California Search K9 Training Academy
Ranked #3 in Moorpark and #332 in California
Service area: Serving the Los Angeles and Ventura County Area, located just north of Los Angeles in Moorpark, CA. Also serves Simi Valley and Westlake.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Working Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Jumping on People
- Barking Excessively
- Biting / Nipping
- Potty Training
- Resource Guarding
- Fearfulness
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- Group Classes
- Private Facility
Program Formats
- Sessions Package
- Intensive Program
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive with Some Corrections
- ✓ Balanced Training
Equipment:
- ✓ choke-chain
- ✓ E-Collars
- ✓ leash
- ✓ muzzle
- ✓ crate
The K9 Obedience Academy offers a 7-week Basic Group K-9 Obedience Class, with new classes starting every 8 weeks. The class is high-paced and demanding, requiring a large time commitment with weekly lessons and 6 nights of homework per week (typically two 10-minute training sessions daily). The curriculum includes on and off-leash heeling, recall, finish, sit, sit stay (up to 3 min), down, down stay (up to 3 min), not pulling, not jumping, finishing movements, distance work, distraction work, release command, and tempo heeling. The trainers also cover behavioral problems such as chewing, play biting, aggression, fear biting, digging, jumping on people/furniture, food/toy possessiveness, and getting into garbage. They also offer specialized training for Human Remains Detection (HRD) and Tracking/Trailing for law enforcement agencies, which involves following a lost person’s path or a suspect’s scent using specific scent articles. They also provide AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Advanced Community Canine (AGCA) testing.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
The 7-Week Basic Group K-9 Obedience Class costs $600 (no equipment provided) or $675 (equipment provided: choke chain or prong collar, 6ft Biothane Leash, 15ft Nylon Training Lead). They accept Cash, Checks, and Venmo; credit cards are not accepted. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required to hold a spot, which is applied to the final payment. E-collar training is $150 per hour. Private (in-house) training is $150 per hour plus travel costs of $0.85 per mile (both directions). Cadaver/HRD training is $150 per hour plus travel costs of $0.85 per mile (both directions). Tracking/Trailing training is $225 per hour plus travel costs of $0.85 per mile (both directions). Tracking/Trailing also offers an evaluation for $125 and a 4-hour block training (1-hour sessions) for $500. AKC CGC testing is $35 (+AKC fees), and AKC AGCA testing is $55 (+AKC fees). No payment plans are offered.
Policies
Once the training manual is accepted, customers will no longer be able to receive any type of refund. All $50 deposits are non-refundable and will be forfeited if the customer backs out or decides not to take the training.
Testimonials
“We waited months to get into the class, but it was absolutely worth it. I have done dog training classes before, but have never been able to achieve such amazing results, let alone in such a short time frame. Mike provided the structure that allowed Toby to go from having no idea what I wanted to mastering the command within a week. Whenever we were stuck, Mike, Anne or Dave had a tip to help get to the next level. Since Toby came to us as an adult–the training also was a great way to bond with him. Everywhere I take Toby people comment on how well behaved he is–thank you Mike, Anne and Dave!!”
– Barbara and K9 Toby
“This was an incredible experience for Rocky and I! Mike and his team are phenomenal! Rocky has come a long way from day 1 to graduation, and all the hard work was well worth it. Rocky being a typical crazy Malinois, I didn’t think we would even get through week one. Not only did Rocky graduate, but he won 1st place! That speaks volumes to how great this class is. Class was very fun and felt like time just flew by. All the trainers are so helpful with every single owner and their dog. It made for a great training experience. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Rocky. There’s still more training for my young Malinois but the strong foundation Cal Search K9 built is solid! I can’t thank you all enough!”
– Oscar and K9 Rocky
“By the time I had reached out to Mike at California Search K9 my dog Cloie had bitten me (one time drawing blood) several times, snapped and growled at my husband along with others and couldn’t be trusted. She wouldn’t make eye contact or come when called unless it was something she wanted. We had shown her nothing but love but clearly something had happened to her before she came to us that she just couldn’t get over. With a granddaughter due in July we were afraid to keep her and I hate to admit it, were considering putting her down. I saw a post from Simi Valley Missing Pets about an obedience class starting in a few weeks and discussed with my husband that we could pay the money to put her down or give this class a try. I called Mike the next day to get some information and he asked me some questions and gave me things to do immediately (even before I signed up for the class). I started doing those things that night on my run with her and instantly I could see a change. The first night of class on 5/3 we were all in a circle with Mike in the middle, all the dogs were facing towards him but not Cloie, with her new muzzle on, she was facing out with her butt towards the inner circle. Fast forward 6 weeks and we now have a totally engaged dog that makes eye contact, listens and is so much more relaxed, as am I. Cloie and I are still a work in progress but oh how far we have come. This could never have happened without the tools Mike, Ann, Dave & Rob have given me. I can’t thank them enough. I told Mike when I met him I heard he was a miracle worker and after completing his course I know it is true! This class isn’t easy and requires a commitment of time and consistency but the rewards for you and your dog are beyond measure.”
– Jennifer and K9 Cloie
About the Trainer
California Search K9 Training Academy provides K9 training services in Southern California, specializing in obedience training for family dogs, as well as advanced detection and tracking/trailing services for law enforcement. Their instructors have over 20 years of experience handling and training working police and search and rescue canines, bringing real-world knowledge and techniques to their classes.
The obedience class is described as a high-paced, demanding program designed for handlers committed to making their dogs the best, requiring a large time commitment with weekly lessons and daily homework. They emphasize building a strong foundation for dogs and handlers, covering common issues like crate training, housebreaking, and behavioral problems such as aggression, jumping, and possessiveness.
Beyond obedience, they offer specialized training for cadaver/human remains detection (HRD) and tracking/trailing canines, exclusively for law enforcement agencies. They also sell Dogtra E-Collars and other training equipment.
Accomplishments
California Search K9, LLC handlers are experienced specialists with over 20 years of combined experience handling and training working police and search and rescue canines. Their K9 teams have worked for or are currently working for various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department, and Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, among many others. They are experts in K9 detection and trailing, with a reputation for superior customer service and more confirmed trails than most trailing dogs have in their career. Many testimonials highlight dogs achieving 1st or 2nd place in basic obedience classes.
How to Get Started!
To sign up for the next class, interested individuals can click the provided link. A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required to hold a spot, which can be sent via Venmo to @calsearchk9 (Pin: 5456). Without a deposit, the spot will not be held. For Tracking/Trailing training, an evaluation is the first step. For HRD services, all requests must be made through the local police or sheriff department, as they do not contract through private parties.
Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
Associations
- AKC
Languages
- English
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Pet supply store