Pooch Hotel

04/29/08

My dog and I both love Pooch Chicago

by 1pmc at Citysearch

When I adopted a stray Shepherd/Huskey mix last August I knew I would need to find good daycare for him. Being a mix of 2 working breeds he's smart and easily bored. He was also an energetic 1 year-old. I visited 5 facilities in the city and Pooch was the only place that didn't smell like urine. The odor in one place was so overwhelming we cut short our tour. They also had dogs in shelter style metal cages. No way. Another place had dogs outside in the humid August heat, sitting on black asphalt, some with no access to shade. Another alarm. I liked Pooch immediately after the tour and my friend pointed out that the dogs in one group were fanned out around the handler as if knowing that something good was about to happen. That sold me and I know I made the right choice for both Rex and me. As I sometimes have to work long hours, being able to drop him at 6:30am and pick him up at 7pm is a lifesaver. They've even let me bring him on Sundays when I had to work. He loves his time there. "Want to go play?" sends him running to the car. He's happy to see whichever handler collects him in the morning so I know they're all treating him well. When I pick him up he's smiley and waggy and he's tired in the evenings, so I know he's getting plenty of exercise. The staff is friendly and were patient with my misgivings when he first started going. I constantly wanted to know how his day was, how he behaved. I even called on his first day to see how he was and they called me back and spoke with me.

I've recommended Pooch Chicago to several people at the dog park, and a coworker now brings her dog there on my recommendation.

We're very happy with Pooch Chicago and grateful for the excellent care and busy fun days they give Rex. I know they're taking good care of him because Rex shows me through his demeanor. They're friendly, conscientious and their tag line isn't just marketing. They really do love dogs.

• Pros: Clean, they know dog behavior, reasonably priced
• Cons: none

11/24/09

DO NOT!!! go there!

by adsk at Citysearch

I left my dog there for the weekend and besides of getting charged more than the told me I would, my dog came back with TICKS!!! N I don't know what they did to him but he spent a WEEK under the couch crying!. PLUS, he got home starving like crazy! Neverr ever leave your pet there. EVER!

• Pros: 24 hrs
• Cons: everything else!

09/25/09

Go somewhere else

by christopher l at Citysearch

After 4 days of boarding ,our dogs were very sick and had to go to the vet. After a nearly 500 dollar bill from pooch, the vet bills were over 1000 dollars. Would never recommend this facility to anyone. Read the negative reviews, they far out weigh the positive ones written by pooch themselves. Anyone with a brain can see this.

• Pros: None
• Cons: everything

08/14/09

My dog LOVES Pooch Hotel

by discochick2001 at Citysearch

Rex loves Pooch Hotel. We started using Pooch for daycare services with transportation a few months ago. The convenience of having a responsible company come to my home to get Rex every day of the week is so wonderful. I no longer have to worry about him during the day. When I get home from work he is usually passed out on my kitchen floor waiting for me to get home to feed him dinner. After he eats we usually go for a quick stroll to Wiggley field and then its' off to bed for the night. Another great feature of Pooch Hotel is that they are open 24 hrs a day! I board Rex with Pooch about once every few months and I love,love, love that I can pick him up late (1AM) on Sunday night. The management are always very accommodating to my every changing schedule. Even if I call at 7:30AM to tell them that Rex doesn't need to get picked up today they are always understanding and they don't charge me for the last minute cancellation like my old dog walker used too. Honestly, I don't know why anyone uses dog walking services anymore. I used to pay $15 for a 20 minute walk. Now I pay $23 for 8 hours of playtime and round trip service to and from my house! It is so much better for my Rex! I am really lucky that we found Pooch Hotel.

• Pros: Helpful staff, clean, great hours

07/30/09

There is NO better place than Pooch Hotel

by TBernstein123 at Citysearch

I have been a customer of Pooch Hotel for about 4 months. I am actually a customer of the West Loop location on Monroe Street but I didn't see a page to review that location so I am using their Lincoln Park page.

I really cannot say enough great things about Pooch. I use them for both boarding and daycare and my dog, Mika, just loves it! She literally drags me through the door and she is depressed on the days I work from home and don't take her there. I can tell that the staff loves Mika and that makes me feel so comfortable. They even have a facebook page and upload pictures and updates about the dogs every day. I have never encountered anything negative about Pooch when I use them. Their management is super nice and very customer service focused. One time I picked Mika up and she wasn't completely dry from her bath. I didn't care but Margaret gave me a 50% discount on the service! She certainly did not need to do that but I was impressed!! To me, that is awesome customer service.

Their facility is so clean and orderly....I LOVE IT! What more can Mike and I say...There's NO better place than Pooch Hotel for me and Mika!

