I am writing a negative review about Metro Dog. I initially reached out to them for boarding because I am traveling for vacation week. About two or three weeks ago, they scheduled me for an initial assessment, where they would assess my dog and figure out the best place to put him. I told them my dog is very vocal but that is normal for his breed (hes a husky). The assessment went great, my dog did very well, and he stayed there for half a day. Additionally, I was told to get him the canine influenza vaccine, which I did. The week after, I scheduled him for doggy daycare to get him used to it. The visit went well. They told me that my dog did great. He was vocal at the beginning, but he settled in. I said great. Nothing else was said to the contrary. The week of my vacation, I check the portal. It said my dog was still on the boarding waitlist. I called to confirm that he would be boarded and checked to see if they saw his updated vaccine record. They placed me on hold for a while until the man who did the initial assessment came on. He informed me, much to my surprise, that since my dog is still anxious (he barks, which is his normal), they would not be able to board him until he has a few more visits. I am very disappointed at Metro Dog. I feel like my time and money were utterly wasted. I followed their protocol and got my dog used to this place, and they declined my boarding request at the last minute. I now have to scramble and see if I can find another boarder for vacation. I am also very disappointed at the lack of communication. If I had not called them to check, I would not have known that he was declined. I received no indication that he would not be able to board by Metro Dog. I wanted to love this place but I am so good on Metro Dog. I hope this review can help others and push this place to be more communicative, honest, and upfront with fellow clients and their fur babies. read more

So happy we found this place. It's a great place for dogs her buddy really enjoys it and it has been a good experience for social time and also looking forward to boarding when travel, great staff and location moderate prices. read more

Metro Dog - Pet Boarding Near Me - Richmond, California

I have been bringing my dog here for years! Staff is very attentive. My dog is always so excited to see them. I was on vacation and boarded my dog there recently. He got a little injured during his stay and they quickly took him to the vet, just to make sure he was ok. They also called me right away to let me know. I felt great that they were able to comfort him and take care of him, which made me a lot less worried while I was gone. Always happy to leave Mars with Metro Dog! read more

I've been taking my 3 month old puppy to Metro Dog since April to help him get socialized, and they've honestly been awesome. The staff is really understanding about my disability, which means a lot to me. Huge shoutout to Johanna and Jarrel for going out of their way to help me and make things easier. I know there's some staff I'm forgetting to shout out too, but I'll definitely be speaking highly about them as well. I definitely recommend this place read more

Ziggy is always so happy to go to Metrodog! All of the staff are friendly and caring. We boarded him there for a week during Thanksgiving and they took great care of him, including administering multiple medications for an infection. They were so professional, providing information about how he was doing throughout the week. We feel so grateful to have Metrodog in Ziggy's life! read more

Metro Dog - Ziggy - Pet Boarding Near Me - Richmond, California

Update from my last review: Metro Dog has truly been our saving grace. Our dog, Nina, has severe anxiety and has tried to escape our home more times than I can count--literally in the hundreds. She's chewed through walls, caused major damage to our house, and left us feeling overwhelmed and at a loss. We even reached a heartbreaking point where we thought we might have to put her down. Medications like Trazodone didn't help much, and things were getting really hard. That's when I started looking into dog daycares, even though options were limited since I live in Antioch. Thankfully, Metro Dog in Richmond is just five minutes from my job, so we gave it a shot. During her first temperament test, she did great and was accepted. I was definitely nervous at first--like a worried mom dropping her kid off at school--but the staff was amazing. They were honest and let me know that Nina had a few anxious moments early on (biting at walls and such), but that she was adjusting to the environment, the other dogs, and the structure of the day. Now, five months later, I can confidently say Nina is thriving. She's calmer, our home is no longer being destroyed, and we finally have peace of mind. The difference has been life-changing--not just for Nina, but for our whole family. The cherry on top? The morning and afternoon staff are always so sweet--not just to me, but genuinely caring and gentle with Nina. I see it every time I drop her off and pick her up. Thank you, Metro Dog, for all the love and hard work you put into what you do. It doesn't go unnoticed, and it means the world to us. read more

