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Best Dog Daycares in San Francisco, CA

Our Recommended Top 13

We did the research for you!

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

177Reviewed

111Curated

13Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider
Rover logo

RoverExpertise.com

San Francisco, CA
$10 off first booking!

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Rover offers doggy daycare services for pet owners throughout the local area. Its network includes thousands of pet sitters that are available to care for dogs while their owners work or travel. The service connects sitters with clients online or through its app. Customers can meet with sitters prior to booking, and services are available for a range of dogs, including high-energy puppies and dogs with special needs.

  • Dog Day Care
  • Drop Off and Pick Up Anytime

San Francisco, CA

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Dog Daycare in San Francisco? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.

San Francisco, CA 94121

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (20)
Facebook
5.0 (17)

Why choose this provider?

The Panting Pooch is a dog walker located in San Francisco, California. The Pooch Package, consisting of 12 group walks, has a value of $22 each, at a total cost of $264. Their pooch sitting has a fee of $55 per night. The Panting Pooch also offers private walks, baths, pet taxis, playdays, doggy day care, potty breaks, cat sitting, and weekend group walks, all with toys, treats, and fun.

San Leandro, CA 94577

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (100)

Why choose this provider?

Dog Time! Stay & Play is a dog boarding and day care facility located in San Leandro, California. They include a doggy webcam so clients can watch their dogs anytime, anywhere. With Dog Time! Stay & Play, dog owners can take a vacation or go to work without feeling guilt. This facility is chain link free.

San Leandro, CA 94577

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (84)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

PupTown is a dog day care facility in San Leandro, California. Their rates for daily full-day care are $35 for 1 dog and $62 for 2 dogs. This dog day care also offers pre-paid stay packages that must be used within 3 months of purchase. Rates for 10 pre-paid stays are $330 for 1 dog and $585 for 2 dogs. For 20 pre-paid stays, rates are $520 for 1 dog and $940 for 2 dogs. A half-day is $21, Monday through Friday, 5 hours or less. No discounts are given for half-day care rendered, and it cannot be combined with other packages.

San Francisco, CA 94103

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (83)
Google
4.8 (59)

Why choose this provider?

EmBARKadero Social Club is a dog day care facility in San Francisco, California that offers day care and boarding services. During day care service, their clients’ dogs will spend their time playing and sleeping along with other dogs. EmBARKadero Social Club provides bathing services for short-haired breeds, as well. This staff treats each dog as if they were their own beloved pet.

Oakland, CA 94605

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (36)
Google
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Barkeley K-9 University is a mobile, in-home dog training company based in Castro Valley, California that serves the greater San Francisco metro area. The business owner and dean of the dogs, Patrick Gibbons, has over a decade of experience in training dogs and is a proud member of the National K-9 Trainer’s Network. Barkeley K-9 University provides professional dog training and day care.

San Francisco, CA 94112

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (43)
Facebook
5.0 (11)

Why choose this provider?

PlayBow Dog Daycare is a dog day care facility in San Francisco, California that offers day care, sleepovers, dog running, bathing, and training. Their day care rates include $45 once per week, $42 two - three times per week, $38 four - five times per week, $30 for a half-day, and $50 for a safety assessment test. Sleepovers have a nightly rate of $75. PlayBow Dog Daycare is enthusiastic and passionate about safe and fun dog care.

San Carlos, CA 94070

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (140)
Google
4.8 (62)

Why choose this provider?

Smilin Dogs is a dog day care center located in San Carlos, California. This dog day care company was established in 2000 to provide hiking services, expanding in 2009 into a full day care and boarding facility. Their services now include hiking, day care, a boarding club, training, and bathing. Smilin Dogs has gained a positive R+ rating on their training and dog management skills.

San Francisco, CA 94158

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (42)

Why choose this provider?

Bark Avenue Doggy Daycare is a dog day care center in San Francisco, California with two kennel-free daycare spaces that feature a high ratio of humans to dogs. This facility teaches dogs basic obedience including good walking manners and solid recall as well as potty training for puppies, all through a positive reinforcement approach. Bark Avenue is a small daycare that limits the number of dogs they accept for the best experience for each furry client. The daycare follows a schedule of walking, playtime, and rest time that includes four visits to the dog park or walks. Bark Avenue Doggy Daycare holds the Dog Tec advanced certification in dog walking, and all of Bark Avenue's dog walkers are certified.

San Francisco, CA 94116

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (22)

Why choose this provider?

