Hands down, Christi is the best dog walker in the East Bay. She is a first a dog lover, who is…read moreconscientious, organized, and thoughtful. Her pack walks exhaust the dogs while being safe and exciting for them. Her dog sitting sets my mind at ease as she knows dogs, her level head and knowledge ensure peace of mind while we are away.

this is also a long overdue review, I have used BARK AROUND THE BLOCK for many years. and…read more her staff are excellent. my dog; Rommel, a French bulldog he absolutely loves walking with her. She socializes the dogs with the group walks offered in the afternoons or morning walk. during the ongoing months The scheduling and communication is excellent ! My dog has improved greatly in all aspects of his socialization as well as his obedienc. Believe it or not for his breed he is so chill now. He loves his group walks! The trails are varied which is fabulous and keeps it interesting for the dogs. I have been extremely pleased with the excellent level of service provided by Bark Around the Block She is deserving of the Best Dog Walker of Alameda for the consecutive years, it has been awarded to her Company!

Update following the owner (Suzanne)'s response:…read more I appreciate the business taking the time to respond. I want to clarify a few points for transparency and for prospective customers considering Happy Hound. My concern was never the existence of a first-day assessment fee, but the value delivered. I have used dog daycares across NYC, Chicago, LA, and San Francisco and have never encountered one that charges more than a standard daycare day for a first-day evaluation. In many cases, the first day is complimentary. That context shaped my expectations going in. When I called to book, the 3:00pm time slot was the only option presented to me by Happy Hound. At no point during booking--or after the tour--was it communicated that the daycare credit would apply the same way regardless of whether my dog attended for a full day or only a couple of hours. Without that clarity, it is entirely reasonable for a new customer to assume that paying for a full day would result in receiving a full day of care. That is where the communication breakdown occurred. I am not disputing the sequence of events shared in the owner's reply. My concern is with the policy itself--specifically, requiring payment for a full day of daycare while not delivering a full day of service when scheduling limitations come from the business. The outcome was that I paid for care my dog did not receive. A prorated refund for the unused portion of that day would have been a reasonable, customer-oriented resolution. Sharing this simply so other prospective customers understand how the onboarding process and policies work in practice.

I wish that all human daycare centers were this good. They have a perfect organizational system,…read morewhere dogs are placed in groups according to size and energy levels, the facilities are squeaky clean, and the staff is professional. Archibald loves this place.

Emily has been walking my dog Lily for a few months now. She's always on time & very pleasant. She…read morealso wipes Lily's paws & bum when our walk is over (with wipes we provide). Emily is also very flexible with our schedule & I trust her with our elderly pup. I'm so glad we found Emily!

We had such a great experience with Happy Dogs! Our Mochi stayed for 5 days, and they took amazing…read morecare of him. We could tell he was loved and well taken care of. We felt completely at ease knowing he was in good hands. Highly recommend Happy Dogs! 「我們在 Happy Dogs 有非常好的體驗！Mochi 在這裡住了 5 天，他們照顧得非常好。我們感受到 Mochi 被愛護、被細心照顧。知道他在很好的環境裡，我們非常放心。強烈推薦 Happy Dogs！」

When I first adopted my dog from the shelter, he was extremely scared and not socialized at all…read more Working with Sadé made a huge difference from day one. She did an amazing job helping him build confidence around other dogs while also teaching him the basics he needed. I really appreciated that she included me in the process whenever I was available, giving me tips and helping me understand how to continue the training on my own. My dog is honestly night and day compared to when I first brought him home. The foundation she gave us with training and socialization was huge, and it allowed me to keep reinforcing those skills afterward. Today, he's a happy, confident dog who gets to play daily at the park. I would highly recommend Sadé for anyone looking for a trainer who genuinely cares about both the dog and the owner...especially if they're starting with a nervous or under-socialized pup.

Sade helped me immensely when I was recovering from surgery. As a single dog mom of 4, you can…read moreimagine it was hard to recover with rambunctious pups around that I was unable to walk at the time. Sade took them to the dog park for hours so I could have a breather. They returned happy and tuckered out so we could all sleep soundly. Sade is great at reading dogs' body language, and I appreciated the cute photo updates she'd send of my dogs' day.

