Pet Services, Pet Boarders and Sitters, Kennels, Pet Grooming
Happy Hound offers doggy daycare, boarding, training and spa services to dog owners in the East Bay and surrounding areas. We are dedicated to the health and happiness of our dog clients and to providing a safe and stimulating environment for dogs of all ages and sizes. We offer premium play areas and private rooms for our boarding guests. Fun, socialization and loving attention is what your pooch will get while spending the day at our environmentally green daycare facility. Happy Hound provides an adjacent backyard for fun in the sun. We have 1 doggy supervisor per every 15 dogs in our play area; this provides safe and playful fun for our clients. Happy Hound places an emphasis on cage-free daycare with private rooms for boarding. We have special play areas for small dogs, shy dogs and medium to large dogs. These rooms provide dogs with beds, toys and lots of time to socialize.
I am sitting here reading some/all of these ratings and the negative ones are catching my eye mainly. The folks that have made it through the assessments (as long as they are!) and paid for the days of boarding or is it daycare? whatever; to make it to the goal of having your dog introduced in the group of loving and fun animal play groups forever have reached the big picture and can understand what it's all about. For all the others bitching about their dogs being scrutinized for their attitude in a play area- it's for a good reason! Would you want your dog punked by another's dog with a bad attitude that slipped through the door if they didn't check it out first? It is for a reason that the dogs are checked out first- to prevent fighting later- everything is calm in the pack or it can get ugly fast if it wasn't checked.Secondly, the doors aren't left up at night! My assessment was at 6:00pm and at 6:30pm those doors went down like clock work and I also got a tour of the facility's and ALL the rooms in the back have raised beds so the dogs are off the floor. I was told in person and in print to bring my own beds, toys, and jackets if nec. So you are very mistaken! Plus, They get a nap mid day if you ask for it, walks if you ask, and kongs stuffed with PB at night so quit your bitching if you don't know ask! I was told all of this up front.It is an expensive place I agree but I feel it's worth it, my dog is happy, socialized, and tired. There ALWAYS is someone there with him; 2 in the day and 1 at night with the video cam mid day to watch him. Thank you Happy Hound!!
Posted 08/31/08 | Report Abuse
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Not a great option for very small dogs
by ahabt
I have heard good things about them, but when I called them about daycare for my 5-year-old, 6-lb. toy dog, it was kind of a washout. I was told that he could only be accommodated with the puppies, and I know my guy enjoys the company of other adult dogs, but not youngsters.
Posted 04/11/08
Wonderful place to drop your buddy off.
by tcinsf
I'm rather stunned by the recent harsh negative reviews. I started taking my big, high-spirited pup there a couple of months ago, and it has been great for him. I put him in day-care so that he can get a full day of exercise a couple of days per week. The whole point is for him to get worn out, and to get him more used to playing with other dogs.
We also went through the long interview process, however it was a breeze, and I actually got a lot of advice on raising and training the boy. I felt secure knowing that the other dogs went through the same process, and that problem dogs would be weeded out. My dog had been falsely accused of being aggressive, and they recognized high-energy and high-spirits as not being equivalent to aggressiveness.
I also like the fact that they are so confident of how they treat the dogs that they have a web-cam so you can check in anytime you want. They keep at least one person in each play area (as opposed to some of the places I visited which had only one staff person there when I arrived, and nobody with the dogs.)
The first day we showed up at daycare, the staff all knew we were coming and knew my dog's name. I was left with the impression that they all care about the dogs in their care. Many of the daycare places keep dogs in pens, and let them out only for occasional play periods. Here they can play all day. He comes home tired and happy. He knows the schedule, and when I take him out of the house in the AM and head for the car rather than the park, he gets incredibly excited.
For us, it has been great and I recommend Happy Hound.
