Where do we even start? Our dog, Cooper, was adopted from a shelter after being surrendered twice. We quickly learned that he struggled with severe separation anxiety and couldn't be left alone. We became prisoners in our own home. We either had to take him everywhere with us or have one of us stay behind. It became a huge burden, and we found ourselves scheduling our entire lives around our dog. We decided to work with Dawit, and little by little, things started to improve. When we got Cooper back from training, he was like a completely different dog. He no longer pulled on the leash, was not reactive when he saw other dogs, his recall was amazing, and many of our typical worries disappeared. However, the separation anxiety still persisted. This is where Dawit truly deserves recognition. He never gave up on us or on Cooper. Our training journey probably lasted longer than most because of how severe Cooper's anxiety was, but Dawit went far beyond the typical follow-ups. Over the course of several months, the training sessions, check-ins, texts/videos, communication, and home visits finally paid off. There were times when I genuinely thought we'd never be able to return to a normal life, but our consistency combined with Dawit's continued support and new techniques made all the difference. Cooper can now stay home alone in his crate without issues. That being said, training only works if you put in the effort. We followed through with everything Dawit recommended, even when it was difficult or when we didn't see immediate results. It's easy to fall back into old habits or give up when progress feels slow, but perseverance truly pays off. Side note: Dawit is just an all-around great person who genuinely cares about what he does. Our dog absolutely adores him. We also love the boarding services he offers -- especially because Cooper comes home exercised and happy. Another huge plus is that Cooper is now off-leash certified, and we fully trust him to make good decisions. Yes, it can be costly, but it's an investment and honestly, I don't know another dog as well‑behaved as ours. I'm incredibly proud of the work it took to get here. read more

A-Team Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me

The amount of change that Dawit was able to do for my dog is a crazy amount. I'm not sure I'd be able to handle my dog without his help! My very alpha dog needed a lot of training and Dawit turned him into a more calm alpha dog who knows his place at home and in public. I'm so very thankful and cannot be more happy with how much of a good boy my dog is. As a first time dog carer, I've learned so much from Dawit and would definitely recommend his training to anyone. read more

A-Team Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me

Dawitt has an incredibly rare gift with dogs. It's pretty inspiring and heartwarming to see. Also relieving, after some anxiety navigating some challenges with our hyperactive guy. We tried a couple of other trainers and methods before coming to Dawitt and none of them compare--wish we found Dawitt first. Not only is he very skilled, but he really loves the dogs he works with, and it was really sweet to see how much our dog loves and trusts him, even while he's being disciplined, which takes a very special kind of teacher. Would recommend to anyone whose looking for a dog trainer and have several friends and neighbors who have all brought their dogs to him--really a gem. read more

George really has the right approach to grooming; my slightly coo-KOO cat can be difficult, but he successfully trimmed his nails and gave him a bath. We'll be back! read more

A-Team Dog Training - Mačak gettin' cleaned up! - Pet Training Near Me

Ollie was a pandemic puppy who started off very anxious, reactive and lacking leash etiquette. Even simple walks around the neighborhood were a challenge as he would pull constantly and bark at everything in sight. After extensive research to find a professional trainer, we couldn't be happier that we went to Dawit. Watching Ollie's progress through daily IG stories at the facility with other dogs was so fun. Ollie can now enjoy walks, dog park, and road trips freely. What we appreciated most were the continued follow-ups and guidance even after Ollie came home. If you stay consistent with the routine Dawit sets out for your pup, you'll absolutely see results! read more

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The story of my German Shepherd is quite unbelievable. In the beginning he came out of the shelter completely dog-reactive, aggressive, and both traumatized and poorly conditioned by his previous life. It's been 5 full years since we entered Dawit's program (at the time I believe 8 or 10 weeks) and now he is known locally in South Pasadena as the most well-trained dog in this neighborhood, no lie. He listens to every command the first time. A squirrel can run 5 feet in front of us with him off leash and if I tell him to stay put he will. He tolerates other dogs but when 90% of other animals in your environment are poorly handled you naturally just dislike everyone else. Point is he listens. Most importantly, Dawit trains the handler the language of their dog. These are essential life skills that I feel should be basic in life education. He works with you on the nuance of interspecies communication so that you're not frustrated why your dog doesn't listen to you. Honestly the best money I've ever spent I would easily drop several thousand simply for the education that I can take with me to every dog encounter for the rest of my life. read more