Metro Dog - Nina - Pet Boarding Near Me - Richmond, California

So far, I've only taken my dog 2x to Metro Dog: once for the initial assessment and the second time for dog daycare. Each time the staff has been wonderful. At the assessment, they took the time to discuss with me my dog's habits and any co concerns I may have about her interactions with other dogs. At the end of the assessment, they gave me a comprehensive breakdown of my dog's day: how she reacted with other dogs, recall, training, and overall social interaction. My dog placed in the speciality group. While I hoped my dog would place in the social group off the bat (she's a golden retriever after all), I appreciated that they were concerned with her being overwhelmed in a larger group and a specialty group limits her too much to handle exictedness. We recently took her for her first full day doggy day care day. She loved it. When I tell you she did not want to leave. While picking her up I received a quick summary of how her day went. They even helped facilitate a connection between me and another dog owner because our dogs became best friends. When I called back the next day, I asked for an update on how my dog did the day before. AJ gave me a complete breakdown of how her interactions went with other dogs. He even called me back after talking to the handler and gave me more details. While it can be a bit pricey, the quality of care makes it worth it (and a tired puppy). read more

Treats Us Like Family! We've been taking our dog Xavi to MetroDog for 6+ years now, and honestly, we couldn't imagine life without them. We take him for daycare weekly and boarding when we need it. Heading in or out of there, Xavi is all wags all the time! Diane, the owner, is incredible. The staff is always very friendly. From how they run things to trying to ensure pups and parents are happy. IMO they handled the pandemic incredibly well, considering so many human and animal health factors, keeping everything running smooth and helping us feel like we could always rely on them. They don't automatically accept every/any dog. Like child care, they want to ensure dogs are a good match, which I really appreciate and I think is vitally important. In short: MetroDog is the go-to. Try them at a minimum, love them at the max! read more

As an adult woman, I got a dog during the pandemic for companionship. I really didn't know how to raise this dog by myself and my neighbor told me about Metro Dog. How thankful I am.... They helped me get her socialize with other dogs. The best decision I made to take her to Metro Dog . Diane and her staff are wonderful. They are my Sophie's step parents . They are always accommodating at the last minute and I know my Sophie is in good hands . I highly recommend. read more

Metro Dog - Dog - Pet Boarding Near Me - Richmond, California

We had our dog, who was of an advanced age, cared for at Metro Dog this summer (2023). We were gone for several weeks and were pleased with the great care given by staff. We found that staff really enjoyed our dog, though the work was quite demanding. If you have an elderly dog, think of this good place. read more

Our little buddy, Sammy, has been visiting Metro Dog since Feb 2023. I recommend Metro Dog without reservation. Their model is unique, asking that families utilize day care in addition to boarding. For our rescue dog, it is critical that he builds on small successes with day care before staying overnight. He gets to know the handlers, they get to know and understand his quirks. We've casually talked to several handlers and they describe their fear-free techniques for managing these furry friends. At first, Sammy was anxious when we dropped him off and it tugged at my heart. When I bring him now his tail wags and he easily walks away with one of their lovely handlers (he's not just tied to one.) Also, unlike other boarding services, I never worry that I won't be able to reserve a spot. My observation is that they don't oversubscribe, so there is sufficient availability for day care and boarding spots. Excellent service, wonderful and caring team. I am grateful! read more

We impulsively got a new pup to start the new year, and realized how crucial it was to start socialization early with other dogs and to nip his separation anxiety in the bud. Once he was old enough to get his required vaccines we started our doggo in their puppy socialization program. Fast forward, we've noticed a huge difference. Number one, he's definitely worn out by the time we pick him up LOL. He gets sufficient play time during his stay. Number two, super glad his bite inhibition has improved and doesn't play too rough with our three year old nephew anymore (used to bite his hair). There's some things other dogs can "correct" better than we can. We also boarded him as me and my bf went away for one weekend, and got a brief update of how he was. Most importantly, he happily walks in when he gets dropped off, which is a good sign that he's being treated well by staff and enjoys his socialization play groups :-) read more

