Charlene LaskyWhen I first brought my mischievous border collie, I quickly realized he wasn’t just playful; he was leaping on guests, grabbing shoes off the shelves, and even showing a hint of aggression, which I’d never expected from a collie.
If you’re also a furparent dealing with a pup who seems part whirlwind, part troublemaker, you’ll understand why I knew I needed a trainer.
Luckily, my search led me to several dog trainers in San Diego. However, not all experiences are created equal. To save you the guesswork, I’ve rounded up the ones that deliver top-notch results.
How much do dog trainers charge in San Diego?
Dog trainers in San Diego typically charge between $19 and $200 per hour. Costs vary based on session type, trainer experience, and package deals, with board-and-train programmes priced higher
1. The Noble Dogs
Address: 1617 Scott St, 92106
Contact Details: +1 619-860-1611
Operating Hours:
- Open 24 hours
The Noble Dogs offers a unique approach to dog training, focusing on obedience, socialization, and behavior transformation.
Their programs are tailored to each dog. When I spoke with Grant and his team during the free initial evaluation, they listened closely to my concerns about barking and leash manners, and suggested a mix of private and day training.
What really sets The Noble Dogs apart is their goal of getting dogs to act and behave like service dogs—about 90% of the way there. I saw this firsthand each time I dropped off and picked up my dog, and the progress was clear.
I also loved how their 24/7 operation made it easy to fit training into my busy life. Plus, throughout the process, the staff regularly checked in—not just about my dog’s progress, but about our experience as owners.
However, given the personalized nature of the training, there might be limited availability for sessions.
Produce great results
“We have been working with Grant for around 7 months. He has a wealth of knowledge and techniques that have helped us significantly with training our dog Beau. We are coming up on our final lesson and it has been night and day since we started. His recall, obedience, socialization, walking, and behavior are all excellent thanks to Grants lessons. He even helped with introductions between my dog and my friends dog who was not always friendly. They now get along great. I absolutely recommend him to anyone wanting to get their dog trained. Grant is willing to work within your expectations and produce great results. My recommendation when you choose Grant is to outline what exactly you want out of your lessons and he will tailor the regimen to meet those results!”
– Nicholas Delgado, Google Review
Explains everything thoroughly
“Definitely recommend Grant’s training services, before we started training, my dog was the best bad boy ever. I found myself embarrassed to bring him in public or around my friends. He had the best intentions with bad decisions. No impulse control, 0 leash walking skills, too stubborn to listen, too smart for my own good, and unintentionally causing injury with his affection. Regardless of all the training I’ve tried to instill in him when he was a baby, nothing was working. We’ve done about 2-3 months of training with Grant so far and we went through trial and error together to find out what my dog responds well to and what doesn’t work. He explains everything throughly including the why and how. Now my dog has impulse control, less anxiety, has the ability to settle inside, walks well on leash, and just started learning off leash walking skills and my dog is thriving! I’m no longer stressed about taking him places and meeting with friends.”
– Emily Ammann, Google Review
2. San Diego Dog Training
Address: 3951 Texas St, 92104
Contact Details: +1 619-534-4014
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
San Diego Dog Training offers three primary services: Board & Train, 1-on-1 Training, and Service Dog Training. All of these are designed to meet ADA standards, with task training for mobility support, mental health, and additional purposes.
I like that their training takes place in a cozy, well-equipped 3-bedroom home facility. I was genuinely impressed by how comfortable and inviting the environment felt—much more like a home than a typical training center.
Dogs in their care enjoy multiple daily walks, indoor sleeping arrangements (with some even sleeping alongside staff), and the chance to socialize with more than 10 other dogs through day stays, boarding, or the Board & Train program.
It’s especially impressive how they go beyond the basic obedience by focusing on behavioral transformation. They specialize in challenges such as social anxiety, separation anxiety, aggression, and the rehabilitation of rescue dogs.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that the facility accommodates a maximum of about 10 dogs at any given time.
