Such a special place!! A shuttle in Marin if you don't have time to drive your dog out to the countryside. *also, note there might be a special test your pet will need before being approved- and a come by and see how the fit is & you get to see your dog's environment. But once you have gone- you will be grateful you set this up for yourself and your fur child. They have a great report card at the end of stay & who your pet was social with and they will contact you immediately if they are concerned about any kind of medical worry. Make Tappen Hill part of your family's busy life, your pet will be in excellent care. And you will be at ease if ever you were in an emergency situation. Plan ahead and check out Tappen Hill. read more

Since my 2012 review I've boarded my Labrador retrievers here at least 3 times per year while I travel across the globe. This place is super competent. Staffed by professionals. The facility is clean ad well organized. The play yards are tidy. Three's a couple of splash fountains for the pups who love getting wet. My girls upon arrival run to the office entrance because they are so excited to visit again. Pretty exclusive place. Your dog will need to be temperament assessed before being allowed to stay here. Strict vaccination requirements. I've seen and evaluated 10 other dog boarding places in Sonoma & Marin counties. This one is the best. read more

Tappen Hill - Pet Sitting Near Me - Sebastopol, California

See all

My dog has been going to Tappen Hill for "summer camp" for 14 years. This is an incredible place: lots of space, wonderful caregivers, and our dog runs in joyfully whenever we arrive. We have never once worried about our dog while he was there (mostly because we know dogs there are not aggressive). On our last stay, Christopher and his team recognized a critical care incident related to our dog's ongoing moderate heart failure. They rushed him to a 24 hour vet on a Sunday morning, where he received medicine and is now doing fine. They communicated so well via phone and email, even though we were 5,000 miles away. I can't recommend this team highly enough. Make reservations early- they book up for a reason! read more

We have used Tappen Hill for more than 10 years. Our previous dog loved going there -- she would wag her tail with excitement as we pulled up to the gates. Our new puppy is showing a similar reaction after staying at Tappen Hill twice in recent weeks. The vetting process is extensive (which I greatly appreciate). While I can understand the frustration posted here by people who are told that their dogs are not welcome to return, I was surprised to see so many negative reviews. Over the year, I have met many dog owners in Marin and Sonoma Counties who LOVE Tappen Hill. Even though we drive about 45 minutes to get there, we highly recommend Tappen Hill (if your dog can attend) -- it's clean, run by professionals, and they are hyper-vigilant about making sure the dogs staying there are up-to-date with vaccines, etc. read more

They cancelled our pre-evaluation appointment less than 24hrs, considering we went thru the hassle of getting all the required vaccines and tests, which was a considerable investment; I felt pretty offended by the lack of respect of our schedule. I cannot talk about the place itself, but the way management handles the initial steps to start a relationship is definitely not impressive. read more

We are very happy with Tappen Hill and our pup comes home happy and healthy. The screening process is thorough and I can understand that it could be frustrating for people. Especially if it's decided it's not a good fit for your pup. Ours did do the initial evaluation, the 24 hr. evaluation and then we actually did (at their request) a 48 hr. stay to see how he'd do. He's younger and has a lot of "play" energy and they wanted to make sure it would be a good fit for him and the other dogs. We are very happy with the care he gets while he's there. He's full of energy, loves to play with all other dogs and is sweet as can be. I appreciate the vetting process because I know he's safe and well cared for as well as the other dogs. We hope that he can continue to stay at Tappen Hill as he gets older and further matures. read more

The owner requires you to go through hoops to even book an evaluation. We filled out a new client form, submitted the proof of vaccination, and talked to an employee about our dog with no red flags. Yet, despite it all, the owner decided to change the age requirements to disqualify us. The owner should just learn to get their unreasonable list of requirements straight instead of lying to tell us no. Thanks for wasting peoples time. Just say, "no new clients" instead giving people the run around with your personal bias. read more

