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SF Puppy Prep
Category: Pets Pet Services Pet Training Pet Training [Edit]
251 6th St(between Clementina St & Folsom St)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 618-0828
Announcement
Additional puppy social added for October! Every Monday at 6:15pm. For young pups and new players. Come on down and join the party!
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 5 pm
Sat 9 am - 3 pm
148 reviews for SF Puppy Prep
148 reviews in English
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Review from Liz M.
San Francisco, CA
1/23/2012
I just ran into Aishe this morning who is the owner and was my puppy prep teacher and realized that I had never written a yelp review for something that I actually recommend verbally and vehemently to everyone I know that gets a new dog.
My Frenchie, Turtle, and I went to SF Puppy prep about 3 years ago when he was a tiny little munchkin (he actually is that cute black Frenchie in the green shirt in the yelp photos for puppy prep) and I really believe that the reason he is such a mellow dog now is because he was socialized so early. The reasons I really appreciated puppy prep and trust me this has grown over the years are:
1. I learned things I never would have intuitively known about raising my dog.
2. Turtle got used to playing with other dogs early so that now he never barks or freaks out at another dog on the street, ever.
3. I learned what is appropriate playing so that I don't inappropriately freak out because my dog is just having fun or another dog is just trying to have fun.
4. I learned what to do to prevent my dog from using his mouth on me or other humans.
5. I learned how to train him to sit, stay, and do tricks easily. I learned that training a dog is a lot more about the human than the dog, ha.
6. Turtle and I volunteer for the SPCA in the Animal Assisted Therapy program. To do this we had to pass tests where Turtle had to be non-reactive to a variety of noises and things like walkers, wheelchairs, and poking and prodding. Turtle passed with flying colors and we are now able to go into locked psychiatric units where people can touch him and act in different ways no problem. I really do believe that he would not have been able to do this without the strong socialization offered by SF Puppy Prep when he was a puppy.
The other thing that I really liked was the puppy socials. This was because while it offered a chance for my puppy to interact with other dogs while trainers monitored appropriate play and attempted to titrate the play for the shy new pups, the humans got to interact. There was wine, crackers and cheese and I still have (human + dog) friends that I made from those puppy socials.
I think sometimes when you get a puppy, if he is well behaved when you get him you think, well I'm lucky he will always be like that. That is a big mistake because they change as they grow up, just like humans develop and grow. I think puppy school should be mandatory. Also, it is really fun for the human. -
Review from Shay F.
San Francisco, CA
1/9/2012
I am a first time puppy mommy and one of the biggest concerns for me was getting my new furry baby enough potty breaks in the day... and also raising a well behaved dog!
My friend recommended SF Puppy Prep for their dog, Brisket, and she told me about SF Puppy Prep's service. For $40/day, they pick up the little one, train and socialize him with other happy puppies, and then bring back a super tired and happy pupster.
Okay, yes, it's expensive. But for us, we would rather sink in the time and investment to ensure that our dog was friendly, happy, and taken care of when we couldn't run back home for lunch.
The only problem with SF Puppy Prep is that he got sick a few times. I wasn't sure if he was the instigator, or merely one of the pups that happened to catch it from another. Either way, although there were times that we were left in a pinch because SF Puppy Prep couldn't take him because of the sniffles, we're still really glad to have found them. Highly recommend for any concerned puppy parent who is willing to put in the monetary investment. -
Review from A L.
San Francisco, CA
11/30/2011
I have had the pleasure of utilizing all of SFPP's services (day care, classes, and every social I can attend), and I can say with confidence that if you are committed to helping your dog be as socialized and well-mannered as she can be, this is the place for you. I wanted a puppy of my own for many years, and when I was in position to have her, I wanted only the best training for her. The way I see it, a well-socialized dog will have a better life because she will know how to behave in our world, and receive positive feedback because of her abilities. My pup is nearly five months old now, and she has come farther than I ever expected. I receive compliments all the time about how well she gets along with other dogs and people.
The best parts of SFPP:
1) The staff. I have been blown away by the commitment of these women. I feel welcomed each time I visit. Aishe, the owner, has gone out of her way to provide me with the support a new, overly-anxious dog mom needs. Each staff member has taught me something unique about dog behavior and training; I have never had a question or predicament that they did not help me manage successfully. One reviewer stated that she did not feel welcome here or warmly treated. I have found that you get the best service when you express your interest in and love of dogs directly to them, so don't be afraid to engage a trainer in conversation if it is your first puppy social. The staff is also queer friendly.
2) The space. I don't know what other similar businesses are like, but SFPP is large, clean, and safe for little dogs. They are strict about cleaning up potty accidents and washing toys between play groups.
3) The services. I appreciate being able to do training, day care, and play groups at the same company, as I know most of the employees by name and trust them with my baby. The prices are reasonable given the efficacy of their services. Of course, you must do your part to reinforce and practice what you learn, but if you do your part, they will match you.
