Absolutely loved this place! Super easy. My pup loved her stay, came home without showcasing stress as she has at some other boarding facility, and was happy and tired (but not exhausted). The staff were all super friendly and responsive. And they have convenient after hours kennels so you can drop off or pickup outside of their working hours, which is super helpful for a late trip or flight home. About 10 mins from the airport, straight shot on 71. Random fun fact - there's also a great Thai place on the corner when you turn onto the road up to barking springs. Lots of room for them to play with other dogs and run around, inside and outside facilities to accommodate cold or heat, and they get to play most of the day apart from when they are closed for lunch ("nap time") or in the evening after 7pm. My only improvement recommendation is if they would consider doing a report card with photos each day, that would be awesome! I was able to text in and ask about the status of my dog though, and they were very responsive. We will be back!!! Had a great first visit and my dog was very excited when we reached the property, she recognized it from her evaluation day and basically ran over to the front door. Oh also they were extremely kind to help me get my dog in and out of the car. read more

My dog has boarded at Barking Springs approximately 100 times over the past 8 years and if I gave him a vote he would say we should move in full time. He is thrilled to hop out of the car and gets excited when I ask him if he wants to go to camp to see his friends. Over his life he's boarded/daycared at a variety of different places but what makes Barking Springs special is the focus on outdoor play and the caring staff, most of who have been a constant since he began going. I trust them wholeheartedly to take care of Riggins, as well as have recommended multiple friends to use their service. Additionally they have been so helpful managing him when I've had to send him in a cone, with medicine, or when I've needed to make last minute changes. He's also a regular in the after hours pick up / drop off rooms due to my travel schedule and I've never had any issue. As a solo dog mom Barking Springs is truly next in line of people I trust with him behind me. read more

Barking Springs Dog Ranch - Pet Sitting Near Me - Del Valle, Texas

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**Updated Review** Barking Springs Dog Ranch remains my top choice for boarding when I need to travel. My dog loves this place and the staff so much. He always has a great time and returns home happily exhausted. I'm not sure about the negative reviews as I have never experienced a mishap at this facility. I've boarded my dog here plenty of times, most recent visit back in July 2023, and each visit has been pleasant. That said, I have referred many friends/neighbors and each one has had a lovely experience. This facility recently went through a renovation/revamp and moved across the street. While the location is a bit of a commute (depending where you live), it's worth it due to the spacious grounds, on-site staff, and competitive prices. Overall solid experience - I highly recommend! read more

i boarded my dog here, she died in their care. I cannot in good faith recommend this place to anyone. They have told me they do not plan to let customers know about what happened to our dog, therefore I felt I should leave a review as a warning to current and potential customers. read more

Would give 0 stars if possible. Usually kennels have one job, keep the dog alive and well. My friend had their dog here of only 1 years old, a puppy pretty much. The dog "got out" and got hit by a car, and the kennel has had zero remorse and even told her they would not be communicating this to their customers and blamed the dog. How about watch the dogs that the owners pay you money to do. If you love your dog, lock them in your house you're better off. I would never trust this group with any dog. read more

This facility refuses to acknowledge their negligence that led to the death of my friend's dog. Their facilities are obviously not equipped or supervised enough to keep your pets safe while in their care. Stay far away from all Austin Dog Kennels, especially this one. read more

My girlfriend and I dropped our sweet baby Pearl off alive and well and were woken up 3 days later to a call that she had been killed. Any facility that allows a dog to get off property without any warning is not somewhere I can recommend read more

My friend recently boarded her dog here, and while her dog was in their care, her dog escaped the kennel and was hit and killed by a car. This place is also refusing to notify their customers (and any potential new customers) of this incident, which is absolutely despicable. Their #1 job is to keep the animals safe, and they so horribly failed this. read more

Do not board your dog with Barking Springs. Their cameras do not work, doors are left unlocked overnight when dogs are boarded, and they are responsible for the death of a dog recently left in their care. They are not trustworthy. read more

