Reactivity and aggression are all we do: the barking, the lunging, the walks at 9pm, the dog you've stopped taking anywhere. The dog everyone crosses the street for is the dog we want. Everything on this page is here so you can decide for yourself whether to trust us with him.
A few questions about your dog, then you pick a time to talk. No pitch, and we'll tell you honestly if we're not the right people for him.
If this sounds like your week
You walk late so you don't meet anybody. You cross the street before you've thought about it. You've done the group classes and the treats and the front-clip harness, you've had a positive-only trainer and maybe a harsh one after that, and you've been told he'll grow out of it. Somewhere in there you started wondering whether the problem is you.
It isn't. Your dog is predicting that something bad is about to happen, and he's getting in first. Change the prediction and the behavior goes with it. That is the whole job, and it is a good deal more learnable than it feels right now.
Our story
Sam Lee grew up in a town in the Sierra Nevadas with no stop lights, and decided at thirteen that she was going to train dogs. At twenty-three she started pursuing the education and the experience to make it a career, and she has spent the fourteen years since training dogs across the United States and in several other countries.
Eleven years ago she adopted Kit, a street dog out of Oakland with severe aggression toward both people and dogs. Kit is the reason this academy exists. Sam went looking for somebody who could explain her rather than manage her, and when that didn't turn up, she went and learned it herself: behavior modification, and how to resolve aggression instead of working around it.
Kit has been calm and off leash for years now. That's the thing Sam is trying to hand every owner who walks in here, and it's why the dogs nobody else will take are the ones she says yes to.
She has five dogs of her own. Every one of them has taught her something she still uses.
The team
Small on purpose. Nobody here gets handed off to an assistant they've never spoken to, and the person who assesses your dog is the person who trains him.
Between them they cover the training floor, the streets and parks we work in, and everything that has to happen before you arrive so that the week runs properly.
Founder and lead trainer
Grew up in a Sierra Nevada town with no stop lights and decided at thirteen that she was going to train dogs. Fourteen years of doing it across the United States and several other countries since. Kit, the Oakland street dog below, is why she specialized in aggression rather than learning to manage it.
Operations director
Runs everything that isn't training, which is most of the reason the training runs properly. She's who you'll deal with before you ever set foot in the building, and the one who makes sure the week you book is the right week for your dog.
Trainer
On the floor through every program, which is how ten dogs and ten owners get real attention instead of taking turns. Usually has a young dog of his own in tow.
Trainer
On the floor through every program, working with the owners as much as the dogs, because that's the half that has to keep working at home. Her own two cattle dogs are usually somewhere in the building.
How we work
The academy is where it starts, because it's controlled and there's nothing to set your dog off while you're both learning. That's where we work out what he's actually reacting to and what motivates him, and where you learn to handle him rather than watch somebody else do it.
Then we leave. Sidewalks, parked cars, the parks people actually use, other dogs walking past at a distance your dog would not have coped with on day one. South Natomas, North Natomas, Land Park, William B. Pond. Training that only works on turf under a roof is not training, it's a demonstration.
And it finishes somewhere public and busy with everybody's dogs settled on the floor, because that is the thing you actually want: not a dog who performs, a dog you can take out.
You are there for all of it. That's not a policy, it's the reason it holds after you go home.
Real weeks, real dogs
Every picture here was taken at the academy, or out on a Sacramento street or park, on a real week with real dogs.
The facility
The front of the building on Lathrop Way.
Reception. There's coffee, and somewhere to sit while your dog settles.
The indoor floor: turf, space, and no surprises coming around a corner.
Out with the team on a Friday, settled under the tables.
Results
These are real owner reviews, reproduced from Google. Follow the link to read the originals yourself.
Scooby on the Friday: loose leash, no muzzle, settled in public.
Owner: Walt, Elk Grove
A recent rescue, human aggressive and extremely dog reactive. Muzzled in public and kept at a safe distance from anybody and anything that might set him off.
Nothing, and that was deliberate. Walt did months of research before he picked anybody, and chose us.
