Puppy Kindergarten
$180 per course
Requirements: Puppies between 9-16 weeks of age; must be in new home at least 7 days and have started vaccinations
Duration: 4 weeks
Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience
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Good Dog Dog Training is a dog training business in Modesto, California offering private lessons, group classes, and virtual training, working from rented training space. They accept aggression and reactivity cases, publish pricing from $60 per course to $420, and list CPDT-KA, APDT, and AKC CGC Evaluator credentials.
Modesto, CA • Uses rented space • 4.3 ★ (22 Google reviews)
Last reviewed: Sep 5, 2026
71 / 100
Moderately transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
Based on what the business publishes about itself
Donna Soderstrom, who founded Good Dog Dog Training, has been working with dogs since 1995 and holds credentials including Certified Professional Dog Trainer status and certification as an AKC Scent Work Judge. According to her site, she has a particular interest in helping shy, fearful, or resource-guarding dogs. Her co-instructor Sarah Johnson has taught group classes since 1993 and brings a background in animal science along with experience competing in obedience, agility, and conformation.
The Modesto-based program describes its approach as positive and reward-based, starting with food treats but aiming to transition dogs toward responding to real-life rewards rather than constant treats. Their class offerings span puppy kindergarten through competition-level obedience, Rally, and AKC Scent Work. The scent work classes are structured to keep dogs separated during searches, they note this makes the program accessible for reactive dogs who might struggle in typical group settings.
Beyond group classes, they offer one-on-one behavior consultations for issues like reactivity and housetraining, with follow-up notes and video feedback included. Virtual sessions via Zoom are also available. For owners interested in titling their dogs, they provide preparation for AKC obedience, Rally, Canine Good Citizen, and Scent Work competitions, including for mixed breeds.
Group classes range from Puppy Kindergarten for dogs 9-16 weeks old to specialized options like Nose Work and Rally Obedience for CGC preparation. Good Dog Dog Training also offers private lessons in 4- or 6-week packages, plus online courses for owners who prefer remote learning. The Nose Work class specifically welcomes dog-reactive dogs.
Good Dog Dog Training publishes 2 versions of this program. The table shows how they differ; anything not listed here was not stated in their materials.
| Option | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Private Lessons — Tune-up (4 weeks) | 4 weeks | $280 |
| Private Lessons — Beg. Obedience (6 weeks) | 6 weeks | $420 |
$180 per course
Requirements: Puppies between 9-16 weeks of age; must be in new home at least 7 days and have started vaccinations
Duration: 4 weeks
Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience
$180 per course
Duration: 4 weeks
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training
$210 per course
Requirements: Beginners skills required
Duration: 6 weeks
Focus: Advanced obedience
$210 per course
Requirements: Dogs must be at least 5 months old; suitable for dog-reactive dogs
Duration: 6 weeks
Focus: Scent work
$270 per course
Requirements: Ages 4 months to 12 months at start of class; may follow Puppy K or be taken on its own
Duration: 6 weeks
Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience, Leash training, Recall & off-leash
$60 per course
Duration: 4 weeks
Focus: Basic obedience, Recall & off-leash
Group classes run $180 to $270 per course, with most lasting 4 to 6 weeks. Private lessons cost $280 for a 4-week tune-up or $420 for 6 weeks of beginner obedience. Online courses are the most affordable option at $60 for 4 weeks.
| Program | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Private Lessons — Tune-up (4 weeks) | $280 | 4 weeks |
| Private Lessons — Beg. Obedience (6 weeks) | $420 | 6 weeks |
| Program | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Kindergarten | $180 per course | 4 weeks |
| Essential Skills | $180 per course | 4 weeks |
| Rally Obedience, CGC | $210 per course | 6 weeks |
| Nose Work | $210 per course | 6 weeks |
| Young Dog Essentials | $270 per course | 6 weeks |
| Program | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Online Courses (4-week) | $60 per course | 4 weeks |
The site uses general positive-training language without specifying particular tools or techniques. They do accept dogs with aggression or reactivity issues, including in some group settings.
Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not specify which training tools are used.
As described in the business's own materials
According to their site, she has trained dogs since 1995, titled her own dogs in numerous AKC sports, done therapy dog work, and has a particular interest in helping shy, fearful, or resource-guarding dogs.
Credentials listed on their site: Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Member, Association of Pet Dog Trainers, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, AKC STAR Puppy Evaluator, Certified Nose Work Instructor, AKC Scent Work Judge, Former Board Member, Alliance of Purebred Dog Writers, and Former Delta Pet Partner. Barklen has not independently verified these.
According to their site, she has taught group dog classes since 1993 and puppy classes since 1995, attends training seminars yearly, and competes in obedience, agility, and conformation with her own dogs. She holds a B.S. in Animal Science from Fresno State and grew up around livestock and dogs.
Credentials listed on their site: AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and AKC Tricks Evaluator. Barklen has not independently verified these.
Good Dog Dog Training trains out of rented space in Modesto, CA, offering private lessons, group classes, and virtual sessions online.
Their site says they they serve pet owners seeking basic good manners and obedience for their dogs, as well as owners interested in dog sports like Nose Work, Rally, and competition obedience; puppy owners; and those dealing with behavioral issues such as fear or reactivity.
Training is conducted at a location described only as 'held at' an unspecified site, or alternatively at a local Modesto park, rather than a dedicated described facility.
Classes take place at a rented facility on Timothy Ave in Modesto. Parking and accessibility details aren't published.
Barklen analysis
Barklen analysis based on 4 published Modesto listings (8 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by Good Dog Dog Training.
Price: entry price within the published Modesto range for group classes ($180–$270 vs. $180–$246).
Reviews: 4.3★ from 22 Google reviews, among 4 published Modesto programs.
Transparency: 71 out of 100 (moderately transparent), with 100% price transparency and 60% program clarity. 1 of 4 Modesto listings show certifications; this business lists CPDT-KA, APDT, and AKC CGC Evaluator.
| Program type | Good Dog Dog Training | Modesto range | Barklen read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Classes | $180–$270 | $180–$246 across 5 Modesto programs | Entry price within the published Modesto range |
Generated from what their public materials leave open
1605 Timothy Ave B, Modesto, CA
Barklen reviewed Good Dog Dog Training 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
Contact Good Dog Dog Training directly by phone or through their website, or request a quote through Barklen and we will pass it along.

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