I had an unfortunate and disappointing experience here which involved the evaluation process. Over the phone and during dropoff, it was communicated that the evaluation process would take a full day. However, I was on my way home and 15 minutes away from Barking Springs when I received a call to come pick up my dog. I was told my pup seemed reluctant to mix with the other dogs and it didn't seem like she would be a good fit. First, my dog is a sweet 10 month old Australian Shepherd who I admit is slightly shy and I expected that it would take her some time to feel comfortable in a new place. She has been around other several other dogs of different sizes, including my brother's Lhasa Apso many times, without issue. It is unfortunate that this establishment was not patient enough to give her more than 10-15 minutes to warm up to a new environment. I did confirm that my dog did not lash out, did not bite, did nothing drastic during the few minutes she spent there. It is interesting that my dog has passed the evaluation process at two other well-established daycare/boarding places in town, yet she didn't make the cut at Barking Springs Dog Ranch. Second, I thought it was incredibly rude to communicate that my dog would be there for the full day and even let me drive off, and then have me drive back 15 minutes later during rush hour morning traffic. My advice to anyone having their dog evaluated at Barking Springs would be to wait in the parking lot for a half hour in case they make you come back to pick up your pup. read more

I boarded my 3 year old english mastiff & 2.5 year old rottweiler with Barking Springs Dog Ranch November 2010 while we were on a week long vacation in Mexico. Jessica, one of the owners and operators, met with us prior to our vacation so we could get to know her and she could meet my boys. After the previsit, I was confident she would treat my dogs like her own, and given the pictures she sent to me via email while we were gone, she really did. During their stay, Jessica boarded my boys in her Austin home, and took them on field trips to the Ranch outside of Austin. We discussed this prior to my leaving, and since the boys are used to being off leash in the woods, I had no problem allowing them to roam freely. Had one of them wandered off I'm sure, given Jessica's obvious love of animals, she would have searched for them like they were her own. I don't know the circumstances surrounding the previous posters complaints, but I do not doubt Jessica spent hours looking for the dog in question. I would highly recommend Barking Springs Dog Ranch if you are looking for a place that will give your dogs individual attention. I'd also recommend this place if you have XL dogs. The owners have big dogs themselves, so they're familiar with them. The price to board my 2 dogs was extremely reasonable and they were really prompt responding to my emails and phone calls. We're planning another vacation in May and I don't have to worry about who will be taking care of my boys, I'm free to concentrate on which swimsuits to pack and if 3 pairs of flip flops are REALLY enough! read more

Barking Springs Dog Ranch - Pic sent to us while we were on vacation by B.S.D.R. Gotta love it! - Pet Sitting Near Me - Del Valle, Texas

Super easy drop-off & pick-up. My 3 Rhodesian Ridgeback girls had a blast. I got updates and photos every morning. Such a relief to know they were safe and happy when we went out of state for my son's wedding in Colorado. Very convenient to the Austin airport. We will definitely be back! Thank you to Alisha @ the Barking Springs staff for taking such good care of our treasures! Thank you Jessica! read more

Hi dog lovers. My boyfriend and I had our 15 months Boxoillie "Brizket" stay at the ranch for 3 nights. When we got him back he was bleeding from his urethra for 4 days straight! He also got an infection in his balls! He had scratches and scabs everywhere! In the on boarding paper work we specified that our dog Brizket is submissive and still a bit of a puppy and has never been to a kennel. His fur is in such bad condition cuz of all the scabs from bites and scratches. Before his fur was super healthy and smooth as we take good care of him. I was so upset that his penis was bleeding! I can understand some scratches cuz dogs go all out playing but that was way too much! Also one of his back legs was dragging on the ground for the first night. He barely wanted to drink and for 2 days straight he was non stop sleeping! I have never seen him that tired before. I will link pictures on the 3rd day in his recovery when I took them. We had to take him to the vet and pay out $200 for his treatment of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory meds. So I will not recommend this place as I think they are understaffed and the 20 dogs that are all in the one outdoor area are not monitored, probably cuz they are understaffed. When we dropped off our dog there were piles of dog shit in the main entrance! Not a welcoming sight! That should have been enough of an indicator that the staff is not paying attention to how to run their business. It just made me sad cuz all those dogs went ham on him and literally treated him like a BBQ brisket. He's doing better now but his scabs are still visable and his fur makes him look like Bambi. Oh one more thing we reached out to this business to let them know about what happened and their response was " we didn't know"! This place needs to hire more people so they get can do their job right and keep the dogs safe. read more

