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    Running Amok

    5.0 (39 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Services - Running Amok

    Dog boarding and training

    Dog walking

    Pet boarding

    1 More Service

    Private dog training

    Running Amok Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - Running Amok

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    Reviews With Photos

    Edna on an outing with Running Amok
    David I.

    Ming has been watching our dogs Edna and Ira for five and half years. Our dogs are polar opposite in persona. Edna is spicy and introverted. Some professional dog walkers and places have had trouble with Edna. But she feels super comfortable (maybe too comfortable :) and loved when she goes on an outing or stays at Running Amok. Ira is very friendly and extroverted. He also loves going to spend time with Ming because he gets to play with all of the other dogs. We feel comfortable leaving both dogs with Ming for both daycare and long trips because we know they will have fun and be loved.

    Aileen C.

    This review was definitely a long time coming. Oh goodness, Ming was so amazing with our boxer. He listens to us so well now. I really appreciate her dedication to helping us have an already amazing dog even better. Of course we needed to do our part to. She gave us some homework to do before each session. So it's all team work. I whole heartedly recommend Ming!

    Melissa B.

    We were first introduced to Ming 5 years ago, after having gone through two other dog walkers for our quirky SharPei/Dobey mix. Being a rescue, our dog can become skittish and fearful. We've even instances of him running away from the pack, which led us to separate from one other walker. I was skeptical we'd ever find someone that would build trust with him or us. Then we met Ming! Ming built an instant connection with our dog and her gentle but firm manner was exactly what was needed. The moment you meet her you realize she's a kind and gentle person that has a great demeanor with animals (and people!). We never had a single issue or scare in the 5 years of working with her. She's extremely reliable, great with communication and flexible. I love the peace of mind knowing that my dog will be happy and safe under her care. Ming has a deep love and connection to animals. She's become an important part of our family and any dog would be lucky to work with her.

    Puppy cuddle pile from a recent stay with Ming at Running Amok.
    Kasey M.

    We've recently moved to SoCal, and I must say the thing we miss the most already is Ming! We've been using Running Amok for boarding (and walking when she still offered it) almost 9 years - ever since our labradoodle, Edgar, was a puppy. Ming is always responsive and happy to send pics and updates during boarding and she truly adores the dogs she works with. Edgar loved her right back, getting super excited when she arrived for pickup. On the training side - Ming is the main reason Edgar's recall is so good; he escaped while we were moving in (seemed to want to greet the movers) and came immediately when I called for him, even though we haven't directly worked with him on it since he was a puppy. I remember one of the first times we sent him with her we warned that his recall was a little inconsistent, and on drop off she let us know he was good to go. So, anytime someone asks me about boarding or training, I immediately send them to Ming at Running Amok! I trust her completely.

    Happy Dogs!
    Nigel C.

    We have used Ming for a few years now when we go on long vacations. We have a Belgian Malinois that is not very friendly due to being bitten at an early age. Ming has a magical touch because she sends us videos and pictures of our dog playing with other dogs during her stay. I would highly recommend boarding your dog with Ming because of her knowledge with different types of dogs.

    Jordan S.

    We start our story with a dog who couldn't handle being in the same space as another dog. At the point we met Ming we could barely walk our dog down the street without her freaking out at every person, dog, or inanimate object. We had gotten some advice from other trainers but none of it seemed to be working for us and our girl. Enter Ming! The first time we met in person we went for a walk with our dog. We were so nervous since our dog did not do well with strangers (lunging, barking, etc.). But Ming knew the exact right things to do and the right energy to put out. They were besties within a half hour. We decided to have our dog board with Ming for a month. This was a game changer. She came back with really strong place, recall, etc. the basics that you need to build on. There was definitely a learning curve when our dog came back but we had amazing support from Ming and clear expectations. We are about 2 years into training. We still work with Ming regularly. Our dog is happier and more secure each day because of Ming and we have so much more confidence in our ability to communicate with our dog.

    I've walked and boarded my 14 year old Frenchie for many years with Ming. I really appreciated her skills, it helped my dog overcome some of his toughest times. I can highly recommend Ming's service. She is super reliable and helped me out countless times when I needed longer boarding. One of the things I especially loved was being able to see my dog at the park with the pack, on her Instagram account.

    Dog
    I Z.

