Best Dog Trainers

The Best Dog Training in Riverside, CA

BY DOGACADEMY PUBLISHED: April 13, 2023 UPDATED: June 30, 2023
7 minutes

Riverside is one of the best places to own a dog, especially if you love long walks near lakes, rivers, or on the beach. What makes Riverside a great place to own a dog is that there are plenty of activities to do, regardless of your preferences. Sure, you can walk through the city and see some wonderful sights, but you can also visit places on the outskirts of the city for longer hikes.

That said, having a dog in Riverside is not always simple. With millions of people living in Riverside and other areas, it’s important to have the right training. Training for dogs in Riverside is easy to find but you have to find the right trainers, which is where we come in. We’re here to help you find the best trainers in Riverside, which will help you and your dog prepare for life together in the city.

The trainers we’ll be covering will help you train your dog in a handful of ways. Some trainers will help you in person in your own home, others will help you online, and group sessions are also available for socialization. Additionally, dog trainers in Riverside are certified and able to train your dog for the beach, urban environments, and other conditions.

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Take a look at some of the trainers at a glance in the chart below.

Trainer Price Training Types Online / In-Person
Dog Academy $49.99 – $349.99 Obedience Classes,Puppy Training, Psychiatric Service Dog Training Both
Golden State K-9 Academy Contact for Details Heel, Come, On Leash In-Person
Top Performance Dog Training Contact for Details Lodge and Learn, Off-Leash Training, Housebreaking Lessons In-Person
Petco Dog Training $179-$279 Dog Walking, Grooming, Behavioral Modification Both
Ph Dogs $75 Boarding and Training, Daycare and Training, Puppy Training In-Person

Online vs. In-Person Training

When choosing dog training one of the biggest things to consider is how training will be conducted. The primary options are in-person and online dog training. That said, some hybrid options include in-person and online sessions. Furthermore, some trainers will offer online courses that you can take once you’re done with in-person training. We’ll cover the strengths and weaknesses of both.

First, we’ll begin with in-person training. In-person training is the traditional method of training and has been around for thousands of years. Dog training in-person is effective because it allows dogs to interact with the trainer physically. This includes touch, eye contact, and much more. In-person dog training also has benefits that include boarding, grooming, and combinations of boarding and training. Some trainers will even visit your home.

Still, there are some drawbacks to in-person dog training, which is where online training comes into play. Where in-person training comes up short in flexibility, online training is one of the most flexible options available. With video calls, it’s easy for pet owners to learn at their own pace. Additionally, in-person dog training is pricey, whereas online dog training is inexpensive.

Depending on your preferences, in-person and online training are viable options. Therefore, it depends more on your needs and not the type of training.
dog being told to sit

Perks of Online and In-Person Training in Riverside

Below we provide you with a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of in-person and online dog training.

Online Training In-Person Training
Cost Effective X
Flexible Schedule X
One-on-One Instruction X
Study at Your Own Pace
Socializes Your Dog X

The Best Dog Training in Riverside

Several options are available for dog training in Riverside. That said, some options work better than others and you always want the best for your dog. To help you narrow down your options we’ve selected the best trainers in Riverside and compiled a list. Learn more about the five best trainers in Riverside below.

Dog Academy

  • Online or In-Person: Online and In-Person
  • Types of Training Courses: Obedience Classes, Behavioral Issues, Puppy Training, Psychiatric Service Dog Training, Emotional Support Animal Training, Specialty Classes (e.g. Canine Confidence, Separation Anxiety)
  • Price Range: $49.99 – $349.99
  • Link to Website: Dog Academy Basic Obedience Training Program
  • Phone Number: 605-223-1971

Dog Academy is one of the best places to train your dog in the United States and Riverside. It’s a national company with several dog trainers available to help you at any time. What makes Dog Academy unique is that every trainer comes from a professional background. Each online trainer has AKC certifications and in-person trainers come from professional backgrounds with years of experience.

