JPK9 Academy Dog Training

Straight Answers

Dog Training FAQ: Your Questions About JPK9 Academy, Answered

Pricing, board and train, boarding, puppy programs, aggression cases, and how to get started, all answered plainly by JPK9 Academy in Elk Grove. Jump to the topic you need.

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Category 1

Getting Started and Pricing

How do I get started with JPK9 Academy?
Call (916) 571-0157 or book a free consultation online. You'll talk with Juan about your dog first, and if JPK9 looks like a fit, the next step is an in-person evaluation.
What happens during the evaluation, and what does it cost?
Juan looks at your dog in person, sees the behavior as it actually happens, and then recommends a program. The evaluation starts at $100 and does not apply toward the cost of a program.
How much does dog training cost?
Board and train starts at $3,200, and private lessons start at $1,300. Exact pricing depends on your dog, so the best way to get a real number is to call (916) 571-0157 and describe the situation.
What does dog boarding cost?
Regular boarding is $60 per calendar day.
Is boarding the same as board and train?
No. Regular boarding is a stay only, for when you're traveling and need your dog looked after. Board and train adds daily training on top of the stay, so your dog comes home having learned something. More on board and train.
How long does dog training usually take?
It depends on your dog's behavior, age, and your goals. After the evaluation, Juan recommends a plan built around your dog, including how long it should take.
When can I reach JPK9 Academy?
Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to noon. JPK9 is closed on Sunday. Call (916) 571-0157 or email info@jpk9academy.com.
Category 2

Board and Train and Boarding

What is board and train?
Your dog stays at JPK9's Elk Grove facility and gets daily training while you're away. The length of the stay is set after the evaluation, based on your dog rather than a fixed schedule. See the full board and train program.
Who trains my dog during board and train?
Juan does. JPK9 is family-run by Juan and Sarah, and every program is handled by Juan personally, with no rotating trainers or assistants.
Do I have to drive my dog to Elk Grove for board and train?
No. Juan handles pickup and drop-off, so you don't need to make the trip to Elk Grove yourself, whether you live in Sacramento, Folsom, or farther out.
Will I get updates while my dog is away?
Yes. You'll get regular video updates on your dog's progress during board and train, so you're not left guessing how it's going.
Is board and train right for a reactive or aggressive dog?
Often, yes. Many board and train clients are reactive dogs, and several reviewers describe big changes after a stay. Whether it fits your dog is decided at the evaluation, where Juan gives an honest read before recommending anything.
What happens after my dog comes home?
Coaching you is part of the program, so you know how to keep the training going at home. Results hold best when the owner keeps up the work, and weekly group classes at the Elk Grove facility are there if you want ongoing practice.
Do you offer regular boarding without training?
Yes. Regular boarding is $60 per calendar day and is a stay only, with no training program included. It works well when you're traveling and need your dog looked after.
Board and train or private lessons, which is right for my dog?
It usually comes down to your schedule. Board and train hands the training to Juan while your dog stays with him. Private lessons happen at your home, on your timeline, with you involved in every session.
Category 3

Puppy, Group and Private Lessons

How young can my puppy start training?
Puppy training starts at 8 weeks old. Starting early means Juan can work on habits before they set in, rather than fixing them later. More on puppy training.
What does puppy training cover?
Potty training, crate training, bite inhibition, basic obedience, and socialization. The goal is a strong foundation that heads off bigger behavior problems later.
What are group obedience classes?
Weekly classes at the Elk Grove facility where your dog practices obedience around other dogs and real distractions. They're built for dogs that behave at home but struggle once something exciting happens. See group obedience training.
Are group classes good for a dog that reacts to other dogs?
Some reviewers say the group sessions helped their dogs socialize in a safe, controlled environment. Whether your dog is ready for a group setting is something Juan can advise on once he's seen how your dog actually behaves.
What are private lessons?
One-on-one sessions with Juan, built around whatever is actually going on with your dog rather than a fixed curriculum. You're involved in every session, which is what helps the training carry over. Private lessons start at $1,300. See private lessons.
Which is right for my dog: puppy training, group classes, or private lessons?
Puppy training is for young dogs starting out, group classes are for practicing around other dogs and distractions, and private lessons are for specific problems that need one-on-one attention. The evaluation is where Juan matches your dog to the right one.
Can I combine programs?
Yes. Reviewers often describe doing board and train first, then continuing with weekly group classes to keep the training sharp. Juan can suggest a combination that fits your dog after the evaluation.
Category 4

