We had a great experience with Specialty Dog Training, and I would highly recommend them\. We have a Rottweiler who started training at 16 weeks old, and we recently completed the second part of his training at 10 months old\. We purchased an eight\-week program that was split into two four\-week sessions\. Both experiences were excellent, and our trainer, Savannah, was fantastic\. She was extremely patient, kind, and gentle with our dog while still providing the structure and training he needed\. The results have been great\. Our dog is well\-mannered, listens well, and is not reactive, which was very important to us with a large breed like a Rottweiler\. You can really see the difference the training has made in his behavior and overall manners\. Savannah was wonderful to work with, and we really appreciated how much she cared about our dog\. Overall, we had a very positive experience with Specialty Dog Training and would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for professional dog training\. read more

Consistent training for the last year and a half, and I could not be more happy with my Service Dog. Savannah is not only the best trainer ever, but she literally changed our lives. My head case of a puppy is now a beautifully behaved and task oriented service dog. I can't recommend her and Specialty Dog Training enough. If you care about your dog, send it here. read more

I wanted a protection dog for my wife whenever she did remote work in unfamiliar locations. It would give me peace of mind when I'm not there. Cassie our dog's trainer was so patient with us to get "X" trained and acclimated to his new home and new owners. She texted me with suggestions and training advice whenever I reached out. They also have a 3 day session at your home that was very helpful to intro the dog to us. After 3 months, I also vistes Cassie to get specialized work for X. He is a beautiful animal and I get constant praises for his looks and temperament. Gary K read more

Specialty Dog Training - At our vet first visit - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

We sent our new 10mo old pup to a board-and-train with Savannah at SDT and she did an AMAZING job! We have done follow up lessons on-site and also in-home to help us/him transition to his everyday life. Her depth of knowledge and experience helped us with taking our pup from a high kill shelter EUTH list to living his best life! Savannah is always ready to field a question and make sure I have the concepts from our lesson down! read more

Specialty Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

Andres from Specialty dog training worked with my wife and I to train our new puppy, Daisy. As first time puppy owners we found ourselves pretty frustrated during our training with Daisy. We watched tons and tons of videos and things got slightly better but we really didn't see much behavior change until we worked with Andres. It's not that information online was good enough, it was that we didn't understand how to best execute the information. We also didn't know what information was good and what was garbage. Having Andres in our corner was truly helpful. He would answer any questions we had and I enjoyed his teaching style and his ability to breakdown concepts to us. He also genuinely loves the dogs he trains which made us feel comfortable leaving Daisy with him when she did board and train for a few weeks. Thanks for every Andres! read more

I enrolled my 3-year-old Rottweiler, Athena, in Specialty Dog Training's 6-week boot camp in Oceanside from May 7-June 18, 2025, paying $4,400. She was healthy, fully vaccinated, and entered the program for leash control and mild resource guarding--especially important since I have a young nephew and a senior Great Dane at home. I asked multiple times to see her living space but was told no, as it would "disrupt other dogs"--something I now deeply regret accepting. Midway through training, my Great Dane was diagnosed with bone cancer. I called to stress the importance of Athena's continued progress. A trainer suggested extending her program, which I considered, but ultimately declined. I wanted her home while my Dane was still strong. On June 11, days before her return, I dropped off food and was told training had slowed because the trainer "assumed" I was extending--something I never confirmed. Then on June 15, I received a text saying she had mild nasal discharge and would see a vet. By 4:00 PM, I was called by that vet: Athena had a 106°F fever and was in critical conditionwith suspected pneumonia. I found her barely breathing, still wearing a prong collar, and rushed her to the ER. She required oxygen sewn into her nostrils, IV fluids, and overnight emergency care totaling $7,500. Vets confirmed pneumonia typically incubates over 2-14 days, meaning she was likely sick long before staff noticed. I was later told there had been an increase in kennel cough cases at the facility--yet I was never informed. No one at Specialty Dog Training has taken responsibility--financially or emotionally. I was left with: * A dog who nearly died * A traumatized animal with worsened behavioral issues * Thousands in emergency bills * A sick dog I had to isolate from my terminally ill Great Dane * And zero visible results from the training I paid for This experience was devastating, both emotionally and financially. Specialty Dog Training failed my dog, failed my trust, and offered no support or resolution in return. I strongly caution others to think twice before enrolling a pet in their care. read more

