A Bark Idea

5.0 Stars,71 Reviews

2417 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

Service area: Serves Redondo Beach and Marina Del Rey, California, within the West LA area.

Service Overview

Types of Dog Training

Family Dog
puppy
Behavior Modification

Specialty Focus Areas

Puppy Training
Leash Pulling
Reactivity / Aggression
Jumping on People
Barking Excessively
Separation Anxiety
Potty Training
Fearfulness
Recall

Training Formats Offered

Private Facility
Board and Train
Day Training

Program Formats

Sessions Package
Ongoing Weekly
Intensive Program

Types of Dogs

Small
Medium
Large
Giant

Age of Dogs Trained

Puppy (<1 year)
Adolescent (1-2 years)
Adult (2-8 years)

Dog Training Methodology

Methods:

✓ Positive Reinforcement Only

Equipment:

✓ Clickers
✓ Food Rewards
✓ Harnesses

The Happy Puppy School offers structured daily training and socialization for puppies under one year, with packages of 6, 12, 18, or 24 sessions. Each day includes playtime and one-on-one training, with video updates sent to owners. Additional options include mixed daycare/training packs and socialization-only packs for young puppies. For dogs over one year, they offer daycare & training sessions ($185/day, limited to graduates), board & train ($255/day), and private training ($220/hr). Training occurs Monday–Wednesday; daycare is Monday–Thursday. All training uses positive reinforcement and focuses on real-life behaviors like recall, leash walking, and managing anxiety.

Pricing & Policies

Pricing Summary

Training packages start at $1,200 for a 6-session Happy Puppy School pack, with larger packages up to $4,000 for 24 sessions. Board & train is $255/day. Private training is $220/hour with a free follow-up call. Daycare is $105/day, boarding is $125/day (or $135 during peak holidays). Bath add-ons are $50 for small dogs, $75 for large dogs. Discounted daycare packages available at Marina Del Rey location, including a $1,000/month membership for unlimited daycare. All services are nonrefundable.

Policies

For holiday/peak season boarding, 48 hours’ written notice is required for cancellations or changes; failure to provide notice results in a 50% charge. All services are nonrefundable. Boarding and daycare require advance booking, and last-minute reservations are rarely accommodated. Dogs must meet vaccination, spay/neuter, and socialization requirements before enrollment.

Testimonials

Five stars does not adequately communicate how special A Bark Idea is! We have been taking our giant breed, nine-month old, 100 lb. Leonberger puppy, Oso, here since he was three months old. It was so important to us that we find a place that would teach him not only the best manners, but love him as much as we do. Cami, Justin, Kelsey, Alyssa and the gang are truly our extended family. They care for Oso and all the boo’s like they are their own fur babies. From boarding to bath time and all the puppy school training – we would be lost without them. We adore that every day Oso is with them – we get photo updates on how the day is going – and video examples on how to reinforce the training that they worked on at home. As a big dog family it was so important to us that Oso learn not only socialization skills with other dogs (especially smaller breeds – which is basically all of them 🙂 – but also customized training. A Bark Idea’s positive reinforcement approach to training ensures that trust is established early on in addition to the creation of a safe space. And bonus points that Oso comes home tired and ready for snoozles – which is huge during the puppy phase where the “witching hour” is real 🙂 We heart A Bark Idea!
-Rachel & Oso

We feel so lucky to have found A Bark Idea! Our 9 month old pup, Daisy, started when she was about 4 months old and A Bark Idea quickly became her second family. Their whole staff (Cami, Justin, Kelsey + more) are all so kind & knowledgeable and it’s a huge comfort knowing Daisy is always SO excited when we pull up for daycare in the mornings. I highly recommend their Happy Puppy School which helped us build up Daisy’s skills from simple commands (sit, stay, come, down, go to your bed, etc) to learning how to handle everyday situations at home (jumping, counter surfing, learning to not be afraid of the dishwasher or what to do when guests come to the front door). Lately, we’ve been so thankful that they’ve continued to help us work with her leash training and overcome some sound anxiety/stimulation. As first-time puppy parents, A Bark Idea is always willing to help us learn how to communicate with Daisy and read her body language – this has been particularly challenging as Daisy is more anxious/fearful out in the world and is not something we’ve dealt with before. A Bark Idea has been the best partner to lean on in making sure Daisy grows into a happy, well-mannered, & comfortable dog! Can’t recommend A Bark Idea enough!!
-Unnamed

I cannot recommend A Bark Idea enough. When you choose a business to help train your puppy, you want to find trainers that will love your pup just as much as you and this is that place. Cami, Kelsey, and Justin have so much love and compassion for these dogs and it shows. Even before my pup started at Happy Puppy School, I had an open line of communication with A Bark Idea while I was crate training, which almost broke me, but they helped me through it and helped me with my confidence that I was doing the right thing and it would get better each day. AND IT DID! I chose to put my puppy in Happy Puppy School and it was so worth it. I chose the 24 lessons package and each day, I received a video message of what they worked on each day so I could practice with my pup. You really have to understand that the work they do with your dog at school, you have to come home and practice with your dog because they need to learn to listen to you too. The socialization that the puppies get at school is so important, not to mention, the amount of energy they expend all day makes it easier at the end of the day for you! Once my dog was done with his training, I purchased the day care package and take him at least once a week. He has the best time and comes home pooped out. A Bark Idea are our family now and I truly feel like it was the best decision for me and my puppy!
-Unnamed

About the Trainer

A Bark Idea is a certified positive reinforcement dog training company based in Redondo Beach and Marina Del Rey, California, offering humane, science-based training to help dogs become polite, confident, and happy companions. They specialize in puppy training and socialization through their Happy Puppy School, which combines daily play with structured training sessions using reward-based methods. In addition to training, they provide boutique dog daycare and boarding services designed to feel like a home away from home, with personalized care, daily photo updates, and optional baths. Their team includes CPDT-certified trainers who focus on strengthening the bond between dogs and owners, teaching not just commands but also how to understand canine behavior. They cater to puppies, adolescents, and adult dogs, with specialized programs for socialization, leash training, and behavior modification. Their facilities are clean, safe, and equipped for supervised play, including puppy pools and cozy indoor spaces.

They offer a range of training packages including drop-off daycare & training, board & train, and private one-on-one sessions. Their Happy Puppy School packages are designed for puppies under one year, with options for full training days or mixed daycare/training schedules. They also provide a membership program for unlimited daycare at their Marina Del Rey location. All services prioritize safety, happiness, and individualized attention, with staff treating every dog like family.

A Bark Idea is fully licensed, insured, and requires all dogs to be up to date on vaccines, spayed/neutered by age one, and dog-friendly. They emphasize communication with owners through daily videos and follow-up guidance to ensure training transfers to the home environment.

Accomplishments

Owner Cami is a CPDT-certified dog trainer and ABC-certified professional with over a decade of experience working with dogs, including fostering over a dozen rescue Pit Bulls. She founded A Bark Idea after years of hands-on experience with dogs from childhood through college and professional training. The business is recognized for its high standards, personalized care, and strong client testimonials.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must complete an online inquiry form on the Get In Touch page, providing details about their dog’s behavior, vaccines, and desired services. After submission, they receive a response within 1–2 business days. A Bark Idea requires all dogs to meet minimum health and behavior criteria before enrollment in any program.

Contact

11+ Years Experience
Insured
Free Consultation

Availability

Weekdays
Morning
Afternoon

Hours

7:30am-6pm

Certifications

CPDT-KA

Associations

Accredited

Languages

English

Other Services Offered

Dog day care center
Pet boarding service
Pet groomer

Location