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Lily Ray Dog Training is a dog training business in Richmond, California offering Private Lessons, Board and Train, and Group Classes.
Richmond • CA • 4.0 ★ (4 Google reviews)
Last verified: Sep 5, 2026
51 / 100
Limited information
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
What they say about themselves
Lily, the owner and head trainer, came to dog training through animal rescue work, where she developed skills in defensive handling and reading body language in fearful or reactive dogs. According to her site, she continues to assist rescues with dog evaluations while competing in AKC obedience, scent work, and barn hunt with her Belgian Malinois. She holds CGC, CGCA, and CGCU titles and is a certified Trick Dog evaluator.
The Richmond-based business offers board-and-train programs, private lessons, and group classes. Their board-and-train structure stands out for its owner involvement: they require one-on-one lessons before any boarding stay so the dog arrives already familiar with the training approach, and they include scheduled sessions with the owner during and after the program. Post-stay follow-up lessons come at no additional charge. For puppies five to eight months old, they offer a split program—three weeks of boarding, follow-up lessons, then a two-week return stay focused on proofing skills around distractions.
Lily Ray Dog Training describes their philosophy as prioritizing safety and working at each dog's pace rather than pushing through reactive moments. Their group classes are reserved for existing clients, positioned as opportunities to test obedience skills in challenging environments rather than introductory training. Tea, an assistant trainer with roughly a decade of rescue and veterinary experience, rounds out the team.
Consultations and evaluations before you commit to a program.
This required initial evaluation lets the trainer get to know the owner and dog before recommending a training plan, whether the goal is behavior modification or basic walking skills.
Best for: Any prospective client, required as the first step before enrolling in lessons or board and train.
Duration: 2 sessions
Focus: Basic obedience
Board and train options include a 4-week program for adult dogs covering reactivity, fear, and aggression work, plus a 5-week puppy prep track for dogs 5-8 months old. Private lessons address basics like leash skills and puppy foundations, while 6-week group classes focus on obedience and socialization but are only open to existing clients. Lily Ray Dog Training includes handoff and follow-up sessions with the board and train programs.
What board & train costs in Richmond
We don't have enough published local pricing yet. Ask for a written quote that covers duration, inclusions, and follow-up.
This two-part program starts with a 3-week stay covering environment interaction, socialization, confidence building, and obedience cues like sit, stay, and loose leash walking, followed by weekly lessons at home. A second 2-week stay later refines obedience and can introduce e-collar training for off-leash skills.
The puppy boards with the trainer for the stay portions, with weekly lessons at home in between the two boarding phases.
Best for: Puppies between 5 and 8 months old.
Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience, Socialization
Duration: 5 weeks
Includes: Follow-up sessions
This program addresses obedience in distracting environments, off-leash obedience with e-collar introduction, social skills around dogs and people, fear-based issues, and general reactivity toward dogs, people, kids, or moving objects. Duration ranges from 4-8 weeks depending on the dog's needs, with behavior cases generally requiring more time.
The dog boards with the trainer, with a midway lesson for the owner around week 2 or 3, and free follow-up lessons after the stay.
Best for: Adult dogs older than 9 months, including behavior cases needing more intensive work.
Focus: Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash, Leash reactivity, Fear & anxiety, Aggression
Duration: 4 weeks
Includes: Owner handoff sessions, Follow-up sessions
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Prep Board and Train | Not published | 5 weeks |
| Adult Dog Board & Train | Not published | 4 weeks |
One-on-one sessions cover management strategies, crate training, foundational obedience skills like recall and leash walking, and puppy development topics such as socialization and engagement games. Mild to moderate reactivity can also be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
The trainer meets with the owner and dog for lessons, typically 3-6 sessions, often before or alongside a board and train program.
Best for: Owners of adult or young dogs wanting foundational training, including those preparing for a board and train.
Focus: Basic obedience, Puppy training, Leash training, Leash reactivity
Private Lessons in Richmond typically runs $792–$1,908 across 5 programs that do publish pricing. Ask this trainer for a written quote before comparing.
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1:1 lessons | Not published | — |
These 6-week classes test dogs' skills in challenging environments with distractions, focusing on relationship building and obedience, and can help prepare for a Canine Good Citizen title.
Dogs and owners attend group sessions together over six weeks practicing obedience amid distractions.
Best for: Existing clients who have already worked with the trainer.
Focus: Basic obedience, Advanced obedience, Socialization
Duration: 6 weeks
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Group Classes | Not published | 6 weeks |
The site explicitly identifies the approach as balanced training. Aggression cases are evaluated individually rather than accepted or declined outright.
Method: Balanced
Combines rewards with corrections, which may include tools such as prong collars or e-collars.
Certifications: AKC CGC Evaluator
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
Owner visits during board and train are described as limited, though the site doesn't specify a schedule. They hold AKC CGC Evaluator certification. Insurance, facility details, and overnight staffing aren't addressed.
Facility: not specified on their website.
Owner visits: Limited visits
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
Price: Lily Ray Dog Training does not publish board & train pricing. Across Richmond, 9 programs publish prices from about $563 to $3,100.
Reviews: Lily Ray Dog Training shows 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews among 4 published Richmond programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 51 out of 100 (price 0%, program clarity 84%). 1 of 4 Richmond listings show certifications; this business lists AKC CGC Evaluator.
The Richmond address is on Marina Way S, near the waterfront area. Parking availability and accessibility features aren't mentioned on the site.
941 Marina Way S, Richmond, CA
Friday: Open 24 hours
Monday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: 12-8PM
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: 2-8PM
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Reach out directly or send a quote request through Lily Ray Dog Training.
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