He arrived flat out reactive and muzzled any time he was out, and stayed that way for the first two days.
Off leash, neutral on leash around other dogs, and out of the muzzle.
I completed the Boot Camp with my human aggressive Akita, koji. After several scary incidents I no longer felt comfortable having people come into my house, and I was completely avoiding walking my dog anywhere in public, where we would encounter people. This training program changed our life for the better.
I’m now retired and loving that my boy is able to travel everywhere with me now, I’m enjoying being able to walk him with my friends and family and even daily neighborhood walks without worry. My favorite thing is getting to take him out on off leash adventures and getting to see how happy Koji is off leash! A huge thank you to Sam, Mackenzi and Norcal Canine Academy for helping Koji, and I live our best lives, together.
I just spent a week with Poppy my reactive dog, under the careful tutoring of Sam Lee. She was impressive leading the team managing 11 of us. Her knowledge is profound, her personality amazing. She understands the dogs and even better, their owners. All 11 graduated with honours!
Well
Done Sam and thank you so much for helping Poppy (formerly known as knobhead…) have the calm and happy future she deserves.
Samantha did an incredible job with training my golden retriever (and me) at the same time! She is top notch and truly the best in the business. Samantha is an expert in her field, knowledgeable, and responsive post-training for any and all questions or “tune ups”. I’m not sure who my dog loves more… me or Sam?!
You WILL be successful in your training with NorCal Canine Academy.
I don’t often review, but I absolutely had to share my recent experience.Having spent far too much on a wide range of trainers and training facilities, this is the first program that demonstrated immediate change! Jazzy is - no WAS - extremely fear-reactive.
She barked and lunged at anything that came close, barred her teeth, and struggled with recall.
Within the one week, I saw an immediate change, the barking down to practically nothing, and her confidence growing. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who has been struggling like I have on how to get through to your dog, and feel at a loss as to what to do. The trainers are phenomenal, and while each dog has their unique characteristics, the team can quickly identify what’s will be most productive for each specific dog’s needs.
I also appreciate that this is the start of Jazzy’s and my journey, knowing we have the support of NCCA for her lifetime. Definitely worth the time and money!
Truly happy with the entire experience. I wasn’t sure what to expect but am very thankful I brought my pup here. She was reactive to other dogs and some people. This boot camp gave Koda and I the tools we need to go on walks without issue and play off leash without worry. If you’re thinking about it do it.
The staff were so helpful and took their time with questions, nothing was ever rushed. I can’t express my gratitude enough for this course.
I can wholeheartedly recommend NCCA. The week-long boot camp has been nothing short of life-changing for my 2-year-old mini schnauzer Riley. She would absolutely lose her mind on walks whenever she encountered another dog, bicycle, or neighbor. There was lunging, growling, and the beginning of nipping.
NCCA is run by a small team of committed professionals who truly understand your dog and care about getting past the reactivity behavior to a happy dog, a happy owner, and the best life possible for both of you. We learned how to communicate that these behaviors are not acceptable, how to engage in a group with multiple dogs, and even walked off-leash by end of program. Now we can do the things we want with our dog, walks are fun, and looking forward to travel. It is an investment in the life you wanted and expected when you adopted your dog. Just give them a call. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Before the boot camp his recall was barely 5 % ; on day 4 it became 100% , no matter what .
5 days flew by , the transformation we all experienced was spectacular. Sam , Kristin , Tanner were the most professional dog trainers I met , they were strict with warmth, for me their graceful fortitude was very effective.
Kobe and I hope to visit the Academy periodically. Cheers !! !
I was skeptical of a business that gets nothing but 5 star reviews. How is that possible? Well, now I get it! Bootcamp changed our lives in 5 days. I'm not new to dog training but I'd spent that last 3 years working with my reactive dog Bear and I was ready for something that got results! I found Samantha Lee.
