Mitch and Patrick are amazing! We had 5 home sessions with our two Havanese dogs. We worked on…read moretraining them to be better at greeting people and on how to get them to not make at the door when the doorbell goes off. We also worked on walking and now they don't pull! So nice to be able to go on a walk without being pulled. We then did dog greeting and reactivity and got a lot of tips on what to do to help the dogs feel more comfortable. Mitch and Patrick really went above and beyond to help us!

We purchased the puppy package and worked with Mitch. Our experience was exactly what we were…read morehoping for and more. Mitch is knowledgeable, patient, and encouraging. He has a great way of pushing for progress in training and giving direct feedback while balancing it with knowing when everyone-humans and dog- need a break. Mitch was a lifeline in the early weeks of having our puppy and not knowing much about what to do. He has also gone above and beyond to listen to our concerns as they arise and help us problem solve. We just started attending puppy classes at Pet Food Express in Castro Valley, and those are excellent as well.

As a first time dog owner, it has been quite an experience. Slime, my 1 year old Miniature…read moreSchnauzer-Terrier Mix, is a very lovable dog and the Goodest of Boys. However, I knew that I had to get professional help when I realized that I was going to be gone for a few hours, every day, once College began. I love Slime, but he had an extreme case of separation anxiety. I couldn't be in another room or right outside the door without him crying for me. He cried dramatically for hours, despite ensuring that his needs were met (food, water, and potty time). Yes, I know it hurts to have your dog cry for you. If he acted like this while I was still home, imagine how he would have been while I am at school? I took the time to find a reputable, and trustworthy dog trainer. I reached out to James. He explained to me the options of getting my dog trained. I choose to undergo the Board and Room Program, which is about 4 weeks. The 4 weeks flew by, and it was finally time to pick up Slime. I was filled with joy and held back my tears to not only be reunited with my little buddy, but to also see how much growth he has done. I was impressed and proud of the dog that my Slime has become. However, as with most things with life, it is not just a one and done deal, it is a continuous work in progress. James is a miracle worker who understands dogs on a deeper level than most of us could ever understand. I look forward to continuing using James' services in the future. If you truly LOVE your dog, then you must know that the Hardest Decision is the Best Decision to make for them.

I used James' boarding and training service for a month with my dog, and was really happy with the…read morewhole process and the results. She's not the easiest dog, definitely not one to just listen to or work for someone she doesn't know or trust, but James handled it really well. He really cares about the process, took time to address any concerns I had, and answered all my emails afterward about training. One thing to note - you have to be involved too. It's not just about training the dog; you're also learning how to understand your dog, communicate better, and adjust your own behavior. The service was definitely above my budget, but honestly, I'd do it again. A nice bonus - now that my dog knows James and is comfortable at his place, I feel a lot better leaving her with him for boarding when I travel. It's hard for me to leave her with just anyone, so that extra peace of mind is huge.

Roy, Uncle Pawpaw, is the best person to take care of your furry kids! We unexpectedly adopted a…read moreLabrador retriever and he's quite a handful. Roy takes care of him so well whenever we need to board him and he clearly has a lot of fun with his furry friends. We get videos and pictures when he's there and he loves it. Roy is easy to communicate with we trust him with our boy. I highly recommend you to try a meet and greet and bring the pups here.

My boy Duke absolutely loves Roy and his team at Uncle Paw paws! My dog is like Energizer bunny…read morethat never runs out of the battery! Since he's been going to pawpaws, he comes home tired with so much play time. Roy also sends videos of him playing and pics, so I know he's in good hands. Drop and pickup is very convenient, and highly recommend Pawpaws daycare!

Amazing training from Judge! The individual and group training classes have given both my dog Rio…read moreand I the confidence we need for her to work on her reactivity and challenging behaviors. We have the foundation we need to keep growing and building on what she's learned. Thank you for an awesome experience!

My wife and I are so grateful we found Bay Area K9 Training. We travel frequently for work, and…read morefinding a place we can trust with our 125lb Cane Corso/German Shepherd mix, Koa, has been a game-changer. Koa is nearly 2 years old--smart, strong-willed, and incredibly protective. Not every facility is equipped to handle a dog of his size and temperament, but the team here welcomed him with confidence and care from day one. The best part? The training is done with my wife and Koa together. They've worked closely with a Judge and his team who understands the unique needs of working breeds like his--combining structure, positive reinforcement, and real-life scenarios that actually stick. The sessions have helped Koa become more responsive, focused, and calm, and have built an amazing bond between him and my wife. When we travel, Koa boards here and it's one of the few times we don't feel guilty leaving him. The facility is spacious, secure, and clean--and most importantly, he gets attention, structure, and exercise, not just a kennel stay. He comes home happy, healthy, and somehow better behaved each time! We've tried a few places before, and none come close to the level of professionalism, transparency, and breed expertise you'll find here. If you've got a large dog with a strong personality and you want a place that truly gets it--this is it.