Metro Dog has been the perfect boarding option for my dog, Willow. She has some anxiety but does better when she is around other dogs while we are away. The staff at Metro Dog were incredibly thoughtful and intentional about assessing Willow's fit for the social program, and they always centered on what was most responsive to her needs. They guided me through a process to get her ready to be boarded with them, resulting in a successful boarding experience. Whether I have her in daycare or being boarded, I trust Metro Dog and their judgment about what will help her be most successful and comfortable, which keeps my mind at ease. read more

Metro Dog and Diane continue to be great resources in the East Bay positive-reinforcement dog pro community. I want to give Diane and Metro Dog props for setting the standard for professional, meticulous, and safe doggy daycare and boarding. Keep up the great work, y'all! read more

I was very impressed with the organization of their day care program. I have no reference as this was my first time enrolling my dog who is 3 years old in doggy day care... but thought that the initial assessment made sense, which was a 1 hour trial (which you pay for) and then approval to stay the rest of the half day for free if your dog does well with the initial trial. I was reassured by the carefulness of assessing new dogs to make sure everyone is safe. Easy to check in. Always parking on site. My dog seemed to enjoy it. On the whole, an excellent first daycare experience! We were only temporarily staying in town for a few weeks but everyone was super nice and accommodating. read more

This past December, our family got a puppy, my first dog EVER and I'm in my mid-30s. I wanted a mellow buddy and luck would have it, I got a tornado of high energy. I began taking my then 10-week old puppy to MetroDog's puppy socials and it was the first time I was able to get my crazy pup tired enough from all that play that I myself was able to sit and relax for an entire afternoon. I knew then I needed MetroDog to not only keep my sanity, but ensure my hyper pup got socialized, trained, groomed, and boarded whenever we went out of town. From January to March, she went almost every week for daycare or an overnight when we had to go out of town, Then COVID-19 happened and they had to close. We were stuck with a 5-month old pup who still needed to be socialized and began to develop separation anxiety due to the fact that shelter-in-place for us meant we pretty much never left home. I was frantically checking MetroDog's social media and website to see when they could offer services. I'd play fetch with my dog everyday for 45 minutes straight and go for 45-minute walks, on top of a couple extra hours of indoor play and training. Nothing tired her out enough to let me just sit and chill! Then MetroDog re-opened and I immediately contacted them to see if my dog could have a standing twice-weekly reservation for daycare. Since we aren't eating out as much, traveling, buying clothes, using gas, or getting haircuts, we wanted to help support a business we care about that has been absolutely essential to us raising a dog. The days she is there, we get a lot of work done, our backs hurt less since we can sit for a bit, and we can run most of our errands. Our dog comes home happy from all the play and she sleeps so good at night! It's helped the family's stress level since she is so high energy and all the dog parks are closed. Plus, I know she will be safe there since the dogs are always supervised and given plenty of rest breaks. Take your dog to them if you are able to. Diane and Lia at MetroDog are wonderful people and this institution could use all the extra help at this time. As I said, since we aren't spending much anywhere else, we see MetroDog as an investment in our puppy's development and well-being and ultimately a reprieve for the family. MetroDog is part of our furry family! read more

Metro Dog - Our well-behaved girl after coming home from MetroDog - Pet Boarding Near Me - Richmond, California

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Metro Dog is a serious lifesaver for our girl. Our poor baby was so sick as a puppy and missed much of her critical socialization window, but I think coming to MD as a young puppy at least helped with her dog to dog socialization skills. My only non-pro is that it seems to be a bit of a black box when you drop off your dog -- I wish we could receive video footage or feedback of how she's getting along during daycare. But I think they are a bit understaffed and do a really great job. Our girl is always so excited to come here and doesn't hesitate to rush inside when we drop her off, lol. read more

