Dog Training in Santa Cruz
Balanced, relationship-based dog training in Santa Cruz — board & train, in-home and behavior programs matched to your dog and your goals.
“Whether we’re your first call or your last hope.”
Programs from $3,600 · GPS collars · Max 5 dogsKoru K9 trainers in Santa Cruz work with any dog, any breed, any problem — from puppy foundations to serious behavior rehabilitation. Programs include Dog Board & Train, In-Home Dog Training, Aggressive Dog Training, Dog Behaviorist.
Dog training programs in Santa Cruz
Every program starts with a free phone consultation.
Dog Board & Train
Dog Board & Train in Santa Cruz — matched to your dog's needs and your family's goals.
In-Home Dog Training
In-Home Dog Training in Santa Cruz — matched to your dog's needs and your family's goals.
Aggressive Dog Training
Aggressive Dog Training in Santa Cruz — matched to your dog's needs and your family's goals.
Dog Behaviorist
Dog Behaviorist in Santa Cruz — matched to your dog's needs and your family's goals.
Let the 'heeling' begin.
Ever wonder why some Santa Cruz dog Board & Train programs promise quick fixes or take a one-size-fits-all approach, only to leave you with unreliable results and behaviors that come back? That doesn’t mean your dog is broken — it means they need a different approach.
At Koru K9 Dog Training in the Santa Cruz Bay Area, our Board & Train programs are built for real-life success — not shortcuts. We focus on lasting behavior change through connection, consistency, and clear communication.
Your Santa Cruz training team
Koru K9 trainers who live and work in the Santa Cruz area.
Debbie Port
Debbie Port grew up riding and training horses professionally. She trained her own dogs on the side and over the years got interested in dog sports.
Becca Contreras
Becca has been training dogs professionally since 2011.
Jourdan Murphy
Jourdan was born and raised in Santa Cruz County. Her passion and love for dogs started at a very young age.
Celeste Schmidt
From the time she was young Celeste always had a deep passion for animals. Learning as much as she could and spending her free time with the family dogs.
Maddie Galati
Maddie has always had a passion for dogs. Aside from growing up with them, as soon as she graduated high school she was volunteering with a local German Shepherd rescue and shadowing a balanced trainer.
Izzy Gutierrez
Izzy has spent her entire lifetime surrounded by animals and was always the resident expert for all family and friends with pet questions.
Santa Cruz success stories
Verified reviews from clients across every market we serve.
“I am SO happy we invested in Koru K9. We got matched with Natalie and Lee as our trainers and they have been INCREDIBLE.”
“Rob was professional, flexible, and had many resources he was happy to share! Thank you for your time!”
“I took my 1 1/2 year old 'hyper' aussie doodle, Gigi for a 3 week board and train with Irini.”
Santa Cruz dog training FAQs
Each trainer works with just 1–5 client dogs at a time, ensuring your dog receives focused attention, personalized dog training, and plenty of affection in a real home environment. This small, intimate setting allows our expert trainers to tailor each session to your dog's unique personality and behavior challenges—whether it's leash reactivity, separation anxiety, or basic obedience. Your dog isn't just trained—they're cared for like family.
Your dog will receive exceptional care, personalized training, and plenty of individual attention throughout their stay. In our Board & Train program, each trainer works with only 1 to 5 dogs at a time. This intentionally small size ensures your dog receives the focused support they need to succeed. Each day includes multiple one-on-one training sessions, play, physical exercise, and rest. Your dog will live in the trainer's home—not a kennel—and will be treated like one of their own. We don't just teach commands, we help your dog build confidence, trust, and the skills they need to thrive at home and in the real world.
Your dog's safety is our top priority at Koru K9. During our Board & Train program, your dog lives in a safe, structured, and supervised home environment—not a kennel facility. This allows for 24/7 monitoring, individualized care, and secure containment when dogs are not actively training or supervised. Each dog is housed in a crate when unattended, which not only ensures safety but also supports structure and calm behavior. Our trainers follow strict safety protocols to prevent injury, stress, or accidents. From controlled environments to professional handling, our training programs are designed to keep your dog safe, secure, and thriving throughout their stay.
Yes — your dog will absolutely remember you after completing their Board & Train program. Dogs are deeply bonded to their people, and that connection doesn't disappear during training. In fact, time spent apart often strengthens the bond. Rest assured you will be greeted with tails wagging, full-body wiggles, and all. Throughout the program, your dog is learning new skills, gaining confidence, and practicing calm behavior. When you reunite, you'll see not only a dog that remembers you, but one that is the best version of themselves. Our go-home lesson helps you step into your new role as the leader your dog needs, and we provide clear, personalized guidance to make the transition smooth and successful. With continued consistency at home, you'll build an even stronger relationship with your dog.
Explore programs in Santa Cruz
Aggressive Dog Training
Aggressive Dog Training for Santa Cruz dogs.
Explore Aggressive Dog Training →Your companion is worth it. Your peace of mind depends on it.
Whether we’re your first call or your last hope, Koru K9 will meet you — and your dog — where you are, and help you build the calm, confident companion you’ve been searching for.