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Absolute K9 Training is a dog training business in San Diego, California offering board and train, private lessons, and group classes, working from a dedicated training facility. They accept aggression and reactivity cases and have been in business for 30+ years.
San Diego, CA • Training facility • 4.5 ★ (16 Google reviews)
Last reviewed: Sep 5, 2026
13 / 100
Minimal information
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
Based on what the business publishes about itself
Mike Stone, who founded this San Diego training company in 1994 with his wife Toni, brings an unusual credential set to the work. According to their website, he holds training certifications from the US, Germany, and England, with additional certification in police dog training and kennel management. Before starting Absolute K9, he worked as an instructor at another training school. The company claims he has trained over 10,000 dogs in the three decades since.
The operation now runs alongside Snug Pet Resort, a 22,000-square-foot facility on three acres in Sorrento Valley that's co-owned by former NFL player LaDainian Tomlinson and his wife. Their site describes climate-controlled indoor spaces, some suites exceeding 200 square feet, along with outdoor areas featuring a saltwater pool. They also mention having veterinary staff on-site most days, which they present as uncommon for a combined training and boarding facility.
Programs range from board-and-train stays to private lessons (which can happen at the facility or in your home) to weekly Saturday classes for dogs that have completed their initial training. Their trainers' background includes protection work and Schutzhund competition, though the company emphasizes they tailor their approach to each household's specific goals. They describe their focus as understanding what typical pet-owning families actually need, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method.
Board and train, private lessons, and group classes cover basic obedience, with private sessions also addressing aggression cases. Absolute K9 Training restricts group classes to dogs that have already completed their in-kennel or private lesson programs, and offers ongoing maintenance classes exclusively for graduates.
Price not published.
This is described as an in-kennel training program where dogs stay with the trainers, similar to a boot camp style board and train.
The dog goes through an in-kennel training program at the facility.
Focus: Basic obedience
Price not published.
One-on-one training conducted either at the client's home or at the training facility, focused on specific issues like aggression or one or two particular behaviors.
A home evaluation may occur first, then training happens at the client's home and/or the facility.
Best for: Owners who live nearby, want close involvement, or are working on one or two specific issues including aggression.
Focus: Basic obedience, Aggression
Price not published.
A weekly Saturday morning session held at the facility for graduates of prior training programs to reinforce learned skills.
Owners bring dogs on leash to the facility patio for a one-hour class each Saturday.
Best for: Dogs that have already completed the in-kennel or private lesson training program.
Requirements: Only open to dogs that have completed the in-kennel training or private lesson program.
Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization
Price not published.
Ongoing weekly classes for past training graduates to address regression or new behavioral challenges such as a new pet in the home.
Owners attend Saturday morning sessions at the facility with their dog.
Best for: Dogs and owners who have already completed a training program with Absolute K9.
Requirements: For graduates of Absolute K9 training programs only.
Focus: Basic obedience
Absolute K9 Training does not publish program pricing online. Contact them directly or request a quote through Barklen for current rates.
| Program | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Doggie Boot Camp | Not published | Not stated |
| Program | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Private Dog Training | Not published | Not stated |
| Program | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Group Training Class | Not published | Not stated |
| Maintenance and Group Training Classes | Not published | Not stated |
Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not state which training method Absolute K9 Training uses.
Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not specify which training tools are used.
As described in the business's own materials
According to their site, worked as an instructor at a dog training school before starting his own company; described as a celebrity dog trainer with decades of experience.
Credentials listed on their site: Certified trainer in the US, Germany, and England, Certified in obedience and protection training, Certified kennel technician, and Certified police dog trainer. Barklen has not independently verified these.
According to their site, co-founded the business with her husband Mike Stone in 1994.
Absolute K9 Training operates from a dedicated training facility in San Diego, CA, offering board and train stays at their facility, private lessons, and group classes.
Their site says they serve everyday pet-owning families as well as celebrity clients, aiming to address typical household behavior issues alongside advanced obedience needs.
Training operates alongside Snug Pet Resort, a 22,000 sq. ft. pet resort-style facility on a three-acre property in Sorrento Valley, combining boarding, training, veterinary care, and other pet services.
The Sorrento Valley Road facility sits in San Diego's 92121 zip code. Parking availability and accessibility features aren't mentioned on the site.
Barklen analysis
Barklen analysis based on 23 published San Diego listings (55 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by Absolute K9 Training.
Price: Absolute K9 Training does not publish pricing for the program types where San Diego has enough published prices to compare (board and train, private lessons, and group classes).
Reviews: 4.5★ from 16 Google reviews, among 23 published San Diego programs.
Transparency: 13 out of 100 (minimal information), with 0% price transparency and 50% program clarity. 7 of 23 San Diego listings show certifications; this business does not list any.
| Program type | Absolute K9 Training | San Diego range | Barklen read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board and Train | Not published | $338–$826 across 3 San Diego programs | No published price to compare |
| Private Lessons | Not published | $75–$168 across 8 San Diego programs | No published price to compare |
| Group Classes | Not published | $153–$550 across 22 San Diego programs | No published price to compare |
Generated from what their public materials leave open
11339 Sorrento Valley Rd, San Diego, CA
Barklen reviewed Absolute K9 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 (training method, owner visits during programs, overnight staffing, insurance, certifications, dogs per trainer, and others) are turned into the questions above rather than filled in.
Last reviewed by Barklen: Sep 5, 2026
Contact Absolute K9 Training directly by phone or through their website, or request a quote through Barklen and we will pass it along.
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