About Us
About Fon's Dog Training in San Diego, CA
Professional Dog Training and Sales
At Fon’s Dog Training in San Diego, we’ve spent over four decades helping dogs and their people learn to live together with greater understanding, trust, and respect. We offer a full spectrum of services from puppy socialization and obedience to behavior modification, service-dog training, and board-and-train programs tailored to the unique needs, temperament, and living situation of each canine.
Under the leadership of our Director Manuel Villanueva, who’s been training working breeds since he was 18 and studied under the dog-training pioneer Fon Johnson, we honor a tradition of skilled, balanced, real-world training with a strong foundation in canine psychology. When you choose Fon’s, you get more than basic house manners you gain a partner. One who not only works with your dog, but also equips you with the tools and confidence to continue reinforcing good behavior at home.
Fon Villanueva
Fon is our Senior Canine Trainer and Police K9 Instructor, with extensive experience across multiple training disciplines. Since 2012, he has trained dogs in everything from pet obedience to patrol and detection work, while also instructing police K9 academies. Fon is a Certified Canine Decoy, Certified Dog Trainer, and AKC CGC Evaluator. He is responsible for imprinting detection dogs in narcotics and explosives, and he provides trusted instruction to law enforcement agencies. As the son of our Training Director, Manuel Villanueva, Fon continues a family tradition of canine expertise and is proud to serve both pet owners and police professionals alike.
Laurie is often the first friendly face you’ll meet or voice you’ll hear when reaching out. She oversees daily operations, client relations, and dog sales—always ready to help clients and their dogs succeed. With over 15 years of experience working alongside our Training Director, Laurie is also a Certified Kennel Technician and a CA POST Certified Instructor. Her passion for people and dogs makes her a trusted guide in connecting families with the right training or canine companion.
Ricky has been working with our Training Director for 14 years and brings a wealth of hands-on experience to the team. He is a Certified Kennel Technician and a Certified Police Canine Decoy and Helper. Ricky excels in obedience training, puppy development, private lessons, and board and train programs. His well-rounded background makes him a great asset to every dog he works with—and he can’t wait to meet you and your dog soon!
When your dog is enrolled in a Board & Train program, Justin plays a key role in their journey. As your dog’s dedicated helper, he ensures every dog receives consistent training hours, while also assisting the primary trainer in building a solid foundation. Justin specializes in introducing distractions and reinforcing progress, making sure your dog leaves the program confident and ready to succeed at home.
Madalyn’s passion for dogs and training shines through in everything she does. With hands-on experience breeding her own Australian Shepherds, she brings a true “whelp of knowledge” to her work with puppies and beginner dogs. Madalyn focuses on establishing a strong foundation of obedience and manners, setting the building blocks for your dog’s lifelong success. She is dedicated to helping every puppy grow into the best companion they can be.
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