Mile High Mutts

We used to take our dog to Mile High Mutts 1 – 2 days a week. She was so excited to go and exhausted when we brought her home. Things started going downhill in the last year or so. One day we picked her up and she couldn’t wait to get out of there and has tried pulling for the door the last few times we dropped her off. Today was the last time at MHM for us. We knew she was behind on her Bordetella vaccine and they said they’d give it to her when she got there but gave it to her when we picked her up. As soon as we got home she ran to her water dish and finished it — not something she normally does. She was full of energy and didn’t have any of the typical dog slobber on her from playing so we’re concerned that she may have been crated all day. I also find the owners replies to the previous negative reviews pretty disconcerting… I would think as a business owner you’d be a bit more concerned about your company’s reputation rather than slamming your customers. There are plenty of other doggie daycares in the area and we’ll be using one of them in the future.

We’ll never use MHM again. Our dog, Keith, was attacked over 4^th of July weekend — or so the staff believes. I say they «believe» because they never bothered to check the video and get back to us on what really happened. He had to be taken to the veterinarian — and go under anesthesia — so he could be sewed back together. Our good friend was so horrified that she volunteer to pick him up, so she could watch Keith herself. They charged us for the whole reservation anyway even though he only stayed 2 days. When my husband called about the bill, he asked to speak to the owner who was not available. We’re still waiting for a call back from the owner, and, we’re still waiting for an explanation of what happened. This is no way to do business — especially when your business is taking care of living creatures.

Creepy. The best way to describe this place is creepy. I was a regular «customer» here for a few months and have nothing good to say about this place, except for their hours are very convenient. The facility is run down and smells foul. The staff is beyond rude, they seem very unhappy to be there and make no effort to be professional… or even friendly. The whole vibe in there is just bad! They were mean to me, and my dog, constantly yelling at the dogs and being agressive. If they do that in front of me… what are they doing when Im not there? None of the dogs seem happy to be there either. Also the other negative reviews are true, my dog ALWAYS came home smelling like urine, terrified, and sometimes he was also wet with water (I believe they were squirting him in the face if he barked– who knows what else they did, just google Mile High Mutts death and you will see what I mean… I wish I had done that before I came here). Also, be sure to check out the 44 ‘not recommended’ reviews on here, there is much validity and truth in their comments!
My dog’s behavior worsened the longer he stayed there. I dont know what happened, but he became more afraid and defensive around other people, particularly men. Its sad. I really believe there was some kind of abusive behavior toward my dog while he was there, but I just dont have proof other than his change in behavior. It really creeps me out that I had to take him there and just want to warn other people about this facility. Something bad is going on there. Please just trust me, and find another facility that actually LIKES dogs (and people)!
Theres something wrong with the owner, and he has an ineffective way of «training» dogs. Any interaction with him was odd, and I dont trust his tactics or want him around me or my dog. I would NEVER take any of his advice after seeing what I saw at his facility. Stay away from this creepy place and the people!

The customer isn’t always right here. More importantly, if the customer files a complaint, the owner tells you to come pick up your dog and don’t come back. I let the up-​selling (that my dog needed to come in more often) slide for a long time, until I just couldn’t take it anymore. I bring my dog in as much as I can, and that’s all I can do. Instead, the owner tells me that my dog ruins the experience for himself and others because he comes in with «cabin fever». That’s ridiculous. A one year old lab comes in with tons of energy, period. My dog loved playing with other dogs there, but they must not know how to handle a large dog. When I asked if they knew how to handle a large dog, the owner’s walls of defensiveness came up. Adding that to the owner constantly trying to drum up more business led me to call and finally lose my temper. If I see my boy coming in too hot, I correct his behavior until his energy level gets down to an appropriate level. You’d think people who do this for a living would know how to do that, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. You’d also think that an Owner who knows he has to face customers wouldn’t look like he just rolled out of bed, unless he cares as little about his business as he does his personal appearance.

