Camp Bow Wow

PLEASE DO SOMETHING I KNOW IM NOT THE ONLY ONE I HAVE 30+ EX EMPLOYEES WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCE!!!

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I worked at Camp Bow Wow for a little over 6 months. In that time I had a wonderful experience with most of the dogs themselves but the owner(s)?

That's a much different story. Below I am going to share some of the many instances, some including photo evidence, as to why there needs to be a thorough investigation into this doggy fight club.

Dangers the owners inflict:

The male owner of Camp Bow Wow frequently puts not only the staff but many of the dogs in very dangerous and at times potentially fatal situations. He often overbooks the camp itself by over double the legal capacity. Camp Bow Wow has legal requirements needed to ensure the safety of both staff and dogs attending camp.

(From their website)

Those include:

Providing Camp Counselors who are extensively trained and certified to perform pet first aid and CPR.

In the 6 months I was employed at Camp Bow Wow I was not once offered any sort of training in this regard.

In fact I was told not to ask the male owner for said training and was told to wait until he came to me for it otherwise I would be labeled disrespectful and reprimanded.

Screening all Campers to ensure they are sociable, spayed or neutered, and vaccinated.

Dogs were often kept at camp long after the 7 month neuter mark even after they showed extreme cases of aggression towards other neutered dogs via pinning other dogs or humping. Many dogs show extreme levels of aggression. They're not removed from camp unless they cause revenue loss due to vet bills from other dogs they attack..

Giving pet parents access to live webcams to check in on their dog from anywhere.

We were encouraged to correct in the blind spots of the cameras and even shown where all the blind spots are via markers so we remember where they are.

25 dogs to 1 councilor to ensure the safety of both staff and dogs.

Most of these are disregarded for what reason? I can only assume it's so male owner can allow more dogs into the camp in turn increasing numbers and revenue.

There are many days that we have at least 50 dogs to 1 councilor.

This is extremely dangerous for not only the staff but the dogs as well.

Sure, some dogs like camp.

Many are traumatized. Many have been hurt.

Many have been abused. ALL is swept under the rug..

My dog has been going there now for about a year, granted he had some challenges of not wanting to go into the medium sized kennel...he's a 90 lb lab. I was rudely given a reprimand by a manager named "Georgia" who stated that "this will not happen again, we won't tollerate that"..I was fine with that and next time we opted to try a larger kennel...the largest there is.

He's been there 3 times since then and has no problem what so ever going in or out. The last time, one of the male workers said "he just went right in" and that was before I left. I made sure to check each time I went to pick him up and there's been no problems. This time, I get Georgia again who again reads me the riot act and even noticed on the computer that he's been 3 times and has had the large kennel and no documented problems of my dog going in or out.

She demands that I bring him in again to "prove to her" or he can't stay. I tired of her hostile and aggressive and demanding tone...I asked to speak to the Owner knowing she's the manager, she refused to connect me saying "he's going to say the same thing". I then stated this has nothing to do with the situation with the dog, this has to do with another situation. She continued to talk over me and continued her hostile manner.

I repeatedly had to ask for her to have the manager call me and finally she stated "the manager isn't in the office." My response..."I'm no rocket scientist but I'm pretty sure him being a businessman, he has a cell phone...have him call me on that.

Like I said, I admit he didn't like going in the medium sized kennels, I will not deny that.

The former owner suggested we try the large kennel and the last 3 times we've used it, there's been no problems, I even asked to make sure. Georgia has some power trip going on!

I hate to write poor reviews but my experience at CBW Duluth was appalling and my hope is to warn others. In June, I dropped my dog for an initial interview with a bag of food because he was going to stay for the day.

When I picked him up, they did not give me his bag of food and after calling several times, I was told that the food was thrown away. 1st red flag but I ignored it and said "hey things happen". I decided to board my dog here for 5 nights in July and when I picked him up, he smelled pretty bad and had blood stains all over him, and some kind of object on his eyeball. When I asked about this the employees said that there was another dog who's gums were bleeding and it must've gotten on my dog.

If this was the case, why was that dog near other dogs with bleeding gums and why wasn't my dog at least cleaned up? When we got home I removed the object from his eye and he was sluggish and sneezing the rest of the day. He got worse over the next couple days and his eye was very pink and oozing puss. I took him to the vet and was told he has kennel cough and upper respiratory infection.

