iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%91+49.6Reliability 24%81+19.6Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%45+3.2Experts Score= 87Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.87SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#27 of 44 pet trainersiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 40%
5.0★★★★★123 Google reviews · 24 photos
98%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
5%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Crafty Canine Club five stars based on 123 reviews, with the owner responding to 72 percent of them. Customers frequently cite daily photo updates, cleanliness, and structured playtime as key benefits of the boarding and training services. Many highlight successful behavioral modifications for separation anxiety and reactivity, along with flexible scheduling options. The only recurring criticism found in the low-star excerpts is a brief description of staff interactions as rude.
Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 123 reviews (98% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 123 Google reviews (113 with written comments, 16 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 72% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 25, 2026.
Service: Pet Trainer serving Encinitas, California.
Data from Google, last updated November 1, 2026.
Score profile vs other pet trainers
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: craft & service and value; weakest: replies to reviews.
Crafty Canine ClubPet Trainers median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Crafty Canine Club: 91/100 on this factor. Category median: 92.A
91
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Crafty Canine Club: 81/100 on this factor. Category median: 89.A
81
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Crafty Canine Club: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Crafty Canine Club: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
100
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Crafty Canine Club: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Crafty Canine Club: 45/100 on this factor. Category median: 56.C
45
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
123 Google reviews we collected
5.0of 5
5 stars12098%
4 stars22%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star11%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 113 written reviews
94%praise
Praise15894%
Complaints106%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Would recommend4124%
Staff & attitude3621%
Speed & response2414%
Communication2012%
Honesty & trust1911%
Quality & results1811%
Price & value106%
What customers talk about
We read 113 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“So happy with Crafty Canine, Trooper and I will definitely be rebooking and highly recommend!”
“We can't recommend this business highly enough-- we are Crafty Canine Club fans for life!”
“Smaller facility than most, which is great for our girl, and the staff are very nice.”
“I have also emailed them with questions and Don and his team have been very responsive.”
“Our pups aren’t the most social dogs at first but the staff at Crafty Canine Club assured us that introduction would be monitored and slow paced.”
“CCC communicates with me openly and regularly before, during, and after any bookings and will send photos and videos of the fun which helped ease my t…”
“Don and Gabe are exceptional people who will take such careful care of your dog, I trust them with my baby always.”
“They also have been doing great work with his training and obedience.”
“Their prices were very reasonable, especially compared to other dog boarding places I've boarded them where they were not as communicative with me, di…”
People customers mention
Don53 reviews
Gabe8 reviews
Diego3 reviews
Drew3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
DDerithLocal Guide · 12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 days ago★★★★★
We found crafty canines through a friend, and im so glad we did. Smaller facility than most, which is great for our girl, and the staff are very nice. I love the daily pics they send, and the whole place is clean and tidy. She's never come back with that "kennel" smell, she gets lots of time out in the yard.…
GGabbie8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★
Our friends suggested Crafty Canine Club to us when we were searching for a new dog sitter. I left my dog there for 4 nights and he was such a happy pup when I picked him up. The facility is so nice, they have a great schedule with playtime and all. It really gave me peace of mind knowing my dog was in great hands…
Reasonable priceOther pet boarding
SStephen3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 9 months ago★★★★★
We recently had Rake in for his first visit and training his personal trainer was Gabe, who was excellent with him. We received photos and videos throughout the week. He will definitely be going back. Thanks to all at Crafty Canine Club for your attention to Rake.
Dog boarding with training
Llinda4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
I highly recommend crafty canines. My dog has the best time there. They also have been doing great work with his training and obedience.
NNicole1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 years ago★★★★★
Don and Gabe are exceptional people who will take such careful care of your dog, I trust them with my baby always. Thank you guys for everything!!!
SSally6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 years ago★★★★★
Crafty Canines is the ONLY place that I trust boarding my beloved dog, Mandu. They are absolute professionals. From the first meeting, I knew this place would be fun and most importantly safe. They have a clear process of introducing new dogs to the pack. I always have peace of mind, knowing this team will take care…
We found crafty canines through a friend, and im so glad we did. Smaller facility than most, which is great for our girl, and the staff are very nice. I love the daily pics they send, and the whole place is clean and tidy. She's never come back with that "kennel" smell, she gets lots of time out in the yard. Can't say enough good things, and so relieved we found this place.
Response from the owner · 6 days ago
Thank you so much, Derith!!! It is a pleasure to watch your sweetie pie!!
