Business Details
49 Years
experience
Expert Dog Training & Pet Services in Tacoma, WA
Founded in 1977 by renowned dog trainer Ron Pace, Canyon Crest K-9 has established itself as a trusted leader in canine education and care. With over 48 years of hands-on experience, our team specializes in developing effective communication between dogs and their owners through proven, humane training methodologies. Our approach is rooted in understanding the pack mentality of dogs, emphasizing leadership and mutual respect to foster well-behaved, confident companions. We offer a comprehensive range of services including obedience training, advanced behavioral correction, service dog certification, and specialized programs for diabetic alert dogs. Our facility in Tacoma, Washington features state-of-the-art boarding kennels and a professional trainer certification course.Recognized with multiple industry awards, including the Better Business Bureau's Torch Award for Western Washington Small Business of the Year, we maintain rigorous standards of excellence while continuously innovating our techniques. Our commitment extends beyond individual training to community education through workshops, demonstrations, and partnerships with local law enforcement agencies. With a proven track record of transforming challenging cases and empowering dog owners, Canyon Crest K-9 remains dedicated to enhancing the human-canine bond through ethical, science-based training practices.
Services
Obedience Training
Advanced Training
Tracking
Agility Class
Service Dog Training
Boarding
Breeding Program
Dog Trainer Course
Evaluations
Pet Food Sales
Details
- Year established: 1977
Highlights and features
- 48 years of experience in canine behavior and training
- Proven pack leadership methodology for effective communication
- Certified service dog training for medical assistance needs
- Award-winning facility with state-of-the-art boarding kennels
- Customized training programs for all dog breeds and ages
What people say
Life-changing results
Patient instructors
Effective behavioral correction
Lifelong communication skills
Personalized training approach
Services
Obedience Training
Our all-breed obedience program develops precision communication between owners and dogs through personalized private lessons. The structured 10-lesson curriculum teaches leash control, command response, and behavioral correction without force. Clients learn to establish leadership while building trust through consistent, positive reinforcement techniques that create reliable off-leash control and resolve common behavior issues.
Boarding Services
Our secure 5-acre facility offers spacious 5x15 kennels with climate-controlled bedding areas and stainless steel feeding stations. Each guest receives individualized care, medication administration, and playtime in our sanitized runs designed to prevent cross-contamination. The rural setting provides a peaceful environment while maintaining strict vaccination requirements to ensure all pets' safety and comfort.
Service Dog Training
We specialize in training medical alert dogs for diabetic clients and custom service animals for specific needs. Our two-month certification program develops reliable public access skills while addressing individual requirements. We evaluate existing dogs for suitability or source appropriate candidates, focusing on temperament and trainability to create effective assistance partnerships that enhance owners' independence and quality of life.
Agility Training
Our obstacle course program builds physical coordination and handler-dog communication through progressive skill development. The five-week curriculum introduces dogs to agility equipment while strengthening obedience foundations. Classes emphasize safe technique and teamwork, benefiting both recreational participants and competition-bound teams through structured drills that enhance focus, balance, and trust between handler and canine partner.
Tracking Training
This specialized program develops dogs' natural scent detection abilities for search and rescue applications or recreational tracking. Through 10 private sessions, dogs learn to follow complex trails over varied terrain using their 220 million olfactory receptors. The training emphasizes handler-dog communication and environmental adaptation, creating reliable tracking teams capable of locating targets at distances exceeding half a mile through systematic scent discrimination techniques.
People
Ron Pace
Founder & Head Trainer
With over 48 years of experience, Ron Pace developed the center's signature training methodology based on canine pack dynamics. He pioneered diabetic alert dog training in the Pacific Northwest and has trained K-9 units for multiple law enforcement agencies. His expertise has been featured on national television programs including CNN and Fox News.
Patti Pace
Co-Owner
As business partner to Ron Pace, Patti manages daily operations at the 5-acre training facility. She contributes to program development and client relations, leveraging her extensive experience with German Shepherd breeding and canine care standards to maintain the center's high service quality.
Questions
What training methods do you use?
We use positive reinforcement techniques based on pack leadership principles, focusing on clear communication without force or intimidation to create willing, responsive canine partners.
Do you offer service dog training for medical conditions?
Yes, we specialize in diabetic alert dogs and custom service animal training, developing reliable medical response capabilities through our two-month certification program.
What are your boarding facility features?
