Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Run Free K9

    5.0 (2 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Services - Run Free K9

    Dog walking

    Pet boarding

    Private dog training

    Run Free K9 Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Run Free K9

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Run Free K9

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Shady Mountain Pet Retreat

    Shady Mountain Pet Retreat

    5.0
    (14 reviews)

    Where do we begin with providing a proper client review of such a WONDERFUL and WELCOMING…read morehome-away-from-home for your beloved furry family members, and where you will be a returning client? Is it with the: 1) CARING and KNOWLEDGEABLE client/pet-oriented family Team; or, 2) WELCOMING and INDIVIDUAL luxury boarding suites and adjacent fenced exercise areas; or 3) CALMING and RELAXING clean air environment and walking trails set in the Blue Ridge Mountain region????? As "parents" of two shelter-rescue Rottweilers [Cola (f) and Moose (m)], in early 2024 we were in need of the "purrfect" boarding team and environment as we prepared for an March/April trip to Europe. Significant considerations included the facts that neither pet was very social, nor had ever been apart from us or away from home. To say we had anxiety about this issue is an understatement; but then, we found Miriam and her family-based team at Shady Mountain Pet Retreat in Amherst, VA. Our initial engagement was so successful we returned recently for 2 weeks in October when we attended a family wedding. Below is our attempt to inform accordingly so you may also experience such joy...... Firstly, the TEAM: No business can operate to its highest degree of precision absent having the highest caliber TEAM to execute flawlessly and achieve such performance. Factor into the pet-boarding business equation is the fact that our pets are beloved family members and we strive to entrust their training and care to the most qualified and caring professionals of integrity in the safest environment. Have no concerns on this front, as Miriam and her family are the highest caliber cohesive TEAM who exceed client (and furry guest) expectations. From the moment we engaged with Miriam, we knew we made the purrfect choice. Miriam listened to us and understood our concerns, and suggested an initial meet and greet with Cola and Moose. We eagerly made the 2-hour drive from Mineral, VA to meet Miriam, who is a well-accomplished author and expert in the field of animal behavior, training and care; and her clients and their pets are the direct beneficiaries. I stress the fact Miriam listened to our concerns and provided insightful information facilitating our collective best-informed decision to entrust Cola and Moose with her for a 1-month board and train period during our upcoming trip. I assure you that we did not have any guilt-based regrets as we departed on drop-off day of either of our two visits to date (March/April and then October). You can trust that Miriam sincerely wants you and your pet(s) to be happy, comfortable and free of any stress, emphasizing her positive reinforcement approach which serves as the corner stone of Shady Mountain Pet Retreat. You can even follow your pet's daily adventures through various updates Miriam posts thoughtfully on social media and her website: https://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/ Secondly (but equally), the BOARDING SUITES/EXERCISE AREAS: Discard any concerns you may have that you will find institutional-style stress creating chain link fence-type boarding "cages" or rooms at Shady Mountain Pet Retreat. Rather, at Shady Mountain your family member will reside in a very comfortable, climate-controlled individualized roomy suite, separated by solid walls from neighboring guests. A raised off-the-floor style pet bed is a plus to afford more comfort while resting. The suite doors have a full length glass window (with drop blind as needed) so residents can watch the daily "office" activities, and a rear-exit pet door leading out to the fenced in exercise area. Each guest enjoys their own supply storage cubby which facilitates the management of feedings, etc. External fenced in exercise areas are divided into separate sections which permits greater staff flexibility for training, etc. See website for all the other possibilities for your pet's stay: https://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/ Lastly (but equally), the clean air mountain ENVIRONMENT and WALKING TRAILS: As you ascend Shady Mountain to reach the Retreat, you will be filled with a calming and serene sense, taking in the peaceful natural Amherst, VA environment. Cola and Moose love taking in all the smells of nature as we drive up the mountain. Peaceful and calming are the words we would use to describe this environment. If pet appropriate, Miriam's team can take your loved-one on nature walks through trails in the surrounding landscape, with the potential to see deer and other varieties of wildlife. Cola and Moose told us they so enjoyed these nature walks on their most recent visit. We conclude our review by recommending, with the highest regards, the Shady Mountain Pet Retreat, Miriam and her team. At the Shady Mountain Pet Retreat all three elements of knowledgeable and caring people, well-apportioned boarding/training facilities and a serene environment combine to provide the most wonderful and trusting of experiences. Thank you!!