I arrived with a very reactive dog and was never shamed for her behavior. The staff knew how to orchestrate the students and dogs prevent "accidental" face offs. I could let go of my vigilance and just settle in to learn. Throughout the week I learned how to communicate with Bear via some new tools, making it crystal clear when I mean YES and even clearer when I mean NO. Both us changed some bad habits. We came home ready to put our new skill to use in real life.
The facility in Sacramento is lovely. The staff is accessible and knowledgeable. Thanks to Sam, Kristin, and Tanner for helping me and Bear live our best life... at home, around town, and off leash in the hills. A very heartfelt 5 Stars of gratitude.
Absolutely the best experience I could have ever hoped for. My rescue dog, Weezy, had become extremely reactive to dogs, cats, squirrels - anything that moved! I thought it was something I’d have to live with and manage the best that I could.
Walks were spent avoiding triggers, apologizing to strangers and feeling embarrassed at my inability to control the situation. Weezy is my world and I wanted to give her the life she truly deserves. Deciding to enroll in NorCal canine academy was the best decision I could’ve made for us. Sam, Kristen and Tanner are exceptional at what they do. They are kind, patient, knowledgeable and incredibly supportive. I am forever grateful for the life changing experience. Today (2 weeks post boot camp) as I sat on my deck, and the once dreaded cat decided to cross the yard, Weezy sat quietly and watched it. She then came over proud as ever and got the biggest good girl I could muster. She’s a dream to walk on lead with no pulling and hardly any reactivity. There will always be work to do, as consistency is key, but Weezy and I are living a much happier life. Thank you team!!! 💞
5 days was all I needed to see a huge transformation in my 6 month old Doberman. The staff is amazing! They have help me so much on building trust and understanding with my puppy. And, with their continued support, I am able to contact them for any struggles that may occur with my growing pup!
Honestly, signing up with the academy was the best decision! Thank you, NCCA!
My name is Din, and I’m 75 lbs of mostly head.
My parents busted me out of the shelter, and when I was finally free, I wanted to meet EVERY dog in my vicinity with a 70 mph approach and the manners of a drunk guy at a bar.
My parents decided boot camp was necessary.
They honestly thought, “Your dog will sit patiently underfoot at a pub in 5 days or your money back,” was too good to be true.
Honestly, that’s a little hurtful.
Day 5: Against all odds and my humans’ expectations, I sat quietly under the table surrounded by a group of dogs at a pub like a distinguished gentleman while an entire pizza passed directly over my head. Apparently, “distinguished gentleman” does not come with pizza privileges.
5 stars for NorCal Canine Academy.
10 stars for Sam.
0 stars for pizza delivery.
I honestly do not know if words can adequately describe what NorCal Canine Academy accomplished with Mirra and me during their five-day boot camp.
Before choosing this program, I spent months researching at least half a dozen trainers, behaviorists, training methods, and facilities.
I watched videos, read reviews, contacted professionals, discussed board-and-train programs, and even prepared information for a behaviorist. I did not make this decision quickly or lightly.
Mirra is a loving, intelligent German Shepherd inside our home, but she had developed serious territorial and reactive behavior. She would bark, lunge, pull on the leash, and react to people and other dogs. Because I live full-time in a motorhome and also have a service dog, I needed more than basic obedience. I needed reliable, real-world control that would allow Mirra, my service dog, and me to live and travel safely together.
After five days at NorCal Canine Academy, I am still in complete shock and amazement.
Mirra is still the same loving house dog I adore, but her behavior outside has completely changed. I took her walking both last night and again this morning. There was no pulling, no barking at everything, and no lunging. She walked calmly with me and listened to me. For the first time in a very long time, our walks felt peaceful and enjoyable instead of stressful and unpredictable.
Sam, the manager of the Sacramento location, was simply amazing. She was patient, knowledgeable, encouraging, and completely committed to helping both Mirra and me succeed. I have physical disabilities and chronic pain, and Sam continually made sure we took breaks when I needed them. She told me to let her know immediately if I was hurting or feeling unwell. I never felt rushed, embarrassed, or as though my limitations were an inconvenience. That level of empathy and personal attention meant more to me than I can express.
