Private Dog or Puppy Training in San Diego

Our private dog training programs are a good fit for clients who prefer one on one interactions to address their dog’s specific training needs, clients who prefer to train their dog at home (or another environment besides the classroom), or dogs who aren't comfortable or don't get along well with other dogs or people.

During the Starter Session, you’ll work with your trainer to assess the behavior and develop a training plan that will guide your dog’s training program. For some common behavior challenges, we have specific programs that have been carefully designed based on our decades of training experience. For others, we may develop a custom program to incorporate multiple needs, multiple dogs, etc. After your Starter Session, if you decide to continue training with our support, you’ll begin your training program. When you finish your training program, you’ll have the option to move on to a monthly training membership that will help you keep training with the support of your trainer and our student and alumni community.

Private training sessions may be held at our training studio in Central San Diego, at the client’s home throughout San Diego County, somewhere out in the community (when applicable to the training plan), or over Zoom.

We have a variety of days and times available throughout the week, including some evenings and weekends.

See below for pricing and lots more details about our private dog training.

Getting started with our private dog training programs

  • Step 1: Starter Session

    This 90-minute Starter Session is the best place to start for all private training needs. During this session, we will discuss your goals and any behavioral issues you’re concerned about, develop a plan to start working on them, and provide a demo of how to start the training based on your needs.

    Afterwards, you can decide to implement the plan yourself if you feel comfortable on your own, or you can continue with a training program if you’d like to continue with hands-on support from your trainer.

    Cost = $250

    Yellow Labrador lying on the ground at Balboa Park, smiling
  • Step 2: Training Program

    After your Starter Session, you may choose to continue training with a program that will teach you and your dog the fundamental information you’ll need in order to improve your dog’s behavior. We will review your training logs to make sure you’re on the right track, and we will be available for between-session support.

    Cost = The cost of your training program will be broken down into an initial package and then an ongoing monthly membership (for as long as you’d like to continue practicing together). Visit the page that’s specific to the service your dog needs for more pricing information, or text us and we’ll help you find it.

    Single follow-up sessions may also be available.

    White and black dog in a pink harness sits in a grass field
  • Step 3: Monthly Training Membership

    After you’ve finished your initial training program, you will be ready to move on to a monthly training membership. This step can last as long as you’d like it to as it’s meant to provide additional hands-on support and accountability while helping students build community and build confidence practicing and maintaining behaviors independently.

    dog sitting in front of water in liberty station - blossom
  • Group Class & Private Lesson Combo Program

    Starter Session not required for this package.

    We’re rolling out a brand new membership program for ongoing support through group class and private lessons, and it’s got lots of perks! Text us if you’re interested, and we’ll send you the details.

    A golden brown, long-haired puppy lies on a colorful mat with his ears perked up
Visual depiction of our private dog training progression

Private dog or puppy training

How does our private dog training process work?

Your training will begin with a Starter Session. You can book that session online. If you have questions prior to booking, feel free to reach out!

When you book your Starter Session, you’ll complete a questionnaire as part of your registration process to provide a history and details about your dog and their behavior as well as your training goals.

Your Starter Session will typically include:

  • Discussing your questions and goals, and any remaining details of the behaviors we want to train and/or change

  • Discussion of management of unwanted behavior, if needed, to help you see change quickly

  • Developing an initial training plan for behaviors that will be taught

  • Hands-on training preview, so you can get a feel for how to start the training

  • A training summary after our session, and we'll be available for questions via text, email, or phone to make sure things are clear.

As you continue your training, our goal during the first few sessions is to help you communicate more clearly with your dog, manage problem behaviors, and train new behaviors the dog will need in order to be successful in the training plan.

You'll continue to receive text, email, or video support as-needed, to keep you on track throughout your sessions. In the beginning, training sessions are usually held once per week, unless another schedule is more beneficial.

Once you've laid the foundation for communication with your dog, you can choose to enroll in the Monthly Training Membership for your dog’s continued training.

Specialty Training

If you’re looking for help specifically with dog & baby support or with service dog training, check out our specialty training pages for more on those topics:

Service Dog Training

Dog & Baby Training