Whitaker Dog Day Camp
Services - Whitaker Dog Day Camp
Pet boarding
Dog boarding and training
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I was with my sister the day Whitaker Dog Day Camp lost her dog, Kai, and it was one of the most heartbreaking and stressful experiences I've ever witnessed. For hours, we searched in extreme heat, completely panicked and desperate to find him. As family, Kai isn't "just a dog" to us he's loved like family. Watching my sister break down while not knowing if he was safe was absolutely devastating. What shocked me most was the lack of urgency and compassion shown by the staff. While we were frantically searching, it felt like they had already given up. At one point, we were even encouraged to stop looking and go home. I cannot imagine how anyone could expect us to sleep at night without knowing where our dog was or whether he was hurt. Eventually, Kai was found injured, terrified, and in need of veterinary care. Seeing him in that condition after hours alone in dangerous temperatures was heartbreaking. Mistakes can happen, but how a business responds to an emergency says everything. In our experience, there was a serious lack of accountability, urgency, and empathy during one of the most traumatic situations our family has ever faced. I would never trust them with a pet again
Whitaker Dog Day Camp has been a dream for my golden retriever. As a 4 year old rescue, Seamus had never been socialized, so I wasn't sure a day care would be an option. However, I work insane hours and a dog walker, once daily, didn't seem adequate. From the first consultation, the customer service at Whitaker was exceptional. They made the process so easy and made me feel at ease about Seamus joining the pack. The pick up and drop off service is insanely convenient. The staff is wonderfully organized, communicative, and kind. But most importantly, my pup comes home happy and exhausted. He also just had his first grooming session (pic below) which was amazing. I am SO happy to have found Whitaker Dog Day Camp and highly recommended it for every dog.
Whitaker Dog Day Camp makes my life so much easier and my dog so much happier. We travel a few days each month (oftentimes on short notice), and the staff at WDDC always handle all communication, scheduling, transportation, and actual day camp/boarding services with such care. I know my dog loves his camp friends -- both human and dog! -- and it makes me feel at ease knowing he's in such good hands. ALSO, they provide really great grooming services, which is helpful after my dog has been at camp for an extended period. He comes home looking happy, smelling fresh, and feeling soft and clean! :)
Unprofessional and Disorganized Experience I had two in-home appointments scheduled with this company--both were no-show without any prior notice, and only after I followed up myself. During the initial call, they confirmed they had multiple pickup shuttles and that my West Hollywood address was within their service area. After the two missed appointments, I finally got a call back. Within minutes of speaking, they told me they don't service West Hollywood--despite what's clearly stated on their website. I wasted two days waiting at home for no-shows, only to be told on the third attempt that my location isn't covered for pick up and drop off. The entire experience was disorganized, and they admitted to being understaffed. I wouldn't recommend relying on them.
My pup has been a client of Whitaker for a few years even though she doesn't go often. The first meeting with Ethan, the owner, is great, he comes to meet your pup and gives you a sense if they would be a good fit. I use their services for daycare and boarding. While it can be a bit pricey, I really appreciate that someone comes to pick up and drop off for both services. My dog does not like when I drop her off places, like will not get out of the car, so this part of the service is very helpful. Apparently,she is happy to leave the house with anyone for an adventure I forgot to add that all the staff I have had contact with are super nice and helpful!!