    We highly recommend Ming and Running Amok for all of your dog training, boarding and behavioral needs. We had an interesting first experience with a trainer we sought out to help train our 5 month old puppy to be comfortable and calm around other dogs, animals, and moving objects which eventually led us to seek out someone who demonstrated more care, attention, and behavioral understanding. Upon my first interaction with Ming, I appreciated that she spent a quality 30-45 minutes with me listening and trying to understand the specific needs of our new pup. She was very knowledgeable about animal behavior, made us feel comfortable and at ease from the start, and offered great perspective on why our pup may have been exhibiting certain behaviors at a young age. Also what needed to happen going forward to ensure our baby could lead a happy and comfortable life as she explored the world around her. We decided to do a board and train where our pup would spend 4 weeks with Ming, away from us. Admittedly it was difficult with her being away for weeks at a time, but Ming would send frequent pics, updates and training advice throughout. We also did our best to meet once a week to go over and practice the training techniques ourselves both in and outside of our pup's normal environments. We'd meet in parking lots or near our home to practice being around different types of sights, sounds, and triggers. Those training sessions were followed up by frequent communication from Ming to gauge our understanding and ensure we would put the training into practice. Those 4 weeks ended up getting broken up due to holidays and some unforeseen sick days, but Ming more than made up the time and was very professional about ensuring she kept the 4 week timeframe. She even took our pup on long road trips out of town and camping which was good for our pup to experience. We also boarded her recently for a week with Ming while we went on holiday vacation with our family. She is used to Ming and loves her. Now that she's home, she has definitely exhibited strong improvement from when she first met Ming. She is demonstrating restraint through play and other techniques we are using to practice disengagement from triggers she once was very sensitive towards such as other dogs. Ming practiced this heavily with her and in the later weeks of her training introduced her to being around other dogs and animals in closer proximity. She can now be within closer proximity of these triggers and demonstrate good restraint and a better understanding of her environment. I appreciated that Ming helped us to understand that our pup will always have her spunky and tenacious personality, and to not take that away from her but taught us how to help channel her youthful energy through different techniques we need to practice consistently. They have been paying off so far and we couldn't be happier. She's now 9 months and we're so proud of her progress. We will definitely be boarding again with Ming and Running Amok in the future!

    Dog
    Meghan B.

    Ming and Eli have been taking care of my reactive Australian Shepherd for many years. Since she is not friendly to everyone, she requires special attention and she always gets that at Running Amok. We have used both their walking and boarding services and appreciate their communication, flexibility, and fair prices. I also love that Ming has a background as a trainer and is always continuing her education in dog training. It gives me the peace of mind that my troublemaker is being loved and corrected like we would at home. I highly recommend Running Amok!

    A well trained boy
    Ryan S.

    Ming helped me get on my feet as a new dog owner of a 6 month old rescue with a variety of behavior quirks to iron out, along with foundational obedience, deference, etc. She was able to give me tools to use in the long term to manage and develop good behavior and habits with my dog independently. Additionally she seems very knowledgeable about animal behavior across many areas. She is open and flexible to adapting her training approach to match the dog's specific personality as well as the living situation, owner's preferences and limitations etc.. I would recommend her to any friend who recently adopted a dog!

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    3 years ago

    Our dog loves his time with Running Amok! We have relied on them for years to take care of our baby while we are away!

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    3 years ago

    I absolutely loved working with Ming! She turned my pup who had never even walked on a leash into a loose leash, obedient dog dream!

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    Ask the Community - Running Amok

    Review Highlights - Running Amok

    We were at a loss with our reactive dog (a large shepard mix) until we found Ming, an incredible dog trainer.

    Mentioned in 34 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Doggy Lama Pet Care

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    We couldn't recommend Doggy Lama Pet Care more, what a wonderful organization. Molly and all the…read moreemployees are amazing. Their pricing is more than reasonable, and the services are the best. Molly was recommended by a friend as "the dog whisperer" and that is correct. We have a little senior guy who loves other doggo's but doesn't have any teeth to defend himself, so it has been really difficult to find a boarder for him to be safe. Even having friends who he is familiar with staying at the house hasn't worked out. Insert Doggy Lama. We did a trial run of boarding with Molly, and he passed so we were able to schedule a weeklong vacation knowing he would have the best time. He got to hang out with some other senior dogs and have long walks in the wilderness and lots of doggo time. Molly kept us posted daily with pictures of our little man being a dog. The experience way outperformed expectations. We are working to sign our guy up for some walking adventures throughout the week. Go see Doggy Lama for all your needs.

    We absolutely love Molly and the whole Doggy Lama team! From the very beginning, Molly has been so…read morecommunicative, kind, and flexible and she always sends the best photo updates that brighten our day. When Wilma first started going to Molly, she was a shy and timid pup who wasn't comfortable being off leash. Over time, with Molly's patience and care (and the help of Fabrizzio and the other amazing walkers), Wilma has grown so much in confidence. She now happily runs with the pack (with a long lead) and adores her boarding stays with Molly. I think she's sad when she leaves! We're so grateful for Doggy Lama and the great care and service they provide. It truly feels like Wilma is part of a second family. We can't recommend Doggy Lama enough!

    Cutie Pawz

    Cutie Pawz

    (25 reviews)

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    It was the first time with put our little Lily in a boarding house and we were nervous at first,…read morebut Lily was so well taken care of that we would not hesitate to use Cutie Pawz again!! Lily had a wonderful time playing with the other dogs and she was totally happy there. Wendy sent use cute videos and pictures almost daily, which took our worries away! I highly recommend Cutie Pawz if you need a good and caring boardinghouse!! Thank you Cutie Pawz Sonya

    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!