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Our trainer Savannah is the GOAT!! I put my puppy in a 4 week boot camp at Specialty Dog Training and she came back a totally different, well-behaved dog. Savannah really understands dog behavior as well as breed behavior. In our aftercare lessons, she equipped me with the knowledge I needed to carry on the training. HIGHLY recommended business! read more

Specialty Dog Training - Dog Trainer Savannah with her student! - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

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I would like to share my experience with Specialty Dog Training, Graham Bloem and his team. This could be long lol. In December 2020 I lost my best dog (Great Dane #11) to bloat. After a bit, I went on the search for my next one and I saw Hessi on Specialty Dog Training's website. After a couple hours on the phone with Graham, he agreed to a meeting between Hessi & I. She was such a sweetheart that I committed to give her the life she deserved. She and I began training together which was Such a Valuable experience for us both. On Feb 8th, 2021 I brought her home and we have been together 24/7 ever since. She goes to work with me and has a bed at the side of my desk in a multi-line motorcycle dealership. Her distraction avoidance training was done SO Well!! She lays on her bed calmly everyday while there's people walking around her, ATV's driving around her. All the things you could expect in a Motorsports environment. She has been doing this everyday for the last 5 years. If people approach her while she's laying on her bed, she stays placed until I come over and ask her if she wants to "Say Hi".. Everyday I hear someone say "I didn't know that dog was real" or "I thought she was a stuffed animal" by how still she is. She gets a break at noon and at 4pm. We left the San Diego area in late July 2021. Put everything in storage and proceeded to hop into the car and take a roadtrip. We covered the Western 18 states from N. Dakota to Texas and everything West. What a Great Bonding experience. That trip lasted 4 1/2 months and just over 10,000 miles. Over the last 5yrs she's logged over 78,000 miles in the car and loves every minute of it. Hessi is the best girl. Loves everyone and everything. Specialty Dog Training's socialization training is wonderful. Hessi has never shown any aggression to any animal or person. She especially loves kids. She is so gentle with them. Specialty Dog Training also taught me about how to handle her in the most stress free way possible. Taught me what not to let her get away with and when to mark good behavior. They taught Hessi and I how to be a team, not just me being a dog handler. Even though I'm in the Pacific Northwest now, I would use Specialty Dog Training again in a Heartbeat! If you'd like more information from me, reach out to Graham and he can get ahold of me. read more

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Ten Stars for "Specialty Dog Training"! I contacted them last year for a service dog, and Cassie got in touch with me. Right off the bat, she took the time to understand all my needs. I was impressed with her knowledge of all the breeds, and what type of services each was best for. I had asked for a small breed with soft fur, and Cassie suggested Poodle + Bichon Frisse mix for the size, coat, and temperament of a service dog. Knowing that I was a student, she also worked with her manager to get me a good payment plan. Cassie kept me posted on various dogs they considered. First few did not have the right temperament, so they were not selected. Finally they found the right dog, and I named him Casper. Cassie kept me posted on the training progress, plus regularly sent me Casper's pictures and videos. They trained "touch" (nose boop to hand that I have now transferred to nose boop to my knee/nose boop to an object on a wall) and "across" (deep pressure therapy, laying across my lap) which they don't normally teach, but they did for me so I could have a basis for him to be trained as a service dog. They also taught him to heel/right on one side or the other because I walk with a cane, so he can't just be trained to heel on my left side. They also had a wheelchair on site and got him used to heeling next to Cassie while she was in the wheelchair. I liked that they have the perfect balance between positive reinforcement and boundary-enforcement through corrections. Their training is as positive as possible while still maintaining the trainer as a strong/confident leader. Finally the day came for me to come pick up Casper. Cassie gently introduced me to him, and facilitated the bonding quickly. They spent 4 days with me for the transfer training. During these 4 days, they noticed that Casper had kennel cough. They arranged for a local vet to look him over right away. They paid for the vet visit as well as the antibiotics prescribed. Casper had a small rash on his shoulder on the day I was headed home. They treated him with a rash spray so he wouldn't be itchy, and then gave me the rest of the bottle to take home to continue treating him with. I left with a bag of Casper's kibble that would last two weeks so I would be able to smoothly transfer him onto a new brand at home. As a bonus, they put Casper and I through the CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test and got him certified before we left. Once I got home, for the first few weeks whenever I needed help, Cassie was there to help me over Zoom and texts. I would send a video of Casper with training questions, and Cassie would send me helpful suggestions. It's been 3+ months, and things are working amazingly well! At Specialty Dog Training, you can tell that the dogs there are loved and cared for. You can see that for the trainers this is not just a job, but this is their passion, and a calling. Thank you! read more

