Bowhaus

Appointments Required

≡ All dogs must provide vaccination documentation (rabies, distemper/parvo combo, bordetella vaccinations) before they are allowed to participate

≡ All dogs must be spayed or neutered (except for puppies)

Rates

≡ Overnighters: $32

≡ Daycare: $22

≡ Monthly discount packages available for daycare; pre-pay for at least 4 days/month during the first week of the month and receive a discount of $2/day.

≡ Daycare charge applies for pm pickups of overnighters

≡ No additional charges for holidays, administering meds, or special diets

≡ 10% multi-dog discount

≡ NOTE:
If your dog is new to Bowhaus, we require at least 2 days of doggy day care before her or his first overnight stay. Spending a couple days in DDC familiarizes your dog with us and the new surroundings. Additionally, your dog will get to know some of the 'regulars', who in turn help him or her understand this is a place to come and have fun!

Hours

≡ Monday - Friday:
drop off or pick up time: 7am - 9:30am
pickup time: 4 pm - 6:30 pm

≡ Saturday & Sunday:
7-9 am and 4-6.30 pm

Food

≡ Please provide enough food for your friend's stay, plus a little extra just in case your trip goes longer than expected or your return is delayed.

Other Considerations

≡ SAYING "SO LONG": Try not to get overly emotional. Just say good-bye in a quick manner, with a pat on the head. Tears and emotional good-byes will only cause stress and confusion for your dog. Remember, just as you are going on vacation to have a good time, your dog will also be on vacation having a good time.

≡ LEASHES: All dogs must come and go by leash. You may keep your dog’s leash with you or hang it on one of the hooks in the reception building. Bowhaus can not claim responsibility for misplaced, lost, or intentionally or unintentionally commandeered leashes.

≡ RESERVATIONS A $50 non-refundable payment is required in order to hold a bed for your dog over Spring Break, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Xmas/New Years. The $50 will be applied to your dog’s stay.

≡ PRIVACY NOTICE: Should you contact us by email, rest assured that we will not share your email address, or any information in email correspondences, with any other parties unless explicitly directed to do so by you the client or potential client.

Grooming with Maddi

Grooming Rates

Toenails: $5
Add Dremel: $5
Ears: $10
Anal Glands (includes dry bath at site): $10

De-matting: $7 for every additional 30 minutes

Grooming FAQs

What's with the noose around my dogs neck?

Most dogs are used to boundaries and limitations communicated to them through a leash and collar. A noose is the combination of those two things to help the dog figure out where he can stand and move on a grooming table. The noose also helps secure the dog and prevents uneccesary wiggling during the grooming process. Most dogs will communicate discomfort and protest with their mouth and teeth (which is natural), and noosing the dog up in a natural upright position (Slack enough for sitting and standing, but not much else) prevents accidental mouths and teeth on sharp objects like clippers and scissors. In some cases, having a dog in a brave and tall stance actually encourages confidence! Show trainers also sometimes use a noose and table to help train their dogs to "stack" for a judge in the show ring, to show off that confident stance!

I'm afraid my dog may not like being up so high. Why is that necessary?

As a groomer, I have the opportunity to look over all the nooks and crannys of your dogs body, checking for warts, ticks, mats, sticker burrs and a number of other health problems while he or she is on my table. Having the dog at a this vantage point makes it easier for both me and him/her and reduces the unnatural movement and lifting of inspection and grooming. Also, it is a technique to place the dog in a position where he or she is more inclined to trust and respond to my touch, as being off the ground is a situation that the dog isn't used to, and in most cases will reduce the inclination to protest, contrary to popular belief. Lastly, it helps to get all the hairs as straight and even as I can because I can look over the entire dog from nose to chest to tail and beyond.

What if my dog doesn't respond well to height or noosing (for various reasons)?

Being an animal professional means knowing what the animal needs. If the height or the noosing seems counterproductive to the dogs experience, I always strive to find the right situation and medium to help the communication between dog and groomer so a groom or bath may be accomplished. The answer to this is often times grooming on the floor, but it makes it difficult to get the dog completely dry and produce and even finish.

What in the world are anal glands, and why is it important they're checked and expressed?

I'll give you a definition:
"In dogs, these glands are occasionally referred to as "scent glands", because they enable the animals to mark their territory and identify other dogs. The glands can spontaneously empty, especially under times of stress, and create a very sudden unpleasant change in the odor of the dog. Dog feces are normally firm, and the anal glands usually empty when the dog defecates, lubricating the anal opening in the process. When the dog's stools are soft they may not exert enough pressure on the glands, which then may fail to empty. This may cause discomfort as the full anal gland pushes on the anus. The glands can be emptied by the dog's keeper, or more typically by a groomer or veterinarian, by squeezing the gland so the contents are released through the small openings on either side of the anus. Discomfort is evidenced by the dog dragging its posterior on the ground, licking or biting at the anus, sitting uncomfortably, having difficulty sitting or standing, or chasing its tail. Discomfort may also be evident with impaction or infection of the anal glands. Anal gland impaction results from blockage of the duct leading from the gland to the opening. The gland is usually nonpainful and swollen. Anal gland infection results in pain, swelling, and sometimes abscessation and fever. "

The long and short of it is, depending on your dogs activity and diet, these glands must be regularly expressed or they may become impacted or, worse, rupture. I express anal glands externally, and it is normally a quick and painless process. If they are impacted, or feel very full, I will normally suggest an internal expression and a check up, which can be performed by any vet.

