The Art of Dog “Walking & Training SF Style”

If I could give 10 stars, I would!
Our dog, Cookies, has been walking with The Art of Dog for a little over three years and she/​we absolutely love it. Every day it’s a new mini adventure with Cynthia and Michelle (well documented on their Facebook page so you can see what your pup is up to that day) and Cookies comes home happy and tired and ready for a nap.
Cynthia and Michelle genuinely love what they do, and you can tell. Safety is totally a priority and they really care for the well being of their pack. I trust them 100% with Cookies and know that when she leaves for the day she’s in good hands.
And also their outdoor Stay and Play facility is AMAZING! Tons of space for zoomies and then a little snooze in the air-​conditioned doggy nap room.
Highly, highly recommend The Art of Dog.

Where do I begin w our experience w The Art of Dog. They have changed our lives and our 8lb Yorkie Terrie Buster life forever. Our dog Buster is our baby and we love him, so when he was less than 1 years old he broke his leg and that led to a whole host of issues w him being on leash and socialization. We did a lot of training w him and it helped but he really needed to have a pack and to be able to be off leash and get his exercise in as he is a high energy dog.
There are very few small dog clubs in SF and even fewer that do off leash adventures and maybe only 1 other that have the experience and expertise that Art of Dog has so you can image that getting into this very small group is not easy. We needed a lot from the group Buster would end up in. It needed to be small dogs it needed to be adventure w good dog recall and it needed to be safe and it needed to have consistency in the walkers themselves.
We did our research and came to the conclusion The Art of Dog was the best place for Buster. Michelle and Cynthia are beyond knowledgeable and you can tell they love love love what they do this is not their job this is there chosen profession and they are truly professional on all fronts. They communicate w us very clearly and are very accommodating if we need to move around one of busters walks if he has an appointment or we are traveling they can’t always do it but they really try to make it happen. There has been times for no charge they have kept him out longer due to work on our home ect.
Buster comes home happy and tired!!! We started out w only 2 days a week even though their minimum is 4 days a week we quickly realized he was way happier at 4 days a week even though I work from home he needs breaks from his humans and he loves his buddies at the club and we love seeing pics of Buster at play w his buddies on the Art of Dog Facebook page.
So all of this is good yada yada yada, you get the picture we love The Art of Dog and so does Buster. Now to the meat of it when there is a problem or an incident these ladies are on it. Our dog Buster as stated above has had some issues w socialization and for the most part does ok but there was one day out on a walk Buster went after a non-​pack stranger dog and got nipped under his eye. Cynthia contacted us immediately and I was out of town so of course I WAS VERY CONCEREND. She was able to calm me down let me know what happened and let me know they checked buster over thoroughly and he was fine just a small cut they cleaned up and the other dog was ok as well. So that made me feel better but I wanted to take this very seriously and asked these guys for help w extra training for Buster they turned us on to Lilly Prichard a dog behavioral specialist (I won’t got into details on this that will be for another Unilocal review) and working in conjunction w her and the Art of Dog, Buster has almost done a 180 let’s say a 150 and we are still working w him.
We needed the Art of Dog in our lives and they have most certainly changed Busters life for the better, they constantly have great advice and input so that we can be mindful of our dogs behavior it’s helped us to be better parents to our baby. So if you’re looking for a group to love your pup as much as you do look no further. Be patient it might take a bit to get in as they are in high demand but once you do it will be worth it and on that front their rates are very much on par actually they should probably charge more but they understand not everyone has a ton to spend on pet care w the cost of living in SF so high!!! This club is amazing and now they offer a full day of stay and play at their new place w an amazing yard and play area!!!

5 stars are by far not enough for Cynthia! She loves Da Vinci (my dog) as much as I do and takes far better care of his walking needs than I could ever dream to! She is trustworthy, loving, kind, caring and a real Mensch! Thank you Cynthia!

Seriously, these ladies are the best dog walkers in town.
I looked and looked before I found them and I’m so happy that I spent the time searching.
I would give them 1,000 stars if I could. My dog is so happy on the days that Cynthia and Michelle pick him up. They are also extremely flexible with scheduling (which is great in a pinch). I can just call and ask if they have space to take my pup an extra day.
They also post pictures and send texts so that you can see what a great time your dog is having. Bar none, they are the finest. Thanks for being so awesome!

I am jealous of my dog. She goes to the beach for several hours each day, often has treats like pot roast and Comte cheese, and comes home blissfully tired to nap.
A big plus is that she behaves better since she’s been with Michelle and Cynthia. Her recall, spontaneous herding, and hunting have all improved in the last two years, and she only thinks she’s in charge half of the time instead of all the time.

