A handler working a Rottweiler at a place platform

Everyday reliability

Dog obedience training in Santa Clara & San Jose

Your dog probably “knows sit.” Obedience is whether it still works when the doorbell rings, a cyclist passes or a squirrel crosses the path. We build the skill, then prove it where you actually live.

Book a Free Evaluation Call (408) 482-2846
“His technique is very methodical, and extremely powerful, 30 minute training to the point.”
Mohegan H. · Client review

01Sound familiar?

Where owners usually start.

  • Leash walks mean being pulled down the block
  • Great in the kitchen, selectively deaf at the park
  • The front door is a launch pad
  • Recall is more of a suggestion
  • Guests get jumped on, every time
  • You can’t get your dog to settle when you need calm

02What we build

Inside obedience training.

A trainer standing with a shepherd sitting calmly between her feet
  • 01

    Attention

    Eye contact and check-ins that hold when the environment gets interesting.

  • 02

    Heel & loose leash

    Walking with you, not ahead of you — through turns, stops and passing distractions.

  • 03

    Recall

    Coming when called the first time, built from easy settings toward harder ones.

  • 04

    Place & settle

    A clear off-switch: go to a spot and stay relaxed there while life happens.

  • 05

    Sit, down, stay

    Positions with real duration and distance, not just a quick tap of the behind.

  • 06

    Doors & boundaries

    Waiting at thresholds, cars and gates instead of bolting through them.

03Proofing

Where skills have to hold.

A skill isn’t finished until it works where you need it. Turn the dial from home to a crowd to see which foundations carry the load.

Fig. 03 — Proofing Dial

Turn up the pressure

Drag the dial or use arrow keys.

Home: no foundation is under heavy load must hold.

Home

Familiar smells, known people, few surprises. Where new skills are taught.

South Bay example — Living room, hallway, backyard

  • Attention

    Checks in with you without being asked.

    30%

  • Recall

    Comes back the first time, away from what’s interesting.

    20%

  • Place

    Settles on a spot and stays relaxed there.

    40%

  • Heel

    Moves with you through turns, stops and tight spaces.

    25%

  • Neutrality

    Notices people, dogs and food — and lets them go.

    10%
Load values are illustrative — they show which foundations a typical plan leans on in each setting, not a score for your dog.

04What to expect

Honest expectations.

Basic obedience covers essential commands such as sit, stay, come and heel. Advanced obedience follows for dogs who have finished basic, introducing more complex commands and situations.
  1. 01

    Training Match

    Two minutes online or a phone call. Tell us what’s going on.

  2. 02

    Free evaluation

    In person, with your dog. Your trainer discusses your goals, your dog’s history and daily life.

  3. 03

    Customized plan

    A program built around your dog — private sessions, plus group sessions where they help.

  4. 04

    Proofing

    Skills practiced with real-world distractions until they hold.

  5. 05

    Transfer

    You learn to run it. Your participation is what makes it last.

A brown curly-coated poodle sitting for its portrait, looking at the camera

Free · In person

Start with a free evaluation.

Every obedience training plan starts in person. Bring your dog, meet a trainer and talk through what’s going on — your trainer recommends a plan and explains why, before you pick a package.

Cost
Free
Where
In person, with your dog
When
Tuesday–Saturday, by appointment only
Book my free evaluation Call (408) 482-2846

Private field rental

No backyard? Rent our field.

Practice your homework somewhere new: half an acre of fenced turf, yours by the hour.

Book on Sniffspot(opens in a new tab)

Rated 4.9 out of 5· 1,700+ reviews on Sniffspot

Prefer to start at home?

The online version.

Same method, self-paced — with optional video feedback or a private virtual consult. Step up to in-person training any time.
“His technique is very methodical, and extremely powerful, 30 minute training to the point.”
Mohegan H. — Client review, current Bay Area K9 site

Questions

Obedience Training: common questions

What’s the difference between basic and advanced obedience?

Basic obedience covers essentials — sit, stay, come and heel — and suits puppies and adult dogs. Advanced obedience is for dogs who have completed basic, and adds more complex commands and harder situations.

Will my dog need treats forever?

No. Once a dog has mastered a behavior thoroughly, food is no longer necessary — though it’s always appreciated.

My dog doesn’t care about food. Can we still train?

Yes. Some dogs aren’t born inhaling everything in front of them, and that can even help. It means understanding what makes your dog tick and thinking outside the box — it isn’t insurmountable.

Do you offer group classes?

Yes. Current packages pair private sessions with group sessions, and returning members can add group session packs to keep practicing around other dogs and people.

Training Match

Step 1 of 3

What’s going on?

Main challenge

Skills that work outside the kitchen.

We’ll build attention, heel, recall and place — then practice them around the distractions your dog actually meets.

About 2 minutes · no commitment
Skip the questions

Often combined with

All programs

Obedience Training for owners in Santa Clara, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Mountain View and Los Gatos.

Book a Free Evaluation Call