What is Dremmeling?

The Dremmel is the common name for compact rotating file (if you've ever had your nails done, you've seen the stylist use a Dremmel to file and shape your acrylic nails). I suggest Dremmeling because it helps elimination of excess toenail with much more prescision than a clipper alone, and can aid in receding the quicks of nails that perhaps don't get as much attention (the natural filing of cement, concrete, and daily wear). Additionally, it is a soft vibrating motion, and for dogs that have insecurity with toenail clipping (the sometimes immediate pressure and cutting action), it is a different and less stressful experience. There is little to no bleeding, because the tool actually carterizes the quick, and is almost entirely painless.

Photos

Testimonials

Dear Bowhaus owners and staff--
I'd like to thank you for taking such good care of my dog, Rudy. When you first met Rudy, he was a little shy and fearful, and, passive around more dominant dogs. The advice my Vet gave me about "doggie day care" centers, was that dogs learn bad behaviors there. Well, the opposite has happened, and Rudy has blossomed into a more outgoing, confident, and assertive dog. I realize dogs at Bowhaus have helped role-model acceptable behaviors within the "dog pack" for Rudy. But, I am very pleased that the philosophy and practice of people at Bowhaus has contributed to the growth in his personality. I've seen your kind and gentle care, I've seen your appropriate strict boundaries, and I've seen the high standards you expect from the dogs.

It all combines well to have a successful place for dogs to have fun and behave within the group setting. Rudy is very excited to come to Bowhaus every time, and very content when he leaves for the day. Thanks for your expertise and patience with my dog.

I just wanted to say thanks so much, I brought my dog in last week and it is SUCH a difference from the last place I was taking him.I almost gave up on day care altogether because of the last place I took him. I wrote you a good review on Google, you guys are awesome! I didn't even notice you had pictures of my dog on Facebook already, I will be bringing him back for any boarding for day care in the future, you have gained a customer for life! :)

Our dog loves Bowhaus!!
Our dog loves going here; she always gets so excited that she doesn't even say goodbye to us when we drop her off. We always feel safe and totally worry-free when she is at Bowhaus, which allows us to have a great time when away. And, She always comes homes exhausted and happy. As an added bonus, you can watch the dogs play outside all day on webcams, just to make sure they're having a good time. This is a great business, too. The people are friendly and all seem to love animals, and they are very flexible and accommodating. They have let our dog come at the last minute due to emergencies on several occasions. This is truly a wonderful place!

September 24, 2009 by Anonymous in Lafayette, CO

Top Notch Doggie Care!
We could not be happier with the care that our two labradors get at Bowhaus. Dan, the owner, is so sincere and goes above and beyond to make you feel like your pups are in the best care possible. All the employees make us feel the exact same way, some even email me pictures b/c I can't view the webcam while at work! We take our puppy to daycare regularly and he literally RUNS to the door every day. Our 12 year old lab stays when we go out of town and this is the first boarding facility he has stayed in where I feel like he's actually content and happy when I pick him up. No barking is allowed here, so I think that helps reduce his stress level. We will be loyal customers forever! Thanks, Dan!

Simply the Best!
We have been bringing our dog to Bowhaus for the past year. Everyone that works here is warm and welcoming. When we pick up our dog , the friendly staff tells us who our dog played with while we were away and any other informative news. I wouldn't bring our dog anywhere else while we are away! Bowhaus is like a home-away-from-home for pets.

Raleigh is the happiest and sweetest dog we've ever owned and we thank Bowhaus for being a part in that. He loves other dogs and people, thanks to Bowhaus! We know we can take him anywhere without worrying how he'll react to other dogs, thanks to Bowhaus! He shares water, respects other dogs and people, thanks to Bowhaus!

From the UK, I shipped a Basset that was more Tasmanian devil than hound, he barked, chewed and had more energy than a terrier. Since going to Bowhaus he is the epitomy of calm and serenity. If anything he's becoming a little boring!!!! :o) I also have enjoyed my first vacation without my dog in years, knowing I wasn't imposing on any friends and that he's happier in Bowhaus kennels than at home! I can't recommend Bowhaus enough.

I have been going to Bowhaus five days a week for over two years & have found that I am a calmer & more socially acceptable person! lol Best job in the world. Thanks Bowhaus & Bowhaus customers!

Robert Hawley

Charitable Contributions