The Best Dog Training in Sunnyvale, CA
8 minutesSunnyvale is a small city in California that gives you a lot of space to live, especially if you want to have a dog. Within Santa Clara County, Sunnyvale doesn’t have a large city center and tends to be more slower-paced than other busy cities in California. Sunnyvale has also been rated as one of the best places to live in California and gives you a mixture of urban and suburban lifestyles. So, you can live in an apartment with a small dog or choose a single-family home and watch a big dog grow in your backyard. Regardless of where you choose to live, it’s always important to have your dog trained properly.
When it comes to dog training in Sunnyvale, you want a specialized trainer that knows the area well. Therefore, it’s important to look for trainers that provide training based on some obstacles in Sunnyvale. In Sunnyvale, consider trainers that can help your dog become accustomed to the suburban and urban lifestyle. For example, if you live in a single-family home with a background, it’s best to find trainers that can help you walk your dog or play in the yard. On the other hand, if you plan on living in an urban building with a small dog, you want a trainer that can help with barking and socialization.
These factors aside, it’s still not always easy to find the best trainer. In cities like Sunnyvale, many trainers claim to be the best, and many trainers have several great reviews in testimonials. This makes it challenging to find the best fit. Thankfully, we’ve researched the best dog trainers in Sunnyvale, and we’ll explore each one below.
A Quick Look At the Best Dog Training in Sunnyvale, CA
Explore some information about dog trainers in Sunnyvale, California, in the chart below.
Trainer | Price | Training Types | Online / In-Person |
Dog Academy | $49.99 – $349.99 | Obedience Classes, Puppy Training, Psychiatric Service Dog Training | Both |
Dogs in Harmony | Consultation Required ($15 Cancelation Fee) | Behavioral Issues, Puppy Management and Training, Puppy Safety | Both |
Bark Busters | Consultation Based | Behavioral Issues, Puppy Management and Training, Puppy Safety | In-Person |
2 Feet & 4 Paws Forward Dog Training | Call for a Quote | Puppy Training, Rally, Agility | In-Person |
Petco Dog Training | $179-$279 | Puppy Essentials Package, Dog Training Essentials, Puppy Training Complete Package | Both |
Online vs. In-Person Training
In-person and online training are the common types of training that you’ll come across in Sunnyvale. Some trainers will also include hybrid options for people who may need both. Still, you typically have to choose between in-person and online dog training, and both types come with benefits and drawbacks.
The benefits of in-person dog training are that trainers can bond with your dog physically. This bond is something you can only find online if the trainer is very experienced. Aside from bonding, in-person trainers also offer additional benefits like grooming services, products, toys, and boarding. Board and train is also an option unique to in-person training, and it gives you time away from your dog. The drawbacks of in-person dog training come down to price and a lack of flexibility.
On the other hand, online trainers bring different benefits to the table. While they can’t physically interact with your dog, the schedule is more flexible, and the cost is lower. Plus, online trainers usually include additional education online for you to view for free.
Overall, both training types are viable options depending on your needs.
Perks of Online and In-Person Training in Sunnyvale
We list some of the perks of online and in-person dog training in Sunnyvale below.
Online Training | In-Person Training | |
Cost Effective | ✓ | X |
Flexible Schedule | ✓ | ✓ |
One-on-One Instruction | ✓ | ✓ |
Study at Your Own Pace | ✓ | ✓ |
Socializes Your Dog | X | ✓ |
The Best Dog Training in Sunnyvale
Sunnyvale is a big city, and it’s home to a lot of dog trainers. To make sure you find the best trainers it’s important to vet them and make sure they’re the right fit. To avoid wasting time and money on consultations, we’ve compiled a list of the best dog trainers in Sunnyvale below.
Dog Academy
- Online or In-Person: Online and In-Person
- Types of Training Courses: Obedience Classes, Behavioral Issues, Puppy Training, Psychiatric Service Dog Training, Emotional Support Animal Training, Specialty Classes (e.g. Canine Confidence, Separation Anxiety)
- Price Range: $49.99 – $349.99
- Link to Website: Dog Academy Basic Obedience Training Program
- Phone Number: (605) 223-1971
Dog Academy is one of the largest training organizations in the United States, with a network of more than 1,000 professional trainers. Trainers from Dog Academy are also certified by groups like the American Kennel Club (AKC), and many in-person dog trainers have certifications from local organizations.
Aside from trainers, Dog Academy offers hundreds of hours of free online content to help pet owners learn through videos and other types of content. Dog Academy also makes the training process a breeze. Everything is grouped into packages, and you can learn at your own pace. Some in-person options may also be available in the Sunnyvale area.
