Specialty Dog Training

Specialty Dog Training offers customized programs for dogs of all ages and breeds, focusing on creating an unbreakable bond and mutual respect. Their Board & Train programs include Puppy Boot Camp for puppies 16 weeks to 11 months, focusing on structured play, socialization, house manners, potty training, and common puppy behaviors. Adult dogs over a year can enroll in Obedience Programs for issues like leash pulling, barking, and jumping, or Behavioral Programs for complex challenges such as fear aggression, reactivity, territorial aggression, resource guarding, dog aggression, and separation anxiety.

They also specialize in Protection Dog Programs, offering personal, family, business protection, detection, and dual-purpose patrol and detection dogs. These dogs are exposed to various environments to ensure safety and performance. Additionally, they provide Emotional Support Dog, Facility Dog, and Service Dog programs, offering customized training or placing pre-trained dogs to meet specific needs. Their philosophy emphasizes reward-based training as a foundation, combined with clear boundaries and scientifically proven methods like operant and classical conditioning, including positive/negative reinforcement and punishment, introduced only when the dog understands the command.

Pricing Summary

They offer a limited-time promotion of up to 15% off for registrations before May 30th, 2025. For pre-trained dogs, the cost includes the dog, training, veterinary care, socialization, handler instruction, and lifetime support. They explain that the cost reflects the significant investment in time, skilled trainers, facilities, and individualized care. Their VIP Dog Boarding is all-inclusive for one upfront nightly price, covering services often charged extra by others. Payment assistance is also available.

Specialty Dog Training is an elite, family-owned training company based in San Diego, run by award-winning dog trainers. They aim to create an unbreakable bond and a trusting relationship between owners and their dogs using positive reinforcement, interactive games, structure, consistency, and scientifically proven training techniques. They customize programs for dogs of all ages and breeds, understanding each dog as an individual.

Their certified trainers specialize in all levels of obedience training, behavioral issues, service and therapy dog training, pre-trained family pets, protection, and detection dogs. They promise to provide the finest dog training with 5-star service and care.

With over 55 years of combined professional dog training experience, they have helped thousands of dogs and owners, including hundreds of working service dogs. Their company has grown primarily through client referrals due to high satisfaction.

Beyond training, they offer VIP Dog Boarding, an all-inclusive service providing housing, care, and TLC for a single upfront nightly price. They are committed to rescue efforts, incorporating rescue dogs into their mission, and supporting local nonprofits, including their own charity partner, Shelter to Soldier.

Accomplishments

Specialty Dog Training is an elite, family-owned company run by award-winning dog trainers with over 55 years of combined professional dog training experience. Their team holds over 20 certifications, a dozen local and national awards, and professional memberships. Graham Bloem, the Owner, CEO, and Training Director, has decades of hands-on experience and has successfully rehabilitated thousands of dogs. He is a graduate of Animal Behavior College and trained under master trainers, receiving numerous awards including the 10News Leadership Award, Waggy Award for Animal Welfare, American Red Cross Real Heroes Award, Honeywell Life Safety Award, and CBS8 News Change It Up Award.

Graham co-founded Shelter to Soldier, a CA 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in 2012, which pairs service-trained rescue dogs with veterans. Other trainers like Dahlton Seel have experience handling and training Military Working Dogs for the US Marine Corps, working with the Secret Service, and various law enforcement agencies. Gabby Harden is a competitive trainer in the IGP protection dog sport and has received ‘dog trainer of the year’ titles. Tom Patterson served four years in the US Marines as a Military Working Dog handler and trainer, specializing in explosives and narcotics detection, tracking, and patrol/bite work, and conducted 12 Secret Service missions. Phil Schumacher is a Certified Protection Sports Association (PSA) decoy.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can contact Specialty Dog Training for a free consultation. They encourage filling out a short form to engage with one of their professionals to learn how they can help unleash a dog’s true potential. For pre-trained family dogs, they assist in finding and training the perfect match based on the family’s lifestyle, needs, and preferences, taking the guesswork and stress out of adopting a new pup. They guide clients step by step through the process of bringing a new dog into their family and ensuring the dog’s success at home.