I can't say enough about this company. I adopted a 2 year old German Shepherd from the SPCA about a month ago, and found Joustin, Brent & team about two weeks ago. Let me just say: adopting a two year old German shepherd knowing no back story has been a tough one. Joustin has helped me navigate the tough times with Coop (my GS). From recommending and bringing me some food for him to try that has nearly cleared up his stomach problems, to tips on best practices for when Coop is testing me or acting up, etc. They keep Coop on a 4' leash while they're getting to know him, and vice versa. But Coop is getting to socialize with other dogs (which it seems clear he didn't get any socializing before I got him). Joustin checked in everyday after his walks to see how he was (temperament wise), and spent some time talking to me at the end of the week to go over what he thinks is the best plan of action for Coop to be able to grow and go off leash. He'll be in a group with larger dogs, hopefully getting to run around when he's better with recall. Brent is who comes to pick up and drop off Coop. Coop gets SO EXCITED when we open the door and Brent is there. He is so kind, both to me and Coop. When he brings him back, he gives me a run down of the day, letting me know how he was, and if he went potty if it was normal (as that's been an issue). If I don't answer the door right away, he'll call or text (sometimes both). Super helpful! I was no walk in the park with these guys, as getting used to this new normal with a pup who can both be the best cuddler, an amazing listener and give you "F you" eyes all within 5 minutes has been challenging and guilt ridden- but these guys have been nothing but helpful, professional and a HUGE stress relief. read more

Running With Rover - Dog Walkers Near Me - San Francisco, California

Joustin's Running With Rover has got to be the most professional dog walking service in San Francisco. 1. Our dog loved him from day one, he was patient and took a lot of time with the introduction. 2. Our dog is like our child, safety is paramount. He is present and is never late picking up or dropping off. Plus we get a twitter or email update on his day. 3. They group dogs that will work well together by size, temperament and area. 4. Check out why this service is so unique compared to the rest. http://runningwithrover.com/distinction/ From their website: We offer a variety of services that will fit you & your dog's lifestyle & safely engage them in stimulating activities that reinforce proper urban etiquette. We do not simply round up your dog in a van, drive them around for an hour, & take them to a random park. Dogs are taxied in luxury SUV's equipped with air conditioning and sunroofs for ample ventilation. We partner with local and national non-profit organizations and pledge a percentage of our profits to give back to our communities. We employ Rovers that love dogs and abide by a strong code of ethics when taking your dog out. We value loyalty and created a rewards program that allow our clients to receive additional services at no additional cost. We believe that communication is key and offer constant updates, allowing you to feel like you take part in their daily activities. WOW! Professional, reliable, this dog walking service is awesome, but most importantly my dog is happy and calm when I get home! I will update. read more

Running with Rover is a lifesaver! I primarily use them as a boarding service so this is a review of that only. i recently rescued an 8 yr old female maltese (a puppymill mama) who is slowly coming out of her shell. Peanut came into my home not knowing how to climb stairs or how to go for a walk. She was not housebroken or even socialized. Given all of her needs, a dilemma developed: would I ever be able to board her when I have to go out town? would anyone be knowledgeable enough to watch her overnight without robbing me blind? would i find someone Peanut is comfortable with (given her finicky nature)? Joustin and Running with Rover to the rescue! After a less than a 12hr turn around, Peanut and I met with Joustin. She took to him immediately - to my absolute surprise! Since then, I have boarded Peanut several times and she always comes back happy and healthy. When I leave my mongrel with Running with Rover, I am always fully informed of her daily activities and well being. I know that Peanut is being well cared for just as she would be at home. (HUGE relief!) Joustin is direct, attentive, intuitive, personable and flexible - all the things i appreciate. His skill with dogs may make him San Francisco's very own Dog Whisperer! I respect his work ethic, does he ever have a day off? note: I had wanted to keep Joustin/Running with Rover my private secret hoping he wouldn't get too busy (the same way i never recommend hair stylists on yelp) but since he was recently featured on daily candy, i guess there goes that! read more

