Golden Gate Dog Sports

Sophia Han

2024-04

Picked up agility as a hobby with my younger shiba who needs to burn energy and it’s been really fun for the both of us. All the trainers have been really great, especially Lynna. Definitely recommend if you’re looking to teach the right foundations for your dog!

Madison Behringer

2024-04

I’ve 5 classes with GGDS and one thing I’ve noticed is that it varies teacher to teacher. All my instructors are running through the same routines but have different approaches to class, timing, and homework. If you find someone you like stick with them. I started with basic classes, but I tried a private lesson and found that much more instructive and help me get closer to my goals than group; especially for teeter work.My review is lower here because the location is really rough. It’s not easy to get to if you live in SF and the outside is surrounded by trailers, broken glass, and trash. It’s safe enough but if you need to walk your dog be very careful.Inside the building is clean and all the obstacles are sturdy. I really like how much space we have so that dogs don’t get distracted by each other.

Andy Meislin

2023-05

My dog, Aspen, and I have been taking classes from Stacey for the last few years and we both love agility classes with her! Every class that we’ve taken has been super fun and Stacey is a great teacher, explaining all the exercises and always meeting each of her students where we’re at in our training. Aspen is a rescue and I think taking agility classes has really helped her confidence and our bond. Aspen had a hard time with learning the teeter, and Stacey made sure we had all the support we needed to be successful in our learning. Now Aspen does the teeter enthusiastically! I’d highly recommend any of Stacey’s classes, and the whole team at golden gate dog sport is amazing. Every time we’ve dropped into a class taught by another instructor or had a sub in our regular class, the training was great and we learned something new. The facility and equipment are also very well maintained.

Jesslynn Saxton

2023-05

I brought home a border collie pup during the pandemic to fulfill a bucket list item of learning dog agility. I had no idea how challenging (and addictive!) this sport would be. I am so fortunate to have found Golden Gate Dog Sports. The instructors are positive, professional and knowledgeable, PLUS if you decide to compete, there is always at least one GGDS instructor or class mate cheering you on, offering guidance or even in the ring judging the class. GGDS is really a community of enthusiasts of the sport who not only ‘can’ but also teach. With their encouragement, my pandemic puppy and I have become a solid team and have quickly excelled to masters level courses at trials. GGDS’ top notch facility takes every consideration of the performance and safety of dogs and handlers. Small class sizes also ensure everyone is given the time and attention they need. Whether you are seeking enrichment and bonding with your dog or interested in competing, GGDS offers a supportive and knowledgeable community of professionals dedicated to helping you fulfill your goals. Having acquired a second border collie, I can hardly wait to get her started and am so fortunate to have GGDS’ help along the way.

Dave M

2023-10

Golden Gate Dog Sports has a great program to teach dog agility from the fundamentals up. I've really enjoyed my classes here and so has my dog. We've made measurable progress and the learning is definitely sinking in. The teachers focus on getting the details really right, and the opportunity for pop up workshops helps to solidify things. Just make sure that you come with enough light-colored treats!

Jordan Owashi

2023-05

I’m so thankful I found GGDS for my little rescue. He came to us with a lot of separation anxiety and confidence issues. We started in the pre-agility class, and now are working with the obstacles. My dog’s confidence has improved drastically, and we can actually leave him home alone without him panicking now! We’ve been working with Liz from the start, and she’s amazing at helping us with tactics, especially since our dog has his own quirks. Tuesdays are my dog’s favorite day of the week because of agility! It’s such a great thing for rescue dogs who need a confidence boost, and the GGDS staff makes it super approachable and attainable for the doggos!

Aaron Cheatham

2023-05

When the pandemic started, I was ecstatic to attend the GGDS grand openning. There my two dogs and I began our graduate school education in dog agility. This world class facility has been our refuge over the last few years, and we are now competing in regional agility trials.

Jennie Williams

2023-09

This is the best place for dog sports training! We had done regular obedience/house manners training classes before but went to Golden Gate for our introduction to the world of dog sports. All the instructors are very knowledgeable and friendly. They make the classes very accessible for new handlers. The facility is excellent and they have very high quality agility equipment. We have done agility, urban locating and flyball classes and have always been impressed with the quality of instruction.