4) Other dog people. Most of the other people getting their dog on at SFPP are friendly and committed to raising a happy puppy. We are supportive of each other and swap tips. It's a little bit of community.
If you'd like to see what SFPP can do for your puppy, look at my blog and notice how well-mannered and social my puppy is: http://chasingace.word.... I could not be more pleased with my experience, and am glad I made the best choice in where to give my puppy her early training and social experiences. -
Review from Ilana D.
San Francisco, CA
1/10/2012
SF Puppy Prep is AWESOME. We got our puppy 4 years ago and SF Puppy Prep has been with us all the way. We started in day care and puppy classes. After he turned a year old, he graduated to beach romps. We even get great referrals for pet sitting!
SF Puppy Prep helped us have one of the sweetest most well mannered dogs in the city. SF Puppy Prep made it so we could not only have a puppy in with both of us working but they also make it so we don't have a bored and lonely dog at home. Everyone we have dealt with at SF Puppy Prep has been great. Kudos to Steph and Aishe for having such a great company and great employees. -
Review from Anna H.
San Francisco, CA
10/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm really surprised by all the 5-star reviews. Maybe we just aren't regulars, went on an off night, or didn't actually take classes, or what have you....
We took my boyfriend's pitbull puppy for the puppy social, and we don't really feel like we got our money's-worth. I would rather bring him to a dog park and attain the same social skills than pay $15 for them to play in a room. Dogs need fresh air! I didn't think the trainer was that friendly either, no personal introduction or connecting with us humans at all. Kind of an all around cold feeling. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if the trainer actually had a bright personality and smiled every once in a while.
Oh, and they kicked this one guy out because his puppy was too anxious and wanted to play really badly. Seriously, just 3 minutes in to the social and he got the boot... Awesome, isn't this a place where they're supposed to teach pups how to be calm?
Not a good experience. I guess we'll try again. -
Review from lynne r.
San Francisco, CA
12/26/2011
We have never had a puppy before. So, we needed to learn as much as our pup did! And so we availed ourselves of all of SFPP's offerings: the home visit, puppy socials, kindergarten, junior high, day care, and the dog walking service. Through it all, everyone we've dealt with has been expert, caring, and professional: Aishe, Steph, Mac, Michelle, Cassarra, Peggy, et al. The trainers and walkers were always available and helpful with any behavioral questions. And everyone was very understanding and accommodating of our ever-changing schedule as our pups was often ill her first year, as puppies will be. I am so thankful for the support; it really felt like a village helping us raise our puppy, who has turned out to be a fine, sweet dog. We'll be back with puppy #2.... Thank you, Puppy Prep!!!
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Review from Kali H.
San Francisco, CA
8/7/2011
This is our last contact with Puppy Prep's Owner Steph who treated us so incredibly rudely and unprofessionally. Although we did have a good experience with the puppy prep (Michelle, the lead trainer is great), we had the worse experience with Steph. This is just one email showing how incredibly frustrated we were with her.
Steph,
I'm sorry to hear that you've chosen to keep us from using one of SF's dog walkers. I'm sure Julie is a great dog walker - great reviews on Yelp and she serves the area so close to where we live. My wife and I have had an overall nice experience dealing with Michelle and the other daycare staff at SF Puppy Prep. However, these sentiments definitely do not apply to our experiences dealing with you:
1. My wife contacted you about dog walking at least a couple of weeks before our puppy graduated from Puppy Prep. We got no response from you. Even if we didn't contact you directly (which we did), one would think we would receive an email initiated by you since you are the manager for dog walking and you must have known our puppy was graduating.
2. We tried contacting you through Michelle at SF Puppy Prep. She explained to us that you would call or email us that night. Again, we got no response from you.
3. My wife found Julie on Yelp (and Michelle confirmed to us that she is the one who serves our area). We contacted Julie directly, and (unfortunately for us) we mentioned that our puppy is a Puppy Prep graduate. So, Julie said that you would be contacting us about dog walking. Once again, we did not receive a response from you.
4. I called Michelle again since I did not receive a response from you. Finally we got an email back from you that contained no additional information that we couldn't have read from the Puppy Prep website. We also got this information at 5:00pm on the Friday before the Monday we wanted our puppy to start dog walking. So we're waiting around for you to respond, and then we're supposed to jump and respond quickly back to you because you're going to be out of the office starting on Monday? Great service...
The situation "feels a little awkward," because you made it so awkward. We were looking to find a dog walker...we tried contacting you several times about dog walking...we didn't receive a response from you so we contacted Julie directly. What did you expect to happen?
I have learned that "going through the proper channels" with Puppy Prep means that we have to wait around for you to respond to questions and pay more for the same service (Julie's "non-Puppy Prep graduate" price listed on her website was $20/day for full-time clients, and your price is $25/day). This means that we would have had to pay you $5/day more to you because Kali went to Puppy Prep? Sounds like a great way for you to make more money. Julie is an independent contractor, meaning that she has her own business while getting other clients from you. If we didn't mention that Kali went to Puppy Prep, we would have (a) probably had better service and (b) paid less for the same thing.
