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John's Natural Dog Training Company — Dog Training in Carlsbad, CA

John's Natural Dog Training Company is a dog training business in Carlsbad, California offering private lessons, in-home training, and group classes, working by traveling to clients. They describe their approach as balanced training (rewards and corrections), take aggression cases by assessment, and list CPDT-KA and AKC CGC Evaluator credentials.

Carlsbad, CA • Mobile / travels to you • 4.1 ★ (11 Google reviews)

Verified listing

Last reviewed: Sep 5, 2026

Transparency Score

46 / 100

Limited information

How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.

Price transparency: 0%
Method transparency: 100%
Program clarity: 63%

About John's Natural Dog Training Company

Based on what the business publishes about itself

John Rubin founded this Carlsbad training company in 1990 after developing what he calls a "natural approach" to working with dogs. According to his website, he has trained dogs for over three decades and has been called as an expert witness in legal cases involving canine behavior. The business describes its method as relying on verbal commands, gentle correction, and praise, avoiding shock collars and choke chains, which they say a skilled trainer shouldn't need.

The training team includes head trainer Kylie Gilmour, who holds a bachelor's degree in animal science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and carries several certifications including CPDT and AKC evaluator credentials. She previously managed a boarding and training facility in Orange County. Trish Fleming, another trainer on staff, has a master's degree in education and CPDT-KA certification, with a background in working with rescue dogs affected by trauma.

John's Natural Dog Training Company offers group classes, private lessons, and in-home sessions. Their site highlights work with aggression, reactivity, and separation anxiety, though they note that aggression cases require a paid evaluation first. They also prepare dogs for AKC certifications including Canine Good Citizen. The business states it serves families with new puppies, first-time owners, and people working through challenges with rescued dogs.

What dog training programs does John's Natural Dog Training Company offer?

A tiered system of in-home training forms the core here, from the entry-level Silver Program for dogs needing a refresher up through the Platinum Program for aggression, socialization issues, or families with young children. John's Natural Dog Training Company also runs group classes: a six-week Beginner Class for puppies 16 weeks and older, an Advanced Class building toward off-leash reliability, and a four-week Canine Good Citizen prep course. Puppy socialization sessions are available exclusively to private program clients.

K9 Personal Trainer Program

Price not published.

A more customizable, comprehensive one-on-one training option beyond the standard tiered packages.

Focus: Basic obedience

Platinum Program

Price not published.

This is the most comprehensive in-home package, geared toward puppies, rescues with behavior concerns, and dogs working toward CGC, Therapy Dog, or AKC obedience titles. It includes access to the ongoing group obedience and puppy socialization classes.

Training is delivered in-home with the option to attend group classes included in the package.

Best for: Owners with young pups, rescues with behavioral issues, new or inexperienced owners, and dogs with aggression or socialization issues.

Requirements: Owners with young pups, rescues with behavioral issues, new/inexperienced owners, families with young children, owners wanting CGC/Therapy Dog/AKC titles, dogs with aggression or socialization issues

Focus: Puppy training, Aggression, Socialization, Basic obedience

Gold Program

Price not published.

A mid-tier in-home package intended for dogs with mild behavioral issues or owners wanting refresher training.

Training is delivered in-home as a private package.

Best for: Owners with pups or older dogs, including some with mild behavioral issues or experienced owners wanting a refresher.

Requirements: Owners with pups, adolescent and older dogs; rescued or older dogs with some behavioral issues; families with older children or no children; experienced dog owners with a new dog

Focus: Basic obedience, Puppy training

Silver Program

Price not published.

A lighter in-home package aimed at dogs with minimal issues or experienced owners needing a refresher course.

Training is delivered in-home as a private package.

Best for: Older or rescued dogs with few to no behavioral issues, or very experienced owners.

Requirements: Older dogs with no behavioral issues, rescued dogs with few/no issues, very experienced dog owners, dogs needing a refresher or suddenly having housebreaking issues

Focus: Basic obedience

Canine Good Citizen

Price not published.

A four-week, one-hour weekly class that prepares dogs for the AKC's ten-step Canine Good Citizen test, culminating in the test itself and certificate upon passing.

Dogs attend weekly one-hour classes for four weeks and then take the CGC test.

Duration: 4 weeks

Focus: Advanced obedience

Beginner Class

Price not published.

A six-week, one-hour weekly on-leash class covering long-distance work on a lunge line and the come command, with class materials and a graduation certificate included.

Dogs attend weekly one-hour on-leash group sessions for six weeks.

Best for: Pups 16 weeks or older, or dogs with little to no obedience training.

Requirements: For pups 16 weeks or older, or dogs with little or no obedience training

Duration: 6 weeks

Focus: Basic obedience, Puppy training, Recall & off-leash

Advanced Class

Price not published.

A six-week, 45-minute weekly class involving more intensive handling techniques, formal obedience commands, and extended long-distance work, preparing dogs for CGC certification or AKC obedience competition.

Dogs attend weekly 45-minute group sessions for six weeks.

Best for: Dogs who have already completed the Beginner Class or private training.

Requirements: For dogs who have completed the Beginner Class or private training

Duration: 6 weeks

Focus: Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash

Bronze Program (Unlimited Group Package)

Price not published.