This dog exceeded our expectations , everything that was promised was delivered and then some , extremely stable and most importantly very good with our 3 year old son . Additionally the trainer that delivered her to our house was top notch , he went through explaining everything we needed to know down to the smallest of details as well as being extremely patient as he trains us ! I would definitely recommend specialty dog training for anyone looking for very good dogs and training ! read more

We took our two dogs to speciality dog training and they both worked with Andres. Our older dog is 10 and has had minimal training which was a challenge being that old but also had a behavioral problem with resource guarding. Our 3 year old dog had done a board and train previously but was still quite nervous in public and around strangers. Andres adapted his training to their individual needs finding what worked best for each of them. Once their 6 weeks were up they both had really good base training which gave us tools to work through their issues. The follow up sessions were great to come with things we needed help working through and Andres was always able to break them down and come up with drills for us to work on. Could not recommend Andres enough! There's been such a difference with both of our dogs and now we have the training skills to work through any future issues. read more

Specialty Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

Cassie, Graham, Nicky, and the SDT team are the dictionary definition of exceptional. The whole process was well planned, thorough and flawless. The end result, of course, is a perfectly balanced new family member. Beyond that though, their ability to turn you into a well prepared, eager to learn, and competent handle makes all the difference. Huge thank you to team SDT. read more

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I HIGHLY recommend Graham and the Specialty Dog Training team for your service dog or protection dog needs. I have the most well-behaved dog and emotionally intelligent shepherd who is complimented everywhere I take her due to her wonderful, personalized selection and training process by Graham and the SDT team. I called Graham over a year ago with a very unique set of needs for a dog. Graham listened, asked me lots of questions, and came back to me with one very special dog who would fit the bill, Ella. Ella has been with me now for 8 months and I can truly say she is one of the biggest highlights of my life. She feels like she was hand-picked just for me, because she was. We have an incredible bond and over time she has come to anticipate my needs beautifully. Whether we are traveling on flights, around kids, going to restaurants, walking on crowded streets in NYC, going into my place of work to sit at a desk all day, or hanging out with friends--she is a 10/10 service animal. Pilots, flight attendants, grocery store clerks, and waitresses all compliment that they can tell she is a "real" service animal because she is excellently behaved. And due to her breed, our bond, and her training, I notice how she looks out for my safety as well when we are in public or when we are home alone. She is so tuned in and ready to work and get her job done, whatever the occasion. Like anyone might be, I was hesitant to take on owning a working dog due to doubting they would perform well once home, the cost, or feeling worried having the dog around kids or other pets. However, SDT and Graham delivered on their promises to find me an excellent fit and they have stayed in touch to ensure a stellar transition from their facility to our home. You will not find better dogs or long term support in the success of your dog/human match than with Graham and his team. I will return to them again and again for my specialty dog needs. read more

