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Train the Bay is a dog training business in Berkeley, California offering Group Classes and Virtual Training, with published programs from $30.
Berkeley • CA • Training facility • 4.8 ★ (4 Google reviews)
Last verified: Aug 11, 2026
51 / 100
Limited information
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What they say about themselves
Train the Bay operates as the training arm of Berkeley Humane, a nonprofit shelter that has served the East Bay for over 125 years. According to their website, the training program launched in 1985 and claims to have worked with more than 30,000 families since then. Classes run out of a dedicated Behavior & Training Center on Carleton Street in Berkeley, with some consultations and seminars also available via Zoom.
The program describes its philosophy as building a "cooperative relationship" between dogs and owners rather than focusing on strict obedience. They use reward-based, positive-reinforcement methods and state that class sizes are kept small for individualized attention. Offerings span puppy classes for dogs under 16 weeks, basic and intermediate obedience, Canine Good Citizen preparation, and AKC trick title evaluations.
For owners dealing with more challenging behaviors, Train the Bay lists one-on-one behavior consultations and seminars addressing reactivity and separation-related distress. Their site emphasizes science-based, humane approaches to these issues. Because it operates under a humane society rather than as a standalone commercial trainer, the program positions itself as mission-driven—though prospective clients should evaluate fit based on their own dog's needs and the specific trainer credentials, which the site does not detail extensively.
Consultations and evaluations before you commit to a program.
A one-time private session with a behavior counselor or trainer conducted over Zoom, covering everyday training or behavior challenges. The consult may require submitting additional videos and information beforehand.
Duration: 1 sessions
Focus: Basic obedience
This is a private half-hour to one-hour session conducted over Zoom with a behavior counselor or trainer, addressing everyday training questions or behavior challenges. It may involve reviewing the client's intake information and additional videos.
Best for: Owners with everyday training questions or behavior concerns about their dog.
Focus: Basic obedience
This 75-minute online seminar explores why dogs display reactive behaviors and teaches science-based conditioning tools and practical techniques to help dogs stay calmer.
Best for: Owners of dogs that react to triggers while on leash or in challenging situations.
Focus: Leash reactivity, Fear & anxiety
Group classes cover a full progression from puppy socialization through Canine Good Citizen certification, with most running four weeks. Virtual options address specific challenges like reactivity and separation anxiety. Train the Bay also offers AKC Trick Title evaluations online and a Community Canine course for dogs that have already earned their CGC.
Only one program lists a price: the separation anxiety virtual course runs $30 per session. Group class rates aren't published on the site.
This class builds a foundation of basic trust and relationship skills using reward-based training methods for the whole family. It includes four in-person sessions held at the training center.
The class meets for four in-person sessions at the training center.
Focus: Basic obedience
Duration: 4 sessions
This four-week class goes beyond basic skills, increasing reliability of known behaviors and building good habits while reducing reliance on treats. It offers more training games than the first-level class.
Best for: Dogs that have already completed a foundation-level obedience class.
Focus: Basic obedience, Advanced obedience
Duration: 4 weeks
Over three sessions, dogs and handlers practice the ten exercises required for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, then take the test during the fourth class. Those who pass receive an official CGC certificate.
The class meets in the training center for four weeks, ending with the CGC test.
Focus: Advanced obedience, Basic obedience
Duration: 4 weeks
This advanced follow-on class to CGC meets in various real-world locations over four weeks, testing dog-handler teams in real-life situations at the final session.
Classes take place at varying locations, with a real-life test at the last session.
Best for: Dogs and handlers who have already completed the Canine Good Citizen certification.
Focus: Advanced obedience
Duration: 4 weeks
This class teaches fun tricks like shake, high-5, play dead, beg, rollover, and crawl, using capturing, luring, and shaping techniques. It can help prepare dogs for pet therapy visits or entertaining guests.
Focus: Basic obedience, Therapy dog training
This live in-person class covers crate and pen training, housetraining, chew training, mouth gentling, and handling for everyday care and medical treatment, along with confidence and play skills through supervised puppy socialization.
Puppies and owners attend live sessions together at the training center.
Best for: Puppies up to 16 weeks old with at least two rounds of basic vaccinations.
Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience
This group class builds foundational trust and relationship skills using reward-based methods for the whole family. It runs as four in-person sessions at the training center.
Owners and dogs attend four sessions together at the training center.
Best for: Dogs and their families new to basic training skills.
