The Dog Society San Diego – Review, Information, and Tips!
San Diego is a city known for its beautiful beaches, stunning sunsets, and vibrant culture. But did you know that it’s also home to a thriving community of dog lovers? The Dog Society San Diego is one such group that has been making waves in the local pet scene. From its dog bar and beer garden to organizing dog-friendly events and offering pet services, this organization has become a go-to resource for San Diego pet owners.
I had the pleasure of experiencing their offerings firsthand and will be sharing my thoughts, tips, and information in this review post. So if you’re a dog owner in San Diego or planning to visit with your furry friend – keep reading to learn more about the Dog Society and what they have to offer.
What Is the Dog Society?
The Dog Society is a unique concept that combines a sports bar, cafe, and play areas for both the dogs and their owners to enjoy. With a variety of play areas and games available, it’s the perfect place for dogs to socialize and play while their owners can relax and unwind.
In addition to the recreational amenities, the Dog Society also offers a range of pet services such as boarding, training, and grooming. This makes it a convenient one-stop shop for all things dog-related.
Whether you’re looking to socialize your pup, grab a bite to eat, or get your pet groomed, the Dog Society has something for everyone. It’s a haven for dog lovers and their furry friends in the heart of San Diego!
What Can You Do at the Dog Society?
Dog Beer Garden:
Located downstairs off the back patio, visitors can enjoy a cold drink while their furry friends play and socialize. The outdoor area is enclosed and designated for 21+ guests only, allowing for a casual and enjoyable atmosphere.
The front section resembles a traditional beer garden, complete with long picnic-style tables, and even offers a variety of beverages to choose from (all served in plastic cups or cans, in case the pups get a little rowdy).
The back section features play structures specifically designed for your dogs to enjoy and meet new friends. With these structures, visitors can watch their pets enjoy the outdoors and interact with other dogs, all while enjoying a refreshing beverage in the company of like-minded dog lovers.
*NOTE: They didn’t seem to be enforcing this very strictly when we were there as it wasn’t very crowded, but the beer garden does have a 1-hour max time limit and 10 dog / 20 people capacity.
San Diego Sports “Dog” Bar:
As you walk into the Dog Society you will be greeted with an inviting space for guests to enjoy delicious food and drinks while catching up on their favorite sports games. Visitors can indulge in a variety of tasty sports bar dishes and refreshing drinks, all while watching one of the 35 TVs located throughout the space.
The upstairs main area also features plenty of games, making it the perfect spot to hang out with friends and family. For those who prefer to relax outdoors, there is a shaded patio available that provides a comfortable and cozy ambiance.
While dogs must remain on leash in the upstairs portion of the establishment, their presence adds to the lively and welcoming atmosphere of Dog Society.
Games:
There are plenty of games for all ages to enjoy in the Dog Society’s bar area.
Attend Events:
The Dog Society San Diego hosts a variety of events throughout each month to get you and your pup involved in the community and making new friends. A few of the event highlights are:
Visit their website or Instagram to keep an eye on upcoming events.
You can also host your own public or private events such as wine groups, paws and paint, book clubs, work events, or parent meet-ups.
Workspace:
Need a break from working at home but don’t want to leave your furry friend alone all day? Bring them over to the Dog Society and set up shop there for the day! With a full espresso bar, plenty of food, and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the facility, you can bring your dog to play while you get some work done.
Dog Society Services
Friendly and caring dog experts at the Dog Society San Diego provide a range of services to make this a one-stop shop for dog owners. Prior to daycare or boarding, all dogs must go through a free, four-hour temperament assessment and have current vaccinations, which include Bordetella, Rabies, DAP/DHPP, Lepto, and canine influenza.
Boarding:
Dog Society’s boarding services offer a comfortable and safe place for your furry friends to stay while you’re away. The facility provides daily photos and videos to keep you updated on your pet’s well-being.
The boarding area includes indoor and outdoor play areas, ensuring that your pet receives plenty of exercise and socialization. Additionally, Dog Society provides flexible drop-off and pick-up times, making it convenient for you to pick up your pet whenever you’re ready.
A standard room starts at $75/night and includes a raised bed, medication administration, and feeding. If you want to give your pet a luxury experience (and yes, they really mean luxury), Dog Society also offers luxury dog suites with amenities like a complimentary basic bath, flat screen TV, luxury bed, soothing music, aromatherapy, and night treat.
