We've been working with Action Dog for the past 3.5 years and couldn't be happier with Jeff and his outstanding team (especially Anna). They've remained patient with us through all of our dog's little quirks, and we know he gets super excited every time he hears their car pull into the driveway. He always comes back from his hikes happy and exhausted, and we've noticed his recall has improved significantly since we started working with Action Dog. We couldn't recommend Action Dog enough. We have complete trust when it comes to them taking care of our dog, as well as picking up/dropping off from our house even in moments when we're not around. Sadly we're moving out of the area and will hopefully be lucky enough to find similar care for our dog. read more

This review is long, long overdue. Elana, Jeff and Sylvester have been watching our Waffles 3-4 days a week now for almost three years, and they've been nothing short of amazing. They are caring, flexible, timely, responsive and Waffles absolutely adores them. In addition to joining them on daily off leash hikes all across Oakland and Berkeley, we've left Waffles overnight with Action Dog about a dozen times. Bottom line is that we have the ultimate trust in this team and know that Waffles is always in good, loving hands with them. They really are his second set of parents and we can't say enough good things about the impact they've had on our lives. read more

Action Dog! - In addition to their superior dog walking abilities, Action Dog staffs several award-winning photographers. - Dog Walkers Near Me

See all

Our Samoyed would become so excited when it was time for Action Dog to pick him up. He loved his hikes and the team at Action Dog! Getting that type of exercise is so good for him, and we know he will miss his dog pals in Oakland as he heads for some new trails out of state. Action Dog clearly cared for his needs as they would have for their own, and we are forever grateful to Jeff and Elana for taking him into the pack. read more

Action Dog! - Baron Samedi (the guy on the left, above) loving his trail hikes! - Dog Walkers Near Me

Jeff and the Action Dog team are fantastic. Our dog Finnegan has been going on off-leash pack hikes with Action Dog for more than 2 years, starting when he was 6 1/2 months old. Finnegan is super excited when he gets picked up and comes back tired and happy. In addition, we have boarded Finnegan multiple times w/Action Dog and are so appreciative that he's staying with a trustworthy human, sometimes other dog buddies, AND gets to go on pack hikes too. Finnegan loves the entire Action Dog crew and all of his dog buddies! read more

Action Dog! has been picking up my lazy dog to go on hikes a few times a week. Hendrix is very lazy and doesn't like to go on walks, but I can tell he thoroughly enjoys hiking with his buddies. They have always been very reliable and the prices are reasonable. Elana and Jeff also post the cutest pictures of the dogs on Instagram, so I can see their smiling faces. I would definitely recommend them! read more

See all

Action Dog! picks up my dog and takes him on an off-leash hike 3 days a week with some of his friends. A pretty incredible option, especially living in a city. I appreciate this service! Great price as well. I will say I wish there was more communication between Action Dog and myself. I don't ever receive a report card or otherwise direct communication. They have an instagram and post photos of dogs daily, but my dog is rarely in the pictures. I would appreciate a follow-up so that I know my dog has had a walk and enjoyed himself. Even just a text- picked up! And dropped off! As the walks are different times each day. As a follow up- I really appreciate Jeff's attention to my review (sorry Jeff I don't see a way to respond down there- so I'll respond here!) The reason I like to leave reviews is because I rely heavily on yelp as I move often. I appreciate an honest review and just want the best care for my dog. I recognize I may be an overly involved dog mom but I feel guilty the whole day I'm at work and a picture of him running off leash offsets that worry. I wait for the Instagram photos each day and am just disappointed when he's not on. I am thrilled we've found you and that you've accepted Diego for a short time- so thank you so much for that! read more

