Paws & Relax

We’ve been bringing our mini Aussie Koa here for daycare and boarding over the last two years and don’t have one bad thing to say about this place. People are friendly and you can tell they really care about the dogs. We’ve done both the two day and three day daycare packages and he always comes home exhausted which is awesome for us because we rarely have time to bring him to the park after work.
— they have two separate rooms and a big backyard where the dogs can play all year round
— you can get the password to their cameras if you want to take a peek at what your pup is up to during the day (beware this can be addicting)
— they do drop off service for $ 7 if you can’t make it by 7pm pickup time. We do this regularly and they always lock up and leave the spare key behind
— boarding is simple and straightforward. You tell them what days you’re on vacation and once you’re confirmed they send an automated email for your records. We’ve heard they get wait listed for holidays but we’ve always put in our requests ahead of time and have always got in. There’s always someone who stays overnight with the dogs so you have piece of mind someone is always there with your pup
— they have an automated system to send out receipts every month when they charge your card for day care or drop-​offs
— they’re also on Instagram and every so often we’ll see a post of Koa which we get a kick out of
Koa is definitely a people-​needy dog and can be a grouch around other dogs but we know he loves the place because he barrels through the front door every time and is so happy to see all the people working there. We know from experience if he doesn’t like a place he’ll start barking at us once we turn to leave, which is what happened with another dog boarding place in Brooklyn and we haven’t been back there since.

Great staff, my pup loves it here. Super friendly and it’s great to be able to watch the dogs on the video cam

I think this place is just great. And so does my dog! :)
We’ve been here twice and while the people can be a little rushed, they are friendly and I feel like my munchkin is well cared for. There’s lots of love and fun at this place.
Recommended! :)

Since writing this review, I’ve received great, comprehensive updates about my dog’s behavior. I think you just have to make sure you speak to one of the people in charge and ask questions at a time other than the time of pickup, when they’re a bit rushed.

My dogs always have a blast when they are here

My dog has been coming here daily for 4 years and I can’t rave enough. The staff is loving, active with the dogs, and love their job and all the dogs! The owners are present, always on top of things, and give my dog so much love. She gets excited when she walks in the door — and that’s truly the most honest opinion. I’ve also boarded her countless times over the years and feel secure knowing she’s very well taken care of

When our dog Jupiter was injured at another local day care, we got at least 10 recommendations from our neighbors in StuyTown to take him to Paws & Relax instead, and I’m so thrilled we did. The place has a large outdoor area for the pups to enjoy the weather, plus the owner is all around fantastic — very professional and caring AND a dog owner himself! Jupiter gets so excited to go and he’s wiped out from hanging with his dog buddies by the end of the day. Love this place!

My dog, Ruxin, and I loved our time at Paws & Relax. Unfortunately, we recently moved out of the neighborhood and I’ve been trying to convince them to open a second location because I really believe that no one will love and care for my little guy as much as the Paws team does (other than myself).
Ruxin went to Paws & Relax 5 days a week and would always run down my street to daycare. Everyone on the Paws team was always super accomodating to my sometimes crazy schedule and always squeezed Ruxin in for a last minute drop off even though it was already past the 4PM cut off. Their prices are reasonable and even have a puppycam where you can monitor your little one. Honestly, I stopped watching the camera because I knew Ruxin was in good hands.
I have nothing bad to say about Paws & Relax. They took good care of my pup and treated him like he was their dog. We miss them already!

i have been using paws and relax on and off for a year both the day care and boarding…
unfortunately my last experience was unacceptable.
i have an English bulldog who has a heart problem and takes medication daily.
when i picked him up i was quick to realize that he had not been medicated at ALL and not fed properly despite my clear instructions and a 10 min conversation with two staff members…
i also asked staff to inform me immediately about any accidents or fights as he has had festered cuts from previous stays that i was never told about and have needed antibiotics in the past…
this also didn’t happen…
As for the the puppy cam is great, but i would prefer to watch staff members monitoring the dogs behavior not practicing a dance routine!
if this had been the first time they had done this i would have been more incline to believe all the he say she say but this will be the last time i use this incompetent facility
please take this in consideration if choosing to use this as your dogs home away from home…
if you have a no fuss dog this place is fine, but if u have a dog that uses medication or needs any kind of special attention whats so ever i would use «ruff club» down the road.