• Pros: best service, quality care, they love the dogs!!
• Cons: limited parking

07/22/09

West Loop Location -- Dishonest and Rude

by 6623 at Citysearch

This is for the West Loop location. They advertise one price, charge another and do not tell you until you arrive to get your dog. I have one dog that is 43 lbs. They advertise $40 for him and $50 for my dog who is 52 lbs. When I came to pick them up the bill was $100.00. When I complained the desk girl insisted that it was 50 each because of the brush out. My dogs are Shar-peis. The are short-haired. Had they asked me for an extra $10 in advance because my bigger dog is shedding, I would have gone elsewhere. The smaller dog is a horsecoat and not currently shedding. Margaret,the manager, is condescending and very difficult to deal with. Amanda is great and we love her, but the rest of the staff are gestapo girly girls.

I am sending my documentation to the Illinois Attorney General, as it is

illegal to advertise one price and charge another in this state. While I am at it I am going to file a Better Bureau complaint.

• Cons: Do not Honor advertised pricing

05/11/09

The Only Place To Take Your Dog!

by mshomberg at Citysearch

As the parent of a rescue dog, I have always been apprehensive about leaving my dog anywhere when I go away. Pooch came highly recommended to me from a friend when I moved to Chicago from New York. Everyone at Pooch is always so friendly and kind. Dexter and I are greeted at the door and addressed by our names, which is very important to me. I like that the staff is always excited to see my dog, it is clear he is just as excited to see them! Pooch remains the ONLY place I would entrust my dog to. It is second to none and although the price may appear a bit high, I can't put a price on the fact that I know my dog is in a safe, clean, and loving facility when I am out of town!!! Once you try it, you will be hooked, and so will your POOCH!

• Pros: staff and facility
• Cons: NONE

04/27/09

The Absolute greatest Experience for Callie

by bryan82 at Citysearch

Callie had the greatest experience at Pooch Hotel. I had been taking her to another boarding place for a few years but when I received a coupon in the mail for 50% off my first stay I couldn't pass up the opportunity to save a few pennies. WOW! I was really impressed and didn't know what we had been missing out by not checking out Pooch sooner. The facility is ridiculously nice...much nicer than the places I stay at. The staff was very warm and you could tell that they really value each and every client that walks through their doors. I was able to call several times over Callie's stay to check on her and they always gave me a positive update and were very nice to me on the phone. Callie came back a tired and happy puppy. I was just really impressed by Pooch Hotel's professionalism. I am really glad we tried them out because now I am a Pooch convert. I am looking forward to taking Callie back when my travel needs arise in the future.

• Pros: Accommodating, Service, Hours, Staff, Location
• Cons: none

04/21/09

DO NOT BOARD YOUR DOGS AT POOCH HOTEL/POOCH CHICAGO!!!

by glorialang7 at Citysearch

I have attempted to post a negative review on City Search twice and both times the review was removed so, instead of posting a review here, I urge you ALL to read the accurate reviews of Pooch Chicago/Pooch Hotel at YELP!

I don't know who the owner is related to, or knows, at City Search but the fact that I have been unable to post a negative review here and the fact that the reviews are far different on Yelp!, tells me that she is related to, or knows, someone at City Search.

UPDATE: Within hours of recommending Yelp as a more accurate site, my review on Yelp was removed due to a Yelp community complaint and then someone posted a 5 star recommendation referring to the negative reviews by other "customers" as "ignorance".

• Pros: None!
• Cons: Inexperienced/Unsympathetic staff and way over priced

03/25/09

3 nights for the price of 4?!?!?

by mtrappe at Citysearch

My dog Bauer really enjoys this place but the pricing is just ridiculous. Their website says $47/night but they steal an additional night from you if you stay for a weekend. If you pick up after 12pm Sunday you get charged an additional $25 and if you pick up after 7pm Sunday you get charged an additional $22. So, all in all, Bauer stayed from 8pm Thursday night until 8pm Sunday night and it cost me $188 which is equivalent to 4 nights. Highway robbery. When I called to discuss all they said was "sorry sir". Bauer loves everyone wherever he goes so we'll be going elsewhere from now on.

• Pros: New Facility
• Cons: Pricing, Customer Service

01/05/09

Chilled Bouvier

by RobH09 at Citysearch

We let our precious family pet Bouvier, Celia, stay at Pooch Hotel whilst we went off for a much needed vacation over new year. Ever since we moved to Chicago 9 months ago our dog has been anxious after the trip over from the UK and we were really keen to find a place that would really look after her. Her return from a different kennel in Chicago left her stressed and anxious when she got home. This time she seems very relaxed, happy - she pulled to get into the Hotel after two successful day care trips the weeks before and Im very pleased with the service, attention and their obvious love of dogs. Thank you Pooch Hotel.