Passionate, genuine, and incredibly supportive staff
“10/10 Experience with Daniel and Tori – Game-Changing Results! After adopting our smart (but very stubborn) cattle dog mix, we quickly realized he was in desperate need of training and discipline. That’s when we found Daniel and Tori, and we truly couldn’t be more grateful. Our dog stayed with Daniel for a two-week training program, surrounded by other dogs in a structured, positive environment. When he came back home, the difference was night and day — he listens to commands, walks beautifully on a leash, and is clearly more balanced and confident. This experience was not only effective but fun and educational for us as owners, too. Daniel and Tori are not just skilled trainers — they’re passionate, genuine, and incredibly supportive people. We are beyond happy with the results and feel so much more confident as dog owners now. If we could give them 10 stars, we would. Highly, highly recommend to anyone looking for real, lasting results. It was truly a game-changer for us and our pup.”
– dogboy619, Google Review
They took the time to walk me through everything
“Daniel and Tori truly have the magic touch with dog training! My Shepherd mix, Cru, just finished his two-week training program and I’m honestly blown away. When I picked him up, I couldn’t believe how well he listened and how calm and responsive he was to commands. It was like he gained years of listening skills and training in just two weeks. They took the time to walk me through everything so I’d feel comfortable continuing the training at home. On top of the progress Cru made, they’re just genuinely lovely lovely people to work with. I’m so thankful I found them! If you’re considering having Daniel and Tori train your dog(s) — RUN, don’t walk, to them!!”
– Morgan Toth, Google Review
3. Sit Means Sit Dog Training
Address: 10035 Carroll Canyon Rd, Suite E
Contact Details: +1 858-621-3647
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday – 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Sit Means Sit Dog Training offers immersive “Board & Train” programs where dogs stay at their facility for a set period. This enables concentrated training sessions designed to achieve rapid behavioral improvements.
They also provide a “Day Training program”, where dogs are trained during the day. This is followed by evening sessions with owners to reinforce learned behaviors and ensure consistency at home.
For more personalized attention, their tailored one-on-one sessions are top-notch. These focus on specific behavioral issues or obedience training.
After individual training, it’s great that dogs can join group classes to improve socialization skills.
Puppy owners can also enroll in dedicated classes that cover topics such as crate training, potty training, and socialization. I sat in on one, and watching the puppies enthusiastically explore the agility equipment was honestly adorable.
But one important note: there are reports that some training methods may include the use of e-collars. If, like me, you value positive reinforcement, be sure to discuss this with the trainers to confirm they’re the right fit for you.
Teaches you how to be a responsible owner
“Tim and his team have made such a difference in our lives! These are some of the BEST dog trainers in San Diego! Our Staffy, Gus, LOVES going to school and having loving pets from his teachers. Sit Means Sit will teach you how to be a responsible owner, with the tools needed to help your dog thrive. 100% recommend.”
– Katherine Culhi, Google Review
Safe place to train your dog
“Awesome training at Sit Means Sit in Scripps Ranch! Tim and McKayla know their dog training skills. It is a safe place to train your dog to help them be more confident around the neighborhood. Our Labrador loves going there. Besides the 1-on-1 dog training, the morning Saturday classes help to socialize with other dogs while reinforcing training techniques. I highly recommend Tim & McKayla.”
– Teresa Podimatis, Google Review
4. Bark Busters
Contact Details: +1 877-500-2275
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Bark Busters conducts one-on-one training sessions directly in your home, minimizing distractions and allowing dogs to learn in their familiar environment.
I spoke with a few of the trainers who emphasized that every session is tailored specifically to the dog’s unique behavioral challenges.
Their philosophy of using body language, tone of voice, and timing to communicate with dogs felt natural and respectful. They’re almost like they’re speaking dog language rather than relying on treats or harsh corrections
What stood out most was the emphasis on positive reinforcement, without relying on treats or physical punishment. The trainers explained how this approach builds lasting trust and fosters behavioral changes.
One dog owner shared with me how Bark Busters’ lifetime support gave them peace of mind, knowing they have someone to turn to whenever behavioral issues arise in the future.
But keep in mind that some clients reported difficulty in reaching their assigned trainers for follow-up sessions.
Peace of mind and a better life with our dog
“We got our German Shepherd at 9 weeks old, and as time went on, we knew we had to be proactive dog parents to prevent reactivity issues. We love adventure, and one of our biggest priorities was being able to take our fur baby with us to explore the world.
