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K-Nine Solutions Dog Training — Dog Training in Santa Barbara, CA

K-Nine Solutions Dog Training is a dog training business in Santa Barbara, California offering board and train, private lessons, in-home training, and group classes, working from a dedicated training facility. They describe their approach as balanced training (rewards and corrections), take aggression cases by assessment, and publish pricing from $525 to $2,500.

Santa Barbara, CA • Training facility • 4.9 ★ (171 Google reviews)

Verified listing

Last reviewed: Sep 5, 2026

Transparency Score

66 / 100

Moderately transparent

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

Price transparency: 67%
Method transparency: 100%
Program clarity: 25%

About K-Nine Solutions Dog Training

Based on what the business publishes about itself

Eric Smith founded K-Nine Solutions Dog Training, a veteran-owned operation that has served the Santa Barbara area for twelve years. Their site notes they've received local recognition as a top trainer in the area for nine consecutive years.

The training philosophy centers on what they call "Train As You Live," which according to their website means focusing on practical, everyday behavior rather than isolated commands or tricks. A core premise, as they describe it, is that owners need instruction as much as dogs do, their materials state directly that a dog with training but an untrained owner will eventually lose ground. Sessions aim to build what they term "calm dogs and confident owners" through consistent, clear communication.

K-Nine Solutions offers private lessons, board-and-train programs, in-home training, and group classes. They also run specialized offerings: a "Walk Doctor" program targeting leash pulling specifically, structured group walks for approved clients, and a fitness-and-socialization club they call K-Nine Fit Club. Their site indicates they work with puppies during early development as well as adult dogs facing behavioral challenges, and they mention flexible payment options for clients.

What dog training programs does K-Nine Solutions Dog Training offer?

Private lessons, board-and-train, in-home training, and group classes cover the range here. K-Nine Solutions Dog Training offers a five-session Core Training package for basic obedience, a leash-focused Walk Doctor program, and a Hybrid board-and-train option. Pack Walks and a fitness club are available to approved clients, with new dogs needing an evaluation first.

Hybrid Program

From $2,500

Focus: Basic obedience, Advanced obedience

Walk Doctor

$525

Package: $525 for a 2-session package

Focus: Leash training

Core Training

$1,425

Package: $1,425 for a 5-session package

Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization

Set for Life

Price not published.

Requirements: Pricing determined after evaluation of the dog

Focus: Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash

Pack Walks

$25 per session

Requirements: Open to approved current and past clients; new clients need a trainer evaluation first

Focus: Leash training, Socialization, Basic obedience

K-Nine Fit Club (KNFC)

Price not published.

Focus: Socialization, Basic obedience

How much does K-Nine Solutions Dog Training cost?

Core Training runs $1,425 for five private sessions, while the two-session Walk Doctor package costs $525. Board-and-train starts at $2,500, and Pack Walks are $25 per session. The in-home Set for Life program requires an evaluation before pricing.

Board and Train pricing

Board and Train pricing at K-Nine Solutions Dog Training in Santa Barbara, CA
Program	Price	Length
Hybrid Program	From $2,500	Not stated

Private Lessons pricing

Private Lessons pricing at K-Nine Solutions Dog Training in Santa Barbara, CA
Program	Price	Length
Walk Doctor	$525$525 for a 2-session package	Not stated
Core Training	$1,425$1,425 for a 5-session package	Not stated

In-Home Training pricing

In-Home Training pricing at K-Nine Solutions Dog Training in Santa Barbara, CA
Program	Price	Length
Set for Life	Not published	Not stated

Group Classes pricing

Group Classes pricing at K-Nine Solutions Dog Training in Santa Barbara, CA
Program	Price	Length
Pack Walks	$25 per session	Not stated
K-Nine Fit Club (KNFC)	Not published	Not stated

What training methods does K-Nine Solutions Dog Training use?

They describe their approach as balanced training. Aggression and reactivity cases are considered individually rather than accepted or declined outright, so owners should expect a conversation about their dog's specific history.

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

Who runs K-Nine Solutions Dog Training?

As described in the business's own materials

Eric Smith, Founder & Head Trainer

Shawn Montgomery, Chief Operating Officer

Michael Libera, Office Manager

Madison Garcia, Training Manager

Zia Tenderich, Lead Trainer

William Harshberger, Lead Trainer

Taylor White, Trainer

Aden Parks, Building Manager

Where does K-Nine Solutions Dog Training offer dog training?

K-Nine Solutions Dog Training operates from a dedicated training facility in Santa Barbara, CA, offering board and train stays at their facility, private lessons, group classes, and in-home training at the client's home.

Their site says they they target Santa Barbara-area dog owners seeking real-world behavior reliability rather than tricks, who are willing to actively participate in training. Programs range from puppies to adult dogs with behavioral concerns.

The Carpinteria Street location is in Santa Barbara proper. Parking availability, accessibility features, and whether outdoor training areas are on-site aren't detailed on the website.

How does K-Nine Solutions Dog Training compare with other Santa Barbara dog trainers?

Barklen analysis

Barklen analysis based on 6 published Santa Barbara listings (20 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by K-Nine Solutions Dog Training.

Price: entry price below the published Santa Barbara range for group classes ($25 vs. $222–$360).

Reviews: 4.9★ from 171 Google reviews, among 6 published Santa Barbara programs.

Transparency: 66 out of 100 (moderately transparent), with 67% price transparency and 25% program clarity. 1 of 6 Santa Barbara listings show certifications; this business does not list any.

Published prices at K-Nine Solutions Dog Training compared with Santa Barbara ranges
Program type	K-Nine Solutions Dog Training	Santa Barbara range	Barklen read
Group Classes	$25	$222–$360 across 9 Santa Barbara programs	Entry price below the published Santa Barbara range

What should you ask K-Nine Solutions Dog Training before booking?

Generated from what their public materials leave open

Ask for current pricing on Set for Life and K-Nine Fit Club (KNFC), which are not published online.
Ask which certifications their trainers hold and who issued them.
Ask for proof of liability insurance.
Ask which training tools, if any, they use and when.
Ask whether you can visit your dog during a board and train stay.
Ask if anyone is on-site overnight.
Ask how often you will get photo or video updates.
Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.

Location and hours

733 Carpinteria St, Santa Barbara, CA

Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed

How Barklen reviewed this listing

Barklen reviewed K-Nine Solutions Dog Training 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, certifications, 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: 6 programs (board and train, private lessons, in-home training, group classes)
Published pricing: Published for 3 of 6 programs
Training method: Balanced
Aggression and reactivity cases: Aggression cases by assessment
Facility: Training facility
Years in business: 12+ years
Booking: Phone only