Time for an update!
We’ve lived in the neighborhood for a few years now and I cannot say enough about how good Paws & Relax has been to us. I’ve grown less obsessed with the web cam since I first reviewed this daycare, but I still like to know that I can check in on my baby throughout the day.
I fear the day when we move away from this area. I doubt we’ll ever find another daycare so close to our home. A new project at work has caused a lot of uncertainty and unpredictability in my weekly schedule. I am so thankful to Jon, Dean and anyone else who answers my frantic emails/​calls asking if they can bring Lego home on last minute’s notice. They are great about giving me updates on Lego’s behavior (like children, she has some bad habits).
We also use them for walking on the days she doesn’t go to daycare. I fully trust these people entering my home and know that Lego loves visitors in the afternoon.
Again, these people are like another family to my pup. It’s clear she enjoys her time at Paws, and we enjoy the peace of mind sending her there.

I was apprehensive about boarding my 4 month old boston terrier puppy, but had planned a memorial day weekend trip months ago. I decided to pay Paws & Relax a visit based on its great Unilocal reviews, as well as another doggy daycare in Tribeca that was recommended by my vet. Ultimately I selected Paws & Relax because it was an open atmosphere (I don’t crate my puppy at home so why would I want him in a cage in a new environment) and they have a backyard area! The location seemed to be very clean when I visited randomly. They have 24 hour staff, including someone that stays overnight with the dogs, and a webcam that you can login to to watch your dog play. Aside from ensuring that each dog has proof of vaccinations, this was the only place I called that required a ‘dog interview’…this gave me some additional comfort about the dogs my pup would be spending time with. Above all this, the staff is fantastic. By the time I had landed at my vacation destination I had received an email letting me know my puppy was doing well and was hanging out on their couch, along with a picture! While away I wasn’t able to login to the webcam from my iPad or the hotel, so I called for daily updates. When I mentioned my puppy’s name they knew exactly who I was referencing and happily gave me an update on how he was doing.
Once I got my puppy home I noticed he would go sit over by a bin where I keep his toys, leash, etc. Sure enough it was his way of telling me he wanted to go out (I was amazed because we had only wee wee pad trained him at home). I can only gather that he picked this up at Paws & Relax watching the other dogs go outside /​wait by the backyard door.
Based on my experience I highly recommend Paws & Relax. Despite living on the west side, I will definately go out of my way to bring my puppy to this location the next time I need to go out of town /​am occupied for the day.

