Behavior/Training

Furry Friends Rescue endorse these positive reinforcement trainers and facilities listed below. We do highly recommend and feel it is crucial for you, your entire family, and your new puppy or dog to attend dog training to ensure you learn how to train your dog while socializing them with other dogs/people.

Puppies must attend puppy training classes and socials between the ages of 8 - 12 weeks (Critical Period of Socialization). Please call or visit any of the trainers listed below and work with the one you feel most comfortable with. We are providing this list as we truly believe that a well behaved animal is a joy to share your life with. Both you and your pet will benefit from this training and the time you share together. Also view Cat Behavior & Training.

Look for very experienced professionals who have received a comprehensive education in animal learning, dog behavior, and science-based non-aversive training methods. The Academy for Dog Trainers.

How to choose a dog trainer

Transparency in Dog Training from Jean Donaldson on Vimeo.

Dog Behavior Articles

Positive Reinforcement Training Tips

• Top 10 Reasons Not to Use Prong Collars
• Prong Collar Myths and Facts
• Alternatives to Prong, Choke and Shock Collars
• Choke and Prong Collars
• Sirius Training / Oz Training (FFR Adoption discount)
• Association of Pet Dog Trainers
• Animal Behavior Advice
• Cat Behavior Tip Page
• Dog Behavior Links from the SFSPCA
• Dog Behavior Tips from HSSV
• Dog Star Daily
• Living with Dogs
• Tip Sheet on Introducing Animals (PDF file, 12kb)
• Crate Training (PDF file, 23kb)
• Puppy Training Tips from Dr. Ian Dunbar

Dog and Kids Safety (including Babies and Toddlers)

The highest bite accidents are with kids 2-7 years old. 70% of dog bite victims are children. Kids 12 years & under need 100% supervision. Also, one of the highest reasons for dog returns or abandonment, are due to new babies or young kids. Please be committed for life. Learn about dog & kid safety and training first.

Dog Online Classes/Dog Behavior Videos

Online Classes

• Dog Training 101 by Jean Donaldson of The Academy for Dog Trainers
• SIRIUS Online Classes

Walk On Leash - Step by Step SIRIUS Adult Dog Training

Pit Bull Terrier Training/Behavior

Finding a Dog Trainers

Sirius Training / Oz Training (FFR Adoption discount)

800-419-8748
Puppy and Adult Group Lessons
Locations: Throughout the bay area, call to find a site nearest you. Dr. Ian Dunbar is a nationally published author of many dog training books and videos.
www.siriuspup.com

• Puppy Kindergarten (8-11 weeks)
• Puppy Training 1 (12-18 weeks)
• Dog Training 1 (19+ weeks)
• Sirius Essential Skill Series (19+ weeks)

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

1-800-pet-dogs
A nation-wide list of dog trainers.
We recommend working with trainers who use positive reinforcement / reward based training only. Avoid the use of shock, choke or pinch collars.
www.apdt.com

Avoid any trainer who tells you to yell, hit, shock, jerk the leash, throw things at, use a pinch or choke collar on your dog OR if they forbid you to use food in the training.

Deaf Dog Training

Deaf Dog Education Action Fund

East Bay | Dog Traininers

Academy For Dog Trainers - A world-leading, advanced program for dog trainers

The Academy for Dog Trainers offers one of the most rigorous, advanced programs in dog behavior and training in the world. Find a Trainer.

Good Dog Day Care

2427 Pratt Avenue, Hayward, CA 94544
(510) 324-1176
Gooddogdaycare.com
Puppy Socials - Saturday
Puppy & Dog Training, Nose and Odor Work, Flyball, Barn Hunt and AKC's Canine Good Citizen Prep. Discount to FFR adopters for training classes & socials.

BRAVO! PUP Puppy & Dog Training (FFR Adoption discount)

Locations
Classes
Bravopup.com/

Canine Culture and Metro Dog

Alison Smith
510-261-3386
[email protected]
Classes held at Metro Dog Daydare/Boarding in Richmond
CanineCulture.net
MetroDog.com

Dodger's Paws

39 California Ave. #305
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Puppy Training Class
Serving area: Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin & surrounding areas in the East Bay.