My dog always comes back happy from her walk! They are flexible with my schedule. I've used app based walkers before and was not happy with the constant cancelations or walkers doing weird things with my dog. I don't have to worry about that with Running with Rover! read more

I will happily add to the deserving kudos Joustin gets here. He has a wonderful business that's deservedly expanding because of how he has set himself apart as a trustworthy, kind, genuine and overall great person and businessman. Our pup was happy with him from day one and, as he does with other owners, Joustin gave us great tips and tricks about how to deal with a few of his behaviors that we wish weren't so prominent. Add to that the personal touches Joustin takes - homemade treats, gifts for the holidays, Twitter feeds for just your dog's walking group - and you know that your pup is in uniquely good hands. We wish him all the best and even greater success. You can't find a better service in the city for dogs. read more

Meeting Joustin and the Running with Rover team is the best thing that happened to my wife, I and especially our puppy since we got him a year ago. Our 14 month onld Heavanese/Maltese mix can't wait for his daily play date with the Running with Rover crew, it is the highlight of his day and a real treat. We get pictures, videos, and twitter updates of how he's doing each day and always know he will be well taken care (and worn out) when he comes back from a RwR play session. RwR is more then a just a dog walking service, our pup learns new things each day and his behavior has improved dramatically since he started spending time with Joustin and crew 6 months ago. We also leave our pup with Joustin overnight from time to time with 100% confidence that he will be taken care of in every facet. Do your dog and yourself a favor and introduce him/her to Joustin and Running with Rover and I assure you that you won't regret it! read more

I AM OBSESSED WITH RUNNING WITH ROVER!!! if yelp had a 10 star option i'd click it. JOUSTIN (owner) and JILL (my dog's primary "rover" he sees everyday) are truly the best people in the doggy social world here in SF. i RAVE about Joustin and his services to everybody i meet. if you are reading this, and you currently have a dog walker, sorry, but you're not with the best dog walker in the city. i can already tell you your silent four legged best friend would have a life changing experience with Running with Rover. give your dog the best of the best! here's my top reasons i truly LOVE these folks: 1. FLEXIBLE - i've given fairly short notice on needing help (an extra walk/boarding services) and Joustin's ALWAYS been there. not once has he said "no". 2. EASY TO CHAT WITH - more than once i have talked to joustin for an hour on the phone about our dogs, where to take dogs in the city, dogs on special diets, just plain ol' dog talk. and after each phone call i have an extra skip in my step knowing i'm with the right people! 3. GREEN GREEN GREEN - my dog previously was thrown around in a red van (i'm sure you haven't missed it in the city) with his last dog walker. joustin's philosophy is to skip the van/car experience and walk where you need to go. love it. 4. LOVE - "all you need is love.." yes sir! and boy do they give it. sweet talkin' to boy and kisses on the lips. that's my kinda people! 5. GENUINE - my dog has had some seizures lately and i've been working on figuring out what is going on. i always fill joustin in on when my dog has one and joustin responds ASAP with advice, questions, etc. he even called his vet in to help out! that's a genuine dog loving person. can't beat that! 6. CHEF JOUSTIN - he makes all of his own treats/food and has spoiled my dog beyond what i thought was even possible. we even refer to our dog as a "5 star dog" now. he doesn't really accept anything below that these days.. 7. TWITTER!!! -- genius! E-V-E-R-Y D-A-Y i check my dog's twitter group. i never even used twitter before i met Joustin. but i LOVE it! i get a mid day update on my dog everyday! it totally helps me out too because he'll let you know if he didn't go #2. perfect for me--i can sneak out of work early to run let him out, or NOT run errands after work knowing he's crossing his legs at home waiting for me. should i keep going or are you sold yet? by the way--if you haven't already scrolled around on this page... it's all 5 star. not gonna find that on every dog walkers page. i promise. read more

As working puppy parents, we needed someone to come by during lunch to give our puppy a potty break and some much needed exercise. Joustin has been so amazing! He's a total professional and goes above and beyond what we expect of him. During our consultation, Joustin came prepared & talked to us about our current routine. He was very thorough and organized. Our puppy, Remy, was in love with him from the first day. He gave us lots of advice, which is incredibly helpful for new puppy parents. We know that if there are any issues or questions we may have, he will be available to assist. We met with 2 of the other larger dog walking companies in the city, but we knew within minutes that Running with Rover was the company where we'd be having our little Remy run! read more

