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The Savvy Dog Training and Education Center is a dog training business in Truckee, California offering Group Classes, Private Lessons, and In-Home Training, with published programs from $90.
Truckee • CA • Uses rented space • 3.7 ★ (3 Google reviews)
Last verified: Sep 6, 2026
66 / 100
Moderately transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
What they say about themselves
Carla Brown, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) with 15 years of experience, owns and operates this Truckee training business. According to her site, she focuses on challenging behavior cases and works alongside veterinarians when needed. She also serves as an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and writes a dog training column for the Sierra Sun newspaper.
The Savvy Dog describes its approach as positive and reward-based, with an emphasis on building bonds between dogs and their families. The business offers group classes spanning puppy kindergarten through adult manners and CGC preparation, along with private sessions for behavior issues that begin with a consultation and customized plan.
A few offerings stand out from typical training programs. The business provides pet selection guidance for people still deciding what dog to get—helping match a puppy or adult dog to a household's lifestyle. They also run small-group playgroups, limited to five dogs, where staff take dogs hiking, swimming, or snowshoeing in the Tahoe area. Brown's longtime volunteer work with the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe suggests community involvement beyond her business.
Consultations and evaluations before you commit to a program.
This is the required first step for private training, a 90-minute session where the trainer assesses the dog and develops a behavior modification plan with recommended follow-up services.
Best for: Owners dealing with problem behaviors seeking private, individualized help.
Duration: 1.5 sessions
Focus: Basic obedience
Group classes cover puppies through advanced levels, including a Canine Good Citizen prep course. The Savvy Dog Training and Education Center also offers private lessons and supervised playgroups for dogs with solid off-leash skills. Puppy classes require a vet health check, and most group courses exclude dogs showing aggression toward people or other dogs.
All six-week group courses run $170, whether for puppies, adults, or advanced work. Private training sessions cost $90 per hour, following an initial consultation where they develop a recommended package. Playgroup pricing isn't published on the site.
One-on-one training sessions address problem behaviors and behavior modification, billed hourly following the initial consultation and plan.
Sessions occur by appointment, with multi-session packages and payment plans available.
Best for: Owners needing ongoing individualized training or behavior modification.
Focus: Basic obedience, Aggression
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Training Hourly Rate | $90 per session | — |
This service picks up dogs from home or work for supervised group hikes in the Tahoe area, with swimming in summer and snow activities in winter.
The trainer picks up and drops off the dog after a group hike with up to five dogs.
Best for: Dogs that are reliable off-leash and sociable with other dogs.
Focus: Socialization, Recall & off-leash
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Playgroups | Not published | — |
This introductory group class covers foundational manners focused on calm behavior around people and other dogs. It includes managed puppy play time for socialization and guidance on handling biting, jumping, and chewing.
Owners attend weekly group classes with their puppy over six weeks.
Best for: Puppies under 4 months old who have started their vaccination series.
Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience
Duration: 6 weeks
This class targets teenage dogs working through basic obedience cues, applying them through activities that build self-control in distracting settings.
Owners bring dogs to weekly group sessions over six weeks.
Best for: Pre-teen and teenage pups roughly 17 weeks to 1.5 years old.
Focus: Basic obedience, Puppy training
Duration: 6 weeks
Designed for adult dogs new to the family or needing manners work, this class covers basic obedience cues applied through activities that build self-control around distractions.
Owners attend weekly group classes with their dog over six weeks.
Best for: Adult dogs, new or established in the family, needing basic manners.
Focus: Basic obedience
Duration: 6 weeks
This class refines skills from earlier classes and prepares dogs for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, which is administered during the final session.
Weekly group sessions culminate in a CGC test administered in the last class.
Best for: Dogs who have completed Puppy II or Adult Good Manners.
Focus: Advanced obedience
Duration: 6 weeks
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Kindergarten | $170 per program | 6 weeks |
| Puppy II: Adolescent Good Manners | $170 per program | 6 weeks |
| Adult Good Manners | $170 per program | 6 weeks |
| Advanced Manners/Canine Good Citizen Prep | $170 per program | 6 weeks |
The site uses general language about their training approach without naming specific techniques or tools. Aggression cases are evaluated individually rather than accepted or declined outright.
Method: Method unclear
Their website describes their approach in general terms without specifying which methods or tools they use.
Certifications: CPDT-KA, AKC CGC Evaluator
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
The lead trainer holds CPDT-KA certification and serves as an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator, with about 15 years in business. Insurance coverage and any training guarantees aren't mentioned 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: not specified on their website.
Waitlist: not specified on their website.
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: not specified on their website.
Price: The Savvy Dog Training and Education Center does not publish board & train pricing. Across Truckee, 6 programs publish prices from about $83 to $170.
Reviews: The Savvy Dog Training and Education Center shows 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews among 2 published Truckee programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 66 out of 100 (price 83%, program clarity 73%). 1 of 2 Truckee listings show certifications; this business lists CPDT-KA, AKC CGC Evaluator.
Classes take place at a rented facility on Stevens Lane in Truckee rather than a dedicated training center. Parking availability and accessibility details aren't addressed on the site.
10961 Stevens Ln, Truckee, CA
Hours: Not specified on their website
Reach out directly or send a quote request through The Savvy Dog Training and Education Center.
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