From the moment I walked in, we had issues, mainly with communication. I had been in back and forth contact with one of their staff members over email during the week leading up to our appointment, had submitted my vaccination records and application as they had requested, talked to them about how she tends to jump fences 4ft or lower, and thought we were all set. The staff assured me that the fence jumping wouldn’t be an issue and they would work on training. When we got there, we walked in and without saying a word to me they grabbed the leash and took my dog to the back. I thought that was odd seeing as most places will do a 1:1 evaluation before throwing them in with the other dogs but I wasn’t worried since I know she gets a long with everyone and I figured they had read my application. They then got really annoyed with me and realized they had no idea who we were and said we did not have an appointment and that they did not have any of our paperwork. When I told them I sent it in and who I had been talking to they said she is «super pregnant» so she hadn’t given them the paperwork or let them know I was coming in and she wasn’t going to be coming in that day. All the while trying to make it seem like this was my fault and telling me I needed to come back a different day. They also said they didn’t receive my paperwork because their internet was down, meanwhile the only application they have available has to be submitted online. again not my fault. After begging with them to let her stay since we were already there, I agreed to fill out ANOTHER application (I had spent close to 30 mins on the 1^st one I submitted) and she immediately passed the temperament evaluation so they let her stay. An hour later I got a call from them saying she was jumping over the fences and that they wanted to SEDATE her with drugs to get her to settle down (she was not being aggressive or anything «bad»). What is the point of taking them to daycare to work off some energy if you’re going to drug them? If I wanted to drug her I would do that and then just leave her at home to sleep all day. Meanwhile she has never had issues at other day cares and no other facility or professional dog trainer has ever suggested sedation.
They also do negative reinforcement training and are constantly spraying the dogs in the face for the smallest things. They literally told us the dogs are not allowed to bark because they want it to be «peaceful.» Are you serious? Sounds like you should get a cat. I swear it’s like they’re not allowed to be dogs. Someone else’s dog, a super sweet german shepherd was just really excited to be there, wasn’t jumping or acting out of control, just an occasional bark (not at anyone) and they kept yelling at him and spraying him. If you don’t have a fence jumper, your dog doesn’t bark or enjoy active play, and you approve of negative reinforcement training or sedation opposed to positive training, then maybe you’ll like this place.

We have taken our dog, Nala, to multiple places in the Denver area, but we will no longer go anywhere but Mutts. The staff is incredible– they always recognize us when we come in the door and are so friendly. They all seem to be so great with the dogs as well. Nala is always exhausted from all the playing she gets to do, because the outside space is large enough for her to actually run around. A lot of the other places in Denver are so small that the dogs are all just standing there all day. Several of Nala’s best friends come here too now, and they all just love it! The grooming services are also really reasonably priced.

The place was very overcrowded, drab & outdated.
and none of the dogs seemed happy to be there
as well as some of the employees
My dog also came home smelling of urine.
I should have read more reviews also.
And if you have to go there DONT TIP, the cashier told us
the owner pockets the tips… and it shows.
Go somewhere more modern & knowledgable & clean
& read more reviews.
²⁄₁₈
Definitely not an employee there at any time.(another clue about owner & help ??)
And the owner has an excuse or a response to everything. We took our lab there 4 – 5 times. Just because of hours. wish i knew about Unilocal then. Didnt like the 2 hr nap crap.
Then talked to a guy picking up his lab, in the parking lot, calling her
«stinky» So we chatted some and I looked at reviews later that night.
Where someone else called the building «drab». Read the reviews.
And i was gonna tip around XMAS time, when the employees seemed busy.
Take the tour & when your dog comes home smelling of urine, you will thank
the reviews. Thought my girl had bladder issues for a second.
And like another review, I dont feel like giving my dog a bath every time i pick
her up from a long day. THANKS Unilocal

I am a new customer but I’ve yet to have an issue. My wife used to work at an award winning doggy daycare and we have high expectations. They have to this date met them. The cost is reasonable and the facility is well kept. The staff is nice and I have yet to see any disorganization. My dog is shy and has socialization barriers. He had become more confident and playful as he has been given the opportunity to find his place in the pack. He surprised us by warming up to MHM’s staff as quickly as he has. They must be doing it right. They have cameras to watch our pup, which is fun, but we don’t feel we need to for anything more than seeing him play. While watching it is evident that they have the appropriate staff to dog ratio. Which explains why they ask you to let them know when you are coming, but don’t penalize you if you can’t make it. Our pup does come home a little stinky, but that is because its a doggy daycare. We expect that, nothing a little wet wipe can’t fix before bath time. The staff also cleans up doggy messes when they happen. We will continue to bring our dog here, we have no complaints.

