Athens Dog Training

Training programs include a mandatory free 30-minute orientation for group classes. Puppy classes focus on socialization and foundational skills. Basic Obedience covers sit, down, stay, and recall. Intermediate Obedience adds distance, distraction, and duration. Intermediate Real Life Skills simulate everyday scenarios. Canine Good Citizen training prepares dogs for AKC certification. Private in-home sessions are customized to individual needs. Board-and-train programs involve intensive training at their facility. Online training is available for remote clients.

Pricing Summary

Pricing details are available on their Price List page. Fees vary by service type (private, group, board-and-train). Group classes require a free orientation. Training programs are paid in advance, with no refunds mentioned. Travel beyond 20 miles incurs cancellation and potential fees.

Policies

Training sessions may vary in length based on success, not time. Fees are payable in advance. Dogs 10 months and older must be spayed or neutered for group classes. Vaccination records (Bordetella, Distemper, Leptospirosis, Rabies) are required. Travel beyond 20 miles from San Leandro results in cancellation and possible fees. No services across bridges or tunnels.

Athens Dog Training offers science-backed, positive reinforcement-based dog training services for dog owners in the East Bay area. They provide private in-home training, group classes, and board-and-train programs for dogs of all ages, from puppies to adults. Their team includes certified trainers specializing in puppy training, leash reactivity, fearfulness, and service dog skills. Trainers Mitch, Annalie, and Pohan bring diverse expertise, including CPDT-KA certifications and hands-on experience with shelter dogs and service dog preparation. The business emphasizes personalized training plans, mandatory consultations, and building strong owner-dog bonds through consistent, reward-based methods.

Group classes are held at Pet Food Express locations in Castro Valley and Oakland/Rockridge, with programs ranging from puppy socialization to Canine Good Citizen certification. In-home training is available within a 20-mile radius of San Leandro, and board-and-train services are offered at their facility. They also provide online training through Athens Online for remote support.

Accomplishments

Annalie is a CPDT-KA certified trainer and graduate of Animal Behavior College; she has volunteered at animal shelters and adopted rescue dogs. Pohan is a CPDT-KA certified service dog trainer and graduate of Bergin’s University of Canine Studies with an Associate of Science in Assistance Dog Education; she trained over 30,000 soldiers in the U.S. Army. Mitch is a certified professional in animal behavior and psychology with mentorship from experienced trainer Danny; he has trained his own dogs using positive reinforcement methods.

How to Get Started!

Client engagement begins with a mandatory free 30-minute orientation for group classes or a paid consultation for private training. Consultations are required before any private training to assess goals and develop a customized plan. Bookings are made through their MindBodyOnline scheduling system.