Emmy's Barking Lot - Hanover, MA
Emmy’s Barking Lot – A Premier Dog Park & Daycare in Hanover, Massachusetts
Located in the heart of Hanover, MA, Emmy’s Barking Lot is more than just a local dog park – it’s a full-service dog daycare and home away from home for your furry family members. This pet-friendly facility is praised by dog owners for its dedicated, caring staff and flexible scheduling, making it one of the best dog parks and doggy daycares on the South Shore. Emmy’s Barking Lot offers professional training, day care, and home boarding, helping energetic pups get the socialization and exercise they need in a safe and fun environment.
While Emmy’s does not separate dogs by size, they provide a supervised, indoor-outdoor space where dogs enjoy freedom of movement, regular staff attention, and plenty of opportunities for play and companionship. Many locals highlight their positive experiences, strong staff relationships, and the peace of mind knowing their dogs are in good hands. Emmy’s Barking Lot is an excellent choice for Hanover-area families seeking a reliable dog daycare or social setting for their pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, dogs enjoy supervised off-leash play both indoors and outdoors at Emmy’s Barking Lot.
- Are there breed or size restrictions at this dog park? No, dogs are not separated by size and all friendly dogs are welcome in the shared play area.
- Are there staff or caregivers present at the park? Yes, experienced staff supervise all dogs throughout their stay and are known for their professionalism and care.
- Is this a daycare as well as a dog park? Yes, Emmy’s Barking Lot offers daycare, training, and home boarding services in addition to the play area.
- How flexible is scheduling and attendance? Emmy’s Barking Lot is noted for being highly flexible and accommodating to owners’ needs and schedules.
Reviews
I have not actually had a dog groomed here. However, one of my patients was diagnosed with cancer and we did not want to vaccinate due to possible interference with his upcoming treatment. He had a grooming appointment at PetSmart after having half of his jaw removed and I included a letter stating that he was not a rabies risk dog. Despite this, Petsmart refused to groom him. We called Emmy’s that day and they did not hesitate to get him in. This is the kind of community-loving business we should all be supporting.
I have not actually had a dog groomed here. However, one of my patients was diagnosed with cancer and we did not want to vaccinate due to possible interference with his upcoming treatment. He had a grooming appointment at PetSmart after having half of his jaw removed and I included a letter stating that he was not a rabies risk dog. Despite this, Petsmart refused to groom him. We called Emmy’s that day and they did not hesitate to get him in. This is the kind of community-loving business we should all be supporting.
I have not actually had a dog groomed here. However, one of my patients was diagnosed with cancer and we did not want to vaccinate due to possible interference with his upcoming treatment. He had a grooming appointment at PetSmart after having half of his jaw removed and I included a letter stating that he was not a rabies risk dog. Despite this, Petsmart refused to groom him. We called Emmy’s that day and they did not hesitate to get him in. This is the kind of community-loving business we should all be supporting.
BEWARE: If you love your dog, please DO NOT send them to Emmy’s. You will pay for your dog to be emotionally abused – see below email to owner Kate and similar reviews:
Kate,
Sadly we have chosen not to have our dog return to daycare due to some concerns. Our dog is a social and obedient dog who gets along well with other people and animals and because of this we were hopeful that he would truly enjoy daycare. The last two times we brought him, he was cowering to the ground and appeared afraid and anxious of the staff. On 2 different occasions my wife observed the staff over correcting him with the slip lead. We understand the slip lead can be necessary for safety reasons, but it appeared that our dog was the one in an unsafe situation. Once a handler pulled on the lead so hard his front feet came off the ground, this was while he was still in the sally port. There was no indication that our dog had been doing anything wrong as he had just arrived.
On Monday, November 13th, my wife stayed and watched the monitors in the lobby for a little while. Our dog hesitantly had gone down the hallway with another dog and Michelle. He seemed afraid but went along. He was held in the sally port while 5 other dogs came and went into the big room. No handler interacted with our dog at this point and he was standing in a corner by himself. My wife said to Michelle because she was at the desk that our dog appeared to be anxious. Michele quickly responded with “has anything changed at home?” Nothing had changed at home and our dog was happy that morning until he arrived at daycare. Michelle then went back to the room, stood in the sally port but out of camera view and said something to the handler in the room. At this point the handler went into the sally port and placed a slip lead on our dog. He immediately crouched to the ground in a fearful manner. My wife watched the handler drag our dog by the slip lead from one end of the sally port to the other until they were now out of camera view. Our dog never stood up and was on his belly with legs out while being dragged by the slip lead. A few minutes later our dog was led by a handler out of the sally port and immediately went outside and out of view of the camera.
