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Smart Paws Private Training is a dog training business in San Jose, California offering private lessons. They publish pricing from $135 per session and list AKC CGC Evaluator credentials.
San Jose, CA • 5.0 ★ (9 Google reviews)
Last reviewed: Sep 6, 2026
77 / 100
Moderately transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
Based on what the business publishes about itself
Amelia, the owner and sole trainer at Smart Paws Private Training, has worked with dogs for over 18 years and offers only private one-on-one session, no group classes. She's a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator, which means she can both prepare dogs for and administer the CGC test, a credential sometimes required for therapy work or advanced training programs.
Sessions take place in the client's home or in public spaces around San Jose rather than at a training facility. According to their site, this approach focuses on reward-based methods tailored to each dog and owner, with an emphasis on improving communication between the two. Testimonials mention work on separation anxiety, leash walking, potty training, and curbing common puppy behaviors like jumping and mouthing.
One notable limitation: Smart Paws does not accept dogs with aggression issues toward other dogs or people, and Amelia does not travel to certain outlying areas. The business works with dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages, from puppies through seniors.
Private one-on-one lesson are the sole format here, covering basic obedience and leash training. Smart Paws Private Training offers single sessions or prepaid packages of 5 or 10 lessons. They do not take dogs with aggression cases.
$135 per session
One-on-one dog training sessions held in the client's home or in public near San Jose, tailored to the dog's specific needs and behaviors.
The trainer works one-on-one with the owner and dog for a 1-hour session, without other clients present.
Best for: Dogs and owners of all breeds, sizes, and ages, except dogs with aggression toward dogs or humans.
Duration: 1 session
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training
$135 per session
A prepaid bundle of five one-hour private training sessions, delivered one-on-one in the client's home or in public.
The trainer conducts five separate 1-hour sessions with the dog and owner over time.
Best for: Owners who want to commit to multiple sessions of private training at once.
Duration: 1 session
Package: $625 for a 5-session package
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training
$135 per session
A larger prepaid bundle of ten one-hour private training sessions, delivered one-on-one in the client's home or in public.
The trainer conducts ten separate 1-hour sessions with the dog and owner over time.
Best for: Owners seeking a more extended private training commitment.
Duration: 1 session
Package: $1,150 for a 10-session package
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training
Single sessions run $135 each. A 5-session package costs $625 (about $125 per session), while the 10-session package drops to $1,150 (around $115 per session).
| Program | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Private One-on-One Lessons — Pay As You Go | $135 per session | 1 session |
| Prepaid Package Deal — 5 Session Package | $135 per session$625 for a 5-session package | 1 session |
| Prepaid Package Deal — 10 Session Package | $135 per session$1,150 for a 10-session package | 1 session |
The site uses vague language about training approach without naming specific techniques or tools. Prospective clients would need to ask directly about methodology during a consultation.
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, has worked with dogs and their owners for over 18 years, offering exclusively private one-on-one training sessions rather than group classes.
Credentials listed on their site: Certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and Licensed & Bonded. Barklen has not independently verified these.
Smart Paws Private Training is based in San Jose, CA, offering private lessons.
Their site says they dog owners of all breeds, sizes, and ages in and near San Jose, excluding several outlying areas the trainer does not travel to and excluding dogs with aggression issues.
Sessions take place at 2747 Westfield Ave in San Jose. The site doesn't specify whether training happens at a dedicated facility, in-home, or at another type of location.
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 Smart Paws Private Training.
Price: entry price within the published San Jose range for private lessons ($135 vs. $86–$265).
Reviews: 5.0★ from 9 Google reviews, among 11 published San Jose programs.
Transparency: 77 out of 100 (moderately transparent), with 100% price transparency and 85% program clarity. 3 of 11 San Jose listings show certifications; this business lists AKC CGC Evaluator.
| Program type | Smart Paws Private Training | San Jose range | Barklen read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Lessons | $135 | $86–$265 across 8 San Jose programs | Entry price within the published San Jose range |
Generated from what their public materials leave open
2747 Westfield Ave, San Jose, CA
Barklen reviewed Smart Paws Private 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 (facility, owner visits during programs, progress updates, overnight staffing, guarantee, and dogs per trainer) are turned into the questions above rather than filled in.
Last reviewed by Barklen: Sep 6, 2026
Contact Smart Paws Private Training directly by phone or through their website, or request a quote through Barklen and we will pass it along.
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