Sunny Dog Place

Our dog Bella has been going to Sunny Dog Place since she was 3 months old. She is now 3 years old and loves it just as much now as she did the first time. When we say, «Bella, do you want to go to Sunny Dog??» her eyes light up and she can’t control herself.
She loves the staff and the space to run with the other dogs. We love taking her there, the staff is very friendly and they all truly love dogs. We know she will be well taken care of. We have left her there for a few hours for day care up to 2 weeks while we have been on vacation, all with no problems. We took her to a different place one time and she came home with kennel cough. We definitely trust and recommend Sunny Dog Place.

If you are in need of an experienced trainer I’m sure you can find one in the yellow pages but Suzanne Harb Mackay introduces not only her experiences and dog knowledge into your interaction but also helps the owner better understand our contribution to the situation. We often think its just a «dog issue» well its not, we both need training and this is what I found at Sunny Dog Place. I learned by high energy Pitbull needed an outlet for her prey drive greater than I was providing and swimming seem to be a great fit for Bella. In addition, Suzanne had the breed experience I was looking for since often most trainers are not as experienced with power breeds and traditional methods are not always effective. Sunny Dog is clean and has much to offer in terms of training, daycare, boarding, classes and I was impressed to learn her staff is required to take dog handling classes and know how to manage the dogs on site at all times. Very professional and well equipped facility. I highly recommend Sunny Dog Place and would definitely sign up for one of their classes too.

There are so many more options in the South Bay now, therefore, this doggie day care should be your last resort. It’s okay, but honestly, the bar for pet care has been set high by surrounding businesses that have higher quality facilities and accommodations, for the same amount of $$ or less.

The staff was always friendly when I dealt with them and even the owners, no complaints. Plus, you can’t beat the fact they have a pool and dock diving courses.

But that does not take away from the fact that some seemed confused and seemed to have no extensive knowledge on dog behavior (staff members), which in my opinion should be one of your highest priorities.
Anytime I would leave my baby «Samantha» here for boarding, which was maybe two separate occasion, she would come down with really bad diarrhea and anxiety for a couple of days. Not to mention she smelled like urine, even if it was just half a day of play. I believed it to be the norm and accepted it at the time. But, as I mention before, many Doggie Day Cares in the area provide much better experiences.
And NO! urine smell, diarrhea, and anxiety is not the norm (even if it’s the 1^st time there). Expect more, you owe it to your four-​legged BFF!

I recently brought our dog to Sunny Dog after knowing Suzanne and her staff for years through rescue and watching them do amazing things with dogs that «had no chance». I saw these dogs turned around and with very specific and precise training, become dogs that were no longer dog aggressive, OCD, etc.
Having known Suzanne for close to 7 years, I can’t say enough good things about Sunny Dog Place, Suzanne herself or her staff. They are people that truly care about you and your pets and beyond that, they understand dogs and the mentality of the pack. Aside from training/​behavioral modification, they offer other fun activities beyond daycare for your dog to participate in with other dogs.
If you’re looking for a well rounded place for your dog with an honest owner and a no nonsense attitude toward dog training, you will find it here at Sunny Dog Place and with Suzanne. I am so grateful to have found this facility and to have watched dogs that I thought would never make it, including my own rescued dogs, turn around.
I believe that Suzanne is a truly gift trainer. She is very kind to rescue organizations and beyond her own business, is a philanthropist in the services she provides in trying to rehabilitate dogs that would most likely be euthanized. I think this is noteworthy because in today’s society, it is rare to find someone that has such a passion for what they do from a 360 perspective. And as a semi-​retired rescuer and owner that has utilized Suzanne’s services for years, I think this goes beyond the extraordinary and is not something I have ever seen anywhere else.
Thank you Suzanne and staff for the loving and calm guidance you have given to me and the rescued dogs over the years. You have helped so many and I know a lot of the dogs have had a pretty fun time while they were at it, probably having no idea they were being trained. Hat’s off to you for your loving and kind spirit and the fun and enriching environment you provide to our furry kids.

The first time I visited, they took me on a tour of the facility which was a plus because I haven’t experienced that elsewhere.
After my dog came home from a two-​night stay, she threw up daily for three days. She has a sensitive stomach, so I suspected she ate another dog’s food (dogs eat, sleep, and play in a fenced area together without individual cages). I called to see if the receptionist could find out any info about why my dog was vomiting. She said she’d call back if she found any info, but never called back. My dog also has anxiety, so this may have been the cause, but she has never before thrown up for multiple days.
I took her back for another night several months later for another try. When I picked up my dog the confused, new receptionist asked me how much I owed. I didn’t remember, and she eventually figured it out. Then, she didn’t know how to operate the cc machine and didn’t seem bothered by it. Luckily, I had a check on me. They brought my dog out on someone else’s leash with a giant bag of food that wasn’t mine.
We’ve since moved from the area, but if we’d stayed, I would have tried another facility. The staff seemed kind, but the lack of attention to details made me nervous.

