Sirius Puppy & Dog Training

Classes are divided by dog age and require prerequisites. Puppy Kindergarten (8–12 weeks), Puppy Training I (12–18 weeks), Puppy Training II (up to 8 months, requires Puppy I), and Dog Training I (19 weeks+). Each class is five weekly sessions held in indoor facilities. Students receive access to the Top Dog Academy with 170+ video lessons, worksheets, and resources to reinforce training at home. Online-only options available via DunbarAcademy.com.

Pricing Summary

Group classes cost $249 for five sessions. Puppy class bundles save up to $100. Online courses: Essential Puppy Training Course is $200; Top Dog Academy is $20/month. All in-person class students receive free three-month access to Top Dog Academy.

Policies

Refund policy is available on their website but not detailed in content. Puppies must have at least one set of vaccines (Distemper/Parvo) and first deworming at least 7 days before class. Vaccines must remain up-to-date throughout class.

SIRIUS Puppy & Dog Training is the original puppy school, founded in 1982 by Dr. Ian Dunbar, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist who created the world’s first off-leash puppy class. They offer in-person group training classes for puppies and dogs in the San Francisco Bay Area, focusing on early socialization, basic obedience, and behavior modification using positive, reward-based methods. Classes are structured by age: Puppy Kindergarten (8–12 weeks), Puppy Training I (12–18 weeks), Puppy Training II (up to 8 months), and Dog Training I (19 weeks+). Each class includes five sessions and comes with three months of free access to the Top Dog Academy, an online library of 170+ step-by-step training videos, eBooks, podcasts, and worksheets. They emphasize home integration of training and provide free downloadable puppy training ebooks by Dr. Ian Dunbar. Their instructors are experienced, many with backgrounds in veterinary assistance, shelter work, or long-term personal experience with Sirius classes. All puppies must be up-to-date on vaccines to attend, and they have maintained a 40-year record with zero cases of parvovirus or distemper transmitted in class.

They also offer the Essential Puppy Training Course and Top Dog Academy as standalone online products for remote learners worldwide. Their facilities are indoor, family-friendly, and located across multiple Bay Area cities including Berkeley, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Oakland, Walnut Creek, and others. They are veterinarian-owned and prioritize safety, science-backed methods, and preventing behavioral issues that lead to dog relinquishment.

While they do not offer private in-home lessons, boarding, grooming, or dog walking, their group classes and extensive digital resources provide a comprehensive training experience for dog owners seeking structured, community-based puppy and dog education.

Accomplishments

Founded in 1982 by Dr. Ian Dunbar, a veterinarian with a Ph.D. in animal behavior from UC Berkeley. Created the world’s first off-leash puppy class. Trained over 125,000 puppies. Authored multiple award-winning books and training videos. Voted best puppy training classes in the San Francisco Bay Area.

How to Get Started!

Choose a class based on your dog’s age and location. Register online for a group class. New students receive immediate access to the Top Dog Academy upon enrollment. For online-only training, purchase the Essential Puppy Training Course or Top Dog Academy subscription on DunbarAcademy.com.