Training with Mike has completely changed our lives with our GSD. We used to dread walks because of our GSD's frustrated greeter issues and excessive leash pulling, but the 1-on-1 training sessions turned everything around. We learned how to incorporate tools like the e-collar and prong collar correctly and humanely as part of a balanced training program. I really appreciated the direct, no-nonsense communication style. He gives you the facts and the fixes without sugarcoating, which is exactly what we needed. We now have a dog that we can trust off-leash even in distracting environments. The best testament to the training was seeing our GSD maintain his recall and stay by our side, even when the other dogs he was hanging out with ignored their owners and ran off to cause chaos. If you want real-world results and a trainer who tells it like it is, I highly recommend Mike. read more

Michael has transformed our high energy dog into one that we absolutely adore and find real pleasure having in our lives. He showed us how to take a highly intelligent and independent animal and turn her into a responsive and obedient pet. read more

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I've taken Puppy 1 and am currently in the middle of Puppy 2 with Mike at Dog Gone Good, and I can't recommend his classes enough. Mike is truly a wealth of experience and knowledge. What I love most is that he doesn't just tell you what to do or how to train your dog - he explains the why behind it and helps you understand the psychology of a dog. Once he starts sharing, it's one of those moments where you think, "That makes so much sense...how did I not realize that before?" In many ways, this has felt like personal training for me as a dog owner as much as it has for my dog. I've had two dogs before, both around 25 lbs (a Boston Terrier and a French Bulldog/Boston Terrier mix), but this is my first time with a larger, working breed: Java, a Malinois mix. While I had some prior experience, Mike's classes have been incredibly helpful in teaching me how to work with my dog's instincts and energy, and avoid some of the mistakes I made in the past. What I also appreciate is how Mike builds both confidence and a "knowledge toolkit" that I can apply when I'm training or handling Java on my own. Each class feels thoughtfully tailored to the specific dogs and their needs. Mike is truly a master at reading dogs and adjusting accordingly. As further testament to how valuable these classes are, I just purchased Mike's book, Integrated Dog Training, and fully intend to read it cover to cover. Java still gets a bit rambunctious in class, but his progress outside of class has been amazing. It's also great that he gets mentally stimulated and tired out! I'm excited to see how far he continues to go with the foundation we're building here. read more

Dog Gone Good! - Java after class - Pet Training Near Me

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They are timely and informative. They ask questions so they can provide the proper information.

I have worked with many dog trainers, but none as effective as Mike. What truly sets him apart is that he follows through with the training. Mike continues to support you so the results not only last but improve. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for real, sustainable change with their dog. read more

We've had a fantastic experience with Mike Wombacher at Dog Gone Good. We completed Puppy 1/2 (basics) and Puppy 3 (advanced outdoors), and each level built thoughtfully on the last -- developing trust and respect, solid obedience, and, importantly, safety in busy off-leash environments like Crissy Field. We also added his tricks class, which was a really fun way to keep building engagement and confidence. It was a great outlet for mental stimulation and bonding, and a nice complement to the more structured obedience work. Mike is calm, structured, and extremely knowledgeable. He does a great job explaining the "why" behind the techniques and tools, and he makes sure both dogs and owners are set up for success. Highly recommend for anyone looking for thoughtful, effective training that truly builds skills and confidence over time. read more

Mike was a big help in getting our year old rescue Willow to follow basic commands. We did a group class, and were given the skills and explanation to work on her behavior daily. She now easily follows commands and we plan to take the next level of classes with Mike! read more

Mike Wombacher is the gold standard in puppy training. We took one of his puppy classes and have also worked with him over Zoom on specific issues, and every interaction has been outstanding. He has a practical, effective solution for any issue. Working with Mike showed us just how much untapped potential River has. Just as importantly, he trains the humans! We're excited to keep working with Mike to further refine River's behavior (to make it fool proof and consistent) and to work toward therapy dog certification. Highly, highly recommended. read more

I just finished Mike's Puppy Level 2 class with my new rescue pup. I last worked through a number of Mike's classes with my prior rescue 12 years ago. Mike is fabulous. He has years of experience working with all types of dogs, finding and using the most effective means of getting the best out of each of them. Just as no two children are alike and no two parents are alike, no two dogs are alike and no two owners are alike. Mike is amazing at quickly identifying what methods are going to be the most effective with any combination of dog and owner. We master basic obedience, fun tricks, and the "stop" command, which can save a dog from running into danger by bringing it to an instant halt and freeze. In addition to Mike's classes, his books provide a wealth of guidance, complete with very helpful step-by-step photographs. I cannot recommend Mike highly enough. read more

