6 Dog Training Services in San Francisco

Are you frustrated with your pet’s behavior? Or maybe you just brought a new puppy home that could use some guidance? Whether you have an older dog or young pet, teaching your dog good obedience is key to a happy and healthy relationship.

Yet, if you’re not willing to take on the challenge of training your pet - there’s no need to worry. With the help of an experienced trainer, you can have your pet on the right track in no time.

If you’re based in the San Francisco area, here are 6 dog training services you should consider hiring.

6 Dog Training Services in San Francisco

Refined K9

Refined K9 is a dog training and rehabilitation facility that works with dogs with mild to severe behavioral problems.

“Our goal is to provide our clients with the skills to understand and better communicate with their dogs using both traditional and new age methods.”

They offer the following services:

• Private Training
• Board and Train
• Off Leash Training Programs
• Puppy Training
• Pet Food Express Puppy Classes
• Leash Reactive Anonymous

While they mainly work with pet parents in San Francisco, they also service the areas of Berkeley, Concord, Dublin, Pacifica and many more.

Here are a few testimonials from past clients:

“Theo has made living in our busy, dog friendly building and neighborhood possible. Her ability to train my husband and I (because, who are we kidding, she’s mostly training us) has been life changing and worth every penny.”

“The change in our dog was immediate and significant. After one training session with Theo and Rob, our dog was 90% calmer and better behaved.”

To learn more about Refined K9 and get in touch, you can contact them at info@refinedk9.com or call 415-980-4200.

Pooch Coach

The Pooch Coach is a dog trainer and behaviorist in San Francisco. It is owned and managed by Beverly Ulbrich who has been working with dogs all of her life.

“Beverly understands dogs and the way they think. She also knows how important it is for owners to understand their dogs and work with them. Training is an interactive, on-going pursuit. It should be fun and rewarding for both you and your dog.”

These are the specialities they focus on:

• Puppy Training
• Dog House Breaking
• Basic Dog Obedience
• Advanced Dog Obedience
• AKC Canine Good Citizen Test
• Manners: Barking, Pulling, Jumping
• Dogs and Cats
• Kids and Dogs
• Multiple Dog Households

And, they can help fix behaviors such as:

• Dog Aggression
• Dog Fear and Shyness
• Dog Separation Anxiety
• Dog Resource Guarding
• Temperament Evaluation

Here is a testimonial from a past customer:

“Our puppy Annie is doing so well because of Beverly's training. She is learning to "come." She can walk on a leash quite well AND she is learning to stay by my feet when I ask her to. Also, she is learning balanced play and to interact with other puppies/ dogs and people respectfully so one day we can go everywhere with her! Further, she is learning to be by herself in the home without us for a short period of time. This way she grows up healthy and happy and won't develop frustrations and fears down the line. She is growing to be a very well trained and happy puppy because of Beverly's knowledge. Thank you Beverly for your expertise and guidance in raising our Labrador puppy to one day be an emotional support service dog!”

If Pooch Coach seems like the right fit for you, you can get in touch at info@poochcoach.com or call 415-643-3333.

Modern Hound

Modern Hound is a positive reinforcement dog training center.

They help pet parents with:

• Manners: sit, stay, down, recall and more.
• Basic Obedience: polite greetings, impulse control, mouth
• Puppy Training: housebreaking, crate training, socialization, chewing habits
• Easing fear and anxiety
• Improving walking skills
• Senior and special needs dogs
• Separation anxiety

Their separation anxiety packages include:

• Option 1: Daily Coach, 4 week minimum commitment - $220 week
• Option 2: Every Other Day Trainer, 4 week minimum commitment - $160 week
• Option 3: DIY Starter Pack: $225

Right now, they are only accepting new separation anxiety clients. But, in the future, here are some other options they offer:

They offer online dog training:

• 60 min behavior consultation: $120
• Two 30 Min Video Conference Sessions, 2 week minimum commitment: $200 week
• Two 30 Min Video Conference Sessions: and 1 30-Min review Session, 3 week minimum commitment: $280 week

And, owner coaching:

• $150 for a 75 minute initial consultation
• $135 for a 1 hour follow up dog training session

Here is a testimonial from a client:

“In what seems like no time, [Modern Hound] helped us train Mookie so that she alerts us when she needs to go out, walks well on a leash, comes when she’s called and will not run away off leash. We’re so happy we found Modern Hound! [They] are worth every penny and we know we have an ally we can call with any questions.”

