Reactive Dog Training in San Diego

🌟Affordable dog training where reactivity ends and calm walks begins

At Peace Pups Dog Training, we help reactive and anxious dogs resolve leash pulling, lunging, barking, and fear based-behaviors within 2-5 lessons! We give owners the tools they need to enjoy calmer walks and greater freedom through our signature play-based dog training approach.

Whether your dog barks and lunges at other dogs, reacts to strangers and men, struggles with guests in the home, or experiences anxiety in everyday situations, we'll help you create lasting behavior change through play, leadership, consistency, and communication.

A woman with long dark hair wearing sunglasses and a beige tank top smiling while hugging a tan and white dog with blue eyes and a blue bandana on a sandy beach with the ocean in the background.

Meet Sunny, Founder of Peace Pups Dog Training

Hi, I'm Sunny! ☀️ Software engineer turned full-time dog trainer. Since starting Peace Pups, I've worked with over 200 dogs throughout San Diego, including 150+ reactive rescues. I specialize in anxious and reactive dogs through our signature play-based training technique, built on 15+ years of training horses and dogs. Peace Pups proudly partners with Labs and More Dog Rescue, Second Chance, and The Animal Pad.

We all want a dog that can exist in the world with joy and peace — that's what I wanted for my own rescue dog, Ace, and it's exactly what we help you achieve. Together, we'll help your dog feel safe and secure and build clear communication and boundaries, so you can enjoy a life of freedom with your dog!

A smiling woman with sunglasses on her head is kneeling beside a large, brown and white dog with heterochromatic eyes at the beach. The dog has its tongue out and is wearing a collar and leash. The ocean waves are in the background under a clear blue sky.

Why Reactive Dog Owners Choose Peace Pups

  • Affordable, private 1:1 dog training — packages from $295–$895

  • Sunny is a reactive dog specialist. She has trained over 200 dogs through our Dream Dog Course and helps owners raise calm, confident dogs through play-based training

  • Real-world training in neighborhoods, coffee shops, and parks — including sessions with her personal dog, Ace!

  • Over 100+ five-star Google and Yelp reviews

A brown and black curly-haired puppy peeking out from under a wooden park bench.

Is your dog struggling with..

  • Barking and lunging at other dogs

  • Reacting to people on walks with fear or over-excitement

  • Fear of men, scooters, bikes, or cars

  • Excessive barking in the home

  • Greeting guests calmly and confidently without jumping

  • Separation anxiety

  • Growling or resource guarding

  • Nipping, biting, destructive chewing

  • Difficulty settling down in public settings like coffee shops

We are happy to say you’re in the right place! At Peace Pups, we train dogs struggling with these challenges every single day. With training and structured guidance, your dog will become more calm and confident.

Pillars of Dog Training

A tan dog with a blue collar and a green bandana sitting on concrete ground, with a colorful mountain mural painted on a wooden wall behind it.

What You’ll Learn

Dog training isn't just a job—it's a lifestyle career that offers freedom, fulfillment, and flexibility.

  • 🌤️ Work Outside - Spend your days in parks and neighborhoods instead of behind a desk

  • Flexible Hours - Set your own schedule and work when it suits your life

  • 💰 Great Pay - Earn $35-$50/hour doing work you love

  • 🐾 Help Rescue Dogs - Train challenging dogs through fostering or in shelters to improve adoption rates

This is work not only changes the dog’s life but also the owner’s life - a very, very rewarding process!

Module 1: Foundation of Dog Training

4 Weeks | $750 | 4 Private Lessons + Shadowing

This is where it all begins. You'll master the fundamentals of dog training using play-based methods that make learning fun for both you and the dogs you work with.

What You Get:

  • You get 4 1-hour private lessons that take place in Sunny’s neighborhood, Balboa park, and South Park coffee shops

  • The opportunity to shadow Sunny’s client lessons each week — including reactive dogs, puppies, and high-drive dogs

What You'll Learn:

  • How to handle and work with different shelter dogs

  • Understanding canine behavior and body language

  • Resolve behavioral issues such as jumping, barking, leash pulling, and separation anxiety

  • Building a reliable communication system with marker words (yes, no, good, okay)

  • Play-based games to build focus, confidence, and engagement - great for foster dogs and shelter dogs

  • Essential obedience commands: sit, down, stay, come, heel, leave it, drop it

  • Leash training fundamentals & tug work with high-drive dogs

  • How to work with puppies and young dogs - resolve puppy nipping, potty training, crate training

✨ Upon Completion:

  • Become a Certified Peace Pups Foundation Trainer

  • Work with young puppies and dogs with mild behavioral challenges

Training Packages and Pring

“Fostering reactive dogs used to be so stressful because I didn't know how to help them.

After this program, everything changed! I can actually train them now and give them a real shot at getting adopted. Using play and communication has been a game-changer, and I'm so happy to have Sunny as my mentor!”

- Lucy, Certified Peace Pups Pro Trainer

How To Get Started

1.Book Your Free Discovery Call

This is your opportunity to share your goals and ask any questions about the program. We'll discuss whether Module 1, Module 2, or the full certification is the best fit for you and work with your budget to create a path that makes sense for your career goals.

2. Get Certified

Once you enroll, you'll spend 4 - 8 weeks in private, 1-on-1 mentorship with Sunny, training 3 hours per week with real dogs while mastering play-based techniques and building your confidence as you earn your Peace Pups certification.

3. Start Earning As A Dog Trainer

After completing your training, you'll immediately start receiving client and pet sitting referrals from Peace Pups to launch your new career, all while having Sunny as your lifelong mentor to support you every step of the way.

North Park dog trainer specializing in reactive dog training with her calm, confident companion

Ready to become a dog trainer?

Book A Free Discovery Call

Learn more about Sunny, our head trainer, and this program. Ask all your questions!