Cape-Able Canines

Specialties

Cape-​Able Canines specialize in doggy daycare, luxury boarding, and obedience classes

Happy Campers Daycare. All day all play daycare 8500 sq.ft. grass yard, constant supervision.

Bed and Biscuit Boarding. Your dogs are in a home environment, 24 hour a day supervision, plus daycare is included.

Puppy and Obedience Classes. Group classes, small size, with an experienced trainer.

History

Established in 1988.

Aleita Downer owner and head trainer started Cape-​Able Canines after working for Canine Support Teams doing advanced service dog training for people with disabillities other than blindness.

She took all of her knowledge from Service dog work and started pet dog training.

In 2004 Aleita opened her facility in La Mesa offering daycare, boarding, and grooming services along with training

Meet the Business Owner

Aleita D.

Business Owner

When my son applied to CCI for a Service Dog for the Disabled… and was put on a five year wait list, I stumbled into the answer. I was sure I could train a dog for him; one that could open his doors and turn on his lights and perform all the usual tasks.

I read books and talked to people who were partnered with Service Dogs, and I did an apprenticeship with an obedience trainer. I joined the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, close to its inception, and attended conferences (I was quite awed at meeting the big-​name trainers in the field). I stood in the back yard and trained my Golden Retriever, Summer.

Summer and Joel were eventually certified as a Service Dog Team by Canine Support Teams, and in recognition of my accomplishment CST offered me a training apprenticeship. Later, I had the privilege of studying at the Assistance Dog Institute, with Bonnie Bergen, founder of CCI. I became CST’s field advisor and Puppy Raiser Liaison for San Diego County.