I've boarded my Aussie, Lucy, at Desjardins for both short and extended stays over the years, and I…read morecouldn't recommend them more. Kevin and Sara are wonderful, and their beautiful, spacious property is perfect for an energetic dog like Lucy. Before her first stay, they gave us a tour of the property and had Lucy complete a daycare trial, which gave me so much confidence. One of my favorite moments has been running into some of the staff on our walks. Lucy gets so excited and runs right up to them, which says everything about how well she's cared for there. I've also referred family friends, and they've all had great experiences. Desjardins is a place I trust completely, and I know Lucy is always happy and well cared for.

Our dog has been going to Desjardins for a few years now he barks all the time when he is left…read morealone when he is there for the day he feels like its his second family he has his own perch top of couch and gets attention from everyone

We have a beautiful Chesapeak Bay Retriever who is 9. We recently rescued him but he had had little…read moretraining. He has bitten other people but not with us. We were afraid we wouldn't get anyone to understand his situation and board him. Shannon was up to the challenge! She put me at ease immediately! She sent me videos while we were gone. We really didn't worry about him at all. I was in tears when I knew we'd have to board him because he is so sensitive. He came back to us well adjusted and happy. This meant the world to me! I also loved the wide open kennels. All very clean and inviting. Thank you Shannon..we will definitely be using your services again and letting our friends know how amazing this place is.

We've had really great experiences boarding our large breed dog here. She's a big, high-energy dog…read morewho still thinks she's a puppy, loves water, and always wants attention--and she absolutely loves coming here. They have indoor kennels and outdoor options, and the dogs get plenty of playtime with lots of space to run. Our dog especially loves playing with the hose or her water bowl, and Shannon happily indulges our pup in one of her favorite things. The best sign for us is how excited she gets when we take her. The minute we turn onto the street she knows where she's going and starts getting excited in the car. Dogs are great judges of character, so that tells us a lot. Everything is also very clean and well kept. When we pick her up she's happy, relaxed, and clearly well cared for. We've even added a bath before pickup and she always comes home clean and happy. It's really reassuring to have a place where we know she's getting lots of attention, playtime, and good care while we're away. Highly recommend Mama Shannon's Dog Lodge‍

Holly is a wonderful trainer and helped us train our rescue dog. It turns out that under our dog's…read morehyper, energetic exterior is an extremely trainable and eager-to-please pup! We wouldn't have recognized that and known what to do with it if it weren't for Holly. We initially started seeing Holly because my doctor recommended I look into training my dog as a service dog. My doctor recommended Holly as a reputable trainer, as she's heard positive feedback about Holly from other patients. I reached out to Holly, we discussed goals, then did virtual training sessions over FaceTime over the course of a few months. From the very first session, Holly's guidance was leading us to great results. Our dog used to pull like crazy for entire walks, but now she's much more polite. It has made walking her much more enjoyable, and now we bring her way more places. What sets Holly apart is that she doesn't just resort to one strategy to train a dog - she pivots to new ideas if the initial approach doesn't work. For example, when training my dog to not jump at other dogs on walks, Holly had the creative idea to sit 25 yards from a PetSmart entrance and practice "leave it" so my dog could practice disengaging with other dogs from afar. In regards to service dog training, Holly has an empathetic and motivated approach to ensuring both dog and handler work well together. I felt very comfortable communicating with her about everything!

We recently adopted a 4 month-old Lab-Shepherd, Lily, from AFRP and wanted one-on-one training for…read moreher. Holly, the owner of My K-9's Mind Dog Training, is fantastic - great with dogs, great with people and amazing with people & their dogs. She came to our house and we worked inside with Lily. When Lily was doing well training was moved outside. My wife and Lily also went on a couple hikes with Holly and her dog for additional training. Lily is doing so well and so are we! She also does group classes, search and rescue games as well as some other unique services. If you're in the Salinas or 68 Corridor area I recommend giving her a call.

