Other Services
Bathing
Our bathing service includes a warm bath, brushing and ear cleaning. On request, we can also trim nails and/or hair around the paws (ideal for our hiking dogs in foxtail season). To make your vacation return easy, we suggest scheduling a bath the last day of your dog's boarding stay with us.
Grooming
- coming soonTraining
Smilin Dogs uses positive (R+) training methods. We currently offer 3 options:
- Individual training working with you and your dog together
- Individual training with your dog during daycare or boarding and then transfer his/her new skills to you later
- Training Classes
Puppy Manners
This class teaches basic dog-dog social skills and helps you learn management techniques to help your puppy live successfully in a human world. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends puppies be socialized early in life (8-16 weeks) when they are in their critical developmental period where sociability outweighs fear (see web link: http://www.paws4training.com/content/SocializationLetter-1.pdf). This class is meant for all sizes of puppies age 8 weeks to 6 months.
Cost: $90
When: 9 AM, Saturdays 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, (6 sessions)Basic Obedience
In this 1 hour class you will learn how to teach your dog basic behaviors such as : sit, down, stand, stay, loose leash walking, wait at the door, come when call, hand targeting and leave it. Also you will learn about dog language and how dogs learn. This class is meant for all sizes and ages of dogs.
Cost: $90
When: 10:15 AM, Saturday 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, (6 sessions)Obedience Level 2
In this class you and your pup will go from knowing the basic commands to being able to implement them in real life. This class is appropriate for dogs that have previously completed a basic obedience class.
Cost: $90
When: 11:30 AM, Saturday 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, (6 sessions)
The goal of dog training is to build a bond between pet and family, build a common language and to enjoy the process. A training class should be fun, informative, and helpful. A well trained dog will be easy to live with and be able to be an active companion in life. Training also enhances your dog's life by providing mental stimulation and giving him/her a "job". We can work on basic obedience, puppy training, off-leash or on-leash walking and various behavior problems. We do not work with dog-human aggression. All training is done in our facility - we do not offer in home training.
Our trainer, Eran Ophir is a graduate of the San FranciscoSPCA Dog Trainer Academy, a very well respected school that teaches positive training methods. Prior to attending the academy he worked as an educational consultant in Israel using horse riding as therapeutic treatment for children with learning disabilities. Since graduating from the academy in November 2008, he has been interning at
the San Francisco SPCA. He joined Smilin Dogs in June 2009 with the goal of providing individual training and group classes to our customers. In addition he works with the staff and dogs of Smilin Dogs to help us maintain a high quality and safe service.