So, my wife and I gave you our business (about $2200 for 4 months of daycare), and in turn you ban us from using your dog walking service? Nice job... So, because you feel "awkward" you are being selfish and not dealing with us? The only people feeling awkward in this situation are us.
You can expect this email to appear on Yelp so others can learn from our experiences. -
Review from Preston B.
San Francisco, CA
8/15/2011
Our cockapoo went to Puppy Prep as a daycare client, and now goes on walks with Julie every weekday afternoon. She loves the walks and loves Julie, and she is way more well-socialized than just about every dog we come across in the City. I firmly believe a lot of that has to do with the care and attention she received as a young puppy at SFPP.
Yes, it's not cheap. But the results have been totally worth it. Our puppy just want to love everyone she meets. While we can take some credit as her guardians, I think SFPP got the ball rolling.
I particularly appreciate the flexibility to pay our bill through paypal or with a credit card if needed. Steph makes it easy. I read a very negative review about her communication habits, and I was pretty shocked. She has gotten back to me very quickly every time I've ever sent her an email. Looks like one couple's main complaint was about the transition from day care to dog-walking. Our transition was seamless. No trouble at all.
If we get another puppy, we will absolutely use SFPP again. No doubt. -
Review from Matt H.
San Francisco, CA
8/10/2011
I cannot recommend SF Puppy Prep enough. They are absolutely amazing.
Our black lab Buddy went to Puppy School before graduating to SF Puppy Prep's Dog Walking service. We couldn't be happier with the level of service and care that both we, and Buddy have received.
Whenever we've emailed Steph about an issue we've had with Buddy she has responded both quickly and with a level of thoughtfulness that always manages to blow our minds. You can really tell just how much Steph knows and loves about dogs. She cares immensely for her clients.
If you are looking for somewhere to send your puppy for socialization or a dog walking service, look no further than SF Puppy Prep. -
Review from Maggie S.
San Francisco, CA
7/13/2011
Both my boyfriend and I were brand new dog owners and really didn't have a clue about how to train our darling corgi into an amazing new member of our household. Ruby, our puppy, is off to a great start after kindergarten and so are we! We even signed up for Jr. High.
Aishe and Gee couldn't have been more helpful. They were even prompt in offering expert advice via email!
Signing up for a course at SF Puppy Prep is a great way to brush up on your puppy skills if you've had a dog before and vital if you haven't. It's also a delightful way to spend an evening while getting to know other dog owners! -
Review from Chip G.
San Francisco, CA
8/11/2011
Woohoo is right! Our puppy Zephyr started out in training from another source, which we were not happy with. Luckily we found SF Puppy Prep before the second course. She has never been happier and we have never been treated with such genuine kindness and respect for ourselves or our pet. (I think they like her better, but that's ok!!).
The training was top notch! Thanks Michelle - one of their great trainers. After the second course at SF Puppy prep our girl was ready for real life experiences, and she knew how to respond to commands.
We also went to all of the puppy socials and when Zephyr was ready she went to puppy day care every day. We made that decision even though I work from home because we wanted her to be truly socialized and I knew what great training she would get every day.
When she hit 6 months we had to move on to dog walking. Steph was just starting a new Fort Funston group and Zephyr got to be part of the pack. Steph is amazing! The way she handles the dogs and her flexibility with my strange schedule is awesome. And Zephyr has gotten so much better at off leash recall - she never responded to me before, but she does now!
I highly recommend SF Puppy Prep to everyone I meet at the dog park, and to anyone reading this! Your puppy could not be in better hands. -
Review from Kim G.
San Francisco, CA
5/12/2011
I can't say enough about how wonderful SF Puppy Prep is. Our 11 month old lab has been with SF Puppy Prep ever since she was old enough and had her shots. I don't know what we would have done without them while she was a young pup. Their puppy socials were great - we were able to go to those before we were able to let her play outside, so she started socializing early. We also had her in daycare, which was amazing! She is now the friendliest, most confident puppy ever. She loves everyone and doesn't get freaked out by weird noises or being home alone.
Now that she is no longer in daycare, Puppy Prep walks her every day. She loves Cassara (her dog walker) and has so much fun on her Fort Funston walks. Cassara is really great about paying attention to her "problem" habits (eating grass, pulling a bit on the leash) and she makes sure she is using the right type of leash/halter to help address the issues. Steph and team are so flexible and easy to work with. Steph is super responsive when I have questions or when we need to change her schedule around.
They really really care about every dog they work with, and it really shows. I would recommend Puppy Prep to any city dweller with a new little pup...or with a dog that needs walking during the day. -
Review from lester l.
San Francisco, CA
5/11/2011
The first time we brought our Boxer puppy (Brisket) to a puppy social she was shy and overwhelmed. She definitely needed some extra attention, so we enrolled her in SF Puppy Prep's daycare program. Michelle, Laura and the team started by matching Brisket up in one-on-one sessions until she finally found another puppy that she felt comfortable playing with. From there she kept improving until she was running with the rest of the pack. Brisket now gets along with every dog that she meets, never getting out of line and generally knowing her boundaries.