Jeff and Elana of Action Dog! are truly amazing. I signed my newly adopted 5-year-old Pointer mix up with them almost a year ago, hoping she would become more socialized and confident after spending two long months in the shelter. Also, I worked long hours in the city and needed to know my dog had a chance to relieve herself and get some exercise while I was gone all day. Jeff and Elana are so knowledgeable, patient and understanding of dog behavior and their quirks. They REALLY know their stuff, and I'd find myself (as a new dog-owner) calling them up when I had a question about health-related issues, behavior weirdness, the type of food I should be feeding my dog, etc, etc! As far as the hikes they go on, my dog would go out for an hour with them a few times a week. They'd hike in groups of six dogs through the hills and forests and fields of Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda and my dog would return more pooped than ever! This is the kind of exercise you just can't give your dog on a neighborhood walk. I've even joined Elana on a few outings with the dogs, and I can definitely vouch for her professional, fun and enthusiastic demeanor! Safety of the dogs and fellow hikers and their dogs is a top priority on these outings. The dogs truly love Elana and Jeff, and I trust and love them and appreciate having them in our lives! read more

See all

Noodle's tail wag when he hears the Action truck drive up says it all!! He runs to peek out the window and wags, then runs to the door and waits. He loves his Action pack! I love how professional and reliable the team is. They'll even take noodle for sleepovers when I'm out of town and I love knowing he's happy and cozy with his pack. 5 wags!! read more

I could not recommend ActionDog! enough! My puppy Peanut was very nervous for her first hike so Elana and Jeff suggested I tag along to ease her in. It was so impressive to see Elana effortlessly manage the 5-6 dogs, ensuring each one was accounted for at all times and pacing the walk appropriately for dogs of various speeds. Peanut has an absolute ball on her walks (according to the cute pictures) and comes home happy and tired. Elana and Jeff are tuned in to each dog's needs and provide a controlled environment for some off-leash fun. read more

Action Dog! - Dog Walkers Near Me

See all

I never thought I'd be one of those people who would need a dog walker but when my pup Ginger came into my life I quickly realized I was going to need all the help I could get. I've been using Action Dog for around 3 years now. Elana & Jeff helped tremendously with Ginger's off-leash training. It's a relief to know that she's in good hands and having fun while I'm at work. Both are great communicators and I love the pictures they send of Ginger out and about burning off some of that energy. Unfortunately my pup is prone to injuries but they've always been accommodating to her need to take breaks while she heals. Highly recommend this great team! read more

Action Dog! - Happy pup = happy mom! - Dog Walkers Near Me

Jeff and Elena treat us like an extended part of their family, Sky has been part of their crew for 2 years now. They have been very reliable from day 1, they train their new staff very well and make sure the dogs are comfortable with them before they lead the pack. I don't trust many people with Sky but I have full trust in the go action crew. Thank you for all the love you have shown us, we hope you continue to be part of our family for many good years to come. I would very strongly recommend them if you are looking for anyone dependable to love your dog and take them for fun off leash adventures read more

See all

I only have my dog's response as feedback here. She was under Jeff's care for about a month. I have a very well behaved dog that I have never had any behavioral issues with. Every dog walker I have had before has always said she was easy to handle and has been so excited to see them that she forgets all about me. One day i was home in the morning when he picked her up. She was terrified of him. She slinked off the couch and cowered as she walked over to him. Then as we stood there and talked a bit she shook the entire time. Needless to say, that was the last day she went anywhere with him. read more

Jeff is our first dog walker, ever, and my partner and I have nothing but positive things to say about him. Our pup is an energetic herding breed mix, so Action Dog's off-leash hikes are much more useful to her (and us!) than leash walking around the neighborhood might be. We love seeing the periodic pictures of our pup on the Facebook page, and it's just icing on the cake that he/they are more affordable than the other dog walkers in our area we considered. Jeff has been completely understanding of our "new-mom" worries (once we kept her home because her stool was soft and we thought she had giardia... an unnecessary visit to the vet later and she was cleared to play), and great when our schedules have changed. We are still learning our 1-year-old pup's personality and temperament, and it turns out she takes a little while to warm up to new people. Jeff was professional and honest when he realized she needed to spend a few weeks on a long leash while they built up enough rapport for him to trust her recall. She's been off-leash for a few months now and doing great--she comes home exhausted and happy, and is always asleep within minutes. read more

Action Dog! - One happy and exhausted puppy, less than 5 minutes after getting home from an adventure with Jeff from Action Dog! - Dog Walkers Near Me