I think this daycare was a little disorganized — and the staff were frazzled — when I first tried it five years ago, but it has just gotten better and better. The people are flexible, friendly and helpful. If you want a full report on your dog, they’ll let you know; if you just want to take your furry friend home, they’ll get you on your way quickly.
I did obedience training in their facilities (I wouldn’t recommend the training — my dog ate his certificate, rather than his celebratory bone — but I would recommend all their play areas where we did the training).
I will also confess, my dog has been kicked out of two other Denver doggie daycares for his high energy level and fence hopping abilities. Mile High Mutts wasn’t thrilled to have him, at first, but they didn’t give up on him. He now plays and plays hard under their care. When I pick him up after a 10-​hour play day he’s very excited, but falls asleep within two minutes of getting in the car.
It’s a down-​to-​earth place that loves dogs. Karen (the manager?) is awesome.

We knew that our dog Lola was not feeling well when we dropped her off to board for a few days — she’d dug up and eaten some compost in the yard and thrown up her breakfast — but with a plane to catch in a few hours we had little choice but to leave her with MHM. We mentioned the compost/​barfing to them, and over the course of the day, as we boarded planes and changed time zones, they checked with us when things got worse, then took her to a nearby vet and got good care for her. Marcus, the owner, personally took her to the vet and spent time explaining the situation to us on the phone. They also kept a close eye on her over the next couple of days as she mended. When we got back to town, we found Lola feeling much better, and only a modest and reasonable vet bill to pay. No extra charge for giving her medications or spending extra time dealing with her.
We were already regular MHM customers because of their reasonable boarding rates and friendly attitude, and because Lola was always happy to go there and happy to see them. Now, we feel even better about it. It’s nice to see that when something goes wrong they’ll do what’s necessary to take care of our dog.

I’ve been bringing my dog here for grooming for a couple years now and they do a great job. My pup always smells fantastic and looks great. They get the job done quickly and the price is very reasonable — much better than any experience I’ve had a Petco or Petsmart.
Never used the boarding services but if you’re looking for some groomers who know what they’re doing, check out MHM!

I was surprised to see a response to my review from the owner, but what surprised me even more was what he had to say. I’m not sure if he is getting my dog confused or just straight up lying. My dog does not have behavioral issues, other than being energetic (which is why he goes to daycare!). I have never received any criticism from MHM employees on his behavior, and certainly was never talked to about these «behavioral issues» that Marcus brings up. I was not a «fired customer,» I chose to stop going to MHM on my own because my dog was being poorly taken care of. I have a border collie who is very smart, and received compliments on his demeanor and behavior from MHM employees whenever i picked him up. I did not dress my dog up as a «gangsta thug» for Halloween, you even had a picture of him in his real costume up on your website to prove it. If I could give less than one star I would, everything you said in your response is a complete lie.

Take your dog elsewhere. The owner is rude and dishonest. Don’t pay attention to all of his responses to bad reviews saying he fired customers etc. etc. (also, who the hell fires a customer? I get it if a dog is aggressive or dangerous, but come on, have a little more respect for the people who are paying you money for your service.) Not to mention your dog will stink of dog pee and need a bath after every visit (he’s been to plenty of other daycares where this is not an issue at all).