Incredible dog trainer! There were a lot of doggo parents there to train their puppy. But Kiwi was joining the class at 3 years old to address issues after being attacked. We only did one full course since our goal was to help get her back to comfortably playing with other doggos. Mike is super knowledgeable and a no BS trainer which we appreciated. Highly recommend!! read more

Michael was strongly recommended to me, and I knew on speaking to him that he would be my kind of trainer. That initial impression was furthered by my first session. Michael has a finely honed sense of dog behavior - he reads dogs, and their people, exceptionally well, and has deep insight and instincts for teaching humans about their dogs. Nothing is varnished - he is very direct and honest, but also very effective and considerate. As mentioned in previous reviews, Michael is not cookie-cutter - he customizes his training to the dog, and to the person, and that makes all the difference. I saw an immediate difference in Loki's behavior on implementing what I was taught - he stopped being a puller on the leash, his recall improved notably (and is still improving), and he is well-behaved without being fearful or overly cautious. I feel that I have taken, and am taking more practical steps to keeping Loki safe, and happy, while letting him be free. All thanks to Michael, but you have to do the work and follow through on what he teaches! read more

Working with Mike was great! We did Puppy 2 and we appreciated his flexibility, instruction, and pricing. Great option for any dog parents starting out their training journey! read more

We returned to Mike for new training with our new dogs. We were very happy with the success with our previous two. After a bit of one on one training to get them up to group speed we are joining puppy II classes. He is professional, practical, knowledgeable, kind, positive and has lots of common sense. He is a good communicator. Dogs get it. Humans are slower, eventually catching up to the pooches. He is the author of several books with excellent photos. Bottom line: the successful training results with our dogs was pretty fast. Highly recommended! Thank you, Mike! read more

Mike is AWESOME. I've had dogs most of my life and have worked with a handful of different trainers, and I can confidently say that Mike is among the best trainers out there. I adopted my chihuahua mix, Oliver, at 3 months from a rescue. He was a good puppy but very shy and timid and had a tough time being consistent with basic obedience. Oliver is now 5 months and so far we have completed Mike's Puppy I class and just finished a 2 week board and train with Mike. I couldn't be happier with Oliver's progress. He is now a much more confident boy and has his basic obedience down (sit, down, stay, come, off). Mike is also very good at training the dog's owners on proper training techniques and correction which is equally as important as training the dog. I'm so grateful I found Mike and his team. I trust them implicitly and will be continuing with Puppy II, Puppy III, and his advanced outdoor program. Thank you Mike!!! read more

Dog Gone Good! - Pet Training Near Me

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Michael Wombacher is the real deal. I spend every class learning volumes in an always fun atmosphere and setting. Hes extremely practical in his approach and the classes have without question done wonders for our Border Collie,Sadie. I am eternally grateful he turned our pretty good pup to a great one. read more

Dog Gone Good! - Sadie the wonder pup - Pet Training Near Me

My husband and I could not be happier! After just 2 private lessons with Mike, our 2-year-old golden retriever has been transformed into a wonderful walker on leash and a reliable trail-mate off leash. This means we we are no longer worried about recall, and we can all have a lot more fun outside! Our only regret is that we did not find out about Mike a year ago when we first adopted our 1-year-old puppy. read more

We trained our two dogs with Mike 18 years ago and now we are training our two new dogs with him. I wouldn't do it any other way. They were so well behaved we could take them anywhere and always got compliments on how well behaved they were. He is like a dog whisperer and could help anyone in class with their dog's behavioral problems. I couldn't recommend him more highly. read more

We started with Mike's puppy training #1 and continued until #3. We learned all the puppy training basics up to real life training out in crissy field. It's completely worth it especially when strangers at dog parks are complimenting on our training skills. Can't thank you enough Mike! read more

Dog Gone Good! - Puppy Training #3 at Crissy Field - Pet Training Near Me

Mike is Amazing! We completed Puppy 1 and Puppy 2 classes. He taught us that building "trust" with our puppy is the most important part of the training. We didn't really understand it at the moment, but it became evident when we started bathing him, brushing and even examining him cause he had a minor injury. We can't wait for Puppy 3 and the out door training class. Mike is a true Dog Whisperer. He cares deeply about the dogs and his approach is realistic, scientific and effective. He takes time to individually understand the needs of the dog and help them plan out the next step. We searched a lot to find a good instructor and we feel lucky that Mike accepted our puppy in his class for training. I would say that Mike's Puppy 1 and Puppy 2 classes are "MUST" for every Puppy. Looking forward to the 3rd class. read more

