The Barkstonian

Christopher Macdonald-Dennis

2024-04

My dog Lucy has just started at the Barkstonian, and I could not be more pleased. I was nervous because she loved her daycare in western Massachusetts and was hoping we could find one that she would like. We really got lucky when we found The Barkstonian. Great staff, grooming services on site for convenience, really nice facilities...what more could we ask for?

Shaun Brown

2024-03

I brought my dog Cashmere to The Barkstonian for Daycare last week and I have to say the staff made me feel so comfortable leaving him there! They were very accommodating and he came home happy and tired too ..The best part was how clean and inviting the place was. Highly recommend

Ashley Speliotis

2023-10

Brought my dog to The Barkstonian for the first time and was SO impressed. Absolutely so flexible with scheduling - was able to get my dog in the very next day. Owner was so personable and thorough. Made sure she knew exactly what I wanted my dog to look like at pickup before I left her. Have been looking for a new groomer as other places do not listen to what I expect (they never cut her head short enough). Absolutely loved the way that my dog looked when I picked her up. So happy to have found our new groomer.

Carolyn Paulson

2023-08

their grooming is amazing. every worker here treated our babies so sweet & they paid such close attention to detail. my dogs went in extremely anxious & came out calm & happy. they also give a discount for new customers!! highly recommend

Haley Hastings

2024-02

We love Maria and the Barkstonian! We have been getting my 3 senior dogs groomed here for over a year now. We switched to Maria because one of our dogs has a disability and other groomers couldn’t handle her. She always makes sure to give my dogs extra breaks when they need it and they come home looking amazing! Not only are the staff and Maria great, but the building is too. It’s so nice and clean inside, and I love the little window by the front desk that the dogs can look out of! I would definitely recommend Maria and the Barkstonian for grooming. They truly care about your animals.

John Kelley

2023-05

The Barkstonian did a great job with our 2 dogs Buster & Bella!They we are both Happy and looking Fantastic after their grooming!I must say the Barkstonian Staff went above and beyond to handle our 2 little guys they made them feel so comfortable that Bella went right over to the staff!!The Barkstonian is a bright, clean and friendly atmosphere with a host of welcoming staff that make any pup feel at home and love during their visit.Thank you Barkstonian! You really put my dogs at ease while making them look and smell Amazing!Definetly will return for all my grooming and boarding needs!

Ann Ritchie

2024-04

So thankful we found Kissable Paws / Barkstonian! My Lhasa apso gets groomed by Maria and she boarded there once as well. This place is superior to every place we’ve tried in the area. Highly recommend!

Sal Bellofatto

2023-12

I like that this is an inside facility.No worries about cold temperatures or weather conditions creating any issues.They make sure that all the dogs shots are current. My dog Tempest was allowed to hang out for an hour or two to make sure she would be a good fit. The dogs are diligently watched over by an amazing, dedicated staff. Tempest has a chance to socialize and gets plenty of exercise and play time with new friends. I bring home a dog who is happy and ready for a long nap. I'm really glad we made the decision to bring Tempest to the Barkstonian.

Nicolle Dananberg

2023-12

Moved to Salem back in May and have been taking my dog here since. She loves it and gets so excited to go in the mornings. The staff is super friendly and you can tell they care about the dogs! My one suggestion is to give the dogs all day access to the outdoor area in the nicer weather months and to add a camera so I can check up on my dog during the day!

Anne Kelley

2023-05

Wow...just Terrific! I have owned dogs my entire life and have been to countless groomer, boarders etc. I have never felt more welcome and actually listened to without someone trying to over talk/sell me something. The atmosphere is playful and fun. The building is bright and clean with a historical "Bostonian" vibe. Staff is warm and friendly and the service was impeccable, making our Pet "Otto" (3 yr old bernadoodle) feeling welcomed and loved.Otto left squeaky clean and looking smart!! We could not be happier with the results and the amazing staff that made our dog feel so welcomed and looking like a million dollars...which was a big job with all his mats.Well Done Barkstonian! You are the BEST!Will definitely look into boarding during vacations!

