It is never too early (or late) to start training your canine friend!
Professional Dog Training at Pet Camp
Pet Camp’s dog training programs are designed for campers who are already part of our dog daycare or dog boarding programs. That means your dog can keep learning while they are already spending time at Pet Camp, without adding another separate appointment to your schedule.
Our training programs use positive reinforcement to help dogs build practical skills that make everyday life easier, safer, and more enjoyable. Camper Cadets focuses on manners, communication, confidence, self-control, safe handling, and real-world readiness. Happy Trails focuses specifically on leash walking skills for dogs who need help navigating San Francisco’s busy sidewalks, thresholds, distractions, and daily walks.
Whether your dog is just getting started with basic manners, ready for more advanced training challenges, or needs a stronger foundation for walking around the city, Pet Camp’s dog training programs are built to support practical progress that pet parents can continue reinforcing at home. Each program must be completed within 10 days of starting.
Camper Cadet Level 1
Building the Foundation for Better Everyday Manners - $350 for 6 Days
Camper Cadet Level 1 is Pet Camp’s beginner dog training program for campers who are ready to build a stronger foundation in basic manners and communication. During this 6-day program, dogs work on essential skills including sit, down, recall, touch, and safe handling skills. These are not just “tricks.” They are practical behaviors that help dogs pay attention, respond to guidance, and move more calmly through everyday situations, and even make visits to the bather/groomer and veterinarian safer and less stressful (to both you and your dog).
Because this program is available while dogs are attending dog daycare or overnight dog boarding at Pet Camp, training becomes part of the camper’s existing routine. That can be especially helpful for busy pet parents who want their dog to keep learning while they are already at Pet Camp. Using positive reinforcement, the training focuses on helping each dog understand what is being asked, build confidence, and begin developing habits that can be reinforced at home.
Camper Cadet Level 2
Strengthening Focus, Self-Control, and Polite Behavior - $350 for 6 Days
Camper Cadet Level 2 is designed for dogs who have completed Camper Cadet Level 1 and are ready to build on those early skills. This 6-day intermediate program introduces behaviors that require more focus and self-control, including drop it, leave it, stay, leash walking skills, and polite human greetings. These skills are especially useful for dogs living in an active urban environment, where distractions, people, dogs, sidewalks, and shared spaces are part of daily life.
The goal of Camper Cadet Level 2 is to help dogs become more responsive and manageable in real-world situations. A dog who can leave an item alone, come when called, greet people politely, and walk with better leash manners is easier to guide and more enjoyable to live with. Pet Camp’s positive reinforcement approach helps dogs learn these behaviors in a clear, encouraging way, while pet parents receive a stronger foundation they can continue practicing after camp.
Transform Your Dog's Behavior
Join our expert-led classes and build a bond that lasts
Camper Cadet Level 3
Urban Fitness - $350 for 6 Days
Camper Cadet Level 3 is designed for dogs ready to take on a new set of challenges and provide a baseline for pet parents who want to encourage their dog’s physical fitness, continue increasing their dog’s confidence, set a foundation for pet parents interested in specialized training (for example agility), and allow dogs to use their skills in new environments.
The skills taught in Caper Cadel Level 3 are push-ups, stand, back-up, step-up on a platform, learning left & right, and going through a handler’s legs from the front and the back. The goal of Camper Cadet Level 3 to increase both physical and cognitive learning through skills that require more physical adroitness and mental acuity so that both pet parents and dogs are more prepared for the challenges of an urban environment – of course these skills are also way cool and blast to show off.
Camper Cadet Level 4
Taking it to the Streets (sort of) - $350 for 6 Days
Camper Cadet Level 4 is designed for dogs ready to take their skills outside of the classroom and demonstrate success with a range of distractions showing that they are ready for the “real world.” We will be using touch against objects, in gardens, and around other people and dogs; recall will take place at a distance and with various stimuli such as toys, noises, people and dogs.
Handling will include (if appropriate) learning how to wear rain jackets and boots as well as what it takes to succeed at the veterinarian or groomer; and stay will be demonstrated for both longer times and with distractions. The goal of Camper Cadet Level 4 is to both refine the skills learned in Camper Cadets Levels 1 to 3 AND to be able to replicate these skills when out and about in San Francisco or at home.
Pet Camp's Happy Trails Dog Training
$350 for 6 Days
Pet Camp’s Happy Trails dog training is designed to get your dog ready for leash walking around San Francisco. Designed to be taken in addition to Camper Cadets (any level) or alone if your concern is just leash walking, Happy Trails levels 1 and 2 are 6-days each of leash training designed to get you and your dog safely and happily walking about San Francisco.
We will work on setting your dog up for success by focusing on getting your dog to both follow your lead AND wait for your lead. Your dog will learn to follow your path of travel via U-turns and wait for you before exiting a door or crossing a threshold. As your dog progresses, we will add distractions to ensure that your dog is ready for a stroll down San Francisco’s busy sidewalks.
Transform Your Dog's Behavior
Join our expert-led classes and build a bond that lasts
Meet Our Pet Camp Dog Training Management Team
Caroline B.
Head of Education & Training
Starting at the age of 10, Caroline Bender has had a passion for training animals. She started building homemade agility courses in her backyard for her childhood border collie, and the rest was history.
Caroline has been a positive reinforcement and fear-free trainer for over a decade, has developed behavioral programs for training businesses and animal shelters, and ran her own training and behavior consulting business in Boston, Massachusetts for over 5 years. While her work has spanned across the animal care industry, from veterinary care to competitive dog sports, her specialty has been working in rescue with dogs and cats with severe behavioral challenges. The Boston native now lives in Oakland with her Great Dane, Betty, and her cat, Bathtub.
Melissa A.
Canine Enrichment Manager
Melissa has spent the last 20 years working in the pet care industry, with experience spanning veterinary medicine, dog daycare, and dog lodging. Over the years, she has held the titles Veterinary Hospital Manager, Operations Manager, and General Manager roles within fast-paced veterinary hospitals and multi-location pet care facilities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Melissa is passionate about animal welfare, education, and building strong connections within the pet care and local community. She lives in the East Bay with her partner, their child, and their two dogs and two cats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn More About Pet Camp
Our Story
Find out how it all started and see how we've grown to be San Francisco's most trusted pet boarding and pet daycare facility.
Pet Camp Express
All aboard the Pet Camp Express – pet pickup at your service! Take the hassle out of pet boarding; let us pick-up and drop-off your furry friend to and from your home or office.
Camp Counselors
Learn about our professionally trained and certified Pet Camp counselors and why our campers love them so much.
Fun Stuff
Check out the latest happenings and awesome events we have in store for your camper.
Being Green
At Pet Camp, it’s easy being green! From our recycling programs to our poop-to-power, we’ve got it covered! Find out more about our commitment to the environment.
Pet Camp App
Yes, it’s true – we’ve joined the app-crazy world of San Francisco! You can now make a reservation at Pet Camp, update your camper’s vaccine records, and even check Camper Cameos through the Pet Camp App.
Pet Camp’s facilities are fully licensed, permitted and inspected by the City of San Francisco Department of Public Health.
Caring for someone else’s pet is a responsibility that we take seriously. At Pet Camp, we set best practice standards using state-of-the-art equipment and procedures. From electrostatic sprayers to fresh circulated air, we go above and beyond to ensure a clean, healthy, and safe environment.
More info here: Health/Safety & Check-In Guide