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Rav'n Dog Training — Dog Training in Redwood City, CA

Rav'n Dog Training is a dog training business in Redwood City, California offering private lessons and group classes, working from rented training space. They take aggression cases by assessment, publish pricing from $160 per course to $180 per course, and list APDT and AKC CGC Evaluator credentials.

Redwood City, CA • Uses rented space • 4.9 ★ (8 Google reviews)

Verified listing

Last reviewed: Sep 6, 2026

Transparency Score

72 / 100

Moderately transparent

How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.

Price transparency: 90%
Method transparency: 35%
Program clarity: 82%

About Rav'n Dog Training

Based on what the business publishes about itself

Pat Rohde has been training dogs since 1972 and founded Rav'n Dog Training in 1990. She holds certification as a Professional Dog Trainer and serves as a mentor for the Animal Behavior College program. Her team of six instructors brings decades of combined experience across obedience, rally, agility, scentwork, and trick training, several have earned competition titles and one, Christina Ehlers-Woelk, has qualified for the AKC Rally National Championship multiple years running.

The program operates from two indoor facilities on the San Francisco Peninsula and serves everyone from first-time owners to handlers pursuing advanced titles. According to their site, they use positive, reward-based methods that they describe as "play-training", starting with luring techniques and progressing to reinforcement as dogs build skills. Classes span puppy basics through Utility-level competition obedience, with additional tracks for rally, recreational agility, scentwork, and trick training including Canine Good Citizen preparation.

What stands out in their Redwood City operation is the depth of their competitive pathway. Most trainers offer beginner classes; fewer can walk someone from a first sit-stay through AKC Excellent and Master level rally courses. The instructors' own competition backgrounds, titles in agility, obedience, field work, and conformation, suggest they're teaching skills they've actually used in the ring.

What dog training programs does Rav'n Dog Training offer?

Group classes span puppy basics through competition obedience, rally, agility, nose work, and CGC preparation. Rav'n Dog Training runs most courses over six weeks with small class sizes, some capped at four to six dogs. Private lessons are available for obedience, leash reactivity, and aggression cases, evaluated individually.

Private Lessons

Price not published.

One-on-one session, consultations, and in-home visits are offered to address specific training goals or behavior concerns not suited to group classes.

The trainer meets with the owner and dog privately, either in-home or at a training location, with rates varying by location.

Best for: Owners with specific training goals or behavior issues that group classes may not address.

Focus: Basic obedience, Leash reactivity, Aggression

Intermediate Obedience

$160 per course

This class builds on beginner obedience skills with more precision work and transitions dogs from luring to reward-based training. It continues to address socialization, obedience, and behavior with new exercises added.

Weekly group sessions over six weeks continue practicing and refining previously learned skills.

Best for: Dogs who have completed the beginning obedience level.

Duration: 6 weeks

Focus: Basic obedience, Advanced obedience, Socialization

Advanced Obedience

$160 per course

For dogs continuing beyond intermediate work, this class covers exercises past Novice level obedience and prepares interested owners for competition obedience.

Weekly group classes over six weeks continue building on advanced skills.

Best for: Owners wanting a family companion dog with strong manners or a start toward competition obedience.

Duration: 6 weeks

Focus: Advanced obedience, Basic obedience

Competition Obedience

$160 per course

Exercises focus on precision and proofing against distractions.

Weekly group classes over six weeks with pre-approval needed for jumping and retrieving work.

Best for: Dogs and handlers preparing for AKC competition obedience trials.

Requirements: Limit of 6 dogs per class

Duration: 6 weeks

Focus: Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash, Agility & dog sports

Rally

$160 per course

This class teaches exercises for all levels of Rally competition, from novice serpentines and spirals to advanced pivots and figure 8s. A new course layout is set up weekly for practice.

Weekly group classes over six weeks with a new practice course each session.

Best for: Dogs and handlers preparing for Rally competition at any level.

Duration: 6 weeks

Focus: Advanced obedience, Agility & dog sports

Rally Master

$160 per course

This class runs a different Master-level Rally course each week, with easier signage available for students not yet at Master level. Students get three run-throughs per class with coaching on execution.

Weekly group classes over six weeks with three run-throughs of a new course each time.

Best for: Dogs with basic obedience skills working toward or practicing Master-level Rally.

Requirements: Dogs must be able to sit, down, stand, heel and stay to join; class sizes limited to 4-6 dogs

Duration: 6 weeks

Focus: Advanced obedience, Agility & dog sports

Tricks/CGC

$160 per course

This class teaches tricks ranging from simple novice behaviors to complex behavior chains. It also covers the 10 good manners behaviors needed for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.

Weekly group classes over six weeks combining trick training with manners work.

Best for: Owners interested in trick training or preparing for the AKC CGC test.

Duration: 6 weeks

Focus: Basic obedience, Advanced obedience

Recreational Agility

$160 per course

This class covers agility obstacles like tunnels, the teeter, A-Frame, weave poles, and jumps in a fun, team-building format. A new course is set up each week with three run-throughs per team.

Weekly group classes over six weeks with three run-throughs of a new agility course each session.

Best for: Dogs and owners looking for a fun, engaging way to build teamwork through agility obstacles.

Requirements: Spots limited to 6 teams

Duration: 6 weeks

Focus: Agility & dog sports

Scentwork/Nose Work

$160 per course

This class trains dogs to locate a target odor, starting indoors in a training space and progressing to exterior and vehicle searches as skills develop.

Weekly group classes over six weeks moving from indoor searches to outdoor and vehicle searches.

Best for: Dogs and owners interested in trying the sport of scent detection.

Duration: 6 weeks

Focus: Scent work

Puppy & Beginning Obedience

$180 per course

This class teaches puppies and beginner dogs foundational skills like recall, sit, down, stay, heel, and loose leash walking using positive, motivational methods. It also covers collar conditioning, greeting people, impulse control, and use of luring, shaping, and capturing techniques.

