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Athens Dog Training

Castro Valley, California

4.8/5· 124 Google reviews

About Athens Dog Training

Dog trainer offering a variety of group & private classes from puppy training to advanced obedience.

Training & services

Training goals

  • Behavior consultation
  • Canine Good Citizen preparation
  • Leash training
  • Obedience training
  • Puppy training
  • Recall training
  • Socialization

Behavior support

  • Aggression training
  • Fear and confidence
  • Reactivity training

How training happens

  • Board and train
    Program details

    Board & Train Consult Our Board & Train Consult with Athens Dog Training L.L.C. is the first step in determining if our program is the right fit for you and your dog. During this session, we take the time to understand your dog’s behavior, history, and your goals. We’ll discuss your concerns, evaluate your dog’s needs, and walk you through how the Board & Train program works. This consult ensures that your dog is a good candidate for the program and allows us to recommend the best training plan moving forward. Location Consults are held at our boarding and training facility:Camp Bow Wow San Ramon 2040 Faria Preserve ParkwaySan Ramon, CA 94583 You can find us by searching “Camp Bow Wow San Ramon” on Google. What to Expect One-on-one time with a professional trainer Discussion of behavior, goals, and training history Evaluation of your dog’s suitability for Board & Train Clear recommendations and next steps Important A consult is required prior to booking any Board & Train program Not all dogs are a fit—this ensures the right placement We will review program requirements, including meet & greet eligibility ✨ The Goal To provide clarity, set expectations, and ensure your dog is placed in the program that will best support their success. · Listed price: $90.00

  • In-home training
    Program details

    Private In-Home Training – East Bay Private In-Home Training with Athens Dog Training L.L.C. offers personalized, one-on-one coaching designed to meet you and your dog where it matters most—at home. These sessions are ideal for building strong foundations or addressing behavior challenges such as reactivity, fear, or aggression in a familiar environment. By working within your dog’s daily routine, we’re able to create practical, lasting changes that carry over into everyday life. Each session is tailored to your goals, your lifestyle, and your dog’s unique needs—providing clear guidance, structure, and support every step of the way. Service Area In-home training is available within a 20-mile radius of San Leandro, CA.Service area does not include travel across bridges or through tunnels. If you’re unsure if you’re within range, feel free to contact us before booking. ✨ What Sets This Apart Fully customized, one-on-one training Real-life application in your home environment Support for both foundational skills and behavior modification Professional guidance designed for long-term success Who It’s For Puppies through adult dogs Dogs needing basic obedience or advanced training Dogs with behavioral challenges, including reactivity What to Expect Personalized coaching with a professional trainer Clear, easy-to-follow training guidance Action steps you can start immediately Ongoing support to help you and your dog succeed ✨ Upgrade Option If you’re looking for a more accelerated program, our Board & Train option provides consistent daily training and structure to help your dog progress more efficiently. · Listed price: $250.00

  • Owner coaching Customer-reported
  • Private training

Dog age

  • Adult dogs
  • Puppies
    Program details

    🐾 Puppy Class (Under 6 Months) Our Puppy Class with Athens Dog Training L.L.C. is designed to give young dogs the best possible start through structured training and positive socialization. This class focuses on building strong foundations during your puppy’s most important developmental stage. Using science-based, positive reinforcement methods, we help puppies learn essential skills while gaining confidence in a safe, controlled environment. Puppies will be introduced to new sights, sounds, and experiences, helping them develop appropriate social skills and reduce the likelihood of future behavior challenges. ✨ What Your Puppy Will Learn Basic obedience (sit, down, come, leash skills) Engagement and focus Confidence building Appropriate socialization with people and other puppies Early impulse control and manners 🐶 Who It’s For Puppies under 6 months of age Owners looking to build a strong training foundation early Puppies needing safe, guided socialization 👍 What to Expect Small, structured group classes Controlled socialization opportunities Professional guidance every step of the way A supportive environment for both puppies and owners ✨ The Experience A positive, structured introduction to training that helps your puppy grow into a confident, well-behaved dog. · Listed price: $20.00