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Jessica & Dan treat my dogs like they are their own! I "interviewed" many kennels over a year or 2 period and just never found a place that I trusted w/ my "kids". A friend (who is a vet) recommended Barking Springs & I called to ask some questions. Jessica was so patient and wanted to make sure I felt comfortable. She invited me to come and visit AND bring my dogs. Many other places won't allow that, you can only come by appointment on a certain day, and/or they would allow you to see the kennel/cages. That in an of itself made me nervous. By the time I actually visited their ranch, I already knew I was going to have Barton & Kennedy (100# black rescue labs) come here to "camp" as I left town for 10 days. Her attitude, love for animals of all kinds and sweet spirit put me at ease. When I entered onto the property and saw the land, goats, horses and shaded play area for the dogs I knew this was the place. I wanted my dogs to be able to play with others, run outside and socialize, not just get "play time" twice a day. They have multiple yards for dogs that aren't as social, or for smaller dogs. She showed me their bedrooms... not cages. Real doors, walls and large enough for my 2 big dogs to share a room. Because of this set up, you don't hear dogs yelping and barking all the time, which makes one of my rescue dogs nervous. The first time I brought a car-full of beds, toys, a page of instructions & a lot of nervousness... there were tears, yet I knew they were OK. Jessica sent me photos every few days and it allowed me to enjoy a vacation w/ my family w/o wondering how they are doing or what bad habits I would have to unteach them. Barton & Kennedy love it so much and have stayed there so many times that I just open the door and they run into the office. No dramatic instructions now b/c I know that no matter what, they will take care of my dogs. Dan always says how good they are when I pick them up... and really - who cares if that's true or not??? Doesn't everyone want to be told their kids are cute & well-behaved?! (It's also nice that they are clean and exhausted when I pick them up!) read more

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I moved to Austin last year and was very worried about where I would leave my two labs while I was away! Fortunately I found Jessica at Barking Springs Dog Ranch! She is so friendly, easy to get in touch with, and has a fantastic staff who you can tell truly loves dogs. I never crate my dogs and I love that they can run around outside all day while I am away. They even have air conditioned rooms for the dogs to stay in! I'm a crazy dog mom and I love getting email updates with photos when I am away! If you worry about your dogs and you want them to have a BLAST while your away then email Jessica and take a tour of Barking Springs! Ps. Tired dogs after a vacation is always a plus! read more

Barking Springs Dog Ranch - Miller and Baxter enjoying their time away! - Pet Sitting Near Me - Del Valle, Texas

Not at all the type of place that you should leave your dog. Like many rescues, our dog is fearful of new environments. Their evaluation process is incredibly unprofessional and resulted in our dog being failed because we told her our dog doesn't like to have other dogs near her food. Any dog person also knows, that dogs just need time to familiarize with an unfamiliar environment. These people don't know dogs. If you have a low energy dog then perhaps this place can work but don't take your dog if it has even the slightest level of separation anxiety read more

Words can't express how much we LOVE Barking Springs Dog Ranch!!!! We have 3 dogs and we were fortunate enough to be referred to Barking Springs a little over a year ago. Since then, our dogs have stayed numerous times. Our dogs absolutely love being there and my husband and I are so at ease when we go out of town knowing they are well taken care of and having the best time! We get updates and photos during their stay which are so nice to receive when we are away. Pricing is very competitive and affordable and additional services like bath add-ons and pick up/drop off options are amazing as well. The dogs also get tons of play time outside which is not super common when you board pets at most facilities. They always come home tired and happy! :) Recently, we had some complications during my pregnancy that left us out of town for a few weeks and in the hospital. Barking Springs took such amazing care of our fur babies and made that portion of our time away so stress free. We consider the entire staff to be family and are so appreciative for all the love and attention they give our babies. I cannot recommend this company enough. We are barking springs customers for life and highly recommend them to all our friends, family, and anyone looking for high quality pet care from people who will love your pets as much as you do! read more

Prices keep going up........expensive now. I want to give a neutral review based on my experience. I would go back again if it is convenient but the location is very far away and the rates are a bit high considering their location. It takes about 30mins each way from central Austin to get there. When we dropped off our dogs I asked to see the kennels as this was my first time and was told they are only open for viewing on Saturday, this is a red flag in my book as I should be able to see what the facility looks like at anytime not just after clean up on Saturday. Is it dirty the rest of the time? Being I had no other option I used them anyways. Also when I dropped off my dogs I was told I would receive photos of my dogs during their stay. I received a few photos only on the day they thought I was picking them up. Though they did not deliver all of the stated services I was still charged all of the stated fees. How convenient for them. When we picked up the dogs they were happy, well exercised, and dirty from playing....all good things! Overall an okay experience but we will be looking for a more convenient kennel with the same level of service for a similar price or even less as they seemed to be higher priced than other places. If you want to see the facilities make sure you plan a trip on your Saturday to get out there and check it out. they definitely cater to their own schedule versus their customers. Limited pick up/ drop off hours. read more

