BravoPup #4
Ranked #2 in Oakland and #178 in California
Service area: Bravo!Pup serves the East Bay area, including Alameda, Oakland, Rockridge, Walnut Creek, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Albany, and Kensington. They hold classes at various locations such as Northbrae Community Church in North Berkeley, Rockridge Pet Food Express in Oakland, Pet Food Express in Walnut Creek, College Ave Presbyterian Church Basement in Oakland, Oakland Zoo, and First Congregational Church in Oakland (Lake Merritt).
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Behavior Modification
- Competition / Agility
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Jumping on People
- Biting / Nipping
- Potty Training
- Fearfulness
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- Group Classes
- Private Facility
- Video Calls
Program Formats
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
Equipment:
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Harnesses
- ✓ Flat Collars
Bravo!Pup offers a comprehensive range of training programs including basic to advanced puppy and adult dog classes, specialty classes, private training, and streaming courses. Puppy Socials are designed for pups 9 to 16 weeks old, providing a safe environment for socialization and play, lasting 45 minutes weekly.
The core puppy training curriculum includes Pup 1 (for young puppies 8-18 weeks), Pup 2 (for rapidly maturing puppies who completed Pup 1), and Pup 3 (for budding young adults who completed Pup 1 and Pup 2). Each of these is a 5-week, 50-minute weekly in-person class, building foundational skills from basic obedience (sit, down, stay, come, leash skills, manners, house training) to advanced concepts like heeling, recall conditioning, extreme distraction work, placement commands, and distance commands.
Specialty Training classes address specific behavioral issues and are offered both live remotely (Shy & Fearful, Play or Fight, Leash Reactive) and in-person (Jumpers & Pullers, Extreme Recall, Talent). Streaming Courses, such as the “Virtual Potty and Crate Training Webinar,” provide in-depth information on common behavior issues with lifetime access. Private Training offers one-on-one coaching for specific needs. Classes are structured as progressive, non-drop-in courses with detailed homework provided.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Puppy Socials are $30.00 per dog, offered weekly for 45 minutes. Pup 1, Pup 2, and Pup 3 classes are each $250.00 per dog, consisting of 5 weekly sessions, each 50 minutes long. The Virtual Potty and Crate Training Webinar costs $39.99 per dog, but is free with Pup1 Class enrollment. Registration and payment are required in advance for Puppy Socials, with no refunds. For Pup classes, clients are advised to review the refund policy prior to registration.
Policies
Puppy Socials have a strict “NO Refunds” policy. For other classes, clients are advised to review the refund policy prior to registration. Information regarding make-up classes is available in their FAQ section. For Puppy Socials, if a pup is not having a good time or is upsetting other puppies, owners may be asked to leave.
Testimonials
“Thank you, Holden! We have learned so much and it’s really made a difference in what we feel like we can do with Billie in our house and out in the world. She’s much happier and we’re happier too! Thank you so much.”
– B. Frolic or Fight Student
“Thank you soooooo much for the wonderful training. We leaned a lot! It covered many things that we were wondering what to do. I really like the positive way of training. Thank you so much!”
– M. PUP1 and PUP2 Student
“Thanks again for being the remarkable teacher you are! I have learned so much from you both: Watching your masterful skills with individual dogs, and practicing all your suggestions. It’s been a true pleasure to be in your class. I will miss your entertaining, highly intuitive self. Kirby and I love you!”
– N. PUP1 and PUP2 Student
About the Trainer
Bravo!Pup, launched in 2008, provides state-of-the-art dog training and socialization services to dog lovers in the East Bay area. Their mission is to engage dog parents in positive reinforcement training through group classes that are entertaining and effective.
They offer a range of programs from basic to advanced puppy and adult dog classes, including specialty classes designed to address specific behavioral issues such as leash reactivity, shyness, and recall. Additionally, Bravo!Pup provides private training sessions and streaming online courses for flexible learning.
A key advantage of Bravo!Pup is the credentials of their trainers; all are graduates or current students of The Academy of Dog Trainers, often referred to as “The Harvard of Dog Training.” This ensures they use modern, science-based, and humane training methods for an unrivaled training experience.
Accomplishments
Bravo!Pup was launched in 2008, bringing state-of-the-art dog training and socialization to the East Bay. Their instructors are described as award-winning. All of Bravo!Pup’s trainers are graduates or current students of The Academy of Dog Trainers, which is recognized as the world leader in advanced education in dog training and behavior and is commonly referred to as “The Harvard of Dog Training.”
How to Get Started!
Prospective clients can contact Bravo!Pup with any questions or concerns about classes or dog suitability for group classes, allowing a few business days for a response. For private training, interested individuals are directed to the private training page to complete an intake form. For those unsure where to begin, Bravo!Pup offers guidance to help clients find the best starting point for their training journey.

Contact Information
Certifications
- Credentialed
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking