Camp Bow Wow Rockaway — Local services in Rockaway

updated to add on 9/6: The owner did reach out, was apologetic, and offered a full refund for the stay + visit. I do appreciate this offer as I believe these were the right steps after our stay. I'm appreciative of them taking responsibility and following up on our dog.

If you look at my google profile, you can see I've only left 5 star reviews for businesses over the last 5+ years, so to give a negative review is something I take very seriously. My nearly 6 year old dog has been going to places like camp bow wow for 5 years. She has always loved playing with the other dogs and we've never had any issues. We just moved to NJ and in the last year we brought her to Camp Bow Wow three times. Our most recent visit to the Rockaway location ended with her getting bit by another dog just shy of her eye. We took her to the emergency vet (after hours) and over $500 later, they shaved her face, gave her two shots, and prescribed 2 different pills (x2 a day) and 2 ointments (3x a day). In addition to how horrible this was for us and our dog, we are concerned she will have future issues with dogs and be nervous. I've emailed my concerns and disappointment to Camp Bow Wow as well as spoken with them on the phone and am left incredibly disappointed with their lack of response and care. Both on the phone and over email on 8/11 I requested to speak to the owner. It's over 2 weeks later and I have not had a response or call back. They explained that our dog was playing, the other dog wasn't interested and bit her face. They had no followup to see how our dog was doing, would not contribute to the vet bill, and the worst of all I truly felt they did not care after she left the building bleeding (which was very much so confirmed by their phone call). I'm incredibly disappointed for a variety of reasons not just limited to her attack. We also paid for extra services which I do not believe were done (I addressed this in an email, which was not at all addressed only leading me to believe it further). I would never, ever recommend this location and upon speaking to many local dog families, many of them have had similar experiences at the Rockaway location as well as...

I really wanted to like Camp Bow Wow, but unfortunately my experience was not a good one. I filled out the application for my puppy online and after waiting two weeks without a call, I decided to call them to set up the appointment. On my puppy's first interview day, I was told that one of her vaccines wasn't acceptable because it was given orally and for them that one expires in six months (I wish I was told this in advance). After getting my puppy's vaccine updated, I took her back for her another interview day. The girl who came to take my dog immediately grabbed a Milkbone to give to my dog and I asked her if there was chicken in it because my dog has a chicken allergy. All she said was, "It's a Milkbone." I said only give her what is in this bag because there is usually chicken of some sort in Milkbones. Once we go through this I was basically run through how loud the place was, if my dog was nervous the loudness wouldn't be good. Basically the opposite of selling me on this place. My dog was brought to the back and after 10 minutes I was told my dog was too nervous and was then given a sales pitch on training. 1. My dog has gone through training with a very reputable local business in the area 2. Yes my dog was nervous to start, but was in a new place with new dogs and handlers that were basically swarming her in the pen. I would be on guard too. 3. 10 minutes? Really? Imagine if a parent brought their child to daycare for the first time ever and was told after 10 minutes that they aren't a good fit.

I'm sorry, but this facility really needs to reevaluate their practices. Bottomline, I'm really glad my dog was rejected. I had a bad feeling as soon as I walked in and based on my dogs reaction to the handlers makes me feel even better that she is not there (I believe that dogs are very good judges of character).

Now she is enrolled in a very reputable, credible, locally owned establishment and she is doing great. On day one, today, she went right off with the handler and she played with the other dogs wonderfully. I truly believe my puppy's reaction at this Camp Bow Wow was get me the hell out of here.

Thank you for...

I'll start with this: my dog has stayed at multiple Camp Bow Wows and has never had an issue.

When we came to this location an interview was required. I understand I suppose and I cooperated. This was the interview: they kept my dog on the leash, put her in a room, and brought dogs in. This lasted less than 5 minutes. They denied our reservation for her because she was too nervous. Of course she was nervous. She was being kept on a leash with a stranger while meeting other dogs. I politely accepted their rejection and walked away because there was nothing else I could do.

You know what the other Camp Bow Wows did? Her interview lasted anywhere from 3-4 hours long. They each told me "We understand it can be nerve-racking for them to be in a new area, with new people, with new dogs and away from mom and dad. We'll keep a close eye on her over the next few hours to make sure she warms up to the place and everything is okay for her." Their kindness was greatly appreciated and it always went well. Until I came to this location.

Due to the rejection, we were forced to find another option. We went to the PetHotel with PetSmart in Parisippany. They were incredible and welcomed her with open arms. They told us that she was a little nervous at first, but after a while she did great and was playing with other dogs. They loved having her there and can't wait for her next visit.

I've seen the fairly unprofessional responses posted to other reviews similar to mine. Respectfully, I do not need to/want to be told what the "trainer" or interviewer has already told me once. I simply want to share my experience with...