The fact that I can log in to their twitter page and see exactly where my dog is and get real time updates on what's going on is such a fantastic perk on top of an already fantastic service. When I hired Running with Rover to come take care of Darko (my Doberman) during a particularly rough project at work that required a lot of overtime I was hoping for a level of professionalism above and beyond the average "broke college student" or "burnout ex hippie" type of pet care service and they've met and exceeded my every expectation. Bravo! read more

WOW! Where to start! We would give Joustin 10 stars if that were possible! We recently moved from VA to the Bay area needed a sitter for Marley (our 3 year old Labradoodle) kind of last minute. We found Joustin on Yelp and I knew he would be great fit from all of the wonderful reviews and his website! We called and chatted with Joustin on the phone and he was here the next day to meet Marley. We spent a long time talking about Marley, both his good behaviors and bad... Jousin was immediately giving us advice and tips on how we could work to improve his barking habits. The next day Joustin came by to get Marley and they were off. When Joustin returned with Marley, his report on how things had gone was unbelievable. He had a little food for us (his homemade food), treats (also homemade) and a jar of babyfood so we could try out one of his suggestions! We were totally impressed and could already see a difference in Marleys behavior. We also needed him to keep Marley later in the week for 3 nights. After returning Jousin had a full report of what he thinks is causing Marleys barking and ways we can work to correct it. I could tell he totally got to know Marley and really worked with him as well as had fun with him! Joustin is amazing and has the most caring and patient demeanor! We were floored by the service received and would recommend him to everyone! I am so excited to have a trustworthy dog sitter that also helps us with training! Its more than we could have ever asked for! Thank you SO much Jousin!!! read more

My dog's life was transformed by Running with Rover. He was a super anxious dog. When I left my apartment, he would cry most of the day, which my neighbors did not appreciate. I almost sent my dog to live with my parents because I was at a loss of how to help him after feeling like I had tried everything. The owner, Joustin and my dog's walker, Ally worked tirelessly to help me with my dog. They created a routine that reduced his anxiety and stopped his crying. During the training process, I was working long hours. There were times that my dog would not stop crying since training takes time. I texted Joustin when this happened and he came right over to assist me. Joustin truly cares about dogs' wellbeing and your dog will be in good hands with Running with Rover. read more

Running with Rover has a lot of 5 star reviews, and I'm adding another! Joustin is amazing. We needed to find someone to take our dog for 10 days recently including labor day weekend. Finding boarding for our dog is always stressful because we have to leave him, and because he is an energetic rescue with separation anxiety. Running with Rover responded promptly to my email inquiring about boarding, and Joustin suggested that we meet in person right away. He came over to our house to meet us after work, and met us and our dog. He stayed for almost an hour getting to know us and hear us ramble on and on about our dog. We really appreciated getting to know Joustin better, and meet him in person. He was professional, intelligent and warm. We talked to a few other companies and pet sitters but Joustin was by far our favorite choice and we felt comfortable and confident leaving our dog with him. After our holiday our dog was delivered back to us relaxed and happy. Joustin gave us a full report and I could really tell he had spent a lot of time with our dog, and thought about keeping him safe and happy. Joustin shared observations and stories with us which we really appreciated. We will continue to board our dog with Running with Rover and I'd recommend them to anyone. read more

It may seem unbelievable that Running with Rover has so many 5 star reviews but it is well deserving of it's superior rating. I have been using Running with Rover for the past two months for my puppy. What attracted me to them in the first place was not only their rave reviews but also the variety of services available for all ages/ temperaments. They have a great stop and drop service that is perfect for puppies. Plus Joustin was so great about providing great advice for puppy rearing and training. Now my pup is fully vaccinated and can start walking with a group. Joustin was super helpful when it came to transitioning our puppy to a walking group and helping to reinforce all the leash training work we have been doing with her. Overall I could not be happier with Running with Rover. Joustin and his Rovers are amazing and I highly recommend them! read more