I waited a few visits to write this review: 1. EASY to communicate with, I text message about reservations and she sends me pics & even videos while my dog is on vacation there! 2. AFFORDABLE, prices are competitive and for $30 or so they will even give my dog a bath before she comes home! 3. Yes it's FAR from downtown, but all Ranches are! 4. My dog LOVES GOING HERE!!!, the 3rd time I drove up, she knew where we were and she began whimpering to get out of the car. I walked her into the yard and she never even looked back at me. She began running and playing with such joy. She started wiggling her butt with happiness when she saw Alisha too. 5. Pick up a TIRED DOG! this is the most important!! After a long trip for myself, I'm tired.. So it is essential that I have a tired dog. And my dog, Maserati, gets worn out after a few days at Barking Springs. 6. This is the BEST DOG BOARDING (long term) I have found for the price and amount of activities. read more

Barking Springs Dog Ranch - This is my dog after a weekend at the dog ranch!! She never lies down in the car.. She is WIPED OUT!!! - Pet Sitting Near Me - Del Valle, Texas

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Well, this was my first time boarding Remy and the longest I've been away from him (a whole week). I like to pride myself on mental stability but, I was really nervous about it. I do realize this is a dog and not in fact a human being I'm talking about but I have to say, I have a new found understanding of all the times I went away and my mother got all teary-eyed... Like, jeez mom. Get over it, you're so ridiculous! No, I get it now. I loved the fact that Jessica's own dogs were so happy and well adjusted (which was an immediate indicator of how my dog would be treated). Obviously, I can't review what went on while I he was there but, based on the fact that Remy slept for the better part of two entire days from the moment I picked him up means that it must've just been nonstop, crazy fun for him. And he came back with literally one tiny scratch on his nose (we've left many an afternoon at the dog park with worse). I really don't impart that last bit in any even remotely negative way. Proper dogs play rough. That's just how it is. A good, happy dog plays like a DOG. And there's so much room to play, acres! I feel bad he's had to come back to our little duplex and only has walks and weekend trips to the dog park. I can't believe some of the other boarding options are the same size as our home, with multiple dogs. And at a higher cost! Remy's a little over a year old with virtually endless energy and FAST. I've never had a dog that just runs and leaps like he does. I couldn't imagine him stuck in a 500 sq foot cold concrete room all day. Barking Springs is absolutely my first pick for all future boarding. read more

I never write reviews, although I feel especially compelled to write one about Barking Springs. I was looking for a boarding facility on short notice when some coworkers recommended this place. When I called, they were so incredibly nice on the phone and walked me through exactly what they would need. I showed up 2 hours before my flight and dogs were running around having a blast. My dog was ready to jump in. After a quick check of my dogs vaccinations, I was on my way to the airport and didn't have any doubt I chose a great place. While out of town, I received multiple text message updates that included pictures of my dog. I love my dog to death, so seeing these meant the world to me. Picking her up went smoothly. They gave her a bath and everything! My dog slept for a long time when we got home. This assured me she got plenty of time outside. One last thing to add. I am in the market for a rent home and I asked if they would mind writing a letter of recommendation for my dog's behavior so I could provide it to future home owners. Jessica (the owner) was happy to do this and got it to me quickly. How about that customer service?! read more

I would not board my dog Wrigley elsewhere! The staff are super FRIENDLY and very accommodating. Reasons why I gave them 5 stars (more than that if I could!): 1) Wrigley is not quite the friendliest dog. My husband and I avoid other dogs in our apartment complex when we take him out for a walk because we're skeptical about his behavior, and he might get into it with the other dogs. But the staff at Barking Springs did their best to group Wrigley with other dogs that he can get along with. He may not have doggie friends here at home but he's got some at Barking Springs, and I'm so glad they try to socialize Wrigley with other dogs. 2) My husband and I went out of town for a wedding one Saturday and we needed to pick our dog up Sunday morning before we go to work. The thing is, Barking Springs do not open until noon or 1 and we both have to be at work by that time. Jessica was very nice enough to work around our busy schedule even when she also had some place to be that morning. We worked something out despite some schedule conflict! I don't always write reviews on yelp but Barking Springs's flexibility deserves an awesome one! We live on the opposite side of Austin from Barking Springs but it is definitely worth the drive if I need a place for Wrigley to stay while we're out of town. ...and oh, I love the fact that the dogs have individual rooms to stay, not crates!! read more

