Frequently Asked Questions

You have questions and we have answers! In the event, you don’t see your question answered here, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Getting Started

Off Leash Adventure Outings

Yes we are! And licensed too. All of our walkers are background checked, CPR and Pet First Aid Trained and are permitted and certified Dog Walkers.

We have options and we love to train! We have trainers who can help you and your dog by offering private training sessions focused on recall. Our trainers can help transition your dog, and you, to be in our off leash walks successfully. We have training recall workshops for clients a few times a year that you and your pup can sign up for. Email us for more info!

Yes, if you are in our service area for Adventure Outings. Click this link to see if we cover your neighborhood.

We can move your pup to the Per Day Walk Rate of $58 for the upcoming month if advance notice is given by the 15th of the previous month. If you will be gone for a month or more at a time, a deposit is required in most cases to save your dog’s spot in our small-sized walking groups.
We work on a pre-billed payment for each month of dog walks. Changes to the schedule need to be made by the 15th of the current month for the next month. On your first day of walks with us, you will pay for your two-week trial period (10 walks for $580). After the completion of your first two-week trial if all is going well you will then move to the monthly membership in our dog walking software system. Per day walk rate is $58.

We have our own private enclosed dog park for just our Top Dog pups! Located right below the city in Pacifica, we head down to our grassy meadow space each day where we romp, socialize, smell, play, chase, fetch galore! Doggie Ranch is a perfect spot for us to allow your dog the freedom and safety to be off leash with other carefully chosen dog friends in a controlled safe environment.

Pickups range from 7:45am to 10:30am and drop offs range from 1pm to 3pm depending on group location, dog size and ranch arrival time.

The average out of the house time per day for each dog is approx. 4.5 hours.

We suggest (and so do our clients) that you use our Monthly Pre-Paid Walk Packages to save you approx. 25% – 30% off of the Per Day Walk Rate. Monthly Pre-Paid Walk Packages also secures your dog’s spot in our small sized pack and allows us to employ local San Francisco Walkers. We require a minimum of 3x a week which saves our clients’ money throughout the year to secure a spot for your dog in our small sized groups, along with reinforcing and maintaining your dog’s behavior and training. Changes to the schedule need to be made by the 15th of the current month for the next month if you would like to change or modify your Monthly Discounted Package.

Generally, yes. We will assign a primary walker for your dog. If your dog goes on regularly scheduled walks with us 5x a week we have one walker assigned for your dog. We also have a back-up walker trained to substitute for us if the primary walker is sick or on vacation. We communicate with you any walker changes and give you a heads up!

Our walkers are happy to wipe your dog down with a pre-designated towel on rainy days. But if you have areas of your house you are concerned about getting dirty, please make arrangements with us in advance to keep them confined somewhere where a little dirt won’t hurt. Whether your dog gets dirty depends on where the walker takes the dogs, what the weather’s like that day, and whether your dog enjoys getting dirty/ swimming. Most off-leash trails are dirt and sand roads and therefore prone to getting muddy on rainy days. Sometimes there are streams or ponds in the areas where we walk, and although we try to minimize muddy occasions, we can’t guarantee we can always keep playful pups out of puddles!

Getting Started

Small Dog PlayCare

Are you bonded and insured?

Yes we are! And licensed too. All of our PlayCare Assistants are background checked, and are certified in Pet CPR and First Aid Training. They are also Certified Top Dog SF Dog Walkers.’

Our Small Dog PlayCare facility features a specially designed space that cater to the needs and preferences of smaller breeds. We only accept dogs under 25 lbs. into our program.  This ensures a stress-free environment where your little one can feel comfortable, safe and secure.

Drop off your small dog in the morning, and rest assured they’ll have a day filled with fun, love, enrichment and companionship.

Every dog at PlayCare resceives the following comprehensive care:

    • Access to fresh water
    • Comfortable resting areas and rest times
    • Leashed outdoor walks
    • Any necessary feeding or medication administration as per your instructions.
    • Supervised play sessions

Receive updates each day on your small dog’s activities and well-being, including photos and notes from our caring team, and an end of the day Report Card.