Nastaran Mousavi

2023-05

I started agility with my aussie heeler mix dog Bella about a year and a half ago at Golden Gate Dog Sports and I couldn't be any happier. Bella is my first agility dog and I was looking for an agility class ever since I adopted her back in 202o. I didn't have much luck finding a place that seems legitimate with highly skilled and knowledgeable staff until I found GGDS. I actually tried a place in the peninsula and they definitely were very new to agility and even though I didn't know much about agility back then, I could tell they are mostly just a place for puppy socialization and such. I started at GGDS when Bella was going through her heat, and my pre-agility teacher Lindsey was so accommodating and patient with us, knowing that a dog in heat could be overly sensitive and having a hard time focusing. I then moved to the next classes with Stacey and I am so amazed by her teaching skills, I learn so much from her everyday, not only about agility, but general training techniques.What I love about this place is that they have no issues with bringing on rescue and mixed-breed dogs, and they believe that any dog of any breed and from any background has the potential to succeed in agility. All the instructors' training techniques are extremely impressive and I love that I could drop in to different classes to get my dog exposed to different environments, learn from all the instructors and other students.GGDS is a community, and I am so thankful to be part of it. Excited to see what the future holds for team Bella!Thank you GGDS team!

Lloyda French

2023-05

My,pup and I Love our agility classes at Golden Gate Dog Sports. The facility is bright and clean with fantastic flooring and up-to-date equipment. Instructors are knowledgeable and patient. There is a lot of support from other students and it is fun to watch everyone run with their dogs. Classes are small so you do get expert attention. There’s lots of basic classes for those just getting started. Advanced and master classes are available.

Ashley Mrva

2023-05

We've always loved the facility and people at GGDS! They're always so kind and they offer a competitive yet fun atmosphere to train your dog (and yourself) agility! If you just want to have fun, there's no pressure to compete but if you want to compete the instructors help you obtain the skills necessary. We've been with Blancett from the start with both of our dogs and we are in love with her classes - but there's really not a bad instructor here! Highly recommend - we have a blast every week!

Linda Wilford

2023-05

As an older person who's had a knee operation I can't compete in agility very often, but the well cushioned artificial turf at Golden Gate Dog Sports enables me to enjoy weekly classes and private rentals. The indoor facility lets me do agility regardless of the weather and is a treasure to have in San Francisco. Agility is fun for me and my dog and we're still continuing to try to improve our skills, so I feel privileged to have a wonderful teacher, Ashley Deacon. I know a lot of the other teachers and think they are wonderful too.

Erica Oropeza

2023-05

I have taken my dog Luna here since it opened and all are very accommodating. Luna is a very nervous chihuahua mix, and she has been able to continue into advanced agility classes with a class full of border collies

Caren Williams

2023-05

We love GGDS! My lab and I have been taking classes here for a couple of years and it is the highlight of her day (mine too!). Not only does she have a great time, but we've noticed that her recall and check-ins with us have become much better. In particular, we have been taking Stacey's classes and she is great. Not only is Stacey a good teacher, but she is very kind to the dogs and knows when they need a break, etc. Right now we just do classes for fun, but maybe we will end up in a competition one day?!

Heidi Shing

2023-05

I absolutely love this place. This is our second home. I'm so glad to have a top agility place near me, because not only is it wonderful fun for my dog, but the trainers here really prioritize the relationship between handler and dog. We've picked up so many skills, learned so many things, our training has improved. I've met friends here who compete, and those who don't, but it's so much fun seeing everyone work with their dog through different challenges. The facility is clean and well-run; the admin team work so hard to address any issues. Instructors are lovely people, and have so much experience working with dogs. Thank you for everything you do!

An Chen

2023-05

We have had such a positive experience with Liz at Golden Gate Dog Sports. I have a rescue mixed breed dog who just loves every time we drive up to GG. Liz is very patient with both the dogs and especially the owners as handlers, since this is a team sport Liz does a great job in training you and your dog to work together. I love that there are both big and small dogs in the classes and watching everyone progress has been terrific. When you first start pre-agility classes, GG provides you with videos after each class so you can practice at home. Classes and activities can challenge and bond you and your dog together. Highly recommend.

Erin Graves

2023-05

Can't say enough fabulous things about GGDS, I've enjoyed all the instructors I've learned from there and really appreciate their approach to training and teaching new learners to the sport. Their facility is truly beautiful and all of the instructors have been incredibly welcoming and taken time to answer questions.They also had a wonderful volunteer opportunity for everyone to participate in helping set up and working at a trial. While we were there each instructor I asked took a long while explaining the different obstacles, how they were scored and pointed out different approaches of some of the competitors. It was so lovely to see everyone excited about teaching their sport and getting others involved in the community.It really feels like a community there, very happy to be a student! I also love that you see so many different types of dogs there, mixed breeds, doodles, shepherds, frenchies... it's fun to see them all working with their teams!

Leila Moncharsh

2023-05

My German-Malanois male dog has been here since it opened. He has made great progress and is ready to compete. Ashley is patient, experienced, and an excellent teacher. I have been training and competing with my own dogs since 2006 and have had different instructors. Ashley is far and away the best!

