TRAIN THE BAY | (510) 845-7735 x215 | Contact Us

Our Training Program

The foundation of our training philosophy is the premise that dogs and humans should live side by side in a cooperative relationship, that dogs are sentient beings, and that we can and will train dogs in a gentle, kind way.

We believe that positive reinforcement and humane management are the most powerful teachers of all. We strive to develop a partnership effect in every one of our student teams through the instruments of modern behavioral science and positive training techniques.

Our guiding principles are:

  • A two-way relationship should be the end-product of training.
  • Dogs need effective and benevolent leadership.
  • The training relationship should enrich the lives of both dogs and people.

Have additional questions? Contact Train the Bay.

Training Services

Basic Classes are for dogs and handlers new to training, or in need of basic skills. These classes help create a solid bond between a dog and their people, develops the dog’s responsiveness, and targets common challenges.

  • Puppy Kindergarten
  • Basic Skills
  • Dogs With Attitude
  • Outwitting Your Dog
  • See Spot Stick

Beyond Basics includes intermediate and advanced classes, and are for dogs and their people accomplished in basic skills and want to take it to the next level.

  • Intermediate Skills 
  • Advanced Skills
  • Come To Me
  • Let’s Just Walk
  • Voice Control

Certification classes are for dogs and handlers interested in obtaining certifications or titles. 

  • Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
  • Community Canine (CGCA)
  • Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGCU)
  • Trick Title Evaluation
  • Trick Title 2 Evaluation

Our qualified evaluators and offer tests for various certifications and titles.

  • AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
  • AKC Canine Good Citizen Advanced (CGCA)
  • AKC Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGCU)
  • AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy 
  • AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN)
  • AKC Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI)
  • AKC Advanced Trick Dog (TKA)
  • AKC Trick Dog Performer (TKP)

Tricks and Sports are specialty classes that teach dogs and guardians skills for a variety of applications, including tricks, search skills, precision team behaviors, and those in competitions or working for titles.

  • Rally
  • Scent Work
  • Tricks & Performance

Seminars and workshops are intended for humans only, and provide education, information, or practice on a wide range of topics. 

  • Crate Training
  • Dogs & Babies
  • Leash Crazies
  • Scent Work 

We offer one-time private consults to evaluate, troubleshoot, and address behavior problems. By learning our positive methods and creating a tailored training plan, we can improve the reliability of a dog’s behavior.

Private consults are by appointment only. Please contact us to inquire.

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Exceptional Trainers

Our classes are led by certified trainers who not only love dogs, but are dog behavior experts. They actively pursue and practice proven training methods in everyday life, and have been voted Best Private Trainer in the Bay Area—Bay Woof "Beast of the Bay". Learn about our trainers »

Proven Curriculum

Our comprehensive curriculum caters to a wide range of dogs and their families. Whatever your goals, we have a class for you. Each of our classes are guided by proven methods and techniques. Since our program's inception in 1985, more than 30,000 families have trusted our teaching methods and graduated from our program.

Small Class Sizes

Our class sizes are thoughtfully restricted. Training classes are kept small so that dogs and their families can develop skills in a social setting, while receiving individualized attention from our training instructors.



Testimonials

Thank you for a stellar class.

Thank you for a stellar class. Lucky and I learned so much. We both appreciate how your teaching style has helped us both live in a house with two roommates and to walk around the neighborhood in Berkeley. Lucky has even been on the bus and since your class it's helped him to stay calm, sit and be well behaved. I hope to take another class at some point since Lucky especially enjoys learning and doing his homework daily. The handouts have been great too for us to practice a little each day.

Lorian

5.0
2018-04-11T20:36:06-08:00

Lorian

Thank you for a stellar class. Lucky and I learned so much. We both appreciate how your teaching style has helped us both live in a house with two roommates and to walk around the neighborhood in Berkeley. Lucky has even been on the bus and since your class it's helped him to stay calm, sit and be well behaved. I hope to take another class at some point since Lucky especially enjoys learning and doing his homework daily. The handouts have been great too for us to practice a little each day.

[They] focus on positive training methods, which makes class fun for both you and your dog.

When I adopted my dog Niko as a rescue in 2011, I quickly realized that he wasn't going to be an easy dog. He's so smart (too smart sometimes) and has a lot of energy. I came to Train the Bay because I wanted to challenge him more. We took some classes, and he tested to earn his Canine Good Citizen title when he was only a year old. I rescued another, smaller dog Tot in 2017 and have trained with him at Train the Bay also.

