Pat was amazing! He was able to teach us the skills to train our 1 year old Great Pyrenees/Golden…read moreRetriever puppy. After only 6 weeks, she's so well behaved, doesn't pull on the leash and is much better at obeying commands. Pat was friendly, always right on time and very knowledgeable. I've already recommended him to all of our neighbors.

We are so happy with Pat and James River dog training! I was hesitant at first because of the price…read morebut after reading reviews we signed up and we have seen such a huge difference in our dogs behavior. We love that the training is in the dog's home, where they feel most comfortable. Before committing to the training, we chatted with Pat for almost 2 hours during the consultation about what the program entails and what our main goals were. Things to note: this is prong collar training (we tried treat motivated training but found it didn't work too well for us bc we didn't always have treats), in-home training for both the dog AND owner. You also receive a training guide and can call anytime you need training on something with no extra fee. Our dog's anxiety has decreased significantly and everywhere we take him, we receive so many compliments on what a good dog he is! We highly recommend Pat and James River dog training!

Our pup, Blue, just graduated from puppy class. I liked that it didn't matter if this was the first…read moreor last class for my pup because all things (walking, confidence, down) are covered each class so it didn't matter what level my dog was at it worked for each dog. The two trainers we worked with understood puppies and allowed for both a potty break and play time. I would recommend them for all levels of training

I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with DLOS. Emily and Daniel are both excellent with dogs, and bring…read morea nice approach to balanced training. I'm someone who brought my dog to learn the intricacies of basic and intermediate obedience, as I've owned dogs before that were great companions; but never took the step to give them formal obedience classes. Emily and Daniel have helped me in seeing the small things that make a big difference, and helped my 9 month-old puppy become a model canine citizen. I recommend everyone I know to these two :) I get so many compliments on how well behaved my girl is, and I always bring DLOS up as to why.

Laura is the absolute best! She did virtual training with my dog during Covid and somehow managed…read moreto teach her a full set of tricks and obedience training through a computer. She's always responsive and two years later - she still is always available for any questions I might have. Highly recommend!

I cannot recommend Laura enough. Laura truly understand dog psychology and behavior and uses a…read morepositive reinforcement, force-free approach informed by science. Aside from just training and obedience, Laura helps dog owners better understand *why* their dog is behaving a certain way. You might be thinking that positive reinforcement-only training can't work if your dog is reactive or past the puppy stage, but Laura is proof that if a trainer is equipped with the proper knowledge, skills, and patience it can! Our 6 month old lab rescue gets very overly excited by dogs and people and started jumping - Laura was quickly able to reinforce calm greetings. We leave each session seeing immediate results and with the skills to keep building on what we've worked on. Plus, our dog absolutely loves her :).

Very friendly and accommodating. Knowledgeable about training dogs as well. Our pup seemed to do…read morewell. Definitely planning to go back

Fast and friendly service. Love the new location. Easy to find. Our dog came home looking good.read more

Responsive and helpful. Very knowledgeable staff and so friendly. Can't wait to start our pup next…read moreweek!

We took Archie for his first puppy play school today and I'm so glad we did!…read more We worked on a few different commands (sit, stand, eye contact, and touch) and then they're was socialization time. Our dogs are elderly so he doesn't get to play as much as we'd like and this was the perfect thing. It took him a while to warm up to play time but when he did, he was great!

No, just no. After bringing our dog here for years I witnessed the owner use archaic and out right…read moreabuse of our dog right in front of me. Makes you wonder what goes on behind the scenes when one is NOT around! I grabbed the dog's leash from Dodie's hands, hightailed it out of there and never returned. FYI, I was the night manager at a dog spa/hotel for 4 years and I would have been fired if I had displayed the unprofessional and hurtful behavior shown by this owner. You've been warned. Oh, forgot to mention an earlier incident at this establishment . . . months prior to the above altercation, I picked up my pup to discover he had a bloody cut on his left leg. It was a pretty obvious wound. When I asked what happened you could hear a pin drop. They had no idea. Do they not inspect the dogs for injuries during the day or at least prior to handing them back to their owners? I should have known then that there was something going on behind the scenes right then and there.

Hi, I'm the "tiktoker" one of the reviews warned you about. I worked at DDH for a month and half…read more Was very excited because I would be working with dogs again (6 years experience as a professional dog walker and pet sitter) and I could bring my dog to work. I quickly realized the atmosphere of diamond doghouse was not one I wanted my dog to be in. Me and my coworker saw the most senior employees kicking small dogs. When my coworker went to dodie and told her what she saw, dodie didn't care and didn't do anything about it. There was no training for employees on how to handle misbehaving dogs or overly active dogs, we were just told to spray them with the water hose. They occasionally put e-collars on hyper dogs without the dogs owners consent, and shock them when they get rowdy. One time my coworker was bit by a dog and a dog fight was about to break out, the older guy who works in the dog yard (who is dodie's favorite employee), threw a big metal scooper across the yard that came an inch away from hitting my head and came dangerously close to hitting a dog. I recently told that story and someone that worked there 8 years ago, knew the name of the worker I was talking about because she saw him do that multiple times 8 years ago. Now let's get into how dodie treats the workers and the dogs. Dodie for 70% of the time stays inside but for the 30% of the time she was in the yard she was constantly YELLING at dogs and her workers. When I started, I was getting yelled at nearly every day for anything, my coworker told me "that's just the way she treats new workers". On my last day at diamond doghouse, I had a dog leaning up against my leg so I bent down to pet them. Dodie saw me petting the dog and ran over to me screaming. Saying I "didn't take the job seriously". After that day I left and never came back. I would never recommend anybody take their dog here. There are a couple of long term employees that have been with dodie for several years and they are very comfortable mistreating the dogs because they've been doing it for a long time and instead of facing repercussions, they are treated better than other employees by the owner. Me and 4 other coworkers all started around the same time and tried to do right by the dogs but we all ended up leaving after seeing how bad it was and how it wasn't going to change. I recently shared my experience working at DDH on TikTok. So many past employees reached out to me sharing their experience working there and they were all just as horrible as mine or even worse. Since I shared my story, the handful of customers that love dodie have been harassing me on TikTok and leaving positive reviews for the business. There was a review on here from someone that had a working interview at DDH, during their one day there they saw employees using sticks on dogs for behavior management. That review has since been removed. I'll be taking a screenshot of mine to see how long it's up.