Hello, my name is Lorie.. and I'm an ex pet care provider. I've worked in dog rescue and my previous dog was... "special". I am not typically trusting of doggie daycare type places bc I had, had experience with lots of Difficult dogs, and most importantly, daycares that didn't understand the various personalities that dogs could have in a variety of situations. I was in the process of adopting my newest dog, Tommy, like any neurotic pet parent - I wanted to make sure that my puppy was getting properly socialized and burning the endless energy that puppies, Belgian Malinois puppies in particular, tend to have. I have to admit I was a bit rude at the onset because I was so nervous that MetroDog would not meet my ridiculously high standards. The first thing I noticed, their prices were reasonable! (People don't understand how difficult of a job working with dogs is, keeping them safe, grooming them etc can be - it's exhausting and really physically demanding)! Second, this place was a FORT (in the BEST way!!!). There was NO WAY these dogs could escape, or get out in a bad situation that couldn't be safely contained! Safety was a priority!! Third: they clearly have experience with lots of breeds and personalities! It's really had to not find some sort of breed restrictive place. Specifically with bully breeds... Pits are my first love, and it's awesome that they create opportunities for brand ambassadors! Also, Malinois, while there is a lot of them around - not many people have exposure and experience to them. MetroDog does! Fourth: I love that there is someone there always... when I got my dog.. Life got crazy.. my boyfriend and I only have one car, and sometimes Stuff happens. I know with MetroDog.. he's safe, secure, and loved on.. Fifth: my mal loves this place.. he loses his damn mind when we pull up.. drags me to the door and assaults the staff with love, forgets about me, and has a blast. They take great notes on how his day went and he comes home exhausted.. Sixth: my dog has some physical limitation - The owner stopped my boyfriend during pick up and talked to him about it. It's been amazing to have a set of eyes on him, that ensures his health is a priority. I can't tell people enough that they have been essential in easing my stress and anxiety in raising my pup! They say it take a village to raise a dog.. and metro dog is my village and tribe. Seventh: were using their dog walking services and can't wait to start Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for Tommy! We love Metro and we're so grateful for you! read more

Metro Dog - Post day at @metroDog - Pet Boarding Near Me - Richmond, California

I want to applaud the staff at Metrodog. My 8.5 month-old Louie has grown up so much since spending afternoons in your care. He seems more calm and confident and his outgoing nature is being rewarded with all of you and the doggies! I appreciate our partnership. It really does take a village. read more

This place rules!!!! We recently started bringing our pup Tiny Dinky Daffy here and it's been a lifesaver! A great place for your puppy to get socialized and stay while you are away on weekends. Lovely family owned business and the entire staff is so knowledgeable and clearly loves what they do! The orientation process is super helpful and you learn a lot about your fur baby! Keyon is a dog whisperer! We just boarded our pup for the first time for 3 nights and they were so great and sent us an update! I always ask way too many questions and they are so accommodating! I really love this place :) read more

Metro Dog - Daffy enjoying himself at Metro dog - Pet Boarding Near Me - Richmond, California

Metro Dog is great! We've been sending our dog here for a little less than a year (occasional boarding and daycare), and we couldn't be happier. In the beginning, our dog (Echo) had to return a few times to determine if she would be a good fit. As we moved through the assessment process, we got updates about Echo's progress, where she was struggling, and things she did well. Keyon shared a wealth of knowledge and answered every single question we had. Since then, it's continued to be a breeze! I often find myself emailing with Svea, who is always kind and helpful with scheduling visits and sharing updates when requested. The Metro Dog team has consistently been patient with Echo, and they always seem happy to see her (which is a big ask because she has a LOT of nervous energy). We're very thankful for Metro Dog helping us learn a bit more about our dog and giving her a safe and fun space away from home! Highly recommend :) read more

