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Midtown Mutts — Dog Training in Sacramento, CA

Midtown Mutts is a dog training business in Sacramento, California offering group classes, working from a dedicated training facility. They describe their approach as reward-based training, take aggression cases by assessment, and publish pricing from $57 per month to $450 per course.

Sacramento, CA • Training facility • 4.8 ★ (45 Google reviews)

Verified listing

Last reviewed: Sep 5, 2026

Transparency Score

86 / 100

Highly transparent

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

Price transparency: 90%
Method transparency: 100%
Program clarity: 62%

About Midtown Mutts

Based on what the business publishes about itself

Midtown Mutts fields a team of trainers with credentials from several recognized certification programs. Founder Cassi Perez holds certifications from both the Karen Pryor Academy and the Victoria Stilwell Academy, and has co-authored a puppy training book. The other trainers on staff carry their own certifications, including one with an applied animal behavior credential from the University of Washington and prior shelter behavior department experience. According to their site, they describe their approach as force-free and rooted in positive reinforcement, emphasizing that a dog's emotional and mental needs matter alongside physical ones.

The Sacramento facility offers an unusually flexible class structure. Rather than a fixed weekly sequence, their membership model lets clients drop into topic-based group classes, covering everything from puppy basics through reactivity work, so missing a session doesn't mean falling behind.

Beyond standard obedience, the business runs specialty programming including K9 Nose Work classes, agility basics, and sessions focused on resource guarding, husbandry handling for vet visits, and preparing dogs for life with children. Puppies completing both early classes can qualify for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy title. An on-site boutique sells training gear and enrichment products, including handmade leashes produced in-house.

What dog training programs does Midtown Mutts offer?

Group classes dominate the offerings here, spanning puppy socialization through reactivity work and nosework. Midtown Mutts runs a tiered membership system called Hound Culture, letting owners choose between one and ten classes per month depending on their goals. Specialty courses include a six-week reactivity class focused on dog-to-dog issues and recreational agility.

Puppy Pre-School

$210 per course

This is the primary socialization class exposing puppies to a wide variety of sights, sounds, objects and situations. It covers off-leash puppy play, confidence-building exploration, and common puppy issues like potty training and biting.

Owners bring puppies to Sunday morning classes at the facility for 60-minute sessions over 4 weeks.

Best for: Puppies aged 8-14 weeks at their first class who have had their first round of core vaccines.

Requirements: Puppies must be between the ages of 8-14 weeks of age at their first class, have first round of DHLPP or DHPP vaccine 7 days prior.

Duration: 4 weeks

Focus: Puppy training, Socialization

Puppy Kindergarten

$210 per course

This class continues from Puppy Preschool but can be taken standalone, focusing on improved manners like settling on a mat, walking on leash, coming when called, and staying in place, along with off-leash play.

Owners bring puppies to weekly classes over 4 sessions at the facility.

Best for: Puppies aged 15-20 weeks at their first class, up to date on vaccinations.

Requirements: Puppies must be between the age of 15-20 weeks during their first of 4 classes and up to date on vaccinations. Continuing students from Puppy Preschool receive a $25 discount.

Duration: 4 sessions

Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience, Socialization

K9 Nosework

$300 per course

This dog sport class replicates working-dog scent detection jobs for fun or competitive purposes, providing mental enrichment and burning energy while building confidence in shy or fearful dogs.

Dogs and owners attend weekly classes practicing scent-related search tasks with optional continuation beyond the initial four weeks.

Best for: Dogs seeking mental enrichment, including shy or fearful dogs who benefit from confidence building.

Duration: 4 weeks

Focus: Scent work, Fear & anxiety

Reactivity Group Classes

$450 per course

A structured small class using visual barriers and controlled introductions to help dogs who bark, lunge, or growl at other dogs learn to relax and practice calm exposure alongside three other dogs.

Dogs are escorted individually into the facility and work behind visual barriers near three other dogs while owners practice management skills.

Best for: Dogs that react to other dogs specifically, not dogs whose main reactivity is toward people.

Requirements: This class is not ideal for dogs who have big reactive responses to people or other stimuli, as the setups will be primarily focus on other dogs.

Duration: 6 weeks

Focus: Leash reactivity, Aggression

Hound Culture Membership — 1 class per month

$57 per month

A drop-in class membership covering rotating topics such as engagement, patio manners, outings, greeting guests, mild reactivity, tricks, agility, and scent work, chosen by monthly class allotment rather than a fixed weekly curriculum.

Members attend a free orientation, then drop into any class matching their membership tier throughout the week.

Best for: Dogs and owners who have already been training with Midtown Mutts for some time.

Requirements: Been working with Midtown Mutts awhile? Great plan to move toward your goals at a steady pace

Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization

Hound Culture Membership — 2 classes per month

$105 per month

A drop-in class membership at a higher frequency, covering the same rotating topic list including engagement, outings, guests, mild reactivity, and enrichment sports.

Members attend two classes monthly, dropping into any scheduled session at the facility.

Best for: Owners wanting to reach training goals faster while on a tight schedule.

Requirements: A solid starting place for people who want to reach their goals faster but on a tight schedule.

Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization

Hound Culture Membership — 3 classes per month

$132 per month

A mid-tier drop-in class membership offering more frequent training sessions covering the rotating topic list of manners, socialization, and enrichment activities.

Members attend three classes monthly, dropping into any scheduled session at the facility.

Best for: Owners unsure how often their dog needs training.

Requirements: A good in-between for people who are not yet sure how often their dog needs to train.

Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization

Hound Culture Membership — 5 classes per month

$195 per month

The recommended membership tier allowing near-weekly attendance to build foundational skills through the rotating topic-based class system.

Members attend five classes monthly, dropping into any scheduled session at the facility.