Our kennels feature 5x15 runs with climate-controlled bedding areas, stainless steel feeding stations, and sanitized isolation panels for optimal cleanliness and safety.
How long does obedience training take?
Our core program consists of 10 private lessons over three weeks, with group classes available for ongoing skill development and reinforcement.
Do you train aggressive dogs?
Yes, we address aggression through behavioral assessment and customized training plans that establish clear communication and positive interaction patterns between dogs and owners.
Can older dogs be trained?
We successfully train dogs of all ages, with specialized programs for adult behavioral correction and service dog certification starting at 12 weeks old.
Reviews (7)
Dean Hottenstein
Jun 16, 2022
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We absolutely loved this place, definitely recommend!. We used their boarding services for a couple of days while visiting relatives in the area. Krystal took such good care of our 9 month old German Shepherd, he was able to relax for a while during a very long road trip. Krystal took him for a walk and even got him to eat, which he hadn't been eating well since we had been on the road during our trip. We were able to see a few minutes of one of their training classes and she even gave us some great tips on training before we left.
ALinkNamedJustin
Jan 11, 2022
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I recently sat in on a class that involved a one on one training session with an owner and their dog. The women who were there seemed to have confidence in what they were doing which is why it terrified me when they told the owner to HANG THEIR DOG OFF THE GROUND BY THEIR NECK ON A PRONG COLLAR. Not only did they do this, but they were also advising the owner use other pretty aggressive methods. They don't use herm springer prong collars and don't seem to understand the proper method to use prong collars anyway. I do not advise ANY dog owners to bring their dogs here and any current owners to take a second look at how the trainers here are really training their dogs.
Cheyanne Farr
Aug 09, 2021
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I've really enjoyed taking my new puppy to the puppy preschool here at canyon crest. Trainer Michelle did a great job being serious while also having fun, and my puppy got some great time socialist and learning basic manners. Definitely recommend and I look forward to another training session!
Tami E.
Jun 09, 2021
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I took a puppy class recently and liked tbe women instructor and liked the fact that puppies had time to play with other puppy and we learned training skills. Last week a man taught the class and I didnt see all that happen but I did see him hanging a puppy by its neck 1/2 foot off ground for long periods of time. It made my 15 year old daughter cry in car. I wish I would have stopped this behavior. I will not be coming back for last class. I also do not like that the next above class is a obedient class that they use choke collars. I have a beagle and find this not ok.
Terence Quong
Dec 20, 2020
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Our puppy is receiving great training here. The instructors are very positive and follow up if the dog owner needs help.
J. Riippi
Mar 25, 2015
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Doggy daycare is outstanding! A beautiful park like setting! After taking my dog through training at Canyon Crest K-9 Training Center I decided to give their doggy daycare a try. I would recommend this place to everyone. It is such a great feeling knowing and seeing my dog interact with dogs and staff. She feels so comfortable there. I really appreciate the synthetic turf that was used in the building.
No concrete floors! I have checked out other daycare facilities and a lot or inside. I appreciate the fact that this daycare facility allows the dog to go inside or outside.they make the choice. Thank you Canyon Crest for an awesome daycare!
No concrete floors! I have checked out other daycare facilities and a lot or inside. I appreciate the fact that this daycare facility allows the dog to go inside or outside.they make the choice. Thank you Canyon Crest for an awesome daycare!
Dianne Dickson
Jan 01, 2015
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I have been taking my German Shepherd Marnie to training @ Canyon Crest K-9 Training Center for the last year and a half. She was very shy and timid when we purchased her from a breeder a couple of years ago. She has come a long way since I enrolled her in classes Canyon Crest. I am sure there are other good obedience training facilities around, but Ron and his trainers are in a class of their own.
When I heard they were opening a doggy daycare there, I was really excited. Marnie was there on opening day and I have been taking her there on a regular basis ever since. Ron's whole center is beautiful! What's more important than that is that even the daycare is part of the training facility. The dogs there have to be evaluated before they are allowed to attend. Once there they have to behave and show good manners. I wouldn't dream of leaving Marnie anywhere else.
When I heard they were opening a doggy daycare there, I was really excited. Marnie was there on opening day and I have been taking her there on a regular basis ever since. Ron's whole center is beautiful! What's more important than that is that even the daycare is part of the training facility. The dogs there have to be evaluated before they are allowed to attend. Once there they have to behave and show good manners. I wouldn't dream of leaving Marnie anywhere else.
