Kristl and Leo Franklin opened Camp Bow Wow to serve The Woodlands area in 2011.[/caption]
Leo and Kristl Franklin were set for a nice long vacation after more than 40 years of marriage, careers and sending their three children off into the world. The nest, however, was not completely empty.
The Franklins needed someone to watch their dogs while they were away, and the Colorado-based dog care franchise Camp Bow Wow caught their attention. After visiting the camp, the couple was inspired to open their own location in North Oak Ridge Business Park in 2011.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before, but the dogs were smiling,” Kristl said.
The dogs are separated into playgroups based on size, and the building uses a patented, mazelike kennel system that allows the dogs to go leash-free, Kristl said.
Camp Bow Wow places a heavy emphasis on physical activity, cleanliness and interaction.
“Most dogs spend a lot of time in the human culture and need a chance to be among their own kind,” Kristl said. “They need to play with other dogs and learn how to interact.”
The first step to joining the camp is an extensive interview with the dog, Kristl said. Each pet is allowed a free one-day pass to the camp, where the staff can monitor its behavior and interactions with other dogs, she said.
The most common concern among applicants is their dog may be too rambunctious for the camp, they said. Unlike most kennels, the camp does accept what many consider to be aggressive breeds: rottweilers, pit bulls and many other breeds that often fall under this category.
“We prefer not to use the term ‘aggressive breed,’” Leo said. “We like to say that we do accept aggressive breeds, but we don’t accept aggressive dogs.”
The moment a dog walks through check-in, its leash is taken off and put aside until checkout, Kristl said. The pet camper is free to roam between indoors and outdoors as it pleases throughout the day.
Camp Bow Wow holds special events throughout the year, such as bubble day, splash day, pictures with Santa and a birthday party each month. The camp also provides overnight boarding, dog training sessions and professional baths for its campers.
Pet parents can watch the campers online via video surveillance cameras installed in key areas of the camp. The building has 9,200 square feet of indoor space and an additional 2,500 square feet in the backyard.
Prospective pet campers are allowed a free one-day pass for a trial run.[/caption]
Camp Bow Wow is open seven days a week and offers an at-home service called Home Buddies, which handles petsitting for cats, birds, fish, reptiles and other domestic animals.
The business employs nearly 30 dog owners who are specially trained in Camp Bow Wow methods and philosophy, Kristl said. The dog trainers are sent to Colorado for special training near Camp Bow Wow headquarters.
The couple’s children have always had a hand in the business as well. Kristl said their son was the camp’s first dog trainer, and their granddaughter will also soon be helping out.
“There’s nothing wrong with traditional kennels,” Kristl said. “I just wanted a place where I knew my dogs would be happy, and I could feel comfortable and not worry about them.”