I came in today and the store manager on duty was very kind and welcoming. The environment would…read moremake me want to return and make this my go to dog store.

We had our first grooming session ever for our Husky Belanova! We weren't sure how well it would go…read moresince she's a shelter dog and it was the first time that we know of that she gets groomed. Cam took such good care of our Bela and we're more than likely to come back and get her groomed by Cam again! She's so soft and smells so good!

I want to give a shoutout to the Castro valley team, in specifics I want to thank Karlton and…read moreFabian for giving my little new puppy life. He was very sick we took our puppie to the vet and they didn't even know what was wrong. But talking to these guys we found out our puppy was having reaction to our new home and I cents. We have changed and our puppy is just as healthy. Thank you Castro valley Team

Definitely our go to pet store! This location is always…read moreclean, organized, and friendly. I appreciate their knowledgeable staff who are always open to sharing suggestions for the better needs of our pets. They offer vaccination clinics each month that are very convenient and affordable too. My family would love to highlight Karlton - he has specifically made all of our experiences so welcoming and supportive!! There's not one time we have came by and he does not have a smile on his face and ready to help! Karlton is very knowledgeable with all the products in the store and gives excellent advice on up and coming new items to add to our homes. Talk about service that's above and beyond, Pet Food Express you have an incredible leader on your team!! Also- we love the frozen bone marrow bones, love that this location keeps them stocked! Kannon & Jade your favorite English Bullies love and appreciate you.

Good people. Super friendly. Experts. Every time people drop what they are doing to fully help…read moreme. Everyone here really loves their job and animals

Your go-to store for all things related to pets! Supplies, food, and even vet services can be…read moreobtained here and this long standing storefront has its operation running smoothly with a steady group of staff available when they're needed by customers. Nostalgic are the times when I used to come here as a kid to see all the fish and small critters available for purchase, and now as an adult, it hasn't changed all that much. There are still sections for aquarium enthusiasts looking to bolster their underwater environments as well as for fur and reptilian baby parents with the goal of enriching or growing their family. In each section, you'll find organized aisles and shelves filled with feed, toys, medications, and other wares for sale. The prices are reasonable compared to online prices and plus, with their free (as well as paid) membership, you'll get rewarded for each purchase, incentivizing you to shop more for your pets. The points you earn are tracked through your account and can be earned and redeemed at any of their stores or online through their website. If you're a frequent buyer, you'll benefit greatly from their rewards program. The main reason for our most recent visit was for their vet services offered through Vetco, specifically for vaccinations. It's best to set an appointment through their website to ensure you'll be seen, although sometimes walk-ins are welcomed but not guaranteed to be serviced. For non-vaccine related vet services, I believe you'll need to make a different kind of appointment and work with the in-house staff during their open hours. If you've never been here, you'll be asked for your pets medical/vaccination history but once you're in the system, they'll track everything your pet receives from their office. The biggest incentive for coming here for vaccinations is the vaccination packages offered at reasonable prices without having to first pay and see a veterinarian. Despite being a mobile clinic that travels to various sites in the Bay Area, they do have experienced and certified vets on staff, available to administer the vaccines and do preliminary examinations. We were very satisfied with the service offered here through Vetco as well as the staff working the store. Everyone was friendly, patient, and helpful in helping us get what we needed and for offering ways for us to save money. It does seem this store brings in a lot of locals and frequent visitors as some patrons seem to be recognized by the staff. I love the neighborly vibe! Overall, despite being a well-established chain, this Petco has not lost its luster nor its commitment to serving their community of pet owners and pets. I'm proud and glad to have this shop in our area and hope that they continue to help foster creation of new memories for generations to come. Your pets will be happy, healthy, and safe here at this Petco!

