I Dig My Dog's Bone-Shaped Pool
Back when Herbie was going through his rebellious phase (about 5-6 months old), we had just moved to a loft in San Francisco's SOMA from our quiet neighborhood in West Hollywood. Our lifestyle changed dramatically: we went from working at home to having a 45 minute commmute, and Herbie's twice-daily walks changed from tree-lined sidewalks to bums passed out in doorways. When one of our co-workers suggested enrolling him in doggy daycare, our first reaction was, "Uhhh, what?!"
Long story short, we are really grateful that we enrolled Herbie in daycare (despite the fact that he got attacked by a chow on his first day). He became much more socialized with strangers, other dogs, and more importantly, was able to romp around and play to his heart's content. At the end of the day, when we'd pick him up, he'd pass out the minute we got home.
Doggy daycare can definitely be expensive, but we feel in our case it was worth it. Now that Herbie is older, has his own frenemy, and a backyard, we only take the dogs to daycare when we're going on a day trip somewhere or working late. Here are two places in LA on the east part of town that we can recommend for both daycare and cage-free boarding:
I Dig My Dog
2160 E. Foothill Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
T. 626.844.7877
http://www.idigmydog.com
This place is very organized: There are about 5-6 sections, and dogs are grouped by size and temperament. During the day, each group rotates to each area that have various activities and obstacles. This is also the only place we've ever seen a pool shaped as a dog-bone.
Pros: VERY organized--there's not much wait for your dog when you come to pick up. Baths and grooming are on-site and can be scheduled after a day of playing or boarding. Easy parking to load/unload your dog.
Cons: If you're interested in knowing what your dog was up to during the day, don't expect to hear anything from the front desk. Ask the employees who are supervising in the back next to the parking lot.
Wagville
2400 San Fernando Rd.
Los Angeles, CA 90065
T. 323.222.4442
http://www.wagville.com
We haven't been here in awhile, but from what we do remember, they were expanding their facilities. Dogs are separated into small and big, and they are free to roam in the covered open space or the fenced-in outdoors. This is also a great place to adopt dogs as well.
Pros: You'll always know which dogs your dog plays with during the day (they'll tell you when you pick your pooch up), baths and grooming are on-site as well, and they do schedule field trips that you can sign your dog up for (ie, beach, Griffith Park, etc). Also, if you board your dog here and you're worried that s/he might miss sleeping in your bed, there's an option available where your dog can sleep in bed with an employee. And yes, there is a "doggy bus" where someone will pick your dog up from your home and return them. (We've never done the last two options, so we really can't review those). Open later than usual (until 9 pm on weekdays).
Cons: Picking up your dog can take awhile, and the parking lot is small.
Got a place you take your dog for daycare and/or boarding? Add it to our list!
[ Photo from I Dig My Dog ]
P.S. The San Francisco daycare Herbie went to and loved was K9 to 5. It's no longer there, but we have to say that it was probably the most personalized doggy daycare we've ever been to. For example, every day Herbie came home with a "report card" that told us exactly who he was playing with and how many time-outs he had.
Time Outs? For a dog?
They made Herbie sit in the corner?
view bepsf's profile
Time outs work! My dog started fighting with my other dog all the time and it was very upsetting. S we told her no and put her in the other room, while we stayed in the main room. Then after a few minutes we'd let her out. After two or three times of this, she never started a fight with the other dog again.
Back on topic... My neighbor told me last night that she has to put her dog in boarding / day care for a week, and they had a 3 hour interview for her dog before they let her book it. Too funny!
view ehadams's profile
Herbie now has his own frenemy? LOL!
view *heather leaf*'s profile
We take our dog to Your Dogs Best Friend in Del Ray Alexandria. She loves it and is so much happier!!
view broadtalk's profile
I would like to enthusiastically second the recommendation of I Dig My Dog. We moved to a place about 4 blocks from them and they have been our LIFESAVER! We have a 15-year-old mutt who needs TLC and a private, quiet space at doggie daycare, and they have been super accommodating and truly sweet about his care. The staff truly love and understand the doggie mind and put their safety above everything.
It's clean, upbeat, professional, and they even sell Nature's Variety frozen raw foods. My only complaint is that the place is so popular they are often booked solid and have no openings, but that's just proof of their good work AND that they need to EXPAND!
view Bx's profile
In Orange County, Wags and Wiggles in Rancho Santa Margarita and Tustin is fantastic. They have great trainers too if you want you dog to brush up on their "skilz" while you are at work.
view LilyC's profile
A wonderful alternative to consider is professional dogwalking and customized in home pet care.
view goodsit's profile
Time outs TOTALLY WORK! Dogs are pack animals and if they do something wrong and you isolate them, they are motivated real quick to figure out what's allowed and what's not cause they want to be with the pack.
In SF- I am a huge fan of Planet Pooch!
view TracyJ's profile
K9-5 ! Hahaha - LOVE that name.
view anne's profile
I recommend Fog City Dogs in SF (Shafter location). We went to SF for a brief weekend visit before heading up to wine country for a long week. The hotel we stayed at didn't allow large dogs so our dog stayed at Fog City Dogs. We were able to watch her play during the day on our PDAs and she was pretty mellow when we picked her up.
view echoparkgal's profile
Also, in the SF Bay area is Every Dog has its Daycare in the East Bay. I live/work in SF, but this facility is fantastic and they really love working with your dog to socialize them and make sure they behave well.
view GlamGhetto's profile
HA HA HA
I LOVE this idea!! It's soooo cute!
view venus_thames's profile
One word, not every dog likes to be highly socialized and this can be stressful and overwelming. Best to pay attention the alternative is a good dog walker during the day or dog sitter when you travel. I have seen dog so stressed because their owners thought this would be the best situation and sadly it was not.
view LoriSF's profile
Any recommendations for boarding near Woodland Hills out in the Valley
view zufrieden's profile
Citizen Canine very close to Oakland Airport was our favorite place to board our dog. Besides being super convenient when flying out of OAK, they really loved our dog. Also, no jail-like cages. We were always very satisfied with their services and were in and out very quickly.
view riss's profile
Wow. Every time I'm reminded of doggie daycares, I think of how other nations must view the U.S.
view Monkeyme's profile