Heart To Heart Dog Training

Heart To Heart Dog Training

Heart To Heart Dog Training is a dog training business in Simi Valley, California offering Board and Train, Private Lessons, and Group Classes.

Simi Valley • CA • Home-based trainer • 5.0 ★ (1 Google reviews)

Last verified: Sep 5, 2026

Transparency Score

31 / 100

Limited information

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

Price transparency
0%
Method transparency
35%
Program clarity
81%

About this program

What they say about themselves

Xaviera Ladd, the owner and trainer behind Heart To Heart Dog Training, brings an unusual breadth of animal experience to her work. According to her site, she's spent roughly 30 years studying animal behavior across species—including birds of prey, wolves, and horses—before focusing on dogs. She holds a CPDT-KA certification and a degree in Animal Science and Animal Training & Management, and describes working with thousands of dogs over 27 years of professional training.

The Simi Valley business offers private in-home lessons, group classes, and a board-and-train program where dogs stay in Ladd's home for four to six weeks. Her site emphasizes a positive training approach paired with what she calls owner leadership—teaching people to guide their dogs rather than just issuing commands. Programs range from puppy pre-school for dogs under four months to intermediate and advanced obedience work focused on off-leash control and handling distractions.

One detail that stands out: Ladd mentions training multiple generations of the same families, suggesting some clients have returned over the years with new dogs. The site appears somewhat dated, but the underlying experience and credentials are clearly documented.

What does Heart To Heart Dog Training charge for board and train?

Private lessons cover puppies through advanced obedience, with a four-week board and train option that includes follow-up sessions. Heart To Heart Dog Training structures its puppy program for dogs under four months, while basic obedience starts at four months and up. Group classes are also available, though session details aren't specified on the site.

What board & train costs in Simi Valley

Private sessions in Simi Valley sit around a $150 median among listings that publish prices. Ask what a full program would cost for your dog.

Board and Train

Boot Camp

The dog lives in the trainer's household while learning basic obedience commands including heel, sit, down, stay, and come, along with house manners like waiting at doors, not jumping, and staying off furniture and counters. The dog also learns a pillow send-and-stay behavior. After the program, the owner receives homework and follow-up lessons to transfer leadership skills.

The dog stays and trains in the trainer's home for the program duration, then returns home with owner follow-up drills and arranged follow-up lessons.

Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training

Duration: 4 weeks

Includes: Follow-up sessions

Board and Train pricing at Heart To Heart Dog Training in Simi Valley, CA
ProgramPriceDuration
Boot CampNot published4 weeks

Private Lessons

Basic Obedience & Manners

One-hour private lessons delivered in the owner's home, addressing problem behaviors like jumping, chewing, and barking, alongside teaching commands such as heel, sit, down, stay, come, pillow stays, leave it, and wait. Family leadership training is also included.

Customized one-hour private lessons take place in the owner's home on a weekly basis.

Best for: Dogs 4 months and older.

Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training

Duration: 4 sessions

Private Lessons in Simi Valley typically runs $150–$745 across 5 programs that do publish pricing. Ask this trainer for a written quote before comparing.

Intermediate & Advanced Obedience

This program builds on foundational obedience skills, teaching control at a distance, focus around high-level distractions, and off-leash control.

Delivered as a series of private lessons continuing from the basic program.

Best for: Dogs that have already completed the Basic Obedience program.

Focus: Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash

Duration: 6 sessions

Private Lessons in Simi Valley typically runs $150–$745 across 5 programs that do publish pricing. Ask this trainer for a written quote before comparing.

Puppy Pre-school

Covers introducing a new puppy to its environment, potty training, crate training, bite inhibition, leash introduction, and other basic commands, focused on early socialization and coping skills.

Delivered as private lessons focused on early puppy skills and habits.

Best for: Puppies up to 4 months old.

Focus: Puppy training, Socialization

Duration: 4 sessions

Private Lessons in Simi Valley typically runs $150–$745 across 5 programs that do publish pricing. Ask this trainer for a written quote before comparing.

Private Lessons pricing at Heart To Heart Dog Training in Simi Valley, CA
ProgramPriceDuration
Basic Obedience & MannersNot published4 sessions
Intermediate & Advanced ObedienceNot published6 sessions
Puppy Pre-schoolNot published4 sessions

Group Classes

Group Classes

Group setting classes that add controlled socialization and real-world distractions, helping dogs build lasting skills, confidence, and manners.

Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization

Group Classes pricing at Heart To Heart Dog Training in Simi Valley, CA
ProgramPriceDuration
Group ClassesNot published

What training methods does Heart To Heart Dog Training use?

The site uses general language about training philosophy without naming specific tools or techniques. Whether they work with aggression or reactivity cases isn't addressed.

Method: Method unclear

Their website describes their approach in general terms without specifying which methods or tools they use.

How do we verify Heart To Heart Dog Training?

Certifications: CPDT-KA

Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.

Trust & facility details

The trainer holds a CPDT-KA certification and has been in business for 27 years. Insurance, guarantees, and policies around board and train visits or updates aren't mentioned.

Facility: Home-based trainer

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: Phone only

How does Heart To Heart Dog Training compare in Simi Valley?

Price: Heart To Heart Dog Training does not publish board & train pricing. Across Simi Valley, 9 programs publish prices from about $48 to $715.

Reviews: Heart To Heart Dog Training shows 5.0★ from 1 Google reviews among 5 published Simi Valley programs.

Transparency: This listing scores 31 out of 100 (price 0%, program clarity 81%). 3 of 5 Simi Valley listings show certifications; this business lists CPDT-KA.

What to ask Heart To Heart Dog Training

  • They don't publish pricing — ask what a three-week board and train costs and exactly what's included.
  • Ask for proof of liability insurance.
  • Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.
  • Their site describes their approach in general terms — ask which specific methods and tools they use.
  • Ask whether you can visit during the program.

Location & hours

Sessions operate out of a home-based setup in Simi Valley. The site doesn't publish a street address or details about the training space.

00 No Address, Simi Valley, CA

Hours: Not specified on their website

Contact / request a quote

Reach out directly or send a quote request through Heart To Heart Dog Training.

+1 805-579-0388Website

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