A few months ago, we hired OffLeash K9 through their "Board and Train" program, for our Cane Corso…read morepuppy. At that time, he was around 7 months old. At the time I signed the training services agreement, there was zero mention of the use of an electronic training collar as part of the program. Additionally, it is not clearly described or disclosed on the OffLeash K9 website that they utilize these collars as a part of the training-- they use vague language to refer to their practices, including the use of "safe and effective methods", but no concrete examples or definitions. I did not discover that they were planning to use an electronic (shock) collar until well after I paid the $2790 for the training program, I should add. Learning this information gave me pause, and I considered cancelling the training, as I had learned through my own professional experience that positive reinforcement training is more effective to achieve results for dogs than punishment-based training. Nonetheless, I was told and encouraged by the trainer (Izzy) that this method was safe, and would not cause injury. Upon return to me after the 2 weeks, my puppy had injuries around his neck which the trainer referred to as "hot spots". The trainer informed me that it was simply due to "irritation" from the collar. The trainer stated at the time of return that our dog was "stubborn", and "slow to learn". Being a Registered Veterinary Technician, I took him home, and I shaved and cleaned the wounds around his neck, in order to better visualize the area. It was immediately clear that he had painful, necrotic pressure wounds around his neck (see photos). I administered first aid, and consulted a veterinarian colleague for further instruction. I am relieved to report that his injuries healed without the need for more invasive treatment--however, those pressure wounds are not a "normal" result of the use of electronic collars. That occurs when the collar is left in place for too long, and is fitted too tightly. This was a direct result of the misuse of the training collar by the trainer. Subsequently, our dog was fearful of the collar, and, understandably, would refuse to allow us to place it on him. He demonstrated very little obedience as a result of his training, despite our attempts to follow up with his training as directed, and he appeared more anxious than he was prior to the program. Both personally and professionally, I was left disappointed and concerned by this program, and certainly would not recommend it to any of my friends or associates. I question its validity, if management is using and supporting dubious communications, and condoning harmful practices. I have extensive connections in the veterinary medical community of the Central Coast and Bay Area, after an almost 20-year career as a senior veterinary nurse, and I have been vehemently opposing and advocating against this he use of OffLeash K9. I have dissuaded clients from acquiring their services. Furthermore, I strongly suggest that trainer Izzy of Salinas be investigated for misconduct, and potentially animal neglect. My intention in sharing this feedback is to make the community of pet owners, whom I love and humbly serve, aware of the adverse effects of this training program.

Having had previous success for dog training it was without a doubt to choose Central Coast: Off…read moreLeash K9 train to train our young dog. Miguel was very patient and skillful in handling our Maltese. Mugi returned to us confident and receptive to basic commands. We were amazed that Mugi walked off leash so obediently! We recommend CC OLK9 and Miguel and found the two week board and train program a great way to train and expand socialization to our dog.

A very cool place. They train dogs here. Lots of them. In German. It is a sight to see on a…read moreSaturday morning. Even if you don't have a dog you can come to watch how they train, and pick up great tips for when you do get a dog. Located in Corralitos, it is a bit of a haul to get here. Probably 30-40 from Santa Cruz and 15 or so from Aptos. The training is done on a large field that has a full obstacle course. Plenty of room for 70-100 dogs at a time. There is a lot of repetition in the training which is just what you would expect. We don't take our dog here, our parents do and they love it. We go to watch and see the dogs. It is a great experience. The trainers are competent and humorous and engaging. They care about you and your pet. One final note, we saw some puppy magic last time here. A dog who just was freakin out about laying down. Yelping and nippy and upset. Willful...not willing. The trainer stopped the class and worked gently and patiently with the dog to finally get it to lay. It was amazing to see it. I didn't think it would happen. After another short walk, the puppy was laying on its own. My wife was in tears. This is the place to get your puppy acclimated to other dogs and a bit of structure in its life.

Eight months ago, when I saw behavioral changes in my dog Scout I felt hopeless. Thank goodness I…read morefound The K9 Clinic. From the first evaluation I knew I had not only found the perfect solution for my dog but a kinship with the trainers as well. The Bootcamp was the best decision I've ever made. Not only did it re-set the mind/behavior of my dog but they also taught me the appropriate skills to be a handler for my specific dog. Before I started with The K9 Clinic Scout was unable to be off leash, around other dogs and her "naughty" behaviors felt unmanageable. Happy to report none of that applies today! Group classes, private lessons; we do them all! Thanks to The K9 Clinic I have the dog I always dreamed of!! Monique Cook Santa Cruz, CA

Ashley watched my beloved dog Radley when we went on a vacation to Alaska a few weeks ago. To say…read moreI am protective of my dog is an understatement, so leaving him with anyone was tough. However, Ashley's screening process -not just with my dogs, but the dogs he would be staying with - ensured he was in a safe and healthy environment while we were gone. She goes through multiple steps to ensure that dogs aren't just physically, but also emotionally, safe while their owners are gone. As Radley has some anxiety issues, Ashley worked with us to prepare him for any potential issues he may have - which thankfully he didn't! If you want your dogs to be cared for, played with and honestly loved while you are away, Ashley should be your go to. I don't trust my dog with just anyone and the relief I felt each day with the pictures and updates allowed us to relax and enjoy our vacation. Radley didn't want to come home when we picked him up hahah! This is a great business with an individual who is knowledgeable about dogs and provides a safe haven for traveling owners to leave their pets. Will definitely use Ashley again!!!

