What does Traction Dog Training Club charge for dog training?

Traction Dog Training Club in Carlsbad, CA publishes dog training programs from $45. See the program table on this page for each package.

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Traction Dog Training Club

Traction Dog Training Club is a dog training business in Carlsbad, California offering Private Lessons, In-Home Training, and Board and Train, with published programs from $45.

Carlsbad • CA • Home-based trainer • 4.8 ★ (17 Google reviews)

Last verified: Aug 14, 2026

Transparency Score

85 / 100

Highly transparent

How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.

Price transparency: 91%
Method transparency: 100%
Program clarity: 58%

About this program

What they say about themselves

Traction Dog Training Club brings together trainers with backgrounds you don't typically see in pet dog training. Head trainer Mara Soo previously worked professionally with lions, bears, and elk, and apprenticed under Olympic sport horse trainers. Co-head trainer Tina Chavez trained directly under Bart Bellon, founder of the Ne Po Po method, and serves as an AKC evaluator. The team also includes a former Air Force K-9 handler, a primate behaviorist, and a trainer who has worked on film and television productions.

According to their site, the Carlsbad-based company was founded specifically to skip the typical dog training career path—instead of hiring entry-level trainers, they describe a six-month vetting process aimed at bringing on experienced specialists. They position themselves as a "training club" rather than a standard service provider, offering private lessons, in-home training, and board-and-train programs where dogs stay in individual trainers' homes rather than a kennel facility.

Their stated philosophy combines positive reinforcement with balanced training techniques, customized to each dog. They list specialties including aggressive and reactive dog work, service dog training, and protection training for working breeds. For dogs with significant behavior concerns or those who are intact, they mention access to a separate facility near the Austin airport—suggesting they serve clients beyond their California base.

Getting started

Consultations and evaluations before you commit to a program.

Free Phone Consultation — $0/session

A no-cost phone call with a trainer to discuss goals and determine the right program, including pricing for owners outside the standard service area or those enrolling multiple dogs.

Focus: Basic obedience

What does Traction Dog Training Club charge for board and train?

Traction Dog Training Club offers a membership-style system with tiered "Varsity" plans ranging from $45 to $680 per month, each including private lessons and boarding access. Board-and-train runs $2,890 to $4,160, while in-home options include a three-week program at $2,490 that addresses reactivity and aggression. Puppy training for dogs under 16 weeks and standalone private sessions at $149-$170 round out the offerings.

Most pricing is published upfront, which is helpful for planning. Private sessions run $149-$170 each, or less through monthly memberships; board-and-train falls in the $2,890-$4,160 range. In-home boarding costs $89 per day, with crate-comfort and current vaccinations required.

Board and Train

Study Abroad — $2,890 per program

A jumpstart, board-and-train style program positioned as a way to give a dog a fresh start. Reviews mention a three-week in-house training format under this type of program.

Based on reviews, it involves an in-house training stay of about three weeks.

Best for: Positioned for dogs that need a fresh start.

Focus: Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash

Includes: Boarding included

Board and Train pricing at Traction Dog Training Club in Carlsbad, CA
Program	Price	Duration
Study Abroad	$2,890–$4,160 per program	—

Private Lessons

Varsity Access — $45 per program

This is the entry tier of the Varsity membership, giving access to overnight boarding in trainers' homes and monthly group outings without adding private training sessions. It runs month to month with no contract and can be canceled anytime.

Members can board their dog in a trainer's home and join a monthly extracurricular group outing, with private sessions available as an optional add-on.

Best for: Owners who want ongoing support and consistency without committing to a set number of private sessions each month.

Focus: Basic obedience

Includes: Boarding included

Varsity +1 — $190 per program

A Varsity membership tier that adds one private training session per month on top of boarding access and group outings. It's billed monthly with no long-term contract.

Includes one in-home private skills-building session monthly, plus access to trainer-home boarding and a group outing.

Focus: Basic obedience

Includes: Boarding included

Varsity +2 — $345 per program

This Varsity tier bundles two private training sessions each month with the standard membership perks of boarding access and a monthly group outing. Pricing scales with the number of sessions chosen and can be paused or canceled at any time.

Owners receive two private in-home sessions per month alongside boarding and outing access.

