We’re proud to be named Boston magazine’s Best of Boston® 2025 – Best Doggie Daycare.
HIGH SPIRITED HOUNDS AT BELMONT
Crate Escape Belmont’s daycare operation has evolved to follow a more structured and enriching model. What this means is that some behavioral challenges that your dog may be facing in daycare (and out) can be mitigated by having a more balanced and varied day.
We achieve this by offering:
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Smaller group sizes
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More individual attention from staff
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Positive reinforcement
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Structured rest times to help energy regulation and overstimulation
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Enrichment activities (walks, canine fitness, snuffle mats and ball pits, etc.)
We are focused on the overall happiness of our pups and staff. Having a more connected experience creates positive behaviors. Tired dogs = Happy dogs!
HIGH SPIRITED HOUNDS HOURS
Drop off hours: Monday - Friday 7am - 10am
Pick up hours: Monday - Friday 12pm-1pm and 3pm - 6:30pm
No early drop off or late pick up offered at this location.
POLICIES
All dogs attending daycare must be up to date on their bordetella, distemper and rabies vaccinations, dogs 8 months or older must be spayed/neutered. A copy of your dog’s vaccination records will be kept on file. We ask that topical flea and tick solutions are applied 48 hours prior to your reservation.
We reserve the right to deny daycare admittance for dogs presenting with symptoms consistent with contagious illness, open wounds, or injuries requiring bandaging, protective coverings, or limited mobility. A letter from your vet confirming that your dog is in good health will be required to regain admittance to daycare.
TEMPERAMENT TRIAL
At Crate Escape, we know that every dog is different—which is why we’ve transitioned all of our daycare to a structured, enrichment-centered HSH (High Spirited Hounds) model. This approach allows us to provide smaller, thoughtfully matched playgroups, a 10-to-1 dog-to-staff ratio, and intentional balance between play, enrichment, and rest.
Our Temperament Trial is a half-day introduction designed to ensure your dog feels comfortable and confident within this structured environment.
During the trial, your pup will be gently introduced to our daily rhythm, including enrichment activities, carefully managed social time, and built-in crate breaks that allow for rest and decompression. Crate time serves as a calm, predictable reset—helping dogs regulate, recharge, and return to play in a balanced way. We’ll also introduce them to members of our team to observe how they respond to new people and experiences.
Throughout the process, our experienced staff closely monitors your dog’s comfort level, play style, and ability to settle within the structure of the day. At pickup, we’ll share our observations and discuss how your dog can thrive in our HSH-based program.
Drop-off time is between 7:30am-8:30am.
Pick-up time is between 1pm-2pm.
Cost: $25, which will be credited toward your first High Spirited Hounds (HSH) day.
This trial is as much about your dog as it is about you—we welcome your input, questions, and goals so we can build a relationship based on trust and care from the very start.
If your dog has not attended daycare in 3 months, they will need to complete a re-trial before returning to daycare.
PUPPY SOCIAL PROGRAM
We offer a half day Puppy Socialization program on Mondays OR Fridays.
Puppies are complete sponges! They play and interact with dogs differently than adult dogs; they deserve a space that teaches them great daycare behaviors and proper social skills in a safe, engaging environment. They will learn valuable social skills with other their puppy peers and be exposed to a variety of stimuli to create confident and well-rounded dogs. Some examples of activities include crate games, grooming equipment, different dogs, people and sounds, handling, elevated surfaces, basic training, etc.
We require an 8-week commitment to either Mondays OR Fridays. The total cost is $416 ($52 per session). Minimum age to sign up is 10 weeks with a maximum age of 12 months for beginning a program.
Vaccines required are the first round of distemper (DHPP) and kennel cough. Rabies is required between 12-16 weeks. We also require a negative fecal sample before your dog starts!
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Puppy Social Drop Off Hours: 8-9am
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Puppy Social Pick Up hours: 12-1pm
Please fill out the Puppy Social Questionnaire to enroll!
OVERNIGHTS AT SUITE ESCAPE
OVERNIGHTS
For current daycare clients who have been attending daycare consistently for 3+ months, we offer overnight services at our Suite Escape location. To make sure your pup feels right at home, we require that all dogs do a trial overnight before their first stay. This helps us ensure they’re comfortable and happy in our care.
Suite Escape overnight boarding is designed for well-dogs who are able to comfortably participate in daytime activities without medical restrictions or specialized handling. We are happy to administer routine oral medications for dogs who are otherwise healthy and able to fully participate in their day. Dogs requiring more intensive, acute, or specialized care must receive advanced approval from our team prior to boarding. This allows us to determine whether we are able to safely support your dog's needs or if a more individualized care setting is required. All medical conditions, injuries, or changes in health must be disclosed in advance of arrival. Failure to do so may result in a required program change or an inability to board.
Please contact Crate Escape Belmont to make a reservation.
If you are a non-daycare client, please contact Suite Escape directly.
OVERNIGHT DROP OFF HOURS (at Suite Escape in Charlestown):
Monday-Sunday 7am-12pm
OVERNIGHT PICK UP HOURS (at Suite Escape in Charlestown):
Monday-Sunday 7am-8pm
GROOMING
The Belmont location offers grooming Tuesday-Friday by Daniela, a seasoned, sweet, loving, professional groomer who has been with us for 10 years. Services offered: full grooms, baths, nails, anal gland expressions, teeth and ear cleaning. Prices vary based on the dog.
Please email groomsbydaniela@gmail.com to make an appointment.
The drop off window in Belmont is between 9am and 10:30am. When you arrive in the parking lot, please call (617) 932-1730 and Daniela will meet you at the back door of the facility. You will go over all the grooming instructions at drop off. Daniela will call you when she is finished grooming your dog. Please be patient and plan accordingly as grooming appointments can take up to a full day. You will go to the back door for pick up. We require credit cards on file for all grooming appointments.
DOG WALKING
We offer individual and group dog walks out of our Crate Escape Walden location. We service parts of Arlington, Belmont and Cambridge. If you are interested in learning more, please email walks.crateescape@gmail.com.
BELMONT GALLERY
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Photo credit to Jess Foto