Gabriella C

2024-01

This place is awesome! My dog Bruno has only been a handful of times but I’ve trusted the staff from the start with Maria’s expertise in dog care. She was very honest during the assessment that if he was too anxious to be at daycare (which he was for the first 5 minutes), then she wouldn’t recommend bringing him in for half or full days. But after she took her time to guide him in and make him feel safe, he totally opened up. And now he runs from half a mile away to the daycare when I tell him it’s a daycare day. I also brought him in for grooming, which was fantastic, and she took the time to help me figure out why he was having irritable skin and a sensitive stomach. I had brought him to urgent care 4x before the grooming visit for skin and stomach related sensitivities, and at no point was the vet as thorough as she was to get to the root of the problem. She recommended changing his food to another brand, and he has had no skin or stomach issues since! Highly recommend!

Crow Haven Corner

2023-12

Maria is the best ! I left my two dogs she took excellent care of them!The rooms are big and clean ! You can tell she cares about her dogs and she grooms them ! Most of all she is very kind and so professional ! Her is very attentive as well ! I would give her a 100 stars !

Joseph Kaye

2024-01

I highly recommend the Barkstonian for dog daycare, boarding and grooming. My Bouvier de Flandres, Max has been visiting every Thursday, for several months, when the cleaning people come to my house, so he is not in their way. He loves going to daycare so much! When we turn the corner onto Franklin Street, he starts whining impatiently and once I park, he literally drags me to their door to get in. Obviously he loves the staff and wants to be there. The owner and staff are very nice and professional; unlike other daycares I considered, they gave me a tour of their facility so I could see how the dogs were cared for, how clean it is, and how the dogs have a nice indoor play area with sofas to sit on and an outdoor astroturfed area. I did not see any dog waste or accidents in the facility and it smells very clean. The boarding stalls are roomy with walls-not cages. They do not put your pet in a crate. Instead the theme of the place is to replicate a house with walls and furniture so the dogs feel comfortable. I will be boarding Max for a week over the holidays and the staff was very accommodating; I asked them to give him walks outdoors on his leash as that is what he is used to to do his business and they readily agreed, and even took him for a walk during his daycare on Thursday without me even asking them to. Again, I highly recommend this business and you can trust them with your pet for daycare, boarding, and grooming.

Michele Fiore

2024-03

Love this place!!! They took care of our baby so well when we went on vacation For a week! Our dog was so happy there I couldn’t believe how well he warmed up to the owner she’s truly amazing! I wouldn’t ever bring my dog anywhere else but here ever again especially since I’ve had a few bad experiences elsewhere! You can trust this place! Very happy!

Jane Bobtail

2023-12

I had a job in Boston and needed a place for my dog Mugzy to stay while I was at work during the day. This place came very recommended from a few locals. I was beyond impressed at the level of service, the amazing size of this facility and how much they really care for the pets they care for. I am so happy I found this place, I will definitely have my baby stay there next time I have a job here. I highly recommend the Barkstonian. Thank you so much for taking care of my Mugzy.

Ashley Fontina

2023-12

If there’s one place I would trust to leave my beloved puppy it’s the Barkstonian. The owner is very knowledgeable and took time out of her busy schedule to give us tips on our new dog. The facility is very well managed, clean and the staff is friendly. I can not recommend them enough.

Sydney Broman

2024-01

I am disappointed in my dog's first day at the Barkstonian. I will not be bringing him back. When I picked him up, I saw a teenage girl chasing him around in the dog playroom in attempts to bring him to me. This would make any dog anxious - a stranger chasing them around. I offered to get him myself and they would not let me. I received no update on how his day was when picking him up on his first experience there, and was dismissed before I could ask as they appeared to be too busy. They put a dog a collar on him he's used to harnesses. When I brought him home, he was anxiously pacing around my home. Normally he's exhausted and happy after doggie daycare - he has been to many before and has never had an experience like this one.

Keirstin Pinela

2023-05

Maria did an excellent job with my Pekingese, who is a nervous rescue. She made her feel very comfortable and she left there looking and smelling beautiful! I already booked her next visit. Highly recommend!!!