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From Dangerous to Devoted--The Trainer Who Gave Us Our Dog Back We've been coming to A-Team Dog Training for over six years now--ever since we rescued our first dog, Rocky, a German Shorthaired Pointer. Dawit helped us turn Rocky from a nervous, high-energy rescue into a confident and obedient companion. Then came Toby, our Australian Kelpie mix, and again--Dawit helped us integrate him into our growing little pack. But nothing compares to what Dawit did for our third dog, Prince. Prince is a purebred German Shepherd who originally belonged to my parents. Unfortunately, Prince developed serious behavioral issues--so severe that at one point he chased my mom and niece back into the house, growling and posturing aggressively just because they walked into the garden. My mom called me in a panic, unsure of what to do. They were terrified. The situation became unmanageable. Even the veterinarian refused to treat him near other animals and made me bring Prince through the back gate, loudly warning everyone in the waiting area that an aggressive German Shepherd was coming through and to hold onto their dogs. Staff wouldn't even attempt to muzzle him--my husband had to do it. And this wasn't just "reactivity." Prince bit Dawit during training--hard enough to require stitches. But here's the incredible part: Dawit didn't turn him away. He didn't give up. He trained him. He believed in Prince when no one else did--and gave him the structure and guidance he had never had. Now? Prince is a different dog. Truly. We continued the training at home just as Dawit taught us--daily walks, structured play, calm leadership. The transformation has been nothing short of miraculous. The once-terrifying dog is now calm, loving, obedient--and bonded to us. He even goes to visit my parents occasionally, and they are blown away at how much he's changed. Of course they wish they could have him back, but with my father being ill and currently battling cancer, it's just not safe or realistic for them to handle such a large and powerful dog anymore. We're thankful every single day to have Prince with us--and grateful to Dawit for making that possible. To Beverlynn's review: With respect, you're wrong. Saying Dawit doesn't know how to work with truly aggressive dogs is simply false. Prince was that dog. He wasn't just leash-reactive or socially awkward--he was dangerous, unpredictable, and had a bite history. And now? He's a part of a happy, stable pack in a loving home. Let me be clear: this kind of transformation doesn't come from treats alone. It comes from leadership, consistency, and professional guidance. Dawit doesn't sell magic. He teaches owners how to show up for their dogs--daily, consistently, and with structure. Not everyone is ready for that. But if you are, A-Team Dog Training will give you results. We're living proof. So if you're walking down the street with a dog that lunges, growls, or makes you nervous--or if you've been told your dog is "too far gone"--please don't give up. Call Dawit. He helped us when no one else would, and our family is better for it. read more

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We can't say enough good things about A-team. Dawit and team have helped us learn how to manage our 95lb pup with confidence. Their knowledge of dog behavior is incredible. The communication is excellent and the frequency of the follow ups post-training has been so useful and informative for us. We looked at so many different trainers and we are SO glad we went with A-team. We highly recommend them to every dog parent! read more

A-Team Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me

I adopted a street dog from Tijuana who was almost a year old, back in May 2021. She was fearful about everyone- barking, peeing all the time and nipping at people she didn't know. She pulled on the leash every time I tried to walk her. She was already 55 lbs and I didn't know what to do. I asked around for recommendations and a friend (whose friend RAVED about Dawit) showed me a few videos from A-Team with Dawit demonstrating basic commands like sit, stay and heel. The most impressive was sit/stay on a busy street- where he walked across the street- then show a perfect recall back to him. I also read several before/after testimonials... these were people who were afraid to give up on their dogs but didn't know how to handle their aggression and fear. Dawit was able to help! I met with him at Alice's Dog Park in Pasadena and we had a great first meeting. Dawit is so trustworthy and down to earth. He also showed complete confidence with his animals and mine. When he described how he worked with animals, it sounded like he really leaned into their nature- tapping into the pack mentality. Showing them how to feel safe, so they could build confidence. Giving them structure so they could stop being on guard. I was immediately interested. He had a 4 month waiting list before I could bring my dog to his board and train program. But it was SO worth it! I missed her like crazy the whole time, but loved that I could see video of her on his Instagram stories. I could see her interacting with other dogs without fear. She became the life of the party at his facility. It's now almost 4 years since our first board and train. I have also utilized Dawit's services for alumni boarding (which always reinforces what she learned originally) as well as a refresh visit here and there. My dog has been equipped with the best training available. Dawit's ability to see dog's behaviors and address their issues is amazing. I was afraid that a rigorous trainer would brainwash my quirky dog into being a robot. But she is far from it. She is a ball of love and energy, who often pushes the boundaries we've set. Just like the free spirit she's always been. But now she's not so reactive and afraid. Things are still a work in progress- like all of life. I still struggle with my own ability to be firm and maintain boundaries with her because I have such a soft spot for her. But I try to remember the skills that Dawit taught me. I know what I need to do. He is very thorough with follow up sessions for the owners- which is great- because at the end of the day, it's my pup and we're going to be together for life. I'm so grateful that our lives are a lot easier together because of A-Team training and the love and care (and skill) that Dawit provides. read more

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Here's the Cliff Notes: Dawit cares about all dogs and knows his stuff. Follow his instructions/schedule (catered to your lifestyle) & you and your dog will have a stress-free life. Also, Jinny (his assistant) is your best friend. Here's the TLDR you didnt ask for: Scoured the internet for dog trainers for our new 5 month old staffie/shepherd mix, Moose, (though she looks more rottie/shepherd). Let me tell you this, at the time I was looking around, A Team was the only one that did not have a bad review for his training. Dawit did a free consultation with us to see if he would take Moose in & eventually scheduled her board & train (moose was about 7 months now). Our struggles at home was mostly her pulling on leash & reactivity to other dogs on leash (like most adopted dogs). Moose started her training while we were on our honeymoon read more