Dog Gone Good! - Charley after Mike's Puppy 2 class - Pet Training Near Me

We came to Mike on the recommendation of a colleague who trained their golden with him. We've been training our german shepherd puppy, Ari with him since day one and it's been the best thing we could do for her. Ari has done Mike's Puppy 1, 2, and Outdoor Advanced class. We love that Puppy 1 started by building the basics, including getting Ari comfortable with handling. Those skills have made it easier to groom her, take her to the vet, and have others handle her. Regarding commands, we've had great success. Mike tries to guide pet parents to the tools they need for success with their dogs, and equips them with the skills they need to train a well adjusted pup. I would highly recommend Mike's classes to any prospective pet parent. read more

Dog Gone Good! - Ari successfully "staying" at Chrissy Field during Outdoor Advanced Class. - Pet Training Near Me

We brought our rescue dog for training with their puppy 2 and puppy 3 class . My dog now has an amazing recall , sits , stays and we built a strong bond because of these classes . I can't recommend them enough . You can YouTube dog training things but you will get so much more from Mike the trainer on the little things that make a huge difference. We enjoyed it so much we signed up for the tricks and agility class which is super fun. If your looking to laugh a lot and be around other friendly dog owners and pups this is great. Worth every penny. Go to these classes , do the work with your dog (outside of class too) and you will have a dog that listens and you can be proud of. read more

Dog Gone Good! - My dog at puppy 3 sitting and waiting on command while tons of distractions go by him - Pet Training Near Me

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OMG ! Michael is so amazing, after I took my dog to his class , and now I could take my dog to every where ( my dog is husky ) Michael has so much knowledge, and he is so so professional! Again ! It's so worth ! Thank you Michael ! U are the best read more

Dog Gone Good! - Pet Training Near Me

I was lucky to find Michael and take his puppy I, II, and advanced outdoor class. He's been an enormous asset in training my sheltie puppy since she was ten weeks old. People always comment on how well-trained and socialized my dog Yuzu is, and I attribute it massively to taking Michael's classes. You learn about early socialization, puppy manners, trust + respect, and then move into the obedience material. Michael is an expert at assessing situations and meeting you where your dog is at. He has a no-nonsense approach to training while also being funny and candid. If you want to learn, put the work in, and give your dog the best life, I highly recommend Michael. read more

Dog Gone Good! - Pet Training Near Me

My dog just finished a one-on-one board and train session with Mike, and she is now perfect! His approach to dog training is rare, since he tailors the training plan to the dog rather than molding the dog to a set training regimen. He has the experience to do that effectively. He is a master at reading individual dogs and understanding what each one needs and what will work. He uses just the right balance of praise, reward, and firmness, with a dose of basic kindness. My dog responded well and quickly. Mine is a collie--a sweetheart without serious behavior problems. But she is headstrong and was not as responsive as I needed. It was important that she know expected behaviors and that she pay attention to me to accommodate my advanced age and a recent injury. Mike knew how to make that happen quickly and without stress. Every day, he sent me instructive videos of her training and tolerated my feedback. I now can use those to develop the teamwork between my dog and me. read more

This review is long overdue and I really hope that a lot more dog parents find Michael from Dog Gone Good and his team! I hosted a HUGE dog event for Google San Francisco way back in October, where we welcomed about 100 dogs, and invited Michael and his team over to facilitate the outdoor event and host agility courses and behavorial talks for the dogs and their owners. They were hands down THE BEST dog trainers we have worked with in the past two years and all the dog parents who attended the event LOVED what Dog Gone Good has brought in and taught them during the event. They made a large event with so many dogs not only fun, but also very smooth and easy. We could only imagine how much more care they'll put in for 1:1 training sessions or smaller groups. Mike, from the Google San Francisco team, thank you so much for helping us with our event, and sharing your expertise with us. Best, Eli read more

Dog Gone Good! - Pet Training Near Me

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We did a lot of research before selecting Mike's training class for our puppy Levi and are so glad we did! We started with Puppy Level 1 and ended up going all the way through Level 3 (off leash training at Chrissy Field). These group classes are not only a great value for training, but also amazing for socializing puppies. We hadn't fully appreciated it before - but having a group class with time of the puppies to play with each other was huge for socializing Levi early. And we are still meeting up for play dates with other dog families we met in the class. Mike is very straightforward - he's not going to sugarcoat anything - but he really knows his stuff and clearly cares a lot. It's very helpful to have the in-person classes where he can see what you're doing wrong and help you correct - it often wasn't obvious to us, but always seemed obvious to Mike! read more

