Best Dog Trainers in San Luis Obispo, CA (Just Updated)

We looked at 3 dog training businesses across San Luis Obispo.

Barklen developed and uses our own published criteria, which basically tells you how we score businesses and the methods we use to rank them.

In San Luis Obispo, the highest scoring programs are Woods University Dog Obedience Training, DognPooch.com, and Gentle Touch Pet Training.

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)

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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)

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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)

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All dog trainers in San Luis Obispo

Every published trainer in San Luis Obispo, including listings beyond the first page of cards.

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

Published pricing is still limited among dog trainers in San Luis Obispo, CA; request quotes when prices are not listed. Group classes are usually the lowest-cost option, while board and train programs cost more because they include lodging and daily training.

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. Prefer listings with clear program details over vague promises.

Which San Luis Obispo trainers accept aggressive dogs?

3 of 3 published dog trainers in San Luis Obispo, CA accept reactive or aggression cases (yes or case-by-case). Filter the directory for “Takes reactive dogs” to see them.

Are these dog trainers in San Luis Obispo verified?

Yes. Every listing on this page was reviewed against the business's public materials and published by Barklen. That is not a license, insurance, or certification check. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.