Pros: Location (for me), exercise for dog, staff, dog's socialization
Cons: None
Posted 02/20/08
Dissatisfied with the care of my dog- won't use them again or refer anyone to them
by BBOakland
I found Happy Hounds (HH) via this site with positive remarks & that's why I decided to take my dog there for daycare/overnights; however, my experience was quite the opposite. I'm a responsible dog owner with a very healthy dog. I took my dog there for daycare/overnight stays and when I picked him up he was tired as expected; however, within a few hrs. he was unable to walk & was in extreme pain. The next day I took him to the vet for pain medications, etc. Prior to HH, my dog was 100% healthy & even went to a similar place out of the area for the same duration with no issues upon returning home. Something mysteriously happened and I inquired w/ them to see what caused his severe pain? I asked if he was wearing his sweater since it's extremely cold there & that he got the necessary naps. They assured me this was done; however, something had to have occurred? What?s most troubling was their facility can be extremely cold as they leave a door open & w/ the cold cement floor, I think this could?ve been a factor in his muscles tightening, etc. Also, the kennel areas are supposed to be heated, but I'm not sure this is sufficient considering how high they?re elevated over the areas, heat rises, it takes an hr. + to warm up, the cement floor is cold, etc. Plus, during the cold month my dog was there, the staff was bundled up, but most of the dogs weren't wearing sweaters. &, yes, dogs? body temps. are different than humans, but the place was freezing which can't be good for dogs walking all day on cement. If you have a short hair dog & regardless if they are moving around all day, I think the place is too cold for the dogs. Another concern- make sure your dog gets naps when requested. I just wanted you to be weary since I trusted this facility based on the reviews & my meeting with them. I will not take my dog to HH again & hope they consider doing something about their inadequate heating system & more closely monitor dogs needing breaks or that may be in distress.
Cons: Inadequate heating system, horrible smell, extremely cold
Posted 02/17/08
Most Horriable 3 hour interview Experience!!!
by jasaranavarro
My husband, my dog and I where all put through a 3 hour interview process for initiation. It was horrible. The interviewer was so obsessed with psycho analyzing our dog that by the time we where released we never wanted to go back. He did nothing but criticize our 6 month old Yorkies behavior. Our puppy was so distraught from the entire experience. In my opinion Happy Hound is not a healthy environment for dogs and we do not recommend the experience. Also their fee's are way to expensive for the initiation process. It would have cost $200 before our initial charge for boarding because of some policy. The entire boarding cost would have been close to $400. Save yourself and go to Just Pet Me Country Club off Broadway instead. No 3 our interview and no initiation process coasting $200. Just Pet Me has the best services for your dog and it's only $50 for hotel charge. My dog was so happy and tired from playing all day that we now drop him off for play days.
Pros: zero
Cons: Int he Hood, Too many dogs under one roof, the interview process, and the high fee's
Posted 12/26/07
Best Doggy Daycare in the Bay!
by about4567
I can't say enough to explain how both me and my dogs feel about Happy Hound. The service is great, the enviroment is great, the staff is above great! I come from a small town and to move to the bay area with my pooches it was a relief to find such a great home away from home. They love it and I wouldnt take them anywhere else. It may be a wi-bit pricey but its totally worth it. Most of all its organized, safe, and clean. LOVE IT!
Posted 12/05/06
the happiest hounds on earth go to happy hound!
by hezmodo
Dogs run free in supervised, enclosed areas, designated by size; small, med and large dogs. Handlers rotate between the enclosures, getting to know all of their charges, while ensuring everyone is playing nice and not making a ruckus. Staff are all clearly dog-lovers, and friendly to the owners as well. They do accommodate for nervous dogs or those who need a gentle introduction to the stressors of playing in a pack. My nervous ninny comes home more confident from her days at H.H., while my big solid bully dog comes home exhausted from a day with the Big Dogs. This place is tops; the only -- and I mean it -- kennel/day care situation I would recommend to anyone. It is a bit on the pricy side, but what you pay for is the well-being of your dog -- not something I've had good experience with in any other kenneling situation.
Pros: Dogs come home happy, well-exercised and well-behaved.
Posted 09/04/06
Refer with confidence!
by yrnamhere
I am so afraid to refer people to kennels in the local area. I have been thrilled to find such a great new facility that I can refer with confidence, especially with so many of us who work late and would like to bring our dogs to work! This is an amazing option to bring your dog in so that you can take off right after work!
Pros: dog wild, clean, smart
Posted 12/02/04
Happy Hounds are Happier!
by riverchick
I was traveling to the Oakland area with my pooch, but needed a place to board her for a few days. The staff at Happy Hound is GREAT! They are friendly, knowledgable & very loving toward the dogs who board there. I think my dog had a great vacation at Happy Hound & would highly recommend this facility & group of folks.
Pros: Nice facility, Clean, Good Value
Posted 07/08/04