We have loved taking our two Miniature Poodles to The Meadows in Sonoma Valley before they closed. Heidi has been the best! Coco and Whiskey always would get excited when they saw where we were taking them and would enthusiastically greet the handlers when they came out to the car. In addition, they would also happily come to us when we would come and get them. They are fun loving, non-aggressive dogs that enjoy the company of both other dogs and humans. Keep that in mind with the horrible experience we just had. After looking at various reviews, we chose to try Tappen Hill in Sebastopol (a much longer drive but one we hoped would be worth it for our pets). We chose a short stay of two days and went to pick them up last Friday. Asking the front office attendant how they were, she responded guardedly and said that the owner wanted to talk to me before they released our pets. Well, I received a twenty minute lecture on the aggressive nature of our dogs. First, aggressive to the dogs of similar size; then, placing them in with larger dogs, Coco was aggressive with the larger dogs, then "ratcheting down" and crating Coco, that she continued to be aggressive. All the while, with reasonable situational awareness, I'm watching and hearing a female attendant aggressively snap at and stand over a dog in the kennel. Hmmmm . . . Our dogs were then brought out, tails down, heads down, no greeting - nothing, as if their lights were turned off. Hmmmm . . . Buckled up in the back seat, they just curled up quietly for the ride home. Not normal. Arriving home, instead of running into the house to greet my spouse enthusiastically, they just stood next to the car and had to be coaxed into the house. When we then reached down to pet them, welcome them home they ducked their heads. Hmmmm . . . Today, Sunday, they are starting to act happy - normal. For veracity sake, we have had dogs all our adult lives, we bred and showed dogs, one of our Cairn terriers ranked fourth nationally. read more

Best boarding and daycare! All dogs are temperament tested and put in appropriate play groups. My dog absolutely loves it there and has made many friends. Can't wait to get out of the car when we arrive. read more

Country club for dogs, pool and all. Match your pup for playmates and sometimes think she's doesn't even want to come home :( easy pickup and drop off at Nevin by Bonair. Every dog has to pass an interview - largely to make sure they can play with others and don't bark. You see why if you step inside - 100 dogs and the sweet sound of classical music playing lightly. Not a peep other than that and the dogs just hang out, play with toys, etc. Our dog did come home with a scratch that concerned us, but they treated it and healed ok over time. read more

Oof. No words. Just meh. Act family oriented but always turn on the good employees. Lots of deception. The dogs are most important but the bosses help instigate drama. You're dogs deserve better read more

Whipped My Dog with a Leash, Right in Front of Me It will take me a long time to recover from my "Orientation" interview this morning at Tappen Hill. My dog Bodhi, thank God, is already over it. I will write this review and then I will take a lesson from Bodhi and put this terrible experience behind me. Some of you may already know my 9-year-old Airedale, Bodhi. He happily spent the first 8 years of his life at The Meadows twice a week for daycare and several times a year for boarding. He was adored by all the staff, and he was a good dog buddy to so many of the other dogs at The Meadows. We considered The Meadows his second home - Heidi and Lana were his second family. Bodhi is the happiest, most social dog I have ever known. I have been told countless times from staff how much they appreciate Bodhi because he plays with dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages. He loves being with other dogs more than he loves food. Since The Meadows closed, Bodhi has happily integrated himself into a new dog community at Olivet Kennel. This morning I took Bodhi for Orientation at Tappen Hill, just so we could have multiple options for him given the uncertainties of fire season, potential evacuations, and so on. When we arrived for our "interview" neither Bodhi nor I were greeted with any cheer or friendliness at all. Annie, the owner, introduced herself and took us into a fenced gravel enclosure. During her questioning of me about Bodhi's social behavior, my alarm bells were going off that this person was directing the interaction toward expecting Bodhi to be an aggressive dog. I regret not ending the interview right then and there. Annie directed me to remain in the enclosure with her and Bodhi while she let another dog in, but she told me not to interact with Bodhi at all while she observed how Bodhi responded to the other dog. I knew this was not the correct way to introduce any dog to a strange dog - you would never put a dog in a situation where its owner is present, but the owner's ability to provide leadership and guidance for the dog is taken away. I regret that I allowed Annie to put me and Bodhi in that situation. I allowed this stranger, whom I trusted on blind faith, to determine what dog she would put into an enclosure with me and my dog. I allowed her to forbid me to honor my relationship to Bodhi and I betrayed Bodhi's trusting bond with me by doing so. Annie let a submissive dog into the enclosure, and the dogs quickly went into the appropriate social nose-to-tail greeting. When they calmed and released from the nose-to-tail, the submissive dog came directly over to me to seek my affection. I did not respond. Bodhi immediately came over and scolded the dog away from me with a growl and a nip. This was not surprising. What was surprising was Annie's reaction. She immediately charged Bodhi and began yelling aggressively in a very loud voice, whipping Bodhi repeatedly with a leash. She was not correcting him, she was beating him, abusing him. She was punishing him. She continued to yell and whip at him even though the dog encounter was over. The entire thing lasted about 20 seconds, but it seemed an eternity. I instantly knew that what I needed to do was put Bodhi's leash and harness back on him and get out of there as quickly as possible. Bodhi's behavior was not the problem, Annie's was. And Bodhi was in danger of being injured if I allowed him to stay there one more second. Bodhi, the amazing dog that he is, responded to the whole situation with neutral calm and resilience. He did not cower, he did not cry out, he just got himself away from this abusive woman and allowed me to come over and put his lead back on. As I was leaving, Annie was telling me that I "seem like a very nice lady", but I needed to be very careful because I had an aggressive dog on my hands. It was horrifying to see this person beat my dog. It is even more devastating to me that I betrayed Bodhi's trust. I put him in that enclosure with this strange woman and I allowed her to abuse him right in front of me. So, if you are wondering why your dog seems anxious or unhappy after a stay at Tappen Hill, I think I might know the answer. read more

