Long post but please read the whole thing. My husband and I hired Mark because our dog was aggressive towards strangers. He was very responsive and we set up our first meeting for a Sunday. When I got home from work the Friday prior Marks card was on our door. I assumed he was just scouting the location. On Sunday 15 minutes after our appointment time he wasn't there and I called and left a voicemail. 30 minutes after our appointment time I called and left a voicemail. He returned my call a few moments later and said there was a mix up he thought the appointment was Friday when he left the card. It was odd since he did not call me that day but we agreed that people make mistakes and to give it another try. He was very reluctant to meet us after business hours and preferred daily appointments. This was rough since we both worked but the first week I had two sessions with him at lunch time. My husband couldn't be at these and he needed to learn about it also so we scheduled another Sunday appointment. Again 15 minutes past the appointment time he didn't show up and I left a voicemail. 45 minutes past the appointment time I called and left another voicemail. He called back 2 minutes after our appointment would have been over and said he was running late but it was too late now to do another appointment and would have to reschedule. My husband called him back and explained that he needs to respect our time since we respect his. He promised it would not happen again and that if he was running late he would call us prior to our appointment time. He then PROMPTLY cashed the $500 check we wrote him on the first training appointment day which we understood wouldn't happen until all 6 training sessions were finished. Regardless the next few sessions went well he called in a timely manner when he was going to be late. Our dog started to realize that we were in charge and his aggression died down quickly. The last day of our training was supposed to be the test and we were going to a dog park to prove he learned what he was supposed to. 15 minutes past the appointment time we left a voicemail. 30 minutes after the appointment time we asked him to call and reschedule. It has now been THREE days and he has not returned the call. We were shorted one appointment but honestly I wouldn't want to work with him anymore anyway. Nothing he taught us was extraordinary and having to keep track of him was not worth it. It is a bad business practice and we are out the money. I WOULD NOT recommend him. read more

Our recently adopted (newly neutered) 2 yr old pug was a huge problem on leash: always pulling, distracted, chasing after squirrels, cars, everything. He was also rather aggressive to other dogs, trying to dominate them. In the beginning, I had wanted to make sure he got plenty of exercise, but my inability to manage his behavior was not making it easy for us to take long walks, and I felt bad that my lack of skill was keeping him indoors so much. Stress! We wanted to take him to some group training classes, but none were starting at the time and we needed help quickly. I checked out yelp and found Mark, who had very good reviews. I called him, told him about our situation and he was very interested in helping us. We had a good, long conversation, where he offered his thoughts about why our dog was behaving that way, and what we could do now to alleviate some problems. We met a few days later. It was obvious Mark had good energy because our dog, who gets overexcited with any newcomer, seemed to relax very quickly when Mark arrived. Mark observed me and my dog and saw that the dog, though he listened, was rather reluctant to listen and act, and this was a problem. I am a first-time dog owner and so I didn't think it was strange that our dog would lazily respond to my commands. Mark showed me how to get the dog to respond enthusiastically, what kinds of incentives to use, how to adjust my voice and petting. We moved outdoors to work on the leash. Mark showed me some techniques to get our dog to Heel, which worked rather well. Mark gave me other hints and tips to work on outdoors. We all were working very hard and felt like we accomplished something! We had another lesson with Mark, who taught us some new commands, which our dog seemed to pick up quickly. We worked outdoors again, our biggest challenge, and Mark again showed us techniques to keep our dog in check. What I found interesting in these sessions is that Mark is training the owner more than the dog. Mark showed me how to be a stronger leader, whom my dog would respect and follow. I have learned a lot and my dog obeys me more enthusiastically, though we have some way to go. But I definitely feel Mark gave us great tools to mold our dog into a great companion. Mark is very interested in giving you what you want in the lessons. He is a good listener and freely offers lots of comments and advice. He encourages you to call him outside the lesson when you need additional help. He really cares about your dog and wants to inspire the dog to listen to your commands. Overall, Mark is great and I would recommend him wholeheartedly. read more

My husband spoke to Mark a week ago about training our dog. He said to text some days this past week we are free. Never heard back even after a couple texts. Very disappointing. read more