The entire staff went above and beyond. We also had the unexpected benefit of working with several gentlemen visiting from Australia, and they were every bit as caring, patient, and impressive as the rest of the team. Everyone treated Mirra with kindness and treated me with dignity and respect.
This was not simply about forcing a dog to behave. They helped me understand Mirra, communicate with her more clearly, and become a better and more confident handler. They gave us practical skills that work in the real world, not just inside a controlled training facility.
I arrived hoping for improvement. I left with what feels like a completely different dog - but without losing the loving, affectionate personality that makes Mirra so special.
Would I recommend NorCal Canine Academy and the Sacramento team to someone struggling with a reactive dog? Absolutely - 150 percent. After all the trainers, behaviorists, programs, and approaches I researched, I genuinely believe I found the right people.
Sam and the entire team gave Mirra and me something I was beginning to fear we might never have: confidence, control, peace of mind, and the ability to enjoy our lives together.
Thank you, Sam, and thank you to everyone at NorCal Canine Academy. What you accomplished in five days is nothing short of amazing.
A few months ago I had adopted a 4 year old miniature Bull Terrier who was extremely reactive to other dogs. Every walk where we encountered another dog she would go crazy barking if she wasn’t restrained, I was sure she would attack the other dog, no matter the size. Otherwise she was friendly with children and adults.
When I talked with Samantha about the NorCal Canine Academy about my dog’s severe aggression against other dogs she assured me that by the end of the 5 day training, my dog will have learned to control her aggression and be at ease with other dogs. Today was the last day of training. I was very skeptical of her claims and was pleasantly shocked at the progress we made in just 5 days. My dog is now calm on walks and enjoys some freedom off leash where permissible. I’m incredibly grateful to Samantha and her team for their guidance and wisdom this last week. I’ve had an incredible journey learning how my dog thinks and how to fix her issues. I highly recommend the NorCal Canine Academy to any dog parents with aggressive tendencies. You won’t be disappointed.
I took my rescue dog Scooby to NorCal Canine Academy Scooby had severe dog reactivity and strangers in close proximity reactivity. Day one Sam and staff wanted to see how reactive each dog was so we brought our dogs out 1 at a time with a stooge dog as the trigger. Scooby went wild.
By the end of day 2 I was walking him near other class mate dogs without a peep, and it improved every day. He is better with strangers and we are still improving. The biggest takeaways are Sam and staff are caring and firm with instructions. If you follow their instructions and do the work you will have great results!! If you are struggling with a reactive dog that is effecting it's life and yours, trust me when I say sign up for a boot camp and make you and your dogs life better. Thank you Sam, Tanner, and Kristen for helping me!
Before Bootcamp:
- Evening walks at 9pm or later to avoid running into other dogs.
- Keeping him in a constant heel to avoid loosing control.
- Crossing the street constantly to keep a distance from everyone.
- Sticking to the neighborhood because he doesn’t do well in the car.
- Anxiety anytime someone comes into the house because we don’t know how he’ll will react.
After Bootcamp:
- Walks off leash, even around other dogs and people.
- Free to sniff and explore on every walk, with confidence. he’ll come back when called.
- Adventures out and about because I can trust him in the car or at a restaurant.
- Guests staying for the weekend and commenting on how well behaved he is.
We’ve tried other trainers before and we’ve always been disappointed. So we were hesitant, this bootcamp is an investment of time and money, and even hope if I’m being honest. But we’re so glad we did.
He’s free to be a dog now and we’re free to enjoy life with him instead of worrying about what might happen. Thank you NCA!
I now enjoy our walks! NorCal was the golden ticket. I feel confident in the tools I now have to communicate to my dog with clarity. She is happier and so am I and it only took a week! It was worth every penny.
An absolute game-changer for my reactive dog! Before attending the 5-day boot camp at NorCal Canine Academy, managing my Border Collie, Atlas, around his people and dog reactivity felt incredibly overwhelming. Sam Lee and her team of trainers are phenomenal. What makes this program so incredible is that owners attend right alongside their dog.