Best for: Owners wanting weekly training pace to build foundational skills.

Requirements: Learn with your dog at a weekly pace to help build foundational skills.

Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization

Hound Culture Membership — 10 classes per month

$360 per month

The highest-frequency membership tier, useful for multi-dog households to attend classes on different nights, covering the same rotating topic-based curriculum.

Members attend up to ten classes monthly, dropping into any scheduled session at the facility.

Best for: Households with multiple dogs needing frequent class access.

Requirements: Great for people with multiple dogs. Take one dog to one class and the other on another night that week.

Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization

Agility for Fun

Price not published.

Focus: Agility & dog sports, Basic obedience

How much does Midtown Mutts cost?

Puppy courses run $210 for four weeks, while the reactivity program costs $450 for six sessions. Membership pricing scales from $57 monthly for one class up to $360 for ten, with continuing puppy students receiving a $25 discount. Nosework is $300 for four weeks; agility pricing isn't published.

Group Classes pricing

Group Classes pricing at Midtown Mutts in Sacramento, CA
Program	Price	Length
Puppy Pre-School	$210 per course	4 weeks
Puppy Kindergarten	$210 per course	4 sessions
K9 Nosework	$300 per course	4 weeks
Reactivity Group Classes	$450 per course	6 weeks
Hound Culture Membership — 1 class per month	$57 per month	Not stated
Hound Culture Membership — 2 classes per month	$105 per month	Not stated
Hound Culture Membership — 3 classes per month	$132 per month	Not stated
Hound Culture Membership — 5 classes per month	$195 per month	Not stated
Hound Culture Membership — 10 classes per month	$360 per month	Not stated
Agility for Fun	Not published	Not stated

What training methods does Midtown Mutts use?

The program explicitly identifies as force-free in its training approach. Reactivity and aggression cases are considered individually rather than accepted or declined outright, with their reactivity class noting it's designed primarily for dog-directed issues.

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

Who runs Midtown Mutts?

As described in the business's own materials

Cassi Perez, Founder and trainer

According to their site, founded Midtown Mutts and continues ongoing education in behavior science, including coursework on aggression and animal learning.

Credentials listed on their site: KPA-CPT (Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner), VSA-CDT (Victoria Stilwell Academy Certified Dog Trainer), and Co-author of a puppy training book. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Casey Perez, Chief creative / early team member

According to their site, joined the business early on, walking dogs while running an art business; holds a fine arts degree and illustrated a training book; makes the shop's handmade leashes.

Credentials listed on their site: Fine Art degree, University of Art, San Francisco. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Lindsay Prout, Trainer

According to their site, previously worked in the behavior department at a local SPCA shelter helping dogs with a range of behavioral issues before joining Midtown Mutts in 2022.

Credentials listed on their site: AW-AAB (Applied Animal Behavior certification, University of Washington) and CCPDT-KA (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers). Barklen has not independently verified these.

Kelsey Kaine, Trainer

According to their site, started as a dog walker for the business in 2017 before becoming a trainer, with particular interest in shy and fearful dogs.

Credentials listed on their site: VSA-CDT (Victoria Stilwell Academy Certified Dog Trainer). Barklen has not independently verified these.

Joanne Fong, Trainer

According to their site, began volunteering at a shelter in high school and later worked in shelter environments before becoming a trainer, with a focus on shy dogs.

Credentials listed on their site: VSA-CDT (Victoria Stilwell Academy Certified Dog Trainer). Barklen has not independently verified these.

Theresa Howe, Nose Work instructor

According to their site, got into nose work through her own dogs and became an instructor, continuing education through seminars and webinars.

Credentials listed on their site: CNWI (Certified Nose Work Instructor, NACSW) and CTDI (Certified Trick Dog Instructor). Barklen has not independently verified these.

Where does Midtown Mutts offer dog training?

Midtown Mutts operates from a dedicated training facility in Sacramento, CA, offering group classes.

Their site says they serve dog owners at all life stages of their dog, from new puppies through adult dogs with behavior issues, including busy owners needing flexible scheduling and families integrating dogs with children.

A training facility and retail boutique located at 5524 Elvas Ave, cleaned with veterinarian-grade disinfectant, selling enrichment products and training gear.

Classes take place at a dedicated facility on Elvas Avenue in Sacramento. Parking availability and accessibility features aren't described on the site.

How does Midtown Mutts compare with other Sacramento dog trainers?

Barklen analysis

Barklen analysis based on 6 published Sacramento listings (23 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by Midtown Mutts.

Price: entry price below the published Sacramento range for group classes ($57–$450 vs. $162–$390).

Reviews: 4.8★ from 45 Google reviews, among 6 published Sacramento programs.

Transparency: 86 out of 100 (highly transparent), with 90% price transparency and 62% program clarity. 2 of 6 Sacramento listings show certifications; this business lists KPA-CTP, VSA-CDT, and CCPDT.

Published prices at Midtown Mutts compared with Sacramento ranges
Program type	Midtown Mutts	Sacramento range	Barklen read
Group Classes	$57–$450	$162–$390 across 5 Sacramento programs	Entry price below the published Sacramento range

What should you ask Midtown Mutts before booking?

Generated from what their public materials leave open

Ask for current pricing on Agility for Fun, which is not published online.
Ask for proof of liability insurance.
Ask which training tools, if any, they use and when.
Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.
Ask about current availability and whether there is a waitlist.

Location and hours

5524 Elvas Ave # A, Sacramento, CA

Monday – Tuesday: 3:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

How Barklen reviewed this listing

Barklen reviewed Midtown Mutts 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 (owner visits during programs, progress updates, overnight staffing, insurance, guarantee, dogs per trainer, and others) are turned into the questions above rather than filled in.

Last reviewed by Barklen: Sep 5, 2026