Dogs in Harmony
- Online or In-Person: In-Person and Online
- Types of Training Courses: Private Lessons, Puppy Academy, Adult Dog Training (Levels 1-4), Group Classes,
- Price Range: Varies ($15 Cancelation Fee)
- Link to Website: https://www.harmonydogs.net/
- Address: 175 San Lazaro Ave Suite 170, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
- Phone Number: (408) 430-7875
Shanni Hendler is the owner of Dogs in Harmony and has a passion for treating dogs. She’s part of the Association of Professional Dog Training and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (Knowledge Assessed), which gives her more credibility than many other trainers. All of her courses are split into levels (for adult dog training), which makes it easy to work your way through each step of the training process as your dog gets older.
What’s more, courses are available online, and that makes it one of the most flexible hybrid options in the Sunnyvale area. The last thing to note is that there is a free puppy prep course, which is something you won’t find with other trainers. This prepares your dog for training courses and goes beyond a free consultation.
Bark Busters
- Online or In-Person: In-Person
- Types of Training Courses: Behavioral Issues, Puppy Management and Training, Basic Obedience, Puppy Safety
- Price Range: Consultation Required
- Link to Website: https://www.barkbusters.com/dog-training-santa-clara-county-west?utm_source=GMBListing&utm_medium=WebsiteClicks&utm_campaign=5-07-027
- Address: Serves 95014 and Nearby Areas
- Phone Number: (877) 500-2275
Bark Busters has been helping people across the United States with in-home dog training since 1989. The training service uses a dog-friendly approach that focuses on using positive reinforcement to train dogs. In the Sunnyvale area, the lead trainer is Josh Rombro. He’s been around dogs for years and even used to be a breeder. Based on his methods, he teaches dog owners about ways to communicate with their dogs through commands and body language.
Additionally, Bark Busters can help with things like walking your dog off-leash. Josh Rambo also continues to learn about new and innovative ways to train dogs, which he openly shares with his clients. The last thing to note is that Bark Busters offers lifetime support.
2 Feet & 4 Paws Forward Dog Training
- Online or In-Person: In-Person
- Types of Training Courses: Puppy Training, In-Home Training, Private Sessions, Rally, Agility, Conformation, Obedience
- Price Range: Call for a Quote
- Link to Website: http://www.2feet4paws.com/aboutus.html
- Address: 158 San Lazaro Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
- Phone Number: (650) 787-2560
Jennifer Underwood is the owner and leads trainer at 2 Feet & 4 Paws Forward Dog Training, and she has over 10 years of experience with dogs. In fact, she has won several awards for her training prowess and even has experience with therapy dogs. All training is personalized, and there are even free consultations for puppies and other small dogs.
Training is also unique because trainers visit your home, which has a few benefits. First and foremost, trainers can help you dog-proof your home. Second, your dog is more comfortable in their space when interacting with a new person. The last benefit is that they can use your yard and the toys you already have. For some dog owners, these benefits are hard to find elsewhere.
Petco Dog Training
- Online or In-Person: Both
- Types of Training Courses: Puppy Classes (Levels 1-2), Adult Dog Training (Levels 1-2), Puppy Essentials Package, Dog Training Essentials, Puppy Training Complete Package, Adult Dog Training Complete Package
- Price Range: $179-$279
- Link to Website: https://stores.petco.com/ca/sunnyvale/dog-training-sunnyvale-ca-270.html
- Address: 160 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
- Phone Number: (408) 774-0171
Petco is one of the largest retailers in the world for pet products, so it’s no surprise that they also offer services for dog training. Dog training courses can be done as individual sessions, or you can choose from packages that provide you with great value. There are also online training options that allow you to get in touch with a trainer virtually for many of the same classes.
Aside from training, Petco also has some additional perks. These include toys being in the store, pet food being easy to get, and general dog supplies being available. Supplies aside, you’ll also find grooming programs. This makes Petco one of the best places to get all of your dog’s needs taken care of.
Find the Right Dog Training for You in Sunnyvale
Sunnyvale is a great place to reside with a dog, but training is everything. When you’re looking for trainers, we always recommend starting with Dog Academy, but it’s also smart to try out a handful using free consultations. Also, make sure you look for trainers based on your needs, so if you need control over barking or want to board your dog, you’re better off with an in-person trainer. On the other hand, if flexibility is what you’re after, it’s best to use an online trainer.
Regardless of the type of training you need, all of the options we provide can help you.