I would give this place a C- for training. The lady who runs the dog training doesn't have the best personality but that doesnt really bother me if the service was great. During the dog training you will basically do the same thing every time you go there, also there is no socialization with other dogs because she seems to be afraid of dog fights. You will not do any training without the leash. It's probably a okay place to go to for beginning dogs but if you are looking for more advanced training I defiantly wouldnt go here. read more

Gary really helps you train your DOG but you have to listen and apply. I have a one year Dobbie and he's coming along fine. He really spends a lot of time training you so you can train your dog!!!! read more

My dog is really really codependent, so boarding is stressful. After a sub par experience at another kennel (where they pretty much told me my dog sucked) I gave Big Basin a try. Super friendly, easy to schedule with, but the best part is that George seemed to genuinely like it. When I picked her up you could tell by how she interacted with the staff that she had been well treated. It's out of the way but well worth the drive to know my fur baby is well taken care of! The woman at the desk (I think the owner?) warned me that she might be tuckered out from running and playing so much and she's right - George has been in nap mode since we got home. read more

We enrolled our German Shepherd in Big Basin's puppy class after looking at other classes and they were highly recommended by friends in law enforcement. We chose to go with Big Basin because of Gary and Peggy's experience and the attention we received prior to classes beginning as we consulted with them. We realize the training is for the handler/owner as much as it is for the animal. So it was important to remember it was for our own benefit as well as our puppy's. It was a successful journey and we all benefited from the class and Gary's expertise. Following a break we decided to take the next step and enrolled him in a board and train program for one month. There was no question in our minds or hearts who we wanted to do this extensive training. Our trust in Gary and Peggy made this an easy decision. After the month boarding and training, there are 10 follow-up sessions with the owners. Although our puppy has attention challenges, we have seen a huge change for the better in his obedience and behavior from the moment we picked him up at Big Basin. We are in the post board and training sessions currently and are pleased with his continued work and growth as well as our own. We look forward to his continued growth and improvement as we ourselves become better skilled as handlers and owners. We have highly recommended Big Basin to others and thank Gary and Peggy for their excellent care and patience with us and with our boy. Chris and Pam ... Modesto, CA read more

When we got out of the car to board our dogs the owner was swearing and using profane language within our hearing. When expressing discomfort for the overall situation in the office he became incredible hostile. He doesn't seem to know what customer service is, i.e. not trying to get into verbal arguments with potential customers or being very impertinent. He also had a strange strategy of trying to convince us to board our dogs there and insulting me at the same time. Because of that $400 of business went walking out his door. Hope it was worth it. Won't make the mistake of going here every again. read more

I am NEVER in a million years going to bring my dog here for boarding ever again. Not even if this place was the last one on earth. My poor dog is always so stressed out and scared when he is over here. The last time we brought him here he was basically begging us not to leave him. This place is disgusting and it smells horrible. My dog has been wet the past few times I've brought him home and he stinks as if he was staying in a dirty kennel covered with poop. His bed smells so bad to the point where there's no point of even washing it, better to just throw it away. My dog absolutely hates Gary and he hates being there. Each time we've brought him for boarding the staff just complains about his behavior and is constantly judging. They send off extremely negative vibes. I have a strong feeling that my dog was mistreated or scared purposely. The poor thing always seemed traumatized when I would pick him up. The staff is very rude and it seems like all they care about is money, they don't care about making sure the dogs are comfortable. I've dropped my dog off there for boarding a few times, each time I thought "maybe he will get used to it" but no, his cries were louder each time. This place is a big no for me and my family. read more

Not sure why I haven't written a review yet, but we have boarded our three Rottweilers with Big Basin several times and have always had good experiences. The staff are knowledgeable about dogs (especially big breeds which we appreciate) and also seem to LOVE them! They know our dogs by name and remember them even over the phone. We had to board our dogs for over a month with Big Basin when we were moving from Memphis and staying with my parents, and they were always very accommodating about letting us come and visit our dogs and bring them bones etc. Our dogs are our children and they're very used to lots of cuddles, so we were worried about them being alone in a kennel. We loved that Big Basin not only let them sleep together but also remembers to do so every time we come! They always leave there happy and healthy. read more