My wife called me that morning crying and upset because of the way our dog was treated by the staff and requested that I go check on our dog. When I arrived, Michelle was the desk helping another customer. When she asked if I needed help I told her I was looking for my dog on the monitor. She then went back to the room, again stood out of camera view and said something to a nearby handler. That handler immediately proceeded outside to inform the handler who was with our dog. When I returned to pick up my dog, he ran towards me but was still crouching to the ground which is not something he has ever done before. When we got home he immediately put himself in his crate, which is his safe space.
Due to these events and the new behaviors exhibited by our dog going to daycare we have determined it not to be in our dog’s best interest for him to continue. We don’t want him to be unsafe, stressed or afraid of people when going to daycare. We wanted him to be happy and feel safe when not in our care and we need to be able to trust the people responsible for his care.
BEWARE: If you love your dog, please DO NOT send them to Emmy’s. You will pay for your dog to be emotionally abused – see below email to owner Kate and similar reviews:
Kate,
Sadly we have chosen not to have our dog return to daycare due to some concerns. Our dog is a social and obedient dog who gets along well with other people and animals and because of this we were hopeful that he would truly enjoy daycare. The last two times we brought him, he was cowering to the ground and appeared afraid and anxious of the staff. On 2 different occasions my wife observed the staff over correcting him with the slip lead. We understand the slip lead can be necessary for safety reasons, but it appeared that our dog was the one in an unsafe situation. Once a handler pulled on the lead so hard his front feet came off the ground, this was while he was still in the sally port. There was no indication that our dog had been doing anything wrong as he had just arrived.
On Monday, November 13th, my wife stayed and watched the monitors in the lobby for a little while. Our dog hesitantly had gone down the hallway with another dog and Michelle. He seemed afraid but went along. He was held in the sally port while 5 other dogs came and went into the big room. No handler interacted with our dog at this point and he was standing in a corner by himself. My wife said to Michelle because she was at the desk that our dog appeared to be anxious. Michele quickly responded with “has anything changed at home?” Nothing had changed at home and our dog was happy that morning until he arrived at daycare. Michelle then went back to the room, stood in the sally port but out of camera view and said something to the handler in the room. At this point the handler went into the sally port and placed a slip lead on our dog. He immediately crouched to the ground in a fearful manner. My wife watched the handler drag our dog by the slip lead from one end of the sally port to the other until they were now out of camera view. Our dog never stood up and was on his belly with legs out while being dragged by the slip lead. A few minutes later our dog was led by a handler out of the sally port and immediately went outside and out of view of the camera.
My wife called me that morning crying and upset because of the way our dog was treated by the staff and requested that I go check on our dog. When I arrived, Michelle was the desk helping another customer. When she asked if I needed help I told her I was looking for my dog on the monitor. She then went back to the room, again stood out of camera view and said something to a nearby handler. That handler immediately proceeded outside to inform the handler who was with our dog. When I returned to pick up my dog, he ran towards me but was still crouching to the ground which is not something he has ever done before. When we got home he immediately put himself in his crate, which is his safe space.
Due to these events and the new behaviors exhibited by our dog going to daycare we have determined it not to be in our dog’s best interest for him to continue. We don’t want him to be unsafe, stressed or afraid of people when going to daycare. We wanted him to be happy and feel safe when not in our care and we need to be able to trust the people responsible for his care.
BEWARE: If you love your dog, please DO NOT send them to Emmy’s. You will pay for your dog to be emotionally abused – see below email to owner Kate and similar reviews:
Kate,
Sadly we have chosen not to have our dog return to daycare due to some concerns. Our dog is a social and obedient dog who gets along well with other people and animals and because of this we were hopeful that he would truly enjoy daycare. The last two times we brought him, he was cowering to the ground and appeared afraid and anxious of the staff. On 2 different occasions my wife observed the staff over correcting him with the slip lead. We understand the slip lead can be necessary for safety reasons, but it appeared that our dog was the one in an unsafe situation. Once a handler pulled on the lead so hard his front feet came off the ground, this was while he was still in the sally port. There was no indication that our dog had been doing anything wrong as he had just arrived.
