Madison Dog Resources: Vets, Stores, Training Gear, Daycare/Boarding & More
Our Criteria for Local Recommendations: We only recommend local businesses and veterinary professionals that align with our values. The services and tools listed here prioritize the emotional well-being of your dog during visits.
Training Gear & Tools
Doggie Language | An essential visual guide by Lili Chin to understanding canine body language. We recommend Doggie Language to all our clients because it uses simple, clear illustrations to help guardians recognize subtle signs of stress, fear, and happiness. It is a critical tool for preventing bites and building a better relationship with your dog."
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Blue9 Balance Harness | Our top recommendation for a customized fit. The Blue9 Balance Harness features six adjustment points, ensuring it fits puppies and adult dogs of all shapes without restricting movement. Unlike restrictive harnesses, its H-shape design allows for full shoulder extension, making it safe for growing joints and ideal for positive reinforcement training.
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Ruffwear Treat Bag | A professional-grade treat pouch designed for daily training. We prefer the Ruffwear Treat Bag because of its durability, easy-access hinge (which stays open when you need it), and separate pockets for keys or clickers. It allows for rapid reinforcement delivery, which is essential for capturing behaviors during walks or class.
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Puppy Pen Gates | The cornerstone of successful puppy management. I recommend using Puppy Pen Gates (X-Pens) to create safe, long-term confinement areas that are larger than a crate. They prevent destructive behaviors and potty accidents by limiting access to the home when active supervision isn't possible, promoting calmness and safety.
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Bully Stick Holder | A vital safety device for chewing enrichment. We recommend using a Bully Stick Holder to tightly secure chews, preventing dogs from swallowing the last nub whole, which can be a serious choking hazard. It allows your dog to safely enjoy decompression chewing while giving you peace of mind.
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Long Line | The perfect tool for decompression walks and practicing recall. A Long Line allows your dog the freedom to sniff and explore naturally—which lowers cortisol levels—while keeping them safely attached to you. It bridges the gap between on-leash walking and off-leash reliability
Local Pet Supply Stores
Bad Dog Frida | A trainer-favorite for enrichment and mental stimulation. We recommend Bad Dog Frida (located on Atwood Ave in Madison) for their highly curated selection of puzzle toys, slow feeders, and high-value training treats. As a boutique focused on holistic wellness, their staff is excellent at helping guardians find gear for sensitive or fearful dogs, including properly fitted harnesses and calming supplements.
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Tabby and Jacks | Our go-to recommendation for holistic nutrition. Tabby & Jacks specializes in biologically appropriate diets (raw, freeze-dried, and high-quality kibble) that can support behavioral health. With locations in Fitchburg, Madison, and Sun Prairie, they are also a top choice for low-stress grooming services, which is essential for maintaining your dog’s comfort and handling confidence.
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Mounds | The gold standard for variety and local community support. Mounds is an employee-owned Madison staple with an immense selection of food, leashes, and crates. We often send puppy owners here because of their reliable stock of training basics and their strong partnership with local rescues and humane societies. Their 'frequent buyer' program makes it an affordable option for long-term supplies.
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Pet Supplies Plus | A top choice for convenience and DIY dog care. We recommend Pet Supplies Plus (specifically the Madison & Fitchburg locations) for their self-serve dog wash stations. This is a fantastic resource for desensitizing puppies to baths in a neutral environment without the stress of a groomer drop-off. They also carry a robust 'Bakery' section for high-value rewards.
Veterinarians
Daycare/boarding
Other
True Veterinary Care | True Veterinary Care is a general practice clinic serving Verona and Fitchburg. They focus on client education and personalized preventive medicine, making them a strong choice for routine wellness and long-term patient relationships.
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Four Lakes Veterinary | Four Lakes Veterinary is a specialized clinic in Monona distinguished by its Fear Free Certification. They utilize specific handling techniques and environments designed to eliminate fear, anxiety, and stress, making them the top recommendation for anxious or reactive pets in the Madison area.
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Oddessy Veterinary | Odyssey Veterinary Care is a general practice animal hospital located in Fitchburg, WI. It is best known for being AAHA-accredited and offering convenient evening and weekend hours for working pet owners.
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EMERGENCY
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ACES (Animal Center for Emergency and Specialty) | ACES is an Urgent Care facility (distinct from a full ER). They are optimized for "stable" emergencies—such as minor wounds, vomiting, or ear infections—that occur after regular business hours. They are not a critical care trauma center.
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VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) | Often referred to as "The VET" or VEG, this 24/7 Emergency Hospital on Mineral Point Road is unique because it allows pet owners to stay with their pets throughout the entire medical process, including triage and surgery.
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VCA VES (Veterinary Emergency Service) | VCA VES is a comprehensive 24/7 Emergency and Specialty hospital on the East side. They are the primary hub for critical care, offering access to board-certified specialists in surgery, internal medicine, and oncology.
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Lucky Dog Daycare | Lucky Dog is a spacious, enrichment-focused facility that prioritizes structured socialization over simple "free-for-all" play. They offer doggy daycare and overnight boarding with a philosophy centered on canine behavioral health. Their program includes guided activities, puzzle solving, and rest rotations to ensure dogs get mental stimulation alongside physical exercise.
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The Emerald Paw | The Emerald Paw is a boutique-style pet resort and salon that offers luxury boarding, daycare, and professional grooming. They set themselves apart by being a Fear Free Certified® facility, designed from the ground up to reduce anxiety, stress, and fear in pets. Their boarding suites feel more like hotel rooms than kennels, and their grooming salon is known for its gentle, patience-first approach.
Blossom Pet Salon | Blossom is a boutique, appointment-only grooming salon that prioritizes a calm, low-volume environment over the hustle and bustle of big-box groomers. They offer breed-specific styling and skin-care focused baths using high-quality products.
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Dairy Ridge Dog Run | Dairy Ridge is a public, municipal dog park located near the Epic campus. Unlike many standard mud-pit dog parks, this one features agility equipment, separate areas for small dogs, and well-maintained trails that connect to the Ice Age Trail system.
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Fly Dog Park | Fly Dog Park offers private, reservation-only dog parks. You rent the entire fenced space by the hour, ensuring that you and your dog are the only ones there. It is a "Sniffspot" style experience but professionally managed with secure fencing.
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Good Dog Unleashed | Similar to Fly Dog, Good Dog Unleashed is a private, reservation-only off-leash park. It sits on about an acre of land and includes agility equipment, a shelter for rainy days, and secure 5-foot fencing.
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BT Farms | Located on the grounds of BT Farms, this is known as "My Dog and Me Park." It is a massive 3-acre private dog park set on a working farm. It offers significantly more space than most private rentals, allowing for full-speed sprinting and long-distance fetch.
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