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Bay Area Dog Training — Dog Training in San Jose, CA

Bay Area Dog Training is a dog training business in San Jose, California offering board and train, private lessons, and group classes, working by traveling to clients. They accept aggression and reactivity cases and publish pricing from $225 per session to $3,700.

San Jose, CA • Mobile / travels to you • 4.6 ★ (21 Google reviews)

Verified listing

Last reviewed: Sep 5, 2026

Transparency Score

68 / 100

Moderately transparent

How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.

Price transparency: 100%
Method transparency: 35%
Program clarity: 51%

About Bay Area Dog Training

Based on what the business publishes about itself

Mike Hatjes founded Bay Area Dog Training in 1980 after training his own Doberman during college. According to his site, he holds a psychology degree from Arizona State University and spent time working in addiction counseling before committing to dog training full-time. He's been at it for over three decades now. The business mentions some competitive highlights from its early years, a Rottweiler named Radar that reached the top national ranking in 1985, and Hatjes's own Doberman earning a near-perfect score in obedience competition.

Their stated approach centers on behavior modification and owner education. The site emphasizes that they train owners as much as dogs, using verbal praise and physical affection rather than food rewards. Private lessons take place in the home and gradually move to more distracting environments like busy areas around San Jose. Group classes follow a four-level structure designed to build toward off-leash reliability, with puppies eligible to start at 16 weeks.

Emily, a second trainer on staff, learned directly from Hatjes and now works alongside him. The business describes itself as having helped thousands of local families over its 44 years, though its primary focus remains one-on-one work addressing specific behavioral concerns rather than competition training.

What dog training programs does Bay Area Dog Training offer?

Four levels of group classes run seven weeks each, progressing from basic obedience through advanced off-leash work. Bay Area Dog Training also offers a 12-session private lesson package and a board-and-train program called "The Ultimate" at $3,700, though not all dogs qualify for the residential option. Puppies need to be at least 16 weeks old for Level I.

The Ultimate

$3,700

Requirements: This is not appropriate for all dogs, dogs must qualify for this option.

Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization, Leash reactivity

Includes: Owner handoff sessions

Private Lesson Package

$225 per session

Package: $1,795 for a 12-session package

Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training

Level I (7 weeks)

Bay Area Dog Training publishes 4 versions of this program. The table shows how they differ; anything not listed here was not stated in their materials.

Group Classes options at Bay Area Dog Training
Option	Length	Price	What differs
Level III	7 weeks	$400 per course	Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash, Leash training
Level IV	7 weeks	$400 per course	Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash, Leash training; you need to have completed a Level III class session (or have permission from one of our trainers)
Level II	7 weeks	$425 per course	Basic obedience, Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash
Level I	7 weeks	$450 per course	Basic obedience, Leash training, Socialization; Puppies must be 16 weeks old to start the Level I class.

How much does Bay Area Dog Training cost?

Group classes range from $400 to $450 per seven-week course. Private lessons come in a 12-session package at $1,795 (about $150 per session). The board-and-train runs $3,700 total and includes handoff sessions with the owner.

Board and Train pricing

Board and Train pricing at Bay Area Dog Training in San Jose, CA
Program	Price	Length
The Ultimate	$3,700	Not stated

Private Lessons pricing

Private Lessons pricing at Bay Area Dog Training in San Jose, CA
Program	Price	Length
Private Lesson Package	$225 per session$1,795 for a 12-session package	Not stated

Group Classes pricing

Group Classes pricing at Bay Area Dog Training in San Jose, CA
Program	Price	Length
Level III	$400 per course	7 weeks
Level IV	$400 per course	7 weeks
Level II	$425 per course	7 weeks
Level I	$450 per course	7 weeks

Consultations and evaluations

Evaluation: $55 per session

What training methods does Bay Area Dog Training use?

The site uses general language about training philosophy without specifying techniques or tools. They do accept dogs with aggression or reactivity issues, noting that some dogs must qualify before enrolling in the board-and-train program.

Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not specify which training tools are used.

Who runs Bay Area Dog Training?

As described in the business's own materials

Mike Hatjes, Founder / Trainer

According to their site, grew up with dogs as family members, trained his own Doberman during college, and has worked as a dog trainer and behaviorist for over 30 years. He also briefly worked as an EMT and in addiction counseling/psychology before returning to dog training full time.

Credentials listed on their site: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Arizona State University and Certified Emergency Medical Technician. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Emily, Trainer

According to their site, developed an interest in dog training while working with her own dog, Sirus, and values the bond built through training. She learned her training skills directly from Mike Hatjes.

Credentials listed on their site: Bachelor of Arts in Art History, UC Santa Barbara. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Where does Bay Area Dog Training offer dog training?

Bay Area Dog Training is a mobile trainer based in San Jose, CA, traveling to clients rather than hosting them, offering board and train stays, private lessons, and group classes.

Their site says they dog owners in the Bay Area/San Jose region, described as having helped thousands of families turn their dogs into well-behaved companions.

Training happens at a Hamilton Avenue address in San Jose, suite 30. The site doesn't describe the facility itself or mention parking availability.

How does Bay Area Dog Training compare with other San Jose dog trainers?

Barklen analysis

Barklen analysis based on 11 published San Jose listings (37 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by Bay Area Dog Training.

Price: in line with the San Jose midpoint for board and train ($3,700 vs. $2,450–$6,120); entry price within the published San Jose range for private lessons ($225 vs. $86–$265); entry price within the published San Jose range for group classes ($400–$450 vs. $275–$435).

Reviews: 4.6★ from 21 Google reviews, among 11 published San Jose programs.

Transparency: 68 out of 100 (moderately transparent), with 100% price transparency and 51% program clarity. 3 of 11 San Jose listings show certifications; this business does not list any.

Published prices at Bay Area Dog Training compared with San Jose ranges
Program type	Bay Area Dog Training	San Jose range	Barklen read
Board and Train	$3,700	$2,450–$6,120 across 7 San Jose programs	In line with the San Jose midpoint
Private Lessons	$225	$86–$265 across 8 San Jose programs	Entry price within the published San Jose range
Group Classes	$400–$450	$275–$435 across 11 San Jose programs	Entry price within the published San Jose range

What should you ask Bay Area Dog Training before booking?

Generated from what their public materials leave open

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 whether you can visit your dog during a board and train stay.
Ask if anyone is on-site overnight.
Ask how often you will get photo or video updates.
Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.
Ask for a written outline of daily structure, skills covered, and follow-up support after the program.

Location and hours

1975 Hamilton Ave #30, San Jose, CA

Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

How Barklen reviewed this listing

Barklen reviewed Bay Area Dog 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 (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 5, 2026

What Barklen could verify

Programs listed: 6 programs (board and train, private lessons, group classes)
Published pricing: Published for every program
Training method: Method unclear
Aggression and reactivity cases: Accepts aggression cases
Facility: Mobile / travels to you
Years in business: 44+ years
Booking: Email only