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My dog Jackie was fear aggressive and dog reactive when we adopted her 3 years ago. I would walk her at the park and she would randomly lunge at people. Anytime a person stared at her, she would growl. She ended up biting one of our friends that came into our home. We hired Dawit to work with her and now we have many guests over and Jackie is there begging for attention and treats. He is a miracle worker! We board her there often and I think she enjoys her time there, hanging out with his dogs who she seemed to want to follow all the time. read more

In response to Dawit I think you are forgetting that my review is based on what I have learned over the years of training. Remember, Beanie is now doing great because I sought proper training and gained a lot of knowledge. My initial review is me looking back on what went wrong, and I only mentioned the basics. I know I am not the only client who dealt with the same issues and sought a different trainer, I'm just the first to write a review about this experience. Trust me, I gave you a lot of grace. I compared everything from then to now, and I never gave him a "boring life". I stimulated him, mentally and physically, even right before taking him out for walks or training. But of course, I didn't get anywhere using your methods. Your methods were so damaging, it made his reactivity worse and his negative association towards dogs only grew. There were moments I felt so defeated and shamed for trying so hard, but getting no where. I reached out many times for help and put in so much effort myself, so I do not appreciate you making it seem like I wasn't. The issue was me taking your advice. There's a reason why Beanie is doing great now(could be perfect, had I not taken him to you). First, everything your saying about how Beanie was good in camp, means nothing because his life isn't a camp forever(I'll explain through out) Second, nothing I'm saying is false...you don't offer private training lessons, only board and trains. I specifically am referring to reoccurring private training lessons instead of a board and train, which you don't offer(as shown on your web). Those private sessions we had consisted of follow ups(free, came w package) and sessions that I requested due to my complaints. I do remember paying for at least one of them because I was so desperate for help and change. Not to mention how long I had to wait because you were too booked and busy with all your board and trains. Third, regarding why dog parks are bad, I am not going to go in depth on anything because I shouldn't be training a trainer. Dog parks are the #1 cause of reactivity or worsening it. Socializing doesn't always mean play/interact. There are also many 'happy' dogs in the dog park that are extremely reactive on leash, Beanie was one of them. Just because a dog is 'good' in dog parks, does not mean it is good when it is on a leash or in a different environment. For a trainer to recommend dog parks to their clients is a risk and a red flag. You should know better. Fourth, I never denied your hard work, Dawit. Beanie was 'good' in your camp as he was when I took him to dog parks back then, but he was still extremely leash reactive and got worse. You worked hard, but that doesn't serve anything when your methods and advice were flawed for my dogs reactivity. I also never said that I was against e collars, I actually love tools, as long as they are used and introduced correctly. Dawit, you abused the use of e collars, suppressing Beanie . As I mentioned, suppression doesn't last because it's not meant to, that's why Beanie only got worse with your methods. Your dog logic was old school and out dated, you relied on this weird alpha dominance theory that has been debunked. I want to clarify this is on BEHAVIORAL training, such as reactivity and/or aggression. Dogs think too simple that it is complex to train on a behavioral & psychological level. Suppressing their behavior is not 'behavior modification'. I hope you progress as a trainer, as well as expand and diversify your skill set. Experts never stop learning. read more

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Long overdue review but A-Team & Dawit really changed our lives and our dog's life. Long story short we adopted Lucy from the pound and quickly found out she was super dog aggressive and had so much energy she didn't know what to do with. In the house she was the sweetest dog but outdoors it was a totally different dog. Dawit took the time to fully comprehend her issues and uproot all the negative connotations she had towards other dogs. Over the next year Dawit trained us on how to properly communicate and handle Lucy so she felt safe and relaxed. Lucy is now virtually perfect and shows no dog aggression, she obeys all commands and is much more confident all around. I can't recommend Dawit enough, We now have a resource for life. Plus now being trained by Dawit she can board with him and she absolutely loves going to his facility! Also, Jinny is top notch at administration. She made scheduling and communication a breeze. read more

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Dawit is an amazing person and truly cares about each and every dog that steps through his facility. He helped train both of my dogs and o can take my dog Kobe anywhere in public now. It took time effort and patience but if you are willing to put in the work and listen to his advice and program it will be worth it! Thank you Dawit and Jinny for everything you do ! read more

A-Team Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me

Dawit is a fantastic dog trainer! He has worked with two of our dogs--one was 8 years old and the other a puppy--and both experiences were incredibly positive. Most recently, he trained our puppy, Petey, and the results have been amazing. Petey is now so well trained, and Dawit gave us the tools and confidence to keep him consistent even after coming home. What we appreciate most is that Dawit doesn't just train the dog--he equips the owners with the knowledge to maintain the progress. His approach is thoughtful, effective, and tailored to each dog's needs. We've already recommended him to several of our friends, and we'll continue to do so because the results speak for themselves. If you're looking for a trainer who truly understands dogs and helps families enjoy their pets to the fullest, Dawit is the one! read more