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We enrolled our dog in a 4-week board and train program at this facility, but the experience quickly turned into a nightmare. Not long after drop-off, our dog developed a bad cough. The facility brought him to a nearby vet they work with. I received a call from the vet, not an in-person consultation, telling me he needed medication and isolation. After 7 days, he was cleared, but less than 24 hours later, his cough came back. They isolated him again and said it might be contagious or even life-threatening, and that antibiotics hadn't worked. They pushed for more testing. The way everything was presented over the phone made me panic. I was alone at the time and felt pressured to make decisions on the spot. I told them clearly I needed to talk to my husband first. That pressure, paired with how quickly they escalated the situation didn't sit right with me. So we decided to pick him up and bring him to his regular vet for a second opinion. We're so glad we did. Our vet immediately told us it was not life-threatening. He said our dog hadn't fully recovered because he kept being re-exposed to the same virus at the facility. The recommendation? Let him rest at home for two weeks, away from that environment and that's exactly what we did. During his entire illness, he was kept in their medical ward. He never left their facility. So the idea that he was "cleared" and got sick again the next day doesn't add up, unless the problem was coming from the environment itself. When we asked about cleanliness and how this happened, we were met with deflection. They said things like "he was probably already sick when he arrived" or blamed it on the possibility of another dog passing it to him on the way out as our dog was coming in. They even suggested he might've caught it from a dog park days before and it just happened to show up while he was in their care. For context, we hadn't taken him to any parks or boarding facilities for at least a full week prior to his stay. What a coincidence. It was frustrating how they repeatedly tried to shift the blame instead of taking any responsibility. Our dog is fully vaccinated, healthy, and has never gotten sick in any other setting like this. It's also worth noting that the facility and the vet seemed very closely aligned. We can't say for certain, but it felt like they were operating hand-in-hand and the tone of the call from the vet felt more like a scare tactic than sincere concern. After doing our own research, we found other dog owners who had similar regrets about not getting a second opinion sooner. We even asked if we could have camera access to check on him during his stay, we were told it wasn't allowed due to their privacy policy. Even after all of this, they said they'd restart the training or explore hybrid/home options. But the moment we started asking for clear details and pricing, they stopped responding altogether. No service. No communication. No refund. We're sharing this because we were ignored and left without the care or service we paid for. Don't let the good reviews fool you. Ask questions. Trust your gut. Always get a second opinion. And never trust a facility that pressures you into medical decisions over the phone, especially when the problem likely began under their watch. If I could give them 0 stars, I would. read more

I do NOT recommend this company. Save your money and find a trainer who actually listens and cares enough to do more than just take your $5,000. I enrolled my 7-pound Yorkie, Lenny, in Specialty Dog Training's 6-week program specifically to address his outdoor reactivity--mainly barking and lack of focus around other dogs. During our phone consultation, I clearly explained that Lenny obeys commands well indoors, but completely struggles in public. Despite this, when I picked him up, the trainer admitted he had only worked on basic commands--not reactivity. The biggest red flag was when he said he didn't notice how "feisty" Lenny was until four weeks in. That behavior was obvious the first day I adopted him and something I emphasized from the beginning. I truly believe Lenny's needs were underestimated because of his size, and unfortunately, I got the same dog back with no improvement in the area I sought help for. To make matters worse, I had to spend an additional $500 on vet bills after Lenny returned home with injuries caused by the metal prong collar they used on him. The trainer casually mentioned he had to switch to a different collar but didn't disclose it was a prong collar until I specifically asked just days before pickup--only because I wanted to make sure I was consistent at home. When Lenny got home on 2/14, I immediately noticed something was wrong. He had visibly lost weight, the fur on his paws had turned brown (Lenny is a white-gray Yorkie), and his bark sounded different. I attempted to use the prong collar once, but it felt wrong and made me extremely uncomfortable. I sent an email to SDT on 2/16, which was ignored. I also texted the trainer to ask whether Lenny had been trained around other dogs, because his behavior hadn't changed at all. I received no meaningful response outside of meeting but I cannot see what a 1 hr training can do if you could not help him in 6weeks. On 2/18, I took Lenny to the vet. The vet confirmed what I feared: metal prong collars should never be used on small dogs, especially Yorkies, because they are prone to tracheal collapse. Hearing this was devastating. I was genuinely trying to do the right thing for my dog--and instead, I sent him away only to be harmed. As a first-time dog owner and a veteran living with PTSD, I trusted this company to help my emotional support dog become more stable in public. Instead, I was left with the same behavioral challenges, unexpected vet bills, and emotional distress. This experience was incredibly disappointing and damaging. Please think twice before trusting this company with your dog. ------------------------------------ UPDATE: I'm updating my review to share additional context and concerns about my experience with SDT. --------------- The Training Director reached out and claimed it was "normal" for a dog not to show their true behavior until four weeks into training. That explanation doesn't sit right with me--especially because this wasn't Lenny's first time being away from me, just the longest. He has stayed with friends and weekends with Rover sitters before, and his reactive behavior has AWAYS been consistent. From the beginning, I made it explicitly clear that Lenny's outdoor reactivity was the primary issue I needed help with. He listens very well when indoors and alone, which I communicated upfront. So I'm confused as to why the training seemed to prioritize indoor commands--something he already did well--instead of focusing on the core issue I was paying to address. It should not take four weeks into a structured training program for a professional facility to begin addressing the very behavior that was clearly outlined as the main concern. If his outdoor behavior wasn't addressed until late in the program, it raises serious concerns about how closely his individual needs were being prioritized. Additionally, I noticed that Lenny's paws had turned reddish-brown by the time I picked him up. A quick online search revealed this can be a sign of prolonged exposure to urine--not something that should happen in a clean, attentive facility. As of May 15, his paws have returned to the same color as the rest of his coat, confirming that this was an issue during his stay. I'm sharing this because I trusted SDT to support Lenny's behavioral needs and care for his well-being. That trust was not honored, and I hope this review helps other dog owners make a more informed decision. read more

