#1
The Noble Dogs
“We called Grant to discuss training our 7 month old puppy’s issues with recall, distractibility, and dog walking issues. He definitely “gets it” and made us feel much more confident. He is clearly very wise and…” — Google review
Experts Reviews · 2026 Ratings
The Best Pet Trainers in Encinitas, CA
We graded 10 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
—typical jobMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range).
98%say the price was fairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”.
4.85★average ratingPlain average of every Google star rating we collected for these companies.
2.7%bad jobs (1–2★, 2 yrs)Share of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
From 7,251 Google reviews of 44 top-rated pet trainers nationwide; 10 of them in Encinitas, CA. Updated November 2, 2026.
Find the right company for your job
Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
Overall ratings
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of pet trainers).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
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| 1 |  IQ K9 TrainingEncinitas, CA | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 98Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 5.00 | — |
| 2 |  Get Pawsitive Dog TrainingEncinitas, CA | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%97+14.8Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 98Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 5.00 | — |
| 3 |  Sit Means Sit Dog Training San DiegoEncinitas, CA | A 93How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%93+50.7Reliability 24%88+21.3Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%92+6.5Experts Score= 93Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AAA | 4.92 | — |
| 4 |  Alloy Personal Training EncinitasEncinitas, CA | A 90How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%93+54.6Reliability 26%88+23Value 15%85+12.9Experts Score= 90Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 4.93 | — |
| 5 |  Crafty Canine ClubEncinitas, CA | A 87How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%91+49.6Reliability 24%81+19.6Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%45+3.2Experts Score= 87Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAC | 4.95 | — |
| 6 |  Woof AcademyEncinitas, CA | A 87How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%90+49.1Reliability 24%92+22.3Value 14%96+13.6Replies to reviews 7%30+2.1Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 87Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAD | 4.89 | — |
| 7 | A 85How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%87+47.5Reliability 24%91+22.1Value 14%99+14Replies to reviews 7%16+1.1Experts Score= 85Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AAF | 4.81 | — | |
| 8 | The Noble DogsEncinitas, CA | A 81How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%83+45.3Reliability 24%75+18.2Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Craft & service penalty88−1.2Momentum penalty75−2.5Experts Score= 81Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAABA | 4.87 | — |
| 9 |  Pro-Train Innovative Dog TrainingEncinitas, CA | B 79How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%85+46.4Reliability 24%75+18.2Value 14%96+13.6Replies to reviews 7%21+1.5Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 79Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAAAD | 4.86 | — |
| 10 |  The Animal KeeperEncinitas, CA | B 75How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%82+44.7Reliability 24%78+18.9Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%8+0.6Craft & service penalty92−0.8Momentum penalty75−2.5Experts Score= 75Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAABF | 4.83 | — |
What jobs cost
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
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Pet Trainers in Encinitas, CA at a glance
How the 10 pet trainers we rated in Encinitas, CA compare, and what customers praise most.
Experts Score grades
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
- Grade A880%
- Grade B220%
- Grade C00%
- Grade D00%
- Grade F00%
Google ratings
Average stars per company.
- 4.90★ and up550%
- 4.80–4.89★550%
- 4.60–4.79★00%
- Below 4.60★00%
What customers praise
Share of Google review highlights.
- Quality57327%
- Professionalism55026%
- Responsiveness51324%
- Punctuality402%
- Value44921%
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
- Great price30040%
- Reasonable41255%
- Overpriced142%
- Not sure213%
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
2025
2026
How we grade
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
The 10 best-rated pet trainers in Encinitas, CA average 4.9★ on Google across 1,366 reviews. Crafty Canine Club has the top rating (5.0★), and The Animal Keeper has the most reviews (356). Updated November 1, 2026.
10 companies that meet our bar: rated 4.5★ or higher on Google, with a meaningful review history (1,366 reviews combined) and currently operating. Request a call back and the company will phone you directly.
#2
Crafty Canine Club
“We found crafty canines through a friend, and im so glad we did. Smaller facility than most, which is great for our girl, and the staff are very nice. I love the daily pics they send, and the whole place is clean…” — Google review
#3
IQ K9 Training
“Luis was amazing, we took our first dog Gojo and he is amazing and then we took our second dog toji . Everytime we get a new PUP we’ll send them to IQ K9” — Google review
#4
The Animal Keeper
“Thank you Ashley and Destiny for always making Bridget feel loved and cared for. Also there is NO ONE at Animal Keeper that doesnt make Bridget look forward to her time there -- This is one special place and so…” — Google review
#5
Woof Academy
“Woof Academy is amazing! Our dog, Sparkle, has flourished from both the training (from the time she was a puppy) and the boarding. The dog lovers who work here know Sparkle personally and create an amazing…” — Google review
#6
Sit Means Sit Dog Training San Diego
“Tim has done amazing work with my two Shih Tzus! They definitely needed better manners and because of the training with Tim, they are on their way to being better behaved dogs.” — Google review
#7
Pro-Train Innovative Dog Training
“amazing group of trainers, caretakers and owners. When you want the best for your dog in an environment that supports their behavioral improvement without breaking their spirit. This is the place to go. 5 stars!…” — Google review
#8
Get Pawsitive Dog Training
“Patti was a very good trainer and had good strategies to help Teddy, who was very shy and nervous about any noises and strangers. After practiced engaged and dis-engagted for a couple of weeks, Teddy was able to walk…” — Google review
#9
Alloy Personal Training Encinitas
“I have so much fun coming. Ive met lots of friends who also push me to work harder. The trainers are wonderful, they encourage me to do my best but also modify exercises based on how my body is feeling that day. My…” — Google review
#10
Paws Learn in Paradise
“Paws Learn in Paradise exceeded my expectations by far! My Corso had many behavior issues and I received him back after the board and train very well behaved and mannered. I am able to take him in very high traffic…” — Google review
How we pick pet trainers in Encinitas
We scan Google Maps for pet trainer listings in and around Encinitas, keep only open businesses whose main category matches the service, and require a Google rating of at least 4.5 from at least 20 reviews. Companies are ordered by a confidence-weighted score that balances rating and review volume. We do not accept payment for placement.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the highest-rated pet trainer in Encinitas?
Crafty Canine Club has the highest Google rating on our Encinitas list: 5.0 out of 5 from 123 reviews (as of November 1, 2026).
Which pet trainer in Encinitas has the most reviews?
The Animal Keeper has the most Google reviews among the companies listed here: 356, with a 4.8★ average.
How are these pet trainers chosen?
Only open Encinitas-area businesses whose Google category matches the service, rated at least 4.5★ from at least 20 Google reviews. They are ordered by a confidence-weighted score of rating and review volume. Placement is never paid.