Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Expert Dog Obedience Training Bakersfield
Founded in 1971 by Harlan Broat, our school has pioneered a unique dog obedience training methodology that emphasizes communication over punishment. With decades of experience training over 30,000 dogs, we specialize in developing the innate ability of canines to recognize their owners as leaders through humane techniques combining praise, exercise, and discipline. Our approach eliminates reliance on treats or clickers, focusing instead on establishing clear leadership roles that foster mutual respect between pets and owners. We offer comprehensive training programs tailored to all breeds and ages, including private lessons and boarding options that maintain consistent training environments. Our lifetime guarantee reflects our confidence in the lasting results of our methods, which have been refined through decades of teaching group classes for recreation departments and YMCAs across Southern California.The curriculum emphasizes owner education to ensure sustained obedience beyond the training period, with sessions designed to accommodate both dogs and their handlers. Our facility provides climate-controlled boarding with supervised play sessions, ensuring pets remain comfortable and socially engaged during their stay. We maintain rigorous standards for canine interaction, including temperament testing before group play, while offering special care for pets requiring medication or dietary accommodations. Our commitment to ethical training practices has made us a trusted resource for dog owners seeking long-term behavioral transformation.
Services
Dog Training
Boarding
Private Lessons
Manners Course
Traditional Obedience Course
Details
- Year established: 1971
Highlights and features
- We've successfully trained over 30,000 dogs since 1971 using our proven methodology
- Our lifetime guarantee ensures ongoing support for sustained behavioral results
- Training focuses on natural canine communication rather than treats or punishment
- We teach owners to maintain obedience through our proprietary leadership techniques
- Climate-controlled facility with supervised play sessions for safe boarding experiences
What people say
Immediate results
Humane methods
Lifetime support
Knowledgeable trainers
Safe boarding
Services
Dog Training
Our proven methodology teaches dogs to recognize owners as leaders through praise, exercise, and discipline. Programs include basic manners, come-on-command, and traditional obedience courses. Training sessions last 1-2 hours with owner participation required to ensure sustained results.
Boarding
Climate-controlled boarding facility with supervised play sessions three times daily. Temperament-tested socialization ensures safe interactions. Special care available for pets on medication or special diets. Only available for trained dogs.
Private Lessons
Customized training sessions conducted at our facility or client's home. Focuses on specific behavioral issues while teaching owners our leadership-based methodology. More cost-effective at our training facility.
Manners Course
Teaches essential commands including 'move and wait,' 'no jumping,' and leash walking. Includes stop command training for excessive behaviors. Duration varies based on individual dog needs.
Traditional Obedience Course
Comprehensive program covering all basic commands plus off-leash training. Includes sit/stay and down/stay commands with release cues. Designed for long-term behavioral transformation through consistent communication.
People
Harlan Broat
Founder
Author of 'Group Training for Dogs' and former radio host of 'Dog Talk,' Harlan developed the school's unique methodology. With 50+ years of experience, he has trained over 30,000 dogs using his communication-based approach.
Julie
Trainer
Certified trainer specializing in the Broat method of canine communication. Works with dogs of all breeds and ages to establish clear leadership roles between pets and owners through humane, effective techniques.
Questions
What is your success rate with dog training?
Our methods have successfully trained over 30,000 dogs since 1971. Most clients see noticeable improvement during the first lesson through our proven communication-based approach.
Do you use treats or clickers in training?
No. We focus on establishing natural leadership communication between owners and dogs without relying on food rewards or clicker systems for lasting behavioral change.
How quickly will I see results?
Results are typically immediate as our method works with dogs' natural pack instincts. Most owners notice significant behavioral improvements within the first training session.
Can you train unruly dogs?
Yes. Our methodology works with all temperaments by teaching owners to establish clear leadership roles. Consistent application of our principles transforms even the most challenging behaviors.
What boarding options do you offer?
Climate-controlled boarding with supervised play sessions three times daily. Available only for trained dogs with current vaccinations and temperament-tested socialization.
Do you offer ongoing support after training?
Yes. We provide lifetime refresher lessons at no additional charge as long as the dog remains under the same ownership, ensuring sustained obedience results.
Reviews (5)
Laura Lopez
Apr 18, 2022
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Could not have asked for a kinder and more qualified trainer than Julie. She is very competent and knows how to bond with dogs, at least with mine! Her style and methods are easy to learn. Making practice and success achievable. I would highly recommend Julie to anyone needing obedience training for their dog.
Rogelio Garcia
Sep 11, 2021
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1st session with her today have a nervous reactive shepherd obvious she has had similar experiences before knew how to work around him to keep him feeling safe very knowledgable seems very honest since my pup has been trained n boarded elsewhere she believed that he didnt need a full board n train session so we will continue to work along her hope to see progress with max
Buddy The Cowardly Dog
Feb 26, 2019
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They went above and beyond for our dog! He was awful around other dogs, not aggressive just crazy/uncontrollable hyper, our trainer Julie kept working with us until he showed improvements. I am really impressed with the level of customer service we were shown. They also do boarding. We have not boarded our dogs with them yet but I would feel comfortable leaving our fur babies with them if we ever went out of town they are very professional and really know what they are doing.
Sarah Vasquez
May 04, 2018
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I was a bit fearful of taking my dog here. I had seen one negative review stating they basically traumatized a dog with fear. We decided to give it a shot because the other reviews seemed so positive. I am so grateful we did! My dog Buddy is normally so fearful/anxious but he responded so positively to the training. He used to pull very hard on his leash and now he is doing so much better. The best part is we aren't even done with our sessions!
We have one more, but so far everything we have learned has been so helpful and made such a positive impact on us and our dog. I highly recommend American School of Dog Obedience and our trainer Julie!
We have one more, but so far everything we have learned has been so helpful and made such a positive impact on us and our dog. I highly recommend American School of Dog Obedience and our trainer Julie!
Kathryn Terhune Cotton
Feb 04, 2017
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I met Harlan about 46 years ago when he was in North Hollywood. I trained with him on and off for twenty years. He's the best dog trainer I've ever known and over the years I met quite a few. He taught me everything I ever learned in obedience. Thanks to Harlan, I've been to not only train in obedience but have gone on to successfully trained mobility and hearing alert service dogs. And Julie is wonderful too.