Berkeley Humane Society

Nancy Frensley
Oakland, Berkeley
510-845-7735
Berkeleyhumane.org

Paws 4 Learning

Cheryl Johnson Collett
Paws4learning.com
510-209-9122
[email protected]

• puppy and adult dog group classes
• Individual training and behavior
• counseling also available

Classes Offered

• Good Dog Day Care, Hayward (Discount to FFR adopter)
• City of Fremont - Recreation Services
  510-791-4324
• City of Pleasanton parks and Community Services
  925-931-5340

Pied Piper Dog Training

Brian Sullivan, CTC
510-430-8726
PiedPiperDogTraining.com
One-hour group off-leash outings, private training consults and behavior modification, and group classes at Piedmont Adult School.

The East Bay Dog Listener (FFR Adoption & Foster Home partner)

Louise Pay
925-487-9386
[email protected]
ebdoglistener.com
1-to-1 in-home training using Amichien Bonding, the training philosophy developed by Jan Fennel, the original dog listener.
Learn how to have your dog elect you as "Leader of the Pack."

Dog Dynasty

Dogdynastyinc.com/
7132 Johnson Drive,
Suite D
Pleasanton, CA 94588
925-416-7877

The Polished Pup

Sherry Al-Mufti, CPDT-KA
925-366-6701
[email protected]
Polishedpupeastbay.com

Paws and Cues

Kathryn Horn
Pawsandcues.com
Behavior modification and basic training
Agility

Cannon Dog Training

Tania Lanfer
Cannondogtraining.com
Behavior modification and basic training
Specializes in dogs and babies

Mighty Mutts

Shane Stanis
Mightymuttsdogtraining.com
Behavior Modification and basic Training
Specializing in Rowdy and Reactive dogs

Ellie Johnson

elliejohnson.net
Contact

South Bay | Dog Trainers

Smith Dog Training

Puppy & Adult training classes
(Discount to FFR Adopters & Foster Homes)
Dog and Puppy Training at Pet Food Express
Mountain View & San Jose, CA

Happy Tails to You (FFR Adoption & Foster Home discount)

Dawna Caldwell
Happytailstoyoudogtraining.com
2045 Woodard Rd.,
San Jose, CA 95124
408-267-7606 or 800-436-4443
Variety of group classes (puppies thru adults to advanced classes), private in-home training. Dawna covering needs ranging from basic obedience to aggression and Pit Bull Terriers training. Dawna is a certified professional dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Evaluator for Canine Good Citizen tests, and Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

Maria Cecilia Saleme, CPDT

Canine Behavior Counselor (Discount to FFR adopter)
Specializing in the Child-Dog relationship, training & agility
[email protected]
CanineHigherLearning.com
Milpitas, CA

Bingo! Dog Training

831-768-9803 or 408 335-8745
Bingodogtraining.com
Watsonville to Santa Cruz and surrounding areas
Group Classes - Private Lessons - Behavior Problems - Board & Train

Clear Mind Canine

Heather Ross CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA
Clearmindcanine.com
Based in Felton, CA
Instagram
Facebook

Clear Mind Canine offers practical, effective solutions to a variety of behavior issues and group classes from puppy to competition.

Living with Dogs

Sandi Pensinger
Livingwithdogs.us
Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz County Dog Training & Puppy Classes - Specialists in motivation-based group dog training classes for all ages & breeds of dogs.

Klub K9 Playcenter

Mike
Klubk9playcenter.com
Canine Family Integration and Education Instructors
San Jose, CA 408-292-4280
[email protected]

Stacy's Wag'N'Train

Stacy Braslau-Schneck, Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Wagntrain.com
408-978-7391
Puppy and adult group classes, expert personal training, private lessons, baby preparation, tricks class.
San Jose area; visit the website to find site nearest you.

