Our dog Max started going out with Having a Ball during the 2020 shelter in place. In the early days, the service was great and Max was happy. Unfortunately, we have had many issues with this company and recently moved Max to another company. Overview of main issues: - Inconsistent schedule, different walkers showing up daily to pick Max up - They use personal cars which are not large enough for 6 dogs to be comfortable. - I regularly saw a dog sitting in the front passenger seat when they would come to pick up Max - this is very unsafe, especially since they are driving from Sausalito to Petaluma on Hwy 101. - Many times on hot days, Max would come home and his fur would be hot to the touch and he would be panting excessively. This made us question whether or not all of the personal vehicles used to transport dogs have functioning AC. - In August, our home alarm was set off twice by the walkers. Both times, Max was in the house with the alarm wailing for an extended period of time. - One day at 6 PM, Max was not home from his walk and we started to get very concerned. Multiple texts and calls went unanswered. Eventually, we learned that a dog had run away earlier that day and all of the walkers were trying to find it. We later learned that our dogs did not get a walk that day- so essentially, Max spent many hours crammed in a car - and we were charged for the walk (!) After this incident, we expected an official communication from the company acknowledging what happened and details on processes being implemented to ensure appropriate communication in the event of a future emergency. Even after discussing this with Richard, no communication was forthcoming. We are left to assume that there is no process in place. - The company stopped offering trail hikes and transitioned to ranch outings as of 10/1/2020. The ranch outings are more expensive and are advertised as being 2 hours. Max wears a GPS - his ranch outings have not been 2 hours (see picture below - at ranch from 1:05 - 1:59). Our estimation is most days in October he spent at least 3 hours in the car for pick up/drop off of other dogs. - The final straw was when a complete stranger showing up to pick up Max on Friday 10/22 - we were not notified that there was a new employee. We have a lockbox - it was highly concerning that we weren't notified and introduced to this new person. To this date, I never received a response to my last email outlining our concerns. read more

Having A Ball! - Pet Sitting Near Me

Moxie, our 2 year old Golden has been "having a ball" since December of last year. She loves her time out with her friends - both human & dog! Live others, she gets so excited when the car pulls up...her whole body wags with joy. She comes home happily tired out & looking forward to the next day's adventures. I can't recommend Having a Ball highly enough. Their staff are wonderful & I can't be happier. read more

My six month old miniature poodle, Frankie, has attended the ranch outings for two weeks now. He is having fun, being socialized and loving all his new canine friends! The staff are great and very caring! I appreciate the attention they give my pup! read more

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Richard and the team are incredible and I highly recommend them. We have two energetic mini Australian shepherds, and we have had them attend the day outings during the work week as well as relied on them to board our dogs while we're away for years now. We can trust their team to take great care of our dogs, so we don't have to worry about them while we're at work or traveling. We feel comfort knowing that they're in capable and responsible hands. We've never had any issues with this team, and only have great things to say about them. They clearly understand dogs and how they operate. Our dogs are always excited to see people from Having a Ball! when they get picked up, and always return tired and happy from all the exercise and mental stimulation. It really feels like it's their second home, and I think the dogs manners have improved as well with their time at Having a Ball. I care a lot about who I trust to take care of my dogs, and have done a ton of research. Use Having a Ball! There is no better team in Marin for your dog. read more

If you read my previous reviews of dog care providers, you'll see I'm as careful in choosing them as I'd be in selecting day care for my child. With so much invested in the relationship, every past transition has only been the result of a relocation by either myself or the provider. And that's how my dog & I came to "Having a Ball!" HaB! is every bit as excellent as those previous dog care services, and brings an additional strength: the size of team. Yes, Raymond is truly outstanding... but I'm confident that everyone who handles my pet is a consummate professional -- and there's always someone available, even for last-minute requests. 100% satisfaction + 0 complaints = 1 very happy dog. If you're reading this because you're in need of pet care services, I strongly urge you to call Having a Ball! read more

Raymond has been not only walking, but training and boarding our two dogs for over 3 years. After a horrible experience with the female owner of another business in which I was in tears as I picked up my dogs from her after boarding and my little guy was so knotted he needed to be completely shaven, it was hard to trust again. Raymond has become family and I cannot give enough praise to his professionalism and care he gives to our furry babies!!! read more

If you want a company with great values and a personal touch, this is it! Raymond at Having a Ball! helped me out and was so kind and patient. I trust the team to go the extra mile and offer the care pet owners would hope for. Thank you!!! read more

I have been a client of Having a ball for nearly two years now. My Bernedoodle Wesley absolutely loves Having a Ball! Aside from being great with my fuzzy pal, they are professional and communicative with me. After going out with Paul and the crew for a couple weeks I started to notice my "willful" puppy become more obedient. He also learned how to interact with other dogs which made walking him off and on leash so much more enjoyable! In addition to having a great time with his dog friends, Wesley's good behaviors get reinforced and his negative behaviors are expertly corrected by the Having a Ball staff. I am so grateful to have a dog walking company that I can always count on! read more