In the beginning, Miles struggled with leash pulling, lacked boundaries and social skills, and was highly reactive to other dogs, bikes, and motorcycles. We quickly realized that structure was essential for him, so we reached out to Bark Buster Home Dog Training – that turned out to be the best decision we could have made. From our very first session with our trainer, Justin, we saw an immediate difference. He set the tone right away, and it felt like night and day. One of the things we appreciated most was Justin’s ability to simplify the learning process. He didn’t just train the dog—he trained us too. He helped us understand canine behavior and taught us how to communicate our expectations in a way that made sense to our pup (instead of just speaking English and hoping for the best!). After just three weeks, our dog is so focused on walks that I actually enjoy walking him now. At only six months old, he’s become so much more mature. He’s learning to socialize, he’s calm, and his reactivity has drastically reduced.
The best advice I can offer: trust Justin to help build a strong foundation, but be prepared to put in the work. This isn’t a quick fix—it’s a commitment and a beautiful journey. Thank you again to Bark Buster Dog Training for giving us peace of mind and a better life with our dog!”
– Andre Phanor, Google Review
Grateful for the positive changes
“We can’t say enough great things about working with Justin from Bark Busters! About a year ago we welcomed our golden retriever puppy, Nala, into our family to join our already spoiled 12lb terrier mix, Joey (who has the energy of a much bigger dog). Once Nala joined us, we quickly noticed some sibling rivalry, roughhousing to determine who was in charge, anxious/fearful energy toward visitors and noises, and some reactivity to other dogs. Walks became the part of the day we dreaded most—our dogs pulled us in different directions, which left our backs aching, and we often felt like they were walking us instead of the other way around. We had tried other positive reinforcement trainings, and while they helped a bit, when things got really stimulating even the best treats weren’t enough. From the very first session with Justin, everything changed. He gave us tools that immediately made us feel more equipped to handle all situations, more confident as leaders, and consistent in setting boundaries. Most importantly, he showed us how to keep our dogs in the “green zone”—happy, calm, and thriving. We continue to feel supported as we refine our ability to “speak” our dogs’ language and truly be understood. The progress we’ve seen has been amazing, and we’re so grateful for the positive changes in both of our pups. Thanks to Justin, we finally feel like we’re enjoying our dogs to the fullest, and we’re confident they’ll continue to thrive.”
– Wendy Medina, Google Review
5. Man-K9
Address: 5050 Santa Fe St
Contact Details: +1 760-468-8830
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Man-K9 is a premier dog training facility renowned for its specialized programs and experienced trainers.
When I spoke with a few of their trainers, I was impressed by their in-depth knowledge, especially in protection dog training. They prepare dogs for serious roles such as home security and personal protection.
They also offer top-notch one-on-one puppy training sessions starting at $130, which focus on basic obedience and foundational skills. For more advanced or specific needs, private lessons start at $400 per hour.
The trainers emphasized that these sessions are highly personalized, designed to address the unique challenges of each dog.
However, a few clients mentioned to me that while Man-K9’s methods work incredibly well for working dogs and protection training, the approach might not be the best fit for family pets with issues like separation anxiety or leash reactivity.
The training style is more closely aligned with law enforcement and protection work than with typical pet behavior modification.
Ricky gave us clear tools and guidance
“Before we started working with Ricky, my dog was very reactive – barking, lunging, and not listening at all. After training with him, she completely transformed into an amazing dog. She is calm, obedient, walks right by my side, listens to us, and even enjoys playing with other dogs. Ricky gave us clear tools and guidance, and now we feel confident and in control. He is professional, patient, and truly knows what he’s doing. I highly recommend him!”
– Ron Edri, Google Review
Did not fail to deliver the service
“Honestly, I do not know where to begin. I can’t thank Man K9 trainer Fon and Fon Pet Care staff for being so accommodating to us especially to my dog McDreamy. I told them what my main goals are for getting him into training and Fon did not fail to deliver the service. It exceeded my expectations. I couldn’t thank him enough for helping me out with Dreamy’s behavioral issues. 8 weeks of private training with him was such a life changing. It was not only my dog who have learned so much but I as well. Even my whole family too. I highly recommend Man K9 and Fon Jon for sure. We will be back soon for more training if the schedule permits.”
– I W, Google Review