Specialty Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

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We absolutely love our protection dog we purchased from specialty dog training. Graham was very professional from start to finish, and our trainer did a phenomenal job. We have small kids and needed to feel the dog would be gentle and safe and they met that expectation. Our dog is gentle and hasn't growled once at us or our kids but has a ferocious bark and demeanor on demand. We are beyond happy with our purchase and their ability to match our needs with a dog. read more

Specialty Dog Training - Phoenix our dog - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

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We got a Beligian Malinois and didn't realize how much work it would be to train her. With our busy schedules it was hard to put time in training her. She would jump on people and counters, pull her leash when going on walks, and would go crazy when around kids and dogs. I chose SDT in hoping her habits could break. Andres was her trainer for 8 weeks, after getting her I did notice a big change in her. Shes a lot more confidence, is not as shy around other dogs and knows to control herself when around my nephew. Now I go on no leash walks with her and even runs, her recall has gotten better. I can take her to public places without worrying. Thank you SDT team and to Andres. read more

I would like to start by saying thank you to specialty. Dog training for giving me the best dog period he's a great boy and so smart. I trained with him for 2 and a 1/2 months.\n And learned a lot from Cassie. She is the best and very knowledgeable dog trainer. Thanks again.\nGraham and cassie read more

We recently got a trained German Shepherd personal protection / family dog from Specialty Dog Training and couldn't be happier. Tom was our primary trainer and he's incredible -- calm, confident, and really focused on teaching us how to lead the dog, set boundaries, handle PPD work safely, and integrate him with our other pups. He's always available for questions or tune-ups, even after delivery. Bo and Andres are the other trainers we worked with. Both are very professional, and totally capable of taking over when Tom wasn't available. Amazing team, amazing dog. Highly recommend. read more

Savannah did an amazing job working with my dog Theo. Not only did she help correct some bad habits but she also gave Theo targets to meet when he left camp. She was able to check-in with us weekly to give us updates on his progress and send some pics of my baby. Since then, she has checked-in to make sure adjusting to life at home has been smooth. Really looking forward to our first virtual session! Can't recommend Savannah enough! read more

My Dog is a totally different Dog after his time with Specialty Dog Training. He's more fun because he is always looking for a command. He's a high energy Dog that needed to be trained professionally. I highly recommend them you will love the results. read more

Just finished a four week program for our English Bulldog and are amazed at the results. Prior to the program, our one year old dog had issues with pulling on the leash during walks, surging and jumping up on guests. He would never be able to hold a sit or down for more than a few seconds, but he has come back a transformed dog. Walks and outings in public places are much less stressful now and other dog owners have come up to me saying what a calm, gentle dog we have. Andres and the front desk staff were absolutely amazing. I would highly recommend Specialty Dog Training to anyone. read more

Savannah was great! We sent our mini Aussie Doodle for a 4 week puppy boot camp. Savannah communicated with me each week with texts and videos. She was great with Rocky. When I picked Rocky up she explained everything very well and took time to answer all of my questions. read more

