Marieka Schrader, KPA-CTP, is the founder of Karuna K9 in West Sacramento, California. As a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, Marieka’s focus is providing Sacramento area dog guardians with the tools they need to live fulfilling lives with their dogs through the use of positive & force-free dog training methods. 

Marieka’s journey in dog training and behavior began when she adopted two 6-month-old puppies, Koa and Maile, from a local shelter. After dreaming of taking her dogs everywhere, Marieka was struck with the reality that so many dog guardians experience – living with two leash reactive dogs. 

In an effort to seek professional help for her dogs, Marieka was fortunate to find a wonderful trainer to work with, and her passion for all things training was born. Immediately fascinated with the science of animal behavior and combined with a passion for helping her own dogs, Marieka began reading books, taking classes, attending professional dog training conferences, and seeking professional certification. 

Fast forward several years, Marieka has devoted her professional life to helping dogs and their families learn to communicate and build positive relationships so that they can enjoy a peaceful and happy coexistence inside and outside of the home. 

When she isn’t helping Sacramento area dogs and their guardians, Marieka is busy furthering her education in dog training and behavior by attending training courses, conferences, and maintaining a community of like-minded professionals. She serves on the board of directors for the Humane Dog Training Advocates, a non-profit organization that helps educate the public on positive reinforcement methods. She is also a member of several organizations, including the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and the Pet Professional Guild.