If we had another puppy we'd definitely take him/her back to SF Puppy Prep. -
Review from Alice E.
San Francisco, CA
4/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I used to come here years ago when Bella was a whee puppy. Now 3 years old, I notice that shes not as social as she used to be. So I was browsing Yelp and found the Free Check in offer. Free social hour!
SO last Sunday, I dropped in with Bella, and I am so glad I did. Bella warmed up to the group within 15 minutes. She was still extremely focused on me and what I was doing, but she had her occasional moments with her new doggy friends. Bella is a barker. She'll bark at you when she wants something, she'll bark at other dogs if they're playing, she is 100% pure Schnauzer. BARK! Dominatrix too!
So Sunday social hour is a must for Bella and I. I hope the other doggy parents don't hate me for bringing Ms. Loudmouth Bella to social hour, because her bark is pretty ear piercing! -
Review from Francis M.
San Francisco, CA
4/12/2011
In my opinion, obedience school is a must have (especially in The City).
They do a great job providing knowledgeable and caring instructors.
Our 15 week year old lab Jake is picking up things very quickly. -
Review from Sylvia H.
San Francisco, CA
12/27/2010
My dog just graduated from SF Puppy Prep's older puppy kindergarten class, and we had such a good experience there! I learned so much from Aishe each week (it's really a training class for HUMANS, not our dogs!). My 60 lb rescue pup is a big sweet mushy creampuff of a girl, but she is also an adolescent dog with more energy than I knew what to do with. Since completing this class I have learned how to channel her energy into games and play--which has made our household a much happier one.
Some of the other awesome behaviors my girl and I have accomplished together, thanks to Puppy Prep:
-waiting at doors and not bowling me over to get in/out
-walking next to me on leash and not pulling my arm out of socket
-looking me in the eye when I need to distract or gain her attention
-not jumping on me or other people
-waiting for her food bowl politely and quietly
-playing with all sized dogs happily off leash
Most importantly, Aishe taught me all about dog parks. In class I learned how to interrupt play when a dog is being too aggressive, how to interrupt chase when one dog starts to dominate the game, how to stay close physically and keep attention on my dog while she plays to make sure it's a positive experience for all involved. We talked about different kinds of off leash environments and identified the best ones for our dogs.
Great class, great staff, nice spaces in all--although 6th street is not for the faint of heart. Luckily my heart is not faint and my car did not get broken into after six weeks of parking right out front. It is reasonably priced compared to similar classes and worth every penny! Also you get a discount for rescue dogs---so go rescue one and come to this class! -
Review from Eric K.
San Francisco, CA
11/23/2011
If you live in the city and have a young dog, do both of yourselves a favor and check these guys out. We started going there for the puppy socials and ended up taking classes. We learned a lot and they really helped us make sure out pup grew up into a very happy and well-mannered dog.
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Review from krystina ann r.
San Francisco, CA
8/11/2011
started taking my siberian puppy here once he was old enough ( 2.5 months maybe) i started off with the puppy socials. The first social we went too he was put in the "loner" corner, but he quickly moved on up to the social side. I think all the socials here are great especially the happy hour one on friday. there is a good mix of small and big size dogs here. The trainers are really helpful. They give you little tips about how any why your dog may be reacting a certain way. They also give help to dogs that are shy or may show signs of aggression. I feel because i took him to so many socials my husky puppy is able to play with all types of dogs at fort funston big or small.
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Review from Jill K.
San Francisco, CA
4/30/2011
Our terribly shy puppy came out of his shell after attending "puppy socials" at SF Puppy Prep. The staff encouraged us to stick with it, and it worked! Instead of cowering in the corner, now our little guy fully engages in rambunctious play. We couldn't be happier.
We also attended "puppy kindergarten" and our pup graduated with flying colors. And we humans learned a lot, too. Loved the small class size and personal attention from the trainers. Highly recommended.
Now we attend "small dog socials" and even host a monthly meetup for our breed at SF Puppy Prep. It plays such a huge role in our lives ... and we absolutely love it. Worth every penny. -
Review from naomi p.
San Francisco, CA
9/20/2010
Huge variety of classes, small-class sizes, hands-on training, effective lessons, and incredibly fun! I was really impressed with the management, communication, and professionalism of SF Puppy Prep. The teachers are fantastic, and they make training a breeze. Each class they will teach you one simple lesson, which you must take home with you and practice practice practice! With each lesson, you will learn the skills necessary for you to train your pup or older dog. I really appreciated how they have classes for dogs based on their age/training level.
Also, a huge plus was their puppy socials. These were held in the evening for 1 hour where you could bring your dog and just let them run wild and get all of their energy out. The socials were arranged by dog size/personality so that no dog got picked on.
A truly great find in SF for those of you with dogs :) -
Review from D B.
