Oakland Dog Training Club — Dog Training in Richmond, CA
Oakland Dog Training Club is a dog training business in Richmond, California offering group classes, working from a dedicated training facility. They take aggression cases by assessment and have been in business for 79+ years.
Richmond, CA • Training facility • 4.5 ★ (22 Google reviews)
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
Price transparency
0%
Method transparency
35%
Program clarity
65%
About Oakland Dog Training Club
Based on what the business publishes about itself
Oakland Dog Training Club has operated since 1947, making it one of the longest-running training organizations in the East Bay. The club's core philosophy, according to their site, centers on owners doing the training themselves rather than handing dogs off to professionals, a model they describe as producing better long-term results for both dog and handler.
The instructor roster reflects a sport-oriented community. Lizanne Kaiser, an AKC-approved Obedience and Tracking Judge, has competed nationally since 2005 and earned multiple high-level titles with her German Shepherd Dogs, including a rescue dog that won a national obedience award in 2012. Lauri Bobrosky brings over 35 years of training experience, including deployment with FEMA search-and-rescue teams after 9/11. Other instructors came to teaching through personal experience, Albert Angulo, for example, started volunteering after adopting a rescue with behavioral challenges and later trained at the Michael Ellis School.
Classes run from foundational programs like the AKC STAR Puppy series and a low-stress "From the Ground Up" course for new owners and shelter dogs, through a full competition track covering novice to utility-level obedience, rally, and introductory scent work. The Richmond facility includes an indoor training hall available for member practice, with periodic outdoor matches held at Cal State East Bay. The club states it welcomes all breeds, including those with reputational stigma.
What dog training programs does Oakland Dog Training Club offer?
Group classes span the full progression from puppy basics through competition-level obedience. Oakland Dog Training Club offers an AKC STAR Puppy program for dogs 12 weeks to 10 months, foundation courses designed for shelter dogs and new owners, and specialty options like small dog obedience (under 20 pounds). Advanced tracks include Novice, Open/Utility skills, and Ring Ready preparation for those heading toward AKC competition.
AKC STAR Puppy Program
Price not published.
This puppy foundation course is split into four sessions so busy owners can join without waiting for longer programs to start. Completing the full program takes two rounds of four sessions, letting owners move at their own pace.
Owners attend group sessions with their puppy at the club's facility.
Best for: Puppies aged 12 weeks to 10 months who have had their second DHPP vaccination.
Requirements: For puppies 12 weeks to 10 months at beginning of session. Must have received second DHPP immunization at least two weeks before session starts.
From the Ground Up: Building Trust & Skills for Lifelong Partnerships
Price not published.
A low-stress six-week course covering foundational skills like name recognition, eye contact, calm leash walking, leave it, and settling on a mat. Sessions run 45 minutes to an hour with homework each week, ending in a graded graduation test based on comprehension.
Owners attend weekly sessions with their dog and complete homework between classes.
Best for: New dog owners and shelter dogs starting training together.
Requirements: Ideal for new dog owners and shelter dogs beginning training together.
Duration: 6 weeks
Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization, Leash training
Beginning Obedience
Price not published.
This class introduces core obedience cues like come, sit, down, stay, and heel, with the instructor available to address issues like barking, chewing, and leash pulling.
Owners attend weekly group classes working directly with their own dogs.
Best for: Dogs 6 months and older new to obedience training.
Requirements: For dogs 6 months and older.
Duration: 6 weeks
Focus: Basic obedience
Intermediate Obedience
Price not published.
This class refines basic obedience skills, introduces hand signals and more advanced exercises, and prepares dogs for off-leash control work.
Owners attend weekly group classes practicing more advanced handling.
Best for: Dogs who have completed Beginning Obedience.
Requirements: For dogs promoted from Beginning Obedience.
A basic obedience class scaled for small dogs, covering come, sit, down, stay, and heel, plus help with barking, chewing, and pulling.
Owners attend weekly group classes limited to 10 small dogs.
Best for: Dogs 6 months and older weighing 20 pounds or less.
Requirements: Dogs 6 months and older weighing 20 pounds or less; class limited to 10 dogs.
Duration: 6 weeks
Focus: Basic obedience
Novice Obedience
Price not published.
This competition-oriented class targets skills needed for AKC Beginner Novice and Novice titles, emphasizing improving the handler's own techniques alongside the dog's.
Owners work their dogs in a weekly skills-focused group class.
Best for: Handler/dog teams preparing to compete at the Novice level, from first-timers to experienced competitors.
Requirements: Dog must have completed an Intermediate level obedience class or equivalent and be able to work around other dogs and people without undue barking, lunging, or fearful behavior.
Focus: Advanced obedience, Agility & dog sports
Heeling Rehab
Price not published.
A specialized class targeting engagement, position holding, and heeling components like turns, pace, and halts, using games and drills to build confidence, with individual problems addressed.
Weekly group class focused specifically on heeling mechanics.
Best for: Handlers struggling with qualifying heeling in obedience or rally competition.
Focus: Advanced obedience
"Work at your Level" Open/Utility Skills
Price not published.
Individualized instruction on Open and Utility level obedience exercises, with one exercise from each level covered per week based on each student's needs.
Weekly group class with individualized exercise focus.
