Pooch Palace

02/27/2008 Posted by JimG6362

We have been taking our dog to the Pooch Palace for eight years. We bring him to daycare at least once a week. Driving within several blocks of the Pooch Palace, he will cry and bark because he is so excited to get there. As a matter of fact, on days when I do not bring him there, I have to choose an alternate route when in the area. Otherwise he gets very excited. We recently went on vacation and as always he stayed at "The Palace". I always go away knowing that he will be well taken care of. Over the years he has been on extended stays multiple times. I always return to find him healthy, happy, well groomed and best of all, tired when he gets home. He loves the staff there and over the years has made many friends (dog and human). At one point he had to have surgery and could not play for six months. The Pooch Palace called our home several times to check on him and sent a card signed by the entire staff. In response to the negative comments I have seen. People need to think. Yes, sometimes when I drop off my beloved pet, it is busy. Someone meets me in the entry and they whisk my dog away to play. The transaction takes seconds. That is because it is a successful business that has the serious responsibility of taking care of dozens of our pets who we love dearly. It is not all about us (the pet owner). And that is the way it should be. That being said, there are also times when the staff spends time with me having a friendly chat and telling me about my dogs day . As far as the interview process, I look at it this way. Your first concern should not be the cost or how many times your pet has to return before being accepted as a boarder. I know I appreciate the fact that the interview process is thorough. It ensures a happy, safe environment for the dogs we love. For those who did not appreciate the interview process, no worries. From what I understand there is usually a waiting list. Someone will gladly take your place.

Pros: It is all about the dog. He loves to go there and is well taken care of.

02/27/2008 Posted by nickge

My guy has been going to The Pooch Palace since we first adopted him 8 years ago. He's a very social and playful guy, so I was initially worried that he may not fit in well in an "open" environment. I've met way too many uptight dog "owners" in my day and are so many people out there that don't know jack about dog behavior and socialization - boy was I thrilled to meet the people at The Pooch Palace. They are all about your dog - the interview process is great and needed - it means that dogs get to hang out, socialize and play together. I don't understand why someone has an issue with paying for the interview process - why are people always trying to get something for nothing? I certainly expect to pay to know that my guy has good care. My guy actually has best friends there and we try to go on days when his friends are also there. To the staff, the dogs *are* the clients and while that apparently is offsetting to the "stroke my insecure ego" crowd, I find it refreshing - they know my guy - I can call anytime and ask how he's doing. They know me when I walk in and my guy pulls all the way to the front door every time we go and he's absolutely exhausted when he comes home. That's how I know it's a great place. I'm also not sure how people expect a place where dogs hang out play is not going to have some degree of "chaos". I'm glad when I see the staff busy and diverting attention to the dogs - that's how I know that they are watching what's happening there. Regarding grooming, my guy has always been afraid of brushes and dryers - the groomers there accommodate that - they towel dried him for years and he comes out as calm as one can expect from a place with so much sensory overload, plus he looks great each time he comes out (and apparently has a new found appreciation for the dryer). Highly Recommended ... :)

Pros: dedicated staff, personal service, dog comes home exhausted