Downtown Dogs' Day Care

Mark & Kelly Helsing
Downtowndogs.com
408-287-2267
Supervised day care for dogs
564 West San Carlos Street, San Jose
Group obedience and agility classes

Maria Cecilia Sternzon, CPDT-KA, MBA

Canine Behavior Counselor / Training Instructor
Sport dog trainer, Dog-Kids training, Behavior counseling
Ceciliasaleme.com

Molly's AdobeDogs Dog Training

Adobedogs.org
Los Altos, CA
Contact

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV)

HSSV Training

D for Dog Training

Leash Reactive Dogs training and more.
Dfordogtraining.com
650-538-3011
Contact

Fetch Sam

Fetchsam.com
650.504.2058
Dog training and dog sports

The Hound Haven

thehoundhaven.com
Peggy McCarty, CTC, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, CSAT
Santa Clara, CA
Contact

Peninsula | Dog Traininers

Wendy Hilton

Justrewardsk9.com
650-367-1941
Wendy teaches rally obedience, puppy manners, basic manners, tricks, CGC, growly dog and other classes in Los Gatos, Redwood City, San Carlos. Private training also available.

Peninsula Humane Society

12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94401
Peninsulahumanesociety.org

Whether you've just adopted a dog and want to get off on the right paw, or you want a refresher course for your longtime companion, PHS/SPCA companion dog training courses are ideal. We hold year-round Puppy Classes, Level I, and Intermediate obedience classes. In addition, we're offering dog training geared for children and dog training conducted in Spanish. Classes are 6 one-hour sessions and limited to 12 dogs. Discounts are available for dogs adopted from PHS/SPCA, and for seniors.

Planet Pooch

Planetpooch.com

Rav'n Dog Training

Puppy/Dog training, Nose work, Rally, Recreational agility, Tricks
Ravndogtraining.com
Redwood City

North Bay | Dog Traininers

Perfect Paws

866-511-PAWS (7297)
Perfectpaws.org
Group classes: pup, adult, agility, freestyle, competition obedience. Pup and small dog socials. Private lessons.
San Francisco, Menlo Park, Redwood Shores

SF Puppy Prep

Sfpuppyprep.com
Puppy training and socials
415-618-0828
Owned and run by SF SPCA certified dog trainers and instructors, Aishe Berger and Stephanie Miller.
We will personnaly pick up each puppy at your home, bring them to a safe, indoor space in SOMA for 2 hours of play, and then drop them back off at home.
Group puppy classes covering all puppy issues and socialization. Wine and cheese happy hour play session for pups and small dogs.

Sport Dog Training

Dog Agility

• Jump'n Java Agility
• Fetch Sam!

Flyball, Nose Work, Barn Hunt

• Good Dog Day Care, Hayward
• K9 Nose Work^®
• Ratical Dogs Livermore

Puppy Training

• Puppy or Rescue Dog Socialization During COVID-19

Great puppy training tip articles by Dr. Ian Dunbar!

Other Puppy Training Articles

• Growing Up FDSA—Surviving Your Dog Sports Puppy! (A collection of “must have” articles from the instructors of Fenzi Dog Sports Academy) (PDF)
• The 5 Biggest Mistakes New Puppy Owners Make - And How To Avoid Them
• The 8 Most Useful Things to Teach a New Puppy
• Stacy Braslau-Schneck Offers 5 Puppy Priorities
• The SIRIUS Puppy Raising Initiative For Prospective and New Puppy Owners
• Free Downloadable eBooks BEFORE You Get Your Puppy and AFTER You Get Your Puppy
• Behavior Problems? | Behavior Blue Prints Puppy Biting (pdf version), New Puppy (pdf version).

Puppy and Small Dog Socials

Socialization is critical in the first 8-16 weeks of a puppy's life. Read AVSAB Position Statement On Puppy Socialization. Find classes that fits you and your puppy!

Puppy Social

Small Dog Social

• Small dog social @ Downtown Dogs (San Jose, CA)

Behavior & Training for Cats

Keeping Cats Inside

• Why All Cats Should Be Indoor Cats
• Should Your Cats Stay Indoors?
• Top Reasons to Keep Cats Indoors

How to Take Care of Kittens (Bottle Babies)

• Best Friends: Bottle Feeding Kittens
• When you find an Orphaned Kitten