Best for: Handlers working on beginning or advanced Open and Utility obedience skills.
Focus: Advanced obedience
Ring Ready AKC Obedience
Price not published.
This class polishes competition-ready AKC obedience skills across Novice through Utility levels, though not every exercise is covered each session.
Small weekly group sessions limited to 6 dogs by lottery.
Best for: Dogs with existing pet manners or higher, working toward AKC obedience competition.
Requirements: Dogs must already have 'pet manner' skills or higher and be able to work in a group setting without being aggressive or disrupting others. Limit 6 dogs total, determined by lottery.
Focus: Advanced obedience
Once a Month Obedience Run-Through
Price not published.
Focus: Advanced obedience
How much does Oakland Dog Training Club cost?
Oakland Dog Training Club does not publish program pricing online. Contact them directly or request a quote through Barklen for current rates.
Group Classes pricing
Group Classes pricing at Oakland Dog Training Club in Richmond, CA
Program
Price
Length
AKC STAR Puppy Program
Not published
4 sessions
From the Ground Up: Building Trust & Skills for Lifelong Partnerships
Not published
6 weeks
Beginning Obedience
Not published
6 weeks
Intermediate Obedience
Not published
6 weeks
Small Dog Obedience
Not published
6 weeks
Novice Obedience
Not published
Not stated
Heeling Rehab
Not published
Not stated
"Work at your Level" Open/Utility Skills
Not published
Not stated
Ring Ready AKC Obedience
Not published
Not stated
Once a Month Obedience Run-Through
Not published
Not stated
What training methods does Oakland Dog Training Club use?
The site doesn't specify training tools or techniques in detail. Aggression and reactivity cases are evaluated individually rather than accepted or declined outright.
Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not specify which training tools are used.
According to their site, she has competed in AKC obedience, tracking, and rally since 2005 with her German Shepherd Dogs, earning numerous national-level titles and rankings, including a rescue dog that won a national obedience award in 2012.
Credentials listed on their site: AKC Obedience and Tracking Judge and OTCH2, CT, and OGM titles earned with her dogs. Barklen has not independently verified these.
Albert Angulo, Instructor
According to their site, he began volunteering with the club in 2012 after adopting a rescue dog with behavioral challenges, which led him to pursue further dog training education, including instinct sports and additional schooling.
Credentials listed on their site: Trained at the Michael Ellis School for Dog Training. Barklen has not independently verified these.
Lauri Bobrosky, Instructor, obedience classes
According to their site, she has trained dogs for over 35 years, including basic and advanced obedience, and has extensive experience with FEMA search-and-rescue teams, including deployment after 9/11.
Credentials listed on their site: Obedience and tracking titles earned on multiple dogs and Trained with FEMA Urban Search & Rescue teams. Barklen has not independently verified these.
Harriet Tucker, Instructor, obedience and rally run-throughs
According to their site, she joined the club in 1996 and has trained multiple dogs through obedience and rally titles, later teaching obedience and rally for several dog training clubs.
Credentials listed on their site: Multiple AKC obedience and rally titles earned with her dogs. Barklen has not independently verified these.
Where does Oakland Dog Training Club offer dog training?
Oakland Dog Training Club operates from a dedicated training facility in Richmond, CA, offering group classes.
Their site says they the club welcomes both purebred and mixed-breed dogs, serving pet owners looking for basic manners as well as competitors pursuing obedience, rally, tracking, and other AKC sports; the site states it does not discriminate based on breed, including breeds with reputational stigma.
The club operates an indoor training hall used for classes and available for members to rent for personal practice, plus uses an outdoor campus lawn location for periodic practice matches.
Classes meet at a dedicated facility on Jacuzzi Street. Parking and accessibility details aren't published.
How does Oakland Dog Training Club compare with other Richmond dog trainers?
Barklen analysis
Barklen analysis based on 4 published Richmond listings (9 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by Oakland Dog Training Club.
Price: too few Richmond programs publish pricing in the same categories for a like-for-like comparison yet.
Reviews: 4.5★ from 22 Google reviews, among 4 published Richmond programs.
Transparency: 27 out of 100 (minimal information), with 0% price transparency and 65% program clarity. 1 of 4 Richmond listings show certifications; this business does not list any.
What should you ask Oakland Dog Training Club before booking?
Generated from what their public materials leave open
They don't publish pricing. Ask what a full program costs and exactly what is included.
Ask which certifications their trainers hold and who issued them.
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.
Location and hours
5327 Jacuzzi St, Richmond, CA
Hours are not published in the materials Barklen reviewed. Confirm before visiting.
How Barklen reviewed this listing
Barklen reviewed Oakland Dog Training Club 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, guarantee, certifications, and others) are turned into the questions above rather than filled in.
Last reviewed by Barklen: Sep 6, 2026
What Barklen could verify
Programs listed
10 programs (group classes)
Published pricing
None published
Training method
Method unclear
Aggression and reactivity cases
Aggression cases by assessment
Facility
Training facility
Years in business
79+ years
Booking
Contact form
Waitlist
Mentions a waitlist
Contact Oakland Dog Training Club or request a quote
Contact Oakland Dog Training Club directly by phone or through their website, or request a quote through Barklen and we will pass it along.
