Stephanie Garza has been working in the pet care industry since 2007. She began her career as a receptionist and vet tech for an animal hospital in San Antonio. She then interned training hunting dogs, worked in boarding and daycare facilities in College Station and San Antonio, and moved to Houston where she worked for a training and daycare facility called Peace Love & Dogs. She began teaching her own puppy group classes focusing on basic obedience and socialization in 2013 and became a certified trainer through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers in 2015. She moved back to San Antonio in 2016 and began operating Pup Pup & Away. In 2022, she became a certified canine behaviorist and in 2023, she became a certified canine nutritionist.
Training Philosophy
Stephanie Garza uses positive reinforcement techniques to train dogs. She believes in building repetition and consistency in a dog’s routine to help them understand what is expected of them. She also believes in keeping class sizes small so that everyone gets a lot out of their experience.
Services
Pup Pup & Away offers a variety of services, including:
-
Dog Boarding:
Private overnight accommodations, daily play and socialization with people and other dogs, feeding, medicating (if needed), daily enrichment exercises, and daily training sessions.
-
Doggy Daycare:
Group play, group activities, and small group enrichments. Dogs learn new tricks, practice manners, and socialize with new friends.
-
Dog Training:
One-on-one lessons, group classes, Board & Train, and Play & Train options.
-
Puppy Training:
Group classes, private lessons, and packages that combine both.
-
Specialty Classes:
Canine Good Citizen, Adventure Workshops, Reactive Rover, Tricks, Nose Work, and Basic Manners Workshops.
-
Private Lessons:
Curated to match your family’s needs and training goals. Conducted at the facility, virtually, in your home, or at a “field trip” location.
-
In-Home Pet Sitting:
Daily drop-by visits and full overnight stays.
-
Pet Sitting:
Services done in your home, reducing stress and keeping your pet’s normal schedule.
-
Wedding Taxi:
Pick-up, supervision before, during and after the ceremony, drop-off, and overnight care.
Certifications
Stephanie Garza is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Certified Canine Behaviorist (CBCC-KA), and Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist (CPCN). She is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator.
Specializations
Stephanie Garza specializes in obedience training, puppy training, behavior modification, and canine nutrition.
Training Methods
Stephanie Garza uses positive reinforcement techniques to train dogs. She believes in building repetition and consistency in a dog’s routine to help them understand what is expected of them.
Customer Reviews
“If I could give her 10 stars I would! She took excellent care of our goldendoodle and beagle! She is so friendly and our dogs instantly liked her! I would def use her again!!!!!!”- Sarah G
“I used Pup Pup and Away for the first time this weekend and I couldn’t be happier with results. Leo didn’t have to leave the house so he was comfortable and he didn’t miss walks or play time. I am definitely going to use again. Thanks Stephanie.”- Marie G.
“Stephanie was wonderful when she sat for us this pass weekend! We got updates, pictures and a full report card of behavior at the end. Dogs warmed up to her quickly which was a huge plus! Will definitely use her again and refer her to friends and family. Thanks Stephanie!”- Kristin F.
“I cannot say enough about Stephanie and her training abilities.
She helped our incredibly frightened rescue puppy to grow into a confident, disciplined dog. She is kind, compassionate and cares deeply about what she does. Her exercises are fun for the dog and the family keeping everyone engaged and encouraged!”- Debbie M.
“Stephanie was the trainer who led the group training classes I took with my goldendoodle named Friday. I was a first-time dog owner, and Stephanie taught me how to train Friday, made sure we socialized Friday with other dogs, and made sure we had fun doing it. I travel a lot for work, and Stephanie would also dog-sit, taking Friday into her own home. I felt so comfortable leaving Friday in Stephanie’s care because she reinforced all of the training and followed the same rules I have at my house. Plus Friday loves Stephanie and her family and loved getting more social time with other dogs. Stephanie is caring, responsible, trustworthy – and did I mention fun?!?! You can’t go wrong with training and/or pet setting with her.”- Stacey N.
“Review on training: Stephanie is super passionate about dogs. She is an excellent dog trainer. She helped trained my puppy to the wonderful dog she is now. Stephanie is such a wonderful person and so easy to talk to. 5 stars!!!”- Victoria L.
“I am thrilled to give Stephanie Garza a five-star review and highly recommend her training and pet sitting services. Stephanie taught my very first Puppy Class and was my introduction to obedience training and positive behavior reinforcement. She is a highly competent instructor with a warm, genuine heart. She not only teaches her puppy and people students their first commands, she explains the puppy thought process that helps you, the owner, understand and bond with your pet. I didn’t hesitate to leave my 6 month old puppy with Stephanie for a week when I left town to meet my new grandson. I knew he was in the sweet, caring hands of Stephanie. I also knew that the hard work we had invested in training would be reinforced while he was in her care. Stephanie Garza is a gem – I wish I could give her TEN stars!!”- Jennifer P.
