Sirius Puppy & Dog Training

Classes are structured in five-session packages based on the dog’s age and developmental stage. Puppy Kindergarten starts at 8–12 weeks, followed by Puppy Training I and II, then Dog Training I for older dogs. Each class includes in-person instruction with off-leash socialization and access to the Top Dog Academy’s online resources for home practice. Prerequisites apply for higher-level classes.

Pricing Summary

Each group class costs $249 for five sessions. A Puppy Class Bundle saves up to $100. The Essential Puppy Training Course is available online for $200, or access to the full Top Dog Academy is $20/month.

Policies

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

SIRIUS Puppy & Dog Training is the original puppy school, founded in 1982 by veterinarian and animal behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar. They offer in-person group puppy and dog training classes in the San Francisco Bay Area, focusing on positive, reward-based methods to build confidence, socialization, and obedience. 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, a library of over 170 step-by-step video lessons, eBooks, and resources to support home training. They emphasize off-leash socialization and early behavioral prevention, with strict vaccine requirements to ensure safety. Their instructors are experienced, many with backgrounds in shelters or veterinary care, and all trained in Dr. Dunbar’s methods.

SIRIUS also offers the Essential Puppy Training Course as a standalone online product and provides two free downloadable eBooks by Dr. Ian Dunbar. They prioritize preventing behavioral issues that lead to dog relinquishment, citing over 120,000 puppies trained with zero reported cases of infectious disease transmission in class. Their facilities are indoor, family-friendly, and veterinarian-owned.

Additional services include puppy socials and access to online training bundles, but they do not offer private in-home lessons, boarding, grooming, or dog walking.

Accomplishments

Founded in 1982 by Dr. Ian Dunbar, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist with a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, SIRIUS is the world’s first off-leash puppy school. They have trained over 120,000 puppies and developed the widely recognized Essential Puppy Training Course and Top Dog Academy. Dr. Dunbar has authored multiple award-winning books and training videos on puppy behavior.

How to Get Started!

Owners select a class based on their puppy’s or dog’s age and register online. Puppies must meet vaccination requirements before attending. New clients can access free puppy eBooks and explore the Top Dog Academy before enrolling.