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School of Paws — Dog Training in Encinitas, CA

School of Paws is a dog training business in Encinitas, California offering board and train, private lessons, and in-home training, working by traveling to clients. They describe their approach as reward-based training, take aggression cases by assessment, and publish pricing from $35 per session to $5,250.

Encinitas, CA • Mobile / travels to you • 5.0 ★ (11 Google reviews)

Verified listing

Last reviewed: Sep 5, 2026

Transparency Score

95 / 100

Highly transparent

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

Price transparency: 100%
Method transparency: 100%
Program clarity: 78%

About School of Paws

Based on what the business publishes about itself

School of Paws is listed among dog training programs in Encinitas. Published program types include board and train, private lessons, in home training. Ask about staffing, methods, and follow-up support before you book.

What dog training programs does School of Paws offer?

Board and train stays range from 7 to 21 days, with the longer programs including follow-up sessions and lifetime support. School of Paws also offers private lessons sold individually or in 10-session packages, plus dedicated puppy training for dogs starting at 8 weeks old. Dog walking services round out the offerings, with discounts available when purchased in bundles.

Board and Train (7 to 21 days)

School of Paws publishes 3 versions of this program. The table shows how they differ; anything not listed here was not stated in their materials.

Board and Train options at School of Paws
Option	Length	Price	What differs
Board and Train — 7 Days	7 days	From $2,450	For dogs needing a quick jumpstart on basic manners and minor behavior issues.
Board and Train — 14 Days	14 days	From $3,500	Includes follow-up sessions; For dogs with moderate behavior issues needing clearer structure and rules.
Board and Train — 21 Days	21 days	From $5,250	Separation anxiety; Includes follow-up sessions; For dogs with serious behavior challenges or separation anxiety needing intensive work.

Board and Train — 7 Days

The dog stays and trains at the client's home with ongoing trainer support afterward.

Board and Train — 14 Days

The dog trains at the client's home for 14 days, with one follow-up session included afterward.

Board and Train — 21 Days

The dog trains at the client's home for 21 days, followed by two 60-minute follow-up sessions.

Private Classes — 10 Classes Package

$1,000 per course

A discounted 10-session package of the in-home private follow-up training classes.

Ten 60-minute in-home sessions delivered over time.

Duration: 10 sessions

Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization

Puppy Training — 10 Sessions Package

$1,000 per course

A discounted 10-session package of the in-home puppy follow-up training.

Ten 60-minute puppy training sessions delivered at the client's location.

Duration: 10 sessions

Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience

Private Classes — Follow-up Training Class

$120 per session

These in-home follow-up sessions cover basic obedience, socialization, housebreaking, and confidence building, tailored to the dog's specific issues.

Sessions take place in the client's home, delivering hands-on training with the owner present.

Best for: Dogs and owners continuing training after the initial consultation.

Package: $550 for a 5-session package

Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization

Puppy Training — Follow-up Training

$130 per session

These sessions cover housebreaking, crate training, loose-leash walking, socialization, basic obedience, leash reactivity, and fear of dogs or people.

Sessions are scheduled around the owner's location and timing, delivering hands-on puppy training.

Best for: Puppies from 8 weeks old and up, including those with early behavior or fear issues.

Requirements: For puppies from 8 weeks old and up.

Package: $550 for a 5-session package

Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience, Leash reactivity

Dog Walking — 1 Hr. Walk

$35 per session

A one-hour dog walk with a trainer combining exercise, potty breaks, mental stimulation, and leash and socialization training.

The trainer walks the dog around the client's neighborhood, working on leash manners and calm behavior around other dogs.

Package: $270 for a 10-session package

Focus: Leash training, Socialization

How much does School of Paws cost?

Board and train starts at $2,450 for a week-long stay, climbing to $5,250 for 21 days. Private lessons run $120 per session or $1,000 for a 10-class package, and puppy training follows similar pricing. Dog walks cost $35 each, dropping to $27 per walk when bought in a 10-pack.

