California has 575 dog trainers listed across 250 towns and cities, with the most in Los Angeles (29), San Diego (23) and San Jose (15). 500 of them have a Bark Score. On methods, 202 are force-free, 48 balanced and 26 e-collar-centric, and 299 don't state how they train. Private 1:1 sessions are the most common format at 353 trainers, and 90 offer online sessions.
Find the right trainer in California
Ranked by member recommendations, then Bark Score. Narrow the list down to what your dog needs.
Of the 29 trainers in Los Angeles, 14 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 14 don’t say how they train. 18 offer private lessons, 14 group classes and 6 online. 2 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 23 trainers in San Diego, 5 say they train force-free, 4 balanced, 1 e-collar-centric and 13 don’t say how they train. 14 offer private lessons, 11 group classes and 5 board and train. 3 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 15 trainers in San Jose, 5 say they train force-free and 10 don’t say how they train. 9 offer group classes, 7 private lessons and 5 board and train. 1 names a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Of the 14 trainers in San Francisco, 10 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 3 don’t say how they train. 7 offer private lessons, 5 group classes and 4 board and train. 4 name a credential such as CPDT-KA.
Highest Bark Score in San Francisco: Top Dog SF, 4.7.
Of the 9 trainers in Sacramento, 5 say they train force-free and 4 don’t say how they train. 7 offer private lessons, 6 group classes and 3 day training. 2 name a credential such as KPA-CTP.
Highest Bark Score in Sacramento: Daack Pack, 4.7.
Of the 8 trainers in Huntington Beach, 4 say they train force-free, 1 balanced and 3 don’t say how they train. 6 offer group classes, 5 private lessons and 3 board and train. 2 name a credential such as KPA-CTP.
What the 575 trainers listed in California offer, how to check them, and what to ask before you book.
01
What training methods do dog trainers in California use?
Of the 575 trainers listed in California, 202 say they train force-free, 48 balanced, 26 e-collar-centric, and 299 don’t say how they train.
It’s worth knowing a trainer’s method before you book, rather than finding out in the first session. Every trainer on this page carries one of four labels, and nobody is hidden because of their method:
Force-free
Rewards and positive reinforcement, with no aversive tools such as prong, choke or shock collars.
Balanced
Rewards combined with corrections when a dog gets something wrong.
E-collar-centric
Training built around an electronic collar.
Not stated
The listing doesn’t say, and we couldn’t check it yet.
If a trainer’s method isn’t stated, ask them what happens when a dog gets something wrong. Their answer will tell you more than any label.
02
How do you check a dog trainer’s qualifications in California?
Look for an independent credential. 50 of the 575 trainers listed here name one on their listing.
A credential doesn’t guarantee a good trainer, but it means someone outside their business has tested what they know. That’s why credentials make up a quarter of the Bark Score.
The credentials held by trainers in California:
CPDT-KA (42 trainers)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed, from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Passed an independent exam on training and behaviour, after logging hours of training experience. Kept up with continuing education.
KPA-CTP (12 trainers)
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, from the Karen Pryor Academy. Completed the academy’s dog trainer programme, which teaches reward-based training, and passed its practical assessments.
CBCC-KA (3 trainers)
Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, Knowledge Assessed, from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Passed an exam focused on behaviour problems such as fear, aggression and anxiety, after logging hours of behaviour consulting.
IAABC-ADT (2 trainers)
Accredited Dog Trainer, from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Accredited by IAABC after a review of their training knowledge and case work.
03
Private lessons, group classes or board and train: which suits your dog?
It depends on the problem and on how much time you can give it. In California, private lessons are offered by 353 trainers, and group classes by 281.
Private lessons (353 trainers)
One to one with the trainer, so the whole session goes on your dog’s problem. A good fit for a specific issue, or a dog who can’t cope around other dogs yet.
Group classes (281 trainers)
A class with other dogs and owners. Your dog learns to listen around distractions, though each dog gets less of the trainer’s time.
Board and train (181 trainers)
Your dog stays with the trainer for a set time and is trained for you. Ask how they will hand the skills over, because a dog who listens to the trainer won’t automatically listen to you at home.
Online (90 trainers)
Sessions by video call. Handy for puppy questions and coaching you between visits, harder for problems a trainer needs to see in person.
In your home (72 trainers)
The trainer comes to you, so you work on problems where they happen: at the front door, in the yard or on your usual walk.
Day training (60 trainers)
You drop your dog off and pick them up the same day, with the trainer working with them in between. Ask how many handover sessions with you are included.
Whichever you choose, the training only sticks if you practise between sessions, so ask what you’ll need to do at home and how long it should take each day.
04
What can a dog trainer in California help with?
440 of the 575 trainers listed in California help with basic obedience, 359 with recall and 350 with leash pulling.
Fewer take on behaviour problems: 118 list reactivity, 114 list aggression, 72 list fear and 71 list separation anxiety. 3 hold a behaviour credential (CBCC-KA or IAABC-CDBC), which means they’ve been tested on exactly this kind of work.
If the behaviour is new, or your dog has started growling, snapping or hiding, see your vet before you book a trainer. Pain and illness can cause behaviour changes, and a good trainer will ask about it anyway.
05
What should you ask a dog trainer before you book?
Ask these before you pay for anything. A good trainer will be happy to answer all of them.
1How do you train, and what happens when a dog gets something wrong?
2What training or credentials do you have?
3Have you worked with dogs like mine, with this problem?
4What does it cost, and how many sessions are included?
5What will I need to practise between sessions?
6What support do I get once the sessions are over?
Questions people ask
Which cities in California have the most dog trainers?
Los Angeles has the most on Barklopedia, with 29 trainers, followed by San Diego with 23, San Jose with 15, San Francisco with 14 and Sacramento with 9. In all, 250 California towns and cities have at least one trainer listed. Pick your city from the list on this page.
How many California dog trainers use force-free methods?
202 of the 575 trainers listed in California are labelled Force-free. 48 are Balanced and 26 are E-collar-centric. The other 299 don't state their methods, so ask before you book. Every trainer is listed and labelled by method; none are hidden.
How are trainers ranked?
By Bark Score, from 0 to 5, worked out the same way for everyone: Reputation 30%, Ethics (training methods) 40%, Credentials 25% and Service breadth 5%. Nobody can pay for a higher score. In California, 2 trainers are Platinum Certified and 44 are Gold Rated.
Can I train my dog online with a California trainer?
Yes. 90 trainers listed in California offer online or virtual sessions. If you'd rather meet in person, 353 offer private 1:1 training, 281 run group classes and 72 will come to your home.
How much does dog training cost in California?
We don’t show prices for California yet, because none of the 575 trainers listed here publish prices on their listing, and we’d rather show you nothing than a guess. When you ask for a quote, check how long each session is, how many sessions are included, and whether help after the program ends is part of the price.
How many dog trainers in California offer board and train?
181 of the 575 trainers listed in California offer board and train, where your dog stays with the trainer for a set time. 60 offer day training instead, where you drop your dog off and pick them up the same day.
Can I find a dog trainer in California who trains online?
Yes. 90 trainers based in California also train online by video call, so you can work with them wherever you live in the state.
Are there dog trainers in California who help with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. 118 trainers listed in California help with reactivity and 114 with aggression. 3 hold a behaviour credential (CBCC-KA or IAABC-CDBC). Filter the list above by what you need help with to see them.
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