Dog training and boarding in Poway and San Diego

Welcome to Crafty Canine Club!

We are a full-service dog training and boarding facility, specializing in strengthening the relationship between you and your dog. We offer an all-inclusive Club Boarding Program, a “no dog left behind” training policy, and a load of different training classes! It is our goal to create a safe and fun boarding environment, with top of the line training to match it. For every service, we pledge our four promises to all who enjoy The Club:

no dogs left behind, no breed restrictions

No Dog Left Behind

Every dog deserves to be given a chance to turn their behavior around. That is why we will never turn any dog away until we have a plan for its future. We NEVER discriminate breed, temperament, or weight.

We promise to work with you, even if it isn't with us, to find a solution for your dog!

behavior training growth and results for your dog

Guaranteed Growth

We assure that every dog will go back to your home better than when they came to ours, or your money back! "Baby Steps" as well call it, are crucial in helping your dog understand positive versus negative behavior.

We never push a dog too hard, and always take the time to make sure every experience is a positive one!

we show compassion and love for your dog

Compasssion

Compassion isn't just giving treats or praise. Compassion is seeing the world through your dog eye's and learning the way it thinks. That's why EVERY dog gets 1-on-1 time with all of our staff.

By using our compassion as a resource, we are able to get the most out of our relationship with our dog!

a safe boarding facility for your dog

Safety

The safety of every dog comes first at our facility. We treat all dogs with the utmost care and always make sure their mental, physical, and emotional needs are fulfilled in a clean and safe environment.

We vacuum and disinfect our boarding area, loading room, and laundry room twice a day!

Our 9 month old English Bulldog, Mac, has been going to Crafty Canine since August. Don and his staff have been absolutely amazing at all of his stays. Not only is Mac listening better, but he also plays amazingly well with other dogs. Don and crew give you the tools to help continue the training at home, which has been super helpful. They also do an amazing job sending videos and photos throughout the stay so we see how much Mac is enjoying his time there!

Katie Small Avatar Katie Small

I am very impressed with Crafty Canine Club! We just completed the 2-week board & train program, and I feel empowered & motivated to break some bad habits that were making things harder for my puppy and causing unwanted behaviors. Every staff member is knowledgeable, patient, honest and understanding in our quest to be the best owners we can be and reach our goal of a calm, relaxed dog. I have already signed her up for another stay, and feel like she has another family. The videos, evaluation and instructions provided upon completion of the training are an excellent resource to transition your dog back home. Thank you!

Katie Finlay Avatar Katie Finlay

I can't say enough good things about Crafty Canine Club! We dropped off our rescue pup who was nervous and unsure of himself and when we picked him up four days later he was much happier and more confident. Now we're reinforcing the things he learned instead of trying to figure out where to start! Don sent regular updates on our pup's progress with photos and videos. It was awesome to see how quickly he settled in and got comfortable with the other dogs! We'll be back!

Kamber McAllister Avatar Kamber McAllister

Customized Dog Training Programs

Crafty Canine Club is your one stop shop for all your dog boarding and training needs. To provide the most personalized experience for your furry friend, we offer the following programs, classes, and individual sessions:

Dog training programs in Poway and San Diego

Training Programs

Our custom-made programs are backed by our Guaranteed Growth promise:

  • 14-Day Club Board & Train
  • 21-Day Club Board & Train
  • 30-Day Club Board and Train
  • Hybrid 8-Day Board & Train
Dog Boarding Programs in Poway and San Diego

Club Boarding Program

We offer an all-inclusive dog boarding program that includes:

  • 4 to 6 hours of Safe-Play per day
  • 24/7 Trainer Monitored Supervision
  • Supervised play groups based on size & temperament
  • Stimulating play times free of barking and aggression 
Private Dog Training Lessons in Poway and San Diego

Individual Sessions

We utilize private 1 on 1 time to identity and fix unwanted behaviors in your dog:

  • Loose Leash Walking
  • Impulse Control
  • Separation Anxiety
  • Play shaping
  • Fear, Anxiety, and Insecurity
AKC Training Courses in Poway and San Diego

AKC Courses

Our private AKC classes teach you and your dog advanced training methods:

  • AKC S.T.A.R Puppy Class – Level 1 course designed for puppies under 1 year
  • AKC Canine Good Citizen – Level 2 course designed for dogs that can loose leash walk and know basic commands
  • AKC Urban Canine – Level 3 course designed for dogs that can loose leash walk, know basic commands, and hold an extended “place”
  • AKC Community Canine Level 4 course designed for dogs that can loose leash walk, know basic commands, can hold an extended “place” in a high stimulation environment.