Sad change in the style at Tappen. Our labradoodle seemed to love it there and they seemed equally happy to board him. They now seem to us to be over busy and, again our personal opinion, intolerant of the slightest tendency for dogs to bark and do what dogs do. It's their call of course which dogs they accept, but after an almost six year hitherto excellent relationship it is disappointing to be told they won't take our dog any longer. So, it is probably best for us to advise would-be clients to go elsewhere. read more

The staff and facilities are wonderful -- those are the two stars in the rating. Once we'd left our dogs here a few times we realized that when the owner gets involved, his negative energy changes everything. When he doesn't get involved, the people and dogs are all happier. Torn about whether we want to roll the dice and come back here again, since it could be a 5-star experience or a 1-star where we felt we'd betrayed our dogs. read more

I don't have a dog that goes here but I've dropped off and picked up before for a friend. I've talked with the owners a few times and they are arrogant and it's obviously about money. I've walked in on them having conversations with employees that should have taken place privately from the looks of things. They seem to always be yelling at the dogs to be quiet. They are dogs they bark. I don't know much about dog training g but whoever trains the dogs seems mildly abusive while doing so. Not a place I would take my dog. read more

I have to stick up for this place because I think some of these reviews are very harsh! I took a star off because it's so far from us (1h10m). Laura - I definitely didn't get a see and be seen vibe. I showed up in sweats (not designer, college), a pair of years old sneakers and slightly asleep with my mix breed from a shelter and they were more than happy to take the time to talk us through their services and also take a look at our pup. We are definitely not the see or be seen types... especially that early morning when we went up for our evaluation. Susan - They don't only accept "lofty purebreeds" because our pup is a mutt from SF SPCA. I think they just want to make sure that nothing could happen to the other dogs in the facility. My building doesn't allow pitbull mixes or german sheperd because of the higher probability of risk. Our dog does not have pitbull mix, she is a border collie/australian sheperd (as far as we know) and was found on the streets in Monterey. It seems more of a safety precaution and I'm sure it wasn't in anyway to offend you or your pups. We had to reschedule our overnight evaluation because our dog, Jersey, wasn't feeling so great and we happily agreed to do so. They just want to make sure that your dog and the others there are kept in a place that facilitates good health and a safe, fun environment. Plus the rates here are very competitive and the dogs get so much more than what they get in the city. Once we did take her up for her overnight they did observe her and made sure that she was a good fit for the facility. She spent the last week there and came back clean, happy and healthy. I was also in the back when I picked her up and there were a LOT of dogs there so I know they are very busy! They have a very large, nice, well kept property that even has a variety of pools for the dogs. Dogs are paired up by size and temprement and kept in suitable larger enclosed areas with their own crates for sleeping and feeding. Each larger area has doors to the outside as well so dogs can go in and out as they please! The floors are heated (um I'd like that too!) and they are very good about feeding them what you like and giving them any medication you drop off with your pup. Also, if your pup stays there for over 4 nights you get a complimentary bath! When we came here I really felt like we were visiting some elite private boarding school for our child, which in a way, it is! I was very happy with this facility as it was recommended to us by people who board their dog there. You can tell they take their job seriously and love what they do! The dogs have the life and I feel bad taking her away from all the fun when I pick her up! If you can trek up here to take your pup, do it, they'll love you for it! read more

