Dog Training San Diego

We are a Canine Rehabilitation Training Team. We instill leadership in people to change relationships and create balance with their canines. Our goal is to give owners and their dogs the confidence and tools to be safe and calm in any situation.

Our Expert Dog Trainer, Katie Lekas

Katie is our Owner and Head Trainer! She has been training dogs all her life and has been doing canine behavioral rehabilitation work most of her adult life.

Katie has always had a strong passion for helping and connecting with animals. So much so, that from early childhood, she would check books out from her local library so that she could learn as much as she could about dogs and their behaviors: why they do what they do, how they feel, etc. She was fascinated by them and was always trying to learn more about how to better connect with them.

As she got older, she began learning both basic training and trust-building with fearful dogs. In early adulthood, Katie began working with other trainers, learning about behavioral rehabilitation, mainly for fear and aggression, and how these behaviors manifest and why. She worked with other trainers until she became proficient in her work, enough to build confidence as a trainer, and have a client base of her own. When she realized that too many trainers focus on cookie-cutter training methods, she decided to strike out on her own and create CRT K9: a company founded on the idea that, barring neurological illnesses, or undedicated owners, any dog of any breed, size, age, or temperament, can be helped through any issue; and that, like humans, each dog is a bit different, and some learn differently than others, so it’s important that trainers work with each dog for who they are, rather than expecting that every dog is the same and blaming the dog when their methods don’t work.

Why Choose CRT K9 for your Dog Training Needs?

Why work with us? Because CRT K9 is dedicated to helping every single owner who wants a better life for their dog. We understand the nuances of training and that not every dog or human will learn the same.As much as it is our job to train your dog, we also teach you how to effectively work with your dog so that you can build the best dynamic with them and give them the happiest, healthiest life that they deserve.

We work with you directly to make sure that you are as knowledgeable and confident in your work with your own pup, so that you can help them through anything, with our help. We give our clients access to us whenever they need us or have questions. We never want you to feel like you’re on your own in figuring things out.

When you work with us, you have a trainer at your disposal every day in between sessions so that you have the best pathway to success with your dog. Dog owners often tell us that they feel like they should just automatically know better when it comes to what’s best for their dog’s behavior, and many dog parents are hard on themselves when they feel like there are behaviors that they don’t understand or know how to work through. THIS IS WHY WE EXIST! We are here to help you build a healthy and loving dynamic with your dog so that you can always feel confident in your work with them, but also in the fact that you have top notch trainers at the tip of your fingers if you ever need help!

Our San Diego Dog Training Services!

Obedience

We offer basic training for dogs of all ages. Basic obedience training is offered through session work with you and your pup. Our clients always tell us, “my dog and I have grown a much stronger bond since beginning training!” This is why we do what we do. Our goal is to help you create an even stronger bond with your dog.

Aggression

Aggression manifests as a result of only a couple root issues: Fear and Territory. We take the time to show you how to handle your dog in any situation, and more importantly, how to correct those root issues so you can have a better relationship with your happier and more balanced canine companion.

Anxiety

When anxiety gets the better of your pup, it can manifest a number of different ways: flight, fight, and avoidance. These are the things we work through with you to help you show your dog that they are protected with you, their alpha, and that they can be comfortable in their day-to-day life.

Doggy Daycare

Our doggy daycare provides a safe and fun environment for dogs to play and socialize while their owners are away. Our trained staff supervise and engage with the dogs, offering various activities and toys. Clients rave about how much their dogs enjoy coming to daycare and how content they are when they leave. Our goal is to give owners peace of mind knowing their pets are happy and well-cared for.

CGC Training

Our Canine Good Citizen Training program helps dogs develop manners and obedience skills. Trainers work with owners and dogs to teach them what they need to pass the test. The program covers socialization, obedience, and behavior. Owners and dogs who complete the program will have the skills to be responsible and well-behaved members of their community.

Service Training

Our Service Dog Training program teaches dogs how to assist individuals with disabilities. Our trainers work with both the dog and handler to teach them the necessary skills. The program covers mobility assistance and medical alert, among other tasks. Upon completion, the dog will have the training needed to become a valuable service animal for their handler.

Board and Train

Our Board and Train program provides extensive training for dogs. Dogs stay with us while our experienced trainers work on obedience, socialization, and behavior modification. Owners can expect a well-trained dog at the end of the program. This is best for aggressive dogs or dogs needing lots of help.

Puppy Training

Our puppy training program is designed to teach puppies the basics of obedience and socialization. Our experienced trainers work with puppies to teach them important skills such as potty training, crate training, and basic commands. We also focus on socialization to help puppies learn how to interact with other dogs and people. Our program sets the foundation for a well-behaved and well-adjusted adult dog.

Do you need a Dog Behaviorist San Diego?

People often think that raising dogs is so much like raising children that, ‘if we don’t need trainers to help us raise kids, then why would we need them for our dogs?’

This is a misconception that so many people fall victim to. The reality is that, yes, in many ways dogs are like children. However, we often humanize them too much and forget that they are an entirely different species! This is why it’s so important to work with a trainer when you get your new pup, whether it’s an 8-week-old puppy, or a 12-year-old senior from the shelter.