Do NOT take your dog to this place. My husband and I boarded our dog here for 4 days when we went out of town. We picked her up today and she can barely walk and is not herself. I do not know what went on during those 4 days, but it has taken a toll on Lilly. Usually when we take her out side to go to the bathroom, she sprints out and runs around to sniff. Tonight my husband had to carry her down the stairs, and she limped around the grass. I called the place to ask what happened to Lilly while she was there, and Peggy replied that she didn't notice that Lilly had a limp. How the hell do you not notice a dog has a limp when you are supposed to be taking her on a walk for half an hour a day? They lied. Lilly has also been more timid, like she got beat or something. She also is eating like she hasn't eaten in days. When I called to check up on Lilly during the weekend, Peggy informed me that she was eating great. Lilly does not eat or drink anything when she has to goto the bathroom. She also only like to goto the bathroom on grass, and being kept in a concrete kennel I know that she was holding her bathroom which means she was not eating. She peed when we picked her up from the boarding place, and when we got home she went even more. So I know that they lied to me about that. Another thing they lied to me about was taking her on walks. When I asked Peggy about her walks she responded that Lilly sniffed some and was pretty much a lap dog. Lilly is a 1 year old lab mix. She is not a lap dog, and wheh she gets taken out side she sprints and goes to sniff around. When she is out side, she wants to go explore and run around, she is not interested in laying in laps. When they gave us the bag that we left with Lilly that had her toys, bones, and treats in it...it had some other dogs toys in it, not hers. Peggy said that she must have "stolen" them. How the hell is she going to steal another dogs toys through a chain linked fence? The dogs are seperated the entire time. When I asked where her pork knuckle bone was, Peggy said that Lilly ate it all. Lilly has a knuckle bone here that she has had for 2 months, and still hasn't finished. They also aiso said she finished her hide bone as well. I do not trust this place at all. They did something to my dog that has hurt her, and they lied to me about multiple things. I feel horrible that I put my dog in this situation, and she will never be back. Please do not leave your dog with these people, you will regret it like I have. read more

If you have a Doberman or any breed with smarts and drive .. Take your dog somewhere else .. First the owner/trainer spent our first session telling me how my dog was inferior in breed to German Shepards .. And how I was a bad owner .. Because my puppy would not jump out of the car on her own .. Or I did not have the right collar ..He spent half of the first session degrading me and my dog .. My first group session he singled out my dog .. Who was one of the best behaved and most friendly .. Told two stories of why dobermans are not as good as shepherds and then singled Me out several times .. I am sure he thought he was joking .. I can take a joke .. I am sure he was showing off he was the expert .. I had come there because I wanted an expert .. But it came off as rude and condescending .. After he singled me out because my " treat pouch" was not the same as the one he was selling .. And challenged me to a dual to prove he was right .. That he could get the treats out faster ... I took my dog and left .. Even one of the other owners wondered why he singled me and my dog out .. As there were shepherds who were aggressive and barking and a Maltese that was barking at everyone and little puppies who did not know which direction to even look .. And my dog was friendly and decent with all of them.. The one time she jumped up he had to comment .. Oh look there is the vicious Doberman .. No comment about the shepherd who was barking and pulling on her leash .. I was extremely disappointed and offended by his comments .. And I am a family therapist .. I help people deal with difficult children and spouses .. And I would never think to spend 20 mins telling them they were bad parents .. Just to prove I was the expert .. And there were maybe 10 dogs there and in 20 Mins my dog did one exercise .. So not worth it just to go meet other dogs and be insulted the whole time ..and .. I went the second time with the hope that when we were in class with all the other dogs .. It would be different .. But for some reason he chose to continue to show how little he likes the doberman breed .. Even to the point of when another dog parent said how good she was and how smart dobermans are .. He corrected her and said .. " not really " .. So good luck ... But there are other trainers .. I am sure I can find one that can be decent and knows how to work with a wonderful Doberman .. read more

I just moved here from Southern California and needed to board my 9-year old, 7lb Maltese for the weekend at the last minute. With no references for good boarding facilities, I relied on Yelp to help me find a place. I arrived to tour the facility on a day they closed early but Peggy was kind enough to give me a quick tour, answer all of my questions and fill out the paperwork for the next morning's drop off. Because of my dog's age and size, and since he has only been boarded on 2 other occasions, I worry a great deal about his safety. Peggy absolutely put me at ease and didn't make me feel like a silly, overbearing "dog mom". :) After 3 nights I picked up my dog and I was slightly disappointed but it seemed like he didn't want to leave! He wasn't frantic like I expected him to be and Peggy told me that he had a great time playing with the dogs in the neighboring kennels and was well-behaved. My dog came back happy, healthy and exhausted from so much play time! I will absolutely use Big Basin again for my boarding needs and am so grateful to have found a facility and an owner, Peggy, who cares about my dog as much as I do. Thank you SO much Peggy! read more