OVERNIGHT Dog Boarding FAQs

Treat Your Pup to Premier Comfort

Nothing is more important to us than the safety, health, and happiness of your dog. Everything we do at Camp Bow Wow^® revolves around the well-being of our Campers and we do everything possible to ensure your confidence in our premier dog care services. Below you’ll find detailed answers to our most frequently asked questions regarding our dog boarding services.

What do the dogs do all day at dog boarding?

All our Campers get the chance to play in spacious play yards, where they can socialize and romp around with other dogs. We separate our Campers by activity level, temperament, and size. Our trusted Camp Counselors, who are certified in pet first aid and CPR, carefully supervise and monitor play at all times.

Your beloved pup can play all day long with other Campers. If one of our furry friends is tired, they can nap in one of our spacious Cabins. Overnight Campers play all day and take short breaks for meals and naps.

Do you walk the dogs while they’re at Camp?

Because your furry family member will be playing all day, a walk will be the last thing on their mind. Camp Bow Wow ensures all our pups get the daily exercise they need in our spacious play areas. For their safety and your peace of mind, we don’t allow dogs to leave our facilities without their parent.

Do you provide outdoor play areas?

Nearly all of our locations have both indoor and outdoor play areas. Check with your local C amp to learn more about their facility.

Does someone stay with the dogs overnight?

• All Camps have monitored security, fire and temperature control alarms
• Employees who live closest to Camp are notified if there are any issues and can get there quickly.
• Studies show that dogs sleep better at night without a human present

Why should I choose overnight dog boarding at Camp Bow Wow?

Camp Bow Wow does things a lot differently. We provide all-day play with other dogs, so they get a lot of exercise during the day. Most pet boarding providers do not provide much opportunity to socialize with other dogs or the staff. Our dog behavior experts have created a unique Camper Interview process that ensures all our Campers can play safely in a group setting.

Safety is our top priority. You can feel confident leaving your furry family member with our caring Camp Counselors who are certified in pet first aid and CPR. We have a strict staff-to-dog ratio for additional peace of mind.

Our pricing is all-inclusive! Your pup’s overnight stay includes:

• All day play, day care services
• A cozy Cabin, complete with a comfy cot and fleece blanket
• Nightly Campfire Treat^TM
• Lots of TLC from our Certified Camp Counselors^®
• Live web cams you can access from your smartphone
• The ability to check in and out anytime during Camp hours
• Medication administration if needed
• Options to enroll in doggy boot camp during their stay

Can you provide my dog with their medications? Is there a charge?

We are happy to administer your dog’s medication, free of charge. However, we do not give any injected medications. For the safety of your pet, we ask that the medication must be in its original bottle with a current prescription.

Can I take a tour?

Absolutely. We encourage tours. Stop by your local Camp at any time during our regular hours and request a tour. No appointment is needed and we look forward to showing you around Camp!

Can any dog come in for dog day care or boarding?

In order to maintain our incredibly high standards and satisfaction ratings, your pup must be:

• Must be no less than 10lbs
• Able to pass the Camper Interview and trial day
• Friendly with dogs and people
• Wearing a quick-release collar (not a break-away collar)
• Free of open wounds or stitches of any kind
• Free of ticks and fleas
• In good overall health
• At least four months old
• Spayed or neutered (if seven months old or older)
• Current on Rabies, Distemper and Bordetella vaccines*
• Wearing a name tag

*Please note that other vaccinations and requirements can vary by Camp. Contact your local Camp Bow Wow for details.

What is the Camper Interview and why is it required?

Because safety is Camp Bow Wow’s top priority, we have created policies to ensure a happy, healthy environment for all our Campers. We are very proud of our high safety standards. Therefore, all dogs must pass a Camper Interview before being able to participate in our group setting. This process is completely free! The Interview lasts at least three hours because we want to take the time to introduce your pup to the Camp and determine if our open-play environment is the right fit for them. Please watch the video below for more information.

Our Camper Interview includes:

• Hands-on meet-and-greet, where our Certified Camp Counselors will make sure your dog is comfortable with being handled and check for fleas, ticks, or other injuries that may worsen during play
• One-on-one introduction with some of our regular Campers
• Slow introduction into one of our open-play environments specifically designed for your dog’s temperament and size

We require all new dogs to participate in a Camper Interview because:

• It gives us the chance to slowly introduce your pup to a new environment and not overstimulate them
• It ensures the overall safety of your dog, other Campers, and our Certified Camp Counselors
• We want to make sure your furry family member is comfortable and enjoys being in large social settings with other dogs

Do you turn away dogs based on their breed?

Camp Bow Wow happily welcomes dogs of all breeds, depending on their behavior and ability to handle our play-based Camp environment. It is against our corporate policy to turn away any dog because of their breed. However, some Insurance Policies and City Ordinances may not allow certain locations to accept dogs of a particular breed. Please reach out to your local Camp with any questions you may have regarding its policies.

Do dogs ever get hurt?

When kids are on a playground, they sometimes come home with small scratches and other minor injuries. The same goes for dog day care. While we do our best to prevent all injuries at Camp, Campers can sometimes experience small nicks, scratches, or minimal fur loss. Although it is very rare and our Camps operate with incredibly high safety standards, it is still possible for more serious injuries to occur.

What do you do in case of illness or injury?