Just the facts. Our…read morepup is 8 months old. Our plans were to travel abroad for 2 weeks. What to do? We considered boarding w/ established kennels, but wanted something more personal, bespoke. Among others, we were referred to Ashley Scontriano. We paid Ashley for numerous pre-trip visits, a few hours each, to acclimatize our pup, and allow Ashley to determine if he'd be a good fit. We valued her opinion and trusted her judgement. We received the thumbs up, with less than a week to go before our trip. Ashley agreed to care for our pup while we were out of the country. What a relief! We dropped our pup with Ashley, the morning of our departure, excited for our vacation. Less than 24 hours later, already 2k miles away, we received a text from Ashley which began "Please think of a plan B..." A plan B?? We had cancelled our plan B when Ashley gave us the green-light, prior to departing. The message continued, and I paraphrase, that our pup kept her up all night, crying, and she just couldn't take it. She didn't see that coming? Separation anxiety from a puppy, the first night away. She's a "dog professional?" What to do?! We'd cancelled our plan B, and wouldn't ask friends to take on a puppy for 2 weeks. Thankfully, Ashley had a possible solution -- we could pay her $200/day for "doggy boot camp!" HA! And I wonder how often that has worked with other clients -- too busy, too wealthy to say no? We called Beds & Biscuits. Fortunately, as our initial plan A, we'd completed the pre-reqs and they were able to accommodate our puppy. Glowing progress reports, too, from his stay with them -- yes, a needy puppy, craving attention and love, something they provided him. Something we thought Ashley had agreed to provide him. Instead, she wanted more money, after agreeing to watch him, and proposed drugging him to "better manage his anxiety." And so, after spending $$$ on Ashley's pre-trip evaluations, delivering our puppy into her care, and flying 2k miles away, Ashley reversed course, bailed...his "separation anxiety" (one night in) was too much, but it wouldn't be too much if we'd pay her $200/day? No thanks. And now she's demanding $130 more for the day/night she "cared for" our puppy. Ashley has said that WE didn't do enough before departing -- that the time at her home was insufficient, that she was "set up to fail." As a "dog professional," wasn't this something she should have, could have flagged BEFORE we departed? She didn't -- she assured us our pup would be well cared for, that he was settling in just fine. And then we departed, flew 2k miles, and without a conversation texts us "Please think of a plan B..." Incredibly unprofessional. Lacking completely in scruples and integrity. Further -- if you care at all about who you're entrusting your dog to, the quality of the human being -- who you're giving your money to -- then please do what we should have done, prior to this whole mess. Google Ashley Scontriano. https://goodtimes.sc/santa-cruz-news/news/nuz-pro-tip-dont-defend-racism-social-media/ https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2018/11/03/18818730.php

FTH offers doggie daycare! That's what I came here for originally and as it turns out, they offer…read moreso much more! When we can we like to bring our dogs to fun-gility. Barb sets up an obstacle course for the dogs and everyone gets three runs through the course. No pressure and no experience necessary. Our dogs love it, too. I think it really gave them a confidence boost to tackle the obstacles. Unlike at the vet's office, the dogs can't wait to get inside! That should give you an idea of the atmosphere. Barb also offers a variety of classes to keep your dog stimulated like scent class and obedience. Of course, she also does consultations if you need something specific. Most people know Barb for her love of Rottweilers. Her dogs are well behaved and loving towards her. If you know anything about dogs, you know that they are honest about relationships. Her dogs love her. Our dogs ADORE her. You couldn't be in better hands. Take it from the dogs.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll let them do all the explaining. We can only comment on…read morethe doggy daycare portion of From the Heart because that's all we've used, but our dog comes home wiped from a day of playing every day. For $30 a day we get the knowledge that she gets good socialization and time with other dogs she wouldn't get at home alone with a few rover walks throughout the day. The staff is friendly and attentive and I just wish she had some more energy at the end of the day for a walk, but she's loving it so far!

Literally cannot recommend Mike enough. My puppy Barbie and I work with him 1:1, at my house, and…read moreBarbie also loves the Puppy Socialization classes, in Aptos. Mike is the epitome of calm, powerful, energy - Barbie respects and loves him so much. He embodies the values I strive to implement in my dog training - positive techniques, that empower my puppy to "make the right choice." Mike, thank you so much for giving me confidence as a new dog owner. I can't wait to keep working together, to help Barbie be the best dog she can be.

Mike is an amazing trainer. He's helped my dog and I make huge progress in a short amount of time…read more Scheduling was easy, and the training is quality and clear. My reactive Aussie and I are so grateful.