Dogs get tail-wagging about Bow Wow

Laurie Williams and John Lewis, of Newark wanted a place where dogs could go when their owners are at work, running errands, on vacation or any other place that is not dog-friendly, so with her love for dogs in mind, Williams turned to Camp Bow Wow.

Camp Bow Wow is a franchise company out of Boulder, Colo. There are 107 locations nationwide that have individual owners.

“I’m a big dog person,” Williams said. “I always had dogs growing up. The franchise is pretty appealing and the probability of success is higher. We’re the only one in Delaware.”

Bow Wow offers day and overnight camp. The overnight campers retire to one of the 50 private, climate-controlled cabins for dinner and a rest. All cabins have cots and soft fleece blankets and are large enough to accommodate two or three dogs from the same family if their "parents" would like them to stay together.

All camp counselors are trained in pet CPR, first aid, dog behavior, group play dynamics, safety/health management and cleaning procedures. There is always at least one counselor at camp for every 15 animals during play times.

The 10,000-square-foot facility has four, large, climate-controlled indoor play areas with adjoining outdoor play areas, giving dogs the ability to roam inside or outside whenever they choose. The dogs can socialize, get playful with the pack, find a quiet place to curl up or play in fenced outdoor areas equipped with doggy playground equipment and shade structures.

“I liked the idea of indoor and outdoor play areas,” Williams said. “I like that the dogs can go out when they want and not just when you want to walk them.”

It was Williams' idea to open the facility, but her husband was game.

“I thought it was great,” Lewis said. “It sounded too good to be true.”

Scott Knote, of Elkton, Md., brings his 6-month-old Golden Retriever, Murphy to Camp Bow Wow as a day-camper.

“I liked the friendliness, the experience and the atmosphere that was created and knowing that he [Murphy] was going to be in trusted care,” he said. “It’s like dropping a child off at daycare.”

Virginia Abate's 5-year-old Bulldog Boggy is an overnighter at Bow Wow. She relocated to Dover recently and was researching different kennels and dog walkers online.

“I went to a few other places and wasn’t happy with them,” Abate said. “I liked how clean it was, not only because it’s new, but it’s cleaned every time a dog leaves. They use all green products. They don’t let the dogs out to play right after they eat and my dog has gotten sick from that before.”

Boggy gets to communicate with other dogs at camp and that’s something his owner also likes.

“They keep up with all his feeding routines and regular medications,” Abate said. “I like that he’s forced to move and interact with other dogs. He’s not around other dogs because we live alone.”

Williams said this is a rewarding career.

“It’s a sense of contribution – helping dogs. You have to just love dogs and be willing to work hard. I’m pleased with the number of dogs and I’m pleased with the returning customers.”

Knote said he was looking for a safe and trusting place to bring Murphy where he would have a good time.

“I looked at different options that were available,” he said. “This one stood out facility-wise. The people really made the difference – the way they treated him from the time we walked in. He gets the exercise and the socialization skills.”

One of the unique things that owners seem to like is that they can look in on their campers by logging on to the Camp Bow Wow Delaware North website to watch the real-time activities in the play yards broadcast by one of the "camper cams" installed around the camp.

“They like it because they can see what’s going on when they’re not here,” Williams said.

Abate said she keeps going back because she can’t think of a better place for her dog to stay.

“I think he loves it,” she said. “I was in Florida and I watched him on the Camper Cam. I like seeing how he interacts and how the people work with him when I’m not there. He came back the same way I left him – happy, healthy and I can’t ask for anything more.”