I reached out to Jeff, the owner, SEVERAL times and sent him pictures and sent the doctor's note, and when I finally heard back from him he was very dismissive and made comments like "this could happen anywhere". I requested a refund and he said that's not going to happen. He offered one free night boarding or one free bath. I told him I will absolutely not be having my dog board at CBW Duluth because of the lack of care and poor customer service.

I asked for 3 free baths as fair compromise and he replied with "One night or one bath.

End of discussion". Just disgusting.

I had boarded my dog at Camp Bow Wow after doing thorough research on several facilities in the area. The major things I was looking for were:

Dog Lovers, Friendly/Educated Staff, Cleanliness, Web Cams, Safety, and Play Time.

I felt Camp Bow Wow was the best option.

I took Aspen in for his interview which he passed. I allowed him to go to camp several times before I went out of town to get him used to the facility and so he knew I was coming back.

Fast forward.. I was on my flight back to Las Vegas when I received a voicemail. Aspen had gotten a good size scratch down the inside of his entire leg.

The owner, Casey claimed Aspen had gotten playful with one dog in particular. They went ahead and put cream on it. Though I didn't have much internet access while I was away, I checked in any opportunity that I had and had other people checking the cameras for me. When I was told Aspen was rough housing, I found it hard to believe but figured it was a possibility.

Whenever he is there he is calm and minding his own business. Aspen is very well behaved and friendly.

When I arrived back home with Aspen after boarding him, I noticed a huge change. He went from loving all people and dogs to being very afraid of other people. He now runs from people, barks/growls, tries to put something in between him and the other person, and tucks his tail/ lowers his ears.

I gave it time to observe and even spent over $400+ on training to try to get him back to himself. That was a waste as it didn't help.

I had a meeting with Casey who declined watching the videos. He said they delete after 2 weeks automatically and made it seem like a hassle. I advised him of the drastic change in Aspen and how I'm afraid something (verbal/physical) happened when I was away.

He denied it and had an excuse for every concern or theory I had. He knows a trainer that is very good. He was going to meet with him and let me know what he heard back. I appreciated that.

Weeks went by and nothing. Randomly got a text from him saying he's going to bring up Aspen again as he has another meeting with the trainer. I ended up calling the trainer personally to get any sort of care or guidance.

I decided to meet with the trainer and have him observe Aspen at Camp Bow Wow. He noticed the same things I did.

Not long after we were there I heard dogs barking in the back and a female employee yelling at the dog(s) and dropping "F Bombs". The manager ran to the back to assist while I ran to the cameras but I was too late. I was unable to see what had happened. This did not sit well with me especially with the situation I am still trying to resolve.

The day after, I went in and asked to speak to Casey.

I explained how I spoke to multiple trainers and the vet about Aspen and they all agree that something more than likely had happened. I also informed him of the yelling I heard yesterday and how it leads me to believe this is how Aspen was treated. Long story short, Casey felt there wasn't anything to resolve, made me feel like my concerns were not valid, and watching the cameras would be asking too much of him. He told me the cameras have no sound so he wouldn't be able to hear what was said and that the main purpose is to allow pet parents to watch their dogs online.

He mentioned how you have to yell at the dogs as its loud back there, Otherwise they won't hear you. The yelling was inappropriate and seemed excessive. After all customers could hear it in the lobby.

Though I cant say for sure exactly what happened without being there, the signs are leading me to believe that some sort of altercation harmed my dog's mental state. Casey wouldn't take responsibility for anything and seemed to get defensive.

He continued to say that is not how we do things, we do it this way.

After paying approx. $400 there this is not how I wanted to end things. I was assured he would have his food, treats, bed, toys, etc.. I'm not sure this even happened as most things came back the same way I brought them.

I was promised the staff would take great care of Aspen and keep a good eye on the dogs in the play yard. The dog to attendant ratio is poor. There are always so many dogs and usually one, maybe two people with them if you're lucky.

I don't feel as if I got my monies worth and I'm unhappy especially now having to spend more to bring Aspen back to how he was before I left. This is not the service I agreed to.

All I wanted was my concerns to be taken seriously. Whether my beliefs are right or wrong, it doesn't matter. I would have appreciated it if the time was put in to investigating the matter instead of denying it.

As a dog mom this experience is disheartening & unprofessional.

There is definitely a sense of dishonesty, anger, regret, and distrust. I feel like I let my dog down.

After writing this post, I was threatened with a lawsuit via text message.