A bit of background on where we started with Bruno. After his reactivity really started to flair up going into adolescence, we looked into every kind of resource to see what we could do. Going through a handful of trainers and trying all sorts of methods, we were left struggling. We knew he was an active dog that required time and attention (we're pretty active ourselves), but nothing seemed to work. Of course, going into any training program, there was some apprehension. Most trainers saw Bruno as a big, scary dog with a serious behavioral issue. But Dawit really made this such an enlightening experience. He was transparent with his process, his methods, and where we would go from the start. The initial intake and boarding were smooth, and afterward, Dawit really took the time to ensure Bruno's training carried on in our home. I won't say things were easy. Serious behaviors can't magically be fixed in a few weeks away from home. It took a lot of effort, learning, and coaching to get to where we are now. But Dawit was there pretty much every step of the way. As long as we were consistent, we saw Bruno continue to improve. Things got so much easier! And now, we've all reached a very good equilibrium in our home. We know he can get pretty busy, but he always managed to get back to us, meeting us at the park, his facility, and even in our own home to further support us. Now, I am so happy to say Bruno is able to live his best life at home and even out and about with other dogs! He's calm and gentle but always up for playing, running, and having a great time with us. Of course, training is an ongoing thing, especially with a working dog, but from here on out, things are so much better! read more

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Great dog trainer. Fun personality and overall good person. I highly recommend this trainer for any dog at any stage. Full story; A-Team came to Altadena on January 1st 2025 just a week before the Eaton fire. My long time best friend Quincy past away a few months prior. After the fire I offered to foster for any fire victims( my house was not burned but we are only a few blocks from the burn zone and wanted to help our community. ) Instead of a being placed with a neighbors dog the humane society was contacted about a Labrador being tied to a tree in a persons back yard. Turns out that's an everyday occurrence for this poor puppy. During the wellness check the owner surrender him on the spot. I took this Labrador in as a foster but quickly learned this dog was a handful and unlikely able to be adopted. He may very well have been put down. He had no socialization or training and was very very aggressive- not mean- just very aggressive biting and jumping and destroying anything he could get ahold of. Everything was new to him. He had to be taught how to be a dog. After sharing our story with Dawit he was very helpful in getting my new friend into his program during a time we had to move out of our home so it could be remediated. (Deep cleaning and painted. Etc. if you live here you know. A month later, I had a completely different dog given back to me. For a few months afterwards, I had to keep up some strict training, regimens, and routines for the puppy to get accustomed. Six months later, I have a year-old Labrador, who is very very fun very very happy and well trained. I now have the ability to raise this dog and I wouldn't have had that ability without this human being, who brings heart to his work. Oh, and if you watch his Instagram, he's hilarious. He truly cares and is a gifted dog guru. read more

I had an amazing experience with Dawit! He helped train my dachshund puppy Brad, and the results have been great. Dawit worked on crate training, excessive barking, and puppy training in general. I saw huge improvements in all areas. Brad is a lot better behaved now and more confident too. Dawit was patient, knowledgeable, and really took the time to explain things in a way that made sense for me. I am so grateful for his help and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a great dog trainer! read more

ATeam is literally an A+ team. Night and day difference in my dog and can't thank them enough!

Took me way too long to write this review, but here it is--simply put, Dawit is the best dog trainer out there. We rescued our dog Bart at 6 months old. He was fearful, shy, and not very confident. From day one, Dawit did an incredible job helping Bart come out of his shell. He not only built up his confidence, but gave him a solid training foundation. Bart now sits, stays, and walks in a perfect heel, even off leash. We had a lot of questions during and post-training and Dawit was there every step of the way to answer them in depth and in detail. It's been over a year since training, and Bart is still thriving. The post board-and-train structure (until fully graduating) isn't always easy to stick to at first because there are a lot of rules, but we committed to it and the results are there. Of course, training is ongoing especially with a young dog going through adolescence but without his foundation we'd be in a much worse spot. Dawit doesn't just train your dog. He trains you to be a better dog owner. How to set clear boundaries, how to follow through, and how to keep the training consistent day-to-day. We couldn't be more grateful for his support and guidance. If you're on the fence, do it. Your dog will thank you! read more

Dawit you're the man! You need this trainer if your dog needs some discipline like my Rottweiler did. He is honest, transparent, and knows exactly what you need just by him getting to know both you and your furry companion. Give him a try, he won't disappoint. read more

Dawit is the best. Could not recommend his services more! We thought our giant, high energy, high anxiety dog was a lost cause after working with four other trainers with no improvement. He would pull on walks, destroy things around the house, steal food off the counter, backyard hop in our neighborhood - basically was constantly trying to defy us. After working with Dawit, he has done a complete 180! We walk him off leash constantly and he sticks right by our side, he listens, respects our rules - he's just such a good boy. We're so incredibly grateful to Dawit for helping us to enjoy our dog again! read more