I am so grateful for Metrodog. My rescue pup has severe separation anxiety and metro dog has been my saving grace. I love that it's based on behavior and they really work to make sure that the dogs are happy and safe, not super stressed or overwhelmed. Would highly recommend for anyone read more

I've passed by MetroDog many times over the years but have never used it until we got Clara, who is very attached to me and barks incessantly when she doesn't know where I am. We've started her on a behavioral health supplement to address this, but so far have not noticed much of a change. She barks when left at home alone or in the car alone. This means we can't leave her w/ our friends who loved and looked after Jordin when we went away. Two of my friends wrote glowing reviews for MetroDog. Clara and I stopped by a couple of weeks ago. We met w/ Lia, who was warm and friendly. Clara liked her. Lia explained the process of application and assessment. I went home, pulled up the website, printed out the boarding application form and filled it out. I brought it back and the patient young woman explained that there were other forms to fill out first. She gave me copies and I took them home. The questions were detailed and complete, very thorough, giving a clear sense of Clara's temperament and preferences. I brought them back later than I had intended because we lost Amber in the midst of the process. When I brought them back Lia was extremely flexible about scheduling an assessment visit so we could have it before our planned trip. They divide their dogs into small, medium and large and w/in those categories by energy level. Clara was assigned to the large mellow group. She spent 5 hours there and did very well. We're thinking we may leave her for half a day's day care once or twice a week to give her socialization and exercise as well as time away from me. She spent another 5 hours there today. It was quieter, w/ fewer dogs, but she was fine. We will board her there for three days next week while we are visiting the Monterey Peninsula. Our experience so far has been entirely positive. They have clear rules and expectations for both people and dogs and I really appreciate that clarity. read more

Finally took my pup for an assessment , after waiting six months for an appointment. The guy that came to discuss and assess my dog. He described their processes. I asked lots of questions. I also informed him that if there were any issues to contact me ASAP . Well low and behold the assessment was about 4 hours . He explained that my dog was jo kite anxious than any usual dog that was left there first time in an unfamiliar environment.My dog loves to play with other dogs abs found it a red flag when they mentioned he didn't play with any dogs. He explained that he was more connected to the female workers and hadn't been around males . Well although I found this a strange comment. I just brushed it off. Now the minute my dog got in the car ,I gave him water . He drank it like he hadn't had any water for days. I was like WT?! Again brushed it off but thought damn like you didn't give my dog any water ?! We get home I feed him . Then he's not his usually self I touch him and he jumped a sign of abuse .. I start to check and touch his eye and he jumps checking his eye further it was bruised . Now I'm pissed and how the hell did that happen. I called that place and blasted them . I sent them and email and blasted them there too. I received some BS excuse. I realized that I got my pup from an males and he was around gay males his early start of life so I call BS To his theory. Dogs go on energy and he didn't like his and maybe he didn't like that. With that I say SEEK some therapy !!!! I noticed there are only good reviews on yelp and probably all the bad ones have been removed. Do yourself a favor ? Check googles reviews..I believed all the reviews on this platform. I told a friend and she looked them up and these negative reviews were available. I missed that. First time and a day care and now afraid given this experience. read more

I've been taking my 9 month old puppy here twice a week for the past month for a 1/2 day. She begins barking in excitement the moment she sees where we are and continues to bark in excitement even as I walk away, temporarily forgotten by her. Clearly if she didn't have a good time she'd be pulling and trying to get away not not go inside. I CAN BARELY HOLD HER BACK so she's happy to be there! She is always tired and content when I pick her up and my communications with the staff (both email and in person) have been superb. I'm happy to have found them! read more

The team at Metro Dog are amazing. They have been a part of our family for over 8 years. Metro Dog helps us with private boarding since our girl Kani needs special care. She's so loving and gentle to us but is not a fan of other dogs. The Metro Dog staff have taken wonderful care of Kani. She is always happy when we pick her up. It's great to having grooming services completed before we pick her up too. Thanks Metro Dog! read more

