The Dog Trainer Sacramento Families Trust
Real-life training focused on clarity, communication, & results that actually stick.
In-home private training, puppy training, behavior work, day training, and board and train — from a team of Sacramento dog trainers who start with the whole dog.
Training isn’t just about teaching commands, it’s about understanding your dog.
Most training focuses on obedience. We focus on communication, behavior, and real-life application — the kind of dog trainer Sacramento families actually need. Terra, our owner, is a Licensed Family Dog Mediator®, and every plan starts with the whole dog.
That means looking at your dog’s learning history, environment, genetics, and who they are as an individual — Kim Brophey’s L.E.G.S.® framework — before we build a single step of the plan.
Sacramento Dog Trainers
that meet YOU where you are!
Training
Packages
Not sure where to start? Book a free intro call and we’ll point you to the right fit.
We look at the whole picture:
Every dog is the sum of four things. Understanding all four is how we build a plan that actually holds up at home, on walks, and around guests — not just in a training session.
What your dog was bred to do
How they experience the world
What's driving the behavior
How to create better choices
Because behavior doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
It happens:
- ♥On walks
- ♥When guests come over
- ♥Around other dogs
- ♥In the drive-thru line
- ♥On camping trips and airplane travel
- ♥In the moments that actually matter
Our goal isn’t just a dog that listens in a session.
It’s a dog that makes better decisions in everyday life.
That’s where real change happens — and that’s what lasts.
Whether it’s a reactive or fearful dog, a new puppy, or a busy schedule that calls for dog day training, our Sacramento dog trainers train where the behavior actually happens.
How Dog Training With Us Works
Three steps, no pressure, and no guessing what comes next.
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Talk to a trainer
Book a free intro call. It’s 30 minutes by phone, on us, with no pressure and no commitment. Tell us what’s going on with your dog, and we’ll match you with the right trainer.
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Meet in person for a Behavior Consultation
Your trainer meets you and your dog, sees what’s really going on, and builds your plan. A Behavior Consultation is $150–$200, depending on your trainer. Already worked with us? You can skip straight to booking.
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Train where life happens
Training happens in your home and neighborhood, where the behavior really shows up, and your trainer is on retainer between sessions. Pick the program that fits: private lessons, a package, day training, or board and train.
Not sure which path is yours? Start with the free intro call and we’ll tell you honestly.
Meet Your Sacramento Dog Trainers
Four trainers, four different routes into the work. Whoever you talk to on your first call is the person who trains your dog.
Terra Ruiz
Owner & Lead Canine Relationship Coach
Complex behavior cases, reactivity, and anxiety-informed training
Alex Soliz
Canine Relationship Coach
High-level behavior modification, aggression, reactivity, and impulse control
Jade Spicher
Scent Work & Positive Reinforcement Specialist
Scent work for anxious and reactive dogs
Mitch Brooks (they/them)
Foundations & Socialization Specialist
Foundational obedience, puppy rearing, and structured socialization
Where We Train
We come to you. Our Sacramento and Davis dog trainers work in your home and your neighborhood, with no travel fee within our service area.
Cities & areas we serve
- Sacramento
- Arden-Arcade
- Carmichael
- Citrus Heights
- Davis
- Elk Grove
- Fair Oaks
- Florin
- Folsom
- Gold River
- Orangevale
- Rancho Cordova
- West Sacramento
- Woodland
Sacramento neighborhoods
Not on the list? If you’re in or around these areas, reach out anyway — book a free intro call and we’ll tell you whether we can come to you. You can also see more about the areas we serve.
5 stars by 100+ customers
“We have been working with Terra and Wholistic Canine for about 3 sessions now. We have noticed a big difference in our pups behavior, especially in regards to her bad habit of chasing our cats. We are still working on some other behaviors, but I appreciate Terra’s focus on positive reinforcement and teaching us AND our dog to make better decisions. I definitely recommend giving Wholistic Canine a call and seeing if it’s a good fit for you if you are serious about training your dog.”
— John T.
Sacramento, CA · Yelp
“She is absolutely amazing with my dog. … She was able to work with him and address his stress. She taught the family how to approach him and it has changed everything. … I highly recommend.”
— Rachelle E.
