Train the Bay is a dog training business in Berkeley, California offering group classes and virtual training, working from a dedicated training facility. They describe their approach as reward-based training, accept aggression and reactivity cases, and publish pricing from $30 per session.
Berkeley, CA • Training facility • 4.8 ★ (4 Google reviews)
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
Price transparency
7%
Method transparency
100%
Program clarity
72%
About Train the Bay
Based on what the business publishes about itself
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.
What dog training programs does Train the Bay offer?
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.
Basic Skills 1
Price not published.
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.
Duration: 4 sessions
Focus: Basic obedience
Basic Skills 2-Beyond Foundation
Price not published.
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.
Duration: 4 weeks
Focus: Basic obedience, Advanced obedience
Canine Good Citizen-Test Included
Price not published.
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.
Duration: 4 weeks
Focus: Advanced obedience, Basic obedience
Community Canine-CGCA
Price not published.
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.
Requirements: Requires prior completion of Canine Good Citizen certification.
Duration: 4 weeks
Focus: Advanced obedience
Basic Skills 1-2026
Price not published.
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.
Duration: 4 sessions
Focus: Basic obedience
Basic Skills 2-Beyond Foundation-2026
Price not published.
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.
Duration: 4 weeks
Focus: Basic obedience, Advanced obedience
Canine Good Citizen-Test Included 2026
Price not published.
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.
Duration: 4 weeks
Focus: Advanced obedience, Basic obedience
Puppy Start Up-2026
Price not published.
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.
Requirements: Recommended for puppies up to 16 weeks old with at least 2 doses of basic vaccinations.
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
Puppy Start Up
Price not published.
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.
Requirements: Recommended for puppies up to 16 weeks old with two doses of basic vaccinations.
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
Separation Woes~Supporting Your Dog Through Separation Stress
$30 per session
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.
Duration: 60 sessions
Focus: Separation anxiety, Fear & anxiety
Dogs Reacting~Why Dogs React and How to Change it
Price 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.
Duration: 75 sessions
Focus: Leash reactivity, Fear & anxiety
AKC Trick Title: Online Evaluations
Price not published.
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
AKC Trick Title: Online Evaluations-2026
Price not published.
Focus: Basic obedience
How much does Train the Bay cost?
Only one program lists a price: the separation anxiety virtual course runs $30 per session. Group class rates aren't published on the site.
Group Classes pricing
Group Classes pricing at Train the Bay in Berkeley, CA
Program
Price
Length
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
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
Not published
Not stated
Puppy Start Up
Not published
Not stated
Tricks and Performance Skills 2026
Not published
Not stated
Virtual Training pricing
Virtual Training pricing at Train the Bay in Berkeley, CA
Program
Price
Length
Separation Woes~Supporting Your Dog Through Separation Stress
$30 per session
60 sessions
Dogs Reacting~Why Dogs React and How to Change it
Not published
75 sessions
AKC Trick Title: Online Evaluations
Not published
Not stated
AKC Trick Title: Online Evaluations-2026
Not published
Not stated
Consultations and evaluations
Behavior Consult Online: Not published
Behavior Consult Online 2026: Not published
Dogs Reacting~Why Dogs React and How to Change it- 2026: Not published
What training methods does Train the Bay use?
The program explicitly describes itself as force-free. They state they accept dogs with aggression or bite histories.
Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not specify which training tools are used.
Where does Train the Bay offer dog training?
Train the Bay operates from a dedicated training facility in Berkeley, CA, offering group classes and virtual sessions online.
Their site says they serve dog and cat guardians of all experience levels in the Berkeley/East Bay area, including families with rescued dogs that have behavior or reactivity challenges.
Classes are held at a dedicated in-person training center operated by Berkeley Humane, with some sessions also offered online.
The Ninth Street address in Berkeley doesn't include details about parking or accessibility.
What should you ask Train the Bay before booking?
Generated from what their public materials leave open
Ask for current pricing on Basic Skills 1, Basic Skills 2-Beyond Foundation, and Canine Good Citizen-Test Included, which are not published online.
Ask which certifications their trainers hold and who issued them.
Ask for proof of liability insurance.
Ask which training tools, if any, they use and when.
Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.
Ask about current availability and whether there is a waitlist.
Location and hours
2700 Ninth St, Berkeley, CA
Monday – Thursday
Closed
Friday – Sunday
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
How Barklen reviewed this listing
Barklen reviewed Train the Bay against the business's public materials and published this listing. That is not a check of licenses, insurance, or certifications. See our methodology for what a verified listing does and does not mean.
Details the public materials do not address (owner visits during programs, progress updates, overnight staffing, insurance, guarantee, certifications, and others) are turned into the questions above rather than filled in.
Last reviewed by Barklen: Aug 10, 2026
What Barklen could verify
Programs listed
15 programs (group classes, virtual training)
Published pricing
Published for 1 of 15 programs
Training method
Reward-based
Aggression and reactivity cases
Accepts aggression cases
Facility
Training facility
Years in business
41+ years
Booking
Book online
Contact Train the Bay or request a quote
Contact Train the Bay directly by phone or through their website, or request a quote through Barklen and we will pass it along.