We've been using Metrodog for about a year, for daycare and occasional overnight. We appreciate the knowledgeable and kind staff and all the extra services offered. Highly recommend Metrodog! -HK Woof woof, woof! Ruff rrrruf! XXX Kyshka read more

Diane is the worst. She takes things personally instead of being professional. If she treats clients who pay a lot of money to have their dogs go there terribly, I can't imagine how anyone would feel comfortable leaving their dog there. 2 stars because her staff is actually pleasant. Shame on the ownership. Definitely not the profession this unstable lady should be in! read more

Metro Dog is a fabulous community resource with great personal service at any hour. They have taken care of our dog for years with professionalism and concern for the individual needs of each pet. They even have special outings that seem to reinforce good behavior - our dog seems to come back healthy and happy. Diane (owner) is a lovely resource and advocate for animals. Great people and good value. read more

The owner Diane Livoti is not customer focused and is very unprofessional. Does not know how to handle simple customer concerns in a professional way. Instead, quickly gets vindictive and childishly tries to insult and berate. While the staff of Metrodog may be pleasant for day-to-day, simple situations, they're overall poorly trained and it's clear that Diane's poor customer facing attitude sets the tone for how the staff addresses customers that raise concerns. They're more interested in becoming confrontational than listening to concerns and learning from them, or in finding a middle ground to have an adult conversation. read more

Years ago I lived in Oakland with a new service dog puppy. Your facility offered a free puppy play group on Sunday which we gratefully attended. Your staff was calm,  knowledgeable and polite and taught me how to observe and redirect problematic behaviors before they became habits. My life and my puppy's life was made better by their guidance. Now many years and many puppy's later I find myself sharing stories of your facility, trainers and puppy play group.  Your teachings have traveled with me and have been well received whenever shared. Thank you so much for what you do. read more

I was skeptical of Metro dog at first, but the first thing I did was come for the Sunday tour of the facility. After the tour, I decided that it might be a good place for my dog, so I emailed them for an assessment date. NOTE: They were very responsive to my first e-mail, but any subsequcent was either never answered. I tried to ask them in person my questions, but then they told me to e-mail them.... which they never answered. Pros: Honest - Metro Dog will be honest with you about how your dog did at their daycare. If they had any issues, they will let you know. Patience - My dog had some weird issues, but Metro Dog was willing to try different things to help my dog adjust better at daycare. ALYSSA - she was a very detailed and friendly person. I really loved Alyssa. She bonded and worked really well with my dog. The days that Alyssa wasn't there, my dog didn't do so well. Cons: Poor E-mail Communication Response - After my first e-mail, none of my e-mails were ever answered. =( No Follow up - They told me they would have their dog walker e-mail me. Never got a e-mail and they never followed up on it. Between that and not answering my e-mails, this got very frustrating. I just have to say once more that I'm so frustrated with their e-mail communication. I try to talk to them in person about my dog's issues. But they are usually super busy with other dogs, attending to other customers/dogs, answering phones, and other duties that it's really hard to talk to them at the site. But e-mailing them doesn't seem work either. In the end, my dog was let go because he was too difficult. But they offered to set me up with a dog walker (but they never got back to me about it). Overall: I would recommend MetroDog as I feel they run a great doggy daycare. But the lack of communication is a big issue for me. read more

Our dog stayed there while we were out of town. I called to check up on him because they offer no other form of communication to see if your dog is ok. They had said he escaped his crate at night a few nights prior. I got no call or anything! Had I not called I don't think I would have ever found out. Then I asked if they could give him a special treat , and if they could send me a picture of him. He seemed to be having a hard time adjusting and we wanted to see he was doing ok. I was told yes but no picture ever came, nor did I ever find out if he got his treat. I doubt he did because nothing was ever charged to my card. Worst of all though was when we picked him up. No one said anything about his stay or how he was doing. Only when we got home did we realize he had cracked his tooth so bad that when we took him to the vet they said he had to be extracted!!!!!!!! Honestly I'm just sad that we left him with such bad care. They seem like they're super careful and thorough but they proved not to be. read more