This place is simply awesome. As you drive onto the property, you feel like you're in the middle of the countryside (you pretty much are) and notice how quiet and calm it is. The dogs have large, shared runs to enjoy inside and outside, and they get rotated into the large yard and fountain areas. This is a professional operation with a friendly and capable staff, but it doesn't have that corporate feel -- the owners even live onsite. We know our dog likes it because she pretty much jumps out of the car and doesn't look back when we drop her off. The only downside? It's a bit of a drive if you're coming from San Francisco. But for longer stays, it's well worth it -- I think you get a lot more for less money than you do with the big in-city dog hotels. read more

OK, for those of you who seem to think that there's a certain "snob factor" or "see and be seen vibe", take a breath...your human insecurities are showing. We have a shelter dog and have never felt judged when we drop him off. We've taken our dog to this kennel for the past three years (based on a glowing review from a friend) and can't say enough about how well this place is run. As an added bonus, the owners live on the property; helping to ensure safety all night long. Our dog gets excited the moment we pull onto Llano Road, is outdoors as often as he wants to be (thanks to the open kennel policy) and is always well matched with other dogs in size and temperament. For those of you who were told that their dog wasn't ready for Tappen Hill, think about getting some training for your pooch. Being careful about boarders is sure-fire sign that they aren't solely concerned about the all-mighty dollar, so I'll give Tappen Hill 5-out-of-5 stars for good judgement. read more

I have nothing but good things to say about Tappen Hill. Anyone that has negative reviews clearly points to the fact that you cannot make all the people happy all the time. I refused to board my dogs anywhere because of the horrid conditions most of them provide. Small dog cages, old horse stalls, dog runs where the dogs have to go to the bathroom in. Yuck. And if you think they are cheaper - you are wrong. Once you have to pay for the feeding, any medications given, walks/exercise/play time, etc you are paying the same. Plus the people that work at those places are minimum wage workers who care nothing for the dogs and are simply there to collect their checks. When I found Tappen Hill I only had 1 dog. I brought him for his interview and then a week long stay. When I picked him up he was excited to see me but also pouted in the car to leave. He was so bright-eyed from all of his playing. I called every day to check on him and they always answered my questions, were friendly and never acted like I was being a silly, paranoid mom. When I got my 2nd dog, they took him in as a puppy based on his brother's previous good behavior (did not have to interview like my first dog.) Even though he was a bit of punk. They both have had nothing but fun, positive experiences here. They are always happy when I get them back. We live 1.5 hours from here and I would never board them anywhere else. Ever. The place is immaculate and beautiful, the dogs all seem very happy whenever I am there for pick-up or drop-off and the staff is always working with the dogs. Anyone who has dogs who like to play, like other dogs and need exercise (and aren't the purse dogs who need their own rooms like some dog "hotels" provide) will be happy here. I have personally referred 2 other people here who also had completely wonderful experiences and happy dogs. read more