The Art of Dog are the best dog-​walkers in San Francisco.
Unfortunately for us, we are moving away from San Francisco. Hands down the hardest part of leaving was having to stop using The Art of Dog.
Pepperoni grew to absolutely adore Cynthia and Michelle — and her whole pack of cute littles. The excitement was so obvious every time one of them came to get her. They were incredible responsive/​flexible, always posted pics of our dog on Facebook and emailed us videos, and treated her like she was their own. And after doing research into hiring new walkers, I can safely say their rates are totally reasonable and 100% justified for what they offer.
I seriously wish we were staying in San Francisco just so Pepperoni could keep hiking with them.
I cannot emphasis this enough: THE ART OF DOG ARE THE BEST DOG-​WALKERS IN SAN FRANCISCO.
Now do yourself and your pup a favor and see if they are available so I can live vicariously through you.

Michelle and Cynthia (A.K.A. Art of Dog) are FANTASTIC and I recommend them to anyone who is looking for fun, safe off-​leash dog walking for little dogs! We are extremely protective of our 7 lb cockapoo Winnie and very, very picky about who we will allow her to be off-​leash with. Michelle and Cynthia put our fears to rest and I honestly never worry about Winnie’s safety during her long excursions at Fort Funston. Winnie is visibly excited to see Cynthia when she picks her up each day, and both happy — and happily tired — when she is returned to us several hours later. Michelle and Cynthia are loving, friendly, professional women who know what they are doing and are experts in the needs of little dogs. They run a tight ship and have always kept us well-​informed of vacations and all other scheduling changes. Bottom line is, they are awesome and Winnie loves them!!!

Michelle and Cynthia are the best! I have an anxious dog who needs understanding and warmth, and these guys have that, and tons of experience to boot. They bring out the best in your pooch. Super reliable, caring, straightforward are a few words that come to mind with I think of them. I highly recommend them.

I wish I could give more than 5 stars! When I learned my last dog walker was leaving, I was worried about finding someone as good, but little did I know that it was truly a blessing in disguise when Michelle and Cynthia took over! They really do take dog walking to another level. My rescue dog Sencha has some behavioral issues, he’s not the easiest dog, but in the past year with Michelle and Cynthia he has thrived and is doing better than ever, with noticeable improvements in his behavior. Occasionally when I’m home and Michelle comes to pick him up, I get to see how over the top excited he is to see her, which is always reassuring. Michelle cares about Sencha as much as I do, and she’s constantly finding new ways to help him become a more happy, well-​adjusted dog. She goes above and beyond on a daily basis, and has spent countless extra hours of her time keeping him additional hours, communicating with me by phone and email, consulting with her colleagues when issues come up. I’ve also boarded Sencha with Michelle and Cynthia, and while they charge a little more than the boarders I used before, they are worth every penny and more, because I know that Sencha is in the best of hands, safe, well cared for and happy. I really cannot say enough about how great Michelle and Cynthia are, and how grateful I am to have found them. If they walk your dog, both you and your dog will be very, very lucky to have them in your lives.

I am thrilled and honored to add to the chain of five star reviews. Michele and Cynthia are the best! They’ve been walking our little terrier Grendal for a few months now and we can’t be happier. For the first couple years of Grendals life, I worked at home and spent every minute with him. But after I started working at the office, Grendal developed separation anxiety. We tried doggy day care but he hated the bigger dogs and we could tell he was miserable — he came home anxious and needy and pooped everywhere. Then we tried Art of Dog…
Now he goes to fort funston four days a week and walks, runs around in the sand and romps with the other pups. Michele and Cynthia have taken special care to see that he’s safe and comfortable. When he wasn’t getting along so well with the bigger dogs in the afternoon pack, they recommended moving him to the morning pack where he really came out of his shell. This may seem like no big deal but it shows that M&C don’t just walk the dogs, they interact with them, empathize with them and care about their happiness. They text and share photos on Facebook. They happily answer all my dumb questions about my dog’s poo. They care as much as I do and have gone out of their way for us. Even when Grendal got sick and needed medication three times a day, they graciously gave him his afternoon dose every time they picked him up.
I just can’t say enough good things about them. I used to worry when I had to stay late at work. Now I never do because now Grendal comes home tired, relaxed and hungry and snuggles with me all night. He is a VERY happy dog and we are very happy with Fido!!!