We cannot recommend Mutt and Tumble Dog Training enough. Bryan helped transform our two doodles…read morefrom reactive, poorly behaved dogs into calm, obedient companions who are now a pleasure to walk and have around others. Before training, we struggled with leash pulling, barking, lunging at other dogs, and nonstop chaos whenever someone came through the door. We were honestly at our wits' end. Everything changed after I saw Bryan in Jackson Square walking a calm, perfectly behaved pack of dogs. We started weekly family lessons in January 2026 with our dogs and our two 12-year-old daughters, and progress began almost immediately. Bryan quickly helped us realize the humans needed training too. With consistent coaching, support, and a board-and-train program, the transformation has been incredible. Our dogs are now well-behaved both at home and in public. We can comfortably walk them, take them to parks and outdoor restaurants, and genuinely enjoy being with them. Friends and family who knew our dogs before cannot believe the difference in their behavior. Thank you, Bryan. You really can teach old dogs new tricks.

Our dog, Maggie (2yrs - Cockapoo), is coming home tomorrow after a 2 week board and train and I…read morecouldn't wait until then to write a review for Bryan. Bit of background: Maggie has done 12 weekly group training sessions with another trainer and is generally well-behaved. However, she doesn't read the social signals from other dogs well (ex: when they want to be left alone), tends to jump on everyone at all times, doesn't respond to commands unless there's a treat involved, and lacks confidence. What I enjoyed about the program is that it includes several in person training sessions during the B&T. We got to see Maggie's progress as time went on and most importantly, we were trained on their behavior psychology and how to become the leaders of our pack. I will say I was nervous about implenting the ecollar but Bryan has demonstrated that it is a safe and effective training tool-- I got to see it used as a tool for correction that Maggie actually responded well to. Maggie is coming home tomorrow and hand-off includes an in-home training sessions to ensure her progress doesn't regress which I appreciate. From what I've seen, Maggie has become more confident, responds to recalls in distracting places (no treats involved), learned to self-soothe, and plays/greets other dogs/people with manners. Truly the best investment I've made in my dog and I'd highly recommend Mutt and Tumble to all dog parents!

Puptown actually did my dog Hans and I a huge favor. I had previously scheduled boarding for Hans…read moreat a competing facility back in January in preparation for a trip to Japan in May. However, when we arrived at the facility the day before my flight to Japan, that facility told me that Hans boarding was being denied due to him having a heart murmur condition. Even though I had been a loyal customer to this facility for over 10 years, and that my flight to Japan was less than 24 hours away, and that they waited until I was at the checkin desk in order to inform me of the denial, representatives of this facility stated that there was nothing they could do and that they were simply following company policy. So me saying that Puptown literally saved my trip is a huge understatement. With no paperwork, and no pre-qualifying evaluation, Puptown took in Hans, heart murmur and all, and treated him like a prince. As a result, I'll always be grateful to Puptown, Hans' new found home away from home for the remainder of his life. Thank you Puptown!

Our dog Aspen always has a fantastic time here! She always comes home exhausted and behaving…read morewhether she's had an overnight stay or just daycare. I definitely trust Puptown with my energetic dog!

Silvie and I just completed a 5-session dog training and Vicki definitely has a gift. When we…read moreattended our first training, Silvie was already excited to make a new friend and eager to learn. I adopted Silvie, a Taiwanese Formosan Mountain dog and Labrador mix a couple of months ago...she came with some basic training courtesy of Adopt a Doggie http://www.adoptadoggie.org but needed additional training with staying (duration), walking (she gets too excited to focus and pulls, jerks from side-to-side) and learning to leave things on the kitchen counter. Vicki is wonderful in answering questions and making recommendations if something isn't working. I learned the proper way to help Silvie with her training such as the difference between using the command 'stay', 'wait' , 'settle, to 'leave it' and respond immediately when calling her name. And in order to get Silvie to focus on our walks is to use a higher reward treat (a yummier item) and eventually she will walk on a loose leash. Basically, what it comes down to is constant training and time and eventually Silvie will be on her way. Silvie and i both learned a lot and greatful for the sessions and will most likely continue with other sessions. Thank you Vicki!

Vicki is amazing and understands how to correctly train even the most stubborn of breeds…read more Vicki and Braveheart Dog Training was a recommendation from our vet. Beginning with great habits while they are puppies is optimal. We went from puppy class to intermediate clicker training to getting Nikkou CGC (Canine Good Citizen) trained! Shiba Inu's are known for their willful personalities but Nikkou loved Vicki and would complete each request for her. She taught ME how to gain the skill and the command so that behavior was kept over time. Owner skill and mood really does travel down the leash so ensure YOU are ready not just the dog. Plus, I have seen her take older or "problem" dogs and teach them socialization and great behavior. This is a MUST for owners who want to be out in public with their animal. Not just to learn how they are to behave but how to react when the other animal (okay mostly owners) that has no manners! Thanks Vicki for being a great part of Nikkou's development!!