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San Diego Pet Training is a dog training business in Rancho Santa Fe, California offering Private Lessons, Virtual Training, and Group Classes, with published programs from $75.
Rancho Santa Fe • CA • 4.7 ★ (21 Google reviews)
Last verified: Sep 6, 2026
74 / 100
Moderately transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
What they say about themselves
Rob Kuty, who leads San Diego Pet Training, brings an unusual resume to dog training. According to their website, he spent years working at the Columbus Zoo and SeaWorld—including managing SeaWorld San Diego's live animal show—before turning his focus to pet training. He holds a Master Dog Trainer certification and currently directs animal training at Helen Woodward Animal Center, where the business runs its group classes on a large turf field.
The operation has been active in the San Diego area for over two decades, and the site describes a team approach. Alex Kuty handles operations after 15 years in SeaWorld's entertainment division, while trainer Heather Gould came up through an apprenticeship at Helen Woodward. Their stated philosophy centers on teaching owners rather than just dogs—the idea being that consistent human behavior creates lasting change, with the ultimate goal of making the trainer unnecessary.
Beyond standard obedience and puppy classes, San Diego Pet Training offers agility courses, a focused workshop for leash reactivity, and one-on-one sessions for issues like aggression or anxiety. They also note experience preparing animals for productions—past credits listed include stage musicals and work with animals for Gene Wilder and Diane Keaton. Monthly Canine Good Citizen testing is available at the Rancho Santa Fe facility, and they mention working with non-dog species including cats and pigs.
Consultations and evaluations before you commit to a program.
A one-time evaluation testing a dog against the AKC's 10-step Canine Good Citizen standards, offered monthly at Helen Woodward Animal Center. Dogs that pass receive an official AKC certificate.
Best for: Dogs who have completed basic obedience training and are ready to demonstrate good manners.
Focus: Advanced obedience
Private lessons, group classes, and virtual sessions cover a wide range of needs, from puppy basics to advanced obedience and agility. San Diego Pet Training also works with leash reactivity, aggression, and fear or anxiety cases. Group classes have clear prerequisites: puppies need vaccinations, and advanced courses expect prior training or skill levels.
Private sessions run $195 each, with a five-session package available for $875. Group classes cost $200 for four-week courses, while the leash-pulling class is $160. Virtual appointments are the most affordable option at $75 per session.
One-on-one sessions address issues like leash pulling, barking, jumping, counter-surfing, aggression, anxiety, and fear, or help with housebreaking and advanced commands. Sessions usually happen in the client's home but can be held elsewhere, and scheduling is flexible across the week.
The trainer comes to the client's home (or another location) and works one-on-one with the owner and dog.
Best for: Owners dealing with specific behavior issues, first-time pet owners needing housebreaking help, or those wanting advanced obedience work.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash reactivity, Aggression, Fear & anxiety
Duration: 1 sessions; 5-session package $875
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Training | $195 per session | 1 sessions |
A leash-based group class teaching the five foundational commands: heel, sit, stay, down, and come, alongside training philosophies owners can apply daily. Held weekly at Helen Woodward Animal Center over a 4-week course.
Owner and dog attend a scheduled weekly class over a flexible 6-week enrollment window to complete 4 sessions.
Best for: Dogs older than 5 months that are comfortable being social with other dogs and people off leash.
Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization
Duration: 4 weeks
This class builds on basic obedience by refining the five commands, adding a long line for recall, and introducing distractions as a step toward off-leash reliability. Held weekly at Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Owner and dog attend weekly sessions over a flexible 6-week window to complete 4 classes.
Best for: Dogs that have completed the basic obedience course.
Focus: Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash
Duration: 4 weeks
This puppy course covers leash pulling, nipping, chewing, jumping, and house breaking, along with confidence building, basic obedience introductions, and on/off-leash socialization in a secure area. Held weekly at Helen Woodward Animal Center over a 4-week course.
Owner and puppy attend weekly classes with socialization time and instruction over a flexible 6-week enrollment window.
Best for: Puppies under 5 months of age and/or less than 27 lbs, depending on breed and size, with required vaccinations.
Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience
Duration: 4 weeks
An introductory agility class where dogs learn obstacles like jumps, tunnels, and weave poles, building toward completing a full obstacle course by the end. Held weekly at Helen Woodward Animal Center with off-leash social play included.
Owner and dog attend weekly sessions learning obstacles progressively over 4 classes.
Best for: Dogs new to agility training.
Focus: Agility & dog sports
Duration: 4 weeks
An advanced agility class for dogs already familiar with all obstacles, running through new courses each week. Held weekly at Helen Woodward Animal Center with off-leash social play included.
Owner and dog attend weekly sessions running varied agility courses.
Best for: Dogs that have completed Level 1 agility and know the obstacles.
Focus: Agility & dog sports
Duration: 4 weeks
Focus: Leash training, Leash reactivity
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Obedience Group Class | $200 per program | 4 weeks |
| Advanced Obedience Group Class | $200 per program | 4 weeks |
| Puppy Group Class | $200 per program | 4 weeks |
| Dog Agility Group Class — Level 1 | $200 per program | 4 weeks |
| Dog Agility Group Class — Level 2 | $200 per program | 4 weeks |
| Leash Pulling Small Group Class | $160 per session | — |
A remote video call session using Zoom or FaceTime to observe the home environment and guide owners through training and behavior questions. It comes bundled with two online courses covering basic obedience and separation anxiety.
Owner and trainer connect over video call, with one person handling the camera and another working with the dog.
Best for: Owners who can't do in-person training due to time or distance constraints.
Focus: Basic obedience, Separation anxiety
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Training Appointment | $75 per session | — |
The site doesn't specify which training tools or techniques are used, though the language suggests a flexible approach. They do accept dogs with aggression histories, which indicates experience with behavioral cases.
Method: Method unclear
Their website describes their approach in general terms without specifying which methods or tools they use.
Certifications: AKC CGC Evaluator
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
Insurance is mentioned, and the lead trainer holds AKC CGC Evaluator certification. The business has been operating for 23 years. Guarantee terms and facility details aren't published on the site.
Facility: not specified on their website.
Owner visits: not specified on their website.
Video updates: not specified on their website.
Overnight staffing: not specified on their website.
Insurance: Yes
Guarantee: not specified on their website.
Waitlist: not specified on their website.
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: Email only
Price: San Diego Pet Training does not publish board & train pricing. Across Rancho Santa Fe, 8 programs publish prices from about $135 to $200.
Reviews: San Diego Pet Training shows 4.7★ from 21 Google reviews among 1 published Rancho Santa Fe programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 74 out of 100 (price 100%, program clarity 73%). 1 of 1 Rancho Santa Fe listings show certifications; this business lists AKC CGC Evaluator.
Training takes place at 6461 El Apajo in Rancho Santa Fe. Parking availability and accessibility features aren't described on the website.
6461 El Apajo, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Friday: 8AM-5PM
Monday: 8AM-5PM
Sunday: 9AM-5PM
Tuesday: 8AM-5PM
Saturday: 8AM-7PM
Thursday: 8AM-5PM
Wednesday: 8AM-5PM
Reach out directly or send a quote request through San Diego Pet Training.
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