Focus: Basic obedience
Duration: 4 sessions
This four-week class advances beyond basic skills, strengthening reliability and response speed of foundational commands while reducing dependence on rewards over time.
Best for: Dogs who have completed a basic skills class and are ready to build on it.
Focus: Basic obedience, Advanced obedience
Duration: 4 weeks
Over four weeks, dogs and handlers practice all ten CGC test exercises in the first three sessions, then take the official test during the fourth session at the training center.
Sessions are held at the training center, culminating in the CGC test during the final class.
Best for: Dog and handler teams working toward the AKC Canine Good Citizen certification.
Focus: Advanced obedience, Basic obedience
Duration: 4 weeks
Puppies socialize and learn good play behavior while building confidence and engagement skills, covering crate training, housetraining, chew training, mouth gentling, and handling for everyday and medical situations.
Live weekly classes held at the training center with the puppy and owner attending together.
Best for: Puppies up to 16 weeks old with at least two rounds of basic vaccinations.
Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience
Duration: 4 weeks
This class teaches dogs fun tricks like shake, high-5, play dead, rollover, and crawl using capturing, luring, and shaping techniques, useful for parties or preparing for therapy visits.
Best for: Owners wanting to teach their dog fun tricks or prepare for therapy work.
Focus: Basic obedience, Therapy dog training
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Skills 1 | Not published | 4 sessions |
| Basic Skills 2-Beyond Foundation | Not published | 4 weeks |
| Canine Good Citizen-Test Included | Not published | 4 weeks |
| Community Canine-CGCA | Not published | 4 weeks |
| Tricks and Performance Skills | Not published | — |
| Puppy Start Up | Not published | — |
| Basic Skills 1-2026 | Not published | 4 sessions |
| Basic Skills 2-Beyond Foundation-2026 | Not published | 4 weeks |
| Canine Good Citizen-Test Included 2026 | Not published | 4 weeks |
| Puppy Start Up-2026 | Not published | 4 weeks |
| Tricks and Performance Skills 2026 | Not published | — |
This 75-minute online seminar explains why dogs display reactive behaviors and teaches science-based strategies and conditioning tools to help dogs stay calmer around triggers.
The seminar is delivered online and covers practical techniques rather than hands-on training.
Best for: Owners of dogs that react to other dogs or people.
Focus: Leash reactivity, Fear & anxiety
Duration: 75 sessions
This 60-minute online seminar covers the science of separation distress and anxiety, offering step-by-step techniques and long-term strategies for dogs who struggle when left alone.
Delivered as a paid online seminar.
Best for: Owners of dogs that show distress or anxiety when left alone.
Focus: Separation anxiety, Fear & anxiety
Duration: 60 sessions
Owners submit videos of their dog performing tricks to earn official AKC trick titles, evaluated remotely by Train the Bay.
Registration is open monthly and evaluation happens via submitted video.
Focus: Basic obedience
Focus: Basic obedience
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs Reacting~Why Dogs React and How to Change it | Not published | 75 sessions |
| Separation Woes~Supporting Your Dog Through Separation Stress | $30 per session | 60 sessions |
| AKC Trick Title: Online Evaluations | Not published | — |
| AKC Trick Title: Online Evaluations-2026 | Not published | — |
The program explicitly describes itself as force-free. They state they accept dogs with aggression or bite histories.
Method: Reward-based
Uses rewards and positive reinforcement only, without corrections or aversive tools.
Certifications: Not specified on their website
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
Operating for 41 years, they run out of a dedicated training facility. Insurance, certifications, and guarantee terms aren't mentioned on the site.
Facility: Training facility
Owner visits: not specified on their website.
Video updates: not specified on their website.
Overnight staffing: not specified on their website.
Insurance: not specified on their website.
Guarantee: not specified on their website.
Waitlist: not specified on their website.
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: Book online
Price: Train the Bay does not publish board & train pricing. Across Berkeley, 1 programs publish prices.
Reviews: Train the Bay shows 4.8★ from 4 Google reviews among 1 published Berkeley programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 51 out of 100 (price 7%, program clarity 72%). Certification disclosure is still sparse in this city.
The Ninth Street address in Berkeley doesn't include details about parking or accessibility.
2700 Ninth St, Berkeley, CA
Friday: 11AM-4PM
Monday: Closed
Sunday: 11AM-4PM
Tuesday: Closed
Saturday: 11AM-4PM
Thursday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Reach out directly or send a quote request through Train the Bay.
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