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K9 Sniffers is a dog training business in San Leandro, California offering Group Classes and Virtual Training, with published programs from $60.
San Leandro • CA • Uses rented space • 5.0 ★ (1 Google reviews)
Last verified: Sep 5, 2026
63 / 100
Moderately transparent
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What they say about themselves
Steve Bettcher, the instructor behind K9 Sniffers, has spent over two decades focused on a single discipline: teaching dogs to find scents. According to his site, he holds IACP certification, serves as an AKC Scent Work judge and CGC evaluator, and has competed extensively with his own dogs—a Beagle named Buddy and a Havanese named Bobby—earning titles including NW3 Elite and Best in Trial recognitions in both AKC and NACSW competitions.
The training approach here differs from what many nose work programs use. As described on the site, Bettcher teaches dogs a clear "alert indicator"—a sit or down—before introducing any searching. The stated reasoning is that establishing this behavior first helps prevent issues like false alerting or scratching that can develop when dogs learn to search before they learn to communicate what they've found.
K9 Sniffers offers both in-person group classes in San Leandro (held Tuesdays and Saturdays through the San Lorenzo Dog Training Club) and online instruction via Zoom. The online format includes recorded sessions, video feedback through a private Facebook group, and materials that remain accessible for months after a class ends. Classes range from beginning nose work through advanced competition preparation, covering multiple hides, vehicle searches, and handler-scent discrimination. Private one-on-one Zoom lessons are also available, with a stated full-refund guarantee on the first session.
Scent work is the specialty here, with K9 Sniffers offering a structured progression from novice through advanced levels in both online and in-person formats. Online courses run seven sessions and cover odor discrimination, handler discrimination, and AKC competition preparation. In-person group classes focus on alert indicators and foundational nose work skills, with instructor approval required before enrollment.
Online group courses cost $195 to $210 for seven sessions, depending on the level. Private online sessions run $60 each. Pricing for in-person group classes isn't published on the site.
This in-person class teaches dogs to give a clear sit or down alert before search skills are introduced. It's taught at their San Leandro facility and prepares dogs for AKC Scent Work, NACSW K9 Nose Work, and UKC Nosework.
Dogs attend weekly in-person sessions at the San Leandro location on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Best for: Dogs new to scent work who need instructor pre-approval before joining.
Focus: Scent work, Basic obedience
This class builds on the alert indicator by introducing odor discrimination, adding blank boxes and multiple scent containers using the standard trial scent cocktail. Dogs progress to finding target odor from up to 12 containers and working at a distance from the handler.
In-person weekly classes at the San Leandro facility on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Best for: Dogs that have completed Beginning Nose Work 1 or have instructor permission.
Focus: Scent work, Advanced obedience
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning Nose Work 1 - The Alert Indicator | Not published | — |
| Beginning Nose Work 2 - Odor Discrimination | Not published | — |
A 7-week Zoom-based course where dogs learn to independently search 10 closed boxes and identify each of the standard AKC/NACSW scents. Weekly live sessions include video review of student homework and a slide-based lesson.
Students attend a weekly Zoom class and submit training videos to a Facebook group for instructor feedback.
Best for: Dogs and handlers new to competitive scent work seeking AKC or NACSW preparation.
Focus: Scent work, Basic obedience
Duration: 7 sessions
This course introduces the Final Alert Response along with buried hides, container variety, and vehicle searches, preparing dogs for AKC Novice competition and the NACSW ORT.
Weekly Zoom sessions with homework video submissions and instructor feedback.
Best for: Dogs that have completed the Novice Scent Work class or an NACSW ORT.
Focus: Scent work, Advanced obedience
Duration: 7 sessions
This advanced course covers multiple and inaccessible hides, high hides, complex odor puzzles, and blank searches for dogs progressing beyond intermediate skills.
Weekly Zoom sessions with instructor feedback on submitted training videos.
Best for: Dogs that finished the Intermediate class or have competed at Novice/Advanced AKC or NACSW NW1 levels.
Focus: Scent work, Advanced obedience
Duration: 7 sessions
This course builds further on Advanced 1 concepts, continuing advanced scent work skill development for competition-level dogs.
Weekly Zoom sessions with instructor feedback on submitted training videos.
Best for: Dogs that finished Advanced 1 or have competed at Novice/Advanced AKC or NACSW NW1 levels.
Focus: Scent work, Advanced obedience
Duration: 7 sessions
This class teaches dogs to find the handler's own scent across a variety of environments, preparing them for AKC Novice Handler Discrimination competition.
Weekly Zoom sessions preparing students for AKC Novice Handler Discrimination competition.
Best for: Dogs new to handler discrimination work.
Focus: Scent work, Advanced obedience
Duration: 7 sessions
A continuation handler discrimination class for dogs that have already qualified in Novice HD, working toward more advanced handler scent discrimination skills.
Weekly Zoom sessions building on prior handler discrimination training.
Best for: Dogs that have completed Novice Handler Discrimination or earned at least one qualifying score.
Focus: Scent work, Advanced obedience
Duration: 7 sessions
Focus: Scent work, Advanced obedience
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Online Novice Scent Work Class | $195 per program | 7 sessions |
| Online Intermediate Scent Work Class | $195 per program | 7 sessions |
| Online Advanced 1 Scent Work Class | $195 per program | 7 sessions |
| Online Advanced 2 Scent Work Class | $195 per program | 7 sessions |
| Online Novice Handler Discrimination | $195 per program | 7 sessions |
| ONLINE Novice HANDLER DISCRIMINATION (Advanced continuation) | $210 per program | 7 sessions |
| Private Online Scent Work Classes | $60 per session | — |
The site describes the approach in general terms without naming specific techniques or tools. Whether they work with dogs that have aggression or reactivity issues isn't addressed.
Method: Method unclear
Their website describes their approach in general terms without specifying which methods or tools they use.
Certifications: IACP, AKC CGC Evaluator
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
Twenty-three years in business, with IACP membership and AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator credentials. A satisfaction guarantee is mentioned, though the specific terms aren't detailed. Insurance information doesn't appear on the site.
Facility: Uses rented space
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: Offers a satisfaction guarantee
Waitlist: not specified on their website.
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: Book online
Price: K9 Sniffers does not publish board & train pricing. Across San Leandro, 7 programs publish prices from about $141 to $201.
Reviews: K9 Sniffers shows 5.0★ from 1 Google reviews among 2 published San Leandro programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 63 out of 100 (price 78%, program clarity 71%). 1 of 2 San Leandro listings show certifications; this business lists IACP, AKC CGC Evaluator.
Classes take place in rented space on Lewelling Blvd in San Leandro. Parking and accessibility details aren't published.
Lewelling Blvd, San Leandro, CA
Friday: 9AM-5PM
Monday: 9AM-5PM
Sunday: Closed
Tuesday: 9AM-5PM
Saturday: Closed
Thursday: 9AM-5PM
Wednesday: 9AM-5PM
Reach out directly or send a quote request through K9 Sniffers.
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