This man is the truth! My wife and I did a lot of research to find the right trainer for my pitty Loki and sure enough.. we chose right. Loki was a handful when it came to taking him out for walks.. mainly attacking the leash. When we first met with Dawit for a consultation he broke down everything and told us 3 weeks. I was a bit skeptical thinking it won't be enough time but goddamn not even a week in and seeing Dawits post on instagram I can already see how much better Loki was doing. And now taking Loki for walks is just fun.. put him in a down stay and just walk away without any reaction, yell heel and boom! Loki is right by my side. I've recommended a couple people to Ateamdogtraining and have not heard anything bad about this man. His mindset and philosophy to this shit is nuts and nothing but respectable. Anytime I drop off Loki for a couple days for the boarding if I'm traveling or something, Loki is so happy to be there and damn near forgets who actual owner is haha. Just loves being there! Highly recommend this trainer for any size dog. I've seen his work through his instagram stories and I love seeing the transformations these dogs go through. Don't sleep on this dude! Need a good trainer that breaks down the process? hit him up! read more

Dawit has truly gone above and beyond in helping Indy and I live a happier life together. When I first reached out to A-Team I was in a tough spot as a single dog parent. I felt completely overwhelmed, isolated, and unsure of where to start with Indy. He was perfect with me at home, but extremely fearful and reactive towards people and dogs. With his energy level at almost 100 pounds, he was much harder to manage than dogs I'd had in the past. As a proud rescue advocate, I wanted Indy to be a good citizen and live a more confident, free life. After an evaluation and A-Team board and train, followed by several one-on-one sessions tailored to Indy's needs, I saw him and I both grow in ways I never thought possible. Behavior modification takes real time and commitment, but with dedication, patience, and plenty of love - along with Dawit's guidance - Indy has made incredible progress. He's made new friends, now enjoys exploring new places, and feels more comfortable and confident around both people and dogs. The journey hasn't been without challenges, but every bit of time and effort has been worth it. I'm beyond grateful to have someone in our corner and a trusted team to care for Indy when I'm away - thank you A-Team! read more

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Dawit is absolutely amazing!! My cousin had three of her Rottweilers trained by him and after dog sitting for her, I got to see firsthand just how smart and well-behaved they were - especially her big boy Atlas, who weighs over 100 lbs! I was truly impressed! When it came time for my family to get a dog, we got a breed that we weren't familiar with (Pitbull Terrier). I knew right away that we needed Dawit to train Rocco. During our initial consultation, we discussed some issues we had noticed, one of which was Rocco's lack of interest in food. Dawit provided us with clear instructions on how to get him to eat his meals, and what we loved most was that his approach is grounded in the natural pack dynamics, and how food is handled in the wild. After making the necessary changes Rocco began to eat his food regularly with no issues! Dawit's knowledge and care for dogs really shine through, and it's clear to anyone who follows his Instagram page. We plan to bring Rocco back to Dawit after he's neutered for additional training, and we're excited to see him graduate from the program. I can't recommend Dawit enough! If you're looking for an exceptional dog trainer, I highly suggest reaching out to him! read more

My dog is a changed woman. She went from skittish to confident. She now passes by loud machines and even large construction vehicles with no problem. She went from territorial and aggressive with strangers to chill and lovely. I love that when your dog is in Dawit's care he posts videos on Instagram so you can check in. And in every video she was so happy! Alumni's can board at the facility for an incredible rate. And it's nice to know when she's there she's well taken care, happy, and getting plenty of play and fun and some tuning up on her training! Dawit truly cares about the dogs he trains and will work with you until your dog is a happy confident pooch- even if it takes awhile, and my girl took a long time since she wasn't just aggressive she was also scared. So many friends have said she's a changed dog. I'm loving life with my girl going to restaurants, dog parks, even hiking off leash, all thanks to A-Team Dog Training. read more

A-Team Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me

Dawit is amazing. My family has sent him 6 dogs, and all resulted in changed lives for the pooches and pawrents. He is truly a dog lover who really cares. I personally think he was a dog or wolf in a past life. His control and understanding of canines is unbelievable. Cesar, move over Dawit's got this!!!!! read more

Dawit and a team were recommended by a vet friend of mine and we sent our 1 yr old German Shepard lucky for the adolescent 3 week board and train. After the board and train, lucky was much more obedient, had great recall, and was off leash certified. Dawit provided great fundamental training, boundaries, proper socialization, and structure for lucky. We feel like we have the best dog now and is a great obedient fun member of our family. Highly recommend sending your dog to Dawit. He is not your typical dog trainer and is a behaviorist to help each individual dog. We still send lucky to board with A team when we go out of town and always comes back better behaved. read more