Dog Gone Good is a very good resource for you and your puppy/dog! I researched trainers and Mike Wombacher is very the real deal! He is a no none sense, down to business trainer. His technique is straightforward and there is No BS. He has extensive experience and will be able to help your specific training issues. Mike's method is NOT all about strictly positive training, the dog are not punished, but dogs do get firm correction such a tap on shoulders or strong vocal tone. It is realistic and pretty much like one would correct a child. It is effective and works in teaching Trust and Respect, Mike has written books and YouTube video that are wonderful companion to your puppy training courses. Dog Gone Good: street parking is available, but arrive early to avoid disruption to the class and ensure a good close parking spot. Proof of Covid vaccination is required, masks are optional. Don't forget to bring high value doggie treats that are small enough to be eaten quickly. I highly recommend Dog Gone Good and Mike Wombacher for your puppy/ dog training needs! Tell him Khaleesi sent you! read more

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Michael is a very serious and effective trainer. We have taken his 2 class and are currently in his obedience 3 class. His no nonsense approach has helped us tremendously with our very high energy 7 month old Vizsla pup. Not only has his training been a game changer in training our pup but it has helped us understand the mistakes we were making. He really has such an excellent understanding of not only dog behavior but also human behavior, he teaches very clearly how to communicate expectations properly with our pups. Honestly, he's been a bit of a lifesaver during the difficult puppy stages we are going through. Highly recommend. read more

Can't recommend Mike's classes highly enough! We started Puppy 1 with our 8 week old puppy and have continued on to take his puppy 2 and his advanced outdoor 3 class at Chrissy Field. He's a fantastic teacher, his advice is straightforward, practical and effective. The classes were invaluable to training our puppy, and he does a good job of giving pointers and tips to each owner and dog throughout the class. If you have a puppy, I'd recommend getting his book (There's a Puppy in the house). We found it helpful to follow along outside of class. He also has an affiliation with a boarding facility in Marin called Alpha Dog - after a vetting process we started boarding our dog there and highly recommend as well. read more

Dog Gone Good! - Pet Training Near Me

I just completed Mike's Puppy 2 class and recommend it to any dog owner. The classes are small and have great hands-on instruction and examples. My dog went from not knowing how to sit, all the way to off leash healing. I used his "Integrated Dog Training" book between classes, which has tons of great pictures and helped us master the basics before our next lesson. Looking forward to his Level 3 class! read more

I have taken 3 classes with Mike (Puppy 1, Puppy 2, and Advanced Outdoor), with my Australian Shepherd puppy, starting at 8 weeks old. These classes were invaluable - I learned that most of dog training is about training the owner, not the dog. Mike really does show you how to work with your dog, and helps you understand what the dog is thinking and how to train and motivate them. Puppy 1 was especially helpful for providing a safe space for my pup to socialize with other dogs before she had gotten all of her shots. She is now a very well adjusted dog who knows lots of commands AND has a bulletproof recall! Mike is launching a new tricks and agility class soon at his facility in Marin, and I can't wait to sign up! read more

Dog Gone Good! - Stay exercise on a busy beach with lots of distractions. - Pet Training Near Me

We loved Michael's classes and highly recommend. We adopted a ~4 year old dog and attended both the Puppy 2 and the Advanced Outdoor courses. The classes really helped to socialize our pup as well as solidify his off leash recall. read more

Dog Gone Good! - Pet Training Near Me

As new dog owners, we had done our own research but quickly realized the importance of professional support and signed up for Mike's puppy 2 and outdoor advanced training. Our goal was to strengthen our dog's recall and other safety "tricks" to give him the freedom to play and hike off leash. Mike's teaching style stood out for its clarity and personalized approach. He not only explained concepts thoroughly but also offered valuable insights tailored to any dog's individual needs. What we appreciated most was his respect for everyone's comfort levels; he never imposed recommendations and left the decision-making to the owners. By continuing to apply what we've learned in an outdoor, high-distraction setting, it truly helped us reach our goal. We started to clearly see significant progress towards the end of the outdoor advanced training. Thanks, Mike!! read more

We took two classes with Mike and are very impressed with how well our pup learned. Mike is a great teacher. I would highly recommend taking his classes. read more

Dog Gone Good! - Ruby Tuesday and a classmate after class. - Pet Training Near Me