San Francisco, CA
1/14/2011
We have just completed our first training with our rescued puppy (well she is 10 months old but needed some training). Although she is an older puppy the team were very accommodating (thanks Brenda & Michelle) and Lena loved the classes. She has improved, and knowing training is an ongoing process we are going to book in for Junior High & High to continue her education (and mine). I learned so much about the way dogs learn, and how to help them understand what you are asking.
Everything here is so positive. Thank you so much and looking forward to the next series of training. -
Review from Sean W.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 10/23/2010
UPDATE: We have taken our second puppy to Puppy Prep for socialization classes and then dog-walking.
Our great experience with our first dog wasn't a fluke. They did a great job with our second and we are grateful that they provide a service that you simply can not provide as an owner i.e. exposure to a wide variety of dogs, situations and people in a safe, controlled environment.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/3/2009
We took our puppy here for socialization, and then he graduated into the dog walking service.
Dog… Read more »
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Review from Kat D.
San Francisco, CA
10/31/2010
Ok, ok, here goes another glowing review for SF Puppy Prep: First off, I love my pup!--But she is naughty!!!
Taking her to SFPP was one of the best things we have done. We have taken her to Puppy K and Jr. High, and as we stepped into Michelle's Puppy K first class, all the fog and haze of strange and foreign puppy behaviors started to dissipate. "Ohhhh...she isn't peeing on my beautiful rug to get me mad!!"
They gave us the tools to look at things from the pup's point of view (which was the most major part for us). Now our little pup is 7 months old and has graduated 2 of the 6 week courses and she can sit, down, shake, high five, wait at the door, go to the mat, and come when called. And it was fun for us puppy parents too! The socials are a super plus too...helped the little one gain courage and skills to be a well mannered little lady in public with other people and other dogs. -
Review from O G.
San Francisco, CA
1/9/2011
My little pup has been attending kindergarten here and loves it! I do too!!! Lots of practical and realistic training tips/tools and suggestions.
Aishe is amazing with animals (I assume all of them) and has such great energy! All of the other trainers I have met so far are also really helpful and knowledgeable!
There are several puppy and small dog socials here every week as well as workshops such as leash walking, recall, etc. There
The staff use a very positive approach with training, which I really like!
THANK YOU SF puppy prep!!! -
Review from Jen M.
San Francisco, CA
8/12/2011
As a year plus client of SF Puppy Prep, we've taken Rosco (our 1 yr. 4 month old lab) there since he's had enough shots to attend Daycare and he's loved every minute of it. We wanted to socialize Rosco right away from the beginning and having a safe environment for him to play and burn off some steam was life saving. We also attended Kindergarden and Jr. High where Rosco learned great commands and a big one for us - not to pull on a leash (he's 70 lbs of pure energy).
Rosco graduated to the adult walking group where Steph takes him out daily to Ft. Funston - you can see the sheer excitement from him as she comes through the door, he is thrilled to be leaving with Steph and comes home exhausted which is great. Steph is great to work with, very accommodating to our never ending changing schedule and is quick to respond. I recommend Sf Puppy Prep highly for their daycare, classes and adult walking program. We've even used them for puppy sitting as well which is yet another great service they offer and one maybe most people don't know about. -
Review from Oren F.
San Francisco, CA
11/10/2010
Okay so it's been a couple months now at SF Puppy Prep and my Mini Aussie is nearing 5 months old. I decided to make a mid-day visit to see how things were run...
It's confirmed: These people are awesome!
I think now that I've gone through all this, I can't imagine someone not taking their puppy to a service like this. When I go to the dog park, can immediately tell who's been socialized and who's not.
If you're having any doubts, email them about their next puppy social so you can get a feel for the place.
I could go on and on, but simply they're just great people doing a great service. -
Review from Anna F.
San Francisco, CA
8/11/2011
Our one year old lab puppy Quentin has been coming to SFPP since he came home to us at 9 weeks. We can't recommend it more highly!
Quentin started at daycare and really learned to play well with humans and other dogs - he is a little energetic so we had to work on proper behavior. All of the SFPP staff were great in helping us track his progress, making sure that we were giving him consistent feedback at home, etc. Now Quentin is doing dog walks and he loves Josh, Cassara, and Steph (we moved, so have been exposed to multiple walkers). On the couple of occasions when our little guy has gotten sick the SFPP staff are wonderful about it - calling to let us know, making sure to stop by for a potty break even if he can't hang out with the pack that day, following up to make sure he got better, etc. We love SFPP! -
Review from Megan R.
San Francisco, CA
8/11/2011
I've done classes, daycare, and now dogwalking with SFpuppy prep. They've been wonderful and super responsive all the way through. Brenda is a great teacher and I look forward to taking more classes in the future. As soon as my dog graduated from daycare I got an email from Steph letting me know how to start him in dog walking. My dog is tired and happy on days he goes out with Steph and I get periodic pictures of my dog having an awesome time at the beach. I've also been traveling a lot so I've been changing my dog walking schedule and Steph has been super on top of it.
