No Leash Needed — Attraction in Saint Charles

I’ll never use them again. Ever. I have never boarded my dog before and wanted to find a great place for him. I found this place online and the reviews appeared to be good. I called to get my dog in and explained to them it was my first time. They told me MULTIPLE times the first night was a free trial period.

I eventually arrived and filled out a few forms and again they told me it would be a free trial for the first night but he would have to be separated because he didn’t have a fecal examine done, which she told me was okay, again telling me he would just be alone but it still would be free of charge besides the bag of food they would feed him ($5). I agreed and they took my dog.

Because he was staying overnight I asked them if there was someone there overnight with the dogs and I was told someone would come at 10pm to let them out but no one stayed there at night. They didn’t ask me any questions about my dog nor explain how boarding worked or what would take place, I didn’t know what to ask at the time because I have never did something like this before.

I arrived the next day and they brought my dog out to me. All of his paws were wet and he smelled heavily of urine. He got into the car and immediately went into the back seat and flopped down, and began staring at the floorboard, which he never does unless he’s in trouble.

The lady who brought him out then told me it would be $68!!!!

$68 for one night stay with food for a 45lb dog. I explained to her I was told multiple times it would be a free night trial stay.

She said “yeah we didn’t do that because he didn’t have the fecal examine and had to be separated”. So why did you tell me it was free multiple times, knowing he didn’t have the examine? Also, how would him being separated change anything and void the free trial YOU offered me.

I asked her for the rates and she wouldn’t tell me what they were, she only said that I had a large dog and they had to feed him. She wouldn’t give me a breakdown of the price and again told me it was $68, I paid cash and I didn’t get a receipt or a breakdown of any costs. She took my money and said “thanks”.

Once we got home he immediately ran to his water bowl and continued to drink an entire full bowl of water as if he didn’t have any during the time the staff was gone. Seriously? While at home he just remained in the corner and ignored everything, as if he was punished for something.

Further, He has stayed without me many, MANY nights, with other people or in a 10x10 kennel and never displayed this attitude before in his 8 years. He has never been this sad after staying somewhere else, ever.

So, when it’s all said and done, I paid $68 for one overnight stay, in a cage, which I was told was a free trial, my dog was given back to me in a worse condition, smelling like urine from head to paws, wet, traumatized and deprived of water.

This is very disappointing and I will never bring him back there.

The $68 charge is certainly absurd but I’m more curious to know what was done to my dog while he was boarded.

Owner - if you have cameras, please review them and ensure the pets boarded overnight are properly taken care of. Also, train your staff and maybe have them break down the costs of the stay, so a customer can understand why it would cost $68 to board one medium sized dog for less than 15...

I would rate NLN with an A++ if possible. We worked with Kerri at St Charles location for training our dog, Stella. Kerri spent an hour talking to us before training began so she could understand what we wanted out of the training and to get an understanding of Stella. She was interested in learning about where Stella came from, her personality, and any concern or problem areas we had. Once training started, Kerri sent us a report card every day that included what was worked on, what went well, and what we could work on in the evening. Kerri was an excellent communicator. She even reached out to me by phone one afternoon because Stella wasn't responding the way she wanted so Kerri wanted to discuss alternatives that could still lead to the ultimate goal. When Stella started at NLN, she was afraid to get out of the car, would need assistance to go in the building, and would pull the handler out the door when it was time to go home. Within about 2 weeks, Stella would start barking with excitement as soon as we pulled in the lot and practically ran into NLN in the morning. She responded very well to Kerri and had made friends with all of the staff. The most important part of the experience is whether our goals were met. Stella was a different dog after the 4 week training. She still needed work in one area but the improvements were easily noticed. In the end, I would give NLN my best possible recommendation and can promise that any future training needs I have will go thru NLN. Thanks to No Leash Needed - St Charles, the entire staff, but most of all to Kerri for being a...

My puppy loves this place!! He watches to see what direction we are going when we get in the car and when I park in the NLN parking lot, he practically jumps out of the window. He has been attending the doggy day camp since Sept 2019 half a day, twice a week, and his reaction is the same each and every time. I feel so happy knowing that he is happy!! In addition, I know he is actually participating in the day camp play during the time he is there because he is now exhausted when I pick him up. He sleeps during the ride home and passes out for awhile when we get home. Further, they actually practice their advertised program of keeping small dogs with small dogs, medium with medium, etc. Kim, Whitley. Ally, Cindy, are just a few of the staff members who provide excellent care for my puppy. The cost is very reasonable and well worth it to see my puppy happy, well adjusted, socialized and No Longer Lonely.

3/9/2021 Update

This time last year COVID-19 changed a lot of things for a lot of people including myself and Shorkie. Fortunately, a few months ago I was able to resume Shorkie's day care visits and he was elated as was I. I was not surprised to see that NLN probably has the best COVID-19 protocols I have ever encountered and the staff is still the very best..How do I know this..Shorkie's reaction is the same as it was a year ago. He is almost 2 years old now and he still practically jumps out of the window when we pull up on the parking lot..he is still exhausted when I pick him up..and he once again rolls over on his back with his legs sprawled wide when...