On Monday, November 13th, my wife stayed and watched the monitors in the lobby for a little while. Our dog hesitantly had gone down the hallway with another dog and Michelle. He seemed afraid but went along. He was held in the sally port while 5 other dogs came and went into the big room. No handler interacted with our dog at this point and he was standing in a corner by himself. My wife said to Michelle because she was at the desk that our dog appeared to be anxious. Michele quickly responded with “has anything changed at home?” Nothing had changed at home and our dog was happy that morning until he arrived at daycare. Michelle then went back to the room, stood in the sally port but out of camera view and said something to the handler in the room. At this point the handler went into the sally port and placed a slip lead on our dog. He immediately crouched to the ground in a fearful manner. My wife watched the handler drag our dog by the slip lead from one end of the sally port to the other until they were now out of camera view. Our dog never stood up and was on his belly with legs out while being dragged by the slip lead. A few minutes later our dog was led by a handler out of the sally port and immediately went outside and out of view of the camera.
My wife called me that morning crying and upset because of the way our dog was treated by the staff and requested that I go check on our dog. When I arrived, Michelle was the desk helping another customer. When she asked if I needed help I told her I was looking for my dog on the monitor. She then went back to the room, again stood out of camera view and said something to a nearby handler. That handler immediately proceeded outside to inform the handler who was with our dog. When I returned to pick up my dog, he ran towards me but was still crouching to the ground which is not something he has ever done before. When we got home he immediately put himself in his crate, which is his safe space.
Due to these events and the new behaviors exhibited by our dog going to daycare we have determined it not to be in our dog’s best interest for him to continue. We don’t want him to be unsafe, stressed or afraid of people when going to daycare. We wanted him to be happy and feel safe when not in our care and we need to be able to trust the people responsible for his care.
My 1 year old Dog has been going to Emmy’s for about 5 months. We have the best experience here. My dog gets so excited when I say we are going to “daycare” and always goes running to the door when I say we are going! We tried a previous daycare before coming to Emmys and my dog seemed escalating going and whined when I left him, which was enough to me to realize how great Emmy’s is! Emmy’s has been so flexible with our family and we feel very supported. My dog got sick in July and they were so understanding that he had to take an extended time off of daycare. I am also expecting my first child and they have been so flexible with scheduling while we figure out our new normal. All the staff seem to really care and I do not know them all by name but shout out to Amy, Michelle, Sage and the wonderful owner Kate! Overall we are so happy that our Dog has somewhere safe and fun to go when we need extra help getting him socialized and all his energy out!
My 1 year old Dog has been going to Emmy’s for about 5 months. We have the best experience here. My dog gets so excited when I say we are going to “daycare” and always goes running to the door when I say we are going! We tried a previous daycare before coming to Emmys and my dog seemed escalating going and whined when I left him, which was enough to me to realize how great Emmy’s is! Emmy’s has been so flexible with our family and we feel very supported. My dog got sick in July and they were so understanding that he had to take an extended time off of daycare. I am also expecting my first child and they have been so flexible with scheduling while we figure out our new normal. All the staff seem to really care and I do not know them all by name but shout out to Amy, Michelle, Sage and the wonderful owner Kate! Overall we are so happy that our Dog has somewhere safe and fun to go when we need extra help getting him socialized and all his energy out!
My 1 year old Dog has been going to Emmy’s for about 5 months. We have the best experience here. My dog gets so excited when I say we are going to “daycare” and always goes running to the door when I say we are going! We tried a previous daycare before coming to Emmys and my dog seemed escalating going and whined when I left him, which was enough to me to realize how great Emmy’s is! Emmy’s has been so flexible with our family and we feel very supported. My dog got sick in July and they were so understanding that he had to take an extended time off of daycare. I am also expecting my first child and they have been so flexible with scheduling while we figure out our new normal. All the staff seem to really care and I do not know them all by name but shout out to Amy, Michelle, Sage and the wonderful owner Kate! Overall we are so happy that our Dog has somewhere safe and fun to go when we need extra help getting him socialized and all his energy out!
We’ve been going to Emmy’s for over 5 years and love it! Kate and her team are amazing and our two dogs are always so excited to go. They do a great job training (shout out to Lenette and Sarah!) and we love their home boarding. We also appreciate that dogs are not separated by size and have the freedom to go in and out all day. We highly recommend Emmy’s!