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I cannot say enough good things about Mike. He completely transformed our dog and our experience training our dog with him has been life changing, and I mean that sincerely. Before working with Mike, our dog was having issues with barking and leash reactivity that did not improve with obedience classes and 2 other private trainers we worked with. After about 10 minutes into our first private training session with Mike, our dog was responding to his commands and his corrections on her inappropriate behavior seemed to be instantly effective. We had been told by the previous trainers, who used a positive-only training approach, that our dog might never be able to be a part of a dog walking group or go to a dog park and we were instructed to avoid any areas with other dogs (very unrealistic living in SF). Mike was confident that our dog would improve and be able to socialize with other dogs within weeks. His approach was compassionate and effective, and he has a very impressive understanding of canine psychology and behavior. Mike's approach to training was customized to our dog's needs, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach that we experienced with other trainers/classes. In addition to private training sessions, she also took his class and learned so much! We can't wait to sign up for more classes with Mike so she can continue to learn from him. Our dog's quality of life has improved tremendously since working with him now that she has learned appropriate behaviors and can go to dog parks. We are so amazed by how much happier she seems after training with Mike and are so grateful for his help. I highly recommend Mike to anyone looking for a dog trainer or dog classes. To anyone who is worried about an approach to training that is not 100% positive reinforcement, I would say that from my experience, positive-only training does not always result in greater quality of life or happiness for a dog. After training with Mike, our dog now can safely go on multiple walks a day in areas with many dogs that she happily socializes with. While aversion control was a small part of our training with Mike (his focus is still mostly positive), I feel that those corrections are helping our dog live a safer, happier life that she may not have had if we had only done positive-only training. It has now been over a year since her initial training with Mike (this review is long overdue) and she continues to be a happy, well-behaved dog, and this is 100% thanks to Mike! read more

We finished both puppy 1 and 2 virtually with Mike and are signed up for an in person class next year! This should say enough. We got a Boston terrier puppy during the pandemic and Mike made it easy! Mike knows his craft and conducts his class in a structured and efficient manner - Q&A, reviews, new materials, practices and Q&A. He's funny, experienced and always straight to the point. We are learning a lot and I feel our pup behaves better than a lot of adult dogs we meet already. If you are willing to put in the work with Mike, you will get a well rounded and well behaved puppy that loves and trust you! Virtual classes worked well for us and we can't wait to have an in person class! Thanks Mike! read more

Dog Gone Good! - Barney - Pet Training Near Me

Both my wife and I have done classes with Mike in person and remote through Zoom. I was waiting to finish our level 2 class with our puppy Miniature Schnauzer ( Archy_Wallace) to write this. Mike is a straight up dog trainer and not a dog sitter, what do I mean? He will tell you what you are doing wrong and what you are doing right and will coach you on how to address your dog the proper way for the dog to listen. Our puppy has shown amazing progress both in the socializing and the listening aspect. My wife took her 9 year old Boston (Buster) to teach him some good walking techniques so he won't bark at everything moving and surprisingly Mike was able to work with him and he is good on walks now. That being said, practicing the techniques on your own between classes will make your dog look like a star at the next class, if you don't practice the techniques it will show. The space where the classes are held is really big and we were all at a very safe social distance and all windows stay open at all times. I also did 4 remote zoom classes with the Miniature Schnauzer and it was surprisingly effective. I highly recommend Mike and I will continue to work with him to train our Mini Schnauzer. read more

Dog Gone Good! - We were working on a stand-stay excercise and Mike is working closely with a Westie that was having issues. - Pet Training Near Me

Dog Gone Good! has helped our dog Mojo tremendously and the instructor Michael is beyond knowledgeable when it comes to dogs. He has a genuine love for every student/pup in his classes and has over 30+ years experience training dogs of all sizes, breeds, and personality types. Our dog mojo loves going to class every week and we love the way he is behaving ever since starting at Dog Gone Good! read more

Dog Gone Good! - Mojo Gone Good! - Pet Training Near Me

Two of our dogs with very different temperaments went through the obedience level 2 class with Michael Wombacher. He has decades of experience with dogs of all kind and it shows in his no-nonsense approach to his training philosophy. Unlike other classes we've tried in the Bay Area, Mike makes his classes flexible for the humans and fun for the dogs, all while making sure dogs are making progress towards the training goals. At the end of six weeks our dogs are much better behaved. They can sit/stay/walk reliably on command and perform fancy finishes, emergency stops and have fantastic recall. read more

Mike is an amazing dog trainer! We did a lot of research on training programs and instructors for our shih tzu puppy Mason and we are so glad we chose Mike's classes. We completed puppy 1 and 2 and highly recommend both if you have a new puppy. Mike is extremely knowledgeable and his approach is based on scientific and practical knowledge. Each class is an hour long and there is plenty of time for puppies to socialize and for pet owners to ask questions. Not only are the puppies getting trained, he's also teaching the owners how to build trust and respect with their dogs. We now have the knowledge to continue to reinforce what we've learned to have a well behaved puppy. read more