**Please note that I just went to check out the business, and that my dog has never attended daycare there.
I would not be able to «paws» or relax knowing that my dog was in this daycare, which is unfortunate. I was pretty stoked to find it — reasonable prices, great location, and above all– great Unilocal reviews.
The business that I actually saw doesn’t seem to match up with the one receiving high marks here. Perhaps I’m totally spoiled, as my dog’s current daycare in Boston is absolutely incredible. I may have to move for work, so I headed down to NYC to check out apartments and dog daycares last Saturday.
I called ahead to make sure it was ok for me to come and check the space out. The staff member I spoke with was very nice and invited me to come down, but noted that due to safety regulations, I would only be able to look through the glass, not go back and see the whole space. Ok, that sounds pretty standard. I made my way down there and was pleasantly surprised to find parking nearby. The shop is nestled in a tree lined neighborhood, with a café right around the corner. So far, so good.
When I walked up to the shop, I saw a young man sitting out on the stoop playing on his phone. I figured he was waiting for his dog to be brought out so I stepped past him and waited at the front desk. The same guy from the front step came in and asked if I needed help. I said I’d called earlier and he gave me a bit of info about the space. It was small, but had outdoor space, which is a plus. However, based on my conversation with him, which was pleasant, I would NEVER, EVER bring my dog there.
1…Who was watching the dozen or so dogs while you were out on the front step? In the bathroom? Out to lunch? «Oh, I know these dogs so well, I knew I could step away and it wouldn’t be a problem.» I have never, ever heard of a good daycare that only has 1 person on staff– what happens if a dog gets sick or injured on their watch and needs to be taken to the vet? Do they leave all the other dogs solo? Do they just wait for someone to come relieve them or wait for the owner (who may be away on business and/​or unavailable)? This just seems blatantly irresponsible.
2…How often do you clean this space? «Every day.» I could see alot of animal waste just from where I was standing, and cannot imagine that it smelled very good back there. You’re supposed to mop it up/​pick it up when it occurs, not let it fester and get to it every few hours. It just seemed like a breeding ground for giardia.
3…Who’s back there with the dogs? «No one, we stay up here.» Any decent daycare has people interacting with the dogs and playing games with them. It seems like this place just has them chilling in a dark pen.
I didn’t even bother to ask if he was pet CPR/​First Aid certified because I was already running for the hills. This sort of setup may be ok for more sedentary dogs, but my puppy has a bit of energy and I expect it to be burned off when he comes home from daycare. I can’t see that happening here. For $ 30 a day, your dog deserves better. I’m hoping that I just caught them on an off day– it was a Saturday, after all– and that all these glowing reviews, almost all of which come from Unilocalers with orange heads and less than 10 reviews, are the real deal and not fake ones written up by the staff and/​or friends of the owner.

As a law student and single mom (to an adorable 8 month old frenchie), I came to Paws & Relax with pretty high expectations: friendly & knowledgable staff willing to give personal attention to my little girl, affordable rates and flexible packages. They have gone over and above all my expectations. They immediately knew me and Olive by name, which eased her (and my…) separation anxiety. Olive is attached to me at all times — except when we round the corner of 14^th Street and Ave B. She pulls me down the street, darts in to say hi to her buddies and barely looks back. She even came home with a Valentine’s Day treat for her mommy in February. I guarantee you will not find better owners and more amazing staff anywhere in the city.
Sending Olive to Paws & Relax was the easiest (& BEST) decision I’ve made since adopting the little snuggle monster.

Hands down the BEST doggy daycare I’ve ever seen.
I took my dog, Bandit, a few days a week while I was at work. Dropping him off for the first day, I felt like I was taking a baby to it’s first day at daycare! He was nervous to leave my side and I was worried about whether or not he would enjoy it!
Fast forward 8 hours and I walked in to pick him up. He was lying on the couch on his back, getting belly rubs from a sweet employee in between leaping off to play with the other pups. He didn’t even WANT to come home! Once we got home, he slept like a log all night long!
It is a testament to the place that every dog there is excited to walk in the front door every day. Though the price can seem expensive, it is worth EVERY penny and is no more expensive than any other reputable dog care center. They genuinely love and care for animals and the ability to see your dog on webcam any time during the day is such a great bonus (prepare to see he/​she having the time of their lives!)
AMAZING staff… AMAZING place.

I am so glad to have paws&relax in the neighborhood but more importantly, my pooch loves it. When we round the corner, her tail goes crazy. I’ve boarded her several times & taken her for regular daycare — while watching on the addicting webcam from work.
Everyone working there is kind, friendly, patient, understanding & extremely accomodating — I’m able to call from the office and ask to have her walked home if it’s a late evening — I’m very grateful to have this service on Avenue B

My Yorkie, Emil, spends 1 – 2 days a week here, and I have boarded him once. I was astonished to find that, from day one, the entire staff knew his name AND that I was his owner. They always have great attitudes, and are gentle and friendly with the dogs. If your dog also needs grooming, they’ll take your pet next door to Unleashed– also a wonderful establishment.
Daycare: I spend a lot of time with their daycare web-​cam in the corner of my screen at work. The dogs are always supervised, and all potty messes are cleaned up immediately. The door to their backyard is often open, allowing the dogs to roam as they please. One day, my Yorkie and someone’s Dachshund were going bonkers running circles around each other, so the staff let them go in a separate room for a while so they could have plenty of room to go nuts playing. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Boarding: I love that there are no metal kennels and that a staffer spends the night with the dogs. Does your dog like to sleep in the bed with you? They’re more than welcome to do the same when they spend the night here, if you don’t mind them cheating on you. ;)
Owners: They’re always friendly and accommodating. They themselves have one little dog and one huge dog who, pictures show, enjoy snuggling together.
You’ll be happy you brought your buddy here.

