Business Details
11 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Dog Care in San Francisco
Sniff San Francisco is a locally owned, full-service dog care company dedicated to providing superior, responsible care for beloved canines. Established in 2015, we have maintained a top ranking on Yelp for six consecutive years and received recognition as San Francisco's Best Dog Walking Service by Thumbtack. Our team of certified professionals prioritizes active engagement through a 4-5 dog-to-handler ratio, scientifically proven reward-based training methods, and urban socialization via foot-based transportation.We emphasize safety, continuous in-house training, and personalized communication through daily updates and 4K video documentation. Our commitment extends beyond pet care to community involvement, having raised over $56,000 for animal disaster relief and partnered with environmental organizations. We operate with a long-term view of client relationships, ensuring dogs develop into well-socialized family members while maintaining a clean, safe, and fun environment.
Services
Dog Walking
Training
Boarding
Puppy Head Start
Daycare
Behavior Modification
Urban Socialization
Video Documentation
Community Partnerships
Eco-Friendly Services
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We have maintained Yelp's #1 ranking for dog walking in SF for six years
- Our 4-5 dog-to-handler ratio ensures personalized attention and safety
- We use scientifically proven reward-based training methods exclusively
- We walk dogs to parks instead of transporting them by vehicle
- Our certified trainer received education from the Academy for Dog Trainers
What people say
Best people for dog care
Transformed anxious pup into confident dog
Daily videos and updates
Genuine care and professionalism
Exhausted but happy dogs
Services
Group Excursions
Our weekday playgroups walk dogs to parks instead of using vehicles. Each group maintains a 4-5 dog-to-handler ratio for optimal supervision. Handlers reinforce commands during walks and supervise off-leash play including romping, chasing, and tug games. This approach builds social skills while providing physical exercise and mental stimulation through urban environmental exposure.
Puppy Head Start
This program focuses on early socialization and command development for puppies. Certified trainers work on confidence building, urban stressor adaptation, and basic obedience. Sessions include structured play with other puppies to develop social skills while ensuring safety through close professional supervision. The program prepares puppies for off-leash activities once fully immunized.
Boarding / Daycare
Our boarding service provides a home-like environment with free-range access to toys and treats. Weekday activities include two playgroups, while weekends feature hikes, beach trips, and swimming excursions. Clients receive regular updates with photos and videos documenting their dog's activities throughout their stay with us.
Behavior Modification
Led by our Academy for Dog Trainers-certified professional, this service uses reward-based methods to address specific behavioral issues. Training plans include weekly progress reviews, technique demonstrations, and owner coaching. The program focuses on creating lasting behavior changes through consistent, positive reinforcement strategies.
Video Documentation
We record 4K video clips of daily playgroups and share them via Instagram Stories. These real-time updates allow owners to see their dog's perspective, track social interactions, and monitor play behavior. The videos serve as both entertainment and documentation of our engagement methods and safety protocols.
People
Jim
Co-Founder
Co-founder with 10 years of dog care experience, specializing in urban socialization techniques and behavior modification. Known for exceptional client communication and personalized service.
Benny
Co-Founder
Co-founder recognized for innovative playgroup management and commitment to eco-friendly practices. Implements training programs that consistently produce measurable behavior improvements in challenging cases.
Sabrina
Certified Dog Trainer
Academy for Dog Trainers graduate with expertise in reward-based training methods. Develops customized behavior modification plans and provides ongoing owner education to ensure lasting results.
Heather
Team Member
Experienced handler with specialization in puppy development programs. Maintains detailed records of each dog's progress and communicates regularly with pet owners about their dog's socialization journey.
Tilek
Team Member
Skilled in managing large playgroups while maintaining individual attention. Focuses on command reinforcement during walks and ensuring safety through vigilant supervision of canine interactions.
Questions
What areas of San Francisco do you serve?
We serve Alamo Square, Castro, Cole Valley, Duboce Triangle, Haight-Ashbury, Hayes Valley, parts of the Mission, Noe Valley, and NOPA. Contact us if your neighborhood isn't listed.
What training methods do you use?
We exclusively use reward-based methods with food, toys, and praise. Our certified trainer develops personalized plans that focus on positive reinforcement for lasting behavior modification.
How do you handle dog transportation?
We walk dogs to parks instead of using vehicles. This approach provides additional exercise, socialization with urban environments, and eliminates car sickness concerns for sensitive dogs.
What's included in your boarding service?
Boarding includes participation in two daily playgroups, weekend hikes, beach trips, or swimming excursions. We provide regular updates with photos and videos of your dog's activities.
How do you ensure dog safety during playgroups?
Our 4-5 dog-to-handler ratio allows constant supervision. Certified professionals monitor interactions, reinforce commands, and intervene when necessary to maintain safe, constructive play environments.
Do you offer puppy socialization programs?
Yes, our Puppy Head Start program focuses on confidence building, urban stressor adaptation, and basic obedience training through structured play with other puppies in controlled environments.