G
Gabbie Garbe8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Gabbie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Our friends suggested Crafty Canine Club to us when we were searching for a new dog sitter. I left my dog there for 4 nights and he was such a happy pup when I picked him up. The facility is so nice, they have a great schedule with playtime and all. It really gave me peace of mind knowing my dog was in great hands while being away. They were so flexible and kind when my schedule changed as well. So happy with Crafty Canine, Trooper and I will definitely be rebooking and highly recommend!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Other pet boarding
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
Thank you so much Gabbie!!! ❤️
S
Stephen Lundie3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Stephen has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We recently had Rake in for his first visit and training his personal trainer was Gabe, who was excellent with him. We received photos and videos throughout the week. He will definitely be going back. Thanks to all at Crafty Canine Club for your attention to Rake.
Services: Dog boarding with training
Response from the owner · 8 months ago
Thanks so much Stephen, Rake is such a wonderful dog and we are so thankful to be able to spend time with them!!
L
linda cleveland4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews linda has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Hi Ann, thank you for taking the time to leave us feedback. After reviewing our records, i was unable to find any history of your visit or interaction with our business.
Please feel free to contact me directly at: [email protected], so i can properly understand and address your concerns.
I am looking forward to hearing from you soon, and hope you have a wonderful holiday season! 🎄
Happy Holidays!
J
Justine Kim2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Justine has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We were referred to Crafty a few years ago when our dog was having serious seperation anxiety issues (could not leave him alone without non-stop wailing and stress), was reactive, and overall not "behaving" very well. We did a 3 week Board and Train, and when we brought him home he was such a less stressed, calm dog - and they were even able to get him to be comfortable in his crate (which we had been very unsuccessful at!). He now sleeps it in every night and spend some independent alone time in it during the day!
I learned so much for how to interact with our dog from them (what I wish I knew when he was a puppy)! We now have another dog who is also slightly reactive, and are so happy to have a place where we can board both dogs when we are out of town, where we know they will both be safe and will utilize the same commands we use to keep their training in check!
Cannot say enough about how much Don and Gabe have made such a positive impact on our doggos! 10/10 would recommend!
R
Ryan Manill4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Ryan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My wife and I have been bringing our dogs to CCC for years, since we moved to San Diego. When we moved to SD in 2020, our one dog (at the time) was suffering from a huge amount of separation anxiety and a few other behavioral issues. After being referred to CCC, we brought him here for their 3 week board and train and he came home a new dog! Much more confident and well behaved. When we got our second dog about 2 years ago, we knew Crafty was the right place for both of them. We travle a decent amount, and would really be up a creek without a paddle if it weren't for Don, Gabe, and the rest of the team at Crafty. It's an amazing feeling to know our dogs are safe, happy, and having the time of their lives while we are away. We get daily pictures of their fun play times while we are gone too!.
Additionally, Gabe has come to our house a number of times for some behavioral training for our second dog and helped us teach him how to go on a walk (he was super reactive when we rescued him) and not to be so aggressive when people come to the door at the house too!
Thanks so much Crafty, I wish we could leave more stars, but 5 will have to do!
M
Michelle Wester5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Michelle has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
If you’re like me and went down the rabbit hole of researching board and trains because of all the internet horror stories, read this!! I am truly amazed and so grateful for Don, Gabe, and the team at Crafty Canine Club. They have a ton of certified experience and have done fantastic behavioral modification work with my French Bulldog (and myself) in their board and train programs. I have learned to be a better leader for my dog and how to keep him mentally balanced so he’s at his best. The structure of the training programs and regular boarding at CCC are solid and well planned so our furry family can learn and have fun in a safe environment while in the care of strong leadership. A bonus in my particular case; CCC techniques are aligned with what is recommended by my board certified vet behaviorist and was covered by my pet insurance. CCC communicates with me openly and regularly before, during, and after any bookings and will send photos and videos of the fun which helped ease my thoughts in the beginning. Now, I will only use CCC for care and follow up training for my boy. I believe they truly care about him and our relationship. A very small investment for huge lifelong returns you won’t regret!
N
Nicole Jacobson1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Nicole has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Crafty Canines is the ONLY place that I trust boarding my beloved dog, Mandu. They are absolute professionals. From the first meeting, I knew this place would be fun and most importantly safe. They have a clear process of introducing new dogs to the pack. I always have peace of mind, knowing this team will take care of Mandu as if he was their own. You can't beat this level of expertise and customer service. They have a life long customer!
Response from the owner · 2 years ago
Wow, thank you so much Sally! We appreciate your kind words and value for our integration process. Our goal is to help every dog feel safe and confident, so that we can ultimately create a home away from home environment for them. We cannot wait to have your sweet pup back soon!
