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A Better Canine School-Dogs is a dog training business in Lemon Grove, California offering Group Classes, Private Lessons, and In-Home Training.
Lemon Grove • CA • Training facility • 4.7 ★ (19 Google reviews)
Last verified: Sep 5, 2026
23 / 100
Minimal information
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
What they say about themselves
David Ruiz founded this San Diego-area training school in 1978, bringing an unusual background to the work. According to his website, he immigrated from Guatemala as a child, later worked at Pilot Dogs, Inc. as a kennel worker and trainer at their guide-dog facility, served in the Marine Corps during Vietnam, and attended Ohio State and Franklin Universities before starting his own program.
The school offers obedience training through group classes, private sessions at their Lemon Grove facility, and in-home lessons throughout San Diego County. Their site describes a training philosophy centered on helping dogs recognize family members as leaders, using consistent commands and hand signals with daily practice. They emphasize patience and building a bond rather than quick fixes. Ruiz has also written a book on dog training that the business sells and ships nationally.
The website lists a range of behavior issues they address—jumping, excessive barking, housebreaking, door-charging, and similar concerns—alongside standard obedience commands. Prospective clients should note the site appears dated and mentions that a previous training location has closed, with instructions to call for current details.
Group lessons, private sessions, and in-home training are all available through A Better Canine School-Dogs. Group classes focus on basic obedience and socialization, while private options add leash work and off-leash recall. In-home sessions bring the same curriculum to your space in Lemon Grove.
What board & train costs in Lemon Grove
We don't have enough published local pricing yet. Ask for a written quote that covers duration, inclusions, and follow-up.
One-on-one training covering commands like sit, stay, down, heel, and off-leash control, as well as correcting behaviors like jumping, chewing, digging, and excessive barking. Sessions are flexible and scheduled around the client.
Trainer works one-on-one with the dog and owner at the facility on a flexible schedule.
Best for: Dog owners who prefer individual attention, available at the La Mesa facility.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training, Recall & off-leash
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Lessons | Not published | — |
Trainer travels to the client's home anywhere in San Diego County to deliver private obedience lessons covering the same commands and behavior corrections as facility-based lessons.
Trainer comes to the client's home to conduct private lessons.
Best for: San Diego County residents who prefer training to happen at home rather than at the facility.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training, Recall & off-leash
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Mobile / Home Dog Obedience Training | Not published | — |
Dogs learn basic commands like no, heel, sit-stay, down-stay, place, and off-leash control, plus how to behave in the car, at the vet, and around company. The program also addresses common misbehaviors such as jumping, chewing, biting, digging, and excessive barking.
Dogs and owners attend lessons together at the La Mesa facility, working step-by-step through commands and behavior corrections.
Best for: Dog owners in San Diego County dealing with obedience or behavior problems who want group instruction at the La Mesa facility.
Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Group Lessons | Not published | — |
The site uses general language about their training philosophy without naming specific tools or techniques. They evaluate aggression cases individually rather than accepting or declining them outright.
Method: Method unclear
Their website describes their approach in general terms without specifying which methods or tools they use.
Certifications: Not specified on their website
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
A dedicated training facility serves as their base of operations. Certifications, insurance, and guarantee terms aren't published on the site, and there's no mention of how long they've been in business.
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: No guarantee offered
Waitlist: not specified on their website.
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: Phone only
Price: A Better Canine School-Dogs does not publish board & train pricing. Across Lemon Grove, 0 programs publish prices.
Reviews: A Better Canine School-Dogs shows 4.7★ from 19 Google reviews among 1 published Lemon Grove programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 23 out of 100 (price 0%, program clarity 50%). Certification disclosure is still sparse in this city.
Training happens at 1405 San Altos Pl, though the site doesn't detail parking availability or accessibility features for the facility.
1405 San Altos Pl, Lemon Grove, CA
Friday: 6:30AM-8:30PM
Monday: 6:30AM-8:30PM
Sunday: Closed
Tuesday: 6:30AM-8:30PM
Saturday: 6:30AM-8:30PM
Thursday: 6:30AM-8:30PM
Wednesday: 6:30AM-8:30PM
Reach out directly or send a quote request through A Better Canine School-Dogs.
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