Dogwoods owner, Deb Normandeau has had an interest in dogs and making them look good for as long as she can remember. Her childhood memories are filled with stories of her dressing her first pet, a smooth red dachshund named Daisy Belle, in doll clothes and pushing her around in a stroller. This may be part of the reason she went on to complete a degree in Fashion Merchandising.
Eventually, influences from a co-worker with experience showing dogs, introduced her to pet grooming and caring for dogs.
Eventually, influences from a co-worker with experience showing dogs, introduced her to pet grooming and caring for dogs.
Services
Our philosophy is to ensure our guests enjoy 24 hour-a-day care in a home-style environment that allows them to mingle with other guests or find a private sitting area to enjoy some time alone. We believe that your pet should be treated just as they would at home and as if they were one of the family.
First timers are required to visit The Dogwoods before becoming guests. Professional grooming and bathing services are available for guests of The Dogwoods and must be requested at the time reservations are made. Additional fees will apply to total grooming cost. Service varies by dog size and hair type and price shown is only the hourly rate.
As a new guest we would first like to thank you for choosing The Dogwoods as your pet's home-away-from-home. We believe that your pet is going to really enjoy our fun filled days and will fit right in with all of our other guests. However, to be sure, we do require each of our new guests to undergo a guest orientation in advance of their first reservation.
As we move on from our Ice Cream Social, which we like to think is the "coolest" day of the summer, we enter into what usually tends to be our hottest month of the year. August has always been one of those hit or miss months but for whatever reason. Summer is here and with the Dogwoods being surrounded by the picturesque countryside that is Mt.
Reviews (11)
Joan Pape
Jul 01, 2022
Kayleen Offringa
Jun 16, 2021
Mt
May 24, 2021
Short version: Attended doggy daycare regularly for 9-10 months. After his 22nd visit, was told (for the very first time) that our dog barked "excessively" and was asked to not return. Daycare dealt with our dog's anxiety by isolating him from the group and gave him time-outs (very counter-productive for a dog who does not do well being left alone).
This facility's corrective tactics made our dog's anxiety and barking worse; then told us to not return because of the barking. Full version and review: Our dog had been attending The Dogwoods' daycare since December 2019, at least once every 1-2 weeks. We were very blind-sided when, after his last day on 9/11/20, we were told that we could no longer attend the facility.
The owner, Deb, stated that our dog was barking "non-stop" and that the facility had been cited for excessive barking. She also said that they've had no other issues with him, apart from the barking. In hindsight, we should have listened to our gut-feeling and pulled him out of this daycare a long time ago. Our dog is friendly, loves to run, swim and play fetch, but can be a bit aloof in new situations.
That's the reason why we enrolled him into doggy daycare - not because we needed it, but because we wanted to enrich his social life. It would take him about the hour, the owners had previously stated, to warm up to the dog pack and to the daycare "nannies". But as time went on, the daycare drop-offs became more difficult. One major thing (red flag) we noticed was the owner seemed to get very nervous and frazzled whenever we'd come to drop him off.
The owner's anxiety seemed to escalate my dog's anxiety during drop-off time. It was frustrating to see him walk up to the daycare excitedly, but become nervous at the sight of the owner. Knowing our dog, he will bark when he's isolated in an unfamiliar place or feels uncomfortable around someone. When asked about his last visit, Deb stated, "the nannies did pull him from the group various times that morning".
There were no photos of him at all from his last day. He was also completely dry (he LOVES to swim in the little pond and would have been in the water, given the opportunity). All this leads me to think that he was in some kind of a "time-out" most of the morning, and probably WAS barking all day because isolation makes him very anxious. Instead of distracting, redirecting, or engaging him in an activity, it seems that this daycare's philosophy is to punish separation anxiety by isolating the dog.
No wonder why our dog was becoming more and more anxious about being left at this daycare. Before our last visit on 9/11, we had never been made aware of any "excessive barking" issues, or that our dog required to be seperated from the group due to his anxiety. This is very frustrating. Unless your dog is quiet and the most happy-go-lucky dog, I would not recommend this doggy daycare. I believe that our dog is not welcome back because The Dogwoods does not know how to deal with canine emotions/behaviors or their own anxieties.
This facility's corrective tactics made our dog's anxiety and barking worse; then told us to not return because of the barking. Full version and review: Our dog had been attending The Dogwoods' daycare since December 2019, at least once every 1-2 weeks. We were very blind-sided when, after his last day on 9/11/20, we were told that we could no longer attend the facility.
