Dog Training in San Francisco
Find a private trainer to build new skills and address behaviors.
Every trainer passes a background check and provides dog training credentials.
San Francisco, Find top rated dog training
Prices are estimates per training session for 1 dog. Pricing may vary based on your search and includes a booking fee of 11%.
“Thank you Christine for training our English Bulldog puppy. The moment you came in you were instantly able to find the right approach with him. By the end of the first session he was no longer pulling his leash anymore. Looking forward to continuing to work with you.”
“Michael is fantastic! He was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and thorough. He spent extra time answering all our questions, reassuring us about what we’re already doing well, and helping us identify areas for improvement. Our dog really enjoyed him and was naturally responsive to his guidance. We learned so much and will definitely be booking with him again!”
“Maxine can definitely teach an old dog new tricks! She taught us how to get our reactive senior dachshund, who is used to living in the country and frequently being held, walking in the city and focusing on us during walks. Our dog lights up when he sees Maxine and he loves practicing the new commands she taught him. She was super thorough, worked with every family member and followed up with resources that we could use to continue our training. She was also very flexible with timing, which we really appreciated!”
“Athena has been so dedicated to understanding the behaviors and dynamics of our 2 dogs, and we are so grateful she took us on. We are already seeing improvements in our pups (less leash pulling, reactivity, more attentiveness, calm, and focus), and look forward to future sessions with her.”
“Stephanie was incredibly helpful when my dog, on steroids, needed frequent potty breaks. She introduced the Bark Potty and patiently guided him step by step, from getting comfortable standing on the indoor potty pad to using it confidently. She worked at his pace, inviting him to be curious about the pad and rewarding him for each step in the process. She only used positive reinforcement methods and also walked me through it so I could understand and continue the training on my own. My dog loved her, and I highly recommend Stephanie!”
“Madeline is great! We had our first consultation for my new pup and I could tell she really knew what she was talking about. My pup is usually very afraid of meeting new people and he warmed up to her within minutes. We are looking forward to continuing our training sessions with her. Thanks Madeline!”
About: Passionate about positive reinforcement dog training, building trust through patience, kindness, and rewards. Helping dogs develop confidence, good manners, and happy, lasting relationships with humans.
“We’ve been working with Isaac to train our 10-month-old Dachshund, Roxy, and they been absolutely wonderful. They have been incredibly patient, kind, and clearly knows how to connect with dogs. Roxy’s training is off to a great start thanks to there steady guidance and consistency. We really appreciate all the time and care they put into helping Roxy learn. Thank you so much for setting her on the right path!”
“Nick is an incredible, versatile trainer with experience working with dogs of all needs. He has volunteered with rescues, fostered dogs, and handled everything from basic manners to complex behaviors like reactivity. He takes a thoughtful, holistic approach, considering behavioral, environmental, and medical factors. I’ve seen him go above and beyond to help reactive dogs not only cope, but thrive in challenging urban settings. He is knowledgeable, compassionate, dedicated, and gives 100% to every case. I can’t recommend him enough.”
“Our dog requires special handling as a reactive dog and a personality that needs a firm and loving handler. Laura helped reinforce the 'heel' training in addition to managing our dog's high energy needs. Laura is also excellent with managing reactivity in our dog to specific objects which is where the training along with the rest of the basic commands needs to be on point. Laura's ability to care for a high energy, reactive dog and provide a structured yet loving home is par excellence. Highly recommend!”
“Chiara was a great trainer, immediately engaged with our dog, gave us so many tips on how to improve the things we wanted to address, and she was amazing. I really recommend her.”
“Professional and knowledgeable. She taught me the fundamental principles for dog training; not just on the surface level. I am able to see my dog improving on first walk after the training (Like a magician🐶🐶🐶) I am so glad I chose Coralie!”
About: I make genuine connections with the animals and do not ever force a dog to do anything. We build relationships and through the trust we build I am able to help train them.
“Met Shannon for the first time for a consultation to get some guidance on correctly training my 8w old puppy, she was helpful & provided suggestions! We tried one suggestion & it seems to be working!”
About: Since 2013, I've worked with more than 5,000 dogs and their families across private training, behavior consulting, dog care, and animal welfare. I spent nearly a decade owning and operating a dog care and training business in downtown Oakland, and most recently managed behavior and training programs at Humane Society Silicon Valley. I hold CPDT-KA and Fear Free Certified Professional credentials. My experience developing programs, leading teams, and addressing complex behavior concerns informs individualized, humane, science-based training for dogs and their families.
“Mohamed is an excellent trainer. From the moment he met my mini Aussie, Harley, he had her attention with positivity and reinforcement. He didn't just train my dog, he showed me how to train her and become a better owner. I highly recommend Mohamed to help you with your furry baby.”
