Anyone ever use PetSmart for boarding/doggie day camp?

Littlejen22

I always board my dog at Camp Bow Wow but there is a PetSmart I just found out about that is way closer to my house.  My Mom is using them soon but honestly she has never boarded a dog so she has no comparison.  Anyone know how much money it would be (I know different locations might be different) to board her and have her at Doggie Day care all day?

Joanis018

I've had a couple of horrible experiences at PetSmart, so I won't be going back.  The first thing was after Brady had emergency surgery I had to delay some training classes and the manager was a complete jerk.

Then I signed him up months in advance for doggie day care (I was working at an accountant's office during tax season and hubs was traveling, so I knew I'd be working really long days).  So I got Brady the required vaccines, took them in advance back to PetSmart, got there the morning of boarding and they only had him down for being in a kennel.  Oh heII no, I did not sign my dog up for all day boarding, WTF?  They were completely un-helpful and when I wrote headquarters they forwarded my email back to the local store...to the jerk manager.

They just really rubbed me the wrong way. 

RedheadBaker

They have crappy pit bull policies, so I won't use them. 

PolarBearFans

I used them for cat day care once and it was awful. I didn't care for the attitude about my cats not being declawed. They scruffed my babies. Then they messed up the cages. It was supposed to be adjoining side by side but they did vertical instead and the only car that could jump that high was too fat to fit so two cats were in once small cage. Then because they have claws they were afraid to reach in and get them out so my husband had to go in and get them himself. They were stressed and we would never do it again. Worst boarding experience we have had. We now get a pet sitter for when we are going to miss a meal or will be gone days but sometimes we need to clear the cats out if work is being done. We used pet smart in a pinch because we had an exterminator coming out for a beehive in the dryer vent. I was worried about the poison and if it got on the air or they ate a dead bee. 

 I didn't feel their staff was very well trained at all. They also just threw all kinds of dogs together in a small room for playtime. And I know some dogs are socialized better but I don't think the staff really knows what they are doing

jdbmjm

I've used them, for lack of other options. They were literally the only dog day care in 10 miles. It's okay. There isn't a ton of space, so they don't get to run. They know my girls, and know that while they are big, they are gentle and do well with the smaller dogs if the big dogs are too rambunctious, which I appreciate. Heidi likes it. Lauren doesn't. 

One of the 2 petsmarts I've used had the "pets hotel" and their policy was that all the daycare dogs played all day, but went into kennels for an hour and a half mid day for a rest/ snack (if desired) and then back out to play, until 5, when they went back into kennels for pick up.  The other one is just daycare, so I always bring a snack so they get pulled out for rest time in kennels. And I ask that they are crated together, and they do not have a problem with that (Lauren doesn't like crates).

NotJennay

PolarBearFans:

 

I didn't feel their staff was very well trained at all. They also just threw all kinds of dogs together in a small room for playtime. And I know some dogs are socialized better but I don't think the staff really knows what they are doing

It really varies by store.  We've had wonderful experiences at some petsmarts, and terrible experiences at others with regard to services in general/the staff's ability to work with dogs.  We currently live in a HCOLA and their daycare was much cheaper than the other local place (think 35%), but it was smaller and G came home smelling funky and feeling sticky.  I also wasn't a fan of the flooring they used. 

I feel like petsmarts are, for the most part, a stellar example of the addage "you get what you pay for," not terrible, but not the best either.  It depends on your budget and what you're willing to splurge on.  Somethings we get from petsmart, some things we get from other places, depending on how important the quality is to us and the value we perceive available at our local petsmart.   

darkling_glory

This is why you should NEVER use Petsmart. 

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/a-pet-owners-nightmare-tampa-womans-pup-dies-at-vet/1218407 

RedRedWine2

Lurker here, but I've used 2 locations in different states and have been very happy with both. I use another daycare for longer term boarding, but it's wayyyy on the other side of town which isn't easy to get to. So, for short term boarding or day care, I like them. They know my dog, they know they have to give her a longer rest period than normal (she gets sore sometimes due to bad hips) and always unpromted tell me they do when she's in day care, and most workers know her by name when they see her.

Personally, I won't board my dog anywhere where someone isn't there 24/7 and suprisingly, Petsmart is one of the few places where there is someone on location at all times at the PetsHotel. There is a vet if needed (granted, it's not an awesome vet by any means, but its better than NOT having a vet IMO?). They are expensive when you want to board + daycamp all day, which I find annoying for what it is.

I've had very good experiences, but I know it varies.

berrda04

Ive never had anything but amazing boarding/day care experiences with my dogs at petsmart! Obviously varies by location and the people that work there but they all LOVE my dog and he plays his little (80lb) heart out and sleeps very well for atleast 2-3 days when we get him back. I'm sure there's cheaper places to go, but petsmart has always been awesome to us...

When Kai was a pup I had him in training classes went to like 2 of them and broke my foot so he went to stay with my mom until I could care for him again and they allowed me to restart the whole program. So again, depends on where you are the customer service you get.. Which is everywhere with any chain store. You can't write off  an entire store just because one was crappy. You just don't go to that one!

marshian

Chiming in kind of late, but if it helps... I would highly suggest requesting a tour of the facility. If they're willing to show you the whole facility (kennels, play areas, behind-the-scenes stuff), then I'd feel better.

FWIW, my experience with our local PetsHotel wasn't amazing. Our dog lost a significant amount of weight due to stress and when we asked about how she ate, behaved, etc, the employees didn't know the answers. This makes me question the quality of care. We've boarded her since in a local facility which has a strict limit on the number of dogs and also specializes in adopted dogs, seniors, and dogs with handicaps. They told us all kinds of great details when we picked her up and she was much happier. 

NCSmilinAngel

RedheadBaker:

They have crappy pit bull policies, so I won't use them. 

This.

 

themommymonster

I worked at one for about 4 months.

 

I can say that our hotel was pretty good. We walked the dogs (indoors) at least three times a day, spent time with them, loved on them, etc. We were, however, new and very rarely had more that 25 dogs in the facility at a time, giving us plenty of time to spoil the pups.

 

We also took care of the cats. We would go in three times a day, let them out of their cages (one at a time or families at a time). We interacted with them (toys/attention) and cleaned their cages/litter boxes.

 

It really depends on the people/facility. If you have a bad feeling about it, I would go with your gut.