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San Bruno Dog Obedience School is a dog training business in San Mateo, California offering Group Classes, with published programs from $80.
San Mateo • CA • Uses rented space • 5.0 ★ (3 Google reviews)
Last verified: Sep 6, 2026
34 / 100
Limited information
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
What they say about themselves
Founded more than 45 years ago by Mal Lightfoot—who believed that "untrained is unloved"—San Bruno Dog Obedience School has operated as a nonprofit serving Bay Area families across generations. Classes meet Saturday mornings in a parking lot at College of San Mateo rather than an indoor facility, giving the program a community-oriented, outdoor feel.
According to their site, instructors draw on positive reinforcement, operant conditioning, and relationship-based methods. The curriculum spans puppy orientation through advanced adult obedience, with specialized "Attitudes" classes for dogs with behavioral challenges. They also offer Canine Good Citizen preparation and testing, therapy dog readiness training, non-competitive agility, and competition obedience run-throughs at Novice, Open, and Utility levels—the latter led by instructor Linda Whisler. A four-week pet first aid workshop, taught by Melodie Farrell, covers emergency recognition and disaster preparedness.
The school describes its goal as helping owners understand their dogs and build a lasting partnership, whether they're raising a first family pet or pursuing competition titles. With instructors who collectively claim over 40 years of experience across pet, competition, and therapy work, this San Mateo-area nonprofit positions itself as an accessible option for owners at various stages of the training journey.
Group classes span puppies through advanced adults, with specialty tracks for reactive dogs (the "Attitudes" series), therapy dog prep, non-competitive agility, and Canine Good Citizen certification. San Bruno Dog Obedience School also runs competition obedience run-throughs at novice, open, and utility levels, plus a four-week pet first aid course. The range suits owners at different stages, from basic socialization to sport-level precision.
Most class prices aren't published online, but two exceptions appear: competition obedience run-throughs at $15 per session, and the four-week first aid class at $80 total. For standard obedience or puppy classes, you'll need to contact them directly.
A group class series for puppies covering foundational obedience and social skills, held Saturday mornings at the College of San Mateo.
Owners attend with their puppy in a group class setting on Saturday mornings.
Best for: Puppies (owners cannot bring puppies to the first orientation class).
Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience
An introductory group obedience class for adult family pets covering basic commands and manners.
Held as a group class series on Saturday mornings.
Best for: Adult family pet dogs new to formal training.
Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization
A follow-on group class building on beginning obedience skills for adult dogs.
Held as a group class series on Saturday mornings.
Best for: Adult dogs that have completed the beginning level class.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training
An advanced group obedience class continuing skill development beyond the intermediate level.
Held as a group class series on Saturday mornings.
Best for: Adult dogs that have completed intermediate training.
Focus: Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash
A class for dogs with behavioral challenges, offered at beginning and intermediate levels, referred to as classes for dogs with attitudes.
Held as a group class series on Saturday mornings.
Best for: Dogs with attitude or behavior issues.
Focus: Leash reactivity, Aggression, Fear & anxiety
A class preparing dogs for the Canine Good Citizen test, followed by the test itself.
A multi-week class culminating in a test on a scheduled date.
Best for: Dogs preparing for the AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation.
Focus: Advanced obedience, Basic obedience
Duration: 4 weeks
A non-competitive agility class introducing dogs to agility equipment and handling for fun rather than competition.
Held as a group class series on Saturday mornings.
Focus: Agility & dog sports
Practice run-throughs for dogs preparing for competition obedience trials at Novice, Open, and Utility levels, held twice monthly.
Handlers pay per run-through session held on select Saturdays.
Best for: Dogs and handlers training for competition obedience trials.
Focus: Advanced obedience, Agility & dog sports
A class geared toward preparing dogs and handlers for therapy dog work.
Held as a group class series on Saturday mornings.
Best for: Dogs and handlers interested in becoming a therapy dog team.
Focus: Therapy dog training
A workshop teaching pet owners how to recognize emergencies, perform a basic at-home physical exam, handle common emergencies, and prepare for disasters.
Owners attend a 4-week workshop bringing a dog mat, treats, water, and a chair.
Best for: Pet owners who want confidence handling emergencies before reaching a vet.
Focus: Basic obedience
Duration: 4 weeks
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Puppies | Not published | — |
| Beginning Adult | Not published | — |
| Intermediate Adult | Not published | — |
| Advanced | Not published | — |
| Attitudes (Beginning & Intermediate) | Not published | — |
| Canine Good Citizen | Not published | 4 weeks |
| Non-Competitive Agility | Not published | — |
| Competition Ready Obedience Run Throughs (Novice, Open, Utility) | $15 per session | — |
| Therapy Dog | Not published | — |
| First Aid Class | $80 per program | 4 weeks |
Training philosophy isn't described in specific terms on the site, so the tools and techniques used remain unclear. Reactivity and aggression cases are accepted on a case-by-case basis through the Attitudes classes.
Method: Method unclear
Their website describes their approach in general terms without specifying which methods or tools they use.
Certifications: Not specified on their website
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
Operating for 45 years gives them considerable local history. They rent space rather than owning a dedicated facility, and the site doesn't list certifications, insurance, or instructor credentials.
Facility: Uses rented space
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: not specified on their website.
Waitlist: not specified on their website.
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: Book online
Price: San Bruno Dog Obedience School does not publish board & train pricing. Across San Mateo, 1 programs publish prices.
Reviews: San Bruno Dog Obedience School shows 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews among 3 published San Mateo programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 34 out of 100 (price 20%, program clarity 57%). 1 of 3 San Mateo listings show certifications; this business does not list certifications.
Classes meet at 1700 W Hillsdale Blvd in the lot marked "X" in San Mateo. Parking and accessibility details aren't specified.
1700 W Hillsdale Blvd Lot X, San Mateo, CA
Friday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Saturday: 8:30AM-1PM
Thursday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Reach out directly or send a quote request through San Bruno Dog Obedience School.
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