For the longest time, we hesitated in putting our dogs in overnight stays.
Now my husband and I are very comfortable with leaving our boys at Paws and Relax.
Why we liked the place:
We met with the employees there, everyone seemed tentative and friendly.
We checked out the facility and environment and loved that they have a grass area for the dogs.
The option to see your dog via the webcam is great!
The dogs are not caged up during daycare or overnight stays.

At first, we would call up during the day to check on the boys and see if they are doing ok, eating fine, etc. Once we mentioned our boys names on the phone, they were able to provide me details of their day. Who they were playing with, how their stools have been, how they were not eating (that is ok because they don’t really eat when they are excited), etc. Just the characteristic and personality of your dogs that you already knew but it was nice that they reaffirmed it because they are definitely observing and taking care of them.

I love this place and everyone here. I’ve been taking my dog here for a few months now and the entire staff has been nothing but super friendly and amenable to everything I need. Each time I call I talk to the same few people so at this point, they know my name and they know my dog’s needs. I know for a fact at Biscuits and Bath you talk to a different person each time.
The prices are reasonable. Solid prices for amazing service. Because I live in the neighborhood, after daycare, they drop doggy off at my place for only $ 5. That is a GREAT convenience because I can go about my day worry free (although I’m sure the price varies depending on where you live). I totally trust the owners and their hiring decisions. In other words, I don’t worry about some creepster entering my apartment.
These are my go-​to people when it comes to doggy. On the days doggy doesn’t go to daycare, if I freak out and want someone to check on him and take him out, their response is always «no problem absolutely» ($ 15 for 30 minute walk). During the day, I log onto their live webcam and can watch little pupster while I’m at work.
At other places I’ve taken doggy to, they just throw all the pups in a room and don’t monitor. At P&R, I know for a fact they are monitoring the dogs (I see it on the webcam). If a dog is tired or needs to be separated, they separate the dog so he can sleep or not bother the others. They are very acute to the health of the environment. If they sense doggy might be getting sick or notice a cut or infection, they’ll let me know. They have doggy’s best interests at heart.
These people are friendly, honest, and reliable. I love these guys (and one girl).

I highly recommend this place for your dog!
I have a 6lbs toy poodle who is the love of my life. I checked out a few doggie daycare/​boarding facilities online and came upon Paws and Relax — from what I saw on their website, they seemed to be a place worth checking out. I took my puppy over to see the place and meet the staff and couldn’t have been more please when I walked through the door. The owners are so nice, the facilities are clean and spacious, and the backyard is great! They are so accommodating when you need day care or boarding at the last minute — my dog has a blast while he is there and comes home exhausted from playing. The staff gives him and the other dogs lots of love and attention — no on loves him more than I do, but they do a pretty good job!

I needed to go out of town for one night back in January and I visited a few places to board my dog. I was very impressed by the owners at Paws & Relax and ultimately decided to board her with them for the night. She was a very happy girl when I went to pick her up. The owners loved her to death and asked when they’d see here again — and that was the beginning of a long relationship.
She’s now a regular on Tuesdays. All the staff know her and love her so much. The groomers next store at Unleashed visit her on Tuesdays, too. It’s one big, happy, animal love fest over on Avenue B. My little dog loves her visits, she pulls me down the street to get there in the mornings and is always exhausted when she gets home from a day filled with healthy play.
I can’t say enough about these guys. Steve & Jon are fantastic as are their staff. They truly treat your dog as part of their family.
A quick update — I am addicted to «Pooch Watch» — you’ll love it!