Training level

  • Advanced obedience
  • Advanced training

Support between sessions

  • Follow-up support
  • Personalized training plans

Assistance and working dogs

  • Service dog training
    Program details

    Invatation only Group Class with Pohan on Saturdays. · Listed price: $20.00

Training approach

  • Positive reinforcement

Additional services

  • Boarding

Other listed services

View 7 additional details
  • East Bay In Home Consult
    Program details

    Our Premium In-home Consults give you the time you need with our trainers to make sure we are the trainer that is right for you. Ask the training questions you need answered by our Professionally trained experienced Canine behavior experts. During this time we also get to know you, your pet and what you need from us to make you and your pet's live the best life free from problem behaviors. We create training plans That met your needs in the comfort of your home. · Listed price: $90.00

  • Gentle Leader $25
    Program details

    Gentle Leader, any size, bought from Camp Bow Wow. · Listed price: $25.00

  • Advanced with C.G.C.
    Program details

    Intermediate Manners & CGC Prep Class Our Intermediate Manners Class with Athens Dog Training L.L.C. builds on foundational skills while introducing more advanced behaviors and real-world reliability. This hybrid class focuses on improving your dog’s ability to stay engaged, responsive, and well-mannered around increasing distractions. Using science-based, positive reinforcement methods, we continue to strengthen communication between you and your dog while introducing more structured expectations. This class also includes preparation for the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, helping you and your dog work toward this nationally recognized certification. ✨ Skills You’ll Learn Heel (structured loose leash walking) Go to Bed / Place Wait (doorways, food, boundaries) Improved Stay and Duration Advanced Recall and Engagement 🎓 AKC Canine Good Citizen Prep This class incorporates training exercises designed to prepare you and your dog for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, including: Accepting a friendly stranger Walking politely on leash Basic obedience in public settings Controlled reactions around people and other dogs Supervised separation Testing opportunities may be offered upon successful completion. 🐶 Who It’s For Dogs who have completed a basic manners class or equivalent Dogs ready for more structured training and increased expectations Owners interested in AKC CGC certification 👍 What to Expect Structured group classes with controlled distractions Continued skill building and reliability training Step-by-step guidance for more advanced behaviors Support in preparing for CGC testing ✨ The Experience A structured, goal-oriented class designed to take your dog’s training to the next level while working toward real-world reliability and certification readiness. · Listed price: $20.00

  • Basic manners
    Program details

    Basic Manners Class Our Basic Manners Class with Athens Dog Training L.L.C. is designed to build a strong foundation of everyday obedience and clear communication between you and your dog. Using science-based, positive reinforcement methods, this class focuses on teaching essential skills while helping owners better understand how to guide their dog’s behavior at home and in real-life situations. ✨ Skills You’ll Learn Look (focus and engagement) Find It (reward-based searching and engagement) Touch (targeting for communication and handling) Sit & Down Come (recall) Stay Leave It 🐶 What We Cover Building reliable obedience skills Improving focus and responsiveness Understanding and preventing common problem behaviors Guidance on how to address everyday behavior challenges 👍 What to Expect Structured, supportive group environment Step-by-step instruction for both dog and owner Practical techniques you can use at home Professional guidance throughout each session ✨ The Experience A structured class designed to help your dog become more focused, responsive, and well-mannered in everyday life. · Listed price: $20.00

  • Orientation
    Program details

    🐾 Group Class Orientation Our Group Class Orientation with Athens Dog Training L.L.C. is designed to help you get started on the right path before joining group classes. This session is attended without your dog and focuses on setting you up for success by reviewing class structure, expectations, and the best training options for your goals. During orientation, we’ll assess your needs, recommend the most appropriate class level, and answer any questions you may have. You’ll also receive guidance on any current behavior concerns and how to begin addressing them. 👍 What to Expect Overview of group class structure and expectations Guidance on which class is the best fit for you and your dog Answers to your training questions Advice on behavior concerns Assistance with enrolling in the right classes 📋 Important Do not bring your dog to this session Please bring your dog’s vaccination records (digital copies are accepted) ⚠️ Group Class Eligibility While we do work with dogs experiencing reactivity or aggression, these dogs are not appropriate for group class settings. If your dog is showing reactive or aggressive behavior, we recommend starting with private training, where we can safely and effectively address these challenges using controlled setups and our trained dogs. ✨ The Goal To give you clarity, direction, and confidence so you can get the most out of your group training experience.

