I would not recommend this kennel. My dog spent 3 days, 2 nights at Glen Saxon. I requested the…read more"ultimate" package, which included a bath and grooming on top of the regular stay. When we dropped my dog off, we could see a few visible outdoor runs to our right; one held a fairly agitated dog while the others were empty. To our left was a high, solid fence that didn't allow for visibility. Upon drop-off, there was a very strong odor that wasn't pleasant. Understanding that places that house animals will have a natural odor, this one was more offensive than usual. The woman at the front desk was nice. We dropped off food, a bed, some toys and treats for our dog and left.
When we returned, the woman at the front desk (a different woman and, I believe to be the owner) brought my dog out, as well as his belongings. His bed was soaked about 4 inches from the bottom and she said that it was, "...from the AC drip, not urine." It and his toys were covered in dog hair but not all his own, making me wonder if their kennels are swept between use since it isn't a shared space. The odor was still powerful. She told me that my dog had howled the whole weekend. I have yet to hear my dog howl at home. It could have been distress, and we won't really know the cause, but it is uncharacteristic of him to howl.
I asked how his bath went and she said that they didn't give him one. I told her that I was under the impression that I had signed up for the grooming package. She told me that, "It doesn't really make sense to book grooming for a short stay" and that it would have made more sense if he stayed for a week. Regardless, he didn't receive the options I thought I had reserved for him. They didn't charge me for the grooming.
I also asked how he played with other dogs and she said that they don't believe in open play because of dogs' natural pack mentality. This, however, isn't mentioned on the website. She also said that they care for many aggressive dogs and that it wouldn't be safe for social dogs like mine. Dogs at this kennel spend their time in small outdoor runs with caged social interaction and no wide, open spaces to run and roam.
When we came home we washed his wet bed cover twice and tried to air it out. The odor was still so strong that we have never brought it back inside. I have had to replace the bed. I emailed Glen Saxon to request a refund for the bed I had to replace, since it was a direct result from being wet from their AC drip. The response I received was very unprofessional and offensive, with the owner calling me ridiculous, saying that I was just out to get money back from her and that if I really cared about that bed, I should not have brought it at all. She also told me that I must have misheard the part about the AC drip because it wasn't possible.
Based on the lack of transparency about what the dogs experience while at the kennel, the lack of commitment to hygiene and care, the lack of professionalism when communicating with clients, as well as and the overall conditions, I would not recommend this kennel for any dog.
