Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Dog Training Classes in San Francisco

Our Recommended Top 7

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored San Francisco Dog Training Classes on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

176

Reviewed

108

Curated

7

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
San Francisco, CA 94016

Why choose this provider?

The Mindful Pup is a professional training business and behavior specialist located in San Francisco, California that serves clients in the surrounding metropolitan area. The company is headed by Certified Trainer and Behavior Consultant Keshau Henderson, who is a graduate of the famed Dog Training Internship Academy and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid by Pet Tech, The Mindful Pup offers clients such services as both private training and day training sessions following initial consultations. The training at The Mindful Pup includes work on inappropriate barking, leash reactivity, anxiety, fear, aggression, and more.

Website
San Francisco, CA 94016

Why choose this provider?

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Refined K-9 is a professional dog training company that serves clients throughout the wider Bay area. The company specializes in both training techniques and psychological rehabilitation. Additionally, Refined K-9 provides prospective clients with a free consultation on its services. Such services include private training sessions, board-and-train packages, puppy training, off-leash training classes, and more. Previous clients of Refined K-9 praise the company for its life-changing results as well as its clear and precise training goals. The company has a social media presence on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter and can be contacted by phone or email.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (111)
Google
4.7 / 5 (6)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (3)

Website
San Francisco, CA 94124

Why choose this provider?

In the industry for more than a decade, Dan Perata Training is a professional dog training business located in San Francisco, California that serves clients in the surrounding metropolitan area. Services provided by the company include boarding, doggy daycare services, board-and-train packages, socialization with both dogs and people, private training sessions, and more. The training involves basic command obedience, leash pulling work, solutions for aggression and separation anxiety, puppy training, and a host of other issues. Conveniently headquartered near all major local freeways, Dan Perata Training offers a unique training facility as well as personalized training programs to suit each dog's needs.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (310)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
San Francisco, CA 94122

Why choose this provider?

Bright Lights Dog Training is a professional dog training company located in San Francisco, California that serves clients throughout the city. Dog Walker Trained through dog*tec's Dog Walking Academy, the company is also certified in Pet First Aid and is a member of both the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Pet Professional Guild. Fully insured for clients' protection, Bright Lights Dog Training offers both private and group-based training classes as well as dog walking services. Previous clients praise the company for the depth of its expertise as well as its friendly and gentle way of interacting with dogs.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (9)

Website
San Anselmo, CA 94960

Why choose this provider?

Katie's Critters is a professional dog training service located in San Anselmo, California that serves clients in the wider local metropolitan area. The company is also available in Southern Marin for additional charges. Services offered by Katie's Critters include private training sessions for humans and dogs, dog-only intensive training plans, group training hikes, and board-and-train services for existing customers. The company is a certified Dog Walker through dog*tec, is a supporting member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and is a Certified Training Partner with the Karen Pryor Academy. Additionally, the company is certified in Pet First Aid by Pet Tech.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.5 / 5 (28)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (8)

Website
San Francisco, CA 94131

Why choose this provider?

Located in San Francisco, California Better Nature Dog Training is a professional dog training business that serves clients in the wider local metropolitan area. The company is headed by dog trainer and Certified Behavior Consultant Jeff Stallings, who is accredited by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and whose articles have been published in such works as Bark Magazine. Services provided by Better Nature Dog Training include work on aggression and reactivity issues, biting and chewing problem, persistent digging, separation anxiety, leash pulling, jumping, inappropriate barking, and more. The company offers a free consultation on its services to prospective clients.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (61)
Google
5.0 / 5 (11)

Website
San Francisco, CA 94121

Why choose this provider?

Located in San Francisco, California, Mutt About Town is a professional dog training business that serves clients in the wider local metropolitan area. The company is headed by decorated trainer Maureen Backman, who is the founder of The Muzzle Up! Project and is heavily involved in the local SPCA, DogTec's Dog Walking Academies in San Francisco and Marin, and CATCH Canine Trainers Academy. Backman is also available for seminars and workshops both in the United States and internationally. Services provided by Mutt About Town include one-on-one coaching, personalized training plans, regular between-session support, and free lifetime follow-up support after training packages are completed.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (13)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Introduction

    Dog trainers are professional instructors who use a wide range of training techniques to help dogs adapt to their environments, respond to cues and commands, and modify behavior patterns. Training methods include alpha dog dominance for aggressive dogs, positive reinforcement that's often utilized with puppies and younger dogs, relationship-based, and classic, conditional training.

    Schutzhund, the German word for “protection dog,” is a specialized type of instruction in which dogs are trained to attack on command, and it's commonly used in K9 Academies for police and security dogs. Depending on their skill sets and certifications, dog trainers may offer programs that incorporate several methods, or they may focus on a single method such as behavioral training, which focuses on changing dogs' behavior, or obedience training, where dogs are rewarded for following commands.
  • What is a dog trainer called?

    They’re referred to as dog trainers or behaviorists, depending on their skill sets and credentials. A dog trainer may refer to themselves as a canine behavioral specialist or a certified veterinary behaviorist.

  • What is the difference between a dog trainer and a behaviorist?

    Dog trainers and behaviorists practice the same profession, and many dog trainers refer to themselves as behaviorists. However, true animal behaviorists hold M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in animal behavior. The full title for an animal behaviorist is an Applied Animal Behaviorist or Certified Animal Behaviorist.

  • Does my dog need training?

    All dogs benefit from training, whether through their owners or a professional trainer. Owners can teach their dogs simple commands, and they can practice positive reinforcement techniques, such as providing treats when dogs follow basic instructions. Professional trainers are essential when dogs exhibit behavioral problems, such as aggression, excessive barking, and an inability to respond to basic commands.

  • What does dog training include?

    Some dog training classes focus on specific methods, such as obedience training or alpha training, while others offer a mix of multiple training techniques. Dog training activities can include brain games, clicker commands with positive reinforcement, relationship-based exercises between dogs and their owners, and socialization exercises.

  • Can you train a dog yourself?

    Dog owners can train their dogs themselves with the help of guidebooks and online tutorials that offer instruction in areas that include simple obedience commands and positive reinforcement techniques. When dogs are overly aggressive or display problematic behavior, such as biting or excessive barking, professional training can be extremely beneficial.

  • Is dog training easy?

    There are many methods of dog training. Teaching a dog simple commands is a fairly simple technique to learn, whether through guidebooks, online tutorials, or common sense. However, overly aggressive dogs often require professional training in which a trainer is certified and educated.