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Monterey Bay Dog Training-Santa Cruz Training Classes is a dog training business in Capitola, California offering Group Classes, with published programs from $120.
Capitola • CA • Uses rented space • 4.8 ★ (9 Google reviews)
Last verified: Sep 5, 2026
76 / 100
Moderately transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
What they say about themselves
Monterey Bay Dog Training operates as a volunteer-run club rather than a commercial business—a distinction worth noting for owners weighing their options in the Santa Cruz County area. According to their website, the organization was founded in 1966 and claims to be the first AKC-member obedience club established in the region. They hold classes at rented community spaces in Watsonville and Capitola rather than a dedicated facility.
The club's instructors bring decades of competition experience. Carol Davis, who has taught there since 1996, lists 68 obedience titles and 17 rally titles across her dogs, including a first-place finish at an AKC Rally National Championship with her Schipperke. Dorothy Mash describes over 30 years of teaching experience across multiple Bay Area clubs. Their site indicates all instructors follow positive-reinforcement methods, though individual teaching styles vary.
Class offerings span puppy basics through advanced utility-level obedience, plus rally and conformation (show ring preparation). The club also hosts AKC-sanctioned trials in several disciplines and administers Canine Good Citizen testing. Beyond training, they describe ongoing charitable work: a yearly scholarship for veterinary students and two decades of memorial donations supporting veterinary care for owners in need. Membership involves bimonthly meetings and volunteer participation—a more involved commitment than typical drop-in training programs.
Group classes span the full progression from puppy socialization through competition-level obedience, including Rally, Utility, and Conformation tracks. Monterey Bay Dog Training runs eight-week courses at each level, with clear prerequisites (puppies 4-6 months for the puppy class, completion of prior levels or trainer permission for advanced work). The structure suits owners training toward CD or CDX titles as well as those just starting out.
Every course costs $120 for eight weeks, regardless of level. That flat rate holds from the introductory puppy class through Utility and Rally. No private lesson or board-and-train pricing appears on the site.
Puppies practice walking calmly on lead, sitting, lying down, and coming when called. The class also covers socialization, home care basics, and common puppy behavior problems.
Owners bring their puppy to a weekly 45-minute group class held over an eight week session.
Best for: Puppies 4 to 6 months old, including shy older puppies.
Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience
Duration: 8 weeks
Dogs are taught to walk politely at the owner's side, along with sit, sit-stay, down, down-stay, standing at side, recall, and sitting in front of the handler.
Weekly group class sessions run over an eight week course.
Best for: Dogs over 6 months old that are new to training or have finished puppy class.
Focus: Basic obedience
Duration: 8 weeks
Builds on Beginning I with more controlled stays, advanced heeling, and recall work, plus all sub-novice obedience exercises. Hand signals for heel, sit, down, and stand are introduced, and the class includes preparation for the Canine Good Citizen test.
Weekly group class sessions run over an eight week course.
Best for: Dogs that have completed Beginning I or have trainer permission.
Focus: Basic obedience, Advanced obedience
Duration: 8 weeks
Reviews sub-novice exercises and adds sits and downs both in sight and out of sight of the handler, holding articles, playing retrieve, and introduces the three obedience trial jumps. This class is ongoing and may be repeated before advancing.
Weekly group class sessions run over an eight week course, often repeated.
Best for: Dogs that have completed Beginning II, working toward the formal Novice class.
Focus: Advanced obedience
Duration: 8 weeks
Prepares dogs firm on sit and down stays, off-lead recalls, and standing for examination, building toward formal competition readiness.
Weekly group class sessions run over an eight week course.
Best for: Dogs that have passed Intermediate or have trainer permission.
Focus: Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash
Duration: 8 weeks
Covers formal Open exercises, with the advanced level intended for dogs that are reliable retrievers.
Weekly group class sessions run over an eight week course.
Best for: Dogs with 2 legs toward a CD degree, or trainer permission.
Focus: Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash
Duration: 8 weeks
Focuses on formal Utility-level obedience exercises for advanced competition-track dogs.
Weekly group class sessions run over an eight week course.
Best for: Dogs with 2 legs toward a CDX degree, or trainer permission.
Focus: Advanced obedience
Duration: 8 weeks
Rally training for dogs at any level, geared toward competition and skill building.
Weekly group class sessions run over an eight week course.
Best for: Dogs at any training level.
Focus: Agility & dog sports, Basic obedience
Duration: 8 weeks
A small drop-in class for owners interested in showing their dogs in the conformation ring.
Drop-in class held weekly at the Fairgrounds.
Best for: Owners interested in showing their dog in conformation.
Focus: Basic obedience
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Class | $120 per program | 8 weeks |
| Beginning I | $120 per program | 8 weeks |
| Beginning II | $120 per program | 8 weeks |
| Intermediate | $120 per program | 8 weeks |
| Novice | $120 per program | 8 weeks |
| Open Beginners and Advanced | $120 per program | 8 weeks |
| Utility | $120 per program | 8 weeks |
| Rally | $120 per program | 8 weeks |
| Conformation Class | $120 per program | — |
The site doesn't specify training tools or techniques beyond general obedience language. Whether they accept dogs with aggression or reactivity issues isn't addressed.
Method: Method unclear
Their website describes their approach in general terms without specifying which methods or tools they use.
Certifications: Not specified on their website
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
Classes have been running for about 60 years, making this one of the longer-established programs in the area. The site doesn't mention certifications, insurance, or any outcome guarantees.
Facility: Uses rented space
Owner visits: not specified on their website.
Video updates: not specified on their website.
Overnight staffing: not specified on their website.
Insurance: not specified on their website.
Guarantee: not specified on their website.
Waitlist: not specified on their website.
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: Book online
Price: Monterey Bay Dog Training-Santa Cruz Training Classes does not publish board & train pricing. Across Capitola, 9 programs publish prices from about $120 to $120.
Reviews: Monterey Bay Dog Training-Santa Cruz Training Classes shows 4.8★ from 9 Google reviews among 1 published Capitola programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 76 out of 100 (price 100%, program clarity 81%). Certification disclosure is still sparse in this city.
Classes meet at a rented space on Bay Avenue in Capitola. Parking and accessibility details aren't published.
829 Bay Ave, Capitola, CA
Friday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Thursday: 5:45-8PM
Wednesday: Closed
Reach out directly or send a quote request through Monterey Bay Dog Training-Santa Cruz Training Classes.
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