We recently moved back to the Bay Area and were really concerned about finding a responsible, safe…read morespace for our good boy to stay when we go out of town. We came across Cutie Paws online. Their reviews were good and they are close to us, so we booked a four night stay for the July 4th holiday weekend. Drop-off went great ...but I was still a bit worried since it was his first time there. My concerns were all swiftly put to rest. Wendy and Mantin took amazing care of our pup, sent photos and videos (their place is very cute and charming with a lovely backyard). We just picked him up and he is very happy and well cared for. I am so glad I found them and would recommend without hesitation.

Cutie Pawz is by far the best daycare my boys have ever had! Wendy and her husband give each dog so…read moremuch love, attention, and fun. I love receiving regular updates and pictures, and it gives me so much peace of mind knowing my boys are so well cared for when I'm not there. If I could give 100 stars, I would. Thank you for everything you do!

----------- TL;DR: Barak's 35-day Board and Train program is…read morea major investment, but it completely transformed my sweet but highly reactive dog. It fixed his severe leash reactivity, his 4 AM barking, and his total lack of recall when distracted. The cost includes 35 days of boarding and unlimited weekly group classes. One month later, the results were surprising: we went from a stressed caretaker dynamic to true companions. I can now take him on errands without fear, and finally having the power to tell him "No" has been game-changing. Highly recommended. ----------- DREAM DOG Totoro is what you might call the dream dog. He is incredibly kind, loyal, and mostly well-behaved. However, he had a "Jekyll and Hyde" personality. Indoors, he was docile and lazy. Outside, he was possessed by his excitement. He is so gentle he couldn't even get food out of a Kong! But we had three major stress-inducing issues: ZERO RECALL WHEN DISTRACTED: I spent a lot of time training him with high-value treats like bacon and ribeye. When it's just the two of us, he would shoot out of a cannon when I called him. But the moment he played with another dog, those ingrained habits were completely forgotten. He went totally deaf, which was a major safety concern. LEASH REACTIVITY: When he's leashed, he gets frustrated at times when he sees other dogs, and he might lunge and growl at passing dogs, making walks a bit of a chore. SUDDEN BARKING: He developed a habit recently of waking up at 4:00 AM and rush out the room barking like the house was on fire. Before Barak, I only used positive-reinforcement training. Totoro knew the commands, but positive reinforcement simply could not compete with his intense excitement around other dogs. Barak is a balanced trainer, using proper corrections alongside rewards to teach boundaries that hold up under extreme distraction. I was hesitant about negative reinforcement, but Barak showed me his high-quality e-collar. I used it on myself and could barely feel the low-level stimulation, which put my mind at ease. Enrolling in the 35-day Board and Train program was a significant investment. However, I factored in that I was getting 35 days of boarding included (which I planned a trip around). More importantly, the cost includes unlimited group training classes afterward. You don't just drop your dog off and forget it. The weekly classes give you structure so your money doesn't go to waste. Barak was also incredibly responsive via text whenever I have questions (and I had many). The results are night and day. It is like the show Severance :) there is no more "Outie" Totoro, just the well-behaved "Innie" Totoro! He isn't brainwashed; he is still his happy self, just infinitely better behaved. Barak figured out his leash reactivity was just him frantically checking if other dogs were "safe." Now, we walk past other dogs peacefully. Update: One Month Later MAN'S BEST FRIEND Barak's training has unexpectedly transformed our relationship. Before, I would never consider taking Totoro on errands. Even with only a 1-in-20 chance of him being reactive, I didn't need the stress. On walks, I was constantly on guard, which can turn dog ownership into a one-sided, anxiety-filled chore. Today, we have genuinely become companions. Instead of leaving him behind, I actively look for dog-friendly breakfast spots. The fear of taking him out has completely dissipated. I enjoy his company, and I can feel our bond grow, even in year 5. He is much happier now that he doesn't feel my stress radiating through the leash. THE POWER OF NO Previous trainers taught specific commands like "leave it," but never the general command "No." For example, Totoro has a habit of licking his ankles raw, leading to expensive vet visits, Cytopoint shots, and the dreaded cone of shame. Now, I can simply say, "No." He stops, looks up, and tries to figure out what he is doing wrong. Imagine being a parent without the ability to tell your kid "No." Having Totoro understand that single word is game-changing.

