IQ K9 Training
Service area: Serves North County San Diego including Valley Center, Bonsall, Fallbrook, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Escondido, San Diego, Vista, Camp Pendleton, Temecula, San Marcos, Encinitas, and Poway.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Service Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Jumping on People
- Barking Excessively
- Separation Anxiety
- Biting / Nipping
- Potty Training
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- Private Facility
- Board and Train
Program Formats
- Intensive Program
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
Types of Dogs
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Giant
- Herding
- Sporting
- Working
- Terriers
- Doodles
- Brachycephalic
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Balanced Training
Equipment:
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Harnesses
- ✓ E-Collars
IQ K9 Training offers 2-, 3-, and 4-week Immersion Board and Train Programs. Dogs live with trainers at their 2.5-acre facility, receiving 24/7 care and structured training focused on obedience, distraction control, and behavior modification. After the program, owners attend 2–5 follow-up training sessions to learn how to maintain the dog’s new behaviors. Refresher stays are available for past clients. Puppy training is offered for dogs 8–16 weeks old, and service dog training is available for specialized needs.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Pricing is not publicly listed; clients must schedule a free consultation to receive a customized quote based on the chosen immersion program length (2, 3, or 4 weeks) and specific dog needs. The 28-Day Board and Train Program includes unlimited lifetime follow-up lessons at no additional cost.
Policies
Spots for immersion programs fill quickly and are typically booked 1–2 months in advance. Reservations are held in pencil and dates may be changed with notice. The 28-Day Program is backed by a Lifetime Guarantee allowing unlimited free follow-up lessons for the dog’s lifetime. No cancellation policy is explicitly stated beyond reservation flexibility.
Testimonials
These guys are awesome! Very impressed with the private training sessions we’ve had so far. IQ K9 was a referral from a friend. I was impressed with their reviews and… read more decided to contact them for help with my 3 pups. Lianne responded promptly to my email inquiry which I appreciate. My husband and I met with Bret and knew he was the guy to help us. We have a 1 year old pug who needed basic obedience training, a 4+ year old yorkie mix with behavioral issues and a silky who barks. All three are finally getting the training they need. Life in our home is already calmer and more enjoyable. Bret is knowledgeable, professional, helpful and able to train pup and parent quickly. Highly recommend to anyone needing dog training assistance.
– HEATHER B.
Long overdue review- When I first got my GSD pup, I brought him to IQK9 after Bret made a few house calls for the puppy training. After two weeks of… read more training and boarding, I could tell right away that I made the right decision. My pup was much more obedient, great on leash, and obeyed commands (he was VERY stubborn prior). Fast forward almost 2 years later, I am still taking my dog to IQK9 for boarding whenever I travel out of town. HANDS DOWN, I trust them with my dog! He is always EXCITED to stay there and play. Bret & Lianne and the other staff members are always VERY accommodating and communicative. My drive there is about 1.5 hours ONE-WAY. That should tell you a lot!
– VICKY N.
We sent our two dogs to a 3-week board and train program at IQK9 in Valley Center and the results were incredible! Our dogs came home more obedient, calm, and confident — they now respond to commands, walk beautifully on leash, and no longer jump on people or fight with each other.
The dog trainers at IQK9 in Valley Center are amazing — you can tell they truly care about every dog and have years of professional dog training experience. The whole process was easy, clear, and very well-organized. They even trained us during pickup so we understood how to stay consistent at home. This made all the difference because it is so important for us to continue their training at home to instill everything they learned.
Our dogs absolutely loved their trainers and were so happy the entire time. If you’re looking for obedience training, leash training, or dog behavior correction in Valley Center or North County San Diego, we 10/10 recommend this place!
– Anonymous
About the Trainer
IQ K9 Training is a professional dog training business based in Valley Center, North San Diego County, offering immersive board-and-train programs designed to transform dogs into obedient, well-behaved companions. Their signature Immersion Dog Training Programs involve dogs living with the trainers for 2, 3, or 4 weeks, during which they receive intensive, structured training on a fully fenced 2.5-acre property with daily play and distraction-based exercises. After the training phase, owners attend 2–5 follow-up lessons to learn how to maintain the dog’s new behaviors at home. The business specializes in solving common behavioral issues like leash reactivity, separation anxiety, biting, barking, jumping, and aggression. They also offer puppy training, service dog training, refresher stays for past clients, and AKC CGC testing. IQ K9 Training backs its 28-Day Board and Train Program with a Lifetime Guarantee, allowing owners to schedule unlimited free private follow-up lessons for the lifetime of their dog. Their team includes certified, award-winning trainers with over 26 years of combined experience, including world champions and AKC Rally National Championship competitors.
They serve clients across North County San Diego, including Bonsall, Fallbrook, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Escondido, San Diego, Vista, Camp Pendleton, Temecula, San Marcos, Encinitas, and Poway. All training is conducted at their facility, and they do not offer dog walking, grooming, or boarding for non-trained dogs.
The business emphasizes a hands-on, results-driven approach with a focus on building strong owner-dog communication. They use a balanced training method that includes positive reinforcement and, when necessary, mild corrections via e-collar, always taught to owners with clear guidance. Their trainers are highly experienced, compassionate, and provide personalized attention to each dog and owner.
Clients consistently praise the transformation in their dogs’ behavior, the professionalism of the staff, and the ongoing support provided after training. The team is known for clear communication, responsiveness, and a deep commitment to both dogs and their families.
Accomplishments
IQ K9 Training’s lead trainer, Stanislava Panayotova, achieved a top-ten placement at the AKC Rally Sport National Championship in 2021. The team has over 26 years of combined training experience and includes world champion trainers. They are award-winning and recognized for excellence in dog training.
How to Get Started!
Prospective clients begin with a free 40-minute dog training consultation, either in person or over the phone, where trainers assess the dog’s behavior, motivations, and owner goals to recommend the best training program.

Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Hours
8am-8pm
Certifications
- Credentialed
Associations
- AKC
Languages
- English
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Pet boarding service
Location
13484 Hilldale Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082Listing Tools for Trainers
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