Pup 1 — $250 per program
Best for: Pup must not be older than 18 weeks at the first class; puppies 9-18 weeks of age
Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience, Socialization
Duration: 5 sessions
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BravoPup Social
BravoPup Social is a dog training business in Oakland, California offering Group Classes, with published programs from $125.
Oakland • CA • Uses rented space • 5.0 ★ (7 Google reviews)
Last verified: Aug 23, 2026
Transparency Score
90 / 100
Highly transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
- Price transparency
- 100%
- Method transparency
- 100%
- Program clarity
- 60%
About this program
What they say about themselves
Bravo!Pup was founded in 2008 by Sandi Thompson and provides puppy, adult-dog, specialty, private, and remote training throughout the East Bay. Sandi has more than 25 years of training education and experience, is an honors graduate of the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, and holds the CPDT-KA credential. The broader team includes additional Academy for Dog Trainers graduates, CPDT-KA trainers, CTC credential holders, a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, and trainers with shelter, guide-dog, behavior, and aggression experience.
The core Group Classes progress from Pup 1 through combined Pup 2/Dog 2 and Pup 3/Dog 3 levels. Training covers basic obedience, manners, socialization, leash skills, recalls, placement work, impulse control, distance cues, and higher-distraction reliability. Specialty Group Classes include Jumpers & Pullers, Extreme Recall, and Talent. Live Virtual Training addresses shy and fearful dogs, leash reactivity, canine play and body language, puppy foundations, and increasingly advanced obedience skills.
Bravo!Pup explicitly identifies its approach as positive reinforcement, reward-based, force-free, and science-based. The company states that it does not use or endorse techniques relying on pain, force, startle, or coercion. Classes emphasize rewards, play, homework, family participation, environmental management, and understanding canine behavior. In-person classes operate at multiple East Bay venues rather than one published central facility.
What does BravoPup Social charge for board and train?
Bravo!Pup offers progressive Group Classes for puppies and adult dogs, specialty Group Classes for recall, leash manners, and tricks, live Virtual Training for puppy skills and behavior concerns, and Private Lessons through an intake process. Remote specialty programs address shyness, fear, leash reactivity, and canine body language. Some specialty offerings are currently labeled “Coming Soon.”
Pup 1, Pup 2/Dog 2, and Pup 3/Dog 3 cost $250 for five weekly 50-minute classes. Jumpers & Pullers and Extreme Recall cost $275, while Talent costs $250. Virtual puppy levels cost $200, Shy & Fearful costs $240, Play or Fight costs $125, and Leash Reactive costs $300. Private Lessons pricing is not published.
Group Classes
Pup 2 — $250 per program
Best for: Requires completion of Pup 1
Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience, Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash
Duration: 5 sessions
Pup 3 — $250 per program
Best for: Requires completion of Pup1 and Pup2
Focus: Puppy training, Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash
Duration: 5 sessions
Shy & Fearful — $240 per program
Best for: This class is limited to 6 dogs; for dogs too shy or fearful to attend in-person class
Focus: Fear & anxiety, Socialization
Duration: 5 sessions
Play or Fight — $125 per program
Focus: Socialization, Aggression
Duration: 3 sessions
Leash Reactive — $300 per program
Focus: Leash reactivity, Fear & anxiety
Duration: 5 sessions
Jumpers & Pullers — $275 per program
Best for: Completion of PUP1, DOG1 or equivalent; dog must not be reactive to other dogs while on leash
Focus: Leash training, Basic obedience
Duration: 5 sessions
Extreme Recall — $275 per program
Best for: Completion of PUP1, DOG1 or equivalent
Focus: Recall & off-leash
Duration: 5 sessions
Talent — $250 per program
Best for: Completion of PUP1 or DOG1 training class
Focus: Basic obedience
Duration: 5 sessions
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pup 1 | $250 per program | 5 sessions |
| Pup 2 | $250 per program | 5 sessions |
| Pup 3 | $250 per program | 5 sessions |
| Shy & Fearful | $240 per program | 5 sessions |
| Play or Fight | $125 per program | 3 sessions |
| Leash Reactive | $300 per program | 5 sessions |
| Jumpers & Pullers | $275 per program | 5 sessions |
| Extreme Recall | $275 per program | 5 sessions |
| Talent | $250 per program | 5 sessions |
What training methods does BravoPup Social use?
Bravo!Pup explicitly uses positive reinforcement, reward-based, force-free training. The website states that trainers do not recommend, endorse, or use techniques relying on pain, force, startle, or coercion. Rewards may include food, play, attention, or access to valued activities.
Method: Reward-based
Uses rewards and positive reinforcement only, without corrections or aversive tools.
How do we verify BravoPup Social?
Certifications: CPDT-KA, APDT
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
Trust & facility details
Founder Sandi Thompson holds CPDT-KA and CTC credentials, and the team includes multiple Academy for Dog Trainers graduates with extensive professional experience. The website publishes clear class requirements, vaccination policies, behavior restrictions, refund terms, and training methodology. Business insurance information is not published.
Facility: Uses rented space
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: not specified on their website.
Waitlist: not specified on their website.
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: not specified on their website.
How does BravoPup Social compare in Oakland?
Price: BravoPup Social does not publish board & train pricing. Across Oakland, 19 programs publish prices from about $106 to $320.
Reviews: BravoPup Social shows 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews among 4 published Oakland programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 90 out of 100 (price 100%, program clarity 60%). 2 of 4 Oakland listings show certifications; this business lists CPDT-KA, APDT.
What to ask BravoPup Social
- Ask for proof of liability insurance.
- Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.
- Ask whether you can visit during the program.
- Ask if anyone is on-site overnight.
- Ask for a written outline of daily structure, skills covered, and what follow-up support looks like after the program.
- Ask about current availability and whether there is a waitlist.
Location & hours
Bravo!Pup operates across the East Bay, with classes listed in North Berkeley, Richmond, Rockridge, Oakland, and other communities. Training uses several community, church, and retail venues, with parking details published for individual locations.
2501 Harrison St, Oakland, CA
Friday: 9AM-5PM
Monday: 9AM-5PM
Sunday: Closed
Tuesday: 9AM-5PM
Saturday: Closed
Thursday: 9AM-5PM
Wednesday: 9AM-5PM
Contact / request a quote
Reach out directly or send a quote request through BravoPup Social.
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