Focus: Basic obedience

Includes: Boarding included

Varsity +4 — $680 per program

The highest Varsity tier listed, offering four private training sessions monthly in addition to overnight boarding access and a group extracurricular outing. It remains a no-contract, cancel-anytime membership.

Includes four private in-home training sessions per month plus boarding and outing access.

Focus: Basic obedience

Includes: Boarding included

A La Carte Private Lessons — $170 per session

Focus: Basic obedience

Varsity Private Lessons — $149 per session

Private, in-home skills-building sessions offered as part of the Varsity membership structure, with frequency chosen by the owner (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly).

Sessions are held in the home and can be scheduled at the frequency the owner selects.

Focus: Basic obedience

Private Lessons pricing at Traction Dog Training Club in Carlsbad, CA
Program	Price	Duration
Varsity Access	$45 per program	—
Varsity +1	$190 per program	—
Varsity +2	$345 per program	—
Varsity +4	$680 per program	—
A La Carte Private Lessons	$170 per session	—
Varsity Private Lessons	$149 per session	—

In-Home Training

Tutoring — $1,490 per program

Described as a jumpstart program for basic training, intended for owners who plan to be very hands-on in the process.

Best for: Suited to dogs needing basic training with a parent who is highly involved.

Focus: Basic obedience, Puppy training

Homeschool — $2,490 per program

A jumpstart program aimed at more complex training needs, designed for busy parents who need the trainers to take on more of the work. Reviewers describe it as involving repetitive training sessions that reinforce learned skills.

Best for: Fits dogs with more complex training needs and owners with limited time.

Focus: Basic obedience, Leash reactivity, Aggression

Duration: 3 weeks

In-Home Dog Boarding — $89 per program

Boarding provided inside a trainer's own home rather than a kennel facility, included as part of Varsity membership access.

Dogs stay overnight in a trainer's home to maintain training consistency while boarding.

Best for: Dogs should be comfortable sleeping in a crate and up to date on vaccinations.

Focus: Basic obedience

Puppy Training

Training guidance for puppies, with the site recommending puppies under 16 weeks start on the Varsity membership before moving into a more intensive program once older. This approach covers potty training, crate training, and socialization groundwork.

Best for: Recommended for puppies under 16 weeks of age, transitioning to more intensive programs after 16 weeks.

Focus: Puppy training, Socialization

In-Home Training in Carlsbad typically runs $369–$2,290 across 3 programs that do publish pricing. Ask this trainer for a written quote before comparing.

In-Home Training pricing at Traction Dog Training Club in Carlsbad, CA
Program	Price	Duration
Tutoring	$1,490 per program	—
Homeschool	$2,490 per program	3 weeks
In-Home Dog Boarding	$89 per program	—
Puppy Training	Not published	—

What training methods does Traction Dog Training Club use?

The approach is explicitly balanced training, and they do accept dogs with aggression histories. Specific tools and techniques aren't detailed on the site, so clarifying their methods during a consultation would help you understand what training looks like day-to-day.

Method: Balanced

Combines rewards with corrections, which may include tools such as prong collars or e-collars.

How do we verify Traction Dog Training Club?

Certifications: AKC CGC Evaluator, IACP

Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.

Trust & facility details

Certifications include AKC CGC Evaluator and IACP membership. This is a home-based operation rather than a commercial facility, but details about owner visit policies, video updates, or overnight supervision during board-and-train aren't published. Insurance and guarantee terms don't appear on the site.

Facility: Home-based trainer

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: Contact form

How does Traction Dog Training Club compare in Carlsbad?

Price: Published board & train pricing is still limited among other Carlsbad programs, so a midpoint comparison is not available yet.

Reviews: Traction Dog Training Club shows 4.8★ from 17 Google reviews among 1 published Carlsbad programs.

Transparency: This listing scores 85 out of 100 (price 91%, program clarity 58%). 1 of 1 Carlsbad listings show certifications; this business lists AKC CGC Evaluator, IACP.

What to ask Traction Dog Training Club

Ask for proof of liability insurance.
Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.
Ask whether you can visit during the program.
Ask if anyone is on-site overnight.
Ask about current availability and whether there is a waitlist.

Location & hours

The Carlsbad address at 5375 Avenida Encinas serves as home base. Parking and accessibility details aren't listed, and it's unclear whether all programs happen at this location or if some training occurs in clients' homes.

5375 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA

Hours: Not specified on their website