Schedule a Free Dog
Training Consult Today!
No credit card required. Free means free.

Dog Academy is also more flexible than other trainers because of its size. You’ll never have to worry about availability, even with in-person trainers. That said, some other benefits include packages of classes and the ability to learn at your own pace. Overall, Dog Academy always puts the pet owner first.

Golden State K-9 Training Academy

  • Online or In-Person: In-Person
  • Types of Training Courses: Heel, Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Finish, On Leash, Pet Domestication, Chewing, Potty Training, Mischief Behavior, Begging for Food, Jumping, Digging, Barking
  • Price Range: Contact for Details
  • Link to Website: https://www.goldenstatek9trainingacademy.com/
  • Address: 725 Westover Place Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
  • Phone Number: 818-984-9083

Golden State K-9 Academy is owned by Peter Medina and he’s been training German shepherds for more than two decades. What separates Golden State K-9 Academy is that it’s made for German shepherds and other highly intelligent dogs.

Programs focus on increasing intelligence and response times with commands. There are also basic obedience courses, fixing mischievous behavior, and reducing chewing. Other training methods include leash training and helping people bond with their dogs. It’s one of the most intensive training programs in Golden State K-9 Academy but it yields some of the best results.

Top Performance Dog Training

  • Online or In-Person: In-Person
  • Types of Training Courses: Lodge and Learn, Off-Leash Training, Private Training, Puppy Lessons, Housebreaking Lessons
  • Price Range: Contact for Details
  • Link to Website: http://www.topperformance.biz/
  • Address: In-Home: Serves Riverside and nearby areas
  • Phone Number: 909-856-9795

Top Performance Dog Training is all about helping dogs bring out their best performance. There are plenty of training options for dogs that need help with leash training, behavioral changes, and even boarding. Socialization is also available in group classes, which helps dogs interact with other people and animals.

What sets Top Performance Dog Training apart from other trainers is that there is a focus on quality and not quantity. While this makes some boarding options more limited, it ensures better quality training with more focus on each dog.

Petco Dog Training

Petco is always one of the best places for dog training and dog accessories. At Petco, you’ll find online and in-person dog trainers who will help you with all of your training needs. There are also boarding and grooming options that are available at good prices.

Trainers at Petco maintain a professional status, which helps them distinguish themselves from other local trainers. What’s more, Petco makes it easy to rest assured that you’ll get good training with quality assurance. All programs are tailored to specific dogs and there are even programs to help with socialization.

Ph Dogs

  • Online or In-Person: In-Person
  • Types of Training Courses: Boarding and Training, Daycare and Training, Puppy Training, Private Sessions
  • Price Range: $75
  • Link to Website: http://phdogs.com/
  • Address: 8560 Lakeview Ave, Riverside, CA 92509
  • Phone Number: 714-694-3627

Ph Dogs is one of the larger private dog training operations in Riverside. What makes Ph Dog Training unique is that there are a few high-quality trainers. The primary trainers include Bethany (the founder) and Jean Luc. Other trainers may also be available because Bethany likes to get insight from other dog training specialists.

Bethany has been training dogs since 2010, which gives her over a decade of experience. Jean Luc, on the other hand, is more of a specialist who helps with agility and sports training for dogs. This helps the organization bring a combination of basic obedience training and sports training into Riverside.

Find the Right Dog Training for You in Riverside

Riverside is a wonderful place to own a dog. There are plenty of locations to visit and adventures to be had once you leave the city limits. Whether you want to hike trails in other areas of California or visit the beach, Riverside has it all. To maximize your dog’s life in Riverside we always recommend good training at a young age. In fact, even older dogs can benefit from training. Who said old dogs couldn’t learn new tricks?

The best dog trainers in Riverside are always the ones that fit your needs. Always consider the needs of your dog before making a choice. We always recommend Dog Academy because of their professional and certified trainers but other options are also useful.