Happy Hound

Happy Hound is a cage-free dog boarding and daycare facility at 2101 Mandela Parkway in Oakland, California. It accepts dogs of every size, from small breeds through giant ones, and also offers grooming and training on site.

What the facility offers

Boarding dogs stay in private rooms with soft bedding, and calming music plays at bedtime. The building is climate-controlled and runs a PetAirapy air purification system. An outdoor backyard play area sits next to the indoor play space, so dogs move between the two during the day.

• Private boarding suites with soft bedding
• Separate play areas for puppies, shy dogs, and small, medium, large, and extra-large dogs
• Indoor play space with an adjacent outdoor backyard
• Webcam access so owners can check in
• Grooming and training alongside daycare and boarding

What makes it different

Play groups here are sorted, not pooled. Puppies, shy dogs, and each size bracket get their own space instead of sharing one open floor. Both cage-free group care and private suite stays are available, so a dog who does not enjoy a crowd still has an option. Naps and lunches are provided as needed, which matters for young dogs and older ones who run out of steam by afternoon.

Practical details

Weekday hours run 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday the doors are open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Early drop-off is available up to one hour before opening, and late pick-up runs until 9 PM, which covers most commutes across the East Bay. Daily rates published on the Happy Hound website range from $25 to $72 depending on the service. The phone number is (510) 547-3647.