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the Scentsable K9 — Dog Training in El Cajon, CA

the Scentsable K9 is a dog training business in El Cajon, California offering private lessons and group classes, working from rented training space. They publish pricing from $40 per session to $150 per session.

El Cajon, CA • Uses rented space • 5.0 ★ (2 Google reviews)

Verified listing

Last reviewed: Sep 5, 2026

Transparency Score

52 / 100

Limited information

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

Price transparency: 71%
Method transparency: 0%
Program clarity: 80%

About the Scentsable K9

Based on what the business publishes about itself

The Scentsable K9 draws on an instructor roster with serious professional detection backgrounds. Founder Pete Stevens spent 20 years handling and training police K9s during his law enforcement career, including narcotics interdiction work, and serves as a CA POST evaluator and NACSW nosework trial judge. Co-founder Cameron Ford's path runs from U.S. Air Force military working dog handler through police dog training schools in Germany and Holland to overseeing 300 explosive detection dogs deployed overseas as a government contractor. Other instructors include a FEMA disaster search canine evaluator who has deployed to sites from Iraq to the Maui fires, and a trainer with a master's in cognitive and behavioral science who has conducted canine cognition research at Duke and Auburn.

Based in the El Cajon area, the business holds classes at various locations around San Diego County rather than a single facility. According to their site, the founding story traces to Stevens judging a 2015 nosework trial and noticing dogs of all breeds, not just typical working dogs, succeeding at scent detection. They describe their philosophy as giving dogs freedom to work independently while teaching handlers to maintain an overall search plan, deliberately designing challenging scenarios because they believe teams learn more from difficulty than easy wins.

The Scentsable K9 serves both pet owners doing nosework recreationally and professional detection teams, offering group classes from odor imprinting through advanced levels, multi-instructor seminars, and private sessions.

What dog training programs does the Scentsable K9 offer?

Scent detection is the focus here, with the Scentsable K9 offering a progression from imprinting classes for beginners through advanced detection work. Group sessions, private lessons, seminars, and workshops cover various skill levels. Some seminars require dogs to have reached NW1 level or hold prior certifications.

Private (1 session)

the Scentsable K9 publishes 2 versions of this program. The table shows how they differ; anything not listed here was not stated in their materials.

Private Lessons options at the Scentsable K9
Option	Length	Price	What differs
Private 1-Hour Class (Basic/Imprinting locations)	1 session	$100 per session	For handlers wanting focused, one-on-one problem solving or advanced training.
Private Classes	1 session	$150 per session	Leash training; For handlers with specific training issues to resolve or those working multiple dogs.

Private 1-Hour Class (Basic/Imprinting locations)

Booked pay-as-you-go, no packages required; sessions run 1 hour.

Private Classes

Pay-as-you-go, 1-hour private sessions held in Lakeside or Ramona, CA.

Imprinting and Intro Detection

$25 per session

This foundational class trains dogs to recognize target scent odors, introduces handlers to how a dog's nose works and reading behavior changes upon detection, and covers basic leash handling. Dogs also begin practicing ignoring distractions like food and pet smells. Sport odors (Birch, Anise, Clove) are provided, or handlers can bring their own target odor.

Held as a group class limited to 4 K9 teams per session, run in Valley Center or Ramona, CA.

Best for: Handlers and dogs, including puppies, who are new to scent detection training.

Requirements: For puppies and adult dogs new to detection work.

Duration: 1 session

Focus: Scent work, Puppy training, Basic obedience

Basic Scent Detection

$25 per session

This class builds on imprinting skills by having teams search for target odors with increased leash handling both on and off lead, plus basic deployment techniques. It progresses handlers and dogs beyond foundational odor recognition into more applied searching skills.

Group class capped at 4 dogs, held weekly in Valley Center or Ramona, CA.

Best for: K9 teams who have already completed the Imprinting and Intro to Detection class.

Requirements: Requires successful completion of Imprinting and Introduction to Detection.

Duration: 1 session

Focus: Scent work, Leash training, Advanced obedience

Group Class (Private Classes page)

$40 per session

A group scent detection class capped at 4 dogs, held on a weekly rotating schedule at Lakeside and Ramona locations.

Group format, 1-hour sessions, pay-as-you-go with no package purchase required.

Duration: 1 session

Focus: Scent work, Advanced obedience

Seminars

Price not published.

A multi-instructor event, typically lasting one to two 8-hour days, covering advanced detection scenarios like vehicles, exteriors, interiors, and containers with 24-30 working teams rotating through challenging search stations.

Students are divided into working groups and rotate through search scenarios led by different instructors, with feedback after each search.

Best for: Handlers with dogs already searching and indicating on target odors, typically at NW1 level or with professional certification.

Requirements: Preferred that dogs be at NW1 level or similar, with at least one certification in their history for professional teams.

Duration: 1 day

Focus: Scent work, Advanced obedience

Workshops

Price not published.

A shorter, roughly 4-hour training session led by a single instructor, focused on one or two specific scent detection topics rather than a full range of scenarios.

Single-instructor format focused on a narrower topic than a full seminar.

Focus: Scent work, Advanced obedience

How much does the Scentsable K9 cost?

Group scent detection classes start at $25 per session, with general group classes at $40. Private lessons range from $100 to $150 depending on the session type. Seminar and workshop pricing isn't published on the site.