Board and Train pricing

Board and Train pricing at School of Paws in Encinitas, CA
Program	Price	Length
Board and Train — 7 Days	From $2,450	7 days
Board and Train — 14 Days	From $3,500	14 days
Board and Train — 21 Days	From $5,250	21 days

Private Lessons pricing

Private Lessons pricing at School of Paws in Encinitas, CA
Program	Price	Length
Private Classes — 10 Classes Package	$1,000 per course	10 sessions
Puppy Training — 10 Sessions Package	$1,000 per course	10 sessions
Private Classes — Follow-up Training Class	$120 per session$550 for a 5-session package	Not stated
Puppy Training — Follow-up Training	$130 per session$550 for a 5-session package	Not stated

In-Home Training pricing

In-Home Training pricing at School of Paws in Encinitas, CA
Program	Price	Length
Dog Walking — 1 Hr. Walk	$35 per session$270 for a 10-session package	Not stated

Consultations and evaluations

Private Classes — Initial Consultation: $150 per session
Puppy Programs — Initial Consultation: $150 per session

What training methods does School of Paws use?

The site explicitly states a force-free training philosophy. Aggression cases are considered individually rather than accepted or declined outright, so owners dealing with reactive or bite-history dogs should discuss specifics before enrolling.

Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not specify which training tools are used.

Who runs School of Paws?

As described in the business's own materials

Pilar, Owner and certified dog trainer

According to their site, grew up rescuing stray dogs in Ecuador, was named Miss Ecuador at 21, studied in Louisiana, then trained and certified as a dog trainer before founding the business. She has worked with hundreds of dogs over about 10 years and also trains commands in Spanish.

Credentials listed on their site: Certified by the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Where does School of Paws offer dog training?

School of Paws is a mobile trainer based in Encinitas, CA, traveling to clients rather than hosting them, offering board and train stays, private lessons, and in-home training at the client's home.

Their site says they pet owners and families in Encinitas and surrounding San Diego County areas (Carlsbad, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff, Solana Beach), including puppy owners, rescue dog adopters, and dogs with anxiety or behavior issues.

Training happens at the client's location or wherever suits the dog's needs, since this is a mobile-only operation based out of Encinitas. Parking and facility accessibility don't apply here.

How does School of Paws compare with other Encinitas dog trainers?

Barklen analysis

Barklen analysis based on 4 published Encinitas listings (19 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by School of Paws.

Price: 30% below the Encinitas midpoint at entry price for board and train ($2,450–$5,250 vs. $2,660–$4,900); entry price within the published Encinitas range for private lessons ($120–$1,000 vs. $104–$128).

Reviews: 5.0★ from 11 Google reviews, among 4 published Encinitas programs.

Transparency: 95 out of 100 (highly transparent), with 100% price transparency and 78% program clarity. 2 of 4 Encinitas listings show certifications; this business does not list any.

Published prices at School of Paws compared with Encinitas ranges
Program type	School of Paws	Encinitas range	Barklen read
Board and Train	$2,450–$5,250	$2,660–$4,900 across 3 Encinitas programs	30% below the Encinitas midpoint at entry price
Private Lessons	$120–$1,000	$104–$128 across 3 Encinitas programs	Entry price within the published Encinitas range

What should you ask School of Paws before booking?

Generated from what their public materials leave open

Ask which certifications their trainers hold and who issued them.
Ask which training tools, if any, they use and when.
Ask whether you can visit your dog during a board and train stay.
Ask if anyone is on-site overnight.
Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.
Ask about current availability and whether there is a waitlist.

Location and hours

1575 Village View Rd, Encinitas, CA

Monday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

How Barklen reviewed this listing

Barklen reviewed School of Paws 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, overnight staffing, guarantee, certifications, dogs per trainer, and waitlist) are turned into the questions above rather than filled in.

Last reviewed by Barklen: Sep 5, 2026

What Barklen could verify

Programs listed: 8 programs (board and train, private lessons, in-home training)
Published pricing: Published for every program
Training method: Reward-based
Aggression and reactivity cases: Aggression cases by assessment
Facility: Mobile / travels to you
Progress updates: Occasional updates
Insurance: Mentioned on their website
Years in business: 10+ years
Booking: Contact form