Sacramento, CA · Yelp
“I requested in home training but rather than charge me for that, I was given instructions over the phone to see if that would solve the problem. So just love that they were not just after my money but were more interested in solving my problems. I would not hesitate to recommend and will always use this service again.”
— Robert C.
Yelp
“Took my 7-month (now 11-month) old puppy to private training with Terra, and it has made a world of difference for the both of us! Terra is incredibly knowledgeable, generous, and open about training, and I honestly don’t think I could have gone through this process without her. Would give 100 stars if I could!”
— C. O.
Yelp
Straight answers
Sacramento Dog Trainer FAQs
Straight answers about cost, time, and what to expect. No judgment.
Where do you train?
We come to you. We train in your home and neighborhood, usually within about a 30-minute drive of Sacramento, and Mitch covers the Davis area. For tougher behavior cases, we’ll often drive farther to help. For basic manners outside our range, we may point you to a great trainer closer to home. See the full list of cities in the “Where We Train” section above. If you’re not on the list, reach out anyway and we’ll tell you whether we can come to you.
How much does dog training cost?
Our pricing is public. A Behavior Consultation is $150–$200, depending on your trainer. Furst Steps and Furry Fundamentals are $650, Feral to Focus is $800, and Furtastic House Rules runs $1,260–$2,100. Board and train starts at $2,100 for two weeks. Financing is available.
Can I just book one lesson to see how it goes?
Yes. That’s exactly what a Behavior Consultation is: one time to meet, talk, see what’s going on, and get a feel. It’s an interview on both sides. New clients start there, and returning clients can skip straight to booking.
How many sessions will my dog need?
It depends on how much work you do between sessions. If you don’t practice, your dog won’t change, and your trainer can’t skip ahead. They have to repeat the last lesson. So if you don’t have time to practice and do your homework, we’ll reschedule. We can talk through our packages, and most are private sessions.
How much time a day will I need to put in?
It’s less about minutes a day and more about a lifestyle. Every time your dog is out doing anything, they’re learning, so you’re always guiding, watching, and making sure they make good choices. Consistency is what matters, and everyone in the house needs to know the expectations and follow them. Some families want a genuine house pet and are fine with a little inappropriate behavior now and then, and that’s their choice. If you know you’ll struggle with the daily work, a board and train or day training lets us do the work while you manage the results.
How long until I see a difference?
If you’re doing the training yourself, you should see progress every day. Even if it’s only 10%, it should be better than the day before.
Do you guarantee results?
No. No honest trainer can guarantee results in dog training, because keeping the behavior going is up to the owner. A board and train teaches your dog a lot, and you still have to make sure your dog follows the rules afterward.
We already took a group class and it didn’t stick. Why would this be different?
Group classes can work for some dogs, but a lot depends on who’s teaching and how much room they have to adjust. It’s like the difference between a chain haircut and a stylist with their own shop. A large chain usually runs one set program, and its instructors can’t stray far from it. An independent trainer can make the choices that are best for you and your dog. With us, your trainer builds the plan around your dog and your household, works where the behavior actually happens, and is on retainer between sessions.
Can older dogs and all breeds learn?
Yes. We work with all ages and all breeds, and dogs can learn new things at any age, unless a senior dog has a cognitive disorder. If you’re changing a habit your dog has had for years, they can absolutely learn something different. But learning a new behavior doesn’t mean they’ll choose it on their own, so there may be a lot of management involved. An old dog can learn new tricks, 100%.
What training methods do you use?
Our training is reward-based. We set your dog up to make good choices and reward those choices. If a dog needs more help after we’ve given reward-based training a real try, we’ll talk with you about other tools. Tools like a prong or e-collar aren’t for every dog — they’re never used without being discussed up front and implemented with your knowledge and approval. Learn more about our training methods.
Who will train my dog?
Whoever you talk to on your first call. Requests come in to Terra, who makes the first read on who’s the best fit. The person you talk to and consult with is the person who trains your dog. You can also ask for a trainer by name. Meet the team.
Are you insured?
Yes. We’re insured, including bailee coverage, which protects your dog while they’re in our care, including when we’re transporting them.
More questions? See our full FAQ.
A friend to your furry family,