My dog loves going to Metro Dog for the day or for longer. He has benefited from their social program and from having "rest time" and "play time" throughout the day. I have been continually impressed with every staff member I have met. read more

This review is for MetroDog's Saturday Morning Small Dog Play Group, * A well spent HAPPY-HOUR between 10am-11am!! * Non aggressive dogs that want to play with each other or with a toy or whatever their little hearts desire. * HUGE INDOOR Play Yard= Clean & FUN!! Great Exercise! * Small dogs play differently then big dogs. They need a safe place to run and play and MetroDog believes in exactly that! * Conveniently located on Pierce Street near Central Avenue. In back of the Valero Gas Station, Very close to the Pacific East Mall. LOTS of FREE street parking. * Security front door with buzz entry. TRIPLE gated play room. * Previously, Trainer(2) supervised play. Thank you Leah for all her guidance & observing my girls progress. From totally disinterested in play the first few months to PLAY PLAY PLAY!!! Now she knows how to be a DOG!! * Clean up tools provided. In addition, Purell Sanitizer dispensers are smartly located through out their facility. * It's a REAL FIND!!! Happiness Joy Joy!!! :) * Thank you MetroDog Owners & Leah for this wonderful opportunity! * MetroDog is a Woman Owned Business!! Side notes: * MetroDog also has a great variety of FUN class' (tricks,agility,etc) & Training (leash walking, good manners, etc), daycare & boarding, Check out their website. * Might make you smile:) The boy dogs pee on the fire hydrant that is painted on the wall outside, silly little dogs! Okay, so I'm easily entertained by the 4 paw!!! THANK YOU METRO DOG! read more

Our last large dog had separation anxiety and our trainer had recommended Metro Dog back in early 2016. Having her with them meant that she was safe and happy when we were at work, out of town, etc. The staff really pay attention to dog behaviors and body language and interactions, all of which are critical to keep all the dogs happy. We had previously used two other dog daycare facilities in Oakland which did not set up all the dogs for success or keep everyone safe (for example, because there were too many dogs with a single staff person, or just because the staff did not track the body language of the dogs in their care enough). That has made the drive through commute hour traffic from and back to Oakland every weekdays SO worth it. Additionally, the staff so clearly adore and bond with the dogs in their care, which means they can often share sweet stories with specifics about how our dog played during the day on the days she did (which was not an every day thing). read more

4.5 stars! This place is super convenient for me and I brought my dogs here for the first time last week. This was also the first time they had ever been boarded - my two dogs who think they are humans. The staff here was very helpful. I had my primary consultation with one of the owners and she definitely knows her way around animals. I liked that the questions they asked were geared towards the animals experience (are my dogs a good fit) and not just trying to sell their services. I called in several times during the day my dogs were boarded and most of the time, I got the answering machine, but when I finally got someone on the phone, she was very helpful and receptive in giving me feedback on my dogs first day at day care - I believe I spoke with one of the other owners. Knowing my dogs, the observations they made were spot on. The only negatives .... my dogs got fleas so I had to give them a bath right away. Also - I have 2 dogs and there isn't a second dog discount. They have the bulk discount card where you get some percentage off tiered on how much you pay up front, but there is an expiration on it. I think you have to use it with in 6 months. Although I doubt I wouldn't use it during that time, I don't like the idea of having to use it ... especially when in the state of California, gift cards / coupons can't expire. read more