This is the Four Seasons for canines! The facility is spotless--I would literally eat off the floor of the indoor kennel. The program is terrific. Your pup is matched up with a small (4-5) group of dogs with the same temperment and they share a lovely indoor/outdoor run complete with radiant heated floors, circulating drinking water, doggie furniture and individual crates for meals and sleep time. Classical music playing faintly in the background soothes the pups. It's amazing that there are 50-100 dogs here at a time and you never hear barking. Outside the fun really begins! All-day access to an outdoor run/play area. Supervised playtime on a doggie playground complete with toys, agility equipment, etc. And several doggie pools ranging from shallow to deeper water. Dietary issues/needs are taken very seriously. Attention to detail is apparent. We can not imagine leaving our LuLu anyplace else when we're gone for longer trips. And the fees are VERY competitive. There are a number of boarding places in the city that pretty much keep your pup locked in a small room for more money. Make the drive to Sebastopol--it's only an hour away. You and your pup will be grateful that you did. read more

Club Med for dogs -- seriously! A beautiful location and facility close to 101 in Sebastopol. The dogs get tons of personal attention, are grouped by age and size, and get to be outside playing all day. Oh, then there is the fountain for them to wade in and the pool to swim it. All the staff clearly love their jobs and working with the dogs. There is an air of exclusivity about it, which really is a selectivity to ensure that the dog will do well with the other dogs and in that kind of environment. Almost felt like having a child apply to a private school, but I do believe that the screening process is warranted and effective. Finally, at $40/day TH is comparable to many other boarding facilities that do not offer nearly as much. read more

Tappen Hill - Pet Sitting Near Me - Sebastopol, California

If I could give Tappen Hill 10 stars I would!!!!!!!! This is the only place I will leave my 2 Beagles when I travel and go out of town. I have left them there for trips as short as 2 days and up to 3 weeks...I am surprised how many people in the Bay Area do not know about Tappen Hill and I am always one to refer them there if they are looking for some place to board their dog(s). I could not imagine what I would have to go through if my only choices were the boarding places in the city or anywhere else in the Bay Area. I have read the other reviews and Tappen Hill is picky and they only take certain dogs but that's just their standards and sticking to that has made them very successful. The other poster had about her dog getting Giardia well I am not sure about most dogs but they tend to want to sniff, eat or drink anything so something like this can happen. I am so thankful to the staff and the owners on how well they take care of my dogs and give me the piece of mind when I am on vacation that they will be safe and well taken care of while at Tappen Hill. My one Beagle has allergies and at times has to wear a cone and they take care of his needs while I am away. There was one visit where they took him to the vet because of his allergies and called me to tell me what was done while he was there. I have looked at places like the Wag Hotel but even though they are around the corner from me I still drive all the way to Sebastopol whenever I go out of town. The drive is worth it and I wish they had a Tappen Hill - San Francisco but I know that will never be so I will keep on driving up there for my pups. read more

I have been boarding my dog (yellow Lab) at Tappen Hill for 4 years, and cannot imagine boarding him, or any well-behaved dog, anywhere else. The staff is always friendly, knowledgeable, and patient. Most importantly, my dog, who is not that interested in playing with other dogs near our home or in the local dog park, absolutely LOVES going to Tappen Hill. He starts to jump around the car excitedly the moment we get through the first set of gates. This is probably because the staff takes the time to assess each dog's temperament, and then assigns the dogs to a section filled with other dogs of the same personality. My dog, Jack, is shy and somewhat submissive, but since he is placed in the "sensitive" group with other submissive dogs, he feels safe and enjoys playing with dogs who won't push him around. Can't say the same for the local dog parks or hiking trails. As for "attitude." I just wish every service business in the world had the same attitude. Any "screening" that gets done is simply for the enjoyment and safety of all canine clients. Why should clients board their dogs with animals who can't socialize safely? It's amusing, in a private school sort of way, that dogs must be "interviewed" and "try out" for a night, but it makes sense. Owners who leave their dogs at Tappen Hill drive away knowing 100% that their dogs will be safe and well cared-for. That, alone, is worth the hour-plus drive each way to drop Jack off. I've read the negative reviews about Tappen Hill, and can only imagine that people who would complain about this outstanding operation would complain about anything. The level of quality here is equal to the best resorts and restaurants. Who could ask for more? read more