Specialty Dog Training has been a remarkable experience! The care and attention to their dogs and clients, as well, is second to none other. The dogs are expertly trained and specifically chosen for each individual client. They are selectively bred for the jobs they will be doing for their owners. The owner, Graham and his staff are all remarkable people! They truly have huge hearts for the animals and always put them first. They are a small business which allows them to give personal attention to each client. I could not have chosen a more perfect company for my needs. My dog is flawless in every way! I whole heartedly recommend Specialty Dog Training without hesitation. read more

Specialty Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

In summary, Specialty Dog Training (SDT) has exceeded our expectations from our first conversation in November of 2023 about purchasing a PPD (Personal Protection Dog) to our most recent conversation just a few days ago. Bottom line, we would not hesitate to purchase another dog from SDT. In detail, we were introduced to Graham and his team from close family friends who purchased a PPD from SPD in 2021 and subsequently a different close family friend, also hired SPD to train their dog. One of our initial concerns was if a PPD could also be a loving family dog like our previous dogs. The answer is yes. Luna, a working line German Shepherd, is everything you could want for your family, from a fierce personal protector to a loving, playful companion. This is how I describe Luna. "She is a brilliant, loving and beautiful dog with impeccable manners who is capable of violence." We take Luna everywhere and all people see is one of the most well behaved and respectful dogs they ever encountered. Strangers have no idea whatsoever that she is trained in protection. We almost feel guilty hearing all the complements knowing that it was SPD that trained her with such diligence. Our lead trainer is Dahlton has been working with Luna since the beginning. Dahlton has a natural gift, which was the foundation for him to become a professional dog handler in the military and now in the private sector. We have zero doubt that Dahlton has the training expertise of the top 1% in the industry, but where he might be the absolute best in the industry is that Dahlton cares -- and we mean deeply cares -- about your dog and your family creating the most positive relationship you can have and enjoy. Dahlton and Tom transferred Luna personally to our home in Texas in July of 2024 and spent a few days training our entire family. Hearing both of their perspectives, as ex-military dog handlers, was priceless. The thorough transfer process was impressive, but the service since the transfer has also been invaluable. We have arranged a few calls since the transfer to make sure we were doing everything effectively. SPD is one of the few firms in any industry, in my experience, that continues to care - as is just as responsive after the sale as they were before the sale. In fact, during our last call, Nicky, the director of training hopped on the call just to offer her perspective. Again, expectations exceeded. Service of this level is rare in our world and SPD excels at service after the sale. read more

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I met Graham Bloem about 20 years ago, within 5 minutes he had my then American Bulldog doing a roll over instantly. For 13.5 years she had my whole heart, she was wonderful and very well trained thanks to Graham. Kailani and I adopted each other 1 year ago last October. Backstory for you, I am 48 living with 2 senior citizens. They both had major medical issues and immobilization concerns. I had 2 trainers initially a puppy trainer and then another after that. There were many moments where I felt I had mad a vast mistake. How could I handle a puppy then teenager? After countless sleepless nights and stressed out days I contacted Graham again pleading for help. I knew this pup had potential to be a stellar dog. I was matched with Danielle who has completely changed my life. I don't know if I have ever encountered a trainer with more compassion, drive and skill. I enrolled Kailani in a live aboard training camp. It was tough to have her gone for 4 weeks, but I made it through. I picked her up with big tears of joy and was completely blown away. Kailani was entirely a new dog, a perfect dog. She had structured skills and could follow command without fail. American Bully's are stubborn by nature but she could heel immaculately, her sit, down, stay and place were perfect. I shook my head over and over wondering how she did this. I was smiling so much more and began to feel incredibly hopeful. I just picked up Kailani today from her 2nd 3 week enrollment training. This time we did E-stim collar training. Which is a humane discipline curated feature for dogs. I even tried it on my hand zero pain or irritation, it simply felt like vibration. Once again Kailani is thriving and doing incredible post training. I don't have to worry anymore about the 2 family members that are fall risks. This dog has done a total 360 and is now the best dog on the planet. I will eternally be thankful for Danielle. I will openly say that there is no trainer like her at all. Would I recommend her and Specialty Dog Training? The answer a hundred times yes. My trainer went through dog psychology training and certifications. She fully invested in herself to fully invest in her training clients. I feel like the luckiest person in the world. Danielle we love you!!! read more