I have owned dogs all my life. So, when I decided to adopt Monte, an 8 week old (+/-) stray,…read morehusky/pitbull, I was confident I could handle the little guy. But 4 months later, he had become a 60+ lb., out-of-control monster. He jumped on everyone, attacked feet, and "playfully" tore my arms to shreds. He peed everywhere and destroyed my house. Within a year he was about 90 pounds and his behavior was even worse: He refused to walk on a leash, get in a car, "come" or "stop!" Every day he damaged me-physically and psychologically. Clearly, Monte had become MY owner. Unfortunately, he was only half of an untenable situation. We also had Maggie, my daughter's three-year-old Shepard/Malinois/Pitbull/Terrier mix with equal, if not worse, fear/anxiety-based behaviors. After 14 months of dog craziness, we decided it was time for a SERIOUS, SUSTAINED, INTERVENTION, preferably away from home. A friend recommended Baynine, so we checked their references and were astounded to find fifty-one (51) five-star reviews-nothing lower! So we set up an appointment with Barak, the owner. During our appointment, Barak explained that he only trained 3 dogs per session, and our 2 could come together. The dogs would live at his home and receive 1:1 training sessions, 3 times a day. He said it might take a week or two to establish trust and rapport with our dogs. But once that occurred, and he had taught them their first command, we were REQUIRED to visit and train with them, 1 to 2 times weekly. The program was for 35 days. After that time, if they hadn't met their goals, he would keep them until they did, at NO ADDITIONAL COST. After training, we could join previous Baynine students/owners for ongoing, unlimited FREE CLASSES. Before leaving, he encouraged us to interview other trainers and observe one of his classes. He seemed genuine, experienced, and we liked him. We subsequently observed one of Barak's weekly classes at Jack London Square. That night, there were about 12 other dogs/owners in attendance. ALL of the dogs were well-behaved, quiet, and focused on their owners. They healed, stayed in place, obeyed commands, and totally ignored each other and the comings and goings of the general public People stopped to watch them, marveling at their behavior. WE WERE SOLD and reserved the first available spots, two months down the line. The day Barak picked them up, it took 30+ minutes to get Monte into a kennel in the van. He yelped, cried, thrashed about and even pooped himself! Meanwhile, Maggie looked like a sad shoe-in for a Sarah Mc Lachlan "Eyes of an Angel" commercial. That night I panicked and called Barak to express my reservations and concerns about EVERYTHING. By day two I was ready to go "rescue" them. During my short-lived angst, Barak was completely understanding and attentive. I soon relaxed. By the end of the first week, Monte had warmed up to Barak, wagging his tail and allowing himself to be handfed. Meanwhile, Maggie lagged behind. She was still extremely fearful, so he took extra time and care to nurture her trust.. By week two, we were receiving photos and videos of their first successes. Monte was learning to hold an extended "down" position and heal. Maggie was still nervous, but was going on walks without trying to attack people and other animals. At the end of those two weeks, we did our first visit/training with Monte and Maggie. They were becoming well-trained dogs! As the weeks progressed, we continued the training sessions that always began with Barak teaching us, without the dogs. He was an exceptional teacher who provided positive, constructive feedback. Eventually, both dogs met their goals with Monte requiring an additional week while Maggie required two. As promised, there was no charge. When Barak brought Monte home, he provided us with the equipment and training we would need on our own turf. To date, we have been to 5 weekly classes and plan to continue indefinitely. The other owners seem as committed as we are to training and keeping their dogs on track. Monte is now a delightful, mostly mellow dog who is a joy to live with. Absolutely all of his challenging behaviors are in check, and I take him to parks, stores, cafes, etc. where he is receptive to interactions with adults, kids, and (well-behaved) dogs. I am continually impressed with Barak's knowledge of dogs and dog-training. During the classes, I see how he identifies and works through the individual, often complex, needs of both dogs and humans. He has an amazing work ethic and an undeniably strong commitment to his clients. He frequently collaborates with other trainers to share ideas and improve his program. He prioritizes safety and makes sure the dogs are always kept safe and comfortable. I trust him, without reservation, and urge anyone seeking high-quality, professional dog training to consider Barak and Baynine. I am 100% happy with my experience; it was worth every penny!

This business is just absolutely amazing! My partner and I took our girl Bear and she came out…read moreliterally smiling. We set an automatic appointment for every month and I am honestly so glad. Definitely the best experience.

