Spirit Dog Training is a real business, but it is not a magic fix for behavior problems
Spirit Dog Training is a dog training company based in Los Angeles that offers board-and-train programs, group classes, and online courses. The business exists, has a physical location, and trainers who work there. That said, "legit" does not mean the program will work for your dog or that the methods match what you believe in. Before you pay, you need to know what they actually do, how much it costs, and whether their approach fits your dog's needs and your own values.
The company is not a scam in the sense that it will take your money and vanish. People do send their dogs there, and dogs do return home. The real question is whether the results last, whether the training methods are ones you want to support, and whether you could get the same outcome from a trainer closer to home for less money.
Key Takeaways
- Spirit Dog Training operates as a legitimate business with physical facilities and staff, but that does not mean the training approach or results will match your expectations.
- Board-and-train programs cost several thousand dollars and require you to follow through with the same methods at home, or the dog will revert to old behavior.
- The company uses balanced training methods, which include aversive tools like e-collars; if you prefer purely reward-based training, this is not the right fit.
- No trainer can may provide a dog will never pull on leash, jump on guests, or show fear again — claims that sound too certain are a warning sign.
- Before paying for any board-and-train program, talk to your own veterinarian and a local trainer to understand what your dog actually needs.
What Spirit Dog Training actually does
Spirit Dog Training offers three main services: board-and-train programs where your dog stays at their facility for weeks, group classes you attend in person, and online courses you watch at home. The board-and-train is their flagship product and the most expensive option. Dogs typically stay for 2 to 4 weeks, and the trainer works on obedience, leash manners, recall, and behavior problems like jumping or reactivity.
The company's website and social media show before-and-after videos of dogs learning to walk on a loose leash, sit calmly around distractions, and respond to commands. These videos are real — the dogs in them did improve. The catch is that improvement in a controlled environment with a professional trainer does not automatically transfer to your home, your schedule, and your own handling. That transfer depends entirely on you doing the same work the trainer did, which is why the company requires owners to attend follow-up sessions.
The training methods and tools they use
Balanced training is the term Spirit Dog Training uses to describe their approach. In practice, this means they use positive reinforcement (treats, praise) alongside aversive tools, most notably e-collars (electronic collars that deliver a small electric stimulation). They also use prong collars and other correction-based methods. If you have researched dog training online, you have likely seen strong opinions about these tools — some trainers and owners believe they are necessary and effective, while others believe they cause fear and should not be used.
This is not a question with a single right answer, but it is a question you need to answer for yourself before you hire anyone. If you believe aversive tools are harmful, Spirit Dog Training is not the right fit, no matter how good their results look. If you are open to balanced methods or believe they are necessary for your dog's safety or behavior, you should still ask detailed questions about how and when the e-collar is used, what the stimulation level is, and whether the trainer can show you how to use it correctly.
How much board-and-train programs cost
Board-and-train programs at Spirit Dog Training run into the thousands of dollars. A typical 2-week program costs between $3,000 and $5,000, depending on the dog's behavior problems and the trainer assigned. A 4-week program can exceed $8,000. These are real prices, not estimates — you will need to contact the company directly for a quote based on your dog's specific situation.
That price covers the trainer's time, the facility, food, and basic follow-up. It does not cover your travel to Los Angeles, boarding for yourself if you attend in-person sessions, or the time you will need to spend practicing at home after the dog returns. Many owners find that the real cost is higher than the sticker price once they factor in travel and the weeks of work required to maintain the training.
What happens after your dog comes home
This is where many board-and-train programs fail, and it is the part most owners underestimate. Your dog will come home knowing how to sit, stay, and walk on a loose leash — but only because a professional trainer has been practicing with them every day for weeks. The moment your dog is back in your house with you, the dog will test whether those rules still explore. If you do not enforce them the same way the trainer did, the dog will revert.
Spirit Dog Training requires owners to attend follow-up sessions to learn how to handle the dog and maintain the training. These sessions are additional cost and additional time. If you cannot or will not do this work, the dog's behavior will slide back toward where it started. This is not a failure of the training — it is how dog behavior works. The dog is not being stubborn; the dog is responding to a different set of rules in a different environment with a different handler.
Red flags to watch for with any trainer
Before you hire Spirit Dog Training or any other trainer, watch for these warning signs. A trainer who guarantees results is making a promise they cannot keep — no one can may provide a dog will never pull, jump, or show fear again. A trainer who will not let you watch training sessions or explain their methods in detail is hiding something. A trainer who tells you that your dog is "broken" or "dangerous" and only they can fix it is using fear to sell you an expensive program.
A trainer who does not ask you detailed questions about your dog's history, your living situation, and your goals is not tailoring the program to your dog — they are running a one-size-fits-all operation. A trainer who does not require follow-up work from you is not being honest about how dog training works. And a trainer who will not give you references from recent clients is someone you should not trust with your dog or your money.
Alternatives to consider before boarding your dog away
Board-and-train programs are expensive and require significant follow-up work from you. Before you commit to one, explore other options. A local trainer who comes to your home can work with your dog in the environment where the behavior actually happens, and you learn the methods in real time. This usually costs less than board-and-train and the results transfer more easily because you are doing the training yourself from day one.
Group classes are cheaper than private training and work well for dogs with mild behavior issues or owners who want basic obedience. If your dog has a serious behavior problem — aggression, severe anxiety, or extreme reactivity — talk to your veterinarian first. Some behavior problems have medical causes or require medication alongside training. A vet can refer you to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, which is a different credential than a dog trainer and often more appropriate for serious cases.
How to research any trainer before you hire them
Ask for references and actually call them. Ask what the trainer's credentials are — look for certifications from organizations like the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) or the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP). These are not required by law, but they indicate the trainer has met some standard of knowledge. Ask what methods the trainer uses and why. Ask what happens if your dog does not improve, and whether there is a refund or partial refund policy.
Watch videos of the trainer working with dogs, but remember that a good video does not prove good results — it proves good video editing. Ask the trainer to explain what they are doing in the video and why. Ask whether you can observe a training session in person before you commit. Ask what your role will be and how much time you will need to spend practicing at home. If a trainer will not answer these questions clearly and directly, keep looking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spirit Dog Training a scam?
No, it is a real business that delivers the service it advertises. Dogs do improve during their stay. The question is whether the improvement lasts at home and whether the training methods match your values. Read reviews from recent clients, ask for references, and talk to your own vet before deciding.
Do dogs really keep the training after they come home?
Only if the owner practices the same methods consistently. A dog trained by a professional will revert to old behavior if the owner does not enforce the same rules. This is not a failure of the training — it is how dogs learn. Follow-up sessions and owner commitment are essential.
What is the difference between balanced training and positive-only training?
Balanced training uses both rewards and aversive tools like e-collars. Positive-only training uses rewards and ignores unwanted behavior. Neither approach is universally "better" — it depends on the dog, the behavior problem, and your own beliefs about how dogs should be trained. Choose a trainer whose methods you are comfortable with.
Can I find a cheaper alternative to board-and-train?
Yes. A local trainer who works with your dog in your home typically costs less and produces results that transfer more easily. Group classes are cheaper still. If your dog has a serious behavior problem, ask your vet about a veterinary behaviorist, which may be more appropriate than a dog trainer.
What should I ask a trainer before I hire them?
Ask for references and call them. Ask about credentials, methods, and why they use those methods. Ask what your role will be and how much practice time you will need. Ask what happens if your dog does not improve. If a trainer will not answer these questions clearly, keep looking.