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I want to start off saying how STRESSED I was about sending my 5 month old German Shepherd, Xena, off to a training program knowing I wouldn't be able to see her for 4 weeks. I did weeks of research and finally came across Specialty Dog Training. I had my initial consultation call with Shaun, and immediately knew this would be a great place to send Xena. Again, as I dropped her off I was really nervous, but felt at ease almost immediatly upon meeting the girl at the front (Gabby I think). She was so kind and reassuring. I then met Andres, the trainer she'd be paired with for the 4 weeks she'd be in the program. He was SO kind and understanding of how nervous I was. I felt so lucky and relieved to know my dog was able to work with someone who genuinely loves their job. During the duration of her stay, I was provided with prompt updates and videos where I was able to see how much Xena was learning in such a short period of time. When I finally picked Xena up, Andres led me through everything he had been working on with her and to say I was amazed is an understatement. Xena had learned so much and was so responsive. Not only did he do a wonderful job training her, but he really helped me be less intimidated with her continued training at home. Since then, I've been getting complimenmrs in the street about how well-behaved my puppy is while I walk her. Just to make my already positive experience better, we came back for her follow up training a week later and she was SO excited and happy to see Andres again. I really knew then I made the right decision sending her there. Overall, I've had the best experience and am hoping to send her back for continued off-leash training in the future. Thank you so much to everyone and a big thank you to the best trainer, Andres!!! read more

Specialty Dog Training - Best Training Facility in SoCal! - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

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Specialty Dog Training called us and resolved our issue. We appreciate their response and resolution. Graham worked with us and we are all happy! read more

Specialty Dog Training - Playin at the park with Dad - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

10/10 Recommend Andres, He is an Excellent Teacher, with both the pups and us humans alike :) Night and Day difference between When Our Doggo Beeno checked in VS after the Training, instilling confidence in both our Dog and Us, Always has answers for any questions or concerns, and was willing to coordinate and be flexible! Its nice to have a Doggo that listens now :) especially the first time is AWESOME! Thank You andres! And thank you Specialty Dog Training! read more

We were a little disappointed with our training experience here. We adopted a 1 year old dog with some jumping, pulling, barking and nipping issues. They had him for 6 weeks which was really stressful for us. They only check in once a week, which seems long without a picture or a note to let you know how your dog is settling in or doing. Also, they ended up expecting us to use tools that we don't agree with. A prong collar and/or electronic collar. I asked how these tools help with their anxiety, which causes the bad behavior and was not given an answer, only that we would probably not be able to help his issues without using these tools. In addition, he got kennel cough while there, has been on antibiotics and is still not 100% back to health after 3 weeks home. With the risk of passing it along to our other pup. If I had known this was their main source of training, I probably would not have taken our pup there. I was desperate for help and rushed into going there. We are continuing with some of the training that we picked up there and adding training from our previous experience with another trainer and he is coming along nicely. Be sure to clearly understand how they train before choosing this training. Positive feedback and lots of love go a long way. read more

I can't say enough good things about Bekah and the team at Specialty Dog training. We struggled with our mini-doodle mix, Bodhi for years. We thought he was a lost cause and thought of the 4 week training course as a last ditch effort. Our boy came back a completely different dog! He's more confident, extremely well behaved, and has no leash reactivity with strangers. Bekah and the team are amazing with their training, and so generous with their love and time! Our boy Bodhi loves returning for his follow up training sessions. We would 100% recommend Specialty Dog training! read more

Specialty Dog Training - Bodhi on one of his training field trips! - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

Great service, Cassie was my trainer my pup came back super smart and is now extremely obedient.

