Google reviewers rate Happy Hound Play & Daycare 4.7 out of 5 based on 477 reviews, with the owner responding to 76 percent of them. Customers frequently praise the clean facilities, friendly staff, and webcam access that allows them to monitor their pets during daycare, boarding, and training services. While many find the pricing reasonable for the care provided, recurring criticisms in lower-rated reviews involve rigid policies, communication issues, and concerns regarding the effectiveness or methods of specific training programs.
Google rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 477 reviews (87% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 477 Google reviews (308 with written comments, 31 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 76% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 15, 2026.
Service: House Sitting serving Berkeley, California.
Data from Google, last updated October 25, 2026.
Photos
Customer reviews
4.7
★★★★★
477 reviews on Google
5★416
4★30
3★5
2★8
1★18
Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).
JR
Juan Rivera2 reviews
★★★★★
I have been happy and satisfied with the care and services Happy Hound has provided for my dog, Guapo. I have taken him to daycare several times and the experience has always been positive for my dog and for me. I have actually recommended them to several dog owner neighbors.
However I recently took my dog for daycare and an overnight stay. I was late 3 minutes to pick him up the next morning and was charged an extra $97 dollars (a full day of daycare!) since I was late (3 minutes!). I was already paying $125 for the daycare and overnight stay plus an extra $50 because they said my dog needed "enhanced care."
When I noticed the extra $97 charge on my credit card, I called and asked to speak to a manager about it, hoping that they would understand that 3 minutes does not justify charging me so much.
When I finally spoke to a manager, she was very short with with me and mentioned that I was actually 7 minutes late when picking up my dog and repeated several times that that was how their system works. I mentioned that I understood that that was their how their system worked but asked if there was something that could be done to either wave the fee or provide some sort of discounted solution on a human and customer service level given that no one mentioned to me that I had paid for an extra day of care for my dog ($97).
Her tone was not friendly and repeated that that was how their system worked and there was nothing that could be done about it. I was incredibly disappointed given that I was charged a total of $272. I would ask Happy Hound to reconsider when instances like this happen and insert a kinder human and customer service touch as I felt cheated and overcharged. It's too bad because I have had great experiences with them.
Price assessment: Overpriced
Services: Dog daycare
Response from the owner · a week ago
Juan, thank you for taking the time to share your honest and detailed feedback. We are truly sorry your recent visit left you feeling disappointed and overcharged, especially after so many positive experiences with us. It’s understandable to be frustrated when an unexpected charge occurs and the conversation about it doesn’t feel as helpful or warm as it should. Your comments about the fee and your interaction with our team will be reviewed internally as we strive to provide clear communication and a more personal touch for situations like this in the future. If you’d like to discuss this further, please reach us through our official contact channels so we can address your concern directly.
The staff really set this place apart. They’re kind, attentive, calm, and truly care for the pets. Within no time they all knew my pups name and they are so gentle with her. I’ve tried other places and my pup always came home shut down and anxious. Here she comes home relaxed and sleeps so good. Very happy I’ve found this place!
Services: Dog boarding, Dog daycare
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
We truly appreciate hearing how welcomed and comfortable your pup feels with us. It means a lot to know that our team's caring and attentive approach has helped your dog settle in and leave each day relaxed. Thank you for your wonderful feedback and for trusting Happy Hound Play & Daycare, Inc. with her care. We look forward to spending more happy days with you both!
These guys are great! We had a short visit to Emeryville and they kept Casey for several daycare stays. We are so appreciative of all the support we received. ❣️
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Dog walking, Dog daycare
Response from the owner · 4 weeks ago
We’re so glad Casey felt right at home with us during your time in Emeryville. It truly means a lot to hear you appreciated the care and support from our team at Happy Hound Play & Daycare, Inc. Thank you for trusting us for Casey’s daycare stays. We would love to welcome you both back anytime you’re in town!
Incredible daycare and training facility! We highly recommend Happy Hound. We’ve taken two of our dogs to their training and one of our dogs to their daycare. They are really helpful and kind and their prices are worthy of the service you get.
Response from the owner · 4 weeks ago
It means a lot to know both your dogs have had such positive experiences with our training and daycare programs at Happy Hound Play & Daycare, Inc. We appreciate your recommendation and are glad our team's support and pricing made a difference for you. Thank you for trusting us with your pups—we hope to welcome you all back again soon!
