Hands down, Christi is the best dog walker in the East Bay. She is a first a dog lover, who is…read moreconscientious, organized, and thoughtful. Her pack walks exhaust the dogs while being safe and exciting for them. Her dog sitting sets my mind at ease as she knows dogs, her level head and knowledge ensure peace of mind while we are away.

this is also a long overdue review, I have used BARK AROUND THE BLOCK for many years. and…read more her staff are excellent. my dog; Rommel, a French bulldog he absolutely loves walking with her. She socializes the dogs with the group walks offered in the afternoons or morning walk. during the ongoing months The scheduling and communication is excellent ! My dog has improved greatly in all aspects of his socialization as well as his obedienc. Believe it or not for his breed he is so chill now. He loves his group walks! The trails are varied which is fabulous and keeps it interesting for the dogs. I have been extremely pleased with the excellent level of service provided by Bark Around the Block She is deserving of the Best Dog Walker of Alameda for the consecutive years, it has been awarded to her Company!

I have brought my dog to Happy Hound for over twelve years, after we tried another doggie day care…read more The staff at Happy Hound knows and cares about all the dogs, they have a thoughtful system for placing every dog in the appropriate group based on the dogs' energy level and temperament (mine is cranky with other dogs and wary of people), and the staff (all great) really understand how to accommodate different dogs -- no matter the size, breed or personality. For years my dog was there five days a week as I commuted into the City, and I always knew she was safe and happy there. Really the best facility for boarding dogs. M.A.B.

Short version, they stole $2500 from us, and we heard they are oldschool and use punitive measures…read moreon the dogs. They claim to be positive reinforcement only, but I heard this from one of the two licensed dog behavioralists in the area. This tracks with talking to the boss and hearing her talk about the "alpha" which is antiquated terminology. long version - we were researching a place to board our dog, and went for the 1 month board and train. We then heard that they use punitive measures when training the dogs so in less than 24 hours we canceled. They take half the money as a deposit, which in this case was nearly $2500. We asked for a refund and they said no. They said it's in the contract, which it is, but they do not make it obvious, and certainly nobody told us that verbally. You really have to read that thing. They said we could use the money toward future services but as they use punitive measures we will not be working with them. So, they stole $2500 from us. Be careful of what you're getting into.

Emily has been walking my dog Lily for a few months now. She's always on time & very pleasant. She…read morealso wipes Lily's paws & bum when our walk is over (with wipes we provide). Emily is also very flexible with our schedule & I trust her with our elderly pup. I'm so glad we found Emily!

We had such a great experience with Happy Dogs! Our Mochi stayed for 5 days, and they took amazing…read morecare of him. We could tell he was loved and well taken care of. We felt completely at ease knowing he was in good hands. Highly recommend Happy Dogs! 「我們在 Happy Dogs 有非常好的體驗！Mochi 在這裡住了 5 天，他們照顧得非常好。我們感受到 Mochi 被愛護、被細心照顧。知道他在很好的環境裡，我們非常放心。強烈推薦 Happy Dogs！」

When I first adopted my dog from the shelter, he was extremely scared and not socialized at all…read more Working with Sadé made a huge difference from day one. She did an amazing job helping him build confidence around other dogs while also teaching him the basics he needed. I really appreciated that she included me in the process whenever I was available, giving me tips and helping me understand how to continue the training on my own. My dog is honestly night and day compared to when I first brought him home. The foundation she gave us with training and socialization was huge, and it allowed me to keep reinforcing those skills afterward. Today, he's a happy, confident dog who gets to play daily at the park. I would highly recommend Sadé for anyone looking for a trainer who genuinely cares about both the dog and the owner...especially if they're starting with a nervous or under-socialized pup.

Sade helped me immensely when I was recovering from surgery. As a single dog mom of 4, you can…read moreimagine it was hard to recover with rambunctious pups around that I was unable to walk at the time. Sade took them to the dog park for hours so I could have a breather. They returned happy and tuckered out so we could all sleep soundly. Sade is great at reading dogs' body language, and I appreciated the cute photo updates she'd send of my dogs' day.

We recently moved back to the Bay Area and were really concerned about finding a responsible, safe…read morespace for our good boy to stay when we go out of town. We came across Cutie Paws online. Their reviews were good and they are close to us, so we booked a four night stay for the July 4th holiday weekend. Drop-off went great ...but I was still a bit worried since it was his first time there. My concerns were all swiftly put to rest. Wendy and Mantin took amazing care of our pup, sent photos and videos (their place is very cute and charming with a lovely backyard). We just picked him up and he is very happy and well cared for. I am so glad I found them and would recommend without hesitation.