I don't know what I would do without Joustin and Running with Rover! Joustin has been super helpful even before we got our Frenchy George. Joustin came over to our house and help me figure out which type of crate to get and basically coached me through the whole process. Once we got George he helped me with leash training and was very accommodating, taking him out a couple times a day while we were at work. After about 3 months George joined the presidio walking group. We absolutely love the twitter updates and pictures they post. We've had a couple of Rovers since we got George and they all have been fantastic! They are all also very accommodating. I've had last minute work trips or would have to work late and Joustin is always ready and willing to help out. We've also had them watch George over weekends or when we would be away on vacation. It's so nice knowing he is in great hands and we never have to worry. I HIGHLY recommend Running with Rover! read more

Running with Rover exceeds my expectation on every level. Joustin is the best and a joy to know. He truly cares for my six year old pug Otis as if he were his own. Joustin goes above and beyond even giving gifts for my dog, sending me photos, energy level updates, wipinig him down if he is dirty, twitter location,etc. My Otis loves him and his staff. Joustin is honest, kind and professional. Truly a class act that has given me peace of mind leaving my dog in his care. I give him 6 stars and highly recommend. read more

Running with Rover has been caring for my 3-year old and, admittedly, high-maintenance chocolate lab, Calvin, for over a year now. I cannot imagine anyone else ever taking care of Calvin. I am very picky when it comes to his care, and Joustin and Running with Rover have proven to be the perfect choice. As I usually work long hours, generally a long distance from home, it is really important to me that I have someone trustworthy, responsible, and caring taking care of my most prized possession. Running with Rover has taken a huge burden from my shoulders by making Calvin so happy and providing him with consistently high-quality care. Whether it's boarding, a walk, or playtime with other dogs, Running with Rover provides the best for Calvin. Were I ever to move, I would need to come up with some way to get Running with Rover to where I would be. They are that good, and it would be hard for me to trust anyone half as much with Calvin as this service. Thanks to Joustin and Running with Rover for giving Calvin and me the best. Calvin is a much happier dog (and I, a much happier owner) with you. read more

Joustin and his team are the best, and my french bulldog would definitely agree. I switched to Running With Rover after I was unhappy with my previous dog walking service, and I'm so glad that I did. Joustin posts a tweet on twitter every time he takes my dog for a walk, telling me exactly what time they are out and what she did during the walk. It's great, I love how much they communicate with us owners and care so much for the dogs. They are always quick to respond to any questions or concerns I may have and are upbeat and positive even when my dog hasn't had the best day at the park, unlike my previous dog walker. I've even noticed that my dog's behavior has really improved since Running With Rover has come into our lives. I'm so glad I found them. read more

I have had several bad experiences with past dog walkers and had given up on ever finding a quality person until I met Joustin. On our first meeting he took the time to greet Cosmo and asked all the right questions to establish a rapport. I appreciate that he explained to me all the different safety measures he uses with the dogs. He also understands the different breeds demeanor, and makes sure that the dogs are in a well suited group depending on their energy level and needs. My small Italian Greyhound is in good hands with Running with Rover. It truly is the only professional and reputable dog walking company in the city. read more

I found Justin on Yelp and called him in a panic. We are moving to SF and had no where for our dog to be for the week prior. My father was driving him down from Oregon the next day and he would be homeless in SF! Justin was sympathetic and agreed to take Finn sight unseen and just said "Have your dad call when he is about an hour out." Could not have made a tough situation easier for me! read more

Joustin has an amazing gift with dogs. He is calm and patient and cares so much for their comfort and well-being. He took a sustainable approach for gaining trust with my dog. He is extremely reliable and communicative. I'd highly recommend Running with Rover for anyone with a dog that needs mental and physical exercise in a safe and caring environment. read more