The groomers always do such a great job with Chewy! He looks extra cute, fluffy, and well-kept even…read moredays after his appointment, which shows the quality of their work. The staff are always kind and welcoming, and I can tell they truly care about the pets they groom. I'm always so happy with how adorable Chewy looks after his visits. This is a wonderful grooming salon, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for skilled grooming and a friendly atmosphere

As a first-time dog mom (and a proud Type-A), finding a daycare that truly put me at ease was…read moreincredibly important to me. I was actually referred to Dog Social Club by another daycare when I was frantically calling around, and I'm so grateful I was. From the very beginning, the team has been exceptionally kind, warm, and responsive. The intake and greeting process was thoughtful and thorough, not just a quick observation. Suzy took the time to answer all of my questions and shared genuinely helpful information, which immediately put me at ease. I felt confident and reassured that my puppy was in the right hands. Dog Social Club is extremely well-structured, with clear procedures and a level of care that really stands out. Every single person I've encountered, from Katie, the CEO, to the handlers, to Jenn who keeps everything running smoothly, to the front desk team who greet both pups and parents, has been friendly, attentive, and welcoming. I wish I knew everyone's name because they all deserve recognition. My pup absolutely loves going! He knows the smells and sounds as we get closer and I have to make sure he doesn't jump out of the car when I open the door. Also the care he received after being neutered... gosh I can go on and on about how wonderful our time has been with DSC. Most importantly, I truly feel that they care for and love my little Barnaby as if he were their own. As a first-time dog mom, that peace of mind is everything, and I honestly couldn't ask for more.

After 3 visits, we were completely hooked. Our 1.5ish year old, 15-lb terrier mix absolutely loves…read moregoing and comes home a much happier and chiller dog. It's so nice to see him happy and tuckered out! He has also been less reactive on walks which is AMAZING. Especially as a first time dog owner, I am so grateful to find a community where everyone is so kind to both the dogs and their humans. I really appreciate the staff's integrity and expertise, and the transparency around pricing and policies is so helpful.

I have a parrot and contacted several pet sitting companies looking for someone with bird…read moreexperience. Doggy Lama was the only company that responded that they had staff experienced with birds. Dani came by to meet my bird before my trip and did a wonderful job taking the time to get to know her and understand her needs. Unfortunately, my travel plans changed and I ended up not needing pet sitting services this summer. Even so, I wanted to leave a review because I was so impressed with the company. They were responsive, professional, and genuinely seemed to care about both their clients and their pets. Communication was excellent, and their website made scheduling and payment incredibly easy.

We couldn't recommend Doggy Lama Pet Care more, what a wonderful organization. Molly and all the…read moreemployees are amazing. Their pricing is more than reasonable, and the services are the best. Molly was recommended by a friend as "the dog whisperer" and that is correct. We have a little senior guy who loves other doggo's but doesn't have any teeth to defend himself, so it has been really difficult to find a boarder for him to be safe. Even having friends who he is familiar with staying at the house hasn't worked out. Insert Doggy Lama. We did a trial run of boarding with Molly, and he passed so we were able to schedule a weeklong vacation knowing he would have the best time. He got to hang out with some other senior dogs and have long walks in the wilderness and lots of doggo time. Molly kept us posted daily with pictures of our little man being a dog. The experience way outperformed expectations. We are working to sign our guy up for some walking adventures throughout the week. Go see Doggy Lama for all your needs.

Aaron is a godsend…read more I adopted my wonderful big 10-yo pittie, Benson, last year. For the past year, we've been going at it HARDT on our Tues/Thursday daycare commutes. Up at 5 am; catch the train at 6; walk through West Oakland at 6.30 am; drop off Benson at daycare at 7. Do it again in the opposite direction at the end of the day. We are both worn out. I met Aaron randomly and told him about dog owners without cars needing transport for stuff. I mean, yeah, Lyft says they take dogs but dogs with a big head and reputations like mine...well, pits make folks nervous. Aaron said, We do that! I signed up as soon as I could. Aaron met Benson, took us on a test drive, and I have support as a Dog Mama! And now Benson and I aren't killing ourselves and wearing down our middle aged joints to get to daycare at the crack of dawn. My dog loves being in cars and now we're doing it safely and efficiently. I am SO GRATEFUL for Aaron and the No Bark Zone!

Aaron was able to fit us in last minute. Our nervous dog immediately ran up to him and wanted to…read moreplay during the meet and greet. He kept us updated and sent photos through out the day. Norman was definitely comfortable and well taken care of. We will for sure book again and use other services.