I can't say enough good things about this boarding experience. My dog, Lola, can be a little…read moresensitive with new environments, but they treated her like she was part of their own family. From the moment I dropped her off, I felt completely at ease. They were attentive, communicative, and genuinely invested in her comfort and well-being. I received regular updates, photos, and notes about how she was settling in, which meant the world to me. It's clear they understand dogs on an individual level -- their personalities, quirks, and routines. When I picked Lola up, she was relaxed, happy, and clearly well cared for. No stress, no overwhelm -- just a tired pup who had a great time. The facility was clean, safe, and thoughtfully run, and I appreciated how organized and responsive the staff were. I absolutely recommend this place to anyone who wants their dog cared for with kindness, consistency, and real attention to detail. Lola will definitely be coming back!

----------- TL;DR: Barak's 35-day Board and Train program is…read morea major investment, but it completely transformed my sweet but highly reactive dog. It fixed his severe leash reactivity, his 4 AM barking, and his total lack of recall when distracted. The cost includes 35 days of boarding and unlimited weekly group classes. One month later, the results were surprising: we went from a stressed caretaker dynamic to true companions. I can now take him on errands without fear, and finally having the power to tell him "No" has been game-changing. Highly recommended. ----------- DREAM DOG Totoro is what you might call the dream dog. He is incredibly kind, loyal, and mostly well-behaved. However, he had a "Jekyll and Hyde" personality. Indoors, he was docile and lazy. Outside, he was possessed by his excitement. He is so gentle he couldn't even get food out of a Kong! But we had three major stress-inducing issues: ZERO RECALL WHEN DISTRACTED: I spent a lot of time training him with high-value treats like bacon and ribeye. When it's just the two of us, he would shoot out of a cannon when I called him. But the moment he played with another dog, those ingrained habits were completely forgotten. He went totally deaf, which was a major safety concern. LEASH REACTIVITY: When he's leashed, he gets frustrated at times when he sees other dogs, and he might lunge and growl at passing dogs, making walks a bit of a chore. SUDDEN BARKING: He developed a habit recently of waking up at 4:00 AM and rush out the room barking like the house was on fire. Before Barak, I only used positive-reinforcement training. Totoro knew the commands, but positive reinforcement simply could not compete with his intense excitement around other dogs. Barak is a balanced trainer, using proper corrections alongside rewards to teach boundaries that hold up under extreme distraction. I was hesitant about negative reinforcement, but Barak showed me his high-quality e-collar. I used it on myself and could barely feel the low-level stimulation, which put my mind at ease. Enrolling in the 35-day Board and Train program was a significant investment. However, I factored in that I was getting 35 days of boarding included (which I planned a trip around). More importantly, the cost includes unlimited group training classes afterward. You don't just drop your dog off and forget it. The weekly classes give you structure so your money doesn't go to waste. Barak was also incredibly responsive via text whenever I have questions (and I had many). The results are night and day. It is like the show Severance :) there is no more "Outie" Totoro, just the well-behaved "Innie" Totoro! He isn't brainwashed; he is still his happy self, just infinitely better behaved. Barak figured out his leash reactivity was just him frantically checking if other dogs were "safe." Now, we walk past other dogs peacefully. Update: One Month Later MAN'S BEST FRIEND Barak's training has unexpectedly transformed our relationship. Before, I would never consider taking Totoro on errands. Even with only a 1-in-20 chance of him being reactive, I didn't need the stress. On walks, I was constantly on guard, which can turn dog ownership into a one-sided, anxiety-filled chore. Today, we have genuinely become companions. Instead of leaving him behind, I actively look for dog-friendly breakfast spots. The fear of taking him out has completely dissipated. I enjoy his company, and I can feel our bond grow, even in year 5. He is much happier now that he doesn't feel my stress radiating through the leash. THE POWER OF NO Previous trainers taught specific commands like "leave it," but never the general command "No." For example, Totoro has a habit of licking his ankles raw, leading to expensive vet visits, Cytopoint shots, and the dreaded cone of shame. Now, I can simply say, "No." He stops, looks up, and tries to figure out what he is doing wrong. Imagine being a parent without the ability to tell your kid "No." Having Totoro understand that single word is game-changing.

We looked into several different board-and-train programs before deciding to go with Barak, and…read morewhat really stood out to us was the level of knowledge, support, and resources he provides. From the beginning, we felt like he genuinely cared about understanding Luna as an individual and helping us understand her as well. Knowing that we'll continue to have ongoing support, guidance, regular check-ins, and access to free group classes for life--even after Luna completes her 35-day program--gave us so much confidence in our decision. It's reassuring to know that we won't simply finish the program and be left on our own. Having that continued support and knowing we can reach out when we have questions or need guidance gives us so much peace of mind. We were initially hesitant about using an e-collar and prong collar, but Barak took the time to really break everything down for us. He explained how these tools can be used properly and responsibly, why they can be beneficial, and how they can help create clearer communication between us and Luna. What we appreciate most is that he doesn't just train the dog--he teaches the owners, too. We've gained a much better understanding of Luna and feel more confident in our ability to communicate with her and guide her in a positive direction. We also wanted to find out whether Luna would be suited for protection work. Barak was honest and upfront with us and explained that, based on her personality and temperament, she isn't the right fit for that type of training. He explained that protection work would go against what we're currently teaching her--being neutral, confident, and non-reactive--and would ultimately conflict with the foundation we're trying to build with her. We really appreciated his honesty and the fact that he was focused on what was best for Luna rather than simply recommending something that wasn't right for her. We are incredibly grateful for the patience, dedication, and support Barak has shown both Luna and us. We've already seen such a positive difference in her obedience, focus, and ability to regulate herself, and we're excited to continue building on everything she has learned. We highly recommend Barak to anyone looking for a trainer who truly cares about the dog and takes the time to educate and support the owners along the way. We're so happy with our decision to work with Barak and can't wait to see Luna continue to grow!