We just adopted our dog, Sadie who is two years old and we are currently using Mark Reed as our trainer. Mark has been extremely helpful and I have been recommending him at all the dog parks! He is just as patient with the dogs as he is with the owners! Sadie went from being a dog who didn't know any commands, who pulled on the leash and jumped up on people to being one of the best behaved dog--thanks to Mark! He is even helping my two daughters, who are 9 and 12 learn how to get her to behave. If you are looking for a trainer who loves dogs and wants to help you get a well behaved and happy dog look no further than Mark Reed! read more

We would highly recommend Mark based on our experience. He provided "exceptional" help with our daughter's huge Great Dane as well as our sensitive Chinook. He is very insightful with both dogs and people as he was able to address some difficult issues and provide sound advice. I would use him again without hesitation should the need arise. read more

Mark has been working with us for a couple of months, helping us to train our 2 new Lab mix puppies. He's fabulous -- he trained us how to train them. We are able to address the problems that come up (with his help), teach them how to listen to us, how to behave around other people......they are better behaved, more under control, more enjoyable for us, and happier puppies ! I can't say enough good things about Mark and Exceptional Dog Training -- he'll solve any problem you have, and you will have a better friendship with your dog than you thought imagineable. - Barbara read more

We had Mark to our home last night and had a very successful training session. We adopted our 2 year old beagle, Jackson, about a week ago. Mark came in the house and observed our interaction with him (particularly, taking him out of his crate and outside) and gave us tips as he watched the interaction. The major issue is his submissive nature. When you try to get pet him, he will lay down on his back in a submissive pose. Mark quickly showed us how to stop that with treats and how to ignore Jackson when he did act submissive. We noticed that after Mark left, Jackson was no longer automatically going into a submissive pose. Huge score. Additionally, we wanted Jackson to go potty outside. For some reason, he only ever wanted to do his business on a walk. Again, Mark told us how to go about doing that by bringing him in and out in intervals. We continued the practice throughout the evening and sure enough, he did his business before bed last night! He also did the same this morning. The 3rd major issue was Jackson's fear of his crate. We're still working on that one but noticed that he at least steps foot into the crate and is curious, at least checking it out. We have to crate him during the day so this is a work in progress, but again, we saw major strides in him last night. Mark is a calming presence and really knows how to train you as an owner to interact and understand your dog and to pick up cues- things he knows from years of experience. In a matter of 2 hours, we picked up many good tips that we will continue to use and practice. We intend to use Mark again for some more basic training. I really see the value in training your dog in the comfort and environment of your own home, without distractions. This is particularly important for beagles, who are easily distracted. Additionally, you get very targeted training, which you would not get at Petco or in a group setting. Very happy with Mark and looking forward to working with him again!! read more

We are first-time dog owners with a rescue puppy (terrier mix). I knew we (my husband and two children) would need flexibility, and we preferred in-home training to going to a pet store or vet. I scheduled Mark for a visit on a Monday, but then my dog got sick and Mark was VERY flexible -- said I should call him when the dog was feeling better. Five days later (including three of those in a veterinary hospital), we met for the first time. Our concerns were with "mouthiness" -- rowdy puppy wanted to put his mouth on everything, and didn't really know the difference between playing, chewing, and biting; and with barking every time he was left alone in a room. Over the course of six sessions in about 4 weeks, Mark taught us how to manage and change our dog's behavior. Chewing is normal and acceptable; biting is not. So let's address the biting and reward the chewing. Same goes for barking -- it's okay to alert briefly, but whining and barking as attention-seeking behaviors, not so much. Mark taught us techniques that only needed to be deployed once or twice, and our pup now understands who the alphas are in this relationship. Pup isn't always perfect, but I don't expect him to be. I just need him to be responsive when we correct him (and when we reward him, of course). In addition to understanding dogs, Mark really also understands children. He managed my kids' questions and interruptions, as well as their distractions and forgetfulness. Mark is a one-man show. If you are a working family (as we are) and need specific arrangements, let him know up-front what your limitations are, and work with him to find a time that meets everyone's needs. We did have one appointment where we planned to meet at a local dog park, but he showed up at our house instead. When we spoke on the phone and he realized his mistake, he said "I'll be there in 20 minutes. I can't stay for the full hour, but we'll make it up with another training session." I cannot wait to recommend Mark to new dog owners. And, while I don't anticipate needing it, I take comfort knowing I can call him for a quick check-in or advice session by phone. read more