My dog actually screams with joy when he gets picked up for his walk. Even though I am working from home, my dog still gets his doggie social time with HAB. He loves it so much! The team is amazing and so great with dogs. read more

I can't say enough good things about Having a Ball!, but I'll try to narrow it down to my top 3: 1.) They are trustworthy and passionate about the wellbeing and development of your dog. 2.) They're great communicators - whether it's daily updates about your dog during daycare or being flexible with scheduling, they are available and prompt. 3.) They provide an enriching, fun experience for your dog, which in turn, makes a happy family dog. I highly recommend Having a Ball! to anyone looking for dog care! read more

This was my lucky day! Basha had been highly recommended but I had never needed a "dog walker". Time came and I called them. They provide off leash walking and Dollie enjoyed everyday! Paul would often return her after I left the house, I never had a worry! Dollie was always ready for a nap and was a happy girl. They are easy to reach by phone and very accommodating with times. I actually think Dollie minds better off leash since she walked with Paul!!! Read other reviews, they say it all! read more

Raymond and Susan and the Having a Ball crew are absolutely wonderful. We moved to Marin in December and my top concern was making sure Riley had a full-time playgroup where she could go out and play with other dogs on weekdays, expend some crazy labrador energy, and feel happy in her environment. From Day 1 this has been a terrific experience for her - and for us! The moment she met Raymond and the team, she was comfortable. My husband and I work a lot and getting my daily text showing Riley's smiling face with her doggie friends, makes my day! It's also great to see that there is some consistency/familiarity as far as the dogs Riley plays with each day. They all look to be having a great time. Raymond also took great care of Riley when we went away for a few days. I highly recommend Having a Ball for anyone who loves their dog, and is looking for a fun and loving playgroup. Alison read more

I cannot think of enough wonderful things to say about Having a Ball. Raymond and Susan have become like family to us and our dogs. Raymond has been taking care of our dogs for over 3 years now. The team from Having a Ball has done everything from helping with training, overnight boarding and flexible schedules. Raymond is a true a Dog Whisperer, including helping us with our German Shepherd's aggressive style and each suggestion has worked perfectly. Every time our dogs come home from their walks and hikes, they are ALWAYS happy and tired. I 100000% strongly recommend Having a Ball for dog walking! read more

I love these people! But, my dog loves them more!! My 2-1/2 year old golden retriever, Lily, has been going out with Basia, Raymond or Paul five days a week for almost two years now. She eagerly waits for one of them to come pick her up and take her out for an adventure. She always comes home tired and happy. I love when Basia sends me photos while they are out playing, Lily always has that wonderful golden smile on her face. read more

If I could give more than five stars, I would. Basia, Raymond and Paul are nothing short of extraordinary. They have been caring for, because they are so much more than dog walkers, our two blacks labs for about a year and a half now. Our older lab is coming on 13 and our youngest is now one-year, but has been with them since he was a puppy. Where do I start? They treat your dogs like their own: taking care of their unique needs, loving on them, help with training, send you pictures and videos and are just genuinely dog-lovers. I have changed my schedule SO many times on Basia and not once, in over 18 months did they miss a beat! She is so easy to coordinate with and manages our crazy lives flawlessly. She has taken our pups over weekends and longer periods of time while we were traveling and even come by in the evenings to feed and walk the dogs when we couldn't make it home. I couldn't ask for a better care taker to make you feel confident your dogs are well taken care of. The walks are on or off-leash (however you prefer) on the beautiful trails of Marin county. On a daily basis I am truly jealous of my dogs' life! I couldn't recommend Having a Ball more highly! Love, love, love them! read more

I highly recommend Having A Ball! for daycare. I have known Raymond for years and he has such a great way of handling dogs, even the most shut-down dogs trust him. His calm demeanor sets the the tone for his pack. read more

Having A Ball! IS "as good as it gets". Basia is the epitome of a professional, responsible, and loving caregiver, and for that reason I have entrusted my beloved Golden Retriever, Lucy, to Basia's daycare and boarding service for several years now. I am extremely concerned about every aspect of Lucy's physical and emotional well-being, and knowing that she is with Basia while I am at work gives me complete peace of mind. And Basia's professionalism and concern aren't restricted only to the four-legged clients -- she is wonderful about communicating clearly and regularly, discussing health concerns, and adding considerate touches like leaving the porch light and interior lights on so that Lucy and I are not in the dark -- in any regard -- at the end of a long workday. Having A Ball! is simply the best. -Terri T., San Rafael read more

Raymond is THE best and he will accommodate your schedule and your dogs. We have difficult dogs and difficult schedules and he just works with us. He knows what he is doing with dogs, he is very patient and the THE best. read more

Basia has been Shadow's primary dog walker/dog sitter for years. She absolutely loves all of her dogs and takes care of all of her guests as if they are her own. Shadow (Golden Retriever) loves his outings and we always know that he is in good hands. Basia always sends pictures and updates from their adventures. Basia trained Shadow to be a good listener and also trained us to be good dog owners. We trust Basia 100% read more