I could not love Barking Springs more! Jessica and the staff of Barking Springs consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that my animals are taken care of! They text, they post pictures, they give me a run-down of everything, their property is gorgeous, and my dog (and pig) sleep for days afterwards because they had so much fun. Thank you, Barking Springs! read more

I use Yelp all the time to look up reviews, but this is the first time that I've really felt the need to write one. Barking Springs was definitely five stars for me. My husband and I had a Labor Day vacation planned and we were nervous wrecks over leaving our almost 5 month old lab/pitt mix behind. I got in touch and toured the facility, and I was able to bring our pup with me so that he could see where he'd be staying. Alisha was super sweet and so helpful in answering all of my questions and putting me at ease. The drop off and pick up process was beyond easy and I think Alisha could tell we were a mess having to leave Jackson. She was so patient and kind dealing with two crazy puppy parents. We received a text a few hours later with a few pictures of him and an update about how well he was fitting in and how much fun he was having, which made it possible for us to relax and enjoy our vacation. We checked in a few other times and were always met with more updates and pictures of our pup having the time of his life. We picked him up yesterday right before closing. They had him bathed and ready for us with all of his stuff packed up. When we went to pay, our credit card kept declining because we'd been out of state and fraud protection kicked in. They were so understanding and easy-going and just emailed us an invoice so that we could get it sorted out once we got settled. We were in such a hurry to visit with our pup and get him home that we didn't notice a few things we'd brought with him were missing from his bag. I sent a quick email when we got home and Jessica got in touch first thing this morning and arranged to drop off his things on her way into town. We had a wonderful experience with Barking Springs from beginning to end. Every person we dealt with was friendly and helpful and they all knew our pup by name. Jackson is very active and we wanted a place where he'd be able to run off his energy and play with other dogs instead of being locked in a kennel most of the day. Barking Springs was perfect for that. He came home a very happy and well taken care of puppy! I've heard and seen in some other reviews that the prices are a bit high. I don't have anything to compare to since this was our first time boarding, but to us it was well worth it to be able to go out of town and enjoy our trip knowing our pup was so well taken care of! :) We will definitely be using them again! read more

I am the person who had the missing dog at Christmas time so I figured maybe I should chime in here :) I dropped both of my dogs off and they were more than happy to go with Jessica. Normally when I drop them off anywhere to be boarded they both cry and shake as soon as I hand them over to the other person. My smallest dog is SMALL. She weighs about 8 lbs if that. She is long and skinny, but she has a lot of hair that I believe makes her look slightly bigger than she is. She managed to escape from the fenced in area that she was being kept in and she was missing for 4 days. I will say that those 4 days were traumatic for both me and Jessica. We kept in constant contact via text and phone calls. I knew she had her hands full with all of the other dogs at the kennel and her baby and she was doing everything she could, but the chances of finding an 8 lb dog on acres and acres of land was like finding a needle in a haystack. Throughout the whole Christmas holiday I would call and text Jessica in hysterics over my missing dog and she would assure me she was doing everything she could. While the situation was not ideal because I myself couldn't get home to do anything, Jessica did provide me with comfort and listen to me cry. I also knew she was taking good care of my other dog. She found him another dog to share an area with so he wouldn't be lonely with his sister gone. The night before I was to fly home my dog was found. Apparently she had wandered her way over to the neighbor's tree farm and they returned her to Jessica. It was a miracle. As I thought I would never see my dog again. I was able to fly home and pick up both of my dogs. My larger male dog looked like he had the time of his life and slept for three days straight. My small female dog for spending 4 nights out in the woods was not much worse for the wear. She had lost a little weight and had a few scrapes on her, but other than that she had a clean bill of health. It was a situation that could not have been prevented...who would have known that the dog was going to escape out of the kennel fencing? The story has a happy ending. To this day I still keep in touch with Jessica and send her updated pictures of my babies. So if I don't have a problem with the way the situation turned out, others shouldn't either. The big question is, would I board my dogs with Jessica again? I would board my larger one without a second thought, but from now on I will just pay someone to come to my house and let them out so they are in their own surroundings and I know that my little one can't escape and cause anyone else grief. This is not a reflection on Jessica or the business she is running I truly believe she does a great job and loved my dogs like they were her own...this is just personal preference of someone who has a very small, very crafty dog. read more

