The Mainely Dog

The Mainely Dog runs dog daycare and boarding in Portland, Maine, out of a facility at 130 St. John St with indoor play areas and outdoor space. Dogs are placed in small packs matched by size and playstyle rather than turned loose in one large group. Every new dog is required to pass an evaluation before joining, which is how the groups stay consistent.

Services

• Daycare built around small-pack play, matched by size and playstyle
• Traditional overnight boarding at the Portland facility
• Premium boarding that adds a daily walk and enrichment puzzles
• In-home overnight boarding, where a handler takes the dog home for the night
• Optional adventure hike upgrades, plus pickup and drop-off

What makes it different

Enrichment is the thread running through the programs here. Mental and food enrichment activities are part of the routine, and the premium boarding plan pairs them with daily walks. For dogs who do better sleeping somewhere quieter than a kennel room, the in-home option sends them back to a handler's house overnight and returns them the next day. Adventure hikes can be added for dogs who want more distance than a neighborhood walk.

The small-pack setup also gives staff a way to place dogs who struggle in big, noisy groups. Because the evaluation comes first, the team meets a dog and sizes up its play style before any daycare day or boarding stay is booked.

Practical details

The Portland location is open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday, and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Stays are arranged directly with the kennel by phone at 207-900-3736 or by email at TheMainelyDog@gmail.com, with more information at themainelydog.com. The address is 130 St. John St, Portland, ME 04101.