This positive review is long overdue…
We have a 3 year old GSD/​Golden/​Chow mix («Bryce») whom we rescued and was in dire need of training. Sunny Dog owner, Suzanne initially gave us some wonderful training for walking and also for ensuring our dog understand who «rules the roost». Her training was terrific — for both Bryce and us!
We have taken Bryce in for «play days» for socialization and also for a shopping day for us and also have boarded him. WONDERFUL, compassionate staff, clean facility and very professional.
Those that have moaned and groaned about Sunny Dog, perhaps it is YOU who’s in need of some day care.
If you are seeking a boarding facility or just day care and a fun-​filled day for your dog — seek out Sunny Dog.
²⁴⁄₇ staff — Sunny Dog also has a pool and offers swim lessons for dogs and other training options.
Thank you Suzanne and staff! Hope to see you again soon and thanks a billion for the excellent care Bryce has received.
Valerie Smith-​Griffin
San Pedro, CA

We love bringing our dogs here and have for quite some time. They both love it, and cant wait to get out of the car when we arrive and hate to leave when we return. I love that they are free to play all day. My only gripe is they come home smelling terrible, but I guess that is to be expected after a week of playing with other dogs.

I had to go out of down for a few days and left my 20 lbs Terrier Mix here. The staff is incredibly sweet and professional. I was given a tour of the facility, and although the penned area is a bit smaller than I expected, they separate the larger dogs from the smaller dogs which put my mind at ease. There is a staff member at the facility who stays over night to ensure that the dogs are okay during the cage-​free boarding services. My dog came back more socialized than she did before and I intend to take here more often.

We are the proud owners of a very sweet Saint Bernard/​Great Pyrenees mix named Emma. Although mostly a ball of love, Emma had some issues with charging other dogs at introductions, lunging at times and pulling on the leash. When we found out that we were going to have a baby, we decided it was important to nip these issues before they became bigger problems.
After meeting with several trainers, we decided to go with Suzanne as she was really able to articulate Emma’s issues and her bag of tricks isn’t limited to one kind of training. She seems to get that there is not one method that will work on all dogs, and is quick to adapt when something isn’t working. She really goes beyond the call of duty with training! On one of our sessions in order to work with Emma and the stroller for our upcoming baby, Suzanne showed up to the Third Street Promenade with Emma walking calmly next to the stroller which was occupied by Suzanne’s dog Sydney for weight. She spent ample time working with me on walking with Emma and the stroller. In addition to this outing, we did several other outings where we worked on teaching Emma to focus and constantly check in with me, no matter what other distractions were around.
Emma completed her bootcamp at Sunny Dog and returned to us a much more confident and calm dog. Suzanne spent the time to come to our neighborhood and work with us on the issues we had here, and as a result we can now walk Emma every morning to our local coffee shop and know that if we employ the methods Suzanne taught us, Emma can have a great time and calmly meet other dogs while we enjoy pastries and lattes. I would highly recommend Sunny Dog for training, boarding or their awesome pool!

First of all, I am NOT a dog person. However, about four months ago I met the world’s most wonderful dog and I had to have him. I rescued him from a shelter, but had no idea what to do with him for the 12 hours a day I would be at work.
Thankfully his vet recommended Sunny Dog Place. They loved him immediately, who wouldn’t, and he now goes 5 days a week. They have a wonderful group of young, bohemian like 20 somethings, who love our pups.
They feed him there and he gets a free bath every month. I love my guy… and Sunny Dog.

We have two high-​energy golden retrievers. A couple walks a day just wasn’t enough. Several friends recommended Sunny Dog Place, so we tried it, and love it.
The facility is fine and the pool is cool for water dogs like ours, but it’s the staff that make it a five star joint.
The employees all love our dogs and every person I’ve encountered greets my dogs by name. When we pick our puppies up, we get a full report of how they spent their day. And on the way home, they are pooped out.
All in all, Sunny Dog Place is a great place if you need a bit of help with your best friend.

Dropped off my newly adopted dog here because she couldn’t be left home alone while I was at school.
I got the Unilocal deal which is awesome. I highly highly recommend it.
Beware though, your dog will return home very stinky. Haha… this is totally normal though.

I was referred to SDP by a friend when I was looking to adopt a dog. Suzanne Mackay (owner) went out of her way to explain the process, explain what to look for in a dog that would fit my lifestyle. When I got the dog (a puppy; younger than expected) Suzanne was there to train me as well as the dog!
As a new pet owner I could not have asked for a better «partner» (a partner that I did not think I would even need) than Suzanne, her staff and SDP.
While we’ve just started the training process, Suzanne has been great. SDP and the staff have been fantastic and my dog is happy and well taken care of there.

