Pet boarding/training in Bakersfield

“I have been taking my dogs to Stiern Veterinary on Monterey since 2007. I do this because they are outstanding. The office staff, vet techs and aides along with the doctors are always friendly and professional. I trust and value the advice and treatment I get from them.“

“Caring staff, excellent education, took care of my kitty and explained what was up. Thorough, clean, and kind. What more could you ask for.“

“The staff has always been very kind and the Dr's have always been very helpful in making sure that I understand everything going on with my feline daughter. To the staff : when I asked to be notified about any cancellations so that my baby could
be seen sooner than her original available appointment, it really meant so much to me when you guys reached out to me and made it happen. Thank you to all of the staff and Dr's.“

“I am new to the area and they made me feel very welcome. The parking lot was very clean, the office smelled very clean and the staff was very friendly.
They were very gentle with my dog which I appreciated very much“

“Before contacting Nick at Elevated Canine I thought my stubborn schnauzer would never go outside again because he was so reactive towards people and other dogs. Neptune and I went through the standard package training and it has been an amazing experience. My only regret is that I didn’t start the training sooner. I feel like I have a new confident dog. I take him for walks everyday, he’s crate trained and he can even hang out in the front yard without running away. Nick and Kassandra are great trainers, very well organized and extremely knowledgeable. The studio is always clean and a very comfortable place to bring your dog. I have recently gotten a new puppy and have started applying the training I learned to him and he is doing great as well. Elevated Canine has been worth every penny. I recommend them to all my friends and family.“

“I love dr. Cooke and his staff is top notch. A bit pricey but I think they all are. Thanks Doc for saving Mo and helping me out. ?“

“Mookie loves the groomers here, they are so patient and loving with her. The place is so clean!!“

“They genuinely care about all of my cats… I loved Dr.Hiteshew, I love Dr. love as well. She was very good to Silverman yesterday… Got Kari needed. I would recommend Southwest to anybody… Staff is fabulous both front office and Vet veterinary assistance“

“They genuinely care about all of my cats… I loved Dr.Hiteshew, I love Dr. love as well. She was very good to Silverman yesterday… Got Kari needed. I would recommend Southwest to anybody… Staff is fabulous both front office and Vet veterinary assistance“

“I love this place! Julie is awesome. We had our Rottweiler puppy do the basic “manners” board and train in 2024 because at 5 months and 50lbs she was a bit of a bull in a china shop and almost knocked my mom down a few times. Harlan took his time to build my pup’s confidence and even keep her an extra week no charge to make sure they didn’t rush the process. Every time we went to train with her she was so sweet and happy, I could tell they treated her well. Fast forward a year later and she’s still doing great! We use their Daycare and Boarding often. My Gypsy girl gets So excited to go see her friends at ASDO!!“

“We cannot recommend Ray highly enough.

We have a four-year-old miniature long-haired dachshund named Franklin who struggled with reactivity, leash pulling, leash aggression, boundaries, and overall anxiety for most of his life. We had tried everything before finally deciding to invest in private training. We did group sessions through Zoom Room, watched countless YouTube videos, read dog training books, and tried so many different methods and approaches. Nothing truly clicked for Franklin or for us.

At a certain point, we realized we didn't just want our own lives to be easier, we wanted Franklin's life to be better. He was constantly overstimulated and reactive. We couldn't even drive him around in the car without nonstop barking at things outside the windows. Vet visits required going through the back door. Camping trips felt impossible. Even simple walks around the neighborhood had become stressful and unmanageable. We wanted him to be calmer, happier, and able to actually enjoy life.

After reading so many positive Yelp reviews, I reached out to several dog trainers in town. Ray was the only person who called me back personally, asked thoughtful questions about Franklin, and spent time talking with me on the phone before we even scheduled an appointment. That alone stood out immediately.

After our first appointment, when Ray explained his methods and overall philosophy around dog training, my husband and I felt hopeful for the first time in a long time. Then came our first real session with him at Riverwalk Park, and honestly, it felt miraculous.

Watching Ray work with Franklin was incredible. He showed us how to properly handle him, how to make corrections effectively and proactively, and how to communicate with our dog in a way we never had before. By the end of that very first lesson, Franklin was walking calmly in a heel position, ignoring people, dogs, and children walking by without barking or reacting. We had NEVER experienced anything like that with him before in his entire life.

Since then, we've kept at it. And to be clear: this takes work. You absolutely have to put the time and consistency in with your dog. But Ray is there every step of the way... guiding you, correcting your technique, stepping in when needed, and helping you build confidence as a handler.

We just completed our sixth session, and Franklin truly feels like a different dog. We still have work to do, and we absolutely plan to continue working with Ray as needed. But the transformation has already been life-changing for both us and Franklin.

What stands out most is that Ray genuinely loves animals. He wants people to understand their dogs, communicate with them clearly, and build a healthier, more effective relationship together. His training has given us tools we never had before and has genuinely improved our dog's quality of life.

We are endlessly grateful and could not recommend him more.“

“Brought our GSP here as a puppy and then transitioned him to full training program. What a great job Ron did on our pup. Our pup would take off after the bird on day one and when we got him back he is steady and retrieves to hand. Very pleased with the outcome. Ron is easy to work with and always up front when it comes to training and the progress and potential on your dog, and the price is really reasonable compared to other trainers. Brought our female in and he was up front about her not really being motivated for the hunt and the birds. I would recommend Fongeo kennels. Thanks Ron!“

“I took my Rottweiler, Maximus, yesterday to get checked out due to hip pain. He's the nicest dog, except at the Vet He received good care, but I really, REALLY want to thank Vivian who went the extra mile for me and Max...She helped lift 112lbs of growling deadweight into my truck AND called today to see how Max was doing. CRAH is my choice and I highly recommend them!“