Wow Take A Bow Boarding & Grooming
Quality Canine Boarding, Day-Care, Training and Grooming
Wow Take A Bow offers quality canine services for customers in Central and Western Massachusetts. Our philosophy is simple: dogs are treated like valued family members, nothing less will do.
All for fun -- one run for all!
While here, your pup will enjoy playing, relaxing, and learning in the company of other friendly dogs. If your dog is in need of some TLC, they can receive a full-blown grooming to the style of your choice. We even offer training services for dogs in our care, from basic manners to helpful tasks and fun tricks.
Folks, Wow Take a Bow will cease operations March 1, 2011. It pains me to close the business on such short notice, but I have had worsening health and now I need to take care of myself. The American Poodles At Work program will continue as we resettle in Worcester and I recuperate. We have added a Guest Book where people can leave their well-wishes and add friendly recommendations for local alternative dog care facilities. Thank you for helping me fulfill my entrepreneurial canine dream these last three years. Best wishes. - Jillian
The Typical Day
Being a small kennel based on the concept of a comfortable second-home environment mixed with a little summer camp, Wow Take A Bow provides your best friend with plenty of love, care, and attention all day, every day.
The Basics
- The day starts at 6:30 with a quick trip outside while breakfast is prepared, followed by 'breakfast in bed'. Each dog eats in the security of their crate, thus allowing everyone to eat at their own pace.
- After breakfast everyone heads back outside to the exercise runs and the groups start a rotating schedule of 20 minute runs in the large play-yard.
- At noon, all dogs come back inside for a little nap in their crates and those that receive three meals a day will have lunch.
- At 1:00 it's time to wake-up and start more sessions in the play-yard, after which the dogs hang-out and play or rest peacefully.
- At 6:00 dinner is served, followed by the final play-yard sessions.
- Bedtime is at 9:00, at which point all dogs receive a bed-time snack in their crate.
Although not all dogs will be in our training program, Jillian believes that every interaction can strengthen (or weaken) any particular behavior - as such, good behavior will be rewarded and inappropriate behavior discouraged throughout a dog's entire stay.
Weather Considerations
In general, dogs are outside for most of the day - basking in the sun, drinking in the fresh country air, and enjoying romps with their pals. However, during particularly hot, cold or rainy times - or if any individual seems to prefer - they are given the choice of staying inside in their large run, where they may settle in their blanketed crate, on the cool concrete flooring, or the heated section of the run.There is always plenty of fresh water available for all dogs, and a seasonal wading pool in the play-yard.The safety, comfort and health of each and every dog is our biggest concern and we always listen to what a dog is telling us - they know their needs best!
For Dogs In Training
In addition to the above schedule, dogs that are in training will have two sessions per day receiving individualized attention from the trainer, Jillian Gartner (read more about her experience on the About page).The first 20 minute session focuses on the actual training in mid-morning, the time of day that most dogs learn best at. The training techniques are based on positive methods and are selected based upon how each dog responds - there are as many techniques as there are dogs, so every moment is specifically formulated for the needs of each particular dog.
After dinner each dog will enjoy some one-on-one bonding time with Jillian. This time will be spent in many ways, depending on the dog... some would love to rest on a lap for 20 minutes, while others want to play fetch. Many might enjoy a walk, or have a private run in the play-yard - it's up to them! The bonding time will not be 'heavy' on training, but Jillian believes that every interaction can strengthen (or weaken) any particular behavior - as such, good behavior will be rewarded and inappropriate behavior discouraged throughout a dog's entire stay.
Day-Care
The only difference in the schedule between dogs that are boarding and those that are just here for the day, is that the latter don't spend the night. What-ever time a dog is dropped-off at Wow Take A Bow, they just slide right into the routine, joining a group of other pups of similar size and personality. They continue the schedule for as long as they are here, until their owner comes to pick them up.There are no official times and no late fees - just give a call if drop-off or pick-up needs to be outside business hours. We are happy to accommodate!
Grooming For Boarders
We want you to take home a clean, happy dog, and while we keep our kennel tidy most dogs will have picked-up at least a little dirt after a week of frolicking in the field with their buddies.Dogs that are boarding for a minimum of 7 days will receive a *free* grooming before they go home. It is up to the owner what that entails - it can be a bath and brush-out, a little neatening around the feet and eyes, or a full haircut!
If your dog has long hair and will be boarding for more than a few
days, we strongly recommend having us brush-out their coat as needed.
© 2007-2011 Wow Take A Bow Boarding & Grooming, LLC
