This is a list of the top dog trainers in San Diego, CA, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
CPDT-KA AKC-CGC Evaluator Assistance Dogs International Crisis Response Canine Trainer - San Diego CPR - Canine Paws to Share
Service dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training, Board and train dog training
San Diego
In 2014 with my then companion dogs, Tebow, Scruffy and Richter, I ventured to the dog park and had a chance meeting with Sally Montruchio the founder of Next Step Service Dogs. This meeting changed my life, as Sally helped me take my passion for dogs and service to the next level. After attending just one class with NSSD I was committed to the program and excited for the opportunity to train a...
KPACTP, CPDT, CGC Evaluator
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Board and train dog training
Carlsbad, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, Vista, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Clairemont, Sorrento Valley, Escondido, Poway, Oceanside, Leucadia, Cardiff, Rancho Bernardo, Mira Mesa, Pacific Beach, San Marcos
Sarah was that kid growing up who was always bringing home strays and begging her mom to let her keep them. Ever do that? Thankfully, her folks typically said yes and she grew up surrounded by animals.
Until she began volunteering at the San Diego Humane Society and what was the onset of her training career in 2001, she didn't realize there was a different way to train and build a gre...
CPDT-KA, BA Psychology
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training
Point Loma, ocean beach, pacific beach, hillcrest, north park, South Park, downtown, little Italy, Clairemont, La Jolla, Scripps Ranch, La Mesa, Chula Vista, National City, San Diego county
I am a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and I specialize in training former rescue and shelter dogs. I'm passionate about giving a voice to the voiceless and strive to make the world a better place for canines and their human companions.
CCPDT, CBCC, FFCP
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, In home dog training
Serving the dogs and people of Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, and San Marcos
Lindsey has been working with dogs professionally for over 15 years. She got her start in shelter dog behavior and training, which provided her with the unique experience of working with dogs of all types, temperaments, and histories.
Lindsey is passionate about helping cultivate peace for dogs and their families by combining modern, fear-free dog training methods with Mindfulness practi...
CCPDT-KA, Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Aggressive dog training, Deaf dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training
La Jolla, Point Loma, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Downtown San Diego, Mission Hills, Bankers Hill, Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, Golden Hill, Normal Heights, Kensington, Tierrasanta, Mission Valley, Kearny Mesa, Clairemont, Bay Park, Carmel Valley, Sorrento Valley
Brandi Hutsell is a co-owner and certified dog trainer with Instinct San Diego. Brandi loves using modern, evidence-backed learning techniques to help humans and dogs learn to communicate clearly with one
another, and seeing the strong, positive relationships that grow from that mutual understanding. She is a kind, patient teacher who readily adapts her coaching and communication style to m...
VSPDT, MA Psychology
A long-time devoted practitioner of the Positive Reinforcement method of training, Linda Michaels provides behavioral modification therapeutic treatment to puppies and dogs of all ages, personalities, and temperaments. Linda also teaches basic and advanced obedience, as well as socialization skills and desensitization techniques.
She believes that proper communication is the foundatio...
San Diego
Emily Larlham runs the dog training business Dogmantics Dog Training in San Diego, California. She is known around the world for her popular Youtube Channel 'Kikopup' where she has posted over 350 free in-depth dog training tutorials. She believes that by putting out free training tutorials that don't involve any forms of physical or psychological intimidation, it will not only effect how peop...
School For The Dogs Certified Professional Trainer, Separation Anxiety Shadowing Program Certificate, Advanced Separation Anxiety Shadowing Program Certificate
Reactive dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training
San Diego
Leeyah is a certified dog trainer and completed a rigorous 6-month apprenticeship studying animal behavior and applying science based, positive reinforcement training techniques. She's passionate about utilizing gentle training methods to help anxious dogs and their people. And is known to go above and beyond in order to give her clients the best chance possible.
Through completing hu...
Former guide dog as assistance dog trainer. Over 20 yrs experience
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training
San Diego County
Hi . My name is Beth and I am a dog trainer and behaviorist with 22 years experience. I have trained Guide Dogs for the Blind, Asistance Dogs for the Disabled, was the puppy group leader for Guide Dogs of America. I have trained thousands of dogs privately. I have recently published a kindle book chronicling obedience and behavioral training as well as many articles. I work on the train the tra...