Woohoo! As good as it gets! And, if I could rate this place with more stars I would.. Metro Dog rocks! it's just that simple. Our dog Dallas loves Metro dog. It's basically a second home for her. I never worry when I board her and leave for a trip because I know that if something happens the owners of Metro Dog and/or staff will take the necessary steps to maintain her health, safety, and well-being. Allison, Diane and the Metro Dog staff go above and beyond for the dogs entrusted in their care. When we first adopted our dog, a Kelpie/Sharpei mix, she had been rescued from a dog pound and then fostered by many people. Needless to say, she was a little unsure of her new life. She had some separation anxiety and we didn't know what type of training she had undergone. Diane's calm energy soothed Dallas and it was a huge gift to have the amazing community at Metro Dog welcome her to her new life. We immediately enrolled our dog in doggy day care 5 days a week for doggy socialization and signed her up for the basic training class with Allison. Within a few weeks our dog's separation anxiety began to dissipate and Allison was amazing with her. It was so cool because in working with Allison, Dallas showed us the training she had previously been taught. Allison spoke her language and helped us understand our dog more. Beyond that, when I leave town I let my dog have her experience because she has a life beyond me. When I return, I take initiative to ask the staff how her stay went and if there's anything I need to know. They always have notes to report back on how she behaved. For example, on one occasion when my partner picked up our dog one of the staff members reported that our dog fully enjoyed the kiddie pools in the play yard and really made use of them. I find the reports to be a special touch as well as helpful in measuring how far our dog has come and what we may currently need to work on. If Dallas, smells "doggy-esque" when I pick her up, I chalk it up to her having a fantastic time and I bathe her when I get home. I also take advantage of their grooming services and have her bathed and her nails clipped on the day I return. It makes bringing her home a breeze. I mean lets face it, dogs will be dogs, and I know my dog likes to roll in stinky stuff. The stinkier the better. I find it a common trait with most dogs. I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. In short, Metro Dog rocks and I'm so grateful to have found them. read more

Metro Dog - Dallas Salas loves Metro Dog! - Pet Boarding Near Me - Richmond, California

Metro Dog Kaela loves staying there. They are great to her and I never worry about her being there. read more

Metro Dog - Kaela wearing her Santa Suit - Pet Boarding Near Me - Richmond, California

We (and the pup) love Metro Dog! We're too lucky to have Metro Dog so close by. In fact, when we moved, we made sure we found a place not too far from Metro Dog because we wouldn't want to have to find another place to take our little guy for occasional day care (once or twice a month) and boarding. Our pup was a little hesitant for our first visit (evaluation) over 2 years ago, but since then he hasn't had any problems. He starts wagging his tail like crazy when we get close to Metro Dog, and once off the car, he bunny-hops to the door to be let in. He then runs inside to the staff who all seem to know him by name and gives them kisses. When we go to pick him up, we almost never have to ask for him by name. As soon as we walk in, the staff know which dog we're picking up, and I think that's fantastic. We run into the owner and the staff on our walks in the neighborhood and at dog parks from time to time, and our little guy always runs towards them to greet them. I think it's evident that he's well taken care of at Metro Dog. The hours at Metro Dog are great: 6am - 9pm every day! Also, they actually have people there overnight with the doggies. You'd be surprised that a lot of boarding places don't have attendants overnight. Be sure to ask! I've heard that people at another facility tell people not to worry about the lack of overnight supervision because the fire station is just across the street! !!!???!!! We understand that not everyone will love Metro Dog. People have different opinions and different expectations. (Hey, there are people who actually don't like Berkeley Bowl!!) From our own experience, however, we think Metro Dog is definitely worth a try. We love to take our dog wherever we go, but there are times when it's just not feasible to take him along. He's not a dog who can just stay in the car (and we would NEVER EVER do that!) or stay in the crate in a hotel room. He needs lots of playtime and he loves people and other dogs. Metro Dog is perfect for him and for us. P.S. Check out the classes. We've taken classes from a couple of the instructors/trainers (outside of Metro) and they're great. read more

Metro Dog - Loki gives it a paw up! - Pet Boarding Near Me - Richmond, California

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