A month ago I would have given the most enthusiastic 5 stars. Last week I would have given an equally enthusiastic 1 star. Now, it's 3, and that is where it will stay.

After a recent bad experience, one of I Dig My Dog's sincere and polite employees called and left me a detailed message apologizing for anything they did wrong, and answering all of the questions that I highlighted in my original review (which is still posted below). Her message was enough to keep me as a customer, if a reluctant one. She even left her private number in case I had any questions. That was most unexpected, and appreciated.

Below is what I originally wrote, which should still be taken into account:

"I cannot say how much it bothers me to have to write this review, because I loved this place. I have boarded my dogs with I Dig My Dog before, and was amazed at the care and attention they offered. Upon coming home, my dogs were so tired from playing it was actually difficult to get them to go on a walk!

Unfortunately, a recent experience I had with them soiled any good feelings I had once harbored. I was boarding my dog for 6 days, mostly because he loves the pool so much. He is a lab after all! When I returned to pick him up, I was informed that he had gotten into a fight within 1 hour of showing up on the first day, and had been placed in a private room. The fight was serious enough to keep him quarantined for the remainder of the 6 days. I will be the first to acknowledge that separating him was appropriate. I do not want any dead or hurt dogs on my hands. But, I Dig My Dog did not call me, as the receptionist had claimed was standard practice. I was on vacation within driving distance, and could have come picked him up and taken him away so that he wouldn't have to lay alone with no exercise in a 90 degree cement block. I could have saved him the boredom and discomfort, as well as saved myself several hundred dollars, had they been kind and professional enough to call me.

Most troubling was the receptionist's tone and attitude. It is truly rare to meet a customer service professional that is so, well, unprofessional and downright rude. I was dismayed, especially considering that until this incident all of the other staff had been so kind. She had a set of notes about the incident, and I questioned her on them, because this is the first time my dog has ever displayed such aggression, and it would be nice to know what caused it, if anything. But, there are too many dogs with too few guardians to keep tabs, and the important details were left out. All that was said was that my dog bit another dog. That's it. Nothing about the situation. Nothing about the other dogs. For all I know, my dog was being picked on by an aggressive newcomer. Perhaps he just attacked a lazy saint bernard. I have no way of gauging anything. My dog had passed his behavior exam with flying colors and spent some nights there with nothing but running and swimming in his notes. With only the paltry info the receptionist rudely gave me, what am I supposed to do to help modify my dog's behavior? And why be so condescending in telling me all this? I did not defend my dog's behavior, but I did want to know what happened so that I could help him work on it. The receptionist blew me off in a manner uncharacteristic of their staff.

I must add - I had called on day 4 of my trip to say I would be picking up my dogs a day early. There was no mention of anything at that point, no inkling that anything had been wrong. My dog had displayed violent behavior and was rightly set aside to protect the other animals. This, apparently, was not important enough to mention, but important enough to charge me for."

The thing about the folks who run I Dig my Dog is that they truly love dogs of all shapes and sizes. They also treat your dog like a dog not a child, thank goodness, and have a sense of humor about the frustrating things dogs sometimes do. They seem adept at managing the packs safely around the various areas of the center. Their techniques for correction also appear to be gentle and effective (like using spray bottles). One of the managers I see often at the Alice's dog park training her pup and when my dog sees her he charges over to her like she's his best pal. He trusts her which is more than I can say for other day cares we have tried. I admit that it is still a doggy daycare - your dog will get A LOT of play an not nearly the personal attention you would give him at home. That is the nature of group care and I believe the staff really does the best they can. However, for $30/day, it's not really fair to ask them to be vets as well as handlers or to give your dog special attention. If your dog needs that, he should be home with a dog sitter, not at a doggy day care. I recommend this place over others because of their gently correction methods, sense of humor about dog behaviour, solid screening method for aggressive dogs and great pool!! If your dog is your baby then a nanny might be better, but for dog lovers, check out I DIG MY DOG!

I am shocked at the review written titled Beware. I am a former employee of I Dig My Dog and coming from an "insiders" point of view the negative allegations are false. The staff is more than loving and the management team keeps things efficient, clean, safe and fun. Why would the owner sabotage her own business and not make sure every dog leaving doesn't go home happy and healthy? As a business owner you would want clients to come back from being happy and refer you new clients.

There was never a case of kennel cough while I was there. Dogs do get sore paws from playing, however, the staff is trained to be on top of it and the dogs rest often. The Private Suites are indoor and are controlled.

While I no longer work there, I do recommend them highly. I would board my dogs there anytime. The facility is amazing. HUGE, pool, large outdoor areas and large indoor areas. They really can take care of ANY dog!

I Dig My Dog has two very different faces. The yard staff truly love the dogs. On the other hand it is run by managers and an owner who are overrun with greed. My dog has come home several times with sore paws, having lost too much weight, kennel cough, and eye infections. At first I wanted to blame the people watching my dogs but the more I paid attention the more I realized that they are doing their best but because of a greedy owner who under staffs and over books the facility their efforts are in vain. The people in the yards working love and care for the dogs but the upper managment and owner are all about the money. My dogs have needed to see the vet after stays several times and I blame it on over crowding and not enough staff. The owner and general manager will refuse any responsibility and give you attitude refusing to help with vet bills at any time.

The private suites that they rent for more money than the community boarding are not air conditioned or heated which means your beloved pet like mine will be in 90 degree heat in the summer or 40 degree cold in winter sleeping on cement floors in the back of the facility. Needless to say the word suite is a little misleading. You will pay a ridiculous price for your dog to suffer terrible temperatures either high or low depending on the time of year.

Once again I personally know many of the staff members and I know they love our dogs and do their best but as long as greed at the top prevails this facility should be avoided. They will overlook health issues to save the money of taking a dog to the vet and force staff members who lack the training to take care of health issues. Don't let the facade fool you, I Dig MY Dog is all about the money.

I have been using I dig my dog for over 2 years. I'm so happy and feel so lucky to have found them. I call to check in and they give me an honest, detailed report. I can tell because I have one dog that will adjust to anything while the other one is on the nervous side. They tell me one is swimming and playing while the other is hanging out with her favorite staff members. I am the paranoid kind but I always feel confident leaving my dogs here. I move around a lot and have been to many different dog facilities. I dig my dog has it down. It's clean, has a great staff, and my dogs seem to really enjoy the experience.