Our two dogs went through the intro process that some folks acknowledge in previous reviews. I found the intro/review of our two dogs at first odd and then I realized that she was simply being straight forward and honest - very rare these days - so I can see how one might be taken aback or interpret this as rude. Tappen Hill has a high standard and if that beans turning some away - so be it. Tappen Hill is upfront and honest about this. With all that being said - Tappen Hill is a terrific establishment. The one thing that blew me away when I first arrived - the quiet silence of happy, content dogs. No stressful barking, no whimpering or crying just dogs running around playing - being dogs. Our dogs love it here. And although they aren't the best trained dogs in the world they get along just fine with the terrific folks of Tappen Hill. The Dog Boarding business is a tough one, thanks to finicky owners lile myself, but Tappen Hill is the best I have seen - bar none. read more

I feel compelled to chime in and stick up for these guys as well. I've been coming to Tappen Hill since about 1996. I cannot even imagine how someone could consider the staff snobish. I usually show up looking like a scrub and I've been treated respectfully every time. These people love dogs and "snotty" is the last word I would use to describe them. I suppose the facility could be intimidating to some as it resembles a chateau more than a kennel. As for the Giardia issue, I wouldn't doubt that it could occur there. I think the expectation needs to be established that this is a place where many dogs spend a lot of time in close contact with one another. This is not a sterile environment and there is always the risk of bringing some sort of disease home. I'd be disappointed if this happened to me, but I would hold Tappen Hill no more culpable than I would my child's school if she came home with influenza or lice. My recent experience is a phone call I made about boarding and training my recently rescued Catahoula Leopard Hound. This is *not* a "snooty" dog type by any means. Not only did Hallie welcome my dog for boarding, but also referred me to another trainer since Tappen Hill couldn't meet my needs within my required timeline. I drive about 45 minutes each way to board my dog here and it's worth every minute. read more

I never write reviews, but felt compelled to because of the wonderful experience we had with Tappen Hill. They helped us out with an emergency and were very flexible and caring. The owners sent me pictures and updates often. Our dog absolutely loved it! The training was amazing! I read a review about they only accept low maintenance dogs and dogs from wealthy families. We had the opposite experience. Thank you Tappen Hill for taking care of our dog in such a loving environment!!! We could not have made it through our family tragedy without them! read more

Has anyone out there left their dog for training at Tappen Hill? We are considering this but would love to hear some feedback. Thanks read more

Don't trust these people with your fur babies! We went for an assessment with our 5 month old sweet pure bred black lab. Our lab puppy has just noticed female dogs in the past week. He put his paws over the other dog in a non-threatening manner while playing, which the other dog also did the same thing at times, and the lady there whipped our dog with a leash twice, making him yelp both times. We left and will not be returning ever. This person did not ask to whip our dog with a leash and then suggested we do this after she did it. There are other ways to handle this with positive reinforcement. This is abuse. If this was in front of the owner, what will they do behind closed doors? In addition, what does the owner tell her employees on how to handle behaviors , and how does this turn out after individual perceptions and any lack of judgment take place? No thank you. She also told us she doesn't take barkers, which he doesn't bark abnormally. What dog doesn't bark though and what happens if they do? I hope this experience did not cause him to distrust boarding facilities or people. read more

My conversation with them never made it to a meet and greet. From the site it seems like a gorgeous place for dogs and very honest about their specific breeds that they DO NOT accept. As our conversation continued, her tune changed when I told her I have a rescue purebred (shepherd). Essentially, rescue dogs don't have a chance at Tappen Hill because we don't have their history and are often are unpredictable. This conversation became judgmental to the point where I thought this lady was demeaning (and frankly, probably only knows purebreds the best). Judge me when I come up but not on the phone. Our friends love it there - but maybe because they have labs and retrievers. Onwards. This place should be Tappen Hill for Purebreds only. It'll save everyone time. read more

