Private Dog Training at Big Valley Dog Training offers one-on-one drop-in sessions in Delhi, CA starting at $100 per session, scheduled in advance directly with founder Joel Monroe.
Sessions are tailored for three core needs: behavior modification for leash reactivity and dog aggression (starting with an in-person evaluation and custom obedience homework), early puppy foundations for puppies under 7 months (at least 2 vaccinations recommended), and genetic or drive evaluations for protection and IGP sport.
Book a one-on-one evaluation or private session with Joel Monroe in Delhi, CA after reviewing the verified program details:
Last Updated: October 2026
Joel’s private sessions cover all kinds of behavior problems, with a special focus on reactive dogs and dog aggression. Since it’s only you, your dog and Joel, the whole session goes to the things you’re struggling with. You won’t have to squeeze into a lesson plan made for someone else’s dog.
Joel can start with an evaluation, so he sees your dog for himself and hears what daily life with your dog is like. From there, you get obedience homework made for you and your dog. You’ll go home knowing what to work on between sessions, and you won’t be left guessing.
The first few weeks with a puppy bring a lot of questions. Private sessions are where we help you with crate training, potty training, feeding and teaching those first behaviors. At this age there’s more for the people to learn than the puppy, so one-on-one time makes the most sense.
We recommend that your puppy has had at least 2 shots before coming out to the training field, but check with your vet first. Once your dog turns 7 months old, they’re ready for our Basic Obedience Course.
Some of our regular weekly clients use their private sessions for both obedience and protection, and most of them are involved in IGP sport.
If you’re wondering whether your dog is cut out for protection work, Joel offers an evaluation that looks at your dog’s genetic makeup and drive for the work. Most dogs need to be bred for it, so the evaluation gives you an honest answer. From there, Joel can put together a game plan built around your goals.
Private sessions are usually drop-in sessions that you schedule ahead of time. You book a time that works for you, and that time with Joel is all yours.
Joel Monroe is a former school teacher, an active dog sport judge and a competitor with more than 30 years of working with dogs. He’s been training dogs for Central Valley dog owners since 2019. His teaching background shows in how he explains things, and that matters, because you’re the one who lives with your dog every day.
See how our two private training tracks compare with our flagship 6 to 8 week Board and Train and our 8-week Basic Obedience Course:
Spot #1 Flagship Program: Full Immersion
Program: 6 to 8 Week Full-Immersion Board and Train (Starting at $5,000)
Best For: Busy dog owners who want Joel Monroe and his team to do the daily heavy lifting and deliver lasting off-leash and household manners.
Duration and Format: 6 to 8 weeks of full-time residential living and daily training with Joel Monroe, tailored to your dog’s temperament and goals.
What Is Included: All Basic Obedience skills (sit, down, heeling, recall, and problem solving around real distractions), the household rug command (staying on a mat or bed until released), and follow-up transfer classes for the owner.
First Step: Submit our online contact form to discuss your dog and schedule a Board and Train consultation.
Service Area: 14886 Lombardy St, Delhi, CA 95315 (serving Turlock, Modesto, Merced, Oakdale, Atwater, Livingston, and Ceres).
Spot #2 Group Foundation: Small Classes
Program: 8-Week Evening Basic Obedience Course ($500)
Best For: Dogs 7 months and older whose owners want polite leash walking, impulse control, and reliable listening around other dogs and people.
Duration and Format: 8 weeks, meeting one evening per week for approximately 1 hour, strictly capped at 5 dogs per class.
What Is Included: Hands-on coaching in sit, down, loose-leash heeling, recall, real-world distraction problem solving, an off-leash final exam, and a graduation certificate.
First Step: Contact us online to check the next 8-week class start date and reserve one of the 5 spots.
Service Area: Outdoor training field in Delhi, CA, located 10 to 25 minutes along Highway 99 from Turlock, Livingston, Atwater, Ceres, Merced, and Modesto.
Spot #3 Core One-on-One: Behavior and Reactivity
Program: One-on-One Behavior Modification and Reactivity Sessions (From $100 per Session)
Best For: Dogs showing leash reactivity, lunging, barking, or aggression toward other dogs that cannot be safely addressed in a group setting.
Duration and Format: Individual drop-in lessons scheduled in advance directly with head trainer Joel Monroe.
What Is Included: An in-person behavior evaluation of your dog and daily routine, customized handling coaching, and step-by-step obedience homework between visits.
First Step: Book a one-on-one behavior evaluation with Joel Monroe through our contact page.
Service Area: 14886 Lombardy St, Delhi, CA 95315 serving dog owners throughout Stanislaus and Merced Counties.
Spot #4 Core One-on-One: Puppies and IGP Sport
Program: One-on-One Puppy Starts and Working Dog IGP Evaluations (From $100 per Session)
Best For: Young puppies under 7 months old (with at least 2 vaccinations recommended) or dog owners pursuing protection work and IGP sport.
Duration and Format: Private sessions scheduled in advance, or weekly obedience and protection sessions for active IGP sport handlers.
What Is Included: Puppy crate training, potty training, feeding schedules, and luring first behaviors, or an honest genetic and drive evaluation for protection work (starting as early as 8 weeks old if drive is present).
First Step: Request a private puppy start or protection drive evaluation using our contact form.
Service Area: Delhi, CA training field serving Turlock, Modesto, Merced, Oakdale, Atwater, Livingston, and Ceres.
They are usually drop-in sessions that you schedule in advance with Joel.
Yes. Behavior problems, and reactivity and dog aggression in particular, are a big part of what Joel works on in private sessions.
Yes. Puppies start with one-on-one sessions that cover crate training, potty training, feeding and first behaviors. We recommend at least 2 shots before your puppy comes to the field, but check with your vet.
Most dogs need to be bred for protection work. Joel offers an evaluation to see if your dog has the genetics and drive for it, and if the drive is there, training can start as early as 8 weeks old.
Tell us what’s going on with your dog. Joel will get back to you about an evaluation or a private session.