  • Facility Consults San Ramon
    Program details

    Facility Consult – San Ramon Our Facility Consults at Camp Bow Wow San Ramon offer a structured, in-person introduction to training with Athens Dog Training L.L.C.. This session allows you to meet with a professional trainer, discuss your dog’s behavior, and receive expert guidance in a controlled training environment. It’s a great option for clients who prefer working outside the home or want to see how their dog responds in a more structured setting. During your consult, we’ll take time to understand your goals, evaluate your dog’s behavior, and recommend the best training path moving forward. You’ll leave with a customized training plan, along with clear action steps you can begin right away. In most cases, we’ll also introduce some hands-on training so you can start building skills immediately. Location Held at Camp Bow Wow San Ramon:2040 Faria Preserve Parkway, San Ramon, CA 94583 What to Expect One-on-one time with a professional trainer Behavior evaluation and guidance Personalized training recommendations Action steps you can start the same day Introduction to training techniques in a structured environment ✨ Upgrade Option If you’re looking for a more accelerated program, our Board & Train option provides consistent daily training and structure to help your dog progress more efficiently. · Listed price: $90.00

  • Facility lessons on site lessons
    Program details

    Private Lessons – On-Site (Facility Training) Our On-Site Private Lessons with Athens Dog Training L.L.C. provide personalized, one-on-one training in a structured, professional environment. These sessions are ideal for owners who prefer to train outside the home or want to work on skills in a setting with controlled distractions. Training at our facility allows us to focus on obedience, engagement, and behavior work while gradually introducing real-world challenges. Each lesson is tailored to your dog, your goals, and your experience level—giving you clear guidance and practical tools you can apply both during and outside of sessions. What to Expect One-on-one coaching with a professional trainer Training in a structured, distraction-managed environment Support for foundational skills or behavior challenges Step-by-step guidance you can apply immediately Location Lessons are held at:Camp Bow Wow San Ramon 2040 Faria Preserve ParkwaySan Ramon, CA 94583 You can find us by searching “Camp Bow Wow San Ramon” on Google. ✨ The Experience A focused, professional training environment designed to help your dog build confidence, improve behavior, and stay engaged—even around distractions. ✨ Upgrade Option If you’re looking for a more immersive or accelerated approach, our Board & Train program provides consistent daily training and structure to help your dog progress more efficiently. · Listed price: $250.00

Confirm current programs and availability directly.

Customer reviews

Google listing
4.8
out of 5124 Google reviews

Mentioned in reviews

  • Knowledgeable trainer 17
  • Reactive dog training 15
  • Knowledgeable staff 12
  • Private lessons 9
  • Patient trainer 8
  • Leash reactivity 7
All 10 topics
  • New techniques 6
  • Flexible scheduling 4
  • Greeting training 2
  • Trick training 2

Google review topics, not confirmed services.

100 collected reviews

Text reviews first · newest first
KRYSTAL LUCKER
5/5
Got Olive as an 8week old puppy in 2020 so she wasn’t socialized very well and she’s now 90lbs of leash-reactive dog. Danny worked with us and helped us get her to a place where she’s no longer scared and barking non-stop at strangers and other dogs. We still have some work to do…Read full reviewClose full review

Got Olive as an 8week old puppy in 2020 so she wasn’t socialized very well and she’s now 90lbs of leash-reactive dog. Danny worked with us and helped us get her to a place where she’s no longer scared and barking non-stop at strangers and other dogs. We still have some work to do with Olive but she’s come a very long way from when we first met Danny and he showed us the best way to work with her particular personality. 100% recommend taking your dog to Athens for any level of training. They also have group classes!