Excellent place to board your dog!! Our terrier mix is full of energy and we love how Barking Springs tires him out for a few days. He also was a rescue dog and when we found him he had clearly been attacked by another dog and didn't have great doggy social skills as a result. We let then know about this the first time we boarded him and they made sure that he would be fine and not bother other dogs. It actually helped him so much and each time he has been back he's gotten better and can even play with big dogs now. That never would have happened a few months ago!! Most recently when we boarded him he got a terrible ear infection the night before. After a frantic morning of getting him to a vet and then to Barking Springs in time for my flight, it was so nice to know he was in good hands. They didn't bat an eye at putting in drops and giving him medicine. I really cannot speak highly enough of Barking Springs and its wonderful owners!! read more

They were great! I'm in town for work and needed somewhere last minute that had "day care" while boarding and they were great and more than willing to help me out. Oliver my dog is very social and the place I had arranged for him to go to didn't have a way for him to burn off some energy. I accidentally showed up early to pick him up after boarding and she went out of her way to get him ready. They were nice enough to bathe and try to dry him when I picked him up, even though I was the one that showed up early. I think Oliver had a better vacation than myself. Maybe I'll check both of us in next time. read more

This is a special, amazing place run by special, amazing people. We've been bringing our pup Elbie here for a few years and the amount of care and attention that he gets is amazing. Every visit is like the best summer camp of our dog's life. There are two things that make this place really special. First is the clear commitment to running a high quality establishment with clear and easy instructions, great facilities, tons of outdoor time, and customized and consistent care. Second is the people, Alisha in particular. I feel like she's been a great substitute dog-mommy whenever we leave town. Our dog, who can sometimes be wary of strangers, has seriously bonded with her. She remembers us, even when it's months between visits and is always a warm, friendly, and professional resource to us during drop-offs and pick-ups. We are Barking Springs customers for life. read more

I recently boarded my dog with Barking Springs for back to back weeks. I was really nervous as it was my first time to board my dog. I can't say enough great things about my experiences with Barking Springs and Jessica! Before I boarded my dog for the first time I was able to bring him and have a tour. My dog felt at home right away. He ran the entire time I was talking with Jessica and getting a tour. That gave me huge piece of mind! Jessica was VERY accommodating with drop off and pick up times as well, which was so appreciated! When I picked my dog up after the first stay, he was pooped! A tired pup is a happy pup! My husband dropped him off the for the second stay and said he was sooo excited to see Jessica and couldn't wait to get out of the car. The location of Barking Springs is GREAT if you are traveling from ABIA. It is about 10 minutes from the airport, very, very convenient. Jessica has her ranch set up where the big dogs can play in one area and small dogs in another (if need be). There is PLENTY of running room for the pups. Weather permitting, she allows the dogs to play outside the majority of the day. Another thing I really appreciated was Jessica's responsiveness during my dog's stay. She is very quick to respond via email to answer in any questions or provide any updates. If you are looking for a GREAT place to board your pup, you will not be disappointed with Barking Springs! Your dog will have a wonderful time and you can have piece of mind your dog is in great hands!! read more

Just picked Jinks up from his first stay at Barking Springs and he is pooped!! :-) I love that your dog is free to be outdoors and do things dogs like to do. I will be recommending Braking Springs to friends & board jinks there again in the near future! read more

I found Barking Springs after hours of Googling and Yelping, and couldn't be happier! My chocolate lab is the love of my life, and I was very concerned about boarding him for the first time. I was very uneasy about the fact that he would be stuck in a little room, even though it would only be for a weekend. Luckily, I stumbled upon Barking Springs, and all of my fears went away. Although every review I could find was stellar, I still wanted to go check it out and see for myself. I was given a great tour and all of my many, many questions were answered thoroughly. There was plenty of space for him to play, and he would be grouped with dogs similar to his size and play level. Now, Marlin has been to Barking Springs every time I need to go out of town, and I have never even bothered to look for another facility because I know he is in the best hands. Whenever we drive onto the grounds, he is so excited and cannot wait to get out of the car to sprint over to Jessica-which is comforting because he greets her the same way he greets me, so I know he must love her. The best part is that when I pick him up he sleeps all day long because he is so tired from playing and having fun. This is always great because he is only nine months old and always bursting with energy. I don't have enough positive things to say about Barking Springs, especially if you have a big dog that requires a lot of playtime and exercise. Thank you so much Jessica!!!!!! read more

