3 Dog Trainers in San Luis Obispo, CA

San Luis Obispo, California has 3 published dog training businesses offering 20 programs. Pricing isn't published by most San Luis Obispo programs — contact them directly for quotes. Using our published criteria, the highest-scoring programs serving San Luis Obispo include Woods University Dog Obedience Training, DognPooch.com, and Gentle Touch Pet Training.

This guide covers local pricing by program type, which training methods San Luis Obispo programs use, which accept reactive or aggression cases, and what to ask before booking. All 3 businesses are checked for license, insurance, and certifications.

Last updated: Sep 6, 2026

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Our HistoryAbout UsOur HistoryOur CampusesPolicies & FinancialsCOVID19 UpdatesEmployment OpportunitiesOur HistoryFounded in 1955, Woods Humane Society has grown from a small, volunteer-run organization to become the only full-service humane society in San Luis Obispo County. Woods was named in honor of Frances Newhall Woods, our visionary founder who donated the property in Nipomo where the original shelter stood.Woods moved to Broad Street near the airport in San Luis Obispo in 1961. During the first 20 years, Woods served as both an adoption facility and the animal control agency for the County of San Luis Obispo. In 1975 Woods relinquished its contract for animal control and focused exclusively on sheltering adoptable dogs and cats.The County of San Luis Obispo purchased the Broad Street property in 1989 because it sat in the “runway clear zone” for the county airport. Woods leased the property back from the County and continued to operate there for the next sixteen years. During the 1990’s Woods Humane Society expanded our programs to include the Critter Camp program for children and initiated pet visitations at local senior care facilities. In 1993, Woods implemented a policy of spaying or neutering every pet before adoption to help address the issue of pet overpopulation.With the support of our generous community, Woods Humane Society constructed the facility it calls home today at 875 Oklahoma Avenue in San Luis Obispo. The new shelter opened in 2005 and the final phase was completed in 2014. The 25,000 square foot campus sits on 5-acres of land, has a state-of-the-art cattery, two canine pods, thirteen canine exercise yards, a well appointed surgery center, a training and behavior center, and a 1,300 square foot community room. Woods sits on land owned by San Luis Obispo County and in return takes in over 300 cats and dogs from County Animal Services each year.On January 1, 2017 Woods Humane Society merged with North County Humane Society and took on the welcome challenge of operating two facilities in San Luis Obispo County. Woods Humane Society - North County, as it is now known, continues to provide shelter and adoption opportunities for cats and kittens. November 1, 2018 saw the expansion of the North County campus to include the first public spay/neuter clinic in the county.Throughout the decades Woods Humane Society has enjoyed tremendous financial support from many members of our community and continuing support from the Woods family. Two of Frances Woods’ children, Frederick Nickerson Woods III and his wife Harriet, and Edwin Woods and his wife Jeanne, honored their mother by leaving significant bequests to Woods Humane Society and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue to offer support. This family tradition of generosity has allowed us to care for countless homeless pets as we developed a full range of services and has positioned us to look to a future where every animal has a home where it is cherished.Frances Newhall Woods with Frederick, Edwin and Virginia, circa 1917Harriet and Frederick Nickerson Woods, IIIJeanne and Edwin WoodsAdoptAdoptionsDonateTrainingYouth ProgramsServicesNewsEventsGet InvolvedAbout UsResourcesContact Us875 Oklahoma AveSan Luis Obispo, CA 93405P. F. (805) 543-9524North County2300 Ramona RoadAtascadero, CA 93422P. Daphne Fahsing Spay/Neuter Clinic2300 Ramona RoadAtascadero, CA 93422P. © 2026 Woods Humane SocietySite design & development by 	
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Woods University Dog Obedience Training
San Luis Obispo, CA
Score 83

Humane society's training wing with CPDT-KA certified instructor, offering group classes plus a specialized reactive dog program capped at four dogs

5.0(3 Google Reviews)

Group Classes range from $25 for a single Puppy Social Hour session to $275 for the six-week Feisty Fido course designed for reactive dogs. The foundational C.H.A.R.M. School runs six weeks at $150 and is open to dogs six months and older who can tolerate a group setting. Puppy Social Hour requires specific vaccinations, while Feisty Fido requires pre-qualification before enrollment. In-Home Training is also available, though pricing for those sessions isn't currently published.

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DognPooch.com
San Luis Obispo, CA

Balanced trainer studied under Sean O'Shea and Jeff Gellman; runs small-group board & trains focused on e-collar off-leash obedience with daily video updates

5.0(137 Google Reviews)

Board and Train programs run 1 to 2 weeks, with handoff sessions and follow-up sessions included depending on the program length. The 2-week option is designed specifically for more complex or reactive dogs who need additional time. Base pricing for these programs isn't published, but additional training weeks beyond the initial stay are available at $800 per week. Group Classes for puppies are also offered, with pricing available on request.

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Puppies in Puppy Preschool
Gentle Touch Pet Training
San Luis Obispo, CA

Nonprofit program since 1999 with proceeds supporting service dogs for veterans; offers clicker-based group classes from puppy through agility, plus a Feisty Fidos class for reactive dogs

4.8(59 Google Reviews)

Three program types are listed: Group Classes, Board and Train, and Private Lessons. Group Classes span a wide range—from Puppy Preschool for dogs 8 to 16 weeks through Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, plus specialty options like agility and nose work. Board and Train includes both a residential option and a daycare-based format, while Private Lessons offer one-on-one instruction. Pricing for all programs is available on request rather than published online.

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How much does dog training cost in San Luis Obispo, CA?

Dog training prices in San Luis Obispo, California by program type

Published pricing is still being collected for San Luis Obispo.

What training methods do San Luis Obispo trainers use?

Look for clear program names, published or quoted pricing, and an honest method description when choosing a dog trainer in San Luis Obispo. Among trainers in San Luis Obispo who disclose a method, 33% use balanced methods and 67% are force-free. See our methodology for how method labels are assigned.

Where else can I find dog trainers near San Luis Obispo?

Browse all dog trainers in California

Frequently asked questions about dog trainers in San Luis Obispo

How do I choose a dog trainer in San Luis Obispo?

Compare program types, published prices when available, training methods, certifications, and whether the trainer accepts reactive or aggression cases in San Luis Obispo, CA.

How much does dog training cost in San Luis Obispo?

Prices vary widely by program type in San Luis Obispo, CA. Use the cost table above for published ranges, and request quotes when pricing is not listed.

Are these dog trainers verified?

Verified badges appear when confirmation checks are complete. Listings in San Luis Obispo may also include Google ratings imported with the business. See our methodology for details.