We sent our dog to Sunny Dog to go through their «puppy boot camp.» He loved being there. (I was afraid he wouldn’t want to come home!) He worked really well with Suzanne and really learned to love being a great doggie who listens and obeys commands. Best of all — they have a POOL! We’ll continue going there for the open swims.

I adopted a dog that was not cool with my schedule and ended up having a bad case of separation anxiety. I ended up with ‘arrival anxiety’ as I was never sure what I was going to find when I opened my front door after a long day at work. Chewed up shoes, chewed up wee wee pads, tore up litter box, pee on the floor, poop on the floor… I never knew what surprise I would find behind door #1.
I was lamenting to my dog walker about my situation when she suggested I call Sunny Dog Place. SDP scheduled a temperament for Lemon to see if she would play well with others. On our way up there she took a crap in the back seat of my car, on my favorite L.A.M.B. shoes (UGH!!).
The staff was so nice and understanding when I arrived. They took Lemon in the back and she was on her best behavior. She passed the test and was accepted!
I shopped around at two other well established doggie daycares and the following are the reasons why I finally chose SDP:
1. Their daycare packages are a great deal!
2. They will have a swimming pool very very soon!
3. The staff is so cool and super friendly!
4. They offer training AT the daycare
5. They allow you to pick up your pooch up through 7pm! SOLD!
When I bring Lemon home from SDP she is beat! She is pooped out… literally! It’s nice to be able to wake up in the morning and not have to worry about stepping on a brown bomb on my way to the bathroom (she must poop all day there!). She seems so relaxed and mellow from playing with other dogs all day. It’s so great!
Thank you SDP for being so nice to me and so awesome with my dog. You have relieved much of her anxiety and in turn my own. You have yourself a loyal customer!

I took my dog here last year to spend the day. After the initial behavior assessment, my dog stayed for about 4 hours to play. I also boarded her for a weekend with my mom’s dog. The staff was always very helpful and friendly. After my trip I picked up my dog and she was wiped out and very happy.
So it’s been a year or so since I’ve dropped off my dog at Sunny Dog Place. The front is a little different and the staff had a few changes, but overall the feel was the same. I chatted with the owner and found out that they just added a pool… my dog will be very excited with that. My happy pooped out pooch is now snoozing away. It may not be the cheapest doggie daycare, but I’ve never had any problems. I’ll definitely board my dog here again too.

I love this place and Im very comfortable bringing my dog in on a weekly basis. I have a 10lb min poodle and they take great care of her. Each time I bring my dog in the employees instantly recognize her and call her by her name.
I also just used this place to board my puppy for a week, and I called every other day to check on her and the employees were always friendly.
I think it is a great, safe facility and I always feel comfortable leaving my baby there.
I have also seen a dog on a treadmill but there is always someone in the pen with the big dogs, so there is always someone watching those dogs on the treadmill. I dont believe the employees would leave a dog unattended, its their job to watch them!

It was ok. My concerning is when a dog was running in the treadmill, it was nobody around. The dog looked he’s getting tired and wants to get down from the mill. But the dog was tied on the treadmill and wall, he couldn’t move. It was sad moment that I saw.
After I posted my first review on Unilocal,the owner of Sunny Dog place reported to Unilocal and Unilocal deleted the photo I took. It was really crazy. I’ll never ask them to take care of my dogs. If you really care about your dog and if you are smart enough to know what they are doing without your sight, you know what I mean.

Good, cage-​free facility. No frills, a little pricey.

After my sweet loveable dog of 9 years died, my husband and I decided we needed to rescue a dog from a Shelter. After just three weeks with the new dog, it was very apparent that we were going to need to give this dog some sort of training and intense daily exercise. The dog was obstinate, over-​active, and just plain unruly. Since I had just had foot surgery, it was going to be a struggle to give the dog the training and attention he needed.
This is where Sunny Dog Place (formerly Doggieland) saved my dog’s life. Literally, had it not been for this facility and its awesome training program, day care and personalized attention to my dog’s needs, he would have ended up right back at the pound. No doubt about it. My husband was fed up with the yard in shambles, constant barking at anything that moved, and the dog’s naughty disposition.
We put our dog through their Doggy Day Camp where he went every day for a couple of weeks for intense personalized training. The training they provided to him was reinforced by us when we picked him up at the end of the day. The change in our dog was dramatic and needless to say, satisfying.
Fast forward more than a year later, my dog still goes to SDP for their doggie day care at least 4 times a week (you don’t want to see his face the other 3 he doesn’t go) where all the training he went through is still reinforced. Here he gets the exercise and socialization he needs to stay happy and healthy. He even has a couple of girlfriends!
The owners and staff are wonderful. I have been to several other facilities in the South Bay, but the service and facilities could not compare. When I travel and board my dog, I don’t even think a minute about the care my dog is receiving at SDP. Our life is much better now that we have found SDP as an outlet for our dog. The balance we have achieved between the care at SDP and our home is great.