This may be long....in a good way.. My review will be focused mainly on Board and Train as that is our most recent experience with Whitaker. Our dogs are already members of their pack for daycare -- sign up, trust me your dogs will thank you! Our dogs were most recently in board and and train for 4 weeks. We decided to try boarding as we had complete trust in Whitaker and thought it was the perfect opportunity for some training as well. We have 2 dogs with very different needs and personalilties. We have struggled with multiple trainers over the years, in particular with our leash reactive dog. We have never actually been helped nor has he. For anyone with a reactive dog, you know it is a beast, can feel very isolating, and there are so many opinions about how to handle it. We feel like we wasted valuable time with others; however, we have always wanted the best for our dogs. Whitaker has always been a positive place without judgement especially for our reactive dog. They gave him a chance way back when, when no body else would. So when we recently left for vacation, we reached out to find out what our options were. We were connected with their lead trainer Matt. We had a phone call and an in person meeting with him and I thought OMG ... could this be our trainer?? He was calm, practical, honest and informative. You could sense his love for dogs immediately. I was very nervous releasing my dogs because they are like my kids, but I knew that this was going to be great. Let me tell you ... I received a video message within hours of the dogs settling in and walking on a treadmill ... I was in shock, in a good way, that my dogs could do that! LOL. Matt was completely accessible to us - for questions, check-in's if we missed them etc. We received fantastic videos of our dogs on their training journey weekly which my whole family lived for. I felt at ease knowing someone like Matt was looking after my dogs. My dogs were doing things I never thought was even in their cards. My reactive dog was passing other dogs on leash, calm and engaged, sitting in place outside of a dog park without issue. Was he perfect? ... no and Matt was not afraid to show us or tell, because it is all learning for our dog. I could see the work in daily disciplines that Matt had put in, the foundation was there and well rounded. I was so happy! Our other dog is a stranger danger dog. At the end of her training she was able to be in a highly stimulating area, set up with her own "Help Train Me" booth! Strangers were involved in helping my dog overcome her issues with people wanting to make eye contact or pet her. By the end she had a line of people wanting to help! It was amazing! Was she perfect? - no, did she completely relax by the end and enjoy it.. YES! The work was there, it was amazing! Our dogs came home with such a better understanding of what expectations are surrounding behavior in and out of the home. It was OUTSTANDING. Matt truly set us up for major wins and continued success with our dogs! We have finally found our trainer! Matt is the real deal, in a city full of make believe and we could not feel more fortunate that we were able to connect with him through Whitaker. I feel confident that he will remain accessible, be there for us and our dogs which is not been the case for some many years. With his program at Whitaker you get the full package, they are not just trying to sell you something to take your money and run. They are all invested in the well being of your dog and family.
My dog is such a picky and anxious eater, he will often leave food untouched while I'm away at work. Devastating to know he's isolated and food insecure while I'm away. Our experience with WDDC has been so positive he even eats at daycare when fed! He comes home full and tired from a long day. Not to mention he has been more than well loved and cared for even when recovering from an injury.
My dog has been going to Whitaker for over a year now and he absolutely loves it. I love the fact that they pick up and drop off and keep me updated via texts. Recently we sent him to their new board and train with Matt and so far we have seen such great progress and fun updates. Great employees and trainers! Happy to have found them
Highly recommended! Whitaker provides socialization, exercise and even massage (!) - overall, Codey is becoming a well adjusted pup. The staff is great - I've come to rely on them. Tell a friend :)
My high-energy dog has been going to daycare at Whitaker Dog Day Camp for about 3 years now (3 days per week) because he needs more attention than I can provide during the work week. While there, he gets plenty of socialization with other dogs and people. He comes home tired & happy. He has also boarded several times when I've been out-of-town. I have only positive things to say about WDDC. I absolutely love the pickup & drop-off service. The staff are all friendly & responsive. And most of all my dogboy genuinely loves it.
2 months ago
Everything was phenomenal! From the in-house assessment, to the pick up/drop off, communication, and scheduling. Whitaker is my go to dog care service going forward. My dog Oso had a great time, from what I could see from the pictures and his demeanor when he got home. The best! Will recommend to all my dog parent friends! read more
3 months ago
Traumatic and negligent: They lost my dog, lied to my face, and abandoned the search This past Friday was one of the worst days of my life. Whitaker Dog Day camp lost my dog, Kai, in Highland Park- a city he has never visited-on a day well over 100 degrees. Their driver, Jake claimed my dog opened his own crate and jumped out the van while he was dropping off another dog who lives in Highland Park. This triggered a 3.5 hour nightmare that left my dog severely injured and traumatized. When I arrived to search, Mark, the manager casually admitted Kai had "escaped multiple crates before." The facility completely hid this vital safety information from me for weeks, constantly telling me Kai was doing great. To make matters worse, they advertise as a "CAGE-FREE" facility yet my dog has apparently opened multiple crates before. They had zero compassion or ethics. One hour into a frantic search for my terrified dog, a staff member told me figuring out an emergency protocol was "above his pay grade". Two hours into the search, all 3 Whitaker staff members abandoned me and my sister in the scorching heat to clock out. They put corporate time-cards over a dog's life. Which to me, he's not just a dog. He's family, he's my son. Thank God a kind stranger found Kai about 3.5 hours into the search, right as the sun was setting. He was limping, terrified, and bleeding. The 100+ degree pavement burnt the pads completely off his paws, requiring emergency vet care, heavy medication, and bandages. Kai is now deeply depressed and traumatized. I've never seen my baby this depressed. The owner, Ethan- who is never at the facility and has never even met my dog- took zero accountability. Instead, he tried to blame the incident on Kai's dislike for crates and his recall (even though Kai has completed a 6 week training program w me and his private trainer and completed a one week board and training w his private trainer) and tried to upsell me his own private trainer. He refused to show me camera footage. I asked what is your protocol with these kind of emergencies and he lied saying this has "never happened before", even though his own manager admitted they previously lost another dog named Luna. To top off the disrespect, Ethan sent me a ChatGPT looking text this morning. See pictures below. I'm just beyond traumatized and sick to my stomach how they broke my trust, endangered my baby, and showed a disgusting lack of humanity. They only care about money. Their staff-to-dog ratios are completely unsafe. There are no cameras in the van. Kai will never step foot near this place again. read more
Business owner information
Ethan W.
