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Ridgeside K9 NorCal is a dog training business in Chico, California offering board and train, private lessons, in-home training, and group classes, working from a dedicated training facility. They describe their approach as balanced training (rewards and corrections), accept aggression and reactivity cases, and publish pricing from $380 per course to $5,700.
Chico, CA • Training facility • 4.9 ★ (289 Google reviews)
Last reviewed: Sep 5, 2026
94 / 100
Highly transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
Based on what the business publishes about itself
Rich Hartman spent 25 years in law enforcement, including 15 as a full-time K9 handler and seven training police dogs for agencies across the Sacramento and Bay Area. In 2021, he opened Ridgeside K9 NorCal in Chico, bringing that working-dog background to companion dog training. The team he's assembled shares a similar profile: Jason Miller is a 17-year law enforcement veteran who handled K9s starting in 2014; Jeremy Friedman, a military veteran, apprenticed under an animal behaviorist and worked with police dog programs in the US and Canada; Jackie Ryder spent six years as a veterinary assistant before moving into training and now competes in French Ring sport while placing police K9s.
According to their site, the trainers evaluate each dog's temperament and living situation before designing a customized plan, with the stated goal of teaching owners techniques they can continue using after formal training ends. They describe trainer Jason Miller as favoring "ethical, humane, positive" methods. Programs include board-and-train options for puppies, adult obedience, and behavior modification for aggression and reactivity, along with private lessons, group classes, and day training.
The facility is climate-controlled and includes separate areas for small dogs and seniors. Their site notes they can work with dog-aggressive dogs in daycare, though not human-aggressive ones. Financing is available through Affirm and other lenders.
Board and train options at Ridgeside K9 NorCal range from a 2-week puppy jumpstart for dogs five months and under to a 5-week behavior modification program for human aggression cases. A 6-week group obedience class runs $380, with $20 drop-in sessions available to previous clients. Day training and private lesson packages round out the offerings.
$2,900
This board and train option is for puppies five months old and under, run over two weeks at the facility.
The puppy stays at the facility for two weeks of training.
Best for: Puppies aged 5 months and under.
Requirements: 5 months and under
Duration: 2 weeks
Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience, Socialization
$3,500
This board and train program focuses on basic obedience and household manners for adult dogs over three weeks.
The dog boards at the facility for three weeks of training.
Best for: Adult dogs needing foundational obedience and manners.
Requirements: Adult dogs
Duration: 3 weeks
Focus: Basic obedience
$4,600
This board and train program addresses dog-to-dog aggression and reactivity over a four-week stay at the facility.
The dog boards at the facility for four weeks of behavior modification training.
Best for: Dogs exhibiting aggression or reactivity toward other dogs.
Requirements: Dogs with dog aggression or reactivity
Duration: 4 weeks
Focus: Aggression, Leash reactivity, Basic obedience
$5,700
This board and train program targets human-directed aggression and reactivity over a five-week stay.
The dog boards at the facility for five weeks of intensive behavior modification.
Best for: Dogs showing aggression or reactivity toward people.
Requirements: Dogs with human aggression or reactivity
Duration: 5 weeks
Focus: Aggression, Leash reactivity, Basic obedience
Price not published.
One-on-one private training lessons are sold in packages of 3, 5, or 7 sessions to work on the owner's specific training goals.
The trainer works directly with the owner and dog in individual sessions.
Package: $550 for a 3-session package
Focus: Basic obedience
$1,750
This day training program runs Monday through Friday over two weeks, with the dog dropped off for training sessions during the day rather than boarding overnight.
The dog is dropped off for structured daytime training sessions on weekdays without overnight boarding.
Duration: 2 weeks
Focus: Basic obedience
$380 per course
This is a weekly one-hour group obedience class held over six weeks, teaching commands like sit, stay, down, place and recall around distractions.
Dogs and owners attend a weekly one-hour class in a group setting for six weeks.
Duration: 6 weeks
Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization
$20 per session
A single drop-in group class session available to clients who have previously completed training with the business.
The dog attends a single group class session on a drop-in basis.
Best for: Previous training clients only.
