April 23, 2003

By Minnie McBride

HE'S HOME ALONE , and he's bored, except for the half hour he spent chewing your favorite shoe to a slobbery pulp. Leave that same dog at doggie day care, and he'll be pleasantly exhausted after a day of swimming, group play, or off-leash nature hikes. Feel guilty and want to pamper him? Choose a day care center that offers grooming and fresh spring water. Feel like his behavior needs some work? Opt for obedience training. No time to drop him off or pick him up? Sign up for delivery service. Some places even give you the option of checking in on your little darling throughout the day on a Web cam. There are plenty of dog walkers who'll take your canine out for a stroll while you're at work – the San Francisco and East Bay facilities listed below keep your dog occupied all day long (some also offer boarding services – call for more information). Note: These day care centers may require that your dog be spayed or neutered and will likely ask that he or she be current on all shots, including bordetella, DHLPP, and rabies vaccinations. Also remember that the holiday season is very busy, so book early. Your shoes will thank you.

San Francisco

City Dog Playcare-Canine in the City offers dogs the opportunity to spend the day off-leash at the beach or the park with a small group of their peers. Owner Scott Malvestiti picks up the dogs in his truck, and their day consists of walking, running, and sometimes a dip in the ocean. The maximum capacity is eight dogs. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m., call for location, S.F. $30 a day. (415) 431-3648, www.sfdogwalkers.com.

Fog City Doggie Day Care is a large indoor facility located in the Marina District. It provides dogs with fresh spring water and two walks a day, and its doggie Web cam allows owners to see what their pets are up to. New clients receive a free visit and a two-for-one special. The maximum capacity is 35 dogs. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-7 p.m., 1488 Lombard, S.F. $30 a day. (415) 409-DOGS, www.fogcitydogs.com.

Hounds on the Hill Day Spa and Inn provides an intimate home setting for your dog, who will have access to a backyard and a sunny indoor playing area and can be bathed or receive one-on-one attention as requested. The maximum capacity is five dogs. Daily, 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., call for location, S.F. $30 a day. (415) 407-8411, houndsonthehill@pacbell.net.

Kim's Kanine Kamp is for smaller (under 35 pounds), house-trained dogs. The dogs have a home and backyard to play in, and they go on daily leash walks to Golden Gate Park, which is a block away. For an extra charge, Kim will give your dog a bath. Dogs must be on a flea-prevention program, and the maximum capacity is seven dogs. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-7 p.m., call for location, S.F. $30 a day. (415) 387-0599.

K9 to 5 aims to give your dog a balance of exercise, socialization, and attention – as well as nap time. Dogs can play in the doggie jungle gym, go on daily walks, receive brushing, or work on command practice and training. The maximum capacity is 70 dogs. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-7 p.m., 90 Welsh, S.F. $32 a day, with $10 nonrefundable interview fee. (415) 227-4PAW, www.k9to5.com.

Pet Camp is 6,000 square feet of outdoor group play areas, including slides, tunnels, and dog walks secured by a 20-foot-high fence. Soft music is played throughout the day, and Pet Camp boasts a dog pool imported from Europe. Very fancy. The maximum capacity is 160 dogs. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-7 p.m., 525 Phelps, S.F. $30 a day. (415) 282-0700, www.petcamp.com.

Pooches Playtime is a 1,250-square-foot indoor facility that offers off-leash play groups at the local park as well as on-leash walks. The day care includes a large play arena as well as one for quiet or small dogs. No pit bulls are allowed, for insurance reasons. The maximum capacity is 25 dogs. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. and other hours by appointment, 2350 Jerrold, S.F. $25 a day. (415) 824-3743, www.poochesplaytime.com.

S.F. Hound Lounge has attempted to bring the outdoors inside for its dogs, who can run around trees on grass and even take a piddle on a fire hydrant. Soothing classical music is played during nap time, and grooming and retail services are coming soon. The maximum capacity is 40 dogs. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-7 p.m., 2825 Mariposa, S.F. $32 a day, with $13 nonrefundable interview fee. (415) 255-1170, www.sfhoundlounge.com.

Six of One caters to larger dogs, who have the run of the house and the backyard. The maximum capacity is six dogs. Daily, 6 a.m.-10 p.m., call for location, S.F. $20 a day. (415) 334-1087.

Urban Dog owner Rachelle McKinney, a certified Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals trainer, picks up her charges and takes them on off-leash adventure group hikes. When not exercising, dogs stay at her dog-friendly Victorian home, which has a large, fenced-in backyard. The maximum capacity is six dogs. Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. by appointment, 619 Fourth Ave., S.F. $35-$40 a day. (depending on location). (415) 786-7676.

East Bay