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Finest City Dog Training - San Diego is a dog training business in San Diego, California offering Group Classes and Private Lessons, with published programs from $40.
San Diego • CA • 4.7 ★ (39 Google reviews)
Last verified: Sep 5, 2026
90 / 100
Highly transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
What they say about themselves
Jessica McCloskey, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), has been working with dogs in San Diego since 2007. She also holds credentials as an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and AKC Temperament Test Evaluator, and maintains membership in the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. According to her website, she views her role less as someone who trains your dog for you and more as a guide helping you and your dog work together.
Finest City Dog Training describes its methodology as "balanced," meaning McCloskey draws from multiple training traditions—classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and counterconditioning—rather than adhering strictly to one school of thought. Their site explains this allows her to adjust techniques based on individual temperament: gentler methods for sensitive dogs, measured corrections for more confident ones. They note they don't use shock collars, dominance-based approaches, or clickers, and they limit treat dependency.
The business offers both private lessons and group classes, addressing concerns from basic obedience and house training to more complex issues like separation anxiety, aggression, and reactivity. Their site indicates they work with dogs of all ages and backgrounds, including rescues and reactive dogs. Whether the focus is teaching a puppy to walk calmly on leash or helping an older dog learn reliable off-leash recall, the stated goal is building communication between owner and dog.
Consultations and evaluations before you commit to a program.
A single 60 to 75 minute session offering a full evaluation of the dog and an opportunity to address the owner's top concerns while meeting the trainer.
Best for: Owners wanting an introduction to the trainer's methods before committing to a full program.
Duration: 1 sessions
Focus: Basic obedience
Group classes progress from puppy socialization ($40 per session) through beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, each running six sessions at $175–$200. Private lesson packages address broader needs: the Foundation program covers basics over six sessions for $750, while the Ultimate program tackles behavioral challenges including aggression across eight sessions for $925. An unlimited group class option at $475 grants lifetime access for one dog. Finest City Dog Training also offers AKC Canine Good Citizen certification prep for therapy dogs in training.
Prices are published clearly across all programs. Group classes range from $40 per drop-in socialization session to $200 for a six-week beginner course, with intermediate and advanced options at $175 each. Private training runs $750–$925 depending on scope, and adding a second dog costs roughly half the base price. The $475 unlimited group access creates a ceiling for owners planning ongoing class attendance.
An eight-session package covering obedience through behavior modification, designed for long-term success and to address serious issues like separation anxiety or aggression.
The owner and dog attend eight 45-minute private sessions, plus lifetime access to group classes and CGC certification.
Best for: New puppy owners, first-time owners, or dogs with behavioral challenges.
Focus: Basic obedience, Advanced obedience, Separation anxiety, Aggression
Duration: 8 sessions
Includes: Lifetime support
A six-session program tackling essential obedience commands, unwanted behaviors, and social skills to prepare dogs for various environments.
The owner and dog attend six 45-minute private sessions plus lifetime access to Level 1-3 group classes.
Best for: New puppy owners or dogs needing the basics.
Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience, Socialization
Duration: 6 sessions
Includes: Lifetime support
Focus: Basic obedience
Private Lessons in San Diego typically runs $108–$1,195 across 17 programs that do publish pricing. Ask this trainer for a written quote before comparing.
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Dog Training Program | $925 per program | 8 sessions |
| Foundation Dog Training Program | $750 per program | 6 sessions |
| Mini Pack Dog Training Program | Not published | — |
A single 45-minute group class introducing young puppies to other puppies in a controlled, safe environment. Instruction is gentle and tailored to the puppy's developmental stage.
Puppies attend one group class outdoors with an instructor guiding gentle exposure exercises.
Best for: Puppies between 12 and 16 weeks old needing early socialization.
Focus: Puppy training, Socialization
Duration: 45 sessions
A six-session beginner obedience class covering foundational commands like sit, stay, down, and come, alongside ongoing socialization opportunities.
Dogs and owners attend six 45-minute group classes together working on basic commands.
Best for: Puppies 16 weeks or older and social adult dogs with little to no formal training.
Focus: Basic obedience, Puppy training, Socialization
Duration: 6 sessions
A six-session intermediate class that builds on basic obedience with added distractions and higher-level skill work.
Dogs attend six 45-minute group classes practicing obedience commands amid increasing distractions.
Best for: Dogs that have completed a Level 1 obedience class or already have basic skills.
Focus: Basic obedience, Advanced obedience
Duration: 6 sessions
A six-session advanced class focusing on high-level skills and preparing dogs for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
Dogs attend six 45-minute group classes with advanced skill instruction.
Best for: Dogs that have completed Level 1 and 2 classes or equivalent intermediate training.
Focus: Advanced obedience
Duration: 6 sessions
A six-session class that prepares dogs for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, with five sessions of preparation and the test included.
Dogs attend five prep classes plus the CGC test as the sixth session.
Best for: Dogs pursuing CGC certification, including therapy dogs in training.
Focus: Advanced obedience, Therapy dog training
Duration: 6 sessions
A lifetime access pass allowing unlimited attendance in all regular obedience class levels for one dog after a single one-time payment.
The dog can attend any Level 1-3 group class repeatedly with no additional fees.
Best for: Dog owners seeking ongoing training and continued socialization opportunities long-term.
Focus: Basic obedience, Advanced obedience, Socialization
Includes: Lifetime support
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Socialization Class | $40 per session | 45 sessions |
| Beginner Dog Training | $200 per program | 6 sessions |
| Intermediate Dog Training | $175 per program | 6 sessions |
| Advanced Dog Training | $175 per program | 6 sessions |
| AKC Canine Good Citizen Certification | $175 per program | 6 sessions |
| Unlimited Group Training Classes in San Diego | $475 per program | — |
The approach is described as balanced, and trainers openly work with aggression and behavioral issues. Specific tools or techniques aren't detailed on the site, so prospective clients may want to ask what that looks like in practice.
Method: Balanced
Combines rewards with corrections, which may include tools such as prong collars or e-collars.
Certifications: CPDT-KA, APDT, AKC CGC Evaluator
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
Trainers hold CPDT-KA certification, APDT membership, and AKC CGC Evaluator credentials. Insurance, guarantees, and facility details aren't mentioned. Several private programs include lifetime support, though terms aren't defined.
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: 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: Finest City Dog Training - San Diego does not publish board & train pricing. Across San Diego, 55 programs publish prices from about $77 to $876.
Reviews: Finest City Dog Training - San Diego shows 4.7★ from 39 Google reviews among 23 published San Diego programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 90 out of 100 (price 89%, program clarity 79%). 7 of 23 San Diego listings show certifications; this business lists CPDT-KA, APDT, AKC CGC Evaluator.
Training takes place at 4450 Del Mar Trails Rd in the Carmel Valley area of San Diego. Parking and accessibility information isn't published.
4450 Del Mar Trails Rd, San Diego, CA
Friday: 9AM-7PM
Monday: 9AM-7PM
Sunday: 9AM-7PM
Tuesday: 9AM-7PM
Saturday: 9AM-7PM
Thursday: 9AM-7PM
Wednesday: 9AM-7PM
Reach out directly or send a quote request through Finest City Dog Training - San Diego.
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