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.
From 7,251 Google reviews of 44 top-rated pet trainers nationwide; 10 of them in Encinitas, CA. Updated November 2, 2026.
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Best pet trainers in Encinitas for dog boarding with training
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IQ K9 TrainingHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Dog boarding with training”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%10Overall Experts Score 20%98Job match= 94Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.85★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.94Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “Dog boarding with training” (shrunk toward the category average when there are few), how many such jobs it has done, and its overall Experts Score.
What customers said about dog boarding with training
IQ K9 TrainingLuis 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
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 areas now whereas before I couldn't even walk past a neighbor without him lunging and barking. I recommend Paws Learn in Paradise 100x!
IQ K9 TrainingLuis and IQ K9 are great! We took our newly adopted homeless rescue dog from Mexico who was a raging mess, and in 3 weeks, she's become a super obedient and intelligent member of our family. She went from wild child with highly strange potty habits to fully acclimated with our family. In fact, she has full run of…
I have a very high energy Australian Shepherd that I adopted from an Aussie rescue facility. I wasn’t aware of his severe issues prior to his adoption. He apparently had a history of aggressive behavior and biting and had been abandoned several times. I was at my wits end before someone recommended Lori at Paws…
IQ K9 TrainingIt’s a shame that the highest rating you can give is 5 stars, because 5 stars doesn’t even begin to reflect the professionalism, kindness, and dedication that everyone at IQ K9 embodies. We sent our dog Mylo for a 3 week board and train and it was the most incredible, life changing experience for us. It was obvious…
IQ K9 TrainingWe had our Malinois do their board and training service. We had a great experience and learned so much from IQK9. We also got more training from IQK9 after we added a Dutch Shepherd into our family. IQK9 is the only place we trust to board our boys when we have to go out of town. They have so much fun. Our Mal…
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.
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.