I am long overdue for writing this review. My partner and I took our reactive, fear-based-aggressive, and wayyy too smart 8-year-old cattle mix to Dawit and A-Team, to be trained in their 5-week board/train program, about two years ago at this point. It's hard not to get emotional when describing and looking back since that process occured. Much like many of the others who have worked with A-Team, we had our lives completely changed by this experience. When we were first reunited with our beloved pup we sensed a potential shift in her personality, and in full transparency, were hesitantly concerned that she may not be the same dog we dropped off... only because while there were parts of her that we truly needed help with, there was also so much to love about her and her personality. To our overwhelming relief, what happened over the next weeks/months/years was not only a return to her full self BUT with a COMPLETE transformation into the confident, sweet, playful, but obedient dog we had always dreamed of. Working with A-team was extremely easy and fun. The instructions and follow-up meetings post-board/train were exceptionally helpful, and gave us full confidence to take on the next part of the challenge: the not so easy task of changing ourselves to be consistent and strong in our continuation of everything we learned from Dawit. Two years later and things have never been better. Our dog is confident, unfearful, unreactive in nearly any situation, and just an absolute pleasure to adventure and experience life with. Not only has our (nearly senior) dog grown into the best version of herself, but we have truly grown along side her through this. I can't understate enough how profound and incredible the impact on my and my partner's life this all has been, and it's all thanks to Dawit and A-team. I want to add for context that my baseline is to be sceptical of nearly everyone and everything, but Dawit and A-team did what they said they could do for us and then some. Take the leap, change your dog's life for the better, you don't know how great it can get! read more

Finally got some time to write my review to my experience with A-Team. First off Jinny is probably one of the most patient, prompt, and efficient admin I have worked with. She goes above and beyond for the clients and is always bringing a 110% to her work! Appreciate you Jinny! If your looking for a trainer who focuses on the whole dog then Dawit and A-Team are the one for you. When I say the whole dog I mean, behavior, psyche, emotional intelligence, and overall growth of your dog. That's what you should expect with Dawit. We started our journey over a year ago and the amount of work and dedication he has shown to my fur baby has been incredible. Deuce( male German shepherd) came in with fear based aggression towards animals and dominance issues over my youngest son, sensitivity to the exterior world and desperately needed basic obedience. When we began the program he was about 10 months old. Dawit stated that he recommend that our guy do the three week board and train and off leash certification. He is a working dog and needed that type of attention. When we started the training journey it was cool to see all the videos of my guy off Leash, obedient and interacting with other dogs. Not really knowing all the dedication that I would put into keeping the same temperament at my home. After he graduated the 3-week board and train is when the real work began. It was a tight regimented ship. Not for the faint of heart. Lots of back and forth with family members on how rigorous the methods were. But I stuck to my guns and followed the protocol laid in place for my guy. After passing his first follow up 3months after the training began( January) Dawit said Deuce can now have limited privileges back in place with still following a schedule to keep it consistent for my guy. Small wins and incentives are key to keep your dog Happy with a rigorous schedule. The schedule consisted of one hour walks, crate training time, play time, leash etiquette, off leash work, basic obedience, socialization ( not at the dog park yet ) taking him to coffee shops, restaurants, Home Depot etc. This was tailored to my family and dog's needs. If you are not ready to put in the work after you pick up your dog from your board and train you are going to have a hard time implementing the tools that were instilled at the facility. Three months after our initial follow up which was in January. Dawit said Deuce was now ready for dog park testing which took place in April. After he passed the dog park with flying colors, he had officially graduated the program. More privileges were added to his schedule now that he has completed the course again with still respectful and healthy boundaries to keep hierarchy in line. That doesn't mean the work ended there. From then on we made deuces daily training, a part of our life regularly, going to dog parks for socialization, coffee houses, Home Depot, restaurants etc. with his training we've been able to take two family vacations with him and enjoyed them both so much! A year later we have a happy boy who loves and respects his family! Training never stops for my guy because mental stimulation is key for his breed and I will continue further training for him with the help of Dawit! Go A-TEAM!! Boarding..... also boarding has been the biggest help for our family. We can now plan boarding days accordingly since Deuce is an alumni. He will stay nowhere else!!! Boarding is so fun because they get to have fun but still have simulated training included in the stay! Remember to book your boarding days one month in advance. Since space is limited!! read more

A-Team Dog Training - Deuce present day one year after training. In public off leash working on impulse control at the park. - Pet Training Near Me

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Both of our dogs just graduated obedience training with Dawit and A Team Training. We were so happy with our first dog's experience we immediately signed up our puppy. We are very satisfied overall with the experience. Dawit is very talented. He's thorough, patient, knowledgeable, and fun! Our dogs are much better behaved and we have the tools to continue to train them. It makes our stress level much better and helps the entire family enjoy life much easier! Worth every penny. Shelley- Dawit's assistant is very communicative and thorough. We had many challenges scheduling our sessions- first with lots of rain, then COVID19, and then the heat but we got them all done and everyone involved was flexible. One of our favorite parts of the training was watching the cute videos he films of the dogs while training on his Instagram stories. Highly recommend. Will consider them again if we need boarding or additional training in the future. read more

A-Team Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me

Dawit and the A-Team staff are the best training team we have worked with. We have worked with several trainers and we made little progress, but Dawit has worked wonders for our dog with reactivity to other dogs. We highly recommend him for training, boarding, etc. Thanks Dawit! read more

