Golden Gate Dog Sports

The two starts are one for the facilities and equipment and second one for Ericka -- who was the most gifted trainer and very decent human being we encountered in the many classes we took from Sept 2022 to May 2025. For context--I am a middle aged latino lady with a recued dog. After our classes with Ericka, we took an agility class with some white lady who for "some reason" just didn't like us. Instead of helping improving the skill we needed to work on, she started to pick on things we were doing on par with other students and even things we were surpassing the class goals. It was clear she was not focused on helping us. She decided my dog was not an agility dog. I was contemplating to take a break, but during my hesitation... I emailed and simply asked the assistant if there were any spots left for me to repeat the class. I got a response from THE OWNER saying they did not count me because I had said I was going to take a break (fair enough) followed by a full page long of all the things that my dog was deficient (some true and some untrue) and how pretty much I needed private classes if I wanted to continue. Wow. I didnt know me and my dog were such an issue. I dont even know why my question went to the owner; It was clear they did not want me there. Because I have heard stories of other people struggling through some skills and being given time to surpass them; I was not given that chance. I have been in this country 20 years, and I can honestly tell you this is the first time I feel I have been treated unfairly. My dog not even once left my side or bother anyone during class; I always make sure I help place the equipment and help leaving everything as I found it. I went there for 3 years, I never (not even once) I encountered another latino student/person. When you are in a room with only white ladies and you are the one being treated different, and you wonder the reason...you know... if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck...

My dog and I have been doing agility training at Golden Gate Dog Sports since August 2021, when she was just a puppy. Ruby is now four, a mini-Aussie with a quick mind and breathtaking velocity. I am sedentary and directionally challenged (have difficulty distinguishing left from right). Despite us being an odd couple, the folks at GGDS have worked with us to form a functioning and compatible team. With a few stops and starts, we have advanced to handling and obstacles, intermediate level. The facility is sparkling clean and the trainers put a high premium on making sure that dogs and handlers are always safe. Because the classes are limited to 4 teams, everyone gets lots of floor time and individual attention. I work primarily with Stacey, who is an expert and enthusiastic trainer. It is inspiring to watch and learn from her. Working together as a team in agility training has brought Ruby and I closer and improved my coordination and memory skills. And last but not least, it is big, big fun!

We did not even get to finish class when they asked us not to return and did not even get refunded for the two classes. My dog did not attack anyone/ any dogs but had an accident once in the facility which we cleaned up. Then got an email asking us not to return. When a fellow classmate made everyone in class leased our dogs and wait multiple times because she cannot recall her dog, who was running around nonstop and even brought in a treat dispenser machine so it can shoot out treats for her dog to get. And the entire class had to stopped just for them. This happened almost every class. Talk about wasting class time. But she was allow to stay in class while we were not and did not even get refunded for the two classes that was paid in full

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.