All Camp Bow Wow, Camp Counselors are certified in pet CPR and first aid. You can trust us to take excellent care of your dog at all times. In the event of an injury or illness, we will quickly assess the situation to determine the best plan of action to take. Your canine’s health and safety are our primary concern. Depending on the situation, our team will either take your dog to your personal vet or rush them to the closest emergency vet. We will contact you as soon as we can if this ever occurs.

I have an older dog. Will they enjoy this environment?

This depends on your dog. Many of our Campers are older and love interacting with other canines. The free Camper Interview day will help us and you determine if our environment is the appropriate fit for your furry friend’s needs. Our Certified Camp Counselors are constantly evaluating the behaviors of all our Campers at all times. If, at any point, we feel as though your dog may be tired, we will place them in one of our spacious Cabins for a short nap.

This is an environment that has dogs of different sizes. Is it safe for my smaller dog to be there?

For the safety of our little Campers, we separate our dogs into separate play areas based on size, activity level, and temperament. It’s important to note that some locations do have weight requirements.

What should I expect when my dog comes home from Camp?

After full days of play at Camp, your pooch may come home feeling pooped. This is entirely normal and expected. Our Certified Camp Counselors are constantly monitoring Campers and can take yours into a Cabin for a nap if they become overly tired during day care. It’s not uncommon for pets to sleep a lot and even skip meals after they come home.

Your dog may also be quite thirsty. While water is always available, they may still be thirsty after arriving home from playing all day at Camp.

Are your pet’s paws sensitive? This is also completely normal, especially if they are new to a dog day care setting. It’s common for dogs’ pads to be sore after romping and playing all day. Rest assured your pup’s pads will become stronger the more they visit Camp!

Should I bring anything for my dog’s stay? Do I need to bring my own dog food?

We highly recommend that you bring your dog’s food in order to prevent them from getting sick during their stay. Sudden changes in diet can result in gastrointestinal reactions like vomiting and diarrhea.

Our Certified Camp Counselors^® provide Campers with nightly Campfire Treats™ as well as a comfy cot and cozy fleece blanket. If you wish to bring your own bedding, toys, or anything else that may make your pup feel more at home, we are happy to accommodate.

Is Camp Bow Wow a pet hotel?

The meaning of the word pet hotel has become somewhat broadly applied over the years. Originally, a pet hotel was supposed to be a higher quality alternative to traditional kennels with more amenities like daily activities (or day care) and grooming. By this original definition, Camp Bow Wow is a kind of pet hotel. Ultimately, we prefer the term "camp" because we aren't just offering your pup a hotel stay but an entire vacation experience.

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Do I need to make a reservation?

If you’re interested in overnight boarding, we do require you to make a reservation. In this case, it would be in your best interest to make a reservation as early as possible. Some of our locations require you to make reservations for Day Camp as well. Please check with your local Camp Bow Wow for more information. Your pooch must pass the Camper Interview before you make a reservation.

Depending on the time of year, we can sometimes accommodate short-notice Campers as long as your dog has completed our Camper Interview process. It’s important to note that holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving book several months in advance and other holidays book several weeks in advance. Many of our Camps fill up early for weekends during the summer months. It’s also important to note that many Camp Bow Wow locations require you to put down a deposit in order to hold a boarding reservation.

How do I make a reservation?

You can request a reservation online or through Camp Bow Wow’s Android or iPhone app. One of our Certified Camp Counselors will get in touch with you to confirm your request. You can also call Camp during our normal operating hours to make a reservation.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

Each franchise location has its own cancellation and refund policy. Please inquire for the applicable policy in your Camp.

How Much Does Dog Boarding Cost?

Dog boarding pricing varies by location. To learn everything you need to know about dog boarding prices near you, contact your local Camp Bow Wow today!

Should I feed my dog before going to Camp?

We recommend that you feed your dog a minimum of 1.5 hours before Camp to prevent bloat. Playing too soon after eating can cause bloat and it can be deadly. If your dog eats less than 1.5 hours before coming to Camp, please inform one of our Certified Camp Counselors^® for the safety and well-being of your pup..

Where can I view the live web cams to watch my pup?

You can view our live web cams for free on any smartphone, tablet, or computer. Download our Android or iPhone app to easily access your pup from wherever you are. Our web cams are on during business hours when pups are at play. Many Camps offer luxury suites with 24/7 access to the suite’s web cam.

Why aren’t toys allowed in the play yards?

This is for the safety of our Campers. Dogs can become possessive of toys, which can lead to altercations. In addition, the toy can immediately become a choking hazard if Campers tear pieces off.

What is Camp Bow Wow’s spay/neuter policy?

Camp Bow Wow requires that all dogs must be spayed or neutered at 7 months of age in order to receive day care and boarding services.

• Camp Bow Wow understands that the choice to spay or neuter and at what age is a decision to be made for each individual dog and by the dog’s owner and veterinarian.
• For safety in a play group, dogs must be spayed or neutered by 7 months of age to take part in boarding or day care services at Camp Bow Wow.
• As dogs reach sexual maturity, they are able to reproduce and hormonal changes occur that can alter behavior or may cause tension amongst other dogs within the group dynamic. This can impact the safety of all Campers and is not advised for open play environments.

What time is checkout for boarding stays? 

The checkout time for boarders is 11:00am. While pups are welcome to stay and play longer, there may be a charge. Checkout time may vary on Sundays and holidays. Check with your local Camp for details.

Have more questions about dog boarding pricing or our policies? Reach out to your local Camp Bow Wow!