German Dog Training Center

Training programs are intensive, typically lasting 6 weeks, with dogs boarded at the facility. Programs include obedience, Schutzhund, personal protection, and behavior modification. Training uses German commands and structured drills. Owners receive a transition session upon pickup to learn commands. Ongoing Saturday group classes are offered for continued training. All training is conducted on-site at the 7-acre facility with dedicated fields and kennels.

Pricing Summary

Pricing is not publicly listed; clients are directed to contact Thomas directly for quotes. Training packages include 6-week intensive programs with a lifetime guarantee. Puppies for sale range from $1,500–$3,500 depending on lineage and titles. Payment requires a deposit prior to training or purchase.

Policies

Training requires a deposit to secure a spot. A lifetime guarantee is offered on trained dogs. No specific cancellation or rescheduling policy is stated, but clients are advised to contact Thomas directly for inquiries. Puppies require a non-refundable deposit to reserve.

The German Dog Training Center, operated by Thomas Sauerhoefer, is a 7-acre facility in Northern California specializing in German Shepherd training and breeding. With over 40 years of experience breeding, training, and showing German Shepherds in both Germany and the U.S., Thomas offers intensive board-and-train programs, Schutzhund training, obedience training, and personal protection training. The center is also home to the Marysville Schutzhund Club, which hosts annual trials and participates in AKC events like Canine Good Citizen testing. Training is conducted on-site at the facility, with a focus on German-style working line methods and traditional Schutzhund principles. Thomas trains all breeds but specializes in German Shepherds and Malinois for family protection, police work, and competition. He also sells puppies from top German bloodlines with high V and VA ratings, and imports working-line dogs from Germany.

Clients can choose from intensive 6-week training programs or ongoing sessions, with a lifetime guarantee offered on trained dogs. The facility includes kennels, training fields, and a dedicated Schutzhund training area. Thomas emphasizes German commands and structured, high-standard training methods rooted in decades of competition and breeding experience.

Accomplishments

Thomas Sauerhoefer has titled over 350 Schutzhund dogs in his 40-year career. He has earned SchH3 and IPO3 titles on multiple dogs, including Rigor vom Heidelberger-Schloss, who earned SchH3 at 23 months. He competed in FCI Qualifications in Germany and GSDCA-WDA Nationals in the U.S. He is President of the Marysville Schutzhund Club and a member of the SV (Germany), GSDCA-WDA, and United Schutzhund Clubs of America.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must contact Thomas directly via phone or email to discuss training needs, availability, and deposit requirements. A consultation is not offered for free; clients are expected to commit with a deposit before training begins. Puppies for sale require a deposit to reserve a spot in an upcoming litter.