Requirements: Only available to previous training clients
Focus: Basic obedience
Board and train runs $2,900 for the 2-week puppy program, $3,500 for 3-week adult obedience, $4,600 for dog aggression work, and $5,700 for human aggression cases. Day training costs $1,750 for two weeks. Private lessons come in a 3-session package at $550.
| Program | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Week Puppy Jumpstart | $2,900 | 2 weeks |
| 3-Week Adult Necessary Obedience & Manners | $3,500 | 3 weeks |
| 4-Week Behavior Modification (Dog Aggression & Reactivity) | $4,600 | 4 weeks |
| 5-Week Behavior Modification (Human Aggression & Reactivity) | $5,700 | 5 weeks |
| Program | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Private Lessons | Not published$550 for a 3-session package | Not stated |
| Program | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Day Training – 2-Week Program | $1,750 | 2 weeks |
| Program | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 6-Week Obedience Class | $380 per course | 6 weeks |
| Drop-In Class | $20 per session | Not stated |
The program explicitly identifies as balanced in approach. They take on both dog-directed and human-directed aggression cases, with separate programs for each.
Their public materials mention e-collars. Barklen has not verified how or when they are used, so ask the trainer directly.
As described in the business's own materials
According to their site, a Chico native with 25 years in law enforcement, including 15 years as a full-time K9 handler and 7 years training police K9s for agencies in the Sacramento and Bay Area region. He has also raised and placed several dogs into police service.
According to their site, a 17-year law enforcement veteran from the Sacramento region who became a K9 handler in 2014 and trained alongside other handlers. He describes favoring ethical, humane, positive training methods.
According to their site, started training dogs as a child, volunteered at a rescue at 18, then worked for a company specializing in severe behavior modification and working dogs. She later worked detection canines for narcotics and conservation, and has trained full time for the past two years.
According to their site, began in canine behavior as a veterinary assistant for six years before teaching obedience classes and moving into full-time training over 10+ years. She competes in French Ring and trains/places dual-purpose police K9s with her husband.
According to their site, a military veteran who apprenticed under an animal behaviorist and became a certified helper/decoy in protection sports, later working with police dog programs across the US and Canada and breeding working-line German Shepherds. He has since focused on behavior modification for companion dogs.
Credentials listed on their site: Certified helper and decoy in multiple protection disciplines. Barklen has not independently verified these.
According to their site, started in competitive dog sport before moving into practical pet obedience training, with over 12 years of experience working with dogs of varied breeds and temperaments, especially high-drive and reactive dogs.
Credentials listed on their site: E-collar training certification from the Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers. Barklen has not independently verified these.
Ridgeside K9 NorCal operates from a dedicated training facility in Chico, CA, offering board and train stays at their facility, private lessons, group classes, and in-home training at the client's home.
Their site says they families with dogs of all breeds and behavior issues across Northern California, including Seaside, Monterey, Chico, Butte County, Shasta County, and the greater Sacramento region.
A climate-controlled training and daycare facility with separate areas for different dog types.
The Hegan Lane facility sits in a commercial suite. Parking and accessibility details aren't published on the site.
Barklen analysis
Barklen analysis based on 3 published Chico listings (13 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by Ridgeside K9 NorCal.
Price: 28% below the Chico midpoint at entry price for board and train ($2,900–$5,700 vs. $3,080–$5,370); entry price below the published Chico range for group classes ($20–$380 vs. $375–$379).
Reviews: 4.9★ from 289 Google reviews, among 3 published Chico programs.
Transparency: 94 out of 100 (highly transparent), with 100% price transparency and 76% program clarity. 1 of 3 Chico listings show certifications; this business does not list any.
| Program type | Ridgeside K9 NorCal | Chico range | Barklen read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board and Train | $2,900–$5,700 | $3,080–$5,370 across 4 Chico programs | 28% below the Chico midpoint at entry price |
| Private Lessons | Not published | $100–$145 across 4 Chico programs | No published price to compare |
| Group Classes | $20–$380 | $375–$379 across 3 Chico programs | Entry price below the published Chico range |
Generated from what their public materials leave open
2812 Hegan Ln Suite A, Chico, CA
Barklen reviewed Ridgeside K9 NorCal 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: Sep 5, 2026
Contact Ridgeside K9 NorCal directly by phone or through their website, or request a quote through Barklen and we will pass it along.
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