San Diego Dog Training runs its board-and-train program out of a residential property in North Park that's been converted into a dedicated training facility. According to their site, the setup includes multiple indoor playrooms, enclosed yards, a turfed track circling the property, and a lounge area with daybeds, designed to feel like a "staycation" environment while dogs work through their training.
Lead trainer Daniel Runewicz heads the small team alongside his own psychiatric support dog, Ohana, who their site describes as a "head trainer" figure in what they call a pack-based methodology. The approach, as they explain it, groups boarding dogs together to train alongside each other and the resident dogs rather than isolating them. They say they favor recognition over treats as the primary reward system, describing it as positive reinforcement without "treat-based trading."
Their core offering is a two-week immersive program covering obedience, leash work, socialization, and behavior modification for issues like reactivity, anxiety, and aggression. They also run a puppy program for dogs three to six months old, one-on-one session sold individually or in packages, service dog training aimed at ADA standards, and virtual coaching via Zoom for clients outside San Diego, though they note the virtual option isn't available for dogs with aggression or severe reactivity. The business claims experience with over 1,700 dogs and has been operating for about 19 years.