Certified Dog Trainers & Staff

Meet the amazing dog trainers and crew of Crafty Canine Club! We thank you for all the support and trust you put in our staff to take care of your dog. Please take a minute to get to know us a little better.

Certified

Don Cherry

Owner & Master Dog Spooner

My relationship-based training method is simple: Trust first, training second

Don is a well versed behaviorist, that has 4,500 hours in behavior modification training. Don specializes in working with aggressive dogs that need help integrating back into society. He takes a relationship-based approach with every dog, and aims to build a foundation of trust before working with them. He has been training dogs for 8 years, and has been helping dogs non-stop since moving to San Diego and opening Crafty Canine Club!


After playing in the NFL for two years for the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, Don moved across the country to start the business of his dreams! He has an unmatched passion for animals, and aims to help owners understand the process behind his training.


Certified Dog Trainer

Certified Animal Behavior Consultant

Master's in Applied Psychology

Certified
Kelsey, a dog trainer in Poway

Kelsey Worth

Lead Trainer & Belly Scratching Expert

My goal is to help understand your dog and give meaning to the behaviors they exhibit!

Kelsey has been training exotic animals for the last 12 years. From parrots to dolphins, to crocodiles and birds of prey; she has trained them all! She currently assists in the education department of The Living Coast Discovery, and works daily with various birds of prey. She has a deep understanding of animal behavior, and always takes a systematic approach with each one she dedicates herself to.


Kelsey has been working with dogs for over 5 years, and specializes in behavior modification. She uses her vast background in animal behavior to help rehab fearful and reactive dogs. Working with rescue dogs around the world has helped nurture her passion to help dogs become better citizens of the canine world!


Certified Animal Handler

2019-2021 Lead Manager at Living Coast Discovery

2017-2018 Education Supervisor at San Diego Zoo

Gabriel Bugayong

General Manager & Husky Whisperer

My job is to use patience and consistency to help your dog learn expectations and boundaries!

Gabe developed his passion for dog training while raising his own pup, Yuki, and working at a dog daycare for three years prior to CCC! He is extremely disciplined in his approach, and is great at using his energy to form relationships with our furry friends. He is eager to learn how he can help your dog, and is committed to making sure they are happy and stress-free!

Certified
Whitney dog trainer at crafty canine club

Whitney Lambert

Senior Trainer & Expert Nose Booper

My passion is to help teach your dog the social skills they need to coexist with dogs & humans!

Whitney has a passion for understanding and training dog behavior, and always takes a holistic approach when working with each dog. She has training dog for 4 years, and has experience in group training, agility training, and behavior modification training (reactive, aggressive, or undersocialzied). She is an extremely well-rounded trainer that will help strengthen the relationship between you and your dog!

Certified
Bella the dog treat specialist

Bella

CTO: Chief Treat Officer

Hello hooman! I gladly accept all treats and will help guide your dog to play nicely!

We found Bella when she was 8 years old in shelter in Philadelphia. When we first met her, she exhibited serious behavioral issues, as well as aggression towards humans and dogs. However, through a lot of training and TLC, Bella has been rehabilitated to a sweet and loving little girl. Bella is the leader of the play area and will make sure everyone is behaving themselves!

Certified
Dozer the rhodesian ridgeback

Dozer

SSO: Senior Sniff Officer

Oh!! Hello hooman!!! Pls come over here so i can smell every inch of your body!

Dozer is a four year old Rhodesian Ridgeback responsible for all the daily sniffing duties. He likes to sniff dogs, people, turf, grass, dirt…...pretty much anything he can get his paws on! He is an extremely playful dog, and would love nothing more than to run laps with your dog! He is currently certified as an AKC therapy dog and helps us build relationships with dogs and humans daily!

Book a free assessment!

Come meet our staff, see our Poway facility, tour the outdoor play area, and go through our five part situational assessment. This helps us understand your dog's behavior and create a custom training plan for them!

I Ruff That!