We went out into public places like local parks and restaurants, putting our new skills to the test in real-world environments. I saw immediate results from Atlas the moment there was clear communication between us. Sam and her team didn’t just train Atlas; they gave me the hands-on handling skills and confidence I needed to successfully manage his reactivity anywhere. If you are on the fence about making the investment, don't hesitate. It is worth every single penny!
We drove 8 hours with our Golden Retriever, Kennedy, to attend Bootcamp at NorCal Canine Academy, and it was absolutely worth it.
The Bootcamp experience was incredible. The immersion and hands-on practice were exactly what we needed.
Sam and her team clearly know reactive dogs inside and out, you can tell their approach comes from real experience, not just theory. Sam, Kristin, and Tanner were amazing, and Elisha (who came all the way from England!) gave us the extra confidence to keep helping Kennedy work toward neutrality and enjoying her best life.
Kennedy isn't "finished," and we don't expect her to be, but the progress she's made is incredible. If you have a reactive dog and don't know where to turn, we cannot recommend NorCal Canine Academy enough. They truly understand reactivity and genuinely care about helping dogs and their people succeed. 🐾❤️
I wish I had had the opportunity to experience this Boot Camp, and these trainers with their vast amount of acknowledge and support 30 years ago . I have always been adamant about having well-behaved dogs and spending time to train them.
But the methods and consistency you learn with Norcal Canine Academy are simple, straightforward, and easy to learn. For those of you that may be worried about harsh tactics being used, you need not worry It was a great experience to take my one year-old pup to this one week Boot Camp. He learned how to remain calm under chaos, to be comfortable around many other dogs , people and real life activity. He is a ranch dog and doesn’t have the daily opportunities to be in a regular neighborhood, run into other people and dogs as much as I would like. This week he went parks off leash , had bikes zooming by him, people, jogging, etc. He handled it beautifully and best of all I am confident that I can maintain it as I continue to expose him and take him along on trips as much as possible. I am also beginning the training protocols with my older dog at home so that everyone will be on the same page. Samantha Lee is a phenomenal teacher / trainer and all the trainers that were there to support us Jacob, Kirky,Alicia, Tanner, Kristen, and a few guest trainers were so supportive and answered every question we had. I cannot thank all of you enough and I’m so grateful that I live close enough to the center that I can take Tater Tot and Moose to attend drop in classes on Saturday when they begin. For anyone who is considering NCCA for private training or Boot Camp, I would highly recommend doing so. You will not regret the investment of time or money.
Thanks to Sam and her crew, our teeny Bini’s one week of boot camp is complete. We recommend NorCal Canine Academy without hesitation. The class structure is welcoming, encouraging, supportive, professional, and most importantly, safe (a big concern when our little 7lb’r was surrounded by others many times her size).
We are looking forward to a lifetime of learning and enjoying her best life, making good choices together. I would have never imagined our little runner being off leash and coming back when called! Or for her to be able to control her little dog yap! But she did, and she is! This is an investment in your canine companion that is well worth taking. 👣❤️🐾
Our family has used Sam as a trainer for our two dogs Ollie (lab) and Jackson (frenchie). We worked with her with some issues with Ollie such as: demand barking, pulling on leash, recall off leash and place command. Before training Ollie was very vocal, we couldn’t play fetch or eat dinner without his barking 24/7.
After lessons with Sam we have an entire new dog! He never barks, is reliable off leash and walks with a loose leash.
When our frenchie Jackson started exhibiting some dog aggression and issues with reactivity we knew that we had to call Sam. It was getting so bad we were talking about re homing Jackson because he was having aggression to the two other dogs in our home. Sam is the perfect trainer to work with - she came up with a plan on how we were going to address his reactivity and aggression and was with up to support every step of the way. She showed us how to utilize tools in our home (e-collar and crates) so we could safely re introduce Jackson into our home with 2 other dogs. We are so happy to say post training with Sam Jackson shows NO SIGNS of any reactivity or aggression. She was able to give him confidence and skills to control his emotions and helped us set up our home best for him. She also worked with Jackson on basic obedience such as loose leash washing and off leash recall.
