SIRIUS Puppy & Dog Training

SIRIUS offers tiered in-person group classes based on dog age: 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 5 sessions long and includes off-leash socialization and obedience training. All students receive 3 months of free access to the Top Dog Academy, a digital platform with 170+ video lessons, eBooks, and worksheets. The curriculum progresses from early socialization to basic obedience and distraction control.

Pricing Summary

Each class package is $249 for 5 sessions. Puppy class bundles offer savings up to $100. Online courses are available separately: Essential Puppy Training Course for $200, or Top Dog Academy membership for $20/month.

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 socialization, basic obedience, and behavior modification using positive, reward-based methods. Their curriculum is designed to guide owners through the first year of a puppy’s life, covering housetraining, biting, barking, chewing, and recall. Each class includes access to the Top Dog Academy—an online library of 170+ step-by-step training videos, eBooks, podcasts, and worksheets—to reinforce learning at home. Classes are held in safe, indoor facilities with strict vaccine requirements to minimize health risks. They emphasize that behavioral issues, not infectious diseases, are the leading cause of dog relinquishment, and their 40+ years of operation have seen zero cases of Parvovirus or Distemper spread in class. SIRIUS also offers free downloadable puppy training ebooks by Dr. Ian Dunbar and sells standalone online courses for those unable to attend in person.

Instructors are experienced trainers, many of whom began as students in SIRIUS classes or worked in animal shelters using the Open Paw Shelter Program. The business is veterinarian-owned and family-friendly, with classes tailored to specific age groups: Puppy Kindergarten (8–12 weeks), Puppy Training I (12–18 weeks), Puppy Training II (up to 8 months), and Dog Training I (19 weeks+). Classes are limited to small groups to ensure individual attention.

While some customers have criticized in-person class organization and space constraints, others report excellent results, praising the structured methods and knowledgeable instructors like Keri. SIRIUS provides a comprehensive blend of in-person instruction and digital resources to support long-term training success.

Accomplishments

Founded in 1982 by Dr. Ian Dunbar, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist with a Ph.D. in animal behavior from UC Berkeley. Dr. Dunbar created the world’s first off-leash puppy class and has authored multiple bestselling books and training videos. SIRIUS has trained over 125,000 puppies and is recognized as the original puppy school. Their methods are endorsed by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

How to Get Started!

Owners select a class based on their dog’s age and location, then register online. Puppies must have at least one set of vaccines (including Distemper and Parvo) and a first deworming, administered at least 7 days before the first class. A vaccine record is required for enrollment.