Private Lessons pricing

Private Lessons pricing at the Scentsable K9 in El Cajon, CA
Program	Price	Length
Private 1-Hour Class (Basic/Imprinting locations)	$100 per session	1 session
Private Classes	$150 per session	1 session

Group Classes pricing

Group Classes pricing at the Scentsable K9 in El Cajon, CA
Program	Price	Length
Imprinting and Intro Detection	$25 per session	1 session
Basic Scent Detection	$25 per session	1 session
Group Class (Private Classes page)	$40 per session	1 session
Seminars	Not published	1 day
Workshops	Not published	Not stated

What training methods does the Scentsable K9 use?

Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not state which training method the Scentsable K9 uses.

Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not specify which training tools are used.

Who runs the Scentsable K9?

As described in the business's own materials

Pete Stevens, Founder/Instructor

According to their site, 32-year law enforcement veteran who retired from the Chula Vista Police Department after 24.5 years, with 20 years handling and training police K9s including narcotics interdiction work.

Credentials listed on their site: CA POST evaluator/certifying official, International Police Canine Association evaluator, NACSW Nosework Trial Judge, and Canine/Puppy Cognition Testing instructor. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Peter Sellas, Instructor

According to their site, emergency manager with 25 years of canine experience, including 19 years on the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Search Dog Team (13 as commander). He has trained and deployed disaster search dogs internationally, including to Iraq and multiple U.S. disaster sites.

Credentials listed on their site: FEMA US&R canine evaluator (18 years), National FEMA canine instructor, and Canine Coordinator for CA-TF6. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Lily Strassberg, Instructor

According to their site, trainer who raises and develops working dogs for police departments and previously worked in narcotics/explosive detection training and disaster search dog programs. She holds a master's in Cognitive and Behavioral Science and two bachelor's degrees, and has done cognition research at Duke and Auburn.

Credentials listed on their site: M.S. Cognitive and Behavioral Science, Auburn University, B.S. Animal Behavior, and B.S. Psychology with Neuroscience focus. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Lauren Cardin, Instructor

According to their site, firefighter paramedic with 15 years of canine experience, starting as a Guide Dogs for the Blind volunteer and Sheriff's Search Dog Team member. She has certified and deployed FEMA disaster search canines to major incidents including the Camp Fire.

Credentials listed on their site: FEMA US&R Disaster Search Canine certifications (Live Find and Human Remains) and Bachelor's Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management, Northern Arizona University. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Kevin Olin, Instructor

According to their site, retired after 30 years with the San Diego Sheriff's Department, including roles in SWAT and a cross-border crime suppression unit where he handled two narcotics/patrol detection K9s for over 9 years.

Credentials listed on their site: NACSW judge and Active member of California Narcotic Canine Association (CNCA). Barklen has not independently verified these.

Cameron Ford, Instructor/Co-founder

According to their site, 20+ year K9 professional who began as a U.S. Air Force Military Working Dog Handler and Trainer, attended police dog schools in Germany and Holland, ran a police dog training school in Florida, and oversaw 300 explosive detection dogs deployed overseas as a government contractor.

Credentials listed on their site: CA POST Canine Team Evaluator and Owner/lead trainer of Ford K9. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Where does the Scentsable K9 offer dog training?

the Scentsable K9 trains out of rented space in El Cajon, CA, offering private lessons and group classes.

Their site says they serve both pet dog owners doing nosework for fun and professional/working detection teams (law enforcement, search and rescue), training on sport odors or client-provided odors like narcotics or explosives.

Classes are held at various rented or partner locations around San Diego County rather than a single fixed facility.

Training takes place at 9411 Brian Way in El Cajon. Parking availability and accessibility details for the rented space aren't mentioned.

How does the Scentsable K9 compare with other El Cajon dog trainers?

Barklen analysis

Barklen analysis based on 3 published El Cajon listings (4 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by the Scentsable K9.

Price: too few El Cajon programs publish pricing in the same categories for a like-for-like comparison yet.

Reviews: 5.0★ from 2 Google reviews, among 3 published El Cajon programs.

Transparency: 52 out of 100 (limited information), with 71% price transparency and 80% program clarity. Certification disclosure is still sparse across El Cajon listings.

What should you ask the Scentsable K9 before booking?

Generated from what their public materials leave open

Ask for current pricing on Seminars and Workshops, which are not published online.
Ask which certifications their trainers hold and who issued them.
Ask for proof of liability insurance.
Ask which training methods they use and whether aversive tools are part of the program.

Location and hours

9411 Brian Way, El Cajon, CA

Hours are not published in the materials Barklen reviewed. Confirm before visiting.

How Barklen reviewed this listing

Barklen reviewed the Scentsable K9 against the business's public materials and published this listing. That is not a check of licenses, insurance, or certifications. See our methodology for what a verified listing does and does not mean.

Details the public materials do not address (training method, aggression and reactivity cases, owner visits during programs, progress updates, overnight staffing, insurance, and others) are turned into the questions above rather than filled in.

Last reviewed by Barklen: Sep 5, 2026

What Barklen could verify

Programs listed: 7 programs (private lessons, group classes)
Published pricing: Published for 3 of 7 programs
Facility: Uses rented space
Dogs per trainer: 4
Booking: Contact form
Waitlist: Mentions a waitlist

Contact the Scentsable K9 or request a quote

Contact the Scentsable K9 directly by phone or through their website, or request a quote through Barklen and we will pass it along.

+1 858-688-2207 Website

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