We love Camp Bow Wow for our fur baby! I checked out numerous places (and reviews) before leaving Daisy in Barrington for our first trip without her. We were pretty happy with it there (very nice and accommodating staff, clean though of course smells like dog) and took her several more times for a year or so. However, they were booked for Spring Break 2015 and I searched all over in a panic. I'm so thankful I found Camp Bow Wow and we took the last space available. She's been there several times since and every experience has been great. Again, the staff is very nice and friendly. Here's what sets it apart from places:
-Very cute camp theme. Of course not necessary, but great branding and a nice touch with the dog getting its pic taken for its first camp experience, cute doggie treats and bones, most things with a camp twist.
- Very clean and can barely smell the dogs in the lobby/"gift store". Makes it a lot easier for my husband to pick her up since he is allergic and could barely stand to be in the lobby of our other boarder for longer than a few minutes.
-Divided into three areas based on size of dog. Ours is small, so we know she was anxious at the other place most of the time, just circling around and around trying to stay away from the big dogs. She's probably still a bit anxious here, but at least all the dogs are her size and there is at least one staffer in that small(er) area with them at all times.
-Each indoor space leads to outdoor, so dogs can come and go freely.
-Set hours for alone/rest time in their crates for breakfast, lunch/nap, dinner, early bedtime.
-Price is all inclusive. The other place charged based on 1/2 or full days out with the other dogs vs. alone all the time while boarded. It was difficult to judge because our dog prefers to be with people or alone or in smaller groups, but I didn't want her to be so isolated. This is better for her because she is in a smaller space with smaller dogs, and also has plenty of alone/nap time throughout the day and evening/overnight.
-Cameras! Love to be able to check on my baby anytime and see that she is doing ok. My husband thought I would be attached 24/7, but once I know she's ok, I'm ok!
-Again, clean. The staffers mop the areas while the dogs are at lunch and in the evening. Love to be able to see that and know that they are doing everything they can to keep things clean.
-Require bordatella vaccine every six months rather than one year, and have staff certified to administer it via nasal spray. That was super helpful for us when our dog walkers were unavailable for a last minute request recently and I had to take Daisy to Camp Bow Wow just for the day. I only arranged it that morning, and if they hadn't been able to do the vaccine, we wouldn't have been able to drop her off. I called the vet first to make sure that was ok (every six months, and nasal) and they said yes and were impressed with that service.
Hope you will consider Camp BowWow and have the same great experience we do! read more