About Stay Positive Dog Training

A husband-and-wife team on a Sanger farm

Stay Positive Dog Training is a husband-and-wife training team on a 5-acre farm in Sanger that deliberately keeps things small. The couple raise, train and handle working dogs, including protection sport dogs, explosives and narcotics detection dogs, search and rescue dogs and animal actors, and take a select number of approved pet clients. They use relationship-based, reward-focused balanced training, aiming for owners who understand and communicate clearly with their dogs. Trainer Elizabeth is named by clients.

One-on-one programs

Sessions are held at local parks, hiking trails, pet-friendly businesses and other real-world places. Puppy Foundations (under 6 months, $1600) covers potty and crate routines, nipping and jumping prevention, handling and first obedience. Manners and Obedience Foundations (6 months and up, $1600) covers place, loose-leash walking, recall and impulse control. Foundations plus Canine Good Citizen ($3000) ends with an official CGC evaluation. A Leash Reactivity Program ($1950) uses desensitization and counterconditioning, and an Off-Leash Advanced Program starts at $1600. Programs include virtual support and invitations to pack walks and group practice. Board and train and day train programs are also offered.

What owners say

One owner wrote that their adopted shepherd mix "earned her Canine Good Citizen certification."