Action Dog is awesome! Jeff has taken my 1.5 year-old border collie/lab mix, Levon, on multiple long weekends when I have been out of town. Levon is a highly energetic dog, and the reason I choose to leave him with Jeff instead of taking him to, say, Wag Hotels or some other boarding place is because I know Levon always has a great time when he is out on trail walks with Jeff. Jeff also is great about varying the walks, taking the dogs (his and mine, and other dogs he is walking at the time) to different parks and/or lakes. When I pick Levon up afterward, he is almost always extremely tired and content to just spend the evening snoozing on my living room rug (normally he'd be running around my house with a squeaky toy or ball). I have never had any issues with Jeff. He is very reliable and trustworthy and I am sure Levon will enjoy more trail hikes with Jeff in the future! read more

When we had a baby our first "child" (Shiloh the black lab) found himself without as many walks as we were all used to (ok sometimes none...). Luckily we had a place with a yard so he had some freedom but we could still tell he was anxious and needing more exercise. We finally decided to find him some relief. I liked the idea of an off leash dog walker, he is such a better dog off leash and he gets so much more exercise. Jeff and Elana are dog people to the core. We were all comfortable when we first met them and after over a year it continues to be a wonderful experience. Shiloh is always happy to see Jeff or Elana. And those days when he has been with them he is calm and happy in the evening which is nice. He is also much more socialized then he used to be. We attribute this to his frequent exercise and Jeff and Elana's consistency as handlers. Thanks so much for keeping Shiloh fit, happy and healthy! read more

Action dog was the best investment!! We come home to a happy relaxed Boston. read more

Action Dog! - Bugsy waits for Jeff, even though I'm home for the summer. He's got his own pack at Action Dog! - Dog Walkers Near Me

I've now used Action Dog twice to take care of my dogs while we're on vacation. The dogs stay in my parents home while Jeff and Elana take them out for daily hikes.This regular exercise makes them so happy they are great guests for my senior citizen parents. I get the additional benefit of improved behavior from the two dogs when we return -- their recall is excellent! Jeff and Elana are always professional and reliable, so I don't worry about their care during my vacations. I only wish I lived closer to the East Bay so my dogs could regularly enjoy off-leash hiking with Action Dog. read more

I have a 2 year old French Bulldog who was in need of some ACTION! I heard about Action Dog through a friend and liked their philosophy of off-leash walks, hiking and dogs enjoying healthy dog-pack activities. Ace (my little frenchie) got dropped off at Action Dog! on Friday and was staying until Sunday. I was a little concerned that he wouldn't be able to keep up with the hikes and that the other 'big' dogs were too big for him to play with. Jeff and La immediately put my mind at ease. They told me how friendly their dogs were and how they would watch out for Ace's energy level with other dogs....But what really put my mind at ease was the pics they sent me!!! They sent me pics of Ace on his Action! hikes and I was so impressed. He was smiling in the woods and running on trails. He looked soooo happy! Which made me feel so stoked!! When I picked him up on Sunday Ace came home dead tired which was a good thing! I knew he had a great Action! packed weekend because he slept for 2 days afterward. I would recommend Action Dog! for overnight boarding as well as daily adventures for all dogs that love to have fun and need some Action! read more

We've used Elana and Jeff for close to 4 years and they rock. They've kept our pupper Izzie super-fit and happy, taking her on adventures across the East Bay, from hikes in the hills to swimming at Pt Isabel, they mix it up, they don't walk, they jog, hike and play with your dog. They've also helped us out with boarding, when we've needed to take a vacation and couldn't bring Izzie along. All their staff are great, as they occasionally have people that they are training/filling in for them when they go out of town. Absolutely trustworthy, love your dog like their own, and I am sure that Izzie will miss them more than we will, since we are moving away. read more

Jeff & Elana have been taking our two dogs on adventures for four+ years. Even our skittish rescue dog that doesn't like people is a huge fan of them. They're very professional, get to know the dogs quickly and arrange the walk groups accordingly. Our dogs came back from walks tired and showing all the signs of having a great run! And the photos that Elana & Jeff share of the pups in action were always super fun! From day one, they were flexible on schedule changes, holidays, etc. They're fabulous walkers/sitters and I'd highly recommend them to Oakland-area dog owners any day!! I'm only sorry it took me so long to write this review! read more

