Shag Bark Pet Retreat & Spa — Local services in Lindenhurst

We love Shag Bark!! We are super hesitant to ever board our dogs, but in moving from WA state to Illinois there were a few days when we arrived that we couldn't have our dog with us and we knew it would be best to board him. To preface this, we have an 11.5 year old black lab, he's super docile and doesn't do much but nap in various spots all day long, so he isn't really a high maintenance dog. I called Shag Bark about a month in advance to reserve a spot and make sure we had everything we needed. They were very helpful, the only downside is that they were the only place I called in the area that has an "up charge" during the peak season. They do have a military discount, it's 10%. With that said, I did still think the pricing was reasonable. I wish they would have asked us when we dropped him off if we wanted him groomed while he was there, because we probably would have. After his stay, which he seemed to really enjoy, we then booked grooming for about a week later.They are pretty booked out for grooming if you just want the grooming portion but they do keep your dog all day at no additional charge which is nice; they asked us to drop him off around 8am and he was done around 2 but said we just needed to be there before closing, so that was very convenient and nice of them. He seemed to be happy leaving his grooming too, but we paid for this extra "deshedding" treatment, it was as much as the grooming itself and I don't feel it did anything. If anything, the joke is on us, he's shedding more than ever! I was super disappointed with the deshedding treatment and tried calling several times but never could get someone on the phone. Most times I have called, nobody answers the phone. I guess that's my fault that I should have left a voicemail but I was trying to actually talk to someone and not just leave a voicemail about the issue.... They are really great at the actual grooming though, our dog came back smelling good and looking very clean, I just wish he wasn't shedding what seems like an entire dog worth of hair every day after we paid so much. Overall, most of the people that work here are really friendly and nice, they seemed to really love our dog and gave us a report card of how he did. We will definitely use Shag Bark again for boarding and grooming, they are great, but I don't recommend the deshedding...

Our dog, Grizzly, goes to daycare twice a week at Shag Bark and he loves it! Stacie, Heather and the other staff at Shag Bark love Grizzly so much and it shows. He comes home so exhausted, he sometimes doesn't want to get off the couch to have dinner! They always have great activities for the dogs there, including a costume contest and Haunted Maze at Halloween and a meet and greet with Ms. Clause at Holiday time! Grizzly even made (with the help of the Shag Bark staff, I am sure!) a paw print Turkey for us at Thanksgiving. They send home report cards on the evenings where we have boarded Grizzly overnight, and he gets tucked it too! It has been worth every penny to send Grizzly to Shag Bark! He is so happy to go in the mornings and he has even lost much need extra pounds in the months we have been sending him there, due to the extra care and play time he receives! They have groomed him for us a few times as well, and he comes home smelling clean and looking great! We are forever loyal Shag Bark customers. I am hoping to get Grizzly in scent classes this summer, as they offer extensive curriculum for pets and their owners, as well. Thank you, Shag Bark for keeping our buddy company during the week and giving us some much needed...

I recently adopted an adult dog from a shelter. She did not have any previous training and quickly after I got home I felt like I was in over my head. She is sweet and friendly but jumped on everyone, had no manners, and was very excitable around other dogs. I enrolled in an adult canine manners class at shag bark taught by Cathi. I was extremely nervous to begin the class because I thought my dog would be too distracted by the other dogs. I knew that I didn't have the control that I wanted and to be quite honest I felt embarrassed. Right from the start Cathi taught the class some great ways to get and keep my dogs attention. She was excitable but it was manageable. My dog and I both enjoyed the class so much and I see a difference in her at home by taking this class. She pays attention and listens. At the end of the class we demonstrated the lessons we had been working on and my dog graduated. I would have never thought 8 weeks earlier that I would find myself in such a rewarding place. My dog now sits, stays, comes when called, and is getting better around other dogs. Cathi had a lot of good suggestions and her class was informative. She is a knowledgeable and fun trainer. My dog and I are sad the class is over and cannot wait to take...