Pick them up in the afternoon, and they’ll be ready for a cozy evening with you!

We are located at 2123 Taraval St. between 31st and 32nd Ave, and right next door to Puppy Head Start.

Morning Drop-off is between 7:30am and 9:30am. Afternoon Pick up is between 3pm and 6pm.

The front lobby is closed for staff lunch and quiet time from 11am to 2pm. 

We work on pre-paid packages. Packages of 10, 15, or 2o sessions can be purchased to use within 2 months of purchase, and we can set you up with scheduled or as needed days. We also have a 5x per week Monthly Membership rate of $1,100, which is pre-billed at the beginning of each month.

For the first day, we require a half day trial, which is usually scheduled in the afternoon, and is $35. After the completion of the half day trial, you can then purchase a package, or opt for the per day rate of $90 if you are not ready to purchase a full package.

Getting Started

Puppy Head Start

What is Puppy Head Start?

Our Puppy Head Start Program is customized to help your puppy take advantage of the critical early developmental phase of these early months through positive reinforcement for a life long benefit.

Puppies from 2-4 months are eligible to join the program. Inquire if past 4 months old for eligibility.

Puppy has had a veterinary examination within 7 days prior to beginning the program.

We require the first round of the 3 core vaccinations (DHPP, Canine Influenza & Bordetella) to be completed at least 5 days before your pup’s first day and has had a negative fecal test for Giardia and intestinal parasites within 7 days prior to beginning the Head Start Program.  Top Dog SF offers overnight fecal testing  services through Canine Lab Testing with no appointment neceesary to incoming and current clients.   The cost for the OPG test is $100 and tests for ova, parasites & also Giardia.

Puppy has been at your home for at least 7 full days.

We are located at 2121 Taraval St. between 31st and 32nd Ave.

All day school hours are from 8:00am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Drop off your puppy for morning sessions at our convenient Inner Sunset Location between 8:00am and 9:00am. Pick up is between 3:00pm and 4:00pm.

All day school hours are from 8:00am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Drop off your puppy for morning sessions at our convenient Inner Sunset Location between 8:00am and 9:00am. Pick up is between 3:00pm and 4:00pm.

We have several packages to choose from, all of which include 4 consecutive weeks. Tuition for all of the programs also include a free Puppy Social with Top Dog SF.

  • Five days per week, with a total of 20 sessions, is $1,925.
  • Four days per week, with a total of 16 sessions, is $1,650.
  • Three days per week, with a total of 12 sessions, is $1,450.

A one day trial is $130, and additional school days after graduation is $130 per day.

Clients

Do you offer overnight care?

Yes, we offer overnight care as a special perk for Top Dog SF Clients:
Pet sitting is available, in our home, for $100/night. This includes a morning walk and an evening walk and feeding. Mid-day walks are additional and will be billed separately. We require advance notice, and special Holiday pricing applies for busy periods as we have limited space.

If you would like us to hold and guarantee your dog’s spot in our small sized groups we ask for a monthly retainer while you are away. Changes to the schedule need to be made by the 15th of the current month for the next month to cancel or suspend service.

Top Dog SF is closed on major holidays and does not offer Ranch Outings, PlayCare, Puppy School or Walks on days we are closed.

For 2025we are closed on the following days:

MLK DAY: Monday, January 20th

PRESIDENTS DAY: Monday, February 17th

MEMORIAL DAY: Monday, May 26th

INDEPENDENCE DAY: Friday, July 4th

LABOR DAY: Monday, September 1st

THANKSGIVING BREAK: Thursday, November 27th & Friday, November 28th

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR BREAK: Tuesday, December 23rd through Thursday, January 1st (Walks will resume on Friday, January 2, 2026)

Work for TopDog

I want to work for you as a dog walker. What do I do?

We’re Hiring! Please click here to see what we are looking for and apply.

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