1 / 5
Elite Pup Training is a dog training business in Goleta, California offering Board and Train, Virtual Training, Private Lessons, and In-Home Training, with published programs from $200.
Goleta • CA • Training facility • 5.0 ★ (32 Google reviews)
Last verified: Sep 5, 2026
90 / 100
Highly transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
What they say about themselves
Elite Pup Training operates from a ranch property on the outskirts of Goleta, where dogs in board-and-train programs have access to open land, trail walks, and exposure to ranch animals rather than a typical kennel environment. The facility, co-located with Sam's Doggie Dude Ranch, features 12 recently redesigned, climate-insulated kennels, secure courtyards for socialization, and seasonal pool access. According to their site, 24-hour staff remain on-site with boarding dogs.
Head trainer Ricky Rojas, who co-owns the business with Vanessa Rios-Rojas, describes starting his training work as a teenager before studying with trainers around the country. He has over 15 years of experience. Their approach, which they call "balance training," combines positive reinforcement with corrective techniques including e-collar work—something they refer to as "pager training" and describe as communication rather than punishment.
The business structures its programs around different levels of owner involvement and issue severity. Their five-week board-and-train targets dogs with resource guarding, aggression, or anxiety, while shorter hybrid and day-training options address standard obedience and leash manners. They also offer an online program for puppies eight to sixteen weeks old covering early foundations like crate training and recall. Door-to-door transportation is available for most programs.
Consultations and evaluations before you commit to a program.
This is an initial consultation held at the facility where trainers listen to owner goals and observe the dog's behavior, sometimes bringing out trained dogs as distraction or demonstration tools. The owner leaves with information and homework to begin working with the dog.
Best for: Any dog owner seeking to determine the right training strategy for their dog.
Focus: Basic obedience
Board and train options at Elite Pup Training range from a 3-week hybrid program for basic obedience and off-leash skills to a 5-week program designed for dogs with aggression, resource guarding, or fear issues. Private lessons run $200 per session with a 10-session package available, and there's a 6-week virtual puppy imprinting course for dogs 8-16 weeks old. A day training program also exists, though pricing isn't published for that option.
Board and train runs $4,200 for three weeks or $6,000 for the five-week behavioral program. Private sessions cost $200 each, or $2,000 for a package of ten. The online puppy course is $600 for the full six weeks.
This program immerses the dog in 24-hour training over five weeks at the ranch, using repetition and real-world outings to parks, coffee shops, trails, and beaches. It also addresses overnight behaviors like crate training and nighttime whining or barking, and includes daily one-on-one work on core commands and e-collar (pager) introduction.
The dog boards at the ranch full-time for five weeks, with three scheduled sessions bringing the owner in near the end and after pickup.
Best for: Dogs with more serious behavioral issues like resource guarding, aggression, anxiety, or fear-based behavior.
Focus: Aggression, Resource guarding, Fear & anxiety, Basic obedience
Duration: 5 weeks
Includes: Owner handoff sessions, Follow-up sessions, Boarding included
This program combines three weeks of board-and-train immersion with three one-on-one sessions involving the owner, plus off-site outings to parks and public places for real-world exposure. It focuses on basic commands, socialization, and helping owners integrate training into their lifestyle.
The dog boards at the ranch for three weeks with structured sessions bringing the owner in partway through and after pickup.
Best for: Dogs without severe behavioral issues who need foundational training with more owner involvement than the standard board and train.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training, Recall & off-leash
Duration: 3 weeks
Includes: Owner handoff sessions, Follow-up sessions, Boarding included
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| EPT 5 Week Board & Train Program | $6,000 per program | 5 weeks |
| EPT Hybrid Training Program | $4,200 per program | 3 weeks |
This program is for families who want to be more actively involved, with weekly one-on-one sessions covering leash manners, recall, and down, plus trail walks and weekly homework. A training manual with videos is provided at booking.
Owner and dog meet with the trainer once a week at the facility for six weeks, doing homework between sessions.
Best for: Families who want to be more involved and learn the training process themselves.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training, Recall & off-leash
Duration: 6 weeks; 10-session package $2,000
Includes: Follow-up sessions
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Training Session Program | $200 per session | 6 weeks |
This is a day-training program where the dog attends the ranch Monday through Friday for four weeks, doing structured obedience training, supervised socialization, pack walks, and trail hikes, then returns home each evening. It includes three private one-on-one sessions with the trainer and daily pick-up progress reviews.
The dog is dropped off each morning and picked up each afternoon at the ranch, with owner sessions scheduled throughout the program.
Best for: Families who want professional training support while staying actively involved and having their dog home each night.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training, Recall & off-leash, Socialization
Duration: 4 weeks
Includes: Owner handoff sessions, Follow-up sessions
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| EPT Day Training Program | Not published | 4 weeks |
This is a 6-week remote program split into two 3-week sections with weekly 30-minute trainer calls, teaching owners to establish routines, crate and potty training, leash communication, play, and recall before a puppy can safely socialize.
Training happens entirely at the owner's home with weekly phone calls and reference materials from the trainer.
Best for: New puppy owners with puppies between 8 and 16 weeks old, before their last vaccinations.
Focus: Puppy training, Socialization
Duration: 6 weeks
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Imprinting At-Home Training Program On-Line | $600 per program | 6 weeks |
They explicitly describe their approach as balanced training. The program accepts dogs with aggression and other severe behavioral issues, dedicating a longer five-week track specifically to those cases.
Method: Balanced
Combines rewards with corrections, which may include tools such as prong collars or e-collars.
Certifications: Not specified on their website
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
A dedicated facility has been operating for 15 years, with overnight staff on-site. Owner visits are allowed on a limited basis. Insurance, certifications, and guarantee terms aren't mentioned on the site.
Facility: Training facility
Owner visits: Limited visits
Video updates: not specified on their website.
Overnight staffing: Yes
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
Price: Published board & train pricing is still limited among other Goleta programs, so a midpoint comparison is not available yet.
Reviews: Elite Pup Training shows 5.0★ from 32 Google reviews among 1 published Goleta programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 90 out of 100 (price 80%, program clarity 97%). Certification disclosure is still sparse in this city.
The Calle Real facility sits in Goleta. Parking and accessibility details aren't published.
12240 Calle Real, Goleta, CA
Friday: 8:30AM-4PM
Monday: 8:30AM-4PM
Sunday: 8:30AM-4PM
Tuesday: 8:30AM-4PM
Saturday: 8:30AM-4PM
Thursday: 8:30AM-4PM
Wednesday: 8:30AM-4PM
Reach out directly or send a quote request through Elite Pup Training.
DOGGY BOOT CAMP-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA · 4.9 ★ (27)
Private Lessons
2 programs
From $1,500
Balanced
Perfect Puppy Academy
Santa Barbara, CA · 4.9 ★ (14)
Group Classes · In-Home Training
10 programs
From $160
Reward-based
K-Nine Solutions Dog Training
Santa Barbara, CA · 4.9 ★ (171)
Private Lessons · Board and Train · In-Home Training · +1
6 programs
From $525
Balanced
Nathan Woods Dog Trainer
Santa Barbara, CA · 4.9 ★ (72)
Private Lessons · Group Classes · Board and Train
8 programs
From $600
Method unclear
Wency's Dog & Puppy Training
Santa Barbara, CA · 5.0 ★ (5)
Group Classes · Private Lessons · In-Home Training
4 programs
From $125
Method unclear
Sniff Squad Dog Training
Santa Barbara, CA · 5.0 ★ (19)
Group Classes · Private Lessons · Board and Train
5 programs
From $65
Method unclear