This place is great! My dog Ollie, a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, used to get really stressed out when I board her, but she absolutely loves going here. As soon as we arrive she hops out of the car and runs around like a crazy lady with Jessica's ridgebacks. The area she gets to sleep in is bigger than a normal kennel, and she gets to spend a lot of the day outside, which I know makes her much happier. Plus she gets to run and play a lot. The owner, Jessica, is really helpful and great with Ollie, and she has been flexible with me on multiple occasions, which I really appreciate. We will definitely keep going back to this kennel! read more

I am so happy I found Barking Springs. We use them for daycare once a week and boarding when we travel. My great dane is always super excited to be dropped off, and falls asleep from exhaustion on the way home. Jessica is wonderful to work with and is so loving, caring, and respectful of each dog's personality and needs. The property is gorgeous, with plenty of space for the dogs to run around and an air-conditioned indoor space for when it gets too hot. The location is also really convenient to the airport and for trips to Houston. I feel completely at ease leaving my dog here. read more

Barking Springs Dog Ranch - Life is good at the ranch! - Pet Sitting Near Me - Del Valle, Texas

I hate leaving my dog behind when I travel, but I'm confident she's in good care at the Ranch. I appreciate the texted pictures while I'm away. Side note: I was dismayed to see that other places charge a fee for sending a picture of your dog...it seems like sending photos is a nice proof-of-life-i-get-what-it's-like-to-be-a-concerned-pet-owner thing rather than something to nickel and dime! Penny hops right out of the car and is all tail wags and smiles when she goes up to meet the staff. That's the most important endorsement there is, I think. read more

There is no other place i would trust with my pups! Barking Springs is the best. My dogs always come home happy and sleepy. Jessica, truly loves them and takes perfect care. We feel so lucky to have such a wonderful place for our dogs read more

Lynkoln loves playing here 2 days a week. He gets to plays with his buddies all day. Gets a nap midday. They let me drop him off and pick him up outside business hours which is super helpful. Lynk comes home exhausted. Love it! read more

Update: I see the company left a response, which is a nice touch, but I called and left two messages with them and they never returned my call. I also heard they have automatic feeders, so be wary. Like I said, I know weird things can happen to dogs but mine came back 10 pounds overweight in one week and with a fear of wood surfaces. Left my dog there during SXSW this year (long time ago, I know). Drop-off went smooth. Fairly informal, you kind of just hand your dog over. No real big issue there. When I came to pick her up, she was about TEN POUNDS overweight, and then she started throwing up all over my car. She threw up 4 separate times in my car. She also developed a fear of wooden decks or any floor surface change (ie: wouldn't walk over wooden foot bridges). I was able to undo her fear of the bridges though, and she did lose the gained weight pretty quickly. I'm usually not an overprotective dog owner. I get that dogs can be dogs and weird things happen, but apparently they had temp workers during spring break (college kids out of town) and my dog was overfed. I never got a straight story out of them and they never offered a refund. Not cool. read more

Jess and her team are so amazing! They keep our black lab pup, Wessyn whenever we go out of town. They are very accommodating and do their best to get her in at the last minute. She stayed there for 3 weeks when I got the opportunity to work abroad! She always has an amazing time, the owner, Jess texts me photos of her playing with all the dogs! It's a gorgeous ranch and my pup always comes home exhausted from all the play time! I trust the team at Barking Springs and don't have to worry about her while I'm on vacation. read more

I left my 6-month old schnauzer Wimbly at Barking Springs for a week and when I picked her up I could tell she had a great time! We toured the ranch before I left her and she was the smallest dog there-- however, within a couple of minutes she was already at home, running with the other dogs who clearly were very happy to be there as well. After a week at the ranch, Wimbly came home a braver pooch, with an air of zen. It was like therapy! Dan and Jessica are kind and very friendly-- you can tell that they love all dogs and want the best for all of them. It's a friendly, mom-and-pop business and I'm happy with my experience! read more

My American Eskimo dog had the time of his life while boarded here this winter. He got to run around the ranch and play with all the other dogs. He came home happy as can be! I will definitely be boarding him again here. I also got occasional emails and texts during my trip about his time at Barking Springs. read more