The whole place is really great and well integrated. -
Review from Brandon B.
San Francisco, CA
4/11/2010
As the owner of a somewhat challenging and fairly unique dog, I could not be more happy with SF Puppy Prep. Aishe and crew always went the extra mile for us, through puppy socials, puppy "kindergarten," and then puppy "junior high." Overall, I would really recommend this business to you if you have a new puppy -- any sort of puppy. They simply deliver great value per dollar and clearly love animals.
By the way, I find it hard to believe that these recent reviews about a difficult dog are relaying their entire story. If you're worried about your puppy based on those reviews, you could probably walk right in and ask Aishe about it. She's not shy, and she's a straight shooter. -
Review from Cindy P.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2006
The services we have paid Aishe and Steph for are INSANE...
We got a puppy last year and being working professionals, felt SUPER GUILTY that we were leaving him home alone all day. Plus, how were we going to teach him not to GO in the house if there was no way either of us could be home for 9+ hours of the day? Yeah I know, we probably shouldn't have gotten a PUPPY.
Anyhow, most dog walkers don't walk puppies. One of the dog walkers I contacted referred me to SF PUPPY PREP.
They come and pick your puppy up (you give them a key), and bring him to their SoMa warehouse full of other puppies and various dog play things. Then after your puppy is nice and tired, they return him back home! They even change potty pads, refill dog food, or take them to an outdoor potty area.
You can tell they love dogs because one time I was home sick and when Steph came to pick up the puppy, he ran downstairs faster than I have ever seen.
Now he's older and we take him to this thing they have called PUPPY HAPPY HOUR. WTF. It's Fridays and from 6:30-7:30 is small dog puppy hour and 7:30-8:30 is puppy happy hour. It's $10 a dog and you get wine and cheese. Some of the patrons have even started bringing home made goodies! Mmmm! Don't get too excited--it's just Charles Shaw but I'm not one to turn down a glass of wine.
I just still can't believe we spoil our dog so much haha. He's like a baby to us though and I can't think of anyone else I'd trust my dog with more than Aishe and Steph. They'll answer any training questions you may have too. Or you can enroll in a puppy training class (highly recommended)!Listed in: Dogtastic, Happy Hour: Because being a…
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Review from Kim W.
2/16/2011
We are wrapping up "junior high" class for our hyperactive 1.5 yr old poodle with the lovely Brenda, the Irish dog whisperer. Josie knew all the basics like sit, stay, down, come when class started but her parents got a bit lazy and needed a kick in the pants. I like that the class focused on these commands but with distractions. For example, the pups have to "stay" while other dogs and tempting treats are paraded past them. We even practiced being in a cafe environment and keeping our pups on their mats. I think these are critical skills for living in the city rather than nice to have, like shake or roll over. My only regret is that we can't move right into the next level of training. Fingers crossed that they hold a "high school" class. Brenda was just a wonderful compassionate trainer that even my shy poodle loved to be around.
Listed in: SOMA/ Downtown, Dog Friendly San Francisco
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Review from Montana D.
San Francisco, CA
9/12/2007
Hi. My name is Otto. I am a four month old golden retriever and I would like to take a moment to tell my fellow pups about something that has changed my life forever . . . SF Puppy Prep.
We all remember leaving our mommy at a very early age. Those first few days were tough, right? We were so used to spending time with other dogs and puppies and missed our brothers and sisters so much. We never spent any time alone and then BAAM!!! we come to this new place and are left alone all day!?!?! What happened?!?! Looking back, I barely remember those days (I think I've blocked them out), mostly because I now have SF Puppy Prep.
Don't get me wrong, my new mommy and daddy are great. They talk all the time about how much they love me and sometimes argue about who I love more. It's so silly. I love them both the same! I mean without them, I would never have meet SF Puppy Prep.
So, here's how it works. Mom and dad feed me in the morning, take me outside (and get really excited when I pee - ok, they are a little weird, but I think they mean well), then . . . they just leave. It's ok. Stay with me. So, I don't have much capacity for time but my mom says that I'm only alone for a few hours and then . . . SF PUPPY PREP. Someone comes to my home and picks me up. We take a ride and pick up other puppies and then go to Steph and Aishe's, they are the big-wigs at SF Puppy Prep. We all go inside and run and play and drink and poop and drink and pee and run and run and play and jump and . . . well, you get the point. It's so great! I really need the socializing and it helps me so much to know how to play with other puppies and dogs. That way when I get older, I will know how to play and act around other dogs.
They teach me how to come to my name, to sit, not to jump up on people, and lots of other stuff. Then, we get back in the van and they take us all home. I'm so tired after SF Puppy Prep that I don't bother my parents so much when they come home because I had so much exercise and stimulation.
Oh, and on Friday night, I go to Puppy Happy Hour. I LOVE FRIDAYS because I get to go to SF Puppy Prep twice in one day! This time mom and dad take me and I get to run and play with all kinds of puppies for an hour while mom and dad have snacks and drink wine. It's so much fun to meet new puppies every week and to have mom and dad watch what I've learned and see me play so well with the other puppies.