My dog LOVES this! The pictures from the hikes are amazing and it's so good to know Shreddy isn't just sitting at home waiting for me. He's out there having a blast and loving life with other dogs! He always meets an eclectic group of pups and has a lot of new friends- and he comes home tired every time! Thanks Action Dog! read more

Where to start? Jeff and Elana have become like family to me. When I moved to Oakland a few years ago and started commuting to the city I needed to find a dog walker who would give my really active doodle some good attention and activity a few day a week. I called around and was really happy to have found Action Dog! Moose always had a fantastic times hoping in the truck with the rest of the action dog pack and was always tired out when I came home from work. They take the dogs on about an hour long hike on different trail systems in the East Bay and the dogs have a fantastic time! I know because I got to go along with them a few times when i was in between jobs, and it was a work out for me! Anyways, these guys are great, I often got updates and photos from Elana and they were always super professional and respectful. Thanks guys! read more

Action Dog! has been a great support for our dog Murphy. He's been in their hiking "packs" for a few years now. Elana and Jeff and their crews are super friendly and always professional. They've even helped with his reactivity and related training needs. I love that he's off-leash and getting energy release and socialization at the same time. If you're looking for off-leash dog hikes by super knowledgeable and friendly dog people, Action Dog! is a great choice. read more

Elena at Action Dog has been amazing! My pups, Camille and Orlando, have been taking walks with Action Dog for 2 years and they have had a blast. They are always excited to see Elena and they come home happy and tired. Sadly we just moved out of the area so they will not get to go on these adventures anymore.but I wanted to take the opportunity to share my appreciation for the past two years. It is nice knowing that there are good people out there that you can count on. Thanks for everything! Camille and Orlando miss you! I definitely would recommend Action Dog if you are looking for someone to take great care of your pup. read more

10 stars is more like it! The dynamic duo at Action Dog, Elana and Jeff, have been taking my French bull dogs, Juan and Diego, hiking for 3 years now and I am so grateful for their excellent care. As an example of how cool they are I'll tell you that Juan developed some arthritis this year and started not being able to keep up - Elana suggested we get a sporty all terrain pet stroller and offered to wheel him along so he can still come with the pack! The boys continue to express wild enthusiasm every time they come to the door. I even think they are excited when I pull out my suitcase as they anticipate going to stay them for a holiday- now I'm not jealous but really ;) They are also great photographers and you can look forward to some epic shots of your pups on the trail. Hey, you might even make their fabulous yearly calendar! read more

Our dog has been a member of the Action Dog pack for a few years now, and we feel really fortunate. Jeff and Elana do an amazing job. They are both extremely professional, very knowledgeable about dog training and great communicators. I love that they send us pictures of our happy dog out and about with them! We have also boarded our dog with them several times, which was a great experience. Overall, I highly recommend Action Dog! Your pup will come home happy, tired and well socialized. read more

I love my dogs with everything and it was a frightening proposition to think about letting someone take her in a car, as well as give handing over keys to my house. Jeff came over for a meet and greet and within moments Daisy was cuddling up to him. Clearly he was a dog person and Daisy liked him, and she is very sensitive to men as well as suffering from 'Stranger Danger'. For the past 2.5 years Daisy has been going out with Action Dog every week and is a happier calmer dog as a result. Action Dog uses positive training techniques and redirection never negative or punitive training. Running in an Action Dog pack has increased Daisy's recall 80%, she understands pack mentality and has many pup friends. Jeff and Elana are professional, personable and lovely people overall. read more

Jeff has "doggy-sat" our 2 dogs in the past and we have been extremely pleased with the service. Roma & Dal barely knew we left for a week (or that's how we felt when we returned) and that's always a great feeling!!! Jeff managed our love to walk and hate to walk twosome and sent us updates on their progress. We have a new puppy and I would hesitate to have jeff and his team take care of my dogs in the future. So happy to have a reliable source to walk our dogs when we are away! read more

Jeff is fantastic. When he started working with my dogs, one was only 4 months old and a little out of control being a typical puppy. He did a great job in training him and getting him used to a pack. Mack and Sweetie love Jeff and have so much fun swimming, hiking and playing with the other dogs. I wish had my dogs' life! Thanks Jeff. read more