Hi Angela,…
2 months ago
They take excellent care of my dog Bailey, she has the best time at camp, is genuinely so happy to see the van pull up to pick her up, and they post cute pictures of her every day she is there. I recently started using their grooming services which are wonderful! I highly recommend. They gave her a really cute bandana after grooming also. read more
3 months ago
I was with my sister the day Whitaker Dog Day Camp lost her dog, Kai, and it was one of the most heartbreaking and stressful experiences I've ever witnessed. For hours, we searched in extreme heat, completely panicked and desperate to find him. As family, Kai isn't "just a dog" to us he's loved like family. Watching my sister break down while not knowing if he was safe was absolutely devastating. What shocked me most was the lack of urgency and compassion shown by the staff. While we were frantically searching, it felt like they had already given up. At one point, we were even encouraged to stop looking and go home. I cannot imagine how anyone could expect us to sleep at night without knowing where our dog was or whether he was hurt. Eventually, Kai was found injured, terrified, and in need of veterinary care. Seeing him in that condition after hours alone in dangerous temperatures was heartbreaking. Mistakes can happen, but how a business responds to an emergency says everything. In our experience, there was a serious lack of accountability, urgency, and empathy during one of the most traumatic situations our family has ever faced. I would never trust them with a pet again read more
Business owner information
Ethan W.
Hi Angela,…
15 days ago
5 months ago
3 months ago
7 months ago
Whitaker Dog Day Camp has been a dream for my golden retriever. As a 4 year old rescue, Seamus had never been socialized, so I wasn't sure a day care would be an option. However, I work insane hours and a dog walker, once daily, didn't seem adequate. From the first consultation, the customer service at Whitaker was exceptional. They made the process so easy and made me feel at ease about Seamus joining the pack. The pick up and drop off service is insanely convenient. The staff is wonderfully organized, communicative, and kind. But most importantly, my pup comes home happy and exhausted. He also just had his first grooming session (pic below) which was amazing. I am SO happy to have found Whitaker Dog Day Camp and highly recommended it for every dog. read more
5 months ago
8 months ago
Whitaker Dog Day Camp makes my life so much easier and my dog so much happier. We travel a few days each month (oftentimes on short notice), and the staff at WDDC always handle all communication, scheduling, transportation, and actual day camp/boarding services with such care. I know my dog loves his camp friends -- both human and dog! -- and it makes me feel at ease knowing he's in such good hands. ALSO, they provide really great grooming services, which is helpful after my dog has been at camp for an extended period. He comes home looking happy, smelling fresh, and feeling soft and clean! :) read more
1 year ago
Unprofessional and Disorganized Experience I had two in-home appointments scheduled with this company--both were no-show without any prior notice, and only after I followed up myself. During the initial call, they confirmed they had multiple pickup shuttles and that my West Hollywood address was within their service area. After the two missed appointments, I finally got a call back. Within minutes of speaking, they told me they don't service West Hollywood--despite what's clearly stated on their website. I wasted two days waiting at home for no-shows, only to be told on the third attempt that my location isn't covered for pick up and drop off. The entire experience was disorganized, and they admitted to being understaffed. I wouldn't recommend relying on them. read more
1 year ago
11 months ago
2 years ago
My pup has been a client of Whitaker for a few years even though she doesn't go often. The first meeting with Ethan, the owner, is great, he comes to meet your pup and gives you a sense if they would be a good fit. I use their services for daycare and boarding. While it can be a bit pricey, I really appreciate that someone comes to pick up and drop off for both services. My dog does not like when I drop her off places, like will not get out of the car, so this part of the service is very helpful. Apparently,she is happy to leave the house with anyone for an adventure I forgot to add that all the staff I have had contact with are super nice and helpful!! read more
2 years ago
This may be long....in a good way.. My review will be focused mainly on Board and Train as that is our most recent experience with Whitaker. Our dogs are already members of their pack for daycare -- sign up, trust me your dogs will thank you! Our dogs were most recently in board and and train for 4 weeks. We decided to try boarding as we had complete trust in Whitaker and thought it was the perfect opportunity for some training as well. We have 2 dogs with very different needs and personalilties. We have struggled with multiple trainers over the years, in particular with our leash reactive dog. We have never actually been helped nor has he. For anyone with a reactive dog, you know it is a beast, can feel very isolating, and there are so many opinions about how to handle it. We feel like we wasted valuable time with others; however, we have always wanted the best for our dogs. Whitaker has always been a positive place without judgement especially for our reactive dog. They gave