    As someone who's worked in canine behavior and training for years, finding a place I will entrust…read morewith my dogs is no easy feat. Now that I've found Shady Mountain I may never leave Virginia. Miriam is the real deal. Besides l the numerous books she's published on dog behavior and training the facility is perfect. It's set up impeccably, has appropriately strict health screening for entry and the services on site are too notch. I left my dogs for their first stay and walked away with ease and comfort knowing they are in the best of hands. It's worth every penny and then some.

    Ridgeside K9

    Ridgeside K9

    4.7
    (235 reviews)

    Ridgeside was recommended to us by a neighbor with a very well mannered dog. We have a 4 yo…read moreBluetick Coonhound that had a few issues that we couldn't get past on our own. Initially we checked out the Ridgeside Instagram account and then after contacting them for additional information we decided to sign Flossie up for the 3 week board & train program. We were given our trainer's contact info in case we had any questions or wanted additional info prior to the start date. Gina picked up Flossie and for the next three weeks we got pictures and videos every day of Flossie's training progress plus also information for us to learn about the training. All of this made the transition back home easy and seamless. Gina's instructions were clear and concise and she also made sure that we understood the hows and the whys of training. Since Flossie has been home Gina reached out to see how things were going and said she was available if we had any follow up questions. We are very happy with the outcome and feel the training really firmed up our loosey goosey training up to that point. Gina gave Flossie the foundational training she needed in order for us to meet our goals with Flossie and we couldn't be happier with the outcome.

    I can't say enough good things about Brandi and Perry Bailey of RSK9. Their work has given my pup…read moreand I so much freedom and balance. Pebbles (blue heeler, 1.5 years old) would never listen to me, would not sit or lay still, and had a lot of other obedience issues that caused her to be stressed or confused. She was a TOUGH dog to train and I was concerned I couldn't find the solution for her to get basic concepts. This view has completely changed since working with RSK9's 3 week program. I would HIGHLY recommend them and their methods - you can tell they genuinely love working with dogs and it's made a huge difference in giving my dog the chance to find real rest at home. They send DAILY updates with photos and videos which was so nice. This isn't a regular class or something you just pay for; it's truly an investment that you and your dog will be using for the time you get to share together. Side note: it's worth doing 3 weeks versus 2 weeks. At the 2 week mark is when Pebbles really started to understand her marks and cues. From here there is so much more that can be refined and Brandi/Perry really capitalize on that threshold being crossed!

    Central Virginia Canine Academy

    Central Virginia Canine Academy

    5.0
    (7 reviews)

    Tricia with CVCA is fantastic! I've quickly seen a change in my dog after working with Tricia. My…read morepup is becoming much calmer when seeing other dogs on our walks. I'm a dog-walker so I'm familiar with dog behavior. Tricia sees the tiniest cues that I miss. These tiny cues make all the difference!

    TL;DR: HIRE HER. She's AMAZING…read more Our little beagle was rescued from a puppy mill that was raising him sell to a lab. The mill was shut down due to animal abuse. Since our pup had spent his entire life living in a kennel (and didn't know about grass, cars, walks, toys, peanut butter--anything!), we had our work cut out for us. And we're first-time dog owners, to boot. Tricia was recommended to us after I posted on a community Reddit page. She promised to be our one-stop shop for dog help, and she's more than lived up to her promise. Not only did she help us potty-train our one-year-old pup and teach him basic commands, but she's helped us with everything from figuring out doggy daycare, grooming, pet supplies, etc. We see her once a week at our house or at a public place and also answers tons of questions from us via text/email in between sessions. Not only is Tricia great with our pup (he ADORES her), but she's great with us, too. She's super professional and prompt, and is helping us gain confidence as new dog owners. I'd highly recommend her to anyone (and have already recommended her to several friends!).

    Run Free K9 - pet_training - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...