What can we say about Dawit.... except that he is the next Cesar Milan aka Dog Whisperer! In all seriousness, we feel extremely lucky to have found Dawit. We adopted Mocca from the Pasadena Humane Society. She was 1.5 years old and we were so excited to have a new addition to our family. Once we brought her home, she started showing signs of aggression towards dogs and would react to every dog that was close by. We tried a class at the PHS, but she was so disruptive and aggressive we had to drop out of the class. We bought books and tried working on her ourselves but she was still exhibiting aggression and behavior issues. We were too scared to bring her into a dog park in case she would react and another dog might get injured. Someone had mentioned Dawit to us and so we looked him up. I called A Team Training and had a conversation with Dawit about Mocca and the behavior she was exhibiting. We set up a free consultation and met with him at the Alice Kennedy dog park. He felt that based on what he was seeing, the 12 week program made the most sense for Mocca. Even with this free consult, he spent a lot of time really focusing on trying to learn about her behavior and how she is in the home environment. He was also amazing with her and definitely has a way with dogs. We started off at home so he could evaluate how she acts there. Off the bat, he gave us advice on how we need to establish the hierarchy in the family with us coming first and then her coming in last. By the 4th session, he brought Mocca into the dog park with a leash. 5 minutes into this session, he took the leash off!!! She was completely off leash in a dog park... we were stunned as we hadn't ever felt comfortable trying that on our own the whole time we had her. It was incredible to see and though there was still a lot of work needed, it was such a great progression and we were very ecstatic as dog parents. We finished the sessions and Mocca graduated! We still see Dawit and his awesome dog Zelalum (Mocca's boyfriend and doppelgänger) at the dog park and he checks in to see how Mocca is progressing. Still giving us some tips here and there. Dawit is a caring trainer who is knowledgeable in how to assess dogs and how to work on them on a customized basis. We are so stoked to have met him and are looking forward to our next doggie date with our doggos! read more

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Dawit's expertise has been nothing short of transformative for my dog. I started with the puppy course and returned to do off leash training about a year later. I was initially hesitant to use the e-collar, but it has been a complete game changer. My dog is still the same energetic, mischievous, and goofy dog she was before, but is more grounded and confident as she moves in the world. As a first time dog owner, I have needed guidance navigating through this training journey for the past 18 months, and A-Team has been there every step of the way. Dawit has professionally, patiently, and expertly guided me and my pup. Recognizing that no two dogs are the same, Dawit deftly handles customized training for each dog (and for training their owners!). Huge shout out to Jinny, whose exceptional organizational skills, clear communication, and meticulous attention to detail keep A-Team running! The experience of working with A-Team and learning from Dawit has been a tremendous blessing, far exceeding my expectations. Follow through with Dawit's program, and you and your dog will be the better for it! read more

Trying to raise a boxer puppy during a pandemic is not easy. The socializing was put to a hault at the most important time of my pup's life. Working from home would only create separation anxiety in the future and we were going through some major spoiled syndrome with him (our fault)... we needed some help. Shelley explained the whole process and pricing to us which is SO REASONABLE and can probably charge more for what you get. Shelley kept in contact with me at all times, she felt like a friend to us. Then there's Dawit, the genius trainer. This man knows dogs and truly cares for them. He not only taught us things but explained why which was so helpful. He is a true dog psychologist. Our dog is still the same sweet goofball but with structure and discipline now. Follow the company's Instagram and you'll see how amazing the work is. read more

A-Team Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me

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We are very happy with the results from having our 2 mixed-breed rescue dogs stay at A-Team Dog Training camp. It is like Night and Day. They follow our lead and do not react to outside distractions any longer. Dawit is very kind and cares first and foremost about the dogs and their ability to coexist with us humans in our busy and often noisy world. read more

Dawit is amazing!! He is a dog whisperer!! My rescued/adopted dog is a totally different dog after 8 weeks of training. I learned so much from Dawit about dog behavior, dog psychology, and how to be a good dog parent. The training has not just helped my dog become more relaxed (not the stressed out, insecure, scared dog she once was) and calm, but has also helped me not be worried and stressed out about her unpredictable behavior; I can now trust that my dog won't bark at, nor charge at other people/dogs. Dawit is seriously the best! He is so friendly and knowledgeable, and fun to be around! His office manager, Shelley, was always quickly reachable and everything was seamless! read more

A-Team Dog Training - Dawit and my dog on her graduation day! THANK YOU DAWIT!!!! - Pet Training Near Me