Shu Li

2023-05

We've been going to GGDS since my border collie was a puppy and we love the facility and people here! The instructors always create a fun and challenging experience for my dog and the agility equipment here is top notch as well!

Susan Adler

2023-05

GGDS offers world class instructors in a positive learning environment with attention to detail and the individual "human/dog team". Each team is approached with the instructions and challenges they can handle at their particular level. Whether you take puppy, behavioral, or agility classes, GGDS helps you become a better trainer and life partner with your dog enabling you to take what you've learned and apply it to everyday life situations. While every instructor we've come in contact with has been great, Stacey Campbell in particular is an absolute gem! Her knowledge and understanding of canine behavior is exemplary. When working with dogs with challenges, her comment was, "This is the fun stuff!" That speaks volumes to me.

Hannah McKelson

2023-05

Pursued an adolescent obedience class with the hope of it being a prerequisite experience for my pup before agility. Be aware that this facility is very strictly anti-training tools, including e-collars, martingales, prongs, etc. Surprised they even allowed a Halti on one of the canine students, and while everyone is entitled to their personal training philosophies, functionally shaming a customer for the use of training tools is not. (I was told on day one, “I have 20 years of training experience and can tell you that these tools are unnecessary—“ and showed the proof was in the pudding with their purebred dog, purchased at 8 weeks, with that background, age at time of purchase, and genetic predisposition to a good temperament, obviously didn’t have any behaviors that needed correcting. But I digress; plenty of Least Invasive Minimally Aversive and balanced trainers in the Bay have 20 or 30 years of experience as well, with strong relationships with their dogs and great success— but Golden Gate Dog Sport is extremely rigid in their training philosophy; surprising in light of the success that well-implemented e-collars have for off-leash recall and formal work, especially with working breeds.)While I was open to the positive-only training methods used by GGDS, I never got the chance to speak more with or learn from the staff. I regularly implement positive reinforcement for my dog, and correct very selectively for completely unacceptable behaviors, but was spoken to as if any correction was completely appalling and downright abusive. The staff members were, on two occasions, unresponsive to email, in which I asked for guidance in the early stages of implementing their training. They don’t notice when you miss a class, even if you and your dog are clearly struggling like my dog and I were with her energy levels and my broken foot. I decided to eat the cost of the rest of my lessons and simply work off of the google docs emailed out to the customers.Can’t speak for all the classes, but at least in mine: expect mostly purebreds: poodles and doodles, small Shitzu and Bichon type dogs, etc. A couple in the class had what appeared to be a professionally trained German Shepherd, and they seemed consistently underwhelmed by the program. Wouldn’t recommend this facility for adolescent obedience if you want trainers who reply to your emails, find success with training tools to correct unwanted behaviors, or have a large working breed who isn’t very calm — couldn’t have thought of a worse fit for my adolescent Belgian Malinois rescue. MIGHT consider coming back when she’s matured a bit, but only if I can’t find another facility with a warmer group of staff or a community competing with their rescues in sport — very much getting a “purebreds only club” type of vibe, + ample elitism and condescending behavior in regards to differing training methods.

Courtney Lessard

2022-05

My dog and I love Golden Gate Dog Sports! It's a great spot for agility, with classes for all ability levels. If you're looking for an activity that will help you bond with your dog, teach them new skills to build their confidence, and (bonus) tire them out for the day, you should take a class here!

Diana Smith

2022-05

Too harsh of a cancellation policy. No refund at all. Our Buster split his foot between the toes night before and was limping. I hate paying full money for nothing when we gave notice 12 hours prior. Nope, sorry - not within 72 hours so have a nice day and get nothing for your pre-pay. It's part of doing business and some leniency is appropriate either in time or percentage or something instead of being greedy. Will not support the policy or business.

Donato Polignone

2021-05

The best dog agility gym and training center in the Bay Area. Even if you don’t care about competing, bring your dog and learn the best training techniques in the business!

topdoglady1

2022-05

Don’t let the outside of this place fool you . This is a spectacular Agility training facility . It’s a warehouse in a warehouse district but when you go through those doors it’s an entirely different world . Equipment is modern, clean and well-maintained. The instructors are world class. Hidden treasure of S.F

Thomas Adams

2023-05

The instructors are experienced, dedicated and extremely capable. The facility is excellent. The calendaring app is very helpful.

Chris Merrill

2024-04

Great instructors and a wonderful field for anyone who lives in (or close to) SF!

Regina Wittenberg

2023-05

This is a great place to let your dog come run and train your dog and it's a big space and it's nice

Colleen Mccauley

2023-06

Awesome instuctors... fun for the dogs.

Kerry James Harris

2021-05

Get your (Best Friend) trained and next work on that rude (Friend Girl or Man Friend)!