Cynthia and Michelle are the absolute BEST! they’ve been walking our frenchie for over year and we are extremely pleased with their top notch level of service and care. the exercise and training their dog walks/​adventures provide is both a wonderful physical outlet and a great behavioral shaping tool as our pup matures. our frenchie is a pleasure to come home to after work, which greatly reduces stress in our household. it also relieves any guilt we (as doggy parents) have about not being there for her during the day; knowing she is enjoying the outdoors, exploring and playing with other dogs, under the care of great people. Cynthia and Michelle are passionate about the care and training they provide, and they — unquestionably — love our dog as much as we do.

Art of Dog great! They are loving to our dog and are wonderful to us. As a bonus, Cynthia’s photography is excellent. I recommend them without reserve.

Michelle and Cynthia, the dynamic duo that makes up The Art of Dog, came recommended to us by people I know and trust who are affiliated with the SPCA and SF Puppy Prep. For good reason — they love and care for the dogs they walk and are very conscious of the dogs’ safety and health as well as their fun. Michelle and Cynthia are warm, friendly and incredibly professional and organized.
I could not be happier with the small dog off-​leash walking group my dog, Henry (a chi x), is in, led by Cynthia. Every day, Cynthia picks him up and takes him on an amazing adventure to a park or the beach and she shares awesome photographs of him and his friends. Henry comes home spent and happy each day. It’s a real relief to know that while I’m at work, he’s in good hands. I feel that Cynthia loves my Henry as if he was one of her own dogs — that’s an amazing thing.
Thanks The Art of Dog!

Michelle has been walking my 45 pound bundle of energy, Bella the Blue Nose pitbull, for nearly a year now.
When Bella returns from her adventures at Fort Funston, she is truly exhausted and falls aseep.
Michelle understands dogs and how to deal with dog packs so that all involved have lots of fun. I don’t let just anyone be in charge of my beloved critter.
One of the best dog walking services in San Fran.

Michelle has been walking my dog 2 times a week for the last 3 – 4 months and I could not be more pleased! He is 7 years young and a French bulldog, but that doesn’t mean he’s past his prime… Within 1 month of these beach walks he started acting like a puppy again! He was stronger, leaner, and hyper! He now is not afraid of the crate and his separation anxiety has improved dramatically. This is more than I bargained for! It’s been great exercise for him and therapy. He used to only like people but now that he is part of a pack, he is a real doggy dog, as well!
I feel great knowing he is with such a knowledgeable and loving walker while I have to be at work!

We have used Michelle and Cynthia at Fido A GoGo to walk our dogs and we are so thankful for their services. Every time our dogs come home from a visit with them, they are happy, calm and content dogs, which in return makes me a calm, happy and content owner. In fact, I believe they prefer being walked by them, then by me, because they love Point Isabel over our boring neighborhood.
Our dog Morgie is your typical Aussie, very aloof and reluctant towards strangers. As soon as they met Michelle & Cynthia, she warmed up so fast to them it was amazing. If Morgie trusts Michelle & Cynthia, then I too trust them.
They are amazing with our dogs and we appreciate it. Our dogs are our family and would only want them to be in the best care possible and with Michelle and Cynthia we know they are. We have used a lot of pet care services and Fido A GoGo is superior than most!
Thanks guy’s for everything!

Our two dogs absolutely love Michelle and Cynthia. We have a Pomeranian and an Australian Shepherd and they both have completely different temperaments. Michelle and Cynthia are so good at reading dogs needs and behaviors, it was obvious our dogs were comfortable and trusted them right away. Michelle and Cynthia knew how to handle each of them and understood their unique needs based on their breeds and from learning about the dogs after talking to me and my partner.
Every time our dogs go for a walk with Michelle and Cynthia and the rest of their pack, they return happy and tired! As a dog owner, I also feel happy knowing that while our dogs are with them, they are receiving good training as well.
I trust Michelle and Cynthia with our animals, I know that in their hands they will be safe and well cared for. I *highly* recommend Fido A GoGo. Our family is so lucky to have them! They truly are the best!

I’ve depended on Michelle and Cynthia to walk and train my dog Ally and can sincerely say they have been instrumental in my growth as a dog owner.
They are extremely patient, kind, experienced and excellent at communicating what I need to practice in-​between training sessions. (It’s really more training for me than for Ally)
I couldn’t image two more more trusted, passionate, caring, thoughtful and loving people and I’m thrilled to see they are now in the bay area.
Highly recommend!