Here's the short of it: Dawit knows what he is doing. His program is not "cheap" and you will need to follow his instructions to reinforce the training, but I promise it's worth every penny!!! Here's our story: Earlier this year we adopted a 5 month old mixed breed pup, Shelby. This was our first time with a rescue and we really wanted a dog that seemed naturally friendly and confident. She was very sweet, but once we got home we realized immediately that she had some behavioral issues. She exhibited fear of adults and kids, other dogs, new sounds, and pretty much anything she encountered outside of our home. We knew this fear would manifest negatively as she got older if it was not addressed. We could also tell she was very smart and was going to get big, so we needed help. It took a few months to get scheduled for training, but as soon as I saw Dawit interacting with Shelby I could tell that he knew his sh*t. Because Shelby was so young, we started with the 2 week puppy board and train, but after a few days it was obvious she was going to need more. Dawit was able to put Shelby through complete behavioral modification training and also recommended off-leash certification with e-collar training. He does not use treats for training and he took the time to explain why certain behaviors, like fear, are actually disrespectful and unacceptable. After 3 weeks we picked up Shelby, but we had no idea that is when the REAL WORK and training starts. If you think you are going to get your dog and go straight to a brewery for lunch with a perfectly trained pet-like we did-you are mistaken. ;) We took her straight home to continue to add on to the foundation Dawit gave us. Once we got Shelby home we all had to be in training mode. We followed Dawit's instructions to the "t" and when my husband and I interpreted any instructions differently, which happened more than you would think, we would email for clarification. Jinny always responded quickly and if necessary she arranged a phone call for Dawit to answer our questions. You will need to put in the work if you want to see results. Some of the rules did not make sense to my husband and son because they wanted to have Shelby out of the crate and free all the time. I'm sure each situation is different, but our instructions involved a lot of crate time and following a daily eating/walking schedule that was fairly regimented. I'll admit that it was pretty difficult at times, but IT WAS WORTH IT! After about a month of the strict schedule we had our follow up with Dawit. He said he was impressed with Shelby's progress and we were proud to show off everything we worked on. She followed commands perfectly and he could see that she clearly had more confidence. Dawit then explained that Shelby was now allowed to have the freedom she was working hard to earn. Once we got home we still followed some of the schedule, but we had more flexibility and we were able to give her more privileges. It has been only 3 weeks since the follow up appointment and we are grateful every day that we found A-Team Dog Training. Shelby walks on a leash like a seasoned therapy dog and we can trust her to run free at the park with the confidence that she will return to us when we call her. She wags her tail more than she ever did the first few months before training and we know she is happier due to the training. In the beginning my husband was concerned training would not be enough to help Shelby. However, Dawit assured us we would see positive results if we followed the training and he definitely delivered!!! My husband and I are both 100% satisfied and grateful for the amazing foundation he gave Shelby and we know she has the confidence and boundaries needed to be happy. read more

We had an excellent experience with Dawitt and his assistant Shelley at A-team Dog Training. My 2 year old dog who was an active but a good boy when he was a puppy decided he was going to bark at everything when he turned 2! He is a miniature schnauzer so it is partly his breed. But it was getting out of control we would be at a restaurant or at the park and when he saw another dog he would just go berserk and bark his head off. This would make us and other people very uncomfortable and it would cause me to panic and stress out trying to calm him down. People thought he was aggressive which he isn't but it was scary because he would just bark his head off. We did the reactive rover training at the spca and we also got another trainer that did group and pack walks and taught us some techniques which were mainly "avoidance". While they worked sometimes that was not what we needed. We wanted Paddington to be able to come to restaurants and interact calmly with other dogs. We wanted behavior modification. Enter Dawit! He did a free consult for about an hour and recommended the 12 session package. He is actually reasonably priced given the time he spends with the dog one on one. He came to our house for the first 4 sessions working on his his issue with barking at people and our guests who walk into our house. He taught us how to control the barking and deal with his anxiety. We then did on leash training in old town Pasadena for three to four sessions. And finally we did some sessions off leash training at the dog park. Dawit LOVES dogs and is truly a dog whisperer! He does behavior modification and spends a LOT of time explaining things. We bought a 12 session package but he actually trained Paddington for 14 sessions (gave us two free extra sessions) because he thought he wanted to reinforce some things before letting him graduate. My dog barks A LOT less, he is calmer on the leash and I'm a lot more confident understanding the cues and doing behavior modification that Dawit taught me! Best way to get in touch with him is through email and his assistant Shelley. He gets swamped with texts all day. Shelley is amazing, also a dog lover, very responsive and helpful. She will find Dawit and respond to you ASAP. We recommend them fully and will board our dogs with them when we travel. Thank you A-team for a wonderful experience and for your help with Paddington read more

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There are no words to describe my gratitude for Dawit. My 2 year old lab/golden retriever mix was EXTREMELY insecure -- reactive to anything and everything (skateboards, trucks, people, dogs, etc). Taking her out for walks was impossible and stressful. When I finally stumbled on A-Team, we came to the consultation and she was muzzled, drooling, panting, and barking nonstop. After 3 weeks of obedience training and another week for e-collar training, my girl made a full 180 and is confident and secure. I can taker her for walks, go to the dog park, and have her off leash in public. It's unbelievable how far she's come. However, as an owner, you too, MUST be willing to follow the rules Dawit sets and put in the work to help your dog. Overall, all the time and effort pays off for a happier life for you and your pup. I cannot say enough amazing things about A-Team. Dawit truly cares about each dog that he trains. He is genuine and one of the biggest reasons why I chose (and stand by) A-Team. Jinny, his assistant, is super accommodating, thorough, and quick to respond/follow up. I recommend A-Team to anyone with a dog, with or without severe behavioral issues. read more