Buying a highly trained dog, let alone a protection Dog is a big decision, and a big cost. Finding the right company can be really difficult. When I began this journey, I spoke to many people, and early on it was apparent that many of these companies were not the type i want to do business with. I have a family with children. I need a protection dog, but I also need a family companion for my children. After speaking with many different organizations, I Eventually, I landed on Specialty in Oceanside. At first to be honest, I was quite apprehensive. I thought to myself. OK let's see how this plays out. Some time passed and i got some updates... The the big day, delivery! Recently Our dog was delivered, and I can say that the dog could not be any better from a mannerism standpoint, both the way it interacts with my family and the way the obedience comes into play. Gabby and Tom did the delivery, both who I found to be absolutely amazing people! I could tell how much energy Gabby had put into the dog and how much the dog meant to her, she is amazing! This touched me a lot, the relationshiop the dog and Gabby had. As for Tom I could see how much he cared about training and what a wonderful person he was. For me, the people behind and organization are far more important than anything and I give Gabby and Tom 10 out of 10 with flying colors. I think they are wonderful people. I'm happy I met them not just for this delivery of our new family member. But i also look forward to staying connected with them in the future, and for any of our other dog needs. I would recommend Specialty to anyone looking for a highly trained dog or a protection dog. P.s. the office manager lady is also very sweet and nice! read more

Mac got to spend his weeks with Cassie. mac Was left outside for the first 6 months of his life and had picked up bad habits. it has been a year since Mac has been trained and he still remembers everything Cassie taught him. I'm so thankful I did my research and visited multiple places and finding Specialty Dog Training. Their location is safe, away from traffic, well organized and clean. Cassie sent me pictures and videos, including the one attached, to keep me updated and to let me know his progress. Thanks, Cassie! read more

Specialty Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

Charlie was the sweetest boy but was having a hard time adjusting to my toddler becoming more mobile and was starting to act out. At Specialty Dog Training, Danielle provided a training foundation that has been hugely beneficial for our family. Charlie obeys commands, plays more gently with my toddler, and just has a bit more confidence and direction - he knows to remove himself from situations that are making him uncomfortable and his interactions with the baby are much calmer and less anxious. read more

Specialty Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

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I contacted Specialty Dog Training in order to help my 3 year old Boston Terrier with his anxiety and behavioral issues. He is so well behaved now, he still gets anxious in certain situations but during our follow up training session Cassie was amazing with educating me on how to properly give commands. Omen no longer barks at people walking past our house with is AMAZING! I definitely recommend Specialty Dog Training read more

Specialty Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

Not only was Cassie a tremendous trainer with our 10 year old golden retriever Tito she taught us how to maintain the behaviors long-term. I would highly recommend Cassie and the trainers for your dog. read more

Our Golden Retriever received the best training at Specialty Dog Training. Cassie was awesome with her, sending us updates the entire time. Once completed, our dog was able to pass her Canine Good Citizen test and become a therapy dog. So thankful to get to share her love with others through her training at Specialty Dog Training! read more

Specialty Dog Training - Nala, after she passed her Canine Good Citizen test! - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

Our experience with Specialty Dog Training was awesome. Becca was our trainer for Aussie Mini, Bandit. He came back to us a perfect gentleman. People are in awe of our well behaved dog. Exceeded our expectations. read more

Specialty Dog Training - "Bandit" - Pet Training Near Me - Oceanside, California

WORTH. EVERY. PENNY. If we could give ten stars, we would. Specialty Dog Training was a game changer. Our sweet rescue husky (about 3 years old) understood basic commands, but in typical husky fashion, decidedly wouldn't listen to us, including not coming when called at parks. We never thought we would ever be able to let her off leash outside of a fenced in dog park. During this COVID period, we combined with another household with another dog who was 16 years old, deaf, and blind, and the dogs weren't getting along. That's when we decided it was time to implement training so that we could keep a well controlled living environment. We elected to do the 6 week program under the recommendation of SDT. Our trainer Dustin did an outstanding job! He listened to our specific concerns and desires for our husky, which was off leash recall and food guarding, and even went the extra mile midway to push her to make sure she was dialed in those two aspects in more challenging environments. Fast forward 6 weeks, our dog walks in a heel for over an hour without pulling, sits on command, stays in her "place" during dinner until released, and comes when called. She even is able to be off leash at the park and comes when we call for her. We have the confidence to take her off leash even in unfenced parks because now she looks to us for guidance. We've received so many compliments on what a well behaved dog we have and it's only been a week and a half since we've picked her up. We feel so incredibly relieved and thankful to Dustin and SDT. read more