There was a thread on this from last summer, but it's now closed. We're going away for Spring Break and need a place to board the dog. She can't stay home because she still can't have the run of the house without supervision -- she's a chewer/eater, mostly.

The Dog Spot and GE Animal Hospital were named. Any recent experiences at these places or others that people are happy with?

Lombard Vet Hospital on St. Charles is a great place. Although, I think they are booked up for Spring Break.

booked up? Yikes! Looks like I've got some phone calls/site visits to take care of tomorrow!

Ruffners in St. Charles is good. I've called less than a week in advance and gotten in. Plus you can pay for extras baths,manicures, day care. After listening to all of this you may decide to switch with the dog.

Thanks. I looked at Ruffners website - it looks pretty nice. I'll definitely call them tomorrow.

When your dog is older and can stay at home with 3 walks per day, Lynn's Pet Care is awesome.

Hi,
We have been using Nancy's Pet Service for a couple of years. She takes care of your dog at her home. She lives just off Roosevelt Road in Lombard,and has a huge yard that is dedicated to animals. I don't have her phone number handy but I have her old email address and it still works. briterealty@sbcglobal.net
Good luck!

The above post sounds very interesting. You should definitely check that one out.
I checked out Petsmart Pethotel a few years back and I really liked the setup and concept. I never had to use it but I would. The place was very clean and the people very nice. They had large kennels with beds off the floor and TV's. LOL. Animal planet channel I'm sure. Lots of activities to watch and many added specials like play group time, extra walks, baths etc. for a price, of course.
Another idea is having someone sit both your house and dog. A trustworthy college student perhaps. My housekeeper said she would do it for us. She knows the house and the dogs love her!
Good luck and have a great trip.

We've used both the Dog Spot in Downers Grove and just recently tried Paradise 4 Paws in Schiller Park (close to O'Hare if you're flying). We were very happy with both. The Dog Spot kennels the dogs at night, where as Paradise 4 Paws has small closet sized rooms with windows, and you can bring your dogs bed. Price-wise they weren't much higher priced per day. They both offer day care with other dogs during the day, but Paradise has a dog pool! Check out their website and feel free to email me if you want more info.

Paws In Time in West Chicago is great. They have kennels and suites (for more than one dog to stay together). There is a big play area for the dogs during the day so they don't have to stay in the kennel. The staff is great and spends a lot of time with the dogs. They offer grooming and day care as well. My dog loves to go there and practically drags me out of the car when we pull into the lot.

Wow - what a range of prices and amenities! I've got a lot to think about (free play/doggie daycare during the day vs. being in a run all the time). I'm inclined to pick the very expensive "with daycare" option, but then I look over and notice that the dog hasn't moved from her spot on the couch for the last hour; it's not like she runs around all day when at home . . .

One last question as I calculate the final cost of boarding - is this a service where you add a tip at the end? Or do you just pay the bill and call it a day?

I've never tipped...hopefully that's not a faux pas.
Lynn's services are great if you want to leave your dog at home-ours are still too young to be content with sleeping all day.

Hi,
We just pay the standard daily rate for Nancy's dog sitting service. She does not accept (or expect) tips. I think it is $25 or $30 per day. But our dog loves all the attention she gives him.

I've never tipped either. The only person I can see tipping would be the groomer or walker but you don't know who that is.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:

quote:

Originally posted by CovetedLakeEllyn:
But our dog loves all the attention she gives him.

How would YOU know that?

Okay mr. smartypants Fan...I am not going to fall for that one and say "because he told me so." No siree. In fact, it is his behavior that indicates how happy he is when he spends time at her place. He is very old but still gets all spunky and excited when we drop him off. Not the case when we arrive at the vets office. And then there's the walks she takes him on. At this point, we rarely do that as much as we should and just allow him to hang out in the yard. (Before you ask...he is NOT a barker!)

I have been using

http:\\www.luckypawsguestcottage.com

it is small, cozy & home-based. She is booked for Spring Break already but fyi for future reference...

Whoops..I screwed up! Try:

http:\\www.luckypawsguesthouse.com

Thanks camdenmarie - I'll bookmark it for later. That looks like exactly what I would have wanted at a nice, medium price.

If you are leaving town and flying out of Midway, this place has been great for us:

http://www.pawsitivelyheavenpetresort.com/

I have boarded my dog with the same lady for over ten years. Her web site is luckydogguesthouse.com. She is very reliable, loves the dogs, walks them and is a very caring person. She has a fenced yard in the back for the dogs. I trust her completely with my dog. And her fees are extremely reasonable. I know she does doggie day care as well as boarding for vacations. The dogs are free to walk around the house and at night they sleep in their crates for safety. Its the next best thing to being in their own homes.

quote:

Originally posted by Mamattorney:
There was a thread on this from last summer, but it's now closed. We're going away for Spring Break and need a place to board the dog. She can't stay home because she still can't have the run of the house without supervision -- she's a chewer/eater, mostly.

The Dog Spot and GE Animal Hospital were named. Any recent experiences at these places or others that people are happy with?