    Happy Hound Play & Daycare - Inside or outside play all day!

    Happy Hound Play & Daycare

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    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.

    Update following the owner (Suzanne)'s response:…read more I appreciate the business taking the time to respond. I want to clarify a few points for transparency and for prospective customers considering Happy Hound. My concern was never the existence of a first-day assessment fee, but the value delivered. I have used dog daycares across NYC, Chicago, LA, and San Francisco and have never encountered one that charges more than a standard daycare day for a first-day evaluation. In many cases, the first day is complimentary. That context shaped my expectations going in. When I called to book, the 3:00pm time slot was the only option presented to me by Happy Hound. At no point during booking--or after the tour--was it communicated that the daycare credit would apply the same way regardless of whether my dog attended for a full day or only a couple of hours. Without that clarity, it is entirely reasonable for a new customer to assume that paying for a full day would result in receiving a full day of care. That is where the communication breakdown occurred. I am not disputing the sequence of events shared in the owner's reply. My concern is with the policy itself--specifically, requiring payment for a full day of daycare while not delivering a full day of service when scheduling limitations come from the business. The outcome was that I paid for care my dog did not receive. A prorated refund for the unused portion of that day would have been a reasonable, customer-oriented resolution. Sharing this simply so other prospective customers understand how the onboarding process and policies work in practice.

    Rene's Cuddly Critter Sitting & Dog Walking

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    Two years ago, I decided to drive my cat, Margie, home to Southern California. Long story short, it…read morewas a nightmare, and I decided to find a trusted cat sitter. I did my research on various pet sitting agencies in the area before deciding on Rene. When I reached out, she was extremely responsive and came to meet me and Margie to get a sense of Margie's personality as well as to see where I kept Margie's food, litter, etc... Rene was great at engaging Margie and not a single claw was seen that day. Since then, I have asked Rene to take care of Margie during the holidays and occasionally when I am out of town at the same time as my roommate. Rene sends me updates with pictures everyday and even takes care to describe Margie's mood to me that day. She makes sure I've arrived home so Margie doesn't go hungry and keeps my space very tidy--I believe I once returned home to find my room cleaner than I left it. Rene has also been able to fit me in very last minute and is extremely flexible with her hours. She has been caring for Margie for over 2 years now and I deeply appreciate how reliable and consistent she is, often going the extra mile to make sure Margie is happy and healthy. I love that I have had Rene check in on Margie for the last two Christmases and Rene not only took great care of her, but left her a Christmas present both years. Little gestures like this only add to the list of reasons that make me confident in my choice of cat sitter and I am comfortable recommending Rene to anyone looking for a competent, trustworthy, and thoughtful cat sitter!

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    Wag Hotels - Oakland - Your dog is one-of-a-kind! That's why we offer individualized care and inclusive programs to fit every dog's needs.

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    When I first adopted a shelter dog at 7 yo, he stayed here and was overwhelmed and had anxiety from…read morehis past. The staff here was able to accommodate him and updated me. I trusted that he would be safe with them. I took him to boarding school for two months to fix his past traumas and let him do a one month daycare here afterwards. He seemed a lot better with more socialization. Thank you to wag hotel Oakland for being patient and letting my dog thrive. I would recommend the 30 day daycare if pet parents are busy with their day or want socialization for their dogs

    Shame on you Wag Hotel!…read more I scheduled boarding for my dog Hans at your facility back on 1/28 in preparation for a trip to Japan on May 3 - 8, which you accepted on 1/31. However, when we arrived at your facility on May 2nd, the day before my flight to Japan, your front desk staff informed me that Hans' 5/2 - 5/8 boarding was being denied due to him having a heart murmur condition. Even though I've been a loyal customer to you for over 10 years; and that Hans' heart murmur condition had already been noted in your system since 2024; and given that my flight to Japan was less than 24 hours away; and given the fact that your facility waited until I was at the checkin desk in order to inform me of Hans' boarding denial; I was still told that there was nothing that your facility could do and that it was simply following company policy. Luckily for me, I demanded to speak with a manager who then took it upon himself to assist me in finding another facility that would board Hans at the very last minute. So kudos to that manager. However, you should know that he had to make several calls going down your "other recommended facilities" list in order to find a facility that was willing to board Hans on such short notice even with him having a preexisting heart murmur condition. So again, kudos to that manager. So unfortunately, this is how our relationship ends after I've been a loyal customer to you for over 10 years. Policy aside, not only should I have been notified far in advance to my May 2nd boarding schedule, but that I should have also been given an accommodation due to the last minute nature of your notification. It was simply amazing to me to hear both your Manager, and your front desk staff all admit that a notification error had, in fact, been made by your boarding authorization unit, but due to company policy there was nothing that could be done and that Hans would simply have to boarded elsewhere. Obviously, both my years of customer loyalty and the fact that your authorization unit had made a horrendous mistake, made absolutely no difference whatsoever in my situation. So goodbye, and again shame on you Wag Hotel!

    Running Amok - pet_training - Updated May 2026

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