I am an extremely well-behaved puppy and owe it all to SF Puppy Prep. Sorry mom and dad, but if I had to spend all day alone, I just wouldn't be the same.
So, if you are a puppy and your mom and/or dad really love you, they would introduce you to SF Puppy Prep. Please remember to tell them that Otto sent you. I know for a fact that I'm their favorite!! -
Review from Rebecca H.
San Francisco, CA
4/17/2008
Please do not be fooled by my insanely cute dog (go ahead, look at his picture and you will see that he is really quite cute). Behind that adorable face lies the heart of a monster ... a jumping, nipping, peeing on the furniture monster. Or at least he was until Puppy Kindergarten, where Aishe helped me learn to tame the savage beast that lives in my house.
Okay, so he still jumps and he still pulls on his leash when I take him for walks. But now Steve (my mini monster/puppy) actually LISTENS to me when I give him commands. I cannot recommend Puppy Kindergarten enough. A fun, high energy class with lots of praise for the dogs AND owners. Really the class is teaching the owner how to be the best puppy parent he/she can be. Steve is much better behaved than he was on the first day of class and he is improving everyday.
I cannot wait until Puppy Jr. High where I will learn more tips to make my sometimes naughty dog a true gentleman (and one who won't jump all over you when you meet him on the street). -
Review from Juicy S.
San Francisco, CA
8/9/2010
When Pepper was just a shy, little pup, we took her to SF Puppy Prep for socialization at their Happy Hours. I particularly like Friday nights, with wine and cheese, but Pepper had a good time any night of the week. Everyone there was super-nice, and we made friends with other dog people whilst Pepper made friends with dogs. It was a win-win situation.
And, when Pepper started getting more barky and acting up, as teenagers are oft wont to do, we called our favorite girl from SF Puppy Prep - Marissa! She is so patient and friendly and kind. She gave us some new techniques for dealing with Pepper's issues, and Pepper is doing better than ever.
Thanks for the great work SF Puppy Prep! -
Review from Shane W.
San Francisco, CA
7/20/2010
Bottom line: Much more than a business, they're a group of people put on this earth to do exactly this job. And the prices are super reasonable.
Above and beyond what any other pet business in SF has provided, they've become our friends, our extended network of pet lovers, and have guided us down a path of truly fulfilled living with our puppy, Monti.
We had originally just signed Monti up for a puppy proofing house call + kindergarten, wanting to give him a great start at an urban life. Within 30 minutes of our puppy proofing house call with Aishe I knew that we were being given not only practical, solid advice for raising a puppy in the city, but a unique and tailored experience specific to us. 6 weeks later, we've graduated Monti from kindergarten, signed Monti up for 2 more sets of classes (jr. high and high school), have attended ~2-3 puppy socials a week, and are a bit sad that there will eventually be a day when the "puppy" in SF Puppy Prep will no longer apply to us.
I've had dogs before; raised them, watched them grow older, and eventually seeing them pass on. Something is different this time around with Monti. The level of care and love SF Puppy Prep shows him, in his classes, his socials, and in one-on-one advice, is beyond a business transaction. They care for our dog, they care for us as individuals, and they care about enriching an already fulfilling experience as a pet owner.
As owners and operators, each of the trainers are amazing. Aishe and Marissa are true talents. You can tell they were meant to do this. And their extended network of friends, vets, photographers, and sitters far exceed what we could have asked or hoped for. It's like being invited to sit at the friendly lunch table at a new school and as you talk to more and more people at that table, the more you realize just how lucky you were to have found these people.
Their prices are reasonable and well worth the joy they've brought to our little family. You will not regret walking in their doors. -
Review from Tom Y.
Mill Valley, CA
1/2/2008
People often comment on how well mannered Taffy is with other dogs and each time I give credit to SF Puppy Prep's puppy happy hours. When Taffy first arrived at Puppy Prep as a 9 week old puppy she cowered in the corner under a chair and only came out to pee a bit.
This was very difficult for me as I wanted her to be the center of attention and the life of the party. I was also afraid that she would grow up to be very submissive and get picked on all the time by other dogs. And let's face it, when your named Taffy the bad-ass cards are kinda already stacked against you.
By Taffy's third week here she was so much more confident and her socialization really began. We went every week until she "graduated out" at 6 months old.
I tell every person I meet with a new puppy about SF Puppy Prep. Bring your puppy here, you are doing both of you a huge favor. -
Review from Jamie Q.
San Francisco, CA
8/1/2009
SF Puppy Prep is a must for all dogs that are raised in the city. I was a little worried with having a group class with 8 dogs but Aishe & the staff were so helpful and really pays close attention to your dog's personal needs. The hour in PUPPY KINDERGARTEN goes by so quickly but you learn so much. It's nice when they use different dogs to show examples, it gives you more hope when you see that your pup is trainable.