This package provides ongoing, unlimited access to the group obedience classes, though it does not include CGC preparation.

Owners bring their dog to unlimited group obedience classes on an ongoing basis.

Best for: Very experienced owners or those who completed the Silver program wanting more class access.

Requirements: Designed for extremely experienced dog owners, owners who have done a Single Session, or owners who completed the Silver Program

Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization

Includes: Lifetime support

Puppy Socialization

Price not published.

A socialization-focused class where young pups meet other puppies while starting the obedience process, with games that build confidence and lessons on housebreaking, nutrition, and leash training.

Puppies attend a group class alongside other young pups.

Best for: Young puppies, including those too young for the Beginner Class.

Requirements: Available to all private program clients; great for pups too young to join the Beginner Class

Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience

How much does John's Natural Dog Training Company cost?

John's Natural Dog Training Company does not publish program pricing online. Contact them directly or request a quote through Barklen for current rates.

Private Lessons pricing

Private Lessons pricing at John's Natural Dog Training Company in Carlsbad, CA
Program	Price	Length
K9 Personal Trainer Program	Not published	Not stated

In-Home Training pricing

In-Home Training pricing at John's Natural Dog Training Company in Carlsbad, CA
Program	Price	Length
Platinum Program	Not published	Not stated
Gold Program	Not published	Not stated
Silver Program	Not published	Not stated

Group Classes pricing

Group Classes pricing at John's Natural Dog Training Company in Carlsbad, CA
Program	Price	Length
Canine Good Citizen	Not published	4 weeks
Beginner Class	Not published	6 weeks
Advanced Class	Not published	6 weeks
Bronze Program (Unlimited Group Package)	Not published	Not stated
Puppy Socialization	Not published	Not stated

Consultations and evaluations

Free Consult: Not published

What training methods does John's Natural Dog Training Company use?

The approach is explicitly balanced, combining techniques from multiple training philosophies.

Their public materials state they do not use choke chains. Which tools they do use is not specified, so ask the trainer directly.

Who runs John's Natural Dog Training Company?

As described in the business's own materials

John Rubin, Founder and Owner

According to their site, has trained dogs for over 30 years and is described as a nationally recognized canine behaviorist. He has testified as an expert witness in court on canine behavior issues and has given community talks on dog safety and behavior.

Kylie Gilmour, Head Trainer

According to their site, holds a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science (Pre-Veterinary Medicine) from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and has 15 years of experience in veterinary medicine and animal behavior. She previously managed a large boarding and training facility in Orange County.

Credentials listed on their site: AKC STAR Puppy Evaluator, Canine Good Citizen Certified Evaluator, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and Member of the International Association of Dog Trainers. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Trish Fleming, Dog Trainer

According to their site, holds a Master's degree in Education and has expertise in behavioral science and modification, with experience working with rescue dogs affected by trauma or poor socialization.

Credentials listed on their site: CPDT-KA. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Where does John's Natural Dog Training Company offer dog training?

John's Natural Dog Training Company is a mobile trainer based in Carlsbad, CA, traveling to clients rather than hosting them, offering private lessons, group classes, and in-home training at the client's home.

Their site says they they serve San Diego-area families with new puppies, first-time and experienced dog owners, busy working parents, and people with rescue dogs needing behavioral support.

Training happens in clients' homes throughout the Carlsbad area, with the business based on Roosevelt St. Since this is a mobile operation, there's no facility to visit, and parking or accessibility considerations depend on your own location.

How does John's Natural Dog Training Company compare with other Carlsbad dog trainers?

Barklen analysis

Barklen analysis based on 5 published Carlsbad listings (21 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by John's Natural Dog Training Company.

Price: John's Natural Dog Training Company does not publish pricing for the program types where Carlsbad has enough published prices to compare (private lessons and group classes).

Reviews: 4.1★ from 11 Google reviews, among 5 published Carlsbad programs.

Transparency: 46 out of 100 (limited information), with 0% price transparency and 63% program clarity. 3 of 5 Carlsbad listings show certifications; this business lists CPDT-KA and AKC CGC Evaluator.

Published prices at John's Natural Dog Training Company compared with Carlsbad ranges
Program type	John's Natural Dog Training Company	Carlsbad range	Barklen read
Private Lessons	Not published	$149–$166 across 3 Carlsbad programs	No published price to compare
Group Classes	Not published	$175–$313 across 6 Carlsbad programs	No published price to compare

What should you ask John's Natural Dog Training Company before booking?

Generated from what their public materials leave open

They don't publish pricing. Ask what a private lesson package costs and exactly what is included.
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

Roosevelt St, Carlsbad, CA

Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

How Barklen reviewed this listing

Barklen reviewed John's Natural Dog Training Company 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, dogs per trainer, and others) are turned into the questions above rather than filled in.

Last reviewed by Barklen: Sep 5, 2026

What Barklen could verify

Programs listed: 9 programs (private lessons, in-home training, group classes)
Published pricing: None published
Training method: Balanced
Aggression and reactivity cases: Aggression cases by assessment
Facility: Mobile / travels to you
Certifications: CPDT-KA, AKC CGC Evaluator
Years in business: 34+ years
Booking: Contact form