Furry Friends Rescue
Dedicated to the Rescue, Sanctuary and Adoption of Companion Animals

 Behavior/Training

Socializing Your Dog

Socializing Your Dog: Click the image to enlarge. You can download it here to share it with everyone. Poster Credit: Lili @ doggiedrawings.net/

How NOT to greet a dog

How Not to Greet a Dog: Click the image to enlarge. You can download it here to share it with everyone. Poster Credit: Lili @ doggiedrawings.net/

Furry Friends Rescue endorse these positive reinforcement trainers and facilities listed below. We do highly recommend and feel it is crucial for you, your entire family, and your new puppy or dog to attend dog training to ensure you learn how to train your dog while socializing them with other dogs/people.

Puppies must attend puppy training classes and socials between the ages of 8 - 12 weeks (Critical Period of Socialization). Please call or visit any of the trainers listed below and work with the one you feel most comfortable with. We are providing this list as we truly believe that a well behaved animal is a joy to share your life with. Both you and your pet will benefit from this training and the time you share together. Also view Cat Behavior & Training.

Look for very experienced professionals who have received a comprehensive education in animal learning, dog behavior, and science-based non-aversive training methods. The Academy for Dog Trainers.

How to choose a dog trainer

Transparency in Dog Training from Jean Donaldson on Vimeo.

Dog Behavior Articles

Positive Reinforcement Training Tips

Noelle, Adopted 2021

Noelle (left), Adopted 2021

Tips for Fostering

Fostering Mom and Puppies Guidance

  • Need a quiet room for mom to feel safe to deliver or nurse her newborn pups.
  • Friendly female dogs usually become protective moms until they feel safe. She needs time and days (3 days to week) to feel safe.
  • Keep other dogs and young kids away from them.
  • Set up dog pen and whelping box or pool. Put warm blankets or throws to keep them warm.
  • Mom will clean and take care of her pups. Check in to make sure the pups are nursing.
  • When mom feels safe, give her access to go out to yard for potty biz (use leash to guide her first day).
  • Offer reward of yummy soft treats with positive calm voice to mom. If mom is nervous, do not stare at her eyes, look at her body language until she feels comfortable.
  • Have water available and feed higher calorie foods (2-3 times per day) to mom so she can nurse her pups.
  • Can leave on "Calming Dog" music for them. They are on YouTube, Spotify or you can purchase Canine Lullabies from caninelullabies.com
  • Have emergency bottle or syringe and puppy milk replacer on hand in case puppy doesn't nurse and needs help.
  • Read Puppy Development: Stages from Birth to Two Years Old and learn about how puppy develop.

Dog and Kids Safety (including Babies and Toddlers)

The highest bite accidents are with kids 2-7 years old. 70% of dog bite victims are children. Kids 12 years & under need 100% supervision. Also, one of the highest reasons for dog returns or abandonment, are due to new babies or young kids. Please be committed for life. Learn about dog & kid safety and training first.

Dog Online Classes/Dog Behavior Videos

Online Classes

Walk On Leash - Step by Step SIRIUS Adult Dog Training

Pit Bull Terrier Training/Behavior

Finding a Dog Trainers

Sirius Training / Oz Training (FFR Adoption discount)

800-419-8748
Puppy and Adult Group Lessons
Locations: Throughout the bay area, call to find a site nearest you. Dr. Ian Dunbar is a nationally published author of many dog training books and videos.
www.siriuspup.com

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

1-800-pet-dogs
A nation-wide list of dog trainers.
We recommend working with trainers who use positive reinforcement / reward based training only. Avoid the use of shock, choke or pinch collars.
www.apdt.com

Avoid any trainer who tells you to yell, hit, shock, jerk the leash, throw things at, use a pinch or choke collar on your dog OR if they forbid you to use food in the training.

Deaf Dog Training

Deaf Dog Education Action Fund

East Bay | Dog Traininers

Academy For Dog Trainers

A World-leading, Advanced Program for Dog Trainers
academyfordogtrainers.com

They offers one of the most rigorous, advanced programs in dog behavior and training in the world. Find a Trainer.

BRAVO! PUP Puppy & Dog Training

bravopup.com
Virtual Classes
In Person Classes

Dodger's Paws

39 California Ave. #305
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Puppy Training Class
Serving area: Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin & surrounding areas in the East Bay.

