Desperate Dogs — Local services in Winder

My dog goes at least weekly to Desperate Dogs and has for 2 years. The Staff is 100% hands on and is onsite 24/7. They have one of the best safety records in the country. This is due to the fact that expert behaviorists know each dog thoroughly inside and out from having thoroughly evaluated the dog (and his/her human) for hours initially....and then growing that knowledge, insight and relationship with every single visit. It’s all about relationship. Relationship is required in order to maintain a safe, cage-free environment for everyone. If you are not willing to invest in the relationship for the sake of your dog to enjoy, off leash, 8-12 acres of woods, ponds, creeks, hills; gourmet home-cooked food, individual massages/brushing out every single night, by meeting the requirements to maintain that relationship (you must bring your dog every 3 months.....really, who wouldn’t want to give a dog a slice of heaven at least that often, anyhow??!!), this isn’t the place for you. The owners truly care that much about every single dog and about the safety of each day’s carefully matched (temperament/energy) “pack.” Customer service is fantastic, second to none. In addition to top notch care for, and knowledge of, my dog who visits weekly, Penny has spent endless HOURS helping me and advising me on my other 2 dogs, who are not even her clients (due to my dogs’ temperaments around dogs outside my family)!! Penny has taken the time, at no charge, to navigate me through a very complicated neurological disease with my 16-yr-old mutt. She honestly knows all of my dogs, including the 2 who are not even her clients, better than I do. She is a true professional with a huge heart for dogs. The Millers have personally fostered 50-60 “problem” dogs over the years, who were far beyond the expertise of anyone else. A seasoned dog behaviorist, Penny Miller rehabilitates the “worst of the worst” on a regular basis. I have NEVER left a dog with anyone overnight until I found Desperate Dogs. They are the ONLY people I trust completely with my high-energy pup. And my trust (regarding my dogs) does NOT come easily, obviously. They have earned it and then some, going above and beyond with every single visit. The thing I appreciate the most is that they are ALL about the dog, and they truly know best. All you have to do is watch my dog bark incessantly for 45 minutes as we approach his favorite place in the world (Desperate Dogs)!!! He then flies out of my car exuberantly with a DD Staff person, who he basically drags to the gate as he cannot contain his excitement to be there!! Every. Single. Time. That alone tells me all I need to know, even though they have also passed my personally admittedly ridiculously high (nearly impossible) standards with flying colors, and then some. If you are not as committed to your dog as Desperate Dogs is, then they are not the place for you. They are tried and proven. My dog will never stay anywhere...

My two labs have been to desperate dogs at least 10 times over the past year. The customer service is amazing, and everything there is about the dogs, as it should be. There is a detailed process to get your pups to stay there, but that is because the dogs are not cooped up in a dog run or pen all day. They are socializing with several other dogs and doing what dogs do throughout the several acre wooded property that includes a pool and small pond. The customer service was so great that the owner, Penny, individualized meals for one of my dogs since she was recovering from surgery. She even offered to pick her up from the vet to bring to the ranch if we went on vacation before she was released. She also brought in a masseuse for my other dog to deal with a leg issue. Both services were at no additional cost. The rates here are cheaper than some boarding facilities, and this place is so much more! I am pretty confident the negative review was due to not understanding Desperate Dogs is not a kennel, but a resort where your dogs will have a better vacation...

We used to take our dogs here, and for years, then they said we were not allowed anymore. They said we were not following the rules on their website. Ummm … rules … website … what? We always paid on time and the full amounts. They refused taking our dogs because of rules on their website. We’d certainly go back there if they changed management. You just can’t have a freak at the helm. It’s not good business. My dogs always loved it; that was never an issue. I tried to clear things up but they refused to accept us as a customer. Have you ever heard of such a thing? And, as a loving dog owner, we are not pleased by having this place be removed from our options. I did find it said when the lady owner would act a bit insane and watch her husband cringe in embarrassment. Very unprofessional and inappropriate. I’m sure she would benefit from being under psychiatric care and meds, but I’m no doctor. Really a shame to see a business suffer under such...