Featured Friends: An Interview with Bosly’s Backyard
We reached out to Kim Theobald (Bosly’s mom and the owner/founder of Bosly’s Backyard) and asked her a few questions! If you’re unfamiliar with Bosly’s Backyard, it is a one-of-a-kind, indoor private play space where you can spend time with your dog —one on one. And unlike dog parks and day care, your dog can play off leash without interference from other dogs or the outside world. Bosly’s describes their space as an “experience designed to promote physical and cognitive development—and strengthen your bond through a shared one-on-one experience. With agility equipment, enrichment toys, and lots of space to run off all that energy, it’s like a private amusement park”!
1. Tell our readers a little bit about what you do, how you got into it, how long you have been doing it and your experience.
Hi, I’m Kim and I am the owner of Bosly’s Backyard! I had the idea for this concept for over 9 years and finally launched Bosly’s Backyard in February of 2020. I started to run it as “Pup-Up” events to test the concept and get feedback from clients. We had a few events in Feb & March of 2020 and then had to take a hiatus during the pandemic lockdown. I started the Pup-Ups back up again in August of 2020 in a temporary venue in Logan Square and ran them until I opened our permanent location in Ravenswood in May of 2021.
We’ve been in business for almost 3 years and we pride ourselves on providing a safe and clean place for dogs and dog parents to focus on one thing, FUN! We have evolved to offer additional services, on top of our main solo private play appointments, such as social play groups, birthday party rentals, training classes, events, fundraisers and more!
2. What does a day in the life look like at Bosly’s?
Most of our appointments are private play where a pup and pawrent get to spend time engaging in fun and play together. If your dog has siblings or buddies they play with regularly they are welcome to come as well! We also offer discounted play sessions to dogs at our local city shelters or in foster with rescues and often have volunteers bring in adoptable dogs for a doggie day out field trip to Bosly’s to have some FUN and decompress.
3. What made you decide to open Bosly’s?
Well, Bosly of course! I adopted Bosly when she was 4 months old in 2011 from The Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago, and we used to frequent our city’s dog parks regularly when she was a puppy. When she was about 1.5 years old the dog park started to not be a good environment for her; it was too stressful and there was too much dog park drama. So here we are, living in an apartment in Chicago, with no yard, and can’t go to the dog parks. Where do I take my 70lb very energetic dog to get the exercise and stimulus that she needs?
I would always say to myself “I wish there was a place where Bosly and I could spend time together, that was safe, free of other dogs, and she could burn off all that energy. “While there are some dogs who are extroverts and do well in playgroups, there are lots of dogs who are more introverted and prefer their own space”. Kim said. It is not always natural for dogs that aren’t familiar with one another to play together nicely. Just like humans, not everyone gets along and that is OK! There’s this misconception that socializing your dog means having your pup play off-leash with other dogs. While that is one aspect of socialization, socialization also means taking part in joint activities that are enriching and help strengthen the bond between you and your dog. Our main purpose at Bosly’s Backyard is not only to support the owners of reactive dogs, but the dogs themselves. Too many times, outside judgement can make reactive dogs and their humans feel isolated from the rest of the dog parent community, we exist to help ease that stigma.
4. Anything else that you would like our readers to know?
Going to new places with different sounds, smells, textures, etc. is SO beneficial for your dog’s cognitive skills and confidence building. And as much as humans enjoy socializing with other like-minded dog lovers while their pups play together, it’s far safer and more fun for your dog to spend that time engaging with YOU in a safe environment that is mentally enriching and emotionally stimulating.
5. How can our readers get in touch with you?
You can visit our website boslysbackyard.com or our social media pages at fb.me/boslysbackyard and instagram.com/boslysbackyard. Or email info@boslysbackyard.com if you have questions!