Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Dog Training Classes in Oakland

Our Recommended Top 7

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Oakland Dog Training Classes on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

91

Reviewed

57

Curated

7

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
San Leandro, CA 94578

Why choose this provider?

Located in San Leandro, California, Athens Dog Training LLC employs certified trainers with a specialty in the rehabilitation of at-risk dogs and training aggressive dogs. The business also offers group classes for a range of behavioral training sessions. Lead trainer Danny has spent his entire life around dogs and has experience working with dogs in the US Army and brings a core sense of discipline and focus to all of his sessions. With an extensive experience also working with dogs from animal shelters, Danny also possess the knowledge to help owners struggling with common problems and misunderstandings that may be associated with adopting troubled pets.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (52)
Google
4.9 / 5 (17)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Oakland, CA 94619

Why choose this provider?

Little Paws' Big Adventures is a dog training specialist serving customers in Oakland, Alameda, and Piedmont, California. Their services include private puppy training, family dog training, group dog walking hikes, and much more. Little Paws' Big Adventures uses positive reinforcement training methods exclusively and specialise in group composition and management to improve pet socialization. Previous clients of Little Paws' Big Adventures praise their thorough training sessions that improve their dog's behaviors quickly. Owner and lead trainer Karin Linden is a graduate of the prestigious Dog Training Internship Academy and prides herself on improving the quality of life of her dogs and their owners.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
4.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
San Ramon, CA 94583

Why choose this provider?

Wilhelm K-9 Services is the premier dog training specialist in the San Francisco and Los Angeles, California areas. Training sessions from Wilhelm K-9 Services include a broad range of activities such as exercise, basic obedience training, and much more. Additionally, Wilhelm K-9 Services offer private, in-home or at a customer's desired location training sessions. Wilhelm K-9 Services also offers customers free online or over the phone service estimates. Customers praise the effective training that attended to their individual dog's needs and behavioral quirks. Owner Brad Wilhelm prides himself on giving customer's pets the best quality of life possible and tries to meet the physical, and psychological, needs of customer's dogs.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (37)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Oakland, CA 94116

Why choose this provider?

Real Dog Adventures is a dog training business serving customers throughout Oakland and Piedmont, California. Their services include training to reduce and eliminate unwanted dog behaviors including obsessive barking habits, disobedience, aggression, depression, or any other undesirable behavior. Additionally, Real Dog Adventures offers hiking and off-leash dog walking services through the East Bay Regional Parks aimed at improving sociability. Real Dog Adventures has up-to-date permits and is licensed, bonded, and insured for their customer's protection. Owner and trainer Drake Theroux is dedicated to working flexibly with customers to overcome their pets specific challenges and providing dogs a safe, stimulating outlet for their energy.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
Oakland, CA 94610

Why choose this provider?

Devoted Dog Training is a dog trainer serving customers in Oakland, California. They offer a wide variety of training services so customers can customize training to their dog's needs; behavior modifications offered include obedience training, behavior adjustment training, fearfulness and separation anxiety, desensitization, and much more. Devoted Dog Training also offers advanced training including tricks, agility, and scent work. Additionally, Devoted Dog Training offers certification training for therapy dogs and canine good citizen certificates. Devoted Dog Training was the runner-up for Bay Woof Magazines' Best Trainer in the East Bay 2017 award. Devoted Dog Training is pet first aid certified and holds a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowlege Assessed certification.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (59)

Website
Oakland, CA 94607

Why choose this provider?

Lonely Hunters Dog Training is a dog training specialist based in Oakland, California and serving the surrounding communities. They offer several dog training packages including an obedience program focusing on fundamental behaviors such as sit, heel and recall, and more. Additionally, Lonely Hunters Dog Training offers a behavior modification program that builds on the obedience program while addressing aggression and other behaviors. Lonely Hunters Dog Training also offers a puppy program to teach puppies potty training, socialization, and more. Previous clients of Lonely Hunters Dog Training praise their effective training techniques and ability to adapt to the specific needs of their dog.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (23)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (17)

Website
Oakland, CA 94116

Why choose this provider?

Paws and Cues is a dog training specialist serving dog owners throughout the San Francisco East Bay in California. They offer pet owners a variety of behavior modification solutions for their dog's problem behaviors including hyperactivity, house training, chewing, pulling on the leash, impulse control, and much more. Paws and Cues uses a 100% reward-based method and customize trainings to every dog's unique set of needs and behavior problems. Paws and Cues holds various professional memberships including with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, the North American Dog Agility Council, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, among others. Owner Kathryn Horn graduated from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Academy for Dog Trainers.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Introduction

    Dog trainers are professional instructors who use a wide range of training techniques to help dogs adapt to their environments, respond to cues and commands, and modify behavior patterns. Training methods include alpha dog dominance for aggressive dogs, positive reinforcement that's often utilized with puppies and younger dogs, relationship-based, and classic, conditional training.

    Schutzhund, the German word for “protection dog,” is a specialized type of instruction in which dogs are trained to attack on command, and it's commonly used in K9 Academies for police and security dogs. Depending on their skill sets and certifications, dog trainers may offer programs that incorporate several methods, or they may focus on a single method such as behavioral training, which focuses on changing dogs' behavior, or obedience training, where dogs are rewarded for following commands.
  • What is a dog trainer called?

    They’re referred to as dog trainers or behaviorists, depending on their skill sets and credentials. A dog trainer may refer to themselves as a canine behavioral specialist or a certified veterinary behaviorist.

  • What is the difference between a dog trainer and a behaviorist?

    Dog trainers and behaviorists practice the same profession, and many dog trainers refer to themselves as behaviorists. However, true animal behaviorists hold M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in animal behavior. The full title for an animal behaviorist is an Applied Animal Behaviorist or Certified Animal Behaviorist.

  • Does my dog need training?

    All dogs benefit from training, whether through their owners or a professional trainer. Owners can teach their dogs simple commands, and they can practice positive reinforcement techniques, such as providing treats when dogs follow basic instructions. Professional trainers are essential when dogs exhibit behavioral problems, such as aggression, excessive barking, and an inability to respond to basic commands.

  • What does dog training include?

    Some dog training classes focus on specific methods, such as obedience training or alpha training, while others offer a mix of multiple training techniques. Dog training activities can include brain games, clicker commands with positive reinforcement, relationship-based exercises between dogs and their owners, and socialization exercises.

  • Can you train a dog yourself?

    Dog owners can train their dogs themselves with the help of guidebooks and online tutorials that offer instruction in areas that include simple obedience commands and positive reinforcement techniques. When dogs are overly aggressive or display problematic behavior, such as biting or excessive barking, professional training can be extremely beneficial.

  • Is dog training easy?

    There are many methods of dog training. Teaching a dog simple commands is a fairly simple technique to learn, whether through guidebooks, online tutorials, or common sense. However, overly aggressive dogs often require professional training in which a trainer is certified and educated.