I have been a customer of RWR for over three years, but have known Joustin for about 6. He walked my close friend of mine's Lab for many years before they left SF. When you hire a dog walker, you aren't just trusting them with your loved animal, you are also trusting them with your home since you have to give them a key. I trust Joustin and his walkers 100%. He is super diligent about who he hires and makes sure that they are absolutely trustworthy. Security is his top concern. As for the walks. My dog is only 4 pounds and I was apprehensive on selecting a walker who would care for her. When I first got her, she had really bad separation anxiety. Joustin helped me crate train and alleviate all symptoms of separation anxiety. Although small, she is tough and wants to socialize. She wants to walk in a group, but because she is so tiny, she needs extra care. Joustin always makes sure her safety is his top concern, but gives into her wanting to walk with a variety of dogs also. I honestly can't recommend him enough. You hear horror stories of dog walkers losing dogs or even worse dogs being hurt. It's the risk you take when you live in a city, unfortunately. All that being said, I trust Joustin and RWR and can honestly say that Molly is not only in outstanding care, but is a better dog because of RWR. Thank you!!! read more

In the past year, I have moved from Toronto, to Boston and now San Francisco, and with me came my 85lb Chocolate Lab. I was worried with all of the changes for him that he would be adversely affected. So, it was incredibly important to me to find someone who would take care of my guy with the same care and love I would. I did my research and set up interviews with a few different dog walkers and hands down, it was an easy selection to chose Running with Rover. Joustin and his team are so incredibly professional. They are concerned with safety and making sure that my dog is getting the exercise he needs (which is a lot)! I love that I can check on Twitter daily and see what Finn has been up to while out with his crew. On top of all of that, I travel a lot for work, and Joustin takes care of Finn while I'm away and I get updates and pictures that certainly show he is more than comfortable on his sleepovers which gives me peace of mind. I highly recommend anyone to reach out to Joustin if you have a dog you love and want to make sure they are being treated well, that they are getting the exercise they need and that they are with well trained and loving staff. I have had dog walkers in all three cities I have lived, and without a doubt this is the most professional and caring group of people I have ever met who take care of my (not so) little guy. Thank you Running with Rover! read more

Thank you for exercising my pup! He looked so happy to jog with some friends. Definitely will keep using you!

I honestly can't say enough about Joustin and Running with Rover. We only had Rasta for two months when we met Joustin. He gave us great tips as new puppy parents and helped train Rasta to walk well on-leash (versus taking five steps and sitting down like he used to do), sit on command, etc. as well as socialized him with other dogs. My husband and I travel a fair amount and we feel so comfortable leaving Rasta with Joustin, as we know he is in the BEST of hands. It is obvious that Joustin cares so much about Rasta and all of the RWR pups and Rasta loves him right back. The other reviews that said Joustin goes above and beyond are totally spot on. We would be lost without him! read more

I wanted to update my review now that I have used the boarding and dog walking services at Running with Rover. Every experience has been perfect. Joustin and his team are very communicative, and I never have to worry about my dog when I'm away, because she always has a blast with Running with Rover. Their flexibility means I can be flexible if a crisis happens at work, or if I want to make last minute plans to go for happy hour or out of town for the weekend. Having such reliable professionals helping me care for my dog has changed my life and given me much more freedom! read more

My dog doesn't take to "just anyone" and I can honestly say that she is excited when she spots Joustin or his employee Colm. I trust them and know that Maude is in great hands!!! read more

I've been a client of Joustin's and RWR since May 2012. I moved my two dogs from the suburban life in Houston to a condo in SF. Joustin and his team have been incredibly helpful in assisting my dogs to adapt to city life. My older dog, Rufus began having difficulties with his walks and Joustin and RWR worked their schedule so that he could always have an outing mid-day when I was at work- even if it was to take him to the curb for a quick potty break and back into the condo. I think the RWR crew was as sad as I was when Rufus died at the age of 15 and they made special efforts to ensure that my younger dog stayed active and engaged to help her cope. Viola loves her group walks and she's in so much better shape than when she moved here. I love how there are twitter updates and photos so I know how the walks went and Joustin and his team are willing to add extra walks when work gets crazy. They'll even stay in your home so your dogs don't have to be boarded if that works for you and your pet. I love my dog more than some of my relatives - I would highly recommend RWR to anyone who is looking for quality care of their furry family member read more