Daycare:
Dog Society’s daycare service offers dogs the opportunity to socialize, exercise and play in a safe and supervised environment. The facility provides indoor and outdoor play areas, with dogs separated by size and always under the watchful eye of expert pack leaders.
With attentive supervision and a variety of play areas, Dog Society’s daycare service ensures that your pet is happy, healthy, and engaged throughout the day.
A single day (up to 12 hours) starts at $45.
Training:
Dog Society San Diego has been providing exceptional training services for over 15 years, specializing in teaching dogs appropriate play behavior, leash manners, separation confidence, and other essential skills. The facility offers a variety of training programs to suit your pet’s needs, including private lessons, day training and acclimation, a board and train option, and a puppy academy.
Private lessons are customized to address specific training needs, while day training and acclimation allow dogs to participate in daycare and receive training simultaneously.
Board and train is an intensive program that allows dogs to live at the facility and receive personalized training, while the puppy academy is specifically designed to help puppies develop fundamental skills and behaviors.
Grooming:
Dog Society San Diego offers top-notch grooming services for your furry friends. The facility provides convenient drop-off grooming services, allowing you to leave your pet in the hands of their experienced groomers and pick them up later in the day.
The grooming services include several different bundle options, or you can opt for specific services a la carte, such as nail trimming, teeth brushing, de-skunk treatment, de-matting, and much more.
The groomers at Dog Society are highly skilled and passionate about their work, ensuring that your pet looks and feels its best after every grooming session.
Dog Society San Diego Rules and Policies
To keep all dogs and humans safe and happy at the Dog Society, they have a couple of specific rules all visitors must follow.
- All guests (with or without pups) must fill out a waiver before your first visit. They offer this to you at the door and you can conveniently sign on your own phone. It just takes a quick minute or two.
- There is a specific dog registration waiver for any services as well as a temperament test.
- All dogs must be at least 4 months or older to visit and have been fully vaccinated for 2 weeks.
- No food can be given to dogs at any time in the main bar.
- After 8pm, only those over 21 are allowed.
- 2 dogs are allowed per adult.
So you’re a dog owner and lover?
Have you heard of Trusted Housesitters yet?
If you travel often, this site connects you to pet sitters or house sits to watch pets.
→ Find quality pet sitters to watch your pets (FOR FREE)
OR, if you need a free place to stay while traveling, consider pet setting!
Dog Society San Diego Menu
The menu at the Dog Society features typical sports bar foods such as pizza, a basket of wings, nachos, and hot pretzels (these were delicious!). They also have a barbeque grill going on the back patio to order hamburgers and hotdogs.
While it’s not the most sophisticated menu, it perfectly compliments the sports bar and almost picnic-hangout-type vibes of the venue.
In the morning (7am-11am), they have some brunch options including bagels, smoothies and bowls, and waffles. They also have a small kids’ menu as well.
Bar and Beer Selection at the Dog Society San Diego
The Dog Society has about 12 different options on tap from house and locally brewed beers to hard kombucha and seltzers. They also offer canned wine and a few non-alcoholic beer options.
Make sure to get a cup of “dog beer” for your pup too! They have beef, veggie, and pork flavors to try out.
“Yappy” Hour
They also offer excellent drink deals here and there throughout the month and a happy hour every Monday to Friday from 3pm to 5:30pm. Happy hour features $5 drafts and a $25 bucket of 6 cans.
⭐️ Review of the Dog Society San Diego ⭐️
I had my first visit to the Dog Society San Diego on a Sunday afternoon in February, and I think my exact thought as I walked around it was “wow, if heaven looked like this I would be so happy!” Then again, I am a huge dog person and could spend all day every day playing with all kinds of dogs.
PROS
More objectively speaking, Dog Society does a couple of things really well. They cater to both dogs AND humans, creating an inclusive space where everyone can feel welcome and relaxed.
The balance of an off-leash play area and the on-leash bar provides a space for everyone’s comfort level; whether you are ok with your dog running around with new furry friends, or you would rather play it safe and keep them leashed next to you.
When we visited, we took our dog straight down to the beer garden and let her run around for a while to get some energy out, then we took her upstairs while we ordered food and relaxed on the patio.
Their one-stop-shop model is excellent. I’m not familiar with any other facility that so easily blends everything you might need for your dog PLUS a dog-friendly environment to relax in yourself.
The staff at Dog Society San Diego is very friendly and attentive to you and your dogs. We had staff bring our pup some water and ask us how she was doing in addition to attending to us.
