Tappen Hill

Tappen Hill offers spacious, social boarding for dogs in a clean, open environment. Dogs enjoy playgroups, swimming, and structured routines. Each guest receives individual attention, with no extra charges for meals, medications, or activities.

Our daycare provides supervised play in indoor/outdoor facilities with pools and play structures. Dogs engage in social activities and exercise while owners enjoy flexibility with drop-off/pickup times during operating hours.

The 3-week boarding school program teaches basic and advanced obedience using positive reinforcement. Includes all boarding costs and post-training review sessions to reinforce learned behaviors with owners.

Daily shuttle service connects Tappen Hill with San Francisco and Marin. Trained staff ensure safe transport with scheduled stops, requiring advance reservations and punctuality from clients.

Dogs are grouped by size, energy, and temperament for optimal socialization. Small groups (4-6 dogs) promote positive interactions while spacious play areas accommodate diverse activities and exercise needs.

Christopher Desmond co-founded Tappen Hill in 2000, bringing decades of experience in canine care and facility management. He oversees daily operations and maintains the facility's high standards.

Annie Desmond co-founded Tappen Hill with Christopher, focusing on customer relations and animal welfare. Her expertise ensures a nurturing environment for all boarded dogs.

Boarding starts at $110/night, with discounts for multiple dogs. No extra charges apply for meals, medications, or activities.

Yes, daily shuttle service operates between Tappen Hill, San Francisco, and Marin at $35-$45 per one-way trip.

Dogs are placed in small groups (4-6) based on size, energy, and temperament for safe, enjoyable socialization.

Dogs must be vaccinated, parasite-free, and well-groomed. Unneutered males over six months or females in season are not accepted.

Reservations require advance phone scheduling for boarding, daycare, or shuttle services during operating hours.

Open daily 8:00-11:00 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM, except major holidays. Appointments required for all services.

The owner requires you to go through hoops to even book an evaluation. We filled out a new client form, submitted the proof of vaccination, and talked to an employee about our dog with no red flags. Yet, despite it all, the owner decided to change the age requirements to disqualify us. The owner should just learn to get their unreasonable list of requirements straight instead of lying to tell us no. Thanks for wasting peoples time. Just say, "no new clients" instead giving people the run around with your personal bias.

Sad change in the style at Tappen. Our labradoodle seemed to love it there and they seemed equally happy to board him. They now seem to us to be over busy and, again our personal opinion, intolerant of the slightest tendency for dogs to bark and do what dogs do. It's their call of course which dogs they accept, but after an almost six year hitherto excellent relationship it is disappointing to be told they won't take our dog any longer. So, it is probably best for us to advise would-be clients to go elsewhere.

Since my 2012 review I've boarded my Labrador retrievers here at least 3 times per year while I travel across the globe. This place is super competent. Staffed by professionals. The facility is clean ad well organized. The play yards are tidy. Three's a couple of splash fountains for the pups who love getting wet. My girls upon arrival run to the office entrance because they are so excited to visit again.

Pretty exclusive place. Your dog will need to be temperament assessed before being allowed to stay here. Strict vaccination requirements. I've seen and evaluated 10 other dog boarding places in Sonoma & Marin counties. This one is the best.

Don't trust these people with your fur babies! We went for an assessment with our 5 month old sweet pure bred black lab. Our lab puppy has just noticed female dogs in the past week. He put his paws over the other dog in a non-threatening manner while playing, which the other dog also did the same thing at times, and the lady there whipped our dog with a leash twice, making him yelp both times.

We left and will not be returning ever. This person did not ask to whip our dog with a leash and then suggested we do this after she did it. There are other ways to handle this with positive reinforcement. This is abuse. If this was in front of the owner, what will they do behind closed doors? In addition, what does the owner tell her employees on how to handle behaviors, and how does this turn out after individual perceptions and any lack of judgment take place?

No thank you. She also told us she doesn't take barkers, which he doesn't bark abnormally. What dog doesn't bark though and what happens if they do? I hope this experience did not cause him to distrust boarding facilities or people.