Top Dog SF

Top Dog SF offers a comprehensive range of training and care programs. The Puppy Head Start Program is an all-day (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday) pre-school for puppies aged 2-4 months (up to 6 months based on weight), running for four consecutive weeks. This intensive program focuses on potty training, crate training, polite play, bite inhibition, socialization, basic behaviors (sit, down, hand targeting, drop, exchanges, name recognition, handling), recall, and confidence building, with homework and progress reports provided.

Private Puppy Training sessions are available one-on-one, either in-home or online, and include “Client Coaching” where trainers work with owners, and “Day Training” where trainers work directly with the dog. These sessions cover basic obedience, house and potty training, socialization, leash manners, resource guarding, recall, crate training, nipping/biting, body handling, puppy proofing, and polite play.

Group Puppy Training Classes, including Puppy Preschool (7 weeks to 6 months) and Puppy Kindergarten (4-12 months), are 5-week series designed to build on foundational skills, improve owner-dog communication, and apply skills in real-life scenarios. Weekly 45-minute Puppy Socials are offered for puppies under 18 weeks (small breeds) or 16 weeks (large breeds) to facilitate safe, supervised play and socialization.

Beyond training, Top Dog SF provides Off Leash Adventure Outings to their private 4.5-acre Doggie Ranch, offering 90-120 minute off-leash adventures with pick-up and drop-off services in San Francisco. Small Dog PlayCare is available for dogs under 25 lbs, providing supervised play, socialization, and care with daily updates and report cards. Overnight pet sitting is also offered for existing clients.

Pricing Summary

Top Dog SF offers various pricing structures for its services. For Off Leash Adventure Outings, the per-day walk rate is $58, with monthly packages available at $840 for 5x/week, $735 for 4x/week, and $650 for 3x/week. A two-week trial (10 walks) costs $580, and services are pre-billed monthly.

Small Dog PlayCare has a half-day trial for $35 and a per-day rate of $90. Prepaid packages include 10 visits for $750, 15 visits for $1050, and 20 visits for $1300, all to be used within two months. A monthly membership for 5x/week is $1100.

The Puppy Head Start Program is a 4-week intensive program with tuition options: $1925 for 5x/week (20 sessions), $1650 for 4x/week (16 sessions), and $1450 for 3x/week (12 sessions). A one-day trial costs $130, and additional school days after graduation are $130 per day.

Private Dog Training includes a free 15-minute Zoom call. The initial consultation plus the first training session is $400. Subsequent sessions are $175 each, typically booked in packages of four. Virtual follow-up sessions are also $175. Overnight pet sitting for clients is $100 per night, with additional charges for mid-day walks and special holiday pricing. Puppy Socials are $35 per session, and Group Puppy Training Classes (Preschool/Kindergarten) are $300 for a 5-week series. Dog Party Space Rental is $300 for 1 hour and $425 for 2 hours. For extended absences, a monthly retainer may be required to hold a dog’s spot, and schedule changes must be made by the 15th of the current month for the next month.

Policies

For Off Leash Adventure Outings, clients must provide notice by the 15th of the current month for any schedule changes for the following month. If a client is out of town for several weeks, their dog can be moved to the Per Day Walk Rate with advance notice by the 15th of the previous month. For absences of a month or more, a deposit is required to secure the dog’s spot.

Small Dog PlayCare packages must be used within two months of purchase. For clients wishing to hold and guarantee their dog’s spot in small-sized groups during an absence, a monthly retainer is required. To cancel or suspend service, changes to the schedule must be made by the 15th of the current month for the next month. Top Dog SF is closed on major holidays, and services like Ranch Outings, PlayCare, Puppy School, or Walks are not offered on these days.

Top Dog SF is a dog training and walking business based in San Francisco, California, established in 2004. They are dedicated to the overall welfare and enrichment of dogs, focusing on positive reinforcement principles and science-based approaches to strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners.

Their unique advantages include a private 4.5-acre Doggie Ranch in Montara, CA, for off-leash adventures, separate play areas for small and large dogs, and sheltered structures. They offer pick-up and drop-off services within San Francisco for their adventure outings.

All staff, including dog walkers and PlayCare assistants, are background-checked, CPR and Pet First Aid trained, and certified through their own Dog Walker University. They are fully bonded and insured.

Top Dog SF aims to keep dogs in their homes with their families for a life filled with joy, enrichment, and positivity, guided by core values of Dedication to Positive Training, Optimal Safety and Care, Growth and Learning, and Socialization and Community.

Accomplishments

Top Dog SF has been caring for, training, and exercising dogs in San Francisco since 2004. The owner, Natalie Tondelli Walsh, is a Certified Trainer and Consultant who attended the SPCA’s Dog Training Academy in 2009. She also served as a police officer for over five years before returning to lead Top Dog SF.

Their Puppy Head Start trainer, Mike Rollins, is an Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer, a Top Dog University Certified Dog Walker, and is Pet CPR and Pet First Aid Certified. All dog walkers are graduates of Top Dog SF’s own Dog Walker University, which offers a 20-hour online certification endorsed by San Francisco’s Animal Care and Control and the GGNRA. All staff members are background-checked and certified in Pet CPR and First Aid.

How to Get Started!

To get started with Top Dog SF, prospective clients can utilize the “GET STARTED!” buttons on the website, which lead to a contact page. For private training, a free 15-minute Zoom call is offered to discuss logistics and methods. This is followed by an initial consultation and first training session for $400.

For Off Leash Adventure Outings, new clients begin with a two-week trial period (10 walks for $580). For Small Dog PlayCare, a half-day trial is required for $35. The Puppy Head Start Program offers a one-day trial for $130, with a fast enrollment process. Clients can also register directly for Group Puppy Training Classes and Puppy Socials via provided booking links.