Good trainers have spent years studying canine behavior and tendencies and are better equipped to help you understand why your dog does what they do, and how to help them understand what you need from them in their new home. Since dogs don’t speak the human language (English, Spanish, etc.), it can be very frustrating for pet parents in their efforts to communicate with their dogs positively and effectively. This is where trainers come in.

We teach you how to better communicate and connect with your pup, so that they understand their role in your family, and you feel confident in your ability to direct them as you need to.

As trainers, we also teach you how to build those healthy dynamics so your dog can truly feel all the love and care that you have to offer them. Don’t wait until your dog shows signs of negative behaviors. Start working with us today!

Testimonials

      
   CRT K9 Dog Training
   16 Google reviews 
  Write a review 
  
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Isabella Damian 
 2022-02-04
 
 
  Katie is AMAZING!!! When we first adopted our dog, Thor, the humane society deemed him an aggressive and reactive dog. They also told us that he would never be a “normal.” Our very first session with Katie, we immediately saw improvements on Thor’s behavior. With a handful of sessions, Thor is now a confident and calmer dog!!
  
 
       
   Valerie Vizkeleti 
 2022-02-04
 
 
  CRT K9 Dog Training has been a transformative experience! Our 6 month old border collie began to have reactive behaviors when in contact with other dogs and was highly reactive near cars. He was quite anxious whenever we walked out the front door. CRT K9 Training knew exactly why he was having behavioral issues and showed us how to begin changing his behaviors with once a week training sessions. To speed up the process we decided to have him participate in a doggie boot camp where he stayed in the care of CRT K9 Training for 1 week. This camp really began to transform him into the well behaved confident dog he has become. CRT K9 Training worked with each member of the family upon his return from camp to reinforce positive behaviors which ultimately helped us establish a strong bond with our puppy. We are very happy to have found CRT K9 Training and highly recommend them for canine behavioral issues.
  
 
       
   sasha noroozi 
 2022-02-02
 
 
  Katie is an amazing trainer. I have an eleven month old shepherd mix who can be a handful. We have been training a little over 3 months and let me tell you my pup has learned so much, we both have if we are being honest. We started off with training twice a month and practicing in between sessions. We are now down to once a month and still going strong. We continue practicing all our corrections and commands especially during our walks. I use to white knuckle the leash in the beginning now I barely hold it and he doesn’t leave my side. Best decision I made for my pup and myself
  
 
       
   Andrea Fontanez 
 2021-06-17
 
 
  Katie over pass our expectations in the dog training. She is so passionate about her profession and is a really special human being. Every session was a really informative and she give us tons of  strategies and advices to work with our dog. We did around 6–7sessions for or 2years and a half Labrador mix and every one of them where more than worthy.  We are extremely grateful for her and the way she do it with so much love.
  
 
       
   Natalie Rodriguez 
 2021-06-14
 
 
  I couldn’t speak more highly of Katie!! She has helped me understand my new rescue pup and taught me how to address his issues. In just a few short months he’s more well adjusted, can walk on a leash, learned several commands, and is able to better socialize with other dogs. It’s been an amazing transformation and I’m so thankful for her guidance and training.  Katie is so knowledgeable and wonderful with dogs… I can’t recommend her enough!!
  
 
       
   Anna Jenkins 
 2021-05-20
 
 
  I highly recommend CRT K9 for training new puppies!

CRT K9 helped me properly implement the use of a training collar to help remind our cattle dog mix pup Sauce to obey commands when distracted.

I contacted CRT K9 because I was stressing out about trips to the dog park with Sauce. I noticed it was becoming more and more difficult for Sauce to obey commands there and I was worried about his safety.

We are so happy with the results. Sauce gets compliments on his behavior often now and I was able to confidently let him off the leash to enjoy his freedom on our first camping trip!
  
 
       
   Bridget Bayer 
 2021-05-19
 
 
  Katie is an amazing trainer! She worked with both of our dogs and their specific needs. Our one dog was a rescue with high anxiety and low confidence. With Katie's help, we were able to get her to a level where she is confident with humans, dogs, and herself! Now she loves joining us when we're out on the town, loves every dog, and her tail wags at every passing person. She was also so great with our new puppy and training her with basic commands, as well as setting us up for success in setting our future training goals with the pups. Highly recommend training with Katie :)
  
 
       
   Maggie Carol 
 2021-05-18
 
 
  Katie is a fantastic dog trainer. We went through two other trainers to help our dog with being dog reactive and we were told that was the way he would always be. Someone had recommended CRT K9 and we are so glad we listened to them! Our dog is able to relax around other dogs and lay down at restaurants because of Katie’s training. We cannot recommend her enough!
  
 
       
   Susie Terry 
 2021-05-16
 
 
  Katie is so great to work with and taught us so much about our dog and how to better communicate with her.
  
 
       
   Leslie Verfaillie 
 2021-05-15
 
 
  My rescue pup was super sweet but a manipulative toddler! Katie knew exactly how to train me to train him. She loves these doggos and they love her!