My dog came back w/ giardia a (waterborne disease) he got from this place. I know because he was just tested by the vet before going in the place and he came back w/ diarrhea from giardia. This was after an overnight stay, aaargh! The company completely denies this, of course. The vet said that my dog got it from drinking infected water. Hmm, let me guess. Tappen Hill's claim to fame is having 3 swimming pools for the dogs. Maybe he drank that water? Employees are supposed to monitor the dogs while staying there. Somewhere along the way, my dog just happened to get sick by himself. Let's see, I paid for the boarding, along with dog training, vet bills before and after the stay, medicine and tests. A total of over $600. For an overnight stay + giardia to boot! This isn't just about the money -- my dog didn't deserve to get sick because if Tappen Hill's irresponsibility. All for an overnight stay. Stay away from this place. Your dog will be all the better. read more

The owner-guy (I think) I spoke with is interested in $$$ and lofty purebreeds. Since I live about 1.5 hours away (I love my dogs and want them to be on vacation when I'm on vacation), he impatiently asked whether I'd be a regular customer before he could book me. He's definitely more interested in $$$ than the love of dogs. He also seemed highly biased against my mixed breed dogs, who probably have some % of pitbull in them (since most mixed breeds do). They're super well socialized and play with dogs in the dog park daily. For me, Super Rude = 1 Star. I don't care how great the physical product is; customer service is #1. (At least be polite in tone of voice.) I've been going to Anderson Acres and Cotati Dog Ranch. They've never given me the Machiavellian approach. read more

Buyer Beware - Drove 2 hours to get to this place (after a phone consult) and our dog (2 year old German Shepherd) got a 10 second temperament test - and owner tells us she cant accept our dog because our dog has "issues". My dog is a dominant dog - but he is a dominant, extremely playful dog and as with most German Shepherds (and many other big dogs), they tend to play rough. Dogs are pack animals and they find their ranks in the pack pretty quickly. He has never gotten into a dog fight and he loves to be chased by small dogs and loves to chase others too. The owner of this facility kept asking us if our dog has ever gotten into a dog fight and despite repeatedly telling her 'NO', she keeps persisting - almost to the effect that she doesn't believe me! She then begins to refer me to a nearby facility that works on behavioral issues for dogs - I didn't really need that but I respectfully accepted her comments. On the way back home, we stopped at Point Isabel, and he thoroughly enjoys his day playing there with over 10 dogs, including a Chihuahua, Yorkie, Shepherd, Alaskan Husky, Doberman and a Pitbull. Other owners commented on how "mellow", "beautiful" and "obeying" our dog is! If you have a submissive, timid dog - this will place will definitely accept you - anything else - take your chances. What a waste of our time! read more

Tappen Hill is hands down the best boarding facility in the Bay area. Ever take your dog to a boarding or day care place, and all you hear is tons of barking? No, this isn't dogs having fun - barking is the sign that dogs are under stress. Maybe play induced stress, but stress nonetheless. You will never hear barking at Tappen Hill because they work hard to reduce the stress on the dogs. We went on vacation for three weeks once, and our dog came out very rested, at the same weight and very calm. Any time we go away for more than a few days, our dog stays at Tappen Hill. I know I don't have to worry about her for a minute. She has stayed there at least a dozen times over the last few years. I highly recommend it. The only drawback is that you need to drive up to Sebastopol. It is a doggy palace for the well behaved dog. read more

