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Illustration by Rami Niemi
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Groomer:
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- Sonia’s Pet Grooming
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471 Seventh Ave., nr. Windsor Pl., Park Slope; 718-499-4040
This Park Slope dogs-only salon just opened in April, but Sonia Nathan has made an impression in this finicky community. Among the area’s excellent groomers, Sonia’s stands out because she specializes in puppies—squirmy, high-energy, hard-to-handle (but, yes, adorable) puppies. Prices start from $40 for a full groom, which includes ear cleaning and (vital if icky) anal-gland expressing.
Boarder:
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- Brooklyn Bark
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For skittish pooches, this dog-walking service offers a premium boarding option: An employee will get to know you and your pet, then stay in your apartment or bring the animal to his. (Often it’ll be the dog’s daily walker.) For longer stays, Brooklyn Bark can arrange a trip to a staffer’s house upstate. All of Brooklyn Bark’s walkers have been trained to deal with tricky pets (like aggressive animals or diabetics), and several have wildlife-rehab licenses, so they know first aid. Day boarding is $65, including pickup and drop-off; overnights start at $95.
Trainer:
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- Calm Energy Dog Training
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646-942-1979; calmenergydogtraining.com
Founded by Anthony Newman, a former philosophy professor who now teaches people how to speak canine, Calm Energy works with both pet and owner to establish détente. Just as some pups are always anxious or constantly guarding food and toys, owners require instruction on strong leadership. (His prices are admittedly high, at $300 for the initial session.) Newman’s approach to both you and your pet: Learn to reconcile being calm and aggressive at once.
Health-Care Service:
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- Banfield Pet Hospital
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238 Atlantic Ave., nr. Boerum Pl., Cobble Hill; 718-522-0415
A chain housed in PetSmarts around the country, Banfield came to Brooklyn last winter. This pet clinic, heavy on the preventive care, provides vet services and a bundle of vaccinations for a flat fee. The plans are tiered ($29 to $46 per month, plus $49 to enroll) and tailored to a dog’s age; all include full exams every six months, and if something happens out of the blue, you can bring your dog into Banfield sans appointment (there’s no extra office- visit charge, though treatment costs apply).