Dogwoods Lodge
2960 SE Grimes Blvd, Grimes, IA 50111
Overview
Dogwoods Lodge is a premier dog boarding and daycare facility in Grimes, Iowa offering luxury lodging (Chalets and Cabins), daycare, grooming, and training services. The facility features live webcams for owner viewing, multiple play areas separated by dog size/temperament, and specialized programs for puppies and senior dogs. With 35+ years combined training experience and awards including Best of Des Moines 2014-2024, they provide a range of training options from group classes to behavioral modification.
Amenities & Policies
Required vaccinations: Rabies, Distemper/Parvo, Bordetella, Negative fecal exam
Policies & Details
Hours & Billing
Care & Play
Safety & Emergency
Extras
What Reviews Say
650 reviews analyzedDogwoods Lodge enjoys overwhelmingly positive reviews with a 4.8+ average rating across 650 reviews. Customers consistently praise the caring staff, clean facility, excellent communication via report cards and webcams, and the obvious love staff shows dogs. Many reviewers are long-term customers spanning years, and dogs are described as excited to arrive and happily exhausted when picked up. The few negative reviews primarily cite pricing concerns, breed restrictions, or isolated incidents involving illness or communication failures. The owner responds professionally to all reviews, including negative ones, typically within 1 day. While some concerns exist about illness transmission (common in group settings) and occasional communication gaps, the overwhelming sentiment is that Dogwoods provides premium dog care worth the higher price point.
People love
Staff shoutouts
Worth noting
Dogs returning sick (kennel cough, illness) after stays
“We had 2 dogs boarded there and they came home so sick they had to go to the vet. On top of our $500 boarding fee, we now have a $400 vet bill”
Dogs not receiving promised playtime/activities, left in kennels
“Your basically paying for them to sit in a kennel. Check out the live cams. More likely than not your dog is not playing”
Dogs returning injured or in pain
“Can't prove they hurt my small poodle, but he was in so much pain a half hour after we got him home that we spent the next four hours at the vet”
Lack of communication about dog health issues during stay
“He came back with KENNEL COUGH... Nobody called me to tell me this”
Dogs returning matted/unclean from grooming
“When we picked up our guy after vacation he was completely matted and couldn't even bark”
Pricing transparency and unexpected charges(5 mentions)
“Quoted one price for a bath bill at check out 50% higher but I kinda wanted my dog back so I had to pay it”
Breed restrictions (pit bull policy)(3 mentions)
“They no longer accept pit bulls... I have heard such great things about Dogwoods but have now been brought to tears by their apparently BRAND new breed restrictions”
Communication failures about dog activities/status(3 mentions)
“They didn't communicate what we wanted... This place needs to communicate with it's customers better and EACH OTHER”
Phone responsiveness/difficulty reaching staff(2 mentions)
“Called several times and always get prompt to leave a voice mail. Voice message says they will call back in 24 hours”
IBPSA Member
Industry Association
Cross-referenced with IBPSA’s member directory.
Top Rated
4.7 stars from 707+ reviews
This facility has earned a Top Rated badge for maintaining a 4.7-star rating across 707 reviews.
At a Glance
Pricing
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