To get in touch, you can contact them at modernhound@gmail.com or call 415-562-7196.

Better Nature Dog Training

Better Nature Dog Training is owned and operated by Jeff Stallings.

“My science based approach takes into account each dog’s situation, including background, temperament and household environment, to guide clients toward more gratifying healthy humane/canine relationships.”

He helps your dog with issues such as:

• Leash pulling
• Jumping on people
• Housebreaking
• Excessive barking
• Aggression and reactivity issues
• Separation Issues
• Biting, chewing and digging

During this time, he is conducting all sessions via phone and video conferencing.

Phone and video appointments are $95 and last up to an hour.

Here is a testimonial from a past client:

“What a great experience for our rescue terrier and us! Jeff was very professional and explained his method of training from the get go. Easy to get an appointment and on the weekend! Exchanged emails beforehand and he gave great advice on some training tools to get before we even met.

Jeff trained me as well as our dog. He saw my anxiety and explained how Mak (our westie) could pick up on it and how being more relaxed and in control would benefit Mak and lessen his anxiety. We started out in the house and then hit the streets of San Francisco. Typically Mak goes nuts when he sees, hears or smells another dog. With our new Gentle Leader and training from Jeff, Mak made HUGE improvements in our first session.

Jeff left us with more training tools at the end of our session and followed up with emails and additional info and to check on our progress. Thanks Jeff!"

To get in touch, you can visit his website here.

Smarty Pup

Smarty Pup offers training classes, socials and day school for dogs.

Here are the classes they offer:

• Puppy 1: The Beginning - for pups from 8 to 16 weeks old
• Pup Dog 1: For Pups 17 Weeks to 18 months old
• Puppy 2: The Teenage Phase - For Pups that have completed Puppy 1 or PupDog 1
• Puppy 3: The Drills, learn the basics such as heeling, recalls, stay, focus and more.

Their socials are built for your dog to be able to interact with other puppies and people. Here are the options:

• Small Dog Socials: Under 20 pounds, 9 weeks and up
• Socials for All Puppies: Puppies from 8 to 16 weeks

In these socials, your dog will learn the skills they need to learn healthy habits and listening skills.

Their day school is for puppies that are 8 to 12 weeks old. They offer a 3 day a week or 5 day a week program to teach your dog:

• Basic Obedience
• Alone Time
• Crate Training
• Potty Training
• Biting
• Aggression Prevention and more..

Here is a testimonial from a past client:

“This has been the most amazing thing ever for our 11 week old puggle, Stinson. Fawn and Tammy are really amazing with their approach to the puppy socials and the training. Our puppy immediately felt comfortable in their play space and loves to listen to the both of them. Also these socials and classes have also seemed to help me be less socially dysfunctional. Thank you! If you have a puppy you need to socialize them and get them good training. I can't imagine going to anyone else.”

To get in touch, you can email them at bark@smartypup.com.

Star Dog

Star Dog has been working with dogs in the San Francisco area for over 10 years.

They offer:

• Dog training: Master the basics or help your dog overcome reactivity
• Private Walks
• Online Dog Training

“Stardog cultivates a trusting and playful relationship between dogs and their people. Dogs behave because they want to and enjoy doing so - no out of fear of punishment. Communicating clearly and having fun are huge pieces of successful training. If you’re smiling and laughing while you train, you’re doing it right.”

Here is a review from a pet parent:

““Erika is by far the most amazing dog trainer I have ever known! We were put in touch with her through a referral from the SPCA and she has truly been such a blessing to our family. From the moment the pups met her, I knew we hit the jackpot. She had a calm, quiet, respectful demeanor that they just responded so well to!”

To learn more about Stardog, email them at erikaskidog@gmail.com or call 415-513-2405.

As you can see, these dog training services in San Francisco, California are a great option to get your puppy or older dog back on track to good behavior and obedience.

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