We brought our very happy mini ausssie there and everything was fine until we had been there a year. First the staff, who normally would bring the dogs forward to put their harnesses on started doing it out back where we could not see them.

I could hear my mini crying and when I asked then they simply said that he was excited to see us. There were days that I would look at the cameras and not see my dog in the play yard. When I called them about it, they told me he was in a kennel because he wasn't behaving. Again he was out sight since there were no cameras in the back.

We left Camp Bow Wow in November and at our current daycare they started to noticed that my dog was fearful of leashes.

We as owners never see this behavior, and he is as good as gold with us in public. It took about a month to narrow down the problem and that his behavior stems from some kind of abuse that happened at Camp Bow Wow.

We don't have any proof since all tapes are wiped and it happened outside the cameras that we can view as owners. So dog owners beware!

My dog has been to a Camp Bow WOW in Bedford Ohio two or three times. I admit she can play aggressively but she has never snapped at other dogs nor humans.

I took her there on September 19, 2019 thru September 21. When I picked her up I was told Corporate had removed her from the play yard for aggressive playing and snapping and she was not allowed back at the camp anymore.

When I told them she had been there before and was never told about her snapping at other dogs. They told me well she hasn’t been here for almost 2 years. In March of 2018 I had surgery and I was told about a training camp in Akron, I took Bella there for 10 days then in June of 2019 Bella went back to the camp in Akron for 5 days.

They had absolutely no complaints about Bella at all. Now I am not saying Bella is perfect after all she’s a rescued Pitt mix, but she is still a puppy. I really don’t care that they dismissed her from the camp because I’ll take her where I know they treat her right. I am mad because you pulled her from the play yard kept her locked up, didn’t bother to even call me but still charged me $84.

I could of kept her locked up for free at home if I wanted her locked up all day. Then when I ask for Corporates phone number no one could give it to me. I was told it was online which I still haven’t found it yet.

I was having a get together on Saturday the day I picked her up and everyone said Bella was not herself. I think they gave my baby something.

She had nothing to do with the kids and she always plays with them. She has barely eaten and all she’s been doing is sleeping.

When I picked her up she didn’t even jump all over me like she always does. I’m not happy with them at all and will never recommend them again.

Dawn Sewell

I took my dog Bruno to the boarding place in Indianapolis, In off Pendleton Pike and Sunnyside on Friday the 20th of September. I picked him up on Monday the 23rd.

Bruno has been going to this location ever since He turned 1 years old. (Mind you he's still 1 about to turn 2 in November and a house dog). Anyway he usually goes there when we stay out of town. Well this particular weekend was a little different.

I received a call Monday afternoon asking was I picking Bruno up today. I said yes after my dental appointment. The lady says ok and then she goes on to tell me that he has a flesh wound and they don't know how he did it. They said it looks like he bit his self.

But they are unsure of how he did it. She then proceeded to say we didn't see anything happen with him and another dog. But that he keeps trying to get after this white dog and they don't know why. She then says we had to put in room and he's hyper.

(That's another load of crap, because he's an Australian Cattle Dog. So everyone knows that breed is hyper. He's hyper every single day and they know that). Then she says we think he's just ready to go home.

I said ok, because it all sounded like a load of *** So when I show up to get him. I asked the lady at the front desk about it and she fed me the same nonsense. I just looked at her, because I'm more pissed off now that you lied to me in my face and the lie is by far unbelievable. Then they actually think I believe it.

So I just said ok. My dog was so happy to get out of there. So when we went outside. My kids and I looked at his mouth and the first thing my son said was mom there is no way he bit his self.

That's like me biting the outside of my check. I said yeah I know. So we took pictures, I sent them to the vet. They even said that's impossible.

So he went to the vet so they could see it face to face. They said why weren't they honest with you. Because he did not bite himself. That's what I want to know why lie.

I called back up there now no one recalls the incident. Well someone recalls what happened because he still has the marks on him. So to say the least I was already questioning if I want to continue to take him there after the last visit. When I picked him up he stunk so bad like he sat in his urine and boo boo all weekend.

Just to have to retrain him to use the bathroom outside once we got home. Then another time I paid for him to get a bath. They didn't bathe him by no means. They just put that instant dry shampoo on him, because I have the same exact one.

So I paid for a service that my dog never received.

I'm very dissatisfied with the service and the lack of concern from the staff. I'm better off letting him stay home alone and have my parents come over to keep an eye on him through out the day.