Greg Leung
5/5
we booked a six session in home training with Rochelle. she's great! we learned lots from her about a rescue pip and gave us useful training tips and tools to help him be a better dog... and more importantly, us as better dog parents. i would say the one thing that may have set h…Read full reviewClose full review

we booked a six session in home training with Rochelle. she's great! we learned lots from her about a rescue pip and gave us useful training tips and tools to help him be a better dog... and more importantly, us as better dog parents. i would say the one thing that may have set her apart for us was her honesty and transparency about what to expect. no rosey promises, just.. real expectations. we would call her again for more training if we decided we needed it or if we ever chanced to add another pup to our home. no doubt she and Athens would be our first call if that were the case!

M M (M M)
5/5
I wanted to wait until all my training appointments were over before I submitted a review. Pohan was wonderful with my puppy. She helped calm some of my worries, and helped us work on off leash training. She gave me the tools we both (myself and Oso) needed to be successful in …Read full reviewClose full review

I wanted to wait until all my training appointments were over before I submitted a review. Pohan was wonderful with my puppy. She helped calm some of my worries, and helped us work on off leash training. She gave me the tools we both (myself and Oso) needed to be successful in the future. Oso has come leaps and bounds from before we started. Thank you Pohan! Can’t wait to start the next training chapter!

Ethan & Suzi Shattuck
5/5
Danny is amazing! He trained my husband’s service dog (and my husband) to be an amazing team together! Danny is knowledgeable, experienced, good-natured, and kind. The skills that our service dog gained have helped my husband remain grounded and alive. It isn’t an exaggeration,…Read full reviewClose full review

Danny is amazing! He trained my husband’s service dog (and my husband) to be an amazing team together! Danny is knowledgeable, experienced, good-natured, and kind. The skills that our service dog gained have helped my husband remain grounded and alive. It isn’t an exaggeration, he used to deal with a lot of suicidal thoughts when his mental health was in a dark place. But this service dog, has pulled him through in regular, small, but impactful ways. And those skills come from Danny’s training. I will always be grateful for Danny’s work. UPDATE: This is just an addition to the post my wife left above. I worked with Danny for over a year getting my dog Finnegan trained to be my Service Dog. I’ve had dogs all my life except for the years I was in the military and so I had a good idea of what it’s like having dogs in my daily life and thought training would be simply going through the drills to refresh my knowledge and helping my wife learn how to communicate with the dog. Turns out, I had more than refresher work to do. Danny approaches training with dogs as an advocate and translator for the dogs. The first thing he said after he introduced himself was a reminder that dogs don’t speak human and we don’t speak dog. We have to learn how to communicate with each other in order to be a happy and successful team, just like any other relationship in life. I already understood that most of the training we were going to do was really about training Me. Danny helped me understand how to set my expectations and how to go about helping my dog understand what I want from him. Danny emphasizes keeping a sense of humor when working with your dog on creating routines that work for you and your family. When I ran into situations in my training with my dog Danny was always available to help me figure out the problem. When I accidentally traumatized my dog with the Pirate Festival (I didn’t realize how much gun fire there would be) Danny gave us his time and attention to figure out how to help Finnegan (my dog) deal with loud noises again. However, Danny isn’t a wizard or a genie- the only way to ensure success is to do the work with the dog multiple times a day, every day. Practice, repetition, and consistency when combined with good instruction is the only sure path to success when it comes to training.

Brigit Talkington
5/5

I am so impressed at the professionalism and effectiveness of Ms. Pohan Bystrom. Our Akitas (independent, protective, suspicious of strangers) took to her so well I was practically jealous, as they sat at her feet rather than mine after just a short time with her. She's bringing out their potential - no more skating by for these canines!

Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.

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