Berkeley Humane Society

Nancy Frensley
Oakland, Berkeley
510-845-7735
Berkeleyhumane.org

Paws 4 Learning

Cheryl Johnson Collett
Paws4learning.com
510-209-9122
paws4learning@sbcglobal.net

  • puppy and adult dog group classes
  • Individual training and behavior
  • counseling also available

Classes Offered

  • City of Fremont - Recreation Services
    510-791-4324
  • City of Pleasanton parks and Community Services
    925-931-5340

Dog Dynasty

petdynasty.us
7132 Johnson Drive,
Suite D
Pleasanton, CA 94588
925-416-7877

Ellie Johnson

elliejohnson.net
Contact

Pied Piper Dog Training

Brian Sullivan, CTC
510-430-8726
PiedPiperDogTraining.com
One-hour group off-leash outings, private training consults and behavior modification, and group classes at Piedmont Adult School.

The East Bay Dog Listener (FFR Adoption & Foster Home partner)

Louise Pay
925-487-9386
louise.pay@comcast.net
ebdoglistener.com
1-to-1 in-home training using Amichien Bonding, the training philosophy developed by Jan Fennel, the original dog listener.
Learn how to have your dog elect you as "Leader of the Pack."

The Polished Pup

Sherry Al-Mufti, CPDT-KA
925-366-6701
sherry@polishedpupeastbay.com
Polishedpupeastbay.com

Paws and Cues

Kathryn Horn
Pawsandcues.com
Behavior modification and basic training
Agility

Cannon Dog Training

Tania Lanfer
Cannondogtraining.com
Behavior modification and basic training
Specializes in dogs and babies

Mighty Mutts

Shane Stanis
Mightymuttsdogtraining.com
Behavior Modification and basic Training
Specializing in Rowdy and Reactive dogs

Athens Dog Training L.L.C.

athensdogtrainingllc.com
Castro Valley Location
Pet Food Express
3385 Castro Valley Blvd,
Castro Valley, C.A. 94546

Oakland/Rockridge Location
Pet Food Express
5108 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611

South Bay | Dog Trainers

Bingo! Dog Training

831-768-9803 or 408 335-8745
Bingodogtraining.com
Watsonville to Santa Cruz and surrounding areas
Group Classes - Private Lessons - Behavior Problems - Board & Train

Clear Mind Canine

Heather Ross CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA
Clearmindcanine.com
Based in Felton, CA
Instagram
Facebook

Clear Mind Canine offers practical, effective solutions to a variety of behavior issues and group classes from puppy to competition.

D for Dog Training

Leash Reactive Dogs training and more.
Dfordogtraining.com
650-538-3011
Contact

Downtown Dogs' Day Care

Mark & Kelly Helsing
Downtowndogs.com
408-287-2267
Supervised day care for dogs
564 West San Carlos Street, San Jose
Group obedience and agility classes

Fetch Sam

Fetchsam.com
650.504.2058
Dog training and dog sports

Happy Tails to You (FFR Adoption & Foster Home discount)

Dawna Caldwell
Happytailstoyoudogtraining.com
2045 Woodard Rd.,
San Jose, CA 95124
408-267-7606 or 800-436-4443
Variety of group classes (puppies thru adults to advanced classes), private in-home training. Dawna covering needs ranging from basic obedience to aggression and Pit Bull Terriers training. Dawna is a certified professional dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Evaluator for Canine Good Citizen tests, and Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

Canine Higher Learning

Modern Training for your Modern Dog
M. Cecilia Sternzon, CPDT-KA, MBA
caninehigherlearning.com
Contact
A Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Cecilia, is a Professional Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). With over 20 years of professional experience in dog training, she stays on top of the latest scientific discoveries in learning and behavior, and remains knowledgeable with consistent continuing education.

The Hound Haven

thehoundhaven.com
Peggy McCarty, CTC, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, CSAT
Santa Clara, CA
Contact

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV)

HSSV Training

Living with Dogs

Sandi Pensinger
Livingwithdogs.us
Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz County Dog Training & Puppy Classes - Specialists in motivation-based group dog training classes for all ages & breeds of dogs.

Kosmo Dog Training & Boarding

kosmodogtraining.com
San Jose, CA

We offer puppy and adult dog classes using positive reinforcement, private sessions to address behavior modification, and vacation boarding for small dogs.