him a chance way back when, when no body else would. So when we recently left for vacation, we reached out to find out what our options were. We were connected with their lead trainer Matt. We had a phone call and an in person meeting with him and I thought OMG ... could this be our trainer?? He was calm, practical, honest and informative. You could sense his love for dogs immediately. I was very nervous releasing my dogs because they are like my kids, but I knew that this was going to be great. Let me tell you ... I received a video message within hours of the dogs settling in and walking on a treadmill ... I was in shock, in a good way, that my dogs could do that! LOL. Matt was completely accessible to us - for questions, check-in's if we missed them etc. We received fantastic videos of our dogs on their training journey weekly which my whole family lived for. I felt at ease knowing someone like Matt was looking after my dogs. My dogs were doing things I never thought was even in their cards. My reactive dog was passing other dogs on leash, calm and engaged, sitting in place outside of a dog park without issue. Was he perfect? ... no and Matt was not afraid to show us or tell, because it is all learning for our dog. I could see the work in daily disciplines that Matt had put in, the foundation was there and well rounded. I was so happy! Our other dog is a stranger danger dog. At the end of her training she was able to be in a highly stimulating area, set up with her own "Help Train Me" booth! Strangers were involved in helping my dog overcome her issues with people wanting to make eye contact or pet her. By the end she had a line of people wanting to help! It was amazing! Was she perfect? - no, did she completely relax by the end and enjoy it.. YES! The work was there, it was amazing! Our dogs came home with such a better understanding of what expectations are surrounding behavior in and out of the home. It was OUTSTANDING. Matt truly set us up for major wins and continued success with our dogs! We have finally found our trainer! Matt is the real deal, in a city full of make believe and we could not feel more fortunate that we were able to connect with him through Whitaker. I feel confident that he will remain accessible, be there for us and our dogs which is not been the case for some many years. With his program at Whitaker you get the full package, they are not just trying to sell you something to take your money and run. They are all invested in the well being of your dog and family. read more
2 years ago
My dog is such a picky and anxious eater, he will often leave food untouched while I'm away at work. Devastating to know he's isolated and food insecure while I'm away. Our experience with WDDC has been so positive he even eats at daycare when fed! He comes home full and tired from a long day. Not to mention he has been more than well loved and cared for even when recovering from an injury. read more
2 years ago
My dog has been going to Whitaker for over a year now and he absolutely loves it. I love the fact that they pick up and drop off and keep me updated via texts. Recently we sent him to their new board and train with Matt and so far we have seen such great progress and fun updates. Great employees and trainers! Happy to have found them read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Highly recommended! Whitaker provides socialization, exercise and even massage (!) - overall, Codey is becoming a well adjusted pup. The staff is great - I've come to rely on them. Tell a friend :) read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
My high-energy dog has been going to daycare at Whitaker Dog Day Camp for about 3 years now (3 days per week) because he needs more attention than I can provide during the work week. While there, he gets plenty of socialization with other dogs and people. He comes home tired & happy. He has also boarded several times when I've been out-of-town. I have only positive things to say about WDDC. I absolutely love the pickup & drop-off service. The staff are all friendly & responsive. And most of all my dogboy genuinely loves it. read more
1 year ago
I am so happy to have found Whitaker! The pickup and drop off makes my life so much easier and my dogs have an absolute blast at camp. The communication is top notch and the staff are all amazing! I know my dogs are well looked after and having a ton of fun. Peace of mind and high quality care! read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
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2 years ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
I am busy, run a non-profit, have a newborn and I am always on the go. Whitaker Dog has saved us on numerous occasions and I feel horrible that it's taken me 6 years to write a review lol Ethan and the team - thank you so much for the great care! read more
Business owner information
Ethan W.
Thank you so much Garret!…
1 year ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
I have known Ethan Whitaker for around 10 years. Firstly as the brother of an artist I worked with, and then as a friend. I am beyond happy with what he has created with his doggy daycare. I have always known him to be someone with a huge heart and know that both he and his staff all have that as prerequisite. My Doberman had an amazing time on his first day and came back so well behaved exhausted and cared for!! Thank you you WDDC! read more
2 years ago
Business owner information
Ethan W.
Hey, M.T.…
2 years ago
3 years ago
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