The owner, Deb, stated that our dog was barking "non-stop" and that the facility had been cited for excessive barking. She also said that they've had no other issues with him, apart from the barking. In hindsight, we should have listened to our gut-feeling and pulled him out of this daycare a long time ago. Our dog is friendly, loves to run, swim and play fetch, but can be a bit aloof in new situations.
That's the reason why we enrolled him into doggy daycare - not because we needed it, but because we wanted to enrich his social life. It would take him about the hour, the owners had previously stated, to warm up to the dog pack and to the daycare "nannies". But as time went on, the daycare drop-offs became more difficult. One major thing (red flag) we noticed was the owner seemed to get very nervous and frazzled whenever we'd come to drop him off.
The owner's anxiety seemed to escalate my dog's anxiety during drop-off time. It was frustrating to see him walk up to the daycare excitedly, but become nervous at the sight of the owner. Knowing our dog, he will bark when he's isolated in an unfamiliar place or feels uncomfortable around someone. When asked about his last visit, Deb stated, "the nannies did pull him from the group various times that morning".
There were no photos of him at all from his last day. He was also completely dry (he LOVES to swim in the little pond and would have been in the water, given the opportunity). All this leads me to think that he was in some kind of a "time-out" most of the morning, and probably WAS barking all day because isolation makes him very anxious. Instead of distracting, redirecting, or engaging him in an activity, it seems that this daycare's philosophy is to punish separation anxiety by isolating the dog.
No wonder why our dog was becoming more and more anxious about being left at this daycare. Before our last visit on 9/11, we had never been made aware of any "excessive barking" issues, or that our dog required to be seperated from the group due to his anxiety. This is very frustrating. Unless your dog is quiet and the most happy-go-lucky dog, I would not recommend this doggy daycare. I believe that our dog is not welcome back because The Dogwoods does not know how to deal with canine emotions/behaviors or their own anxieties.
Lisa Brockman
Jan 05, 2021
This place is so ridiculously amazing that I drive my dog from Maple Bluff to Mount Horeb to attend daycare at the Dogwoods. They have acres of land, playground equipment, swimming ponds, and a camp house with fireplace. Kipper comes home happy and exhausted after a day of play with other dogs, attention from the dog nannies, and chasing a remote control car up and down the field.
This is truly doggie nirvana. Added conveniences are the dog taxi service and on-site grooming and bathing. The Dogwoods is in a league of its own and nothing else in Madison can compare. They have my highest recommendation.
This is truly doggie nirvana. Added conveniences are the dog taxi service and on-site grooming and bathing. The Dogwoods is in a league of its own and nothing else in Madison can compare. They have my highest recommendation.
Scott Elder
Feb 09, 2020
Margaret M.
Dec 29, 2018
Kent Mathews
May 15, 2016
We were referred to Deb by a friend who has their Dog stay with her. Once we had a chance to tour the facility, and meet Deb and her Husband we thought it was the place for our Chocolate Lab Female. I have gotten to know Deb, she has a big heart for our pets. We feel totally safe and confident leaving our Baby for half a day to a week under her supervision.,.A rare find in todays world of Kennels, this is not that, free range. And the most important thing is that Dogwoods really cares about your pets. They are excited to be there. Kent & Jo Mathews
John Ashworth
Mar 13, 2016
We have been sending our labradoodle, Allie, to The Dogwoods for years now. As we approach summer vacation, we are again feeling eternally grateful for their incredible dedication to the dogs they serve. I wouldn't even think of sending my dog anywhere else when we are away. Allie is so loved and well taken care of by Deb and the staff at The Dogwoods that even though we have neighbors who have offered to watch Allie while we are gone, we still choose to send her to this fantastic place. Allie loves it, and we love not having to worry about her when we are gone. Thanks Deb, and to all of you!
Stephanie Reinke Richtet
May 13, 2015
The Dogwoods is the place for anyone who loves their pouch! Deb is AMAZING with the dogs and it is in a home setting. The outdoor facilities are beyond amazing. Our dog loves going there and we feel like it is her home away from home. We looked all over Madison for the "right" place for doggie daycare and overnights for our dog and we did not find anything that fit what we were looking for. Our trainer recommended The Dogwoods and we feel in love. You will NOT be disappointed.
Blake B.
Feb 15, 2015
The Dogwoods is the Ritz of kennels. It features a sprawling rural campus where the dogs can run to exhaustion. Lots of play areas, pools and shade / warming areas for the dogs to enjoy. The sleeping kennels are large and comfortable for each of the dogs. We kept our 2 dogs there while on a vacation to Cancun and even our reclusive boxer mix seemed to enjoy it. Of course puppy Paul enjoys everything! I would highly recommend The Dogwoods, but just like the Ritz, it is comparatively expensive.
Stephanie R.
Oct 05, 2014