Don't know what happened with some of these other reviewers... I think this place is dog heaven! The dogs are housed in playgroups of 4-5 dogs of same or similar breed. They are kept with that group in ample sized dog pens (which are both indoor/ outdoor with dog beds and heated floors) and rotated in groups to play in swimming pools and open yards. Animals are crated for meals and sleep only, but have plenty of roaming space during the rest of the day True, their screening process may be off putting to some; they are very business like (certainly not overly friendly), but these people know their stuff! Frankly, I think their scrutiny is what makes this place so great, because what you'll find is very well behaved dogs to keep the company of your pooch. You need to bring your dog for a "look see" interview and if it goes well, they will keep him for an overnight.... If that goes well, they'll take him for boarding. The dogs that are here are of a certain temperment... friendly and well socialized (they told me retrievers and labs are what they had in mind when creating it). You can count on the fact that your dog will be with friendly, non-agressive dogs. The place is CLEAN. I didn't smell anything foul when I was there.. no pee, no poop; the place was spotless and a well-oiled machine. Within 5 minutes of my arrival, their handlers had noticed my dog had an ear infection and had his ears flushed. They were at full capacity (85, I think?) when I was there and things seemed to run smoothly. Just a note to Laura P., I was not particularly stylish or put together when I arrived, and I really don't fall into the category of needing to see or be seen. .. they really only seemed to care about my dog. It is such a nice place and it does have an upscale feel, but I did not detect any snobbery on my visit (although I was prepared for it). This is the one and only place I have ever taken my dog where he came home calm, normal and smelling great... just like when I left him. I just want to know my dog is well cared for so I can relax and enjoy my vacation and this place is one of the few places I have had that peace of mind. $45 per night is pretty reasonable for what you get. Only drawback is that you have to drive to Sebastopol! read more

This place has been great for us! Our dog has stayed there several times now, and when she comes home, she readjusts to our routines pretty seamlessly. I was nervous about the screening process, but it turned out to be just fine. As other people mentioned in their reviews, the dogs are grouped in small "communities" based on size and temperament, so the dogs are together unless they are eating or sleeping. Each community has a spacious indoor/outdoor kennel. The dogs can go outside at will, which is really nice if you have a young dog who might need more bathroom breaks than are typically provided by kennels. This is a great place for dogs who thrive on canine companionship! read more

Hands down the place to board your dog in the bay area. We drive from San Francisco anytime we are going out of town because we know our dog is getting the best possible care. Sure the staff isn't uberfriendly, but they are professional and know what they are doing. Worth the drive and it's cheaper than any of the warehouse places in SF. read more

Love Tappen Hill! Take our two labs there for regular day care during the week. They play, sleep, swim and come home pooped in the afternoon. Fabulous place and our dogs are well taken care of! read more

We have been boarding our dog at Tappen Hill since it opened for business. I knew it was the perfect place for our dog when I picked her up after her first visit (which was seven days) -- when my dog first saw me, she greeted me with excited barks, wiggles, and wags of her tail, but as we got closer to our car in the parking lot, she slowed down her pace, stopped, stared at me and the car, and then ran back into the reception area at Tappen Hill, ran past the receptionist and the people waiting for their animals in the lobby, and parked herself hopefully by the door to where the dogs are boarded. My dog was giving me her review of the facility, and I am now passing that review on to you. At that moment, she preferred life at Tappen Hill to life at home with me. Since that time, whenever I drive my dog to Tappen Hill, she is excited to hop out of the car and run into the building, and she always has second thoughts about returning home. Nothing I could say about my own reaction to Tappen Hill could be a better review than what my dog has expressed, countless times, without words. read more

Tappen Hill is by far the best dog kennel we've between Northern and Southern California. The staff, especially Nikki is very friendly, and go out of their way to take special care of the health and safety of our 2 Golden Retrievers. We've been taking our dogs to Tappen Hill for 7 years, even though for most of that time we've lived in Los Angeles. We have tried repeated times to kennel our dogs in the best kennels LA has to offer, but they come back sick each time. When Tappen Hill notices even the slightest change in our dog's health, they take immediate action and precautions to help their recovery. Everything is clean and quiet and the environment is great. They're the only dog kennel in California that we trust! We wish they would open up a kennel in the LA area! A special Thank you to the owner for making special arrangements to accommodate our pups! We really appreciate it! read more

Our black Lab has been a regular at Tappen Hill for the past four years. Our pooch knows (!) when we get there and is standing in her crate ready to go and play with her instant buddies. We love to travel and it takes all the worry off our shoulders because we know our best friend is having a great vacation too! Take time to watch the video on their website. Hard as it may be to imagine, that is exactly how it is! read more