We can’t recommend Sam more. She is supportive, caring, reliable and has become a friend of ours for life. Even after our training finished she is there for us via text or phone call if anything comes up with the dogs.
We had such a great experience working with Sam to train our dog, Millie. Sam is an excellent trainer. She really took the time to understand what Millie needed, while also teaching us how to be better, more confident handlers.
She didn’t just help us address the issues we were working through; she gave us the tools and understanding to continue building on Millie’s training long after our sessions ended. We’re so grateful for her help and would absolutely recommend her!
Samantha was a blessing to find in a sea of dog trainers. I began working with Sam when my dog, Hunter, was just shy of a year old. He was a disaster of fear and reactivity, with a bite record to boot. I was completely over my head. I had tried several other trainers, spent a significant amount of money, and had very little success.
When I met Sam, she immediately dove in, listened to my concerns, and helped me create a plan and path forward. What made her different from other trainers was that she didn’t just train my dog - she trained me. She taught me the skills and tools I needed to successfully train Hunter myself and build a strong, trusting relationship with him.
Sam was incredibly supportive throughout our entire training journey. Whether I was struggling with something and needed guidance, reassurance, or simply had a question, she was always responsive, caring, and helpful. She truly wanted to see both Hunter and me succeed.
Over the years, Sam and I have remained in contact. She has continued to guide me whenever new issues arise and has taught me fun tricks and skills to practice with Hunter. Those experiences have helped strengthen the bond between us immensely.
Today, Hunter lives an amazing life. He hikes, swims in the lake, travels, and gets to enjoy so many experiences that I never would have thought possible when we first started working together. Sam gave both Hunter and me the tools we needed to not just manage his challenges, but to truly enjoy life to the fullest.
I will always be incredibly grateful to Sam for the impact she has had on both of our lives. She is an exceptional trainer, a wonderful teacher, and someone I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking for help with their dog.
I took my reactive Poochon Stevie to Bootcamp. I called him Stevie, Wonder why I got him and I took home Stevie Wonderful!
Walking him is now a pleasure instead of a duty.
Thank you so much for everyone’s hard work and especially Sam for your excellent teaching skills and for not letting us get away with mistakes.
Every one of these is on our Google listing, in full, where we can't edit them and neither can anybody else.
Before / after
Same dog, different reaction.
From wrestling a bear to walking free
The short clips show you the before and after. These show you the bit in between: full transformations, start to finish.
Where the method comes from
NorCal runs the Yorkshire Canine Academy method. YCA started in Leeds ten years ago with one reactive Staffy called Ranger, and now works with around 1,800 dogs and owners a year across four academies.
Sam met the YCA team when they came to the States for seminars in 2025. In 2026 she went to the opening of Perth Canine Academy and worked two weeks there, then went to Leeds and led a week herself. When NorCal opened, the Yorkshire and Perth teams were both here on the floor in Sacramento. Ian Kirke, YCA's head trainer, keeps the standard the same across all four.
Which matters for one reason. A new academy in Sacramento is not a new method. It's ten years and thousands of dogs, being run here by somebody who trained on it.
Find us
Suite B, off Lathrop Way in north Sacramento, five minutes from the American River trails. Owners come in from Sacramento, West Sacramento, Roseville, Davis, Elk Grove, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Rocklin, Natomas and the wider Sacramento Valley.
241 Lathrop Way, Suite BTraveling in from further out? Ask when we talk and we'll point you at dog-friendly places to stay nearby.
Straight answers
Next step
A few questions about him, then you pick a time to talk to Sam. She'll tell you honestly what she thinks, including if we're not the right people for your dog.
The assessment is a few questions about your dog. It takes a couple of minutes and there's a person at the other end of it, not an autoresponder.