Owners attend weekly group classes with their dog over six weeks, practicing skills and discussing behavior questions each session.

Best for: Owners of puppies or beginner dogs looking to build a strong foundation and address early behavior problems.

Duration: 6 weeks

Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience, Socialization

How much does Rav'n Dog Training cost?

Six-week group courses run $160 to $180, with puppy and beginning obedience at the higher end. Private lesson rates aren't published on the site.

Private Lessons pricing

Private Lessons pricing at Rav'n Dog Training in Redwood City, CA
Program	Price	Length
Private Lessons	Not published	Not stated

Group Classes pricing

Group Classes pricing at Rav'n Dog Training in Redwood City, CA
Program	Price	Length
Intermediate Obedience	$160 per course	6 weeks
Advanced Obedience	$160 per course	6 weeks
Competition Obedience	$160 per course	6 weeks
Rally	$160 per course	6 weeks
Rally Master	$160 per course	6 weeks
Tricks/CGC	$160 per course	6 weeks
Recreational Agility	$160 per course	6 weeks
Scentwork/Nose Work	$160 per course	6 weeks
Puppy & Beginning Obedience	$180 per course	6 weeks

What training methods does Rav'n Dog Training use?

The site uses general language about training philosophy without specifying techniques or tools. Aggression and reactivity cases are considered on a case-by-case basis through private lessons.

Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not specify which training tools are used.

Who runs Rav'n Dog Training?

As described in the business's own materials

Pat Rohde, Founder, owner and director

According to their site, has trained dogs since 1972, starting with her own rescue as a child, and has trained many breeds across obedience, agility, field, rally, scentwork, barnhunt and tricks. She teaches classes and offers private behavior consultations, and has taught for the City of Menlo Park and Palo Alto Humane Society.

Credentials listed on their site: Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and Certified mentor for Animal Behavior College Dog Trainer program. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Kitty Norwood, Instructor (Rally, Rally Master)

According to their site, has trained dogs for over 50 years, starting as a teenager, and has competed in obedience, rally, agility, breed conformation and tracking across many dog breeds. She has volunteered with a local AKC training club and co-led a 4-H dog project.

Cathy Lynch, Instructor/Assistant

According to their site, began training in 1993 after adopting a shelter dog, was drawn to positive training methods used by Pat Rohde, and progressed from student to teaching assistant. She has trained multiple dogs to titles in obedience, agility, field, trick dog and conformation.

Credentials listed on their site: CGC Evaluator and Trick Dog Tester. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Arlene Nichols, Instructor (Tricks, Scentwork)

According to their site, began training over 30 years ago with her Border Collie and has since competed in obedience and agility, including earning a Master Agility Champion title three times. She currently trains a rescue dog with noise phobia and focuses on manners, tricks, agility-type courses and nose work.

Credentials listed on their site: Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers, AKC Canine Good Citizen and Tricks Evaluator, and B.S. in Psychology. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Christina Ehlers-Woelk, Instructor (Tricks, Recreational Agility, Rally)

According to their site, a German-born dog trainer, yoga instructor and artist who became interested in dog training as a teenager through self-study, later adopted a stray Poodle mix in the Bay Area, and began training and competing with him after taking classes with Pat Rohde. She and her dog have been invited to the AKC Rally National Championship multiple years.

Lisa Hughes, Instructor (Group classes, virtual testing)

According to their site, began training and showing her Standard Poodle in 2007 after meeting Pat Rohde, later worked with a breeder using the Puppy Culture method for puppy socialization, and joined Rav'n Dog Training teaching group classes and administering virtual testing. She works in the financial industry outside of dog training.

Credentials listed on their site: AKC approved CGC and Trick Dog Evaluator, Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers, Member, San Mateo Dog Training Club, and Member, Oakland Dog Training Club. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Where does Rav'n Dog Training offer dog training?

Rav'n Dog Training trains out of rented space in Redwood City, CA, offering private lessons and group classes.

Their site says they serve dog owners and families ranging from first-time pet owners to experienced competitors seeking advanced training and dog sport titles.

Classes are held at two indoor training locations on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Classes take place at a rented facility on El Camino Real in Redwood City. Parking and accessibility information isn't provided.

How does Rav'n Dog Training compare with other Redwood City dog trainers?

Barklen analysis

Barklen analysis based on 5 published Redwood City listings (22 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by Rav'n Dog Training.

Price: entry price within the published Redwood City range for group classes ($160–$180 vs. $158–$162).

Reviews: 4.9★ from 8 Google reviews, among 5 published Redwood City programs.

Transparency: 72 out of 100 (moderately transparent), with 90% price transparency and 82% program clarity. 3 of 5 Redwood City listings show certifications; this business lists APDT and AKC CGC Evaluator.

Published prices at Rav'n Dog Training compared with Redwood City ranges
Program type	Rav'n Dog Training	Redwood City range	Barklen read
Group Classes	$160–$180	$158–$162 across 10 Redwood City programs	Entry price within the published Redwood City range

What should you ask Rav'n Dog Training before booking?

Generated from what their public materials leave open

Ask for current pricing on Private Lessons, which is not published online.
Ask for proof of liability insurance.
Their site describes their approach in general terms. Ask which specific methods and tools they use.
Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.
Ask about current availability and whether there is a waitlist.

Location and hours

346 El Camino Real, Redwood City, CA

Hours are not published in the materials Barklen reviewed. Confirm before visiting.

How Barklen reviewed this listing

Barklen reviewed Rav'n 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, dogs per trainer, and waitlist) are turned into the questions above rather than filled in.

Last reviewed by Barklen: Sep 6, 2026