Behavior Evaluation — $70/session
This is a free consultation offered to assess a dog's needs before starting training. It's a starting point for discussing obedience issues, leash pulling, and other behavioral concerns.
Focus: Basic obedience
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Active Canine Academy
Active Canine Academy is a dog training business in Riverside, California offering Group Classes, Private Lessons, Board and Train, and Virtual Training, with published programs from $100.
Riverside • CA • Training facility • 5.0 ★ (55 Google reviews)
Last verified: Aug 19, 2026
Transparency Score
90 / 100
Highly transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
- Price transparency
- 89%
- Method transparency
- 100%
- Program clarity
- 78%
About this program
What they say about themselves
Viktoriia Shelkunova founded Active Canine Academy after completing advanced coursework at the Royal Dog Academy and apprenticing with breeders and trainers. According to her site, she structures programs around owner education first—the idea being that handlers need to understand communication fundamentals before their dogs can retain new behaviors.
The business operates out of Riverside and serves clients across Los Angeles and Orange County through several formats. Board-and-train stays run two to five weeks, covering house manners, obedience, and leash skills, with longer programs adding off-leash and e-collar work. Private lessons begin with an evaluation and can address reactivity, fear-based behaviors, or service dog preparation. Five-week group classes rotate through locations in the region.
Two offerings stand out as less common. Their separation anxiety program, which they note can extend up to a year, requires owners to maintain nearly constant presence with the dog during treatment—they offer a free initial consultation to determine whether that intensive approach fits the situation. They also sell protection training equipment like bite sleeves and tug toys, suggesting some involvement in that specialized area. Private training clients reportedly receive ongoing chat support and homework check-ins between sessions. Boarding and daycare are available on-site but restricted to dogs currently enrolled in training.
Getting started
Consultations and evaluations before you commit to a program.
What does Active Canine Academy charge for board and train?
Group classes, private lessons, board-and-train stays from two to five weeks, virtual sessions, service dog training, and a dedicated separation anxiety program make up the offerings at Active Canine Academy. The two-week board-and-train is limited to puppies aged two to five months, while longer programs address fear, off-leash reliability, and advanced obedience. Separation anxiety training requires a free Zoom consultation first to confirm the diagnosis fits.
Private lessons run $150 per session or $1,000 for a ten-session package; virtual sessions are $100 each, with a ten-pack at $900. Group classes cost $600 for a five-week course. Board-and-train ranges from $1,990 for two weeks up to $4,000 for five weeks, and the separation anxiety program is $600 per month.
Board and Train
Board & Train — 2 Week Program — $1,990 per program
This is a 2-week version of the academy's Board & Train service, blending established training methods with an individualized approach for each dog.
Best for: puppy program only from 2-5 months old
Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience, Socialization
Duration: 2 weeks
Board & Train — 3 Week Program — $2,800 per program
This is a 3-week version of the academy's Board & Train service, blending established training methods with an individualized approach for each dog.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training
Duration: 3 weeks
Board & Train — 4 Week Program — $3,500 per program
This is a 4-week version of the academy's Board & Train service, blending established training methods with an individualized approach for each dog.
Focus: Fear & anxiety, Basic obedience, Recall & off-leash
Duration: 4 weeks
Board & Train — 5 Week Program — $4,000 per program
This is a 5-week version of the academy's Board & Train service, blending established training methods with an individualized approach for each dog.
Focus: Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash, Basic obedience
Duration: 5 weeks
Includes: Owner handoff sessions, Follow-up sessions
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Board & Train — 2 Week Program | $1,990 per program | 2 weeks |
| Board & Train — 3 Week Program | $2,800 per program | 3 weeks |
| Board & Train — 4 Week Program | $3,500 per program | 4 weeks |
| Board & Train — 5 Week Program | $4,000 per program | 5 weeks |
Private Lessons
Private Training — $150 per session
Private Training uses customized methods developed by the founder to address obedience issues, leash pulling, and behavioral problems. Programs are tailored to each dog's personality, with training beginning by teaching the owner.
The owner works directly with the trainer, since the approach centers on relationship-building exercises between owner and dog.
Focus: Basic obedience, Aggression, Separation anxiety, Leash training
Includes: Lifetime support
Service Dog Training
This program falls under the academy's private training offerings, applying the trainer's individualized methods for building obedience and behavioral skills.
Focus: Service dog training
Private Lessons in Riverside typically runs $120–$3,197 across 7 programs that do publish pricing. Ask this trainer for a written quote before comparing.
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Training | $150 per session | — |
| Service Dog Training | Not published | — |
Group Classes
Group Classes — $600 per program
Group Classes are one of the training formats offered alongside Board & Train, Obedience Training, and Protection work in the Riverside, LA, and OC areas.
Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization
Duration: 5 weeks; 10-session package $600
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Group Classes | $600 per program | 5 weeks |
Virtual Training
Private Online Training — $100 per session
This program delivers the academy's customized training approach remotely, covering obedience issues, leash pulling, and behavioral concerns.
Focus: Basic obedience
Includes: Lifetime support
Separation Anxiety Training — $600 per program
This program addresses separation anxiety remotely as part of the academy's virtual training offerings, using the trainer's customized behavioral approach.
Best for: Before starting any training, you must attend free Zoom consultation to talk about your situation to see if your dog is actually having separation anxiety.
Focus: Separation anxiety, Fear & anxiety
Duration: 1 months
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Online Training | $100 per session | — |
| Separation Anxiety Training | $600 per program | 1 months |
What training methods does Active Canine Academy use?
The site explicitly describes the approach as balanced training, and they accept dogs with aggression issues. Specific tools or techniques used during sessions aren't detailed on the website.
Method: Balanced
Combines rewards with corrections, which may include tools such as prong collars or e-collars.
How do we verify Active Canine Academy?
Certifications: Not specified on their website
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
Trust & facility details
Training takes place at a dedicated facility in Riverside. Owner visits, video updates, overnight staffing, insurance, certifications, and guarantee terms aren't addressed on the site.
Facility: Training facility
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 Active Canine Academy compare in Riverside?
Price: Their board & train is 36% below the Riverside midpoint based on published prices.
Reviews: Active Canine Academy shows 5.0★ from 55 Google reviews among 7 published Riverside programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 90 out of 100 (price 89%, program clarity 78%). 3 of 7 Riverside listings show certifications; this business does not list certifications.
What to ask Active Canine Academy
- Ask which certifications their trainers hold and who issued them.
- 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.
Location & hours
Located on Wayman St in the 92504 zip code. Parking availability and accessibility features aren't published.
Wayman St, Riverside, CA
Friday: Open 24 hours
Monday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Contact / request a quote
Reach out directly or send a quote request through Active Canine Academy.
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