Happy Hound Play & Daycare, Inc. in Oakland

Review №1

2024-05-21 20:42:57

Our pups Cy and Luna love going to Happy Hound for doggy daycare and boarding. The staff are superb and we couldn’t ask for a better team to care for our beloved dogs. We’ve used their training program for both dogs and it is worth every penny spent.

Review №2

2024-03-19 01:26:40

Absolutely love Happy Hound! I’ve used them for daycare, boarding, training and grooming. No matter the service, dogs LOVE going there - they get so so excited when we pull in the parking lot. And I love how tired and happy they are when I pick them up :-) highly recommend!

Review №3

2024-04-12 02:21:58

This spot has always been great for our pooch and their updated facility has plenty of safe, clean space for our 12y/o big guy with two ACL repairs. This was our first time leaving him more than a few days. I was apprehensive leaving him for a week and a half but they were awesome about letting us hold the dates without stress and when he lost a couple pounds within the first few days (apparently very common even if they’re eating well since he’s so accustomed to lazy days and less stimulation) they notified us (via text which was awesome) and asked if they should make any adjustments to his feeding. They even allowed us to ship his normal food there via Amazon to up his portions a bit instead of pressuring us into buying their toppers which would have also been a fair option. Really impressed with this place and their prices are totally reasonable for the great work they do for our fuzzy family members.

Review №4

2024-05-29 23:42:18

Happy Hound is an exceptional place! Shortly after adopting our dog in 2018 we enrolled him in their 2 week training program and we had great results. Over the years we took our dog to daycare regularly with occasional boarding visits as well. I cannot think of a single complaint, and can only think of the many times their outstanding staff have treated our dog (who has some challenging behavior issues) with great love and care. They went above and beyond and even got us in touch with a vet who could accommodate him knowing he would be a difficult patient. Their work speaks for itself, our dog was always excited to go to daycare. Also how cool is it you can check their webcam to see your pup having a good time? We no longer live in the area but I am writing this review in hopes that their staff read it and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in their work. They really made our dogs life better and we will always be grateful to them for that.

Review №5

2024-06-24 22:35:58

Took my dog Taz here for a consultation today, his first time ever at a doggy daycare. Everyone was so friendly, the tour was really thorough, and I was pleasantly surprised that they were available on such short notice for boarding later in the week. It seems like the perfect place for a bunch of dogs. Everything exceeded my expectations.

Review №6

2023-06-21 19:08:55

Amazing facility and super friendly and welcoming staff. My dog has moderate to severe separation anxiety, and after just two days of daycare now LOVES going to Happy Hound. The first day, she barked and jumped at the door awhile, and the second day she relaxed and even made a friend! The webcams are such a thoughtful and fun addition to the experience so that the humans can see how much fun their dogs are having. I am so grateful for the attentive staff who assured me and my husband that our fur baby would do well and thrive at daycare. So happy we found this incredible place!

Review №7

2023-12-04 20:04:15

We had our first training session with Psalm and we learned so many tips just in this first meeting. We are actively implementing these tips after the training and already seeing a major change in the was our 3 month old mini schnauzer Georgi responds to us and her play pen. Really excited for the next 3 sessions and to introduce Georgie to Happy Hound

Review №8

2024-06-11 17:06:29

I would give Happy Hound TEN STARS if I could!We got our puppy Gooseberry when she was ten weeks old, and Happy Hound has been our constant, trusted companion through her entire first year of her life! We have used almost all of Happy Hound’s services, and can’t imagine having a dog without their support.Puppy social/classes/daycare: We started by taking her to puppy socials and group training when she was really little (pre-vaccine). They have a dedicated puppy room, and the socials were a great way to start socializing her with other dogs and getting her used to the facility. For daycare, they alternate between time playing with a handler and time in a crate. It was helpful for crate training her.Adult Daycare: When Goose graduated to being with adult dogs, I was a little nervous. They have three rooms for different “vibes” - normal, alpha, and loungers, and they make sure your dog is in the right one. Luckily, HH has cameras, so I could watch her and get a sense of how she was doing. I kept getting nervous that the other dogs were playing too rough, but the super friendly staff was always happy to hear me out, and then explain and contextualize what I was seeing. I think it’s easy to get nervous and protective of your pup, but they helped me see that Goose actually LOVES to play rough and is in fact often the instigator :) Now, I rest easy knowing that she absolutely LOVES being there and hanging out with her friends. She starts doing a little happy dance in the car when we arrive! We go about three times per week, and she’s always tired and happy at the end of the day - no small feat for a springer!Training: As if I didn’t love HH for being a great caretaker of our dog while I’m at work, they also have a phenomenal dog training team. I was working hard to train her myself but she started developing behavioral issues that I couldn’t fix. I brought her into Happy Hound a bit hysterical, worried I’d have to rehome her if I couldn’t work out her issues. Angel and his team stepped up and worked ABSOLUTE MAGIC. I bought a ten pack of training sessions, brought her in for daycare on her normal days, and they trained her right there in the facility. Within two months, Goose went from pulling so hard on the leash that she injured my shoulder, to a wonderful walking companion that heels on leash and comes when called off leash. They also taught her “cafe calm,” which means she lies down and chills out at our feet in public places rather than barking and investigating every little thing. Honestly, she’s like a different dog!!! The whole family has started going on hikes with her. Its has been nothing short of revolutionary for us- THANK YOU ANGEL!!!!I will say, HH trainers can’t train a dog out of a behavior that the dog doesn’t do AT HH - obviously not their fault, but something to consider when you set your expectations. Goose was starting to get territorial and resource guard me and my wife, but obviously, she only does it when we are there with her! So, we had to figure out a different training solution for that. Again, not HH’s fault! But if your dog only does something in certain contexts, it might be hard for them to fix it in a facility-based training program.Boarding: Goose loves being there for daycare, and boarding is no different!Here are a few tips if you are new to HH:-Start slow: If your dog has never been to a daycare facility and/or is on the nervous side, I would recommend starting slow. Take them in for half days or for the social events they organize. Let them get used to it before leaving them a whole day.-Talk to the staff: In some of the other reviews, I see folks saying “I had xyz concern so I never went back.” That’s a shame! Every time I’ve raised a question or comment with their team, they’ve done a really good job of giving me a great explanation and getting me comfortable again. If you have a concern, just talk to them!Overall, I wish I could give Happy Hound ten stars!!! The front desk staff are all SO NICE, Suzanne is great, Angel is a miracle worker….just phenomenal.

Review №9

2023-08-01 22:14:15

Happy Hound took great care of Piero! They were flexible with my schedule when I needed to drop him off a little early, and coordinated with a local vet to make sure he could get his Canine Flu shot in time for his grooming appointment. His haircut looks beautiful!

Review №10

2022-08-10 07:12:38

My furbaby, myself and my hubby LOVE this place. It became my dogs second home. They have been a homesaver! We rescued a puppy this May, and then suddenly..stay at home dogdad needed to go on a business trip. Happy Hound welcomed our puppy with welcome arms. She made fast friends and is so happy to go there. She gets lots of exercise, stimulation, and safe play time. They have an excellent user friendly client portal that allows you to book boarding, daycare, spa treatments, training and more! We currently are doing a 14 day dream doggie training program. Her graduation is Sunday and we have lovedthe experience so far. We get regular pics, vids, and updates. She looks extremely happy and focused. We were able to get so much done around the house while she was out, and have the comfort of mind knowing that shes in expert loving hands! Would absolutely 💯% recommend this place. My neighbors all know of it and are jealous that we got in! Its a local legend. Best of all.. she knocks out.. sleeping so soundly when she comes back home!