They put a lot of effort into the little details here as well to truly make it a comfortable and practical space. For example, the bathroom has hooks so if you are alone with your dog you can bring them into the bathroom with you and hook their leash in. Each table has a reinforced leash to hook into as well.
CONS
For those looking for high-quality food and drinks, this might not be your place. It certainly caters to the more relaxed crowd in terms of simple foods and beers. While I thought the food was pretty decent, it certainly is not much to rave about, but that wasn’t the point of being there.
All things considered, the Dog Society does a very good job at keeping its facilities clean and organized when you consider how many dogs are coming through each day. However, that being said, there are a lot of dogs in the building and with that comes a bit of grunge and being ok with potentially seeing a dog relieving itself on the patio while you’re trying to enjoy a beer (though they should be using the designated outdoor area).
They host many events (which is great!) but when we were there we had to leave the beer garden early so they could set up for a private event. While the bar was still open, it’s something to note that occasionally certain areas might be closed off.
Additional Dog Society Reviews
Don’t just take it from me, here are a couple of other reviews! Almost everyone has simply great things to say about the Dog Society.
Is Dog Society Safe for My Dog?
Yes, the Dog Society is generally very safe for dogs, as the facility takes several measures to ensure the safety of all dogs. The enclosed areas and limited dog capacity in the off-leash beer garden ensure that dogs do not wander off and get into trouble. Additionally, leashes are required in the bar area, which prevents any unwanted interactions between dogs.
The presence of “Pack Leaders” who walk around the facility also adds an extra layer of safety, as they keep an extra eye on all the pups and can intervene in case of any potential conflicts or issues. However, it’s always important to use your best discretion and observe your dog’s behavior to ensure their safety in any social setting.
Get In Contact With the Dog Society San Diego
Address:
6331 University Avenue, San Diego CA 92115
Phone:
(619) 780-0235
Dog Society San Diego Hours
Cafe / Bar Hours:
Monday to Thursday from 12pm to 8pm
Friday to Saturday from 9am to 10pm
Sunday from 9am to 8pm
*Cafe closes 1 hour before the bar.
Conclusion: A Review of The Dog Society San Diego
Overall, the Dog Society San Diego is an excellent place for both dog owners and their furry friends to relax, socialize, and have a good time. The facility offers a range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of both dogs and humans.
From the dog bar to the enclosed play areas, the facility is designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all dogs. If you’re looking for a place where you can spend quality time with your dog and meet other dog owners, the Dog Society San Diego is definitely worth checking out!
Related Posts:
11 Best Places to Stay in San Diego for a Bachelorette Party
Madre! Restaurant Review (LA)
11 Best Cheap Hotels in Redondo Beach
How to Get to Catalina Island (From Long Beach)
☀️ California FAQs ☀️
✈️ Where Can You Find the BEST Flight Deals to California?
1. Scott’s Cheap Flights – FREE flight deals alert, works best if you can be flexible
2. Skyscanner – FREE search engine, great for budget flights + deal
❗Is Travel Insurance Required in the U.S.?
No, it’s not.
However, it’s always recommended to have travel insurance any time you travel in case of injury, accident, lost luggage, missed flight, etc. The best and most affordable travel/expat insurance is Safety Wing. It covers some medical as well, which is important in the U.S. due to the high cost of health care.
>>> CLICK HERE FOR INFO
☔️ When Is the Best Time to Visit California?
Summer (June-August) – is the warmest (in some parts it can be pretty hot) but you will have the most crowds. Some parts of the state get “June Gloom” where it can be cloudy during the morning and burn off by mid-day.
Spring (March-May) or Fall (September-November) – are cooler and have the potential of rain, but you will beat some of the crowds and see some incredible wildflowers (spring)/greenery (fall).
🏠 Where Should You Stay in California?
Hotels, vacation rentals, and house-sitting are all available for accommodation. My top recommendations for each are:
• Booking.com
• Vrbo
• Trusted Housesitters (watch a home/pets in return for a FREE place to stay)
🌴 Where Can You Find Tours?
I find incredible tours around the world >>> HERE with private and guided group tours of the most popular attractions and ones that fit your specific interests.
🚘 Should You Rent a Car in California?
I very highly recommend renting a car in California so you don’t miss out on the gorgeous scenery and wonderful things to do in between the big cities! California is fantastic for road trips – there is SO much to see up and down the coast. Plus, sites are often spread far out, even in the cities, so having a car is the most convenient option.
>>> Best car rental rates and deals
