Complimentary Consultation — $0/session
A free initial consultation to discuss the dog's needs and help design a customized training or protection dog program.
Focus: Basic obedience
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Specialty Dog Training
Specialty Dog Training is a dog training business in Oceanside, California offering Board and Train, Private Lessons, In-Home Training, and Virtual Training, with published programs from $149.
Oceanside • CA • Training facility • 4.6 ★ (101 Google reviews)
Last verified: Aug 23, 2026
Transparency Score
66 / 100
Moderately transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
- Price transparency
- 43%
- Method transparency
- 100%
- Program clarity
- 65%
About this program
What they say about themselves
Specialty Dog Training is a family-owned San Diego training business led by Graham Bloem, Owner, CEO, and Program Director. The team reports more than 55 years of combined hands-on experience and more than 20 industry certifications. Graham is an Animal Behavior College graduate with decades of experience in obedience, behavior modification, aggression cases, service-dog training, and protection work. The staff also includes Animal Behavior College graduates, AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluators, former military working-dog personnel, and trainers with working-dog and competitive obedience backgrounds.
Training formats include Board and Train, Private Lessons, In-Home Training, and Virtual Training. Board and Train commonly runs three to ten weeks and includes puppy foundations, core obedience, and behavior modification for issues such as aggression, reactivity, and anxiety. One-hour Private Lessons are available at the Oceanside training center, while In-Home Training is offered in eligible North County San Diego areas. Virtual Training extends individualized coaching outside the in-person service area.
Specialty Dog Training explicitly describes its approach as balanced and humane, combining positive reinforcement, structure, clear communication, fair discipline, and tools including leashes, markers, and e-collars when appropriate. Programs emphasize customization, real-world proofing, owner transfer training, and continued support. The company also trains and places service, facility, emotional-support, family-companion, and protection dogs, although those offerings do not all publish a delivery format that maps cleanly to the directory's six training types.
Getting started
Consultations and evaluations before you commit to a program.
What does Specialty Dog Training charge for board and train?
Board and Train covers puppy development, obedience, and behavior modification, typically over three to ten weeks. Private Lessons are offered at the Oceanside facility, with separate In-Home Training and Virtual Training packages. Specialty programs also include service, facility, emotional-support, and protection-dog training or placement. A complimentary discovery Consultation helps match clients with an appropriate trainer and program.
Private Lessons range from $175 for one lesson to $2,800 for 20. In-Home Training ranges from $250 for one lesson to $6,375 for 30. Virtual Training costs $149 individually, $707.75 for five, or $1,341 for ten. Board and Train pricing is not published in the supplied pages. Pre-trained protection dogs are separately advertised from approximately $35,000 to $85,000+.
Board and Train
Puppy Boot Camp Training
This board and train program is designed for young puppies to build foundational skills and structure in a supervised setting.
The puppy stays with trainers at the facility to work on foundational obedience.
Best for: Puppies between 16 weeks and 11 months old.
Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience, Socialization
Obedience Board & Train Programs
This board and train program focuses on teaching dogs reliable commands, leash manners, and overall structure while staying at the facility.
Dogs stay at the SDT facility while trainers work on obedience and structure.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training
Behavioral Problem Board & Train Programs
This board and train option targets behavioral issues such as aggression, reactivity, and anxiety through a structured environment with professional intervention.
The dog stays in a structured, supervised environment while trainers work on behavior modification.
Best for: Dogs with more challenging behavioral issues requiring professional intervention and a controlled environment.
Focus: Aggression, Leash reactivity, Fear & anxiety
Dog Boot Camps
A general board and train option centered on teaching obedience, establishing structure, and building the dog's confidence.
The dog boards at the facility while receiving structured training sessions.
Focus: Basic obedience, Fear & anxiety
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Boot Camp Training | Not published | — |
| Obedience Board & Train Programs | Not published | — |
| Behavioral Problem Board & Train Programs | Not published | — |
| Dog Boot Camps | Not published | — |
Private Lessons
On-Site Private Lessons — $175 per session
One-on-one lessons held at the SDT facility covering obedience and behavior issues, with the first lesson including a behavior evaluation and training plan. Packages of 5, 10, 15, or 20 lessons are available at increasing discounts.
Sessions are conducted at the Oceanside training facility with a trainer working directly with the dog and owner.
Best for: Owners facing puppy behaviors, obedience challenges, leash reactivity, or other behavior issues.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash reactivity, Puppy training
Duration: 1 sessions; 20-session package $2,800
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| On-Site Private Lessons | $175 per session | 1 sessions |
In-Home Training
In-Home Private Lessons — $250 per session
Trainers come to the client's home to address obedience and behavior issues directly in the environment where problems occur. Multiple lesson packages are offered at discounted per-session rates.
A trainer travels to the client's home and neighborhood to conduct sessions with the dog and owner.
Best for: Families with busy schedules or specific behavior needs who prefer training at home.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash reactivity, Puppy training
Duration: 1 sessions; 30-session package $6,375
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| In-Home Private Lessons | $250 per session | 1 sessions |
Virtual Training
Virtual Private Lessons — $149 per session
Live remote coaching sessions provide customized training strategies and real-time guidance for owners anywhere. Packages of 5 or 10 lessons are offered at discounted rates.
Sessions take place over video call with the trainer coaching the owner in real time.
Best for: Clients outside the physical service area or who prefer remote training.
Focus: Basic obedience
Duration: 1 sessions; 10-session package $1,341
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Private Lessons | $149 per session | 1 sessions |
What training methods does Specialty Dog Training use?
Specialty Dog Training explicitly uses balanced, humane training. The website describes positive reinforcement, structured routines, fair discipline, and clear communication, with leashes, markers, and e-collars used when appropriate. Programs are customized by temperament, goals, environment, and behavior rather than applying one fixed protocol to every dog.
Method: Balanced
Combines rewards with corrections, which may include tools such as prong collars or e-collars.
How do we verify Specialty 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
The team reports 55+ years of combined experience and 20+ certifications. SDT provides owner transfer training, refresher lessons, and lifetime support with its programs. The website explicitly accepts most aggression and reactivity cases. Insurance, overnight staffing, owner visits during Board and Train, and a scheduled photo or video update policy are not published.
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: not specified on their website.
Waitlist: not specified on their website.
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: Contact form
How does Specialty Dog Training compare in Oceanside?
Price: Specialty Dog Training does not publish board & train pricing. Across Oceanside, 3 programs publish prices from about $154 to $235.
Reviews: Specialty Dog Training shows 4.6★ from 101 Google reviews among 3 published Oceanside programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 66 out of 100 (price 43%, program clarity 65%). 1 of 3 Oceanside listings show certifications; this business does not list certifications.
What to ask Specialty 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 if anyone is on-site overnight.
- Ask about current availability and whether there is a waitlist.
Location & hours
Specialty Dog Training operates an Oceanside training center and serves Oceanside, North County San Diego, and surrounding communities. In-Home Training eligibility varies by ZIP code. A street address is not published in the supplied pages.
2909 San Luis Rey Rd, Oceanside, CA
Friday: 8AM-5PM
Monday: 8AM-5PM
Sunday: 8AM-5PM
Tuesday: 8AM-5PM
Saturday: 8AM-5PM
Thursday: 8AM-5PM
Wednesday: 8AM-5PM
Contact / request a quote
Reach out directly or send a quote request through Specialty Dog Training.
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