I was referred to Jemi in 2005, when my 15 week old Lab/Ridgeback mix required training. I sent…read morehim to Jemi for a one week boot camp and when she returned him to me, he was fabulously trained and well-behaved. Jemi followed up by providing me with thorough in-home training. I practiced what I learned everyday. Seven years later, he is still the perfect dog for my family. He understands No, Off, Sit, Up, Wait, Leave It, Down, Come here, It's Okay and hand gestures! He comes when I call him and I can walk him off-leash around people and other animals nearby. I can walk my 95lb dog in my Sunday best and in heels without him dragging me across the cement, dirt and grass. Because, Jemi taught me how to hold the leash and to show confidence both in my carriage, leash tension and voice. Jemi and her team work magic everyday! I refer Jemi, Teri, Beth and Julie to all my friends and colleagues with training needs. She is truly the "Dog Whisperer" of the East.

I paid Jemi for a week long puppy boot camp. My specific training needs for Sunshine were: return…read moreupon command, stay, and reduce aggression towards other dogs. When I opened the door to bring her home, Sunny escaped and ran into the road while Jemi stood at the door yelling at me saying "don't yell at her she'll come back." She did not. I had to catch her. When I got her into the car, I realize there was feces on her feet. Her coat was filthy. She lost a pound in a week because she was focused on getting my dog to eat two meals a day when I said a free feed was fine because it was better for my schedule. Sunny was so traumatized that my friends could not believe this was the same dog when I got her home. I will never forgive Jemi. She should be ashamed.

If you love your pet please don't take the risk of going here. Several other GREAT places within 5…read moremiles. This place is extremely dirty including mold. These dogs are neglected stuck in crates without water. The dogs sit in feces and urine. Vaccinations are NOT required to be updated. Many dogs are coughing and showing respiratory illness. The clients are NOT made aware. Outside time is limited in tiny unsupervised yards. The owner is NOT honest or transparent to the clients. Just an honest review from a dog lover. There are plenty reviews just like this,you don't have to look hard.

If you love your pet DO NOT BRING THEM HERE! She will let your dog sit in feces/urine and only give…read moredogs water when they are outside in group (which has caused many fights here.) The "enrichment" time she claims the dogs receive is actually 10 minutes or less for each rotation. "Enrichment" being movie time, story time or having the dogs participate in limbo. She does not check or care if your pet is ill or up to date on vaccines. She will let dogs with expired vaccines continue to come in. Vaccines including rabies, distemper, parvo, and boardetella. Dogs are always sneezing and coughing and ALWAYS in very small dirty kennels. The kennels do not always get cleaned daily (which leads to the spreading of infectious diseases) and they clean the kennels by spraying with disinfectant and water then vacuuming up all of the water. They do not scrub the kennels so there is still caked on dirt/waste in every single kennel. When they do get let outside they are not always being watched regardless of what she says. She is a liar and a manipulater. She is in this field for the money and will create every excuse possible to make sure her business stays running. She is rarely even there and when she is all she does is pretend to know all the dogs that come here daily all week long!! The employees sit inside while the dogs are outside in the FREEZING cold with no shelter. Dogs have died from escaping or being choked to death by tight slip leads and the employees responsible for this still ACTIVELY WORK THERE TODAY. She will let your dogs play in group with injures and not inform you until you pick your dog up and see it for yourself. These poor animals do not deserve this treatment. If you board here please reconsider. The staff is not being paid what they are promised and fights happen all the time. All of the vents and drains are covered in mold. (Call and schedule a free tour to see for yourself) If the staff is outside with the dogs they are not aloud to kneel or sit down and pet them because it could cause fights (resource gaurding). I have worked at many kennels professionally for 3 years and this is not the way to run any facility. Your pets deserve love and basic care with transparency to the owners, not lying and cheating you out of your money. YOU ARE NOT GETTING WHAT YOU PAY FOR. I'm not reviewing out of hate but out of safety and love for these poor dogs. This is ABUSE. I'm not sure what more I can do or who to call. There are plenty of other reviews like mine right here, on yelp, facebook and on indeed. If you would like other suggestions there are plenty more loving and professional dog boarding and daycare facilities in RVA. If you don't believe me go take a tour of the whole facility, look at the ceiling vents, go in the kennel room you will see. They don't get water. How is that ok for weeks on end? If your dog is boarding they are only letting them out for water 4 times a day. If they are in daycare they only get water twice a day. If your dog is sick she won't tell you. She will make up excuses and tell you not to bring them to the vet?? 3 employees have quit in the past 24 hours bceuase of poor management, lack of communication, and mistreatment. I have already contacted the better business bureau and other resources for further investigation. If you have any information or other experiences please comment to help save these poor pups. GOD BLESS