Andrea Young

2023-10

I have been taking my pets to Maria for grooming for over 16 years and she has been fantastic. I have a year old Wheaten Terrier and today I brought him to try daycare. Maria called me to let me know that he was really stressed and scared, and that she didn't want him to not enjoy the experience. We talked for a bit and decided that daycare isn't the best option for him. I appreciate that she took the time to talk to me about what's best for him. She truly cares about their well-being. She is the best!

Erin Chevalier

2023-09

We love this place! We’ve boarded our golden retriever, Annie, for both short and longer stays and she’s done great. The staff is attentive and the place is so clean. Maria did an amazing job grooming her and even took time to help with with some training. She is sooo good with Annie. Highly recommend!

Jüri Kiin

2023-10

Our dog candy loves it here! She's a little shy/awkward so theyre very accommodating and often put her with the little dogs who she loves! She's always excited when she sees us entering the parking lot and is super tired after! The flexible pickup/dropoff hours are super appreciated!I do wish they could have extended / open access to the outdoor area during the day (they have 2 separate time periods where that remains open).

Deanna Broderick

2023-10

We bring our pup Gus here when he stays with my mom. He has a great time with a couple of friends he really loves. When we first went to check it out I was greeted warmly by Maria and walked around the whole facility. I got to see how loved the dogs were and how great the space is.

Erika Holland

2023-05

On my last visit back to MA for a family event, I needed a place I could trust to take care of my dog, Frankie, while I tended to my family. The Barkstonian was recommended and they didn't disappoint! The place is beautiful, clean, and the staff is friendly. A bonus is the on-site groomer. I felt confident leaving Frankie there. When we returned the next day, she was so excited, she pulled me to the door. The Barkstonian is highly recommended.

Rhys Ryan

2023-05

Our previous doggie day care, boarding and grooming place closed. We loved sending our dogs there. We were recommended to use The Barkstonian and we couldn't be happier. Maria is lovely and clearly loves animals. She takes great care of our girls, Mollie and Wedge, and are thankful that she is open and available in our neighborhood. And her grooming service is top-notch. This is a nice holiday gift for us!

Candace Bawarski

2023-10

My dog loved going to The Barkstonian! She was well cared for and I felt very comfortable leaving her there. Everyone seemed to really care about the dogs. She also got groomed and has never smelled better!

Rachel Orenberg

2023-10

If anyone is looking for a great groomer and wonderful place for doggy daycare, please try The Barkstonian in Salem. Maria is a wonderful owner and always keeps us in the loop during grooming sessions. The business is clean inside and Maria consistently bends over backwards to help out her customers.Unfortunately, her business has been the victim of a few cruel social media posts full of baseless claims that went viral. Something apparently is now circulating on Facebook and her Google Reviews were previously attacked with many reviews from non-customers.Please support this wonderful local business so she can continue to run her daycare and grooming salon. She deserves all of our support.Here’s an adorable photo of our boys to show her amazing talent!

Andrew Orenberg

2023-10

It’s so upsetting that people once again are trying to ruin this wonderful business and its owner’s livelihood. My two golden doodles love coming here for daycare and always look beautiful after grooming. It’s so hard to find groomers now and Maria works over time every day to make sure the dogs get the care they need. It’s incredibly clean inside and Maria is as transparent as they get. Why are there so many cruel people out there trying to defame this woman?!

Emily Briggs

2023-05

Since our last doggy daycare closed we have been using Barkstonian and we love it! The space is great, everything is clean, and the people clearly love our dogs as much as we do. We have used daycare, boarding, and grooming and have had great experiences with all. Our guy comes home happy and tired at the end of the day!

Jesse Gage

2023-05

The Barkstonian does an amazing job grooming my doodle. Spends the time to get out all the mats instead of just shaving. My dog loves the daycare. They also are very flexible about appointments and have saved us many times.

Vicki Kirkpatrick

2024-04

I CANT BELIEVE HOW FANTASTIC MY BABY LOOKS!!Shes great with all the animals and yoyo has been SMILING since he's gotten home!lmao