Devotion to Dogs Expert Dog Training

Ranked #1 in El Cajon and #92 in California
Service area: Devotion to Dogs serves San Diego, CA, including the areas of El Cajon, Grossmont, Bostonia, Fletcher Hills, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, La Mesa, San Carlos, Hillsdale, and the Greater San Diego area. They charge an additional $2 per mile for locations more than 30 miles away from zip code 92020.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Service Dog
- Therapy Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Jumping on People
- Barking Excessively
- Separation Anxiety
- Biting / Nipping
- Potty Training
- Resource Guarding
- Fearfulness
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- Group Classes
- In-Home
- Private Facility
- Board and Train
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
- Intensive Program
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Balanced Training
Equipment:
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Harnesses
- ✓ Flat Collars
- ✓ Pinch Collars
- ✓ E-Collars
Devotion to Dogs offers a range of structured training programs designed to address various needs. The **Beginner Package** includes 5 sessions, ideal for new dogs or puppies, focusing on correcting small unwanted behaviors like leash walking, jumping, and kennel training. The **E Collar Package** consists of 4 classes for off-leash training, requiring the dog to know all basic commands, and includes the necessary e-collar equipment.
For more challenging issues, **Severe Behavioral Classes** provide 6 one-on-one sessions targeting separation anxiety, fear-based aggression, resource guarding, and aggression towards dogs or people. The **Therapy or Service Dog Training** program, comprising 4 classes, prepares dogs and owners for Therapy Dog Evaluations and includes preparation for CGC, UCGC, and ACGC tests. **Puppy Class** offers 5 sessions for puppies under one year old, teaching fundamental basics in a group setting.
The **Initial Consult** is a comprehensive starting point, including an assessment session (up to 4 hours) at their facility, followed by two customized follow-up sessions within six weeks. They also provide **Stay and Train** packages, where dogs board at the facility for durations ranging from 5 to 20 days, covering everything from standard obedience to severe aggression. For ongoing support, **Follow-Up Appointments** are available individually or in discounted packages for existing clients, conducted at the facility, client’s home, or other dog-friendly environments. Additionally, **Group Socialization** classes are offered free to clients who have completed an initial consultation.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Devotion to Dogs offers various training packages and payment options. The Beginner Package is $650.00 for 5 sessions. The E Collar Package costs $745.00 for 4 classes, including the e-collar and remote, with an option for multiple dogs at $1000 plus tools for 8 appointments. Severe Behavioral Classes are $850.00 for 6 one-on-one sessions. Therapy or Service Dog Training is priced at $1,050.00 for 4 classes, which includes preparation for CGC, UCGC, and ACGC tests (AKC fees are separate). Puppy Class is $250.00 for 5 sessions, offered as quarterly group classes.
An Initial Consult is available for $600.00, consisting of 3 sessions (4 for puppies), with the first appointment lasting up to 4 hours. There is an additional $50 charge per extra dog and a $50 charge for any appointment not held at their facility. Stay and Train packages are available, with pricing and current discounts requiring a call. Follow-Up Appointments for existing clients are $150 per hour, with discounted packages: 2 appointments for $280, 4 for $540, 6 for $780, and 8 for $1000. Group Socialization classes are free for clients. Payment methods accepted include Venmo, PayPal Extras MasterCard, and credit card payments (by phone). In-house payment plans are also offered.
Policies
Devotion to Dogs requires cancellations to be made 48 hours before the scheduled service to avoid a cancellation fee. Late payments may incur additional charges. All dogs must be healthy and have up-to-date vaccinations, with proof required at the start of service. Devotion to Dogs Inc. is not liable for any injury, illness, or loss of a pet, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. The business reserves the right to terminate or suspend services to any client at any time for any reason.
Testimonials
“Devotion To Dogs is AMAZING. We hired them when we adopted a new puppy at 11 months. Nala’s previous owner unfortunately did nothing for her in regards to training so we had to start at ground zero. Nala was a biter, aggressive at times, and a chewer. After the first session with a DTD certified trainer, she was like a completely different dog. She listened, obeyed commands, and avoided chewing the kids’ toys. She also stopped showing aggression towards me. We had a neighborhood party on the 4th of July and all of my neighbors were so impressed by Nala as she sat next to me unleashed and was calm. In fact, one of my neighbors called Devotion To Dogs too after seeing Nala’s improvement. I can’t thank Devotion To Dogs enough. They definitely know their stuff and they are always there to answer questions for you even after the training sessions are over. I highly recommend them for all your dog training needs. Thank you, Devotion To Dogs!”
