Initial Consultation — $185/session
Duration: 1 sessions
Focus: Basic obedience
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Balanced Bay Dog Training
Balanced Bay Dog Training is a dog training business in Oakland, California offering Private Lessons, Virtual Training, and In-Home Training, with published programs from $50.
Oakland • CA • Mobile / travels to you • 5.0 ★ (8 Google reviews)
Last verified: Aug 23, 2026
Transparency Score
89 / 100
Highly transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
- Price transparency
- 100%
- Method transparency
- 100%
- Program clarity
- 56%
About this program
What they say about themselves
Balanced Bay Dog Training is led by founder and primary trainer McClain Sullivan. McClain is a graduate of Starmark Academy for Professional Dog Trainers, where the website says she completed its immersion program, and is described as certified in Canine Training and a Behavior Specialist. Her background includes fostering more than 60 dogs, serving as Foster Coordinator for Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue, and continuing her education through seminars with Michael Ellis, Blake Rodriguez, and Tyler Muto.
Training is offered through Private Lessons, In-Home Training, Virtual Training, puppy-focused Private Lessons, and an initial Consultation. Private Lessons are one hour and may take place outdoors or in the client's home. Puppy sessions cover crate training, housebreaking schedules, nipping, and basic obedience. The three-week Stay & Train program is an In-Home Training format rather than residential training, with nine sessions conducted by the trainer alone and three sessions involving the owner.
McClain explicitly identifies as a balanced trainer and describes using a flexible toolbox tailored to each dog's individual needs. Her stated priorities include understandable boundaries, rewards, clear communication, conflict reduction, and creating an enjoyable training experience. The website says she works with dogs of all temperaments and addresses concerns including leash reactivity and separation anxiety. Balanced Bay operates seasonally, with McClain based in North Oakland from September through May and working on Long Island and the East Coast from June through August.
Getting started
Consultations and evaluations before you commit to a program.
Initial Consultation (Oakland) — $165/session
Duration: 1 sessions
Focus: Basic obedience
What does Balanced Bay Dog Training charge for board and train?
Services include Private Lessons, puppy-focused Private Lessons, In-Home Training, Virtual Training, and Consultation. Private Lessons may take place outdoors or in the client's home. Stay & Train is a three-week In-Home Training package combining trainer-only sessions with owner review sessions. The website explicitly states that Board and Train is not currently offered.
Oakland pricing is $165 for the Consultation, $165 for one Private Lesson, $480 for three, $775 for five, and $1,500 for ten. San Francisco pricing is $185 for the Consultation, $185 for one Private Lesson, $525 for three, $850 for five, and $1,650 for ten. Virtual Training costs $50 for 30 minutes or $100 for one hour. Oakland Stay & Train costs $1,650.
Private Lessons
Private Lesson (San Francisco) — $185 per session
Focus: Basic obedience
Duration: 1 sessions; 10-session package $1,650
Puppy Training (San Francisco) — $190 per session
Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience
Duration: 1 sessions; 10-session package $1,650
Private Lesson (Oakland) — $165 per session
Focus: Basic obedience
Duration: 1 sessions; 10-session package $1,500
Puppy Training (Oakland) — $165 per session
Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience
Duration: 1 sessions; 10-session package $1,500
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Lesson (San Francisco) | $185 per session | 1 sessions |
| Puppy Training (San Francisco) | $190 per session | 1 sessions |
| Private Lesson (Oakland) | $165 per session | 1 sessions |
| Puppy Training (Oakland) | $165 per session | 1 sessions |
In-Home Training
Stay & Train — $1,650 per program
This is a three-week in-home training program consisting of nine one-on-one sessions with the dog plus three review sessions with the owner. It's designed to reinforce weekly training concepts in the dog's own home environment.
The trainer works with the dog alone for most sessions, with periodic sessions bringing the owner in to review progress, all conducted in the client's home.
Focus: Basic obedience
Duration: 3 weeks
Includes: Owner handoff sessions
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Stay & Train | $1,650 per program | 3 weeks |
Virtual Training
Online Training (San Francisco) — $50 per session
Focus: Basic obedience
Online Training (Oakland) — $50 per session
Focus: Basic obedience
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Online Training (San Francisco) | $50–$100 per session | — |
| Online Training (Oakland) | $50–$100 per session | — |
What training methods does Balanced Bay Dog Training use?
McClain explicitly identifies as a balanced trainer. She describes using a flexible toolbox of methods selected for the individual dog, with emphasis on clear boundaries, rewards, communication, reduced conflict, and maintaining an enjoyable training relationship between owner and dog.
Method: Balanced
Combines rewards with corrections, which may include tools such as prong collars or e-collars.
How do we verify Balanced Bay Dog Training?
Certifications: Not specified on their website
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
Trust & facility details
McClain is a Starmark Academy for Professional Dog Trainers graduate and is described as certified in Canine Training and a Behavior Specialist. Her background includes fostering more than 60 dogs and animal-rescue leadership. The website also clearly publishes seasonal availability and location-specific pricing. Insurance and training guarantees are not published.
Facility: Mobile / travels to you
Owner visits: not specified on their website.
Video updates: not specified on their website.
Overnight staffing: No
Insurance: not specified on their website.
Guarantee: not specified on their website.
Waitlist: not specified on their website.
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: Contact form
How does Balanced Bay Dog Training compare in Oakland?
Price: Balanced Bay Dog Training does not publish board & train pricing. Across Oakland, 19 programs publish prices from about $106 to $320.
Reviews: Balanced Bay Dog Training shows 5.0★ from 8 Google reviews among 4 published Oakland programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 89 out of 100 (price 100%, program clarity 56%). 2 of 4 Oakland listings show certifications; this business does not list certifications.
What to ask Balanced Bay Dog Training
- Ask which certifications their trainers hold and who issued them.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance.
- Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.
- Ask whether you can visit during the program.
- Ask about current availability and whether there is a waitlist.
Location & hours
Balanced Bay Dog Training is based in North Oakland from September through May. From June through August, McClain works with dogs on Long Island and the East Coast. The site also lists clients throughout San Francisco, Berkeley, Marin, Richmond, and the greater Bay Area.
884 Arlington Ave, Oakland, CA
Friday: 9AM-5PM
Monday: 9AM-5PM
Sunday: 9AM-5PM
Tuesday: 9AM-5PM
Saturday: 9AM-5PM
Thursday: 9AM-5PM
Wednesday: 9AM-5PM
Contact / request a quote
Reach out directly or send a quote request through Balanced Bay Dog Training.
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