My little Riley was the trouble child of his class. Overly excited yet shy at the same time. He seemed to whine his way through class but when we practiced the exercises at home I noticed that he really did well with my direction. Within kindergarten Riley learned how to properly listen to my command with sits, downs, ups and my favorite "take it" or "leave it." Towards the end we practiced walking on and off leash. One of the best parts is the homework which usually involves exercises for socializing with other people, dogs, sounds and movements, all very important while living in the city. Plus the other "parents" in the class become your little doggy community, sharing dog-friendly places and helpful tips for your little one.
I'd also highly recommend the PUPPY SOCIALS, what a great way for your dog to learn how to interact with dogs of all breeds and sizes. Plus if you're enrolled in class you can attend socials at half price. Not to mention you meet other "parents." The staff is so helpful and have really shown me that they've always had Riley's best interest at hand. THANK YOU SF PUPPY PREP, YOU ROCK!Listed in: A Woman's Best Friend
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Review from Melissa M.
San Francisco, CA
3/8/2010
Seriously, I've had the best time here! You'd think I was one of those stage dog-parents that only takes their dog to classes for my own entertainment. Lucky for them, I already know how to sit, stay, and watch on command, so we just needed to focus on my overly-energetic, easily-distracted, snaggle-toothed mutt.
At eight-months old, the only exposure to training that my little guy [Syler] had when we adopted him was a little rough-housing with the other inmates at his temporary home at the shelter. We signed him up for the Older Puppy Classes at SF Puppy Prep in the hopes of getting some of the basic skills down. Six short weeks later, Syler was sitting, laying down, spinning, touching to greet, waiting at doors, and learning to stay. Even though my bf and I already know how to do these things on our own, we learned a LOT about how to train ourselves to help our dog succeed. Michelle was incredibly friendly, thorough, understanding, and gave excellent tips on how to work with our dogs at home.
In fact, we liked her class so much that we decided to sign Syler up for the Puppy Jr. High class to learn a bit more about impulse control. Having a city dog is tough work with all the distractions out there, and improving "leave it" and "go to your mat" skills are definitely going to be useful on those warm summer days when we want to take him to a cafe with outdoor seating. We're about halfway through this class now, and he's already more attentive when we go on walks, watching us every couple of steps, and sitting when he wants to greet a friend walking toward him.
What? There's more? Now that my Funemployment days are over, I needed to find someone to take Syler out during the day, so I turned to SF Puppy Prep in the hopes that they could help us out. Syler now takes walks with Stephanie's small dog groups, and absolutely LOVES it! He seems much happier (not lethargic) when I get home from work, and he doesn't even rummage through the trash out of boredom anymore. Not to mention, I can tell that Steph has been reinforcing all of his training skills because when I took him to the park this weekend his recall skills were 100% improved over the last time I attempted in an environment where he was distracted by other dogs.
And if that wasn't enough...they have a supervised small dog social on Friday evenings, which totally comes in handy on those rainy days that you can't get to the park to have your dog romp around. It's only $10 per dog if you're already a client (or $15 if you're not), and they can play for an hour while you snack on some cheese and wine.
After trying nearly every service they offer, I feel that the trainers at SF Puppy Prep genuinely care about helping you develop a social, happy, well-mannered dog. -
Review from Kathy E.
San Mateo, CA
11/8/2007
A few weeks ago I was randomly looking online for doggy daycares and came accross the SF Puppy Prep website. They daycare portion seemed a bit too pricey for us, but I saw that they had "Yappie Hour" for small dogs on Fridays and it seemed really cool.
Our dog, Sharkie, is a Shih Tsu, only a little over a year old, but has the energy of a 3 month old puppy! We took Sharkie to Yappie Hour last week and he totally LOVED it!! He seemed a little tense at first with all the new dogs he was encountering but he got right in there and played with the other dogs. I was so relieved that he wasn't anti-social. Sharkie was so excited to be there that he didn't want to leave. And when we got home, he knocked out!!! Which was great because me and my boyfriend got a chance to go out for dinner without feeling guilty that we were leaving him at home!
Aishe and Steph were wonderful also. They were very welcoming for our first visit and so loving towards Sharkie! The set up was great as well. We were served wine and cheese and other owners even brought home-made snacks as well.
I will definately take Sharkie back to Yappie Hour again and maybe try out some of the training classes they have. -
Review from Douggers M.
Piedmont, CA
3/7/2007
Total life saver. I got my lab puppy last year during the rainy season. My god, we were both gonna jump out a window! He was going nuts with energy,cause that's what puppies do. I was going nuts because I could only entertain him for so long. Until I found Perfect Paws I would let him run outside around until he was tired he would be SUPER muddy but it did the trick.
I can't remember how I heard about them but the Friday night puppy social was AMAZING!!
He got to run,chase and play with all the other wild doggies. I think it was almost as fun for the owners as it was for them. We also met some great people and great dogs too. Some we still see a year later and it' s like seeing old buddies for them.
Like their motto says A tired dog is a happy dog!