– Lisa & Nala
“Our mini-Goldendoodle looks very sweet but he is a rambunctious, impulsive 6 month old puppy. Being first time dog owners, we called Devotion To Dogs and scheduled an in-home session the day after we brought Auggie home at 8 weeks. BEST DECISION EVER! It was important to us to have a happy, well-behaved puppy that we were able to keep safe. A DTD certified trainer went over basic commands and successfully taught us food luring. They answered our many questions and gave excellent advice. They came back 3 weeks later for a follow up and reinforced what we had done and taught us some new commands. After that we did the 5 week puppy socialization class at the facility and it was an informative class with hands on learning. My favorite thing we learned is we can now yell “come Auggie” and he will run, full-speed, from wherever he is in the house and place on his cot. Amazing since before he would run and play keep away all day! After the class we were offered an individual, complementary session to work on any problem areas after a few weeks to make sure the training was successful. We also love the Q&A Facebook sessions and community pack walks! Devotion To Dogs truly cares about making every dog a happy, well-adjusted dog and has the skills to do it!”
– Shannon & Auggie
“I will continue to always call Devotion to Dogs my Dog Whisperer. I originally needed a behavioral assessment of a rescue to make sure the pup could get along with other dogs and of the utmost importance, children. After just an hour in our first session, I knew instantly I needed to retain him as my professional trainer. He not only trains and works with your dog with behavioral issues, obedience and certificate training, but more importantly, helps educate and give the owner the necessary tools. He’s engaging. I have seen with my own eyes how he can take on a horrible situation with a dog (even with a pup that was destitute to be put to sleep) and turn this dog around to be a wonderful pet for the owner. The first session with him may be all you will need to rectify a situation, but for me, he will be in my life with my dog(s) for as long as possible. Cannot say enough about him and his staff. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish with his help.”
– Hillary & Dahlia
About the Trainer
Devotion to Dogs Expert Dog Training, founded by Ben after attending Northridge Animal Behavior College, aims to help all dogs and their humans lead healthy, stress-free lives. Ben is committed to educating owners on how to properly deal with their pets, assisting them in achieving the vision they have for their relationship with their dog.
The business considers itself “dog problem solvers” who assess a dog’s situation and fix any concerns owners have. They believe there is “NO such thing as a lost cause” and have been successfully rehabilitating dogs with various behavior issues for over ten years, providing quick and easy solutions.
All trainers at Devotion to Dogs are personally trained by Ben, ensuring consistent quality. Their purpose is to observe dog behavior and translate what dogs are trying to communicate, ultimately improving the quality of life for families and their “fur babies” and preventing dogs from ending up in shelters due to communication barriers.
They offer a variety of training packages including Beginner, E Collar, Severe Behavioral, Therapy or Service Dog, and Puppy classes, as well as an Initial Consult. They also provide Stay and Train programs and follow-up appointments. Their expertise covers a wide range of issues from insecure and fearful behaviors to aggression, destructive habits, and house training. Additionally, they offer guidance on choosing the right dog, integrating new pets into the home, and other areas of dog ownership.
Accomplishments
Devotion to Dogs was founded by Ben, who attended Northridge Animal Behavior College. The business has been actively training dogs and their owners for over ten years, demonstrating extensive experience in the field. They are recognized for successfully rehabilitating dogs with a wide array of behavior issues and are noted for their collaborations with many local rescues. Ben personally trains all the trainers who work for Devotion to Dogs, ensuring a consistent and high standard of instruction across the team.
How to Get Started!
To begin training with Devotion to Dogs, clients can choose the package that best suits their needs. If unsure, the Initial Consult package is recommended as a starting point. This initial appointment involves a certified trainer assessing the dog at their facility, discussing observations, offering immediate solutions, and recommending appropriate tools. This package includes the first session and two follow-up sessions within six weeks. For those interested in Stay & Train programs, it is advised to call or email to book, providing details on desired drop-off and pick-up times and dates. Puppy classes require a call to book due to limited availability. For dogs with aggression issues, the Stay & Train program or Severe Behavioral sessions are specifically recommended.

Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking
- restroom unisex
Other Services Offered
- Kennel
- Pet boarding service
- Pet supply store