The Whole Pet, in San Francisco, California, is an award-winning pet daycare business dedicated to addressing the whole animal and his or her environment, to help establish healthy, happy relationships between them and their owners. They take an integrated approach, considering behavior, care, nutrition, and wellness. Options include customized, flexible dog and people training, pet sitting and boarding, and exercise and socialization programs. Also available are in-home consultations on cat behavior, pet wellness and nutrition, and transition help for new pets, births, moves & other life changes. A gallery is available online featuring, and customers have commended them as meticulous and skilled.

Oakland, CA 94608

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (285)
Google
4.8 (255)
Facebook
4.6 (79)

Why choose this provider?

Happy Hound Play & Daycare, Inc. is a dog day care facility that has operated in Oakland, California for over 14 years. Their services include boarding, day care, training, dog walking, fitness programs, spa services, a clinic, and transportation. Happy Hound Play & Daycare, Inc. is the winner of the Bay Woof – Best Daycare 2016 award and of the Bay Woof – Best Boarder award in 2016.

2280 Shafter Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (188)
Yelp
4.0 (125)
Facebook
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Dog owners looking for a safe, comfortable, and friendly place to leave their precious pets may like to consider Fog City Dogs. The San Francisco company has daycare facilities in its Bayview and Marina locations, and over 17 years of experience looking after the wellbeing of dogs in an interactive and social setting. Outdoor walks are included. The facilities include climate controlled indoor play areas, and fun enrichment activities including group games, group obedience exercises, story times, and more!

Compare our Top Dog Daycares

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Rover
San Francisco, CA$10 off first booking!
The Panting Pooch
San Francisco, CA 94121
Dog Time Stay & Play
San Leandro, CA 94577
PupTown
San Leandro, CA 94577
EmBARKadero Social Club
San Francisco, CA 94103
Barkeley K-9 University
Oakland, CA 94605
PlayBow Dog Daycare
San Francisco, CA 94112
Smilin Dogs
San Carlos, CA 94070
Bark Avenue Doggy Daycare
San Francisco, CA 94158
The Whole Pet
San Francisco, CA 94116
Happy Hound Play & Daycare Inc.
Oakland, CA 94608
Fog City Dogs
2280 Shafter Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124

FAQs

  • Introduction

    It can be stressful for dog parents to leave their fur babies alone at home while they’re away. They worry about their pooch being anxious, lonely, bored, and destructive. Plus, safety is a concern, along with the fear that their dog will leave unwelcome surprises for them in their home. If that describes you, dog daycare may be the solution.

    Doggie daycare can help socialize your pup while ensuring that they have care, exercise, regular potty breaks, and safe supervision. Dog owners who use doggy daycare services provide additional reasons for their choice. It can offer a better quality of life for their four-legged friends, keep homes free of pet messes, and help with canine health and physical fitness.
  • What is a dog daycare?

    Dog daycare is on-site, supervised daily care for dogs. Pet owners bring their animals to the daycare location on their way to work, then return at the end of the day to pick them up. There are commercial doggie daycare facilities and private, in-home options. Commercial daycare businesses usually have more staff and more dog clients than private ones.

  • What happens at doggy daycare?

    Reputable, well-rated dog daycare operations typically offer several activities for the dogs they care for. That includes walks, playtime, naps, dog food, and water. Some providers also offer companionship, snuggles, and special options, such as dispensing medication, grooming, and training. When choosing a doggy daycare, ask about all the available services and whether visits or video observation are available.

  • Should I take my dog to daycare?

    Answers to the following questions can help you decide on doggie daycare services.

    • Are you away from home for several hours most days of the week?
    • Does your pup engage in destructive behavior while you’re gone?
    • Is your pooch crated for several hours every day?
    • Does your dog walker report issues?
    These concerns may indicate the need for doggy daycare.

  • How much is doggy daycare per day?

    Rates vary, depending on location, demand, and competition. But the national average typically ranges from $25 to $40 per day. Half-day rates may also be available. Commercial dog daycare centers commonly charge a bit more than in-home providers. Many facilities offer price breaks on weekly and monthly packages as well as discounts to multiple dog families.  

  • How do I know if my dog likes daycare?

    The following are signs your pup likes doggy daycare. She falls asleep on the ride home, exhausted from a full day of activity or she quivers with excitement when you mention the daycare and is beside herself with joy leaving the house. Also look to see if your pup exhibits positive body language at the daycare — like a wagging tail that means they're eager to see everyone.

  • How do I prepare my dog for daycare?

    They’ll be around other dogs all day, playing and interacting. So, take your pup to a dog park several times for an introduction to dog language with other canines. Bring your fur baby to the daycare to meet the staff before using the service. Plus, walk your pup before drop-off and be upbeat and positive to avoid stress.

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