The Dog Spot makes its East Nashville debut

Folks all around Nashville love dogs, but over on this side of the river, you’d likely have to put in some dedicated effort to find a yard without a furry friend. And East Nashville’s dog-friendliness was plenty apparent to 32-year-old Chad Baker, the owner of new doggie daycare, boarding and grooming space The Dog Spot, which opened up this morning (Monday, August 22).

Baker and twin brother/silent partner Andy — both dog owners — owned a vacant building at 1004 Gallatin Ave., and hadn’t found a daycare and boarding option in the neighborhood that they were completely happy with.

“As entrepreneurs, we had an empty building and we could lease it or we could start our own business,” said Chad, who has a background in home renovation, as he and Andy and their team wrapped up last-minute touches on the renovated building Sunday. “We just decided, ‘Why should we have to drive our dog across town?’ There are so many dogs in this neighborhood it just seemed like a really good opportunity.”

Harnessing that opportunity’s come with a big investment — the stark, modern Dog Spot space is built out with resilient materials and modern dog-care amenities. High-powered central vacuuming hookups line the walls of the playrooms, which flank a modern grooming space and back up on a yard that’s still in mid-build, but will be covered with canine AstroTurf to hold up to our four-legged pals’ tendency toward grass destruction. Walls are soundproofed and lined with corrugated steel, floors are a clean concrete. And while your dog hangs out at the Dog Spot, you’ll be able to check in via Webcam.

The intent, Baker said, was a focus on cleanliness, safety and transparency. They’ve teamed up with 5 Points Animal Hospital’s Dr. Janet Lewis-Grace, who’ll keep office hours at the Dog Spot, do checks on the dogs and guide procedures. And given their focus, the Bakers and manager Michael Minunno are set to be strict on sticking to those procedures. Accepted dogs need to come with vet records showing current vaccinations, must be on heartworm and flea/tick prevention meds, be spayed or neutered and pass a friendliness test. And as the Dog Spot is a crated boarding facility, overnight boarding requires attendance at daycare, with the aim of a full day’s worth of activity before the night’s crating.

“It’s come a long way,” Chad said of the new space. “It’s kind of like my life savings tied up in making this work, and we’re gonna work hard and have a safe, nice, fun place.”

The Dog Spot's lobby.

More about The Dog Spot:

Why East Nashville:

Chad Baker: “There was just a need for it. There wasn’t a good doggie daycare (here) in my opinion a year ago when i started this process. There wasn’t a place I felt safe taking my dog. So I decided I’d create that.”

Dog Spot pro-tip:

Chad Baker: “(At any daycare/boarding place), ask for a tour. Whether you’re coming here or going anywhere else, ask to see the facility, ask to see what’s going on. You’re crazy not to.”

Specials/deals:

New customers get one day of daycare free.

Contact:

1004 Gallatin Ave., 615-385-1800, www.thedogspot.com

Hours:

6:45 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7-10 a.m. and 3-5 p.m. Saturday, 4-6 p.m. (boarding pick-up and drop-off) Sunday.

Prices:

Daycare $22 ($20 per day with a five-day pass, $18 with 30-day pass); boarding $15 in addition to daycare. Grooming/training prices to come.

This is the first in a series of regular East Nashville Business Spotlights. We’ll be focusing on new additions and new twists in established places. Suggestions: Please share.