for structured manners and life skills training (20 consecutive visits), and Puppy Kindergarten for puppies 4 months and younger, focusing on socialization, confidence-building, and foundational training (20 consecutive visits). Puppy Kindergarten also includes grooming introductions and private lessons.

Dog training services feature small group classes with a maximum of four students per instructor. These include Basic Skills and Manners (sit, stay, down, come, loose-leash walking), AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Class for certification preparation, Fungility for non-competitive agility, AKC Novice Tricks for trick titles, and Fitness for canine strength and coordination. Open Athletics provides access to facility equipment for self-paced practice. Private Training Sessions and Training Consultations are available for personalized one-on-one support, addressing specific behavior concerns or advanced goals, either at their facility or off-site.

Pricing Summary

Canine Recreation Center is $49 per day, with a premium day option for $59. A 30-minute meet and greet is $35, which includes a free day at the recreation center. Day Programs include Social Daycare for $45/day and Enrichment Daycare for $58/day. Day School and Puppy Kindergarten are offered as packages of 20 consecutive visits for $135/day and $120/day, respectively.

Group training classes are priced per class: Basic Skills and Manners is $250, AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Class is $300, Fungility is $200, AKC Novice Tricks is $200, and Fitness is $200. Private Training Sessions cost $150 per hour, plus mileage if conducted off-site. Training Consultations are $75, plus mileage if off-site.

Grooming services vary in price by size, breed, temperament, and coat condition. Walk-in services include Nail trims ($15.00), Nail grind ($20.00), Paw Balm ($10.00), Ear cleaning ($10.00), Pick 3 Spa Package ($30.00), Brushing with PEK Hydration Spray Treatment ($15.00/10 minutes), and Dematting ($25.00/10 minutes). Shampoo and conditioner upgrades range from $5.00 to $15.00. Grooming and bathing add-ons range from $4.00 to $35.00.

Policies

For the Canine Recreation Center, dogs must complete a 30-minute meet and greet evaluation prior to attending. They must be up-to-date on Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella vaccinations, be crate-trained, and have no human-reactivity issues. Reservations are required, and dogs must attend twice a month to be eligible for the program.

For Puppy Kindergarten, puppies must be up-to-date on age-appropriate vaccinations, with a minimum of one round of Bordetella and two rounds of DHPP vaccines. Payment for this program is due at the time of booking. All dogs enrolling in Day Programs must be up-to-date on vaccinations and pass a behavioral assessment before enrollment. All grooming appointments require proof of rabies vaccination.

Something to Wag About, Inc. is a dog training business that also provides comprehensive canine care services, including doggy daycare and professional grooming. They are dedicated to continuously educating themselves and the community, always prioritizing the dog’s best interest. The company also supports local animal shelters by offering free grooming and daycare services.

Their innovative Canine Recreation Center provides high-quality, individualized care for all dogs, especially those who may not thrive in traditional daycare settings. They maintain rigorous cleaning protocols, utilizing UV-C light to sanitize their indoor facility and cleaning outdoor play yards multiple times daily.

Something to Wag About offers engaging day programs tailored to various needs, from social play to structured training. Their dog training group classes are small and personalized, with a maximum of four students per instructor, ensuring ample one-on-one attention. All pet groomers are certified in pet CPR and first aid, emphasizing their commitment to safety and well-being.

Accomplishments

Something to Wag About is Packpro certified, AKC Safe certified, Fear Free certified in grooming and daycare, and Pet CPR/First Aid certified. They are also certified in 15 coat types.

Elissa Nally, the owner, won Maine Young Entrepreneur of the Year for 2023 through the SBA. She has eight years of experience in the canine industry and is Pet Safe CPR & First Aid certified, Fear Free Certified, and AKC Safe Handling Certified. Elissa is an IPG Certified Professional Groomer with certifications in fifteen coat types and skin assessment from Barkleigh Production, making her a certified aesthetician. She has education through Pack Pro and has attended numerous grooming conferences and seminars. Elissa is also the secretary/treasurer for the Maine Professional Groomers Association and an active member of the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce.

Margaret, the doggy daycare manager, has five years of experience in the canine industry and holds two certifications through Pack Pro. She is AKC safe handling certified, Pet Safe CPR and First Aid certified, and has two years of grooming experience. Margaret is currently enrolled in the Karen Pryor Academy for dog training, working on completing her dog trainer professional course.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients can contact Something to Wag About by phone at 207-667-2924 or visit their facility to learn more and book a spot. For the Canine Recreation Center, dogs must complete a 30-minute meet and greet evaluation before attending. For Day Programs, all dogs must pass a behavioral assessment before enrollment.