Maria Cecilia Sternzon, CPDT-KA, MBA

Canine Behavior Counselor/Training Instructor, Sport dog trainer, Dog-Kids training, Behavior counseling. Serving Santa Clara county and the South Bay Area, Silicon Valley, California.
Ceciliasternzon.com

Molly's AdobeDogs Dog Training

Canine Behavior Counselor/Training Instructor
Sport dog trainer, Dog-Kids training, Behavior counseling Adobedogs.org
Los Altos, CA
Contact

Orion Dog Training

Positive reinforcement dog trainers. Puppy Class, Puppy Socials, Adult Dogs, Nose Work, Tricks and Agility, and Private Lessons

Oriondogtraining.com
Facebook

South Bay Dog Training

Certified Dog Trainer & Behavior Consultant
SouthBayDog.com
408-827-8344
Puppy Socials, Puppy Classes
(Discount to FFR Adopters & Foster Homes)

Stacy's Wag'N'Train

Stacy Braslau-Schneck, Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Wagntrain.com
408-978-7391
Puppy and adult group classes, expert personal training, private lessons, baby preparation, tricks class.
San Jose area; visit the website to find site nearest you.

Underdog Academy

Specializing in Fear, Reactivity, and Endless Adolescence. In-person servicing Silicon Valley and El Dorado County. Virtual Services available anywhere.

loveyourunderdog.com
loveyourunderdog@gmail.com
408-687-2065 (El Dorado County)
510-676-3229 (Silicon Valley)

Peninsula | Dog Traininers

Wendy Hilton

Justrewardsk9.com
650-367-1941
Wendy teaches rally obedience, puppy manners, basic manners, tricks, CGC, growly dog and other classes in Los Gatos, Redwood City, San Carlos. Private training also available.

Peninsula Humane Society

12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94401
Peninsulahumanesociety.org

Whether you've just adopted a dog and want to get off on the right paw, or you want a refresher course for your longtime companion, PHS/SPCA companion dog training courses are ideal. We hold year-round Puppy Classes, Level I, and Intermediate obedience classes. In addition, we're offering dog training geared for children and dog training conducted in Spanish. Classes are 6 one-hour sessions and limited to 12 dogs. Discounts are available for dogs adopted from PHS/SPCA, and for seniors.

Planet Pooch

Planetpooch.com

Rav'n Dog Training

Puppy/Dog training, Nose work, Rally, Recreational agility, Tricks
Ravndogtraining.com
Redwood City

North Bay | Dog Traininers

Perfect Paws

866-511-PAWS (7297)
Perfectpaws.org
Group classes: pup, adult, agility, freestyle, competition obedience. Pup and small dog socials. Private lessons.
San Francisco, Menlo Park, Redwood Shores

SF Puppy Prep

Sfpuppyprep.com
Puppy training and socials
415-618-0828
Owned and run by SF SPCA certified dog trainers and instructors, Aishe Berger and Stephanie Miller.
We will personnaly pick up each puppy at your home, bring them to a safe, indoor space in SOMA for 2 hours of play, and then drop them back off at home.
Group puppy classes covering all puppy issues and socialization. Wine and cheese happy hour play session for pups and small dogs.

Sport Dog Training

Flyball, Nose Work, Barn Hunt

Puppy Training

puppies

Great puppy training tip articles by Dr. Ian Dunbar!

Kikopup on YouTube

What to Train Your Puppy First

Puppy Pen Set Up

Tips for INTRODUCING Dogs

Introducing my new puppy - First day home!

Watch many other puppy training video from Kikopup!

Other Puppy Training Articles

Puppy and Small Dog Socials

Socialization is critical in the first 8-16 weeks of a puppy's life. Read AVSAB Position Statement On Puppy Socialization. Find classes that fits you and your puppy!

Puppy Social

Small Dog Social

Free Training Resources

McGarrett, Rescued 2021

McGarrett, Adopted 2021

Behavior & Training for Cats

cats

Cat Training Info:

Cat Behavior Resources

Human Pregnancy, Babies, and Your Cat

Bottle-Feed a Newborn Kitten

Calvin & Hobbes

Keeping Cats Inside

How to Take Care of Kittens (Bottle Babies)

bottle feeding kittens