Elite Pup Training
Service area: Serves Goleta, CA and surrounding areas within Santa Barbara County, including nearby neighborhoods and communities within a 20-mile radius.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Jumping on People
- Barking Excessively
- Separation Anxiety
- Biting / Nipping
- Potty Training
- Fearfulness
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- Private Facility
- Board and Train
- Day Training
- Video Calls
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
- Intensive Program
Types of Dogs
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Giant
- Herding
- Sporting
- Working
- Hounds
- Terriers
- Doodles
- Brachycephalic
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
- Senior (8+ years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
- ✓ Positive with Some Corrections
- ✓ Balanced Training
Equipment:
- ✓ Clickers
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Harnesses
- ✓ Flat Collars
- ✓ Martingale Collars
- ✓ Pinch Collars
- ✓ E-Collars
- ✓ Obstacle Courses
Elite Pup Training offers a Pre-Evaluation consultation to assess the dog’s behavior and owner’s goals, followed by personalized training plans. Services include private in-facility sessions, day training for involved owners, and intensive 3- to 5-week board & train programs. Board & train includes daily structured training, pack walks, kennel rest, and daily email updates with photos. Ongoing support and follow-up sessions are provided after completion. An online course is also available for self-paced learning.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Pricing is customized based on individual needs, with packages for obedience training, board & train (3-week and 5-week options), and overnight boarding. A free pre-evaluation consultation is offered to assess goals and create a tailored plan. Specific rates are not listed publicly but are discussed during the consultation.
Testimonials
I sit here on my couch after doing my own morning training session with both dogs and I am in tears. I cannot begin to explain the amount of relief from anxiety training my dogs with Ricky has brought me. No amount of therapy could touch how I felt previously. I have learned patience, clear communication (with my dogs), and appreciation of the minds ability to change after years and years of ingrained unwanted behaviors. Ricky does not sell a one size fits all package – each of my dogs are VERY different, and while the fundamental approaches and concepts in training are the same – the method and timing in which we applied and reinforced these were vastly different. Ricky is able to connect with two leggers and four leggers alike – he gives clear feedback to dogs and human and uses metaphors that we humans understand (driving the speed limit and getting speeding tickets haha) on how the concepts of his approach effects dog behavior. I couldn’t be happier. I am humble and I know I need to continue management (and one of my dogs I am holding to higher standard so we are going to continue our own sessions based on what I have learned) but my dogs are completely different. I’m getting complimented by family, friends, and people on walks – impressed with how well behaved my dogs are. I smile and tell them “thank you it’s lots of continued hard work” and move along.
– Anonymous
Ricky and Vanessa are the best! He reminds me of Caesar Milan, the dog whisperer. They are the only people I trust with my dog. Ricky is always observant and very good at explaining what the dog is communicating. My dog had really bad behavioral problems and Ricky was able to help him become a normal dog. I will forever be grateful for them.
– Paula P.
We signed up Stella for EPTs 3 week boarding program and are very happy with the results! We had done other training courses before choosing EPT but we still needed more help to address Stella’s reactiveness. In the past we couldn’t even take her on a walk without her pulling the whole way or lunging at cars driving by. Thankfully all of that is no longer an issue thanks to EPT. She would also get really worked up with dogs on walks and thanks to the training not only has that improved but we also know how to snap Stella out of it before she gets overworked. Thanks for much to Ricky, Vanessa, and the team! We’re looking forward to bringing Stella back for daycare soon.
– Crystal C.
About the Trainer
Elite Pup Training is a professional dog training business founded by Ricky Rojas and Vanessa Rios-Rojas, offering personalized behavior training to strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners. They provide a range of services including obedience training, board & train programs, overnight boarding, day training, and an online course. Their facility is located on a serene ranch in Goleta, CA, featuring newly upgraded kennels designed for comfort and safety, with dogs enjoying secured areas, pack walks, and individualized care. Training is tailored to each dog’s unique needs, with a focus on behavior modification for issues like reactivity, fearfulness, leash pulling, and separation anxiety. The team uses empathetic, science-based techniques and emphasizes clear communication for both dogs and owners. They also offer nutrition and wellness support, including supplements like PawTree ImmunoShroom, and provide transportation services for clients’ dogs.
Ricky, with over 15 years of hands-on experience, is the lead trainer and is frequently compared to “the Dog Whisperer” for his ability to read dog behavior and explain it clearly to owners. The team includes trained staff like Janet Cannon, Bricio Velasco (transport specialist), and Sandy Kempton (administrative support), all of whom are passionate about dogs and committed to compassionate, consistent training. Clients consistently report dramatic improvements in their dogs’ behavior, especially after intensive board & train programs, and appreciate the daily updates, photos, and follow-up support provided.
Elite Pup Training operates by appointment only and serves dog owners in Goleta and surrounding areas, with a strong emphasis on safety, individualized attention, and long-term results.
Accomplishments
Ricky Rojas has over 15 years of hands-on training experience, having trained with top trainers nationwide and researched behavior modification techniques extensively. The business has expanded to a new ranch facility with 12 upgraded kennels, and has received over a dozen 5-star reviews praising transformative results in dogs with severe behavioral issues.
How to Get Started!
Prospective clients must complete the Pre-Evaluation Questionnaire form online. After submission, Elite Pup Training schedules an initial consultation where owners discuss their concerns, observe trained demonstration dogs (without direct interaction), and receive a customized training plan, including homework to begin immediately. The consultation is free and determines the best program fit based on the dog’s needs and owner’s time and budget.
Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Hours
8:30am-5pm
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Dog day care center
- Kennel
- Pet boarding service
- Pet supply store
Location
12240 Calle Real, Goleta, CA 93117Listing Tools for Trainers
For Elite Pup Training Only
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