Board & Train
Price not published.
Requirements: Duration and cost determined by age and specific training needs, minimum 2 weeks
Duration: 2 weeks
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training
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DogFather Dog Institute — Dog Training in Long Beach, CA
DogFather Dog Institute is a dog training business in Long Beach, California offering board and train and private lessons. They take aggression cases by assessment and have been in business for 12+ years.
Long Beach, CA • 4.4 ★ (7 Google reviews)
Last reviewed: Sep 5, 2026
Transparency Score
26 / 100
Minimal information
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
- Price transparency
- 0%
- Method transparency
- 35%
- Program clarity
- 60%
About DogFather Dog Institute
Based on what the business publishes about itself
The founder behind DogFather Dog Institute goes by "The Dog Father" online, where he's built a following of over 570,000 people and produced at least one video that surpassed 100 million views. According to their site, he started working with animals young, helping train horses with his father, then took a hands-on training role at Petco before launching this Long Beach business in 2013.
Their approach, as they describe it, is "adaptive," meaning they tailor methods to each dog's temperament rather than making assumptions based on breed. The site emphasizes combining positive reinforcement with attention to canine psychology and body language, aiming to strengthen the bond between dog and owner.
The main offering is a board-and-train program with a minimum two-week stay. According to their materials, it covers standard obedience commands, sit, down, stay, come, leash heel, place, plus customized elements based on the dog's needs. They note that the founder's own two dogs, Zeke and Penelope, are part of every board-and-train as companions and examples. Private lessons are included as part of the program, and standalone consultations are also available.
What dog training programs does DogFather Dog Institute offer?
Board and train programs start at two weeks, with the exact duration and cost tailored to each dog's age and training needs. DogFather Dog Institute also offers a six-session private lesson package focused on basic obedience. Pricing for both options requires contacting them directly.
6 Lesson Package
Price not published.
Duration: 6 sessions
Focus: Basic obedience
How much does DogFather Dog Institute cost?
DogFather Dog Institute does not publish program pricing online. Contact them directly or request a quote through Barklen for current rates.
Board and Train pricing
| Program | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Board & Train | Not published | 2 weeks |
Private Lessons pricing
| Program | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Lesson Package | Not published | 6 sessions |
Consultations and evaluations
- Phone Consultation: Free
What training methods does DogFather Dog Institute use?
The training approach isn't described in specific terms, and no particular tools or techniques are named. They evaluate aggression cases individually rather than accepting or declining them outright.
Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not specify which training tools are used.
Who runs DogFather Dog Institute?
As described in the business's own materials
Alex, Founder, Canine Behavior Educator ('The Dog Father')
According to their site, has over a decade of hands-on dog training experience, started in the industry at Petco before founding DFDI, and has built a large social media following where one video surpassed 100 million views. Plans to tour the U.S. in 2025 teaching canine behavior education.
Julia, Brand manager and local events coordinator
According to their site, holds a B.A. in Geography from UCSB (2019) and joined DFDI in 2022, handling brand partnerships and local/virtual community events.
Where does DogFather Dog Institute offer dog training?
DogFather Dog Institute is based in Long Beach, CA, offering board and train stays and private lessons.
Their public materials do not state a wider service area, so Barklen lists Long Beach only. Ask whether they travel or take clients from nearby areas.
The Long Beach Boulevard facility doesn't list parking availability or accessibility features. No details about the training space itself appear on the site.
How does DogFather Dog Institute compare with other Long Beach dog trainers?
Barklen analysis
Barklen analysis based on 6 published Long Beach listings (16 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by DogFather Dog Institute.
Price: DogFather Dog Institute does not publish pricing for the program types where Long Beach has enough published prices to compare (board and train and private lessons).
Reviews: 4.4★ from 7 Google reviews, among 6 published Long Beach programs.
Transparency: 26 out of 100 (minimal information), with 0% price transparency and 60% program clarity. 1 of 6 Long Beach listings show certifications; this business does not list any.
| Program type | DogFather Dog Institute | Long Beach range | Barklen read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board and Train | Not published | $3,150–$9,500 across 6 Long Beach programs | No published price to compare |
| Private Lessons | Not published | $117–$200 across 5 Long Beach programs | No published price to compare |
What should you ask DogFather Dog Institute before booking?
Generated from what their public materials leave open
- They don't publish pricing. Ask what a board and train stay costs and exactly what is included.
- Ask which certifications their trainers hold and who issued them.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance.
- Their site describes their approach in general terms. Ask which specific methods and tools they use.
- 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 for a written outline of daily structure, skills covered, and follow-up support after the program.
Location and hours
4600 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, CA
- Monday – Saturday
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday
- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
How Barklen reviewed this listing
Barklen reviewed DogFather Dog Institute 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 (facility, owner visits during programs, overnight staffing, insurance, guarantee, certifications, 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
- 2 programs (board and train, private lessons)
- Published pricing
- None published
- Training method
- Method unclear
- Aggression and reactivity cases
- Aggression cases by assessment
- Progress updates
- Daily updates
- Years in business
- 12+ years
- Booking
- Phone only
Contact DogFather Dog Institute or request a quote
Contact DogFather Dog Institute directly by phone or through their website, or request a quote through Barklen and we will pass it along.
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