Certified Canine Behavior Consultant and a Certified Dog Trainer
Service dog training
San Diego, Ramona
My name is Britta Staub, I am from Berlin, Germany. I moved to Hawaii in 2000 when I got married. I Moved to Poway, CA in 2010 and Ramona in 2017. I worked as a Physical Therapist and Personal Trainer for more than 30 years. After experiencing overpriced, ineffective and sometimes overly physical dog training methods, I chose to start ASPIRE Dog Training. I started by becoming a Certified Dog T...
Puppy dog training, In home dog training, Off leash dog training, Board and train dog training
Fallbrook, De Luz, Rainbow & Bonsall
A Dalmatian dog mom, furever loving training and playing with puppers!
ABCDT, CGC Evaluator
Puppy dog training, Agility dog training
Classes located in Ocean Beach and Point Loma
Lara Schindler is the founder of Happy Dog Happy Owner and has over 15 years experience training people and their dogs. Lara has always had a love for dogs and an interest in dog behavior and dog training. During a stressful time working as a corporate trainer, Lara realized that she wanted dogs to play a more prominent role in her life, as they always brought her joy and happiness. It was thi...
San Diego, Balboa Park, Chula Vista, La Jolla, Coronado
🐶 Expert Dog Training 🏆 Est. 2014 Train privately without wasting ⏰ +💰 Dog Daycare🐕+ Sitting 📍SD #1 private dog park Military spouse, dog mom, boy mom, dog obsessed small biz
Welcome to San Diego’s list of top dog trainers. The San Diego, California list is based on 648 votes from the California Sniffspot community. Only the San Diego dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Gina Esoldi at the top of this list with 184 votes. We also counted 2983 votes for California, with the remaining trainers listed outside of San Diego.
Our rankings include trainers certified by CPDT-KA and CGC Evaluator. They also specialize in Puppy dog training, In home dog training amongst other training programs.
San Diego dog trainer services include:
Behind every successful San Diego training session lies a passionate professional. Gina Esoldi shares why they chose this path: For my love of dogs and working with people.. All 13 trainers on this San Diego list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted San Diego trainer, Sarah Surritt, uses the following methods: I help new pet parents train their dogs using kind, positive methods so that they can feel confident they can bring out the best in their dog and have an amazing relationship build on trust and joy. An initial consultation is starting point for all privates. Includes lengthy online application to gain dog's /family history/behavioral focus areas. Consult is in the home or online. Followed by a thorough follow-up plan for continued training/recommendations/management plan and package options for addtil support. For private ongoing sessions follow ups to clients vary based on their learning style. May include all/some of the following: text message summaries, email recap, video tutorials, shared google doc for goal tracking/daily tasks, daily or weekly check-ins with student. Access to our online client resource page with videos/printables is also offered to both in person and online students. All training is shaped, captured or lured. There is no use of punitive, aversive training or tools. I train using a marker signal (mostly a clicker) and teach students the same. Instruction style is verbal as well as hands on- I often use video to record and share for feedback and guidance as well.
Explore the top dog trainers in San Diego as voted by our community:
Ordered alphabetically, only included cities where there is enough data to compile a list
For my love of dogs and working with people.. Their passion for helping San Diego dogs shines every day.
Discover the Jack Russell Terrier, a breed celebrated for its intelligent and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Jack Russell Terriers have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for fox hunting and vermin control starting in the 19th century.
Discover the Dalmatian, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, trainable, and loyal nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Dalmatians have their origins in Croatia, where they were initially bred for coaching (running along carriages), guarding, and hunting starting in the 16th century.
Discover the Bernese Mountain Dog, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and playful nature. Recognized as a large dog, Bernese Mountain Dogs have their origins in Switzerland, where they were initially bred for guarding livestock and droving work starting in the 1st century.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Albuquerque? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in Duke City.
44.5 percent of all American households share life with a canine companion. Pet professionals like dog trainers, veterinarians, and veterinary behaviorists are more important than ever as our modern society becomes increasingly difficult for four-legged friends to navigate—dog reactivity, anxiety, and general stress from lack of proper enrichment are on the rise in domestic dogs.
In our modern, human-centric world, it can be hard to find spaces for your pup to safely play off leash—especially if they’re a flight risk. Dogs who might run off after interesting smells, prey, or simply because they feel the whim can be a hazard in unfenced areas. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best securely fenced dog parks throughout the United States!
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Considered a medium-sized dog, American Staffordshire Terriers were originally bred in the United Kingdom for baiting bulls, fighting, and hunting beginning in the 1800s — though they're known as gentle, playful lovers today.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, a breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were originally bred in the United States for herding beginning in the 1950s.