Short version, they stole $2500 from us.
long version - we were researching a place to board our dog, and went for the 1 month board and train. We then heard that they use punitive measures when training the dogs (from one of the only dog behavioralists in the area) so in less than 24 hours we canceled. They take half the money as a deposit, which in this case was nearly $2500. We asked for a refund and they said no. They said it's in the contract, which it is, but they do not make it obvious, and certainly nobody told us that verbally. You really have to read that thing. They said we can use the money toward future services but as they use punitive measures we will not be working with them. So, they stole $2500 from us. Be careful of what you're getting into.
Services: Dog boarding with training
Response from the owner · 4 weeks ago
Hi Brandon, we do want to clarify a few important points for anyone reading this review.
When you enrolled in our Board & Train program, you signed an agreement outlining the program terms, including the required deposit and our cancellation policy. The deposit is clearly identified in the agreement as non-refundable. You chose to cancel the program after agreeing to those terms, and therefore the deposit was not eligible for a refund.
That said, we did make an effort to accommodate you by offering the full deposit as a credit toward future Happy Hound services, which goes beyond simply retaining the deposit under the terms of the agreement.
We also want to address the statement that we use punitive training methods. Happy Hound is committed to humane, reward-based training, and we stand behind the methods used by our training team. We take the care and well-being of the dogs entrusted to us very seriously.
We understand that our training philosophy may not be the right fit for every family, and we respect your decision not to move forward with our services. However, characterizing the situation as us “stealing” your money is inaccurate. The deposit was retained in accordance with the agreement you signed, and we provided the deposit as a credit for future services as a goodwill accommodation.
We wish you and your dog the very best.
We did the puppy socializing and I feel like I learned a lot. Place was very clean and I felt calmer knowing the puppy supervisor was there to help
Response from the owner · a month ago
Hi Raquel, it is wonderful to hear that the puppy socializing session was so helpful for you and your pup. We’re glad you felt comfortable in our space and that the presence of our puppy supervisor helped make the experience more relaxing. Thank you for sharing your feedback and for choosing Happy Hound Play & Daycare, Inc. We would love to see you and your puppy again soon!
Very happy with Boarding and Training...seconded by my dog!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Dog boarding with training
Response from the owner · a month ago
Thank you, Mary — we’re so glad both you and your dog were happy with our boarding and training. It was a pleasure to work with you and your pup. We appreciate your trust and look forward to helping again whenever you need us.
My energized puppy had such a great first visit he didn’t want to leave.
I appreciated the open, clean space, and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable. I am SO happy I was referred to this place, and I would recommend Happy Hound to anyone who has a dog.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Dog daycare
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
It's wonderful to hear that your puppy enjoyed his first visit so much he wanted to stay! We’re glad the open and clean environment, as well as our team's care and knowledge, made a positive impression on both of you. Thank you for sharing your experience and for recommending Happy Hound Play & Daycare, Inc. We look forward to welcoming you and your pup back soon!
Wu-Sabi loves her times at Happy Hounds. Whether it’s just a day at “school” aka daycare, or a few days at “camp” aka boarding, she always comes home smiling and tuckered after lots of play time with her friends.
Wu-Sabi is all smiles after a day at Happy Hound with all of her friends, both k9 and human!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Dog boarding with training, Dog grooming, Dog boarding, Dog bathing and blow dry, Dog daycare
Response from the owner · 3 years ago
Hi Ian, Thank you so much for this great 5 star review and the picture! Wu-Sabi has such a beautiful smile you know that that is one happy hound! We appreciate your support and love hosting Wu-Sabi! - Suzanne, owner
We brought Higgins here for his evaluation and a daycare. He had a fantastic time! We loved watching him play through the webcam. We tried a handful of daycares in Seattle and this is by far the cleanest, most professional, and most loving place. We plan to enroll him in training, and bought a 10 class pass for daycare so he can continue to make friends!
Services: Dog daycare
Response from the owner · 6 months ago
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We're thrilled Higgins had a fantastic time and that you enjoyed watching him through the webcam — it means a lot to hear our clean, professional, and loving care stood out. We’re excited to welcome him to training and to see him keep making friends with the 10-class pass. We look forward to seeing Higgins again and helping him learn and play.