Amazing work did a really great job with my pup. Just looking to make another appointment soon.read more

The team at Pawlor team was awesome! They were so thoughtful with how they handled my dog Brady who…read moreis a bit scared of going to the groomer. Can't say enough good things and really appreciated that when he was finished they let him just hang out rather than crate him. Communication was awesome and they were a pleasure to work with!

As a first-time dog mom (and a proud Type-A), finding a daycare that truly put me at ease was…read moreincredibly important to me. I was actually referred to Dog Social Club by another daycare when I was frantically calling around, and I'm so grateful I was. From the very beginning, the team has been exceptionally kind, warm, and responsive. The intake and greeting process was thoughtful and thorough, not just a quick observation. Suzy took the time to answer all of my questions and shared genuinely helpful information, which immediately put me at ease. I felt confident and reassured that my puppy was in the right hands. Dog Social Club is extremely well-structured, with clear procedures and a level of care that really stands out. Every single person I've encountered, from Katie, the CEO, to the handlers, to Jenn who keeps everything running smoothly, to the front desk team who greet both pups and parents, has been friendly, attentive, and welcoming. I wish I knew everyone's name because they all deserve recognition. My pup absolutely loves going! He knows the smells and sounds as we get closer and I have to make sure he doesn't jump out of the car when I open the door. Also the care he received after being neutered... gosh I can go on and on about how wonderful our time has been with DSC. Most importantly, I truly feel that they care for and love my little Barnaby as if he were their own. As a first-time dog mom, that peace of mind is everything, and I honestly couldn't ask for more.

After 3 visits, we were completely hooked. Our 1.5ish year old, 15-lb terrier mix absolutely loves…read moregoing and comes home a much happier and chiller dog. It's so nice to see him happy and tuckered out! He has also been less reactive on walks which is AMAZING. Especially as a first time dog owner, I am so grateful to find a community where everyone is so kind to both the dogs and their humans. I really appreciate the staff's integrity and expertise, and the transparency around pricing and policies is so helpful.

Doggy Lama pet care is the best! We've been sending our dog to Molly for years now. Whenever we go…read moreaway, we know she is in the best of hands. Molly is sure to send cute pics of their pack walks and daily happenings. Our dog has so much fun when we're away that she actually seems a little bored once we bring her home. That to me is a sign of a great dog sitter/caregiver.

I have a parrot and contacted several pet sitting companies looking for someone with bird…read moreexperience. Doggy Lama was the only company that responded that they had staff experienced with birds. Dani came by to meet my bird before my trip and did a wonderful job taking the time to get to know her and understand her needs. Unfortunately, my travel plans changed and I ended up not needing pet sitting services this summer. Even so, I wanted to leave a review because I was so impressed with the company. They were responsive, professional, and genuinely seemed to care about both their clients and their pets. Communication was excellent, and their website made scheduling and payment incredibly easy.

Aaron is a godsend…read more I adopted my wonderful big 10-yo pittie, Benson, last year. For the past year, we've been going at it HARDT on our Tues/Thursday daycare commutes. Up at 5 am; catch the train at 6; walk through West Oakland at 6.30 am; drop off Benson at daycare at 7. Do it again in the opposite direction at the end of the day. We are both worn out. I met Aaron randomly and told him about dog owners without cars needing transport for stuff. I mean, yeah, Lyft says they take dogs but dogs with a big head and reputations like mine...well, pits make folks nervous. Aaron said, We do that! I signed up as soon as I could. Aaron met Benson, took us on a test drive, and I have support as a Dog Mama! And now Benson and I aren't killing ourselves and wearing down our middle aged joints to get to daycare at the crack of dawn. My dog loves being in cars and now we're doing it safely and efficiently. I am SO GRATEFUL for Aaron and the No Bark Zone!

Aaron was able to fit us in last minute. Our nervous dog immediately ran up to him and wanted to…read moreplay during the meet and greet. He kept us updated and sent photos through out the day. Norman was definitely comfortable and well taken care of. We will for sure book again and use other services.