Joustin has been our dog walker for 4 years now and we have nothing but great things to say about him! He's reliable, trust worthy and most importantly always available when we need him. We try to give him notice of when we need him to walk our dog but occasionally there are times when we unexpectedly have to work late and have a last minute request. He never hesitates to try to rearrange his schedule to help us out and fit her in. We rely on him more than he knows! Thanks again Joustin for your years of great service!! read more

We love Running with Rover! They are very responsible and truly take care of your dog like they are their own pet. We have used them for dog walking and dog overnight boarding. Joustin is very helpful and a pleasure to work with. When we moved to the city we looked at several dog walkers and I couldn't be happier with our choice of using RWR. read more

Best dog walking / services company in San Francisco! Great prices for the monthly walking packages and amazing in-home boarding services with amazing people when you go out of town. Our pup loves her walker and we always feel like she is well taken care of. We will never use any other service! read more

I have been a client of Joustin's since 2011. He and his staff are very professional, truly care about the dogs and most importantly, are 100% reliable! My favorite part of his service are the daily updates on the group's twitter page of what they did today...I live for those! I was a full time client with 2 dogs for the first 3.5 years. Since then, I had a child and decided not to go back to work. I am now a part time client. Joustin and his team have always been there on days when I need them and are great at last minute requests! I have referred a handful of people to him already and would do so again in a heartbeat! read more

I have always been afraid to leave my pup behind. It is hard to entrust my precious Fiona with others, as she is an amazing dog but can be a nervous nelly. Joustin immediately gained my trust when seeing his interaction with her, and his immediate understanding of her quirky Frenchie personality and temperament. I finally felt at ease leaving her for a week, while I'm typically inflicted with guilt & worry. Joustin eased all of my worry by sending me daily "Sleepover with Rover" logs to let me know how her time was being spent. I came back to a tired pup from all of her play & exercise. Fiona was one happy pup, making me one happy customer. As I transition back into full time at an office environment - I finally have found someone I feel comfortable taking Fiona on her mid-day walks. This is such a huge comfort! I cannot speak highly enough of Running with Rover's services and how it has helped me & my life. If you'd like me expound, feel free to contact me. read more

look no further. just moved out of the city but used running with rover in the year that i was there and we would have been miserable without them. joustin and his team of walkers are very professional and treated our puppy as if she were their own. joustin even came by to let her out in the evenings on more than one occasion when i ended up having to go out of town at the last minute. the daily tweets are a comfort- while im at work i know my dog is getting a chance to stretch her legs and take a pee break and when i come home she is happy and tired from play time and she just wants to cuddle- a win win! i have to use a new dog walking company in my new town now and i'm paying a lot more for a lot less :( read more

Joustin is one of those guys with a real passion for what he does, and it clearly shines through. Our dog is literally like our child, and there is simply no one I trust more to keep him. Joustin is also extremely picky about his employees that he brings onboard, running background checks, doing extensive training with them, ect -- and as a result: I have been completely comfortable and happy with all of the walkers at Running with Rover as well. Joustin is building a truly top tier business. Absolutely the best in San Francisco. read more

I can't praise Running with Rover enough. We were going out of town and needed someone to watch over our spoiled French bulldog, Goosh. After spending numerous hours researching I wasn't satisfied with the options and began to feel EXTREMELY stressed about the situation. You see Goosh is our baby, he sleeps in bed with us and has never been in a crate or kennel. Sure he likes to play with dogs but at then end of the day he likes to be the only dog cuddling next to a human and snoring the night away in bed. Thankfully I stumbled across Running with Rover. Joustin and Keith were wonderful. They came to our apartment and meet Goosh. They were very flexible and willing to cater to our needs. I decided that the best option was to have Keith stay the night at our place while we were out of town. It was great! We were able to have a guilt-free vacation with peace of mind knowing that Goosh was in great hands, comfortable in his own home and with people who were highly trained and responsible. We got a report card at the end of the each day letting us know what he did, ate, etc. And when we got home our little guy was as happy as could be and the apartment was exactly as we left it. I highly recommend Running with Rover they offer Peace of Mind! read more