What are your drop off and pick up times?

We are open for drop off and pick up from 8am - 5:30pm excluding 12pm-1pm by appointment only 7 days a week.  Because we spend so much of our time away from the kennels walking dogs, we need firm times when you visit in our diary to ensure we’re at the kennels when you arrive. If you need to drop off or pick up outside of these times, please contact us. We will do what we can to work with you and fit in with your travel plans.

Are your kennels heated and cooled?

Our indoor kennels are fully climate controlled with extra ventilation so they’re warm in Winter and cool in Summer.

What do I need to pack for my dog’s stay?

We provide basic trampoline style beds.  To make your dog’s stay as comfortable as possible, we welcome beds and bedding brought from home.  You’re also welcome to bring your dog’s crate or favourite blanket, one or two toys and anything you think may help them settle.

How much exercise will my dog get and do you mix dogs?

We tailor exercise sessions to suit individual dogs as some dogs need more or less than others.

Our day starts very early with all dogs getting out of the indoor kennels first thing in the morning for toilet runs and to stretch their legs.  Kennels are cleaned at this time and dogs are usually returned back to the kennels for a while if it’s a cold and frosty morning before being moved to outdoor runs when the weather warms up a bit.  In Summer they are moved into our outdoor runs after exercise sessions. 

Mid-morning and mid-afternoon dogs have their extended exercise and play sessions.  Dogs are exercised individually unless they are from the same family and we do not run day care style group sessions.  We do often get special requests to socialise dogs, so in these instances we will match your dog with another boarding dog if we have permission from owners to do so.  We have large fully fenced exercise grounds, (each bigger than the average dog park), with lots of balls and toys as well as 40 acres to roam for bush walks.  Swimming in any of our three dams is always a treat for dogs that like water.  No dog is off leash around the property outside of our fenced exercise yards.  We use extendable leads for the majority of our bush walks.

Late afternoon/early evening we take dogs get one last toilet run before dinner and lights out.  After a big day on the farm and a good dinner, we don’t hear any noise from the kennels overnight.

Do you send photos and updates?

Yes – we want to you feel assured that your dog is happy and safe while you’re away.  We’ll send you a text update with a photo after your dog’s first night’s stay.  If your dog is here for a long stay, we aim to send further updates once/week or if you contact us.  We find that once owners can see their dog has settled in and is relaxed in a new environment, they can stop worrying and enjoy their time away.

What type of food will my dog be fed?

We are currently using Meals for Mutts premium grain free kibble, as well as a wide range of human grade raw meats and bones.  During our booking process you can choose whether you would like us to feed your dog premium kibble, raw, or a balanced blend of both.  The majority of the bones we feed are brisket bones which can be completely devoured by dogs without any issues. 

For dogs with special diets or particular feeding regimes, we welcome fresh, packaged or frozen food brought from home for the duration of their stay.

What’s the difference between Standard and Premium kennels

Standard kennels - 10 in the block.  Steel cage like doors.  All kennels are fully separated.

Premium kennels - 5 in the block. Glass doors.  More like little rooms and premium bedding. These kennels tend to be quieter so they’re great for elderly dogs or those with special needs. They are not suitable for boisterous dogs or those with separation anxiety.

We use the indoor kennels overnight and the fully covered outdoor runs during the day weather permitting.

Outdoor yards are the same for both.  Multiple exercise sessions are the same for both.  Premium food for both. Reverse cycle air conditioning for both.  

Can you administer medication?

Yes, we are happy to administer basic medication as long as it is provided in the prescribed packaging and is labelled with clear instructions.

What happens if my dog gets sick?

We will be in contact with you as soon as possible.  If we cannot reach you, we will call your emergency contact to discuss the best course of action.  In the event of an after-hours emergency, we use Canberra Veterinary Emergency Service.  Payment of vet bills are the responsiblilty of owners.

What vaccinations are required?

All dogs coming to stay at Camp Bow Wow must have the complete C5 vaccine or the 5-in-1 (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, para-influenza and Bordetella). Vaccination certificates must be provided at the time of booking or before check in. Please note dogs must have their vaccinations completed at least 2 weeks before boarding to ensure they have full immunity, but also to ensure they don’t bring anything into the kennel environment.

Will you take my dog if they have behavioural issues?

Please contact us before making a booking to discuss if your dog has any behavioural issues.  We have lots of experience looking after sensitive, reactive and anxious dogs, but we do not want your dog being traumatised during their stay.  We choose not to accept dogs that are human aggressive. 

Do you wash or groom dogs?

We give all dogs a light brush daily when they’re out for exercise.  We do our best to maintain long or hard to manage coats, but we are not professional groomers.  We’re happy to bath and blow dry your dog for a small fee which is dependent on the breed and coat.

We do not provide professional grooming services and also don’t have the capacity to drop off or pick up dogs from local groomers.

Can we visit before booking?

We’re more than happy to show you around before booking.  Because our days are so busy, we try to consolidate visits to once or twice/week depending on the seasonal demand. Please contact us if you would like to book a time for a kennel inspection.