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Woods University Dog Obedience Training is a dog training business in San Luis Obispo, California offering Group Classes and In-Home Training, with published programs from $150.
San Luis Obispo • CA • Training facility • 5.0 ★ (3 Google reviews)
Last verified: Sep 6, 2026
83 / 100
Highly transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
What they say about themselves
Woods University operates as the dog training arm of Woods Humane Society, a nonprofit shelter that has served San Luis Obispo County since 1955. The program runs out of a dedicated training facility on the shelter's campus at Oklahoma Avenue, separate from the general shelter operations. Eric Stockam, who holds the CPDT-KA certification, serves as the staff trainer—he earned his credentials in 2016 under the mentorship of the shelter's Behavior & Training Manager, Michelle Rizzi.
The curriculum centers on group classes using what they describe as positive reinforcement methods. Their six-week C.H.A.R.M. School covers basic obedience for dogs six months and older, while a Puppy Social Hour addresses socialization for younger dogs between 10 weeks and 5 months. For owners dealing with dog-reactive behavior, they offer Feisty Fido—a specialized six-week course capped at four dogs that requires pre-qualification before enrollment. According to their site, adopters from Woods receive discounted rates on the reactive dog class.
Private in-home training isn't handled directly through the program. Instead, the shelter refers owners to outside trainers for individual sessions. The facility also includes a retail area selling training supplies, and the program operates in coordination with San Luis Obispo County Animal Services.
Group classes range from a single-session Puppy Social Hour to multi-week courses like C.H.A.R.M. School for basic obedience and Feisty Fido for leash-reactive dogs. Woods University Dog Obedience Training also offers private in-home sessions, though those require direct contact to discuss. Puppy classes have specific vaccination requirements, and the reactivity course requires pre-qualification rather than open registration.
Puppy Social Hour runs $25 per session, while the six-week C.H.A.R.M. School course is $150. The Feisty Fido reactivity program costs $275 for six weeks. Private in-home training rates aren't published online.
Woods refers clients wanting private, in-home dog training to a short list of independent outside trainers rather than offering this service directly.
Woods provides contact information for external trainers; the training itself is arranged and delivered by those independent providers, not by Woods.
Focus: Basic obedience
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Training Sessions (Private, In-Home) | Not published | — |
A single-session class for puppies covering appropriate play style, manners around people, tolerance of gentle restraint, and confidence meeting strangers. It also introduces basic commands like sit, down, and come using positive reinforcement, plus leash walking, greeting without jumping, bite inhibition, and managing chewing.
Puppies attend a single group session limited to 10 puppies, learning manners and socialization skills alongside their owners.
Best for: Puppies between 10 weeks and 5 months old.
Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience
Duration: 1 sessions
A basic obedience class covering sit, down, come, stay, focus, leash manners, leave it, and place, plus humane ways to discourage jumping and pulling. The first class is held without dogs present, and the course runs over six weeks.
Owners attend weekly group classes with their dogs over six weeks, starting with a dog-free orientation session.
Best for: Dogs six months or older with minimal or no formal training who can tolerate being around other dogs.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training
Duration: 6 weeks
A structured six-week class for dogs that react to other dogs, teaching strategies so walks and outings become manageable rather than stressful. Enrollment is capped at four dogs, and dogs do not attend the first class.
Owners and dogs meet weekly over six weeks in a small group capped at four dogs, with the first class held without dogs.
Best for: Dogs that are reactive to other dogs, pre-qualified before joining.
Focus: Leash reactivity, Aggression
Duration: 6 weeks
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Social Hour | $25 per session | 1 sessions |
| C.H.A.R.M. School | $150 per program | 6 weeks |
| Feisty Fido | $275 per program | 6 weeks |
They explicitly identify as force-free in their training approach. Aggression and reactivity cases are considered individually, with pre-qualification required for their Feisty Fido class.
Method: Reward-based
Uses rewards and positive reinforcement only, without corrections or aversive tools.
Certifications: CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, KPA-CTP, ABCDT
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
Multiple professional certifications are listed, including CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, KPA-CTP, and ABCDT. A waitlist is mentioned, suggesting consistent demand. Insurance coverage, guarantee terms, and years in business aren't disclosed on the site.
Facility: Training facility
Owner visits: not specified on their website.
Video updates: not specified on their website.
Overnight staffing: not specified on their website.
Insurance: not specified on their website.
Guarantee: No guarantee offered
Waitlist: Yes
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: Book online
Price: Woods University Dog Obedience Training does not publish board & train pricing. Across San Luis Obispo, 3 programs publish prices from about $175 to $695.
Reviews: Woods University Dog Obedience Training shows 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews among 3 published San Luis Obispo programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 83 out of 100 (price 75%, program clarity 76%). 1 of 3 San Luis Obispo listings show certifications; this business lists CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, KPA-CTP, ABCDT.
The facility sits on Oklahoma Avenue in San Luis Obispo. Parking arrangements and accessibility features aren't detailed on their website.
875 Oklahoma Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA
Friday: 12-5PM
Monday: Closed
Sunday: 12-5PM
Tuesday: 12-5PM
Saturday: 12-5PM
Thursday: 12-5PM
Wednesday: 12-5PM
Reach out directly or send a quote request through Woods University Dog Obedience Training.
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