“It's clear that Ohr is a gifted handler and care provider for dogs. She met my exceedingly traumatized, anxious 8-year old pup yesterday and approached him with patience and skill. Ohr provided sound strategies and took her time getting to know my pup. Feeling grateful for the introduction and hopeful for where this might lead!”
“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Nima work with dogs, and it’s clear he has a natural gift for understanding and connecting with them. His calm, patient energy puts even the most anxious dogs at ease, and his use of positive reinforcement makes training both effective and enjoyable. Nima takes the time to tailor his approach to each dog’s personality and helps pet parents feel confident and supported throughout the process. His passion for helping dogs and their people build strong, lasting bonds truly sets him apart. Any pup would be lucky to learn from him!”
About: I'm a longtime owner and trainer of urban dogs. City dogs face a multitude of stimuli and a particular kind of lifestyle, and that's where I come in. What makes my training different: • I specialize in reactivity, helping you and your dog live a peaceful life together. • I heavily study dog body language and teach you to recognize what your dog is communicating. • What thrills me most is helping you build a stronger connection with your dog. Having worked with dozens of dogs in the Bay Area, I'm here to help you both live the fullest life possible.
“Angelina was on time for our consultation. She listened, observed & was very attentive during the session with my rescue dog. I'm looking forward to getting a plan for next steps.”
How to book dog training
1. Search
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2. Chat with your trainer
Talk about your training goals and find a time that works for you.
3. Book & Pay
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FAQs for Dog Training - San Francisco
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost for dog training in San Francisco on Rover is $79 per session (as of November 2026). All trainers on Rover set their own rates based on experience, location, and availability.
The price you see before you confirm the booking is the final price you pay for the services. For more information on service fees, click here.
Trainers may recommend the first session to be in your home. Afterwards, where you and your trainer meet may change depending on your training goals.
For example, with obedience training, your trainer may start at home and then move to a park or a store. Sometimes, for specific training needs such as loose leash walking, quiet, low-traffic neighborhood routes around San Francisco can be a starting point. Ultimately, training can happen in many places, which is great for folks who want to raise a confident, social dog.
Each training session is unique and trainers can work with you and your dog's needs. As you evaluate which trainer is the best fit, you can read the "Sessions" section on their profile to get a sense of what the first class may be like.
Most trainers list where the sessions take place, the format or focus of each session, what techniques they'll use, and what materials they'll provide so that you and your dog can continue training between sessions.
If you have any additional questions about what to expect during your first session, ask the trainer during your consultation!
Reward-based training is the style of training that uses proactive management and positive outcomes, rewards, or reinforcements, such as treats, praise, or toys, to encourage dogs to choose desired behaviors. The purpose of this training method is to promote thinking, strengthen behaviors, and improve the relationship between you and your dog.
According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, research shows that reward-based training with an emphasis in positive-reinforcement builds stronger human-animal bonds, reduces anxiety in dogs, and produces more reliable, lasting behavior. Rover is committed to this approach.
The type of credential you want to look for depends on the reason you're looking for a trainer. The most popular credentials on Rover include KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, CCPDT, Fear-Free™, and Good Pup certification, however there are many qualifying credentials from reputable organizations and institutions that we accept.
You can find each trainer's credentials on their profile under the "More info" section. All trainers must submit their credentials and qualifying educational experience before being listed on Rover.
Every trainer on Rover goes through a multi-step approval process before they can accept bookings:
- Pass a third-party background check
- Show proof of education, credentials, or certification in dog training
- Commit to reward-based training methods
Rover does not support trainers who use aversive tools or punishment-based techniques.
Yes. Many trainers on Rover in the San Francisco area have experience with reactive dogs—including dogs who bark, lunge, or pull on leash—as well as dogs dealing with separation anxiety, fearful behavior, and reactivity in general.
Dense, high-stimulation environments can be especially challenging for reactive dogs, and working with a trainer who understands specific triggers can make a significant difference. You can filter for leash manners, reactivity, or anxiety to find trainers who specialize in addressing these behaviors.
Vaccination requirements are set by individual trainers, not by Rover. Many trainers may ask if your dog is up-to-date on core vaccines such as rabies, distemper, and bordetella.
For in-home or private outdoor sessions, requirements may be more flexible, especially for very young puppies still completing their vaccine series. Always confirm health requirements with your trainer before your first session.
We get it—sometimes plans change and you may need to cancel your dog training service. Each trainer sets their own cancellation policy and many offer a full refund if you cancel within their cancellation policy. You can find each trainer’s individual policy on their profile under their calendar availability.
Note: If your dog trainer requested to cancel this booking, then they need to cancel from their account. Please contact them via Rover Messages.
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