Behavior Problems

Can you help a dog that pulls or reacts to other dogs on walks?
Yes, this is one of the most common reasons owners call. Juan works with your dog where the reaction actually happens, and several reviewers describe going from avoiding other dogs to walking calmly past them.
Do you work with aggressive dogs or dogs with a bite history?
Yes. Juan evaluates the dog in person first, then gives an honest read on what's realistic before recommending a program. Reviewers describe dogs that had bitten or lunged and improved a lot. See aggression training.
Is my dog aggressive, or just scared?
From the outside, fear and aggression can look the same, a growl or a lunge, but the cause is different and so is the fix. That's why Juan looks at your dog in person first, and why behavior work focuses on the reason behind the reaction instead of only the reaction itself.
Can you train a rescue dog with an unknown past?
Yes. A dog with no known history gets the same in-person assessment as any other dog. Reviewers describe rescues that were nervous, reactive on the leash, or biting at guests' ankles and improved after training.
Is my older dog too old to train?
Not necessarily. Reviewers describe dogs aged 8 and 10 and older who made real progress. Age matters less than the dog's situation, which Juan looks at during the evaluation.
What is behavior modification, and how is it different from obedience training?
Obedience training teaches commands. Behavior modification is for dogs that already know their commands but still react out of fear or stress, and it works on what's underneath the behavior. See behavior modification.
Can you guarantee my dog's behavior will change?
Every dog and owner is different, so Juan gives an honest read on what's realistic during the evaluation instead of promising an outcome upfront. Reviewers specifically mention that he's honest and upfront about how long things take.
Category 5

Service Area

Where is JPK9 Academy located?
JPK9 Academy is at 4202 Point Pleasant Road, Elk Grove, CA 95757. It's a family-run business owned by Juan and Sarah Portillo.
Which cities does JPK9 serve?
Do I have to come to Elk Grove for training?
For most programs, no. Juan comes to you for the evaluation and private lessons, and he handles pickup and drop-off for board and train. Weekly group classes are the one thing held at the Elk Grove facility.
Do you really serve Napa, or areas that far out?
Yes. Napa is the farthest area Juan regularly covers, roughly an hour and a half from Elk Grove, and he makes the drive himself rather than sending someone else. See dog training in Napa.
My city isn't on the list. Can you still help?
The list covers where JPK9 regularly works. If you're nearby but not listed, call (916) 571-0157 and ask, since Juan can tell you whether your area is workable.
Where are the group classes held?
Group classes are held weekly at the Elk Grove facility, 4202 Point Pleasant Road. Call (916) 571-0157 to ask about the current schedule.
Category 6

About JPK9

Who runs JPK9 Academy?
JPK9 Academy is a family-owned dog training business in Elk Grove, run by Juan Portillo and his wife Sarah. Read more about JPK9 Academy.
How long has Juan been training dogs?
More than 15 years. Juan has also been featured as an expert dog trainer by ABC10 Sacramento.
Will Juan personally train my dog?
Yes. Every evaluation, session, and program goes through Juan directly, with no rotating trainers or assistants handling your dog.
What makes JPK9 different from other dog trainers?
Juan evaluates your dog in person before recommending anything, instead of selling a set package. Every program runs through one trainer, and JPK9 works with tougher cases too. One reviewer says most trainers wouldn't take their dog's case, and Juan did.
Can I see real results before I book?
Yes. Read what clients say on the client reviews page, browse the photo and video gallery, or watch training videos on the JPK9 YouTube channel.
What kinds of dogs does JPK9 work with?
Everything from young puppies to dogs 10 years and older, including reactive dogs, rescues, and dogs with a bite history. Breeds mentioned in client reviews include Belgian Malinois, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd mixes, and pit bull mixes.
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Call (916) 571-0157 or leave your number below. Whether it's pricing, boarding, or a behavior you're worried about, Juan will give you a straight answer.

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