Jeff from Action Dog is so great with dogs! He is always calm with our wild girl and you can tell he truly enjoys what he does! Our dog comes back from adventures happy and tired! I think she is being very well socialized too, as I have seen a difference in her interactions with other dogs since Jeff has started working with her. I highly recommend Action Dog! :) read more

My little dog Taz loves going on hikes with the big boys. Action Dogs Sandy and Drake just love to play and wear him out! I love that I can trust the Action Dog folks to come to my house and pick Taz up to take him on a doggie frolic in the hills -- they know all the sweet, hidden dog-friendly spots. When I get home from work little Taz is worn out from hiking and socializing. Reasonable prices (I think a new customer discount?), and even overnight boarding! I totally trust them with my little guy. read more

Jeff and Elana are the most awesome duo! I consider them to be a part of the family at this point. Jeff takes Sammy out twice / week on hikes and with Jeff's kind and firm attention, Sammy has become much more comfortable both with other doggies and with people. I can't imagine life without Action Dog! read more

This is a long overdue review, Action Dog took care of my English Bulldog this winter and they did an awesome job. I was worried because he isnt' the most athletic dog, and their servicie is catered towards active dogs, but they were very accomodating and reassured me that he would be fine. They even came over to meet him prior to his first walk to make sure he would fit in with the "pack." I loved knowing that I could come home after work and he would be so exhausted from his hike that he would be still asleep when I got home. I also loved the fithly towel by the door from when they cleaned him off after his hike, the dirtier the towel the more fun he had! Their service is barely more than what you would pay someone to come walk your dog for 30 minutes on the city streets, and this way the dog gets to go into the woods, play with other dogs, be off leash and be out of the house for hours. All in all an awesome service and totally worth the money. Oh,and they sent pictures of my dog on his hikes too, he looked so happy! read more

Action Dog is fantastic! Very reliable and friendly. Love that you can pay over Venmo now, they always clean my dog off if it's rainy/muddy and took great care of him. I'm moving to SF now and hope that I can find a service like this out there! read more

We have been using Action Dog for over a year now for our pup, and our experience with them has been phenomenal. Jeff and Elana are communicative and professional, and our dog Avon gets so excited whenever he is picked up for a hike! Viewing the uploaded facebook photos is fun, too. HIGHLY recommend using these local, extremely competent, lovely people to care for your dog! read more

Best of the best of dog care. Jeff is a dog guy, (in every good sense of the word). His own dogs, Drake and Sandy are happier than any dogs I've ever seen. Use this service and rest assured that ALL IS WELL with your pooches. read more

I have a 2-year-old mutt named Zulu. He's got a lot of energy and loves to let loose on the trails! I get a warm fuzzy thinking about how much fun he's having when he goes on his hikes with Jeff and Elana. I fully trust them as pack leaders, and he comes home tired and happy. His social skills have improved, too! read more

I cannot say enough good things about Action Dog. Jeff and his whole team are incredible. We have a very energetic 3 year old boxer mix and she absolutely loves her outings. Jeff has great attention to detail; when it rains he makes sure our dog is clean and has towels before she goes in the house. He wipes her down during poison oak season to make sure she does not bring the toxins inside. He texts / emails / posts images to facebook so you can experience some of the joy that your pup is having while you are stuck at the office. We have tried a lot of other dog services and none hold a candle to Jeff. You won't be disappointed! read more

STOP looking and call jeff. you will find none better. ditto on all the reviews below. thanks jeff & elana read more

New to Oakland, I found Action Dog at the recommendation of another dog walker who didn't have room with her group - and I ever am glad I did! Jeff and Elana were very responsive to my inquiries and quickly set up a time to come meet my pup and I before taking her out with the pack. They offer a very cool walk experience with dogs out on trails enjoying each other with some space to stretch their legs! They were willing to meet with my trainer and to work with my dog who has had some anxiety issues and needs special attention. They were very professional and went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and make sure my dog got the exercise and attention she needed. I would absolutely recommend Action Dog to anyone! read more