Photo of Train the Bay loyal customer Photo of Train the Bay happy customer Susan Solomon

Susan Solomon

5.0
2018-06-05T18:19:18-08:00

Photo of Train the Bay loyal customer Photo of Train the Bay happy customer Susan Solomon

Susan Solomon

When I adopted my dog Niko as a rescue in 2011, I quickly realized that he wasn't going to be an easy dog. He's so smart (too smart sometimes) and has a lot of energy. I came to Train the Bay because I wanted to challenge him more. We took some classes, and he tested to earn his Canine Good Citizen title when he was only a year old. I rescued another, smaller dog Tot in 2017 and have trained with him at Train the Bay also.

We’re already looking ahead to another class for Bobby…

Thanks so much for a great intermediate obedience class! We're already looking ahead to another class for Bobby...he likes learning new things and it keeps him intellectually satisfied.

Nicole

5.0
2018-04-11T20:37:35-08:00

Nicole

Thanks so much for a great intermediate obedience class! We're already looking ahead to another class for Bobby...he likes learning new things and it keeps him intellectually satisfied.

Perfect presentation of theory…

Perfect presentation of theory, good amount of usable info in an accessible language. Some ideas I'd not thought of in just that way, most notably your point about the food not being information, but a reward.

Candace

5.0
2018-04-11T20:35:57-08:00

Candace

Perfect presentation of theory, good amount of usable info in an accessible language. Some ideas I'd not thought of in just that way, most notably your point about the food not being information, but a reward.

My dogs get so excited every time we pull up to the building…

I have been taking classes at Berkeley Humane for over 7 years with my dogs and I am pretty sure we have taken every class multiple times! If you are looking for quality trainers and a fun environment this is the place to go. My dogs get so excited every time we pull up to the building, we all absolutely love training here!

Hayley Moore

5.0
2018-06-01T14:25:22-08:00

Hayley Moore

I have been taking classes at Berkeley Humane for over 7 years with my dogs and I am pretty sure we have taken every class multiple times! If you are looking for quality trainers and a fun environment this is the place to go. My dogs get so excited every time we pull up to the building, we all absolutely love training here!

Kaiya can now stay in place for 12 feet away….

[The classes] are definitely worthwhile.... and thanks for your understanding. I am religiously working with all we learned at the first three classes, and so is Jon. Kaiya can now stay in place for 12 feet away.... she is so smart.

Wendy

5.0
2018-04-11T20:39:46-08:00

Wendy

[The classes] are definitely worthwhile.... and thanks for your understanding. I am religiously working with all we learned at the first three classes, and so is Jon. Kaiya can now stay in place for 12 feet away.... she is so smart.

This… has saved her emotionally and physically I’m sure.

I wanted to write and say how much we enjoyed the leash walking workshop you offered a couple of weeks ago. It was incredibly helpful for Juliette and I and we have been practicing all the exercises we learned at the workshop almost daily. Juliette is developing a beautiful heel, and we get compliments when out on walks around our neighborhood. It also really helped us in building our stepping stones as we move in more distracting environments.

Photo of happy training students

Sara Sherine Ebadi

5.0
2018-06-12T19:27:18-08:00

Photo of happy training students

Sara Sherine Ebadi

I wanted to write and say how much we enjoyed the leash walking workshop you offered a couple of weeks ago. It was incredibly helpful for Juliette and I and we have been practicing all the exercises we learned at the workshop almost daily. Juliette is developing a beautiful heel, and we get compliments when out on walks around our neighborhood. It also really helped us in building our stepping stones as we move in more distracting environments.

It only took about three months for her to show great progress…

My family adopted Leo, a German Shepherd dog, after meeting her and admiring her winning ways with people and children. Upon getting her home, however, we learned very quickly that Leo had an aggression management issue around other dogs and cats. She violently told our existing dog George who the new boss was in town (giving him two unwanted ear pierces in the process) and tried to eat the cat (who lived upstairs for six months). She also was nearly impossible to walk, flying into a barking fit if she saw a dog within 100 feet, to the detriment of our arms. We were at wits end trying to manage this family integration, and were about to quit, when Train the Bay came to our rescue. I recommend Train the Bay to any dog and owner/guardian who have specific issues to address with their dog or who just want to have a good time while working together.

Photo of Train the Bay happy customer Evan McDonald

Evan McDonald

5.0
2018-06-02T12:22:44-08:00

Photo of Train the Bay happy customer Evan McDonald

Evan McDonald

My family adopted Leo, a German Shepherd dog, after meeting her and admiring her winning ways with people and children. Upon getting her home, however, we learned very quickly that Leo had an aggression management issue around other dogs and cats. She violently told our existing dog George who the new boss was in town (giving him two unwanted ear pierces in the process) and tried to eat the cat (who lived upstairs for six months). She also was nearly impossible to walk, flying into a barking fit if she saw a dog within 100 feet, to the detriment of our arms. We were at wits end trying to manage this family integration, and were about to quit, when Train the Bay came to our rescue. I recommend Train the Bay to any dog and owner/guardian who have specific issues to address with their dog or who just want to have a good time while working together.
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