After using this kennel for dozens of overnight visits during five years with all three of our dogs as well as referring many friends with pets, we stopped boarding our now two dogs here last year after it was reported in multiple local news outlets that a small-​breed dog had been muzzled (unknowingly to the dog’s owners) and left unattended, which apparently caused the dog to die of suffocation, and caused the owners to file a lawsuit. While I am now paying considerably more for boarding elsewhere, and pick-​up/​drop-​off times are not as convenient as they were here, my husband said in no uncertain terms that he’d never bring «his babies» back to Mile High Mutts. After using a different boarding facility for six stays over the last year (some just weekends, but a few longer visits of 5 nights and 8 nights), I can also say that my dogs come home in a very different state — generally tired from playing but more calm, less stressed, cleaner and with all toys, treats, blankets, collars and beds logged on paper and accounted for. We had many mix-​ups at MHM with toys, beds and collars not coming home with us or being destroyed during boarding. The noise level/​dog din was very high here too which I think caused some of the stress for my pups. My older dog almost always came home from MHM exhibiting aggression towards our younger, smaller dog and that hasn’t happened once since we switched kennels.

Have been taking our dog to Mile High Mutts for almost 5 years and it is a good experience for the dog and us. We just started taking a second dog to day care and again, good experience for us the dog. Will continue to use.
Great staff and location.

We had been bringing our dog (a 50 pound lab mix) to Mile Mutts for doggy daycare pretty regularly. There were some minor disappointments over the 3 months we used this daycare, such as the staff feeding our dog expired food, but all things considered we were satisfied with the service. This all changed when the daycare kicked our dog out without any notice or warning for simply being too energetic and playful.
After 5pm on a Tuesday, we were told that Mile High Mutts had banned our dog from daycare because he stirred up the pack too much. We never received ANY warnings prior to this event indicating our dog posed any behavioral problems. Personally, I just think the staff is lazy. Maybe it is a blessing in disguise though. I do not like the idea of my dog sleeping with a muzzle on.

I love the open spaces and everyone seems nice. Somehow my dog usually comes home smelling like she laid in pee… maybe she’s not the brightest but she hasn’t had this issue at other places we take her to. I would say this place is OK.

We own several Portuguese Water Dogs. My son brought one of dogs to live with him in Denver. We called mile high because of their great reviews and because they say they have experienced Groomers. Before we brought our dog in, we specifically asked if they had a groomer that was experienced with PWDs and were assured they were, so we booked an Appontment, When I started talking to the groomer a few red flags started going off when she started
how I wanted certain things… eg. Tail, top of head, muzzle, etc. and I kept stressing that I wanted the standard retriever cut which ihas certain specifications for this breed. finally, I just told her to keep the exact cut he had, just trim him half an inch.
Well’ she totally butchered him. She clearly had no idea of how to groom a Portie. It is going to take over 6 months to grow out his head and get it back to regulation cut. I love our dog. He’s beautiful no matter what, but she totally ruined his entire cut.
Then, least of the issues was that we paid for hid nails to be ground… the cut them. They are thick’ hard nails and are ruining our floors.
They should have been honest with us that they really don’t have the skils to cut certain breeds. I would have paid for a good bath. I am filings a complaint the BBB.

Mile High Mutts is simply awesome. I made a last minute grooming appointment for my dog (on Mother’s Day Sunday to boot). The front staff was kind and very sweet to my dog.
Groomer Hilary was sure to call and confirm the cut that I wanted before proceeding, which was really thoughtful. I figured it would take three or four hours, but Bea was done and beautified in a record 90 minutes!
My dog is senior and was a puppy mill mama, so she’s a bit timid and skittish. Typically, after she has a fur cut, she’s bugged out for a few hours. Not this time — she’s running around like a pup! It’s obvious that they took EXCELLENT care of her.
Be sure to check out the first time groom special — 50% off is unheard of. Will definitely be back!

Top 5 Reasons I like Mile High Mutts:
1. They learned my dogs’ names after one visit.
2. They give you a free «practice» day to make sure all dogs will fit into the environment appropriately.
3. They have an awesome webcam.
4. They allow Sunday and late pickups.
5. They have crates for the dogs to sleep in to feel secure instead of out in the open with a bunch of strange (to them) dogs.