Mark Reed is simply phenomenal with dogs! He really knows how to communicate with them in a way that I could never have picked up from reading a book or a hundred books. Neither my husband nor I had any experience with dogs before we got our 10-week old puppy. Quite frankly, even after the extensive reading I'd done before getting our pup, I did not think it could possibly be that hard to train a dog. I figured between the advice of friends of mine who had dogs and scouring the internet, we had it under control....I mean...the puppy was only 5 1/2 lbs! Of course, I was standing on my head within the first few weeks. This itty bitty fluff ball was darting around biting everyone in the house HARD and acting increasingly aggressive and hyperactive as the weeks went by. Nothing I did seemed effective. I didn't know how to properly communicate with the dog and was only confusing him with my inconsistent commands. Mark really saved the day. It was apparent to me from his very first meeting with our pup how capable he was. And it was fascinating to me to see how my dog responded so differently to Mark than to me or any of my family members. Mark instantly commanded respect from my dog. I knew right then that he was the right person for the job. And the best part is that he comes to you and works with you and your dog in your home environment. I honestly do not think that sending my dog out to be boarded with a trainer would have had the same results that we have had with Mark. Him being with us in our home, seeing the triggers that set off certain behaviors in the dog -- he was really able to tailor his advice and training to us, our home, our dog. He was able to demonstrate the way we should be responding to poor behavior and how we should be praising good behavior, even if we weren't seeing it as often as we wanted. He really reframed how we should be interacting with the dog and he was able to do it with humor and kindness. Our dog is still our dog with his exuberant spirit still intact! But, he behaves well, and honestly, seems to be a much happier pup after the training. I KNOW I'm happier! Thank you, Mark!!! read more

My puppy, Jester, is a small dog with a big alpha personality. He is high energy, very smart and equally as stubborn. Although I'd had dogs before, nothing I knew seemed to work with this one. I was at the end of my patience and not enjoying my life with my dog! Finally, after speaking with a number of trainers, I decided to hire Mark Reed of Exceptional Dog Training (www.exceptionaldogtraining.com). Hiring Mark Reed was the best decision I could have made. Mark Reed is an extraordinary dog trainer! He tailors the training to each individual dog and its owner(s) and he does so with intelligence, sensitivity, patience, diplomacy, empathy and kindness. I wanted my dog to be trained so that he would happily listen to me but I did not want to change his personality or his behavior through fear or intimidation. Mark listened to my concerns and asked a number of questions regarding which behavior was the most important to me that we initially address. It was clear from the beginning of that first session that he customizes the training approach for each individual situation in an effort to successfully achieve the desired behavior changes. In my case, I had to learn new ways to communicate and interact with my dog so that he would understand that I am the leader of this pack. Jester now comes when he's called, has stopped barking whenever he wants attention, and is walking on a leash without pulling me down the street. He's still as spunky as ever but he is now a member of my pack and I am the leader. And although we still have some issues to overcome, the improvements we've made to date are major and it's clear that with Mark's help we will be successful on all counts. Mark Reed says it best on his website: "I will work with you and your family to find the best possible solutions for your dog and guide you every step of the way to create a rock-solid relationship with your dog." "As long as we're working together, your goals are my goals." "I am committed to providing the highest quality dog training instruction and guarantee my work with a 100% money back guarantee so you have everything to gain and nothing to lose." Every word is true. I wholeheartedly recommend Mark Reed to anyone looking for a dog trainer. You will see positive results from Mark's training after the first session! read more

I wanted to update my review of Mark Reed. Today, Bodie and I completed our training sessions from Mark. I can't be any happier nor feel any more confident in terms of how to communicate with my dog. Mark is truly exceptional! Thank you Mark for all that you shared with us and above all for the personalized approach in our sessions. Bodie and I will reap the benefits for years to come. Thank you! read more

We are currently using Mark Reed with Exceptional Dog Training, to work with us in training our puppy. My husband and I had tried our own "techniques" but we ultimately confused the puppy and ourselves. We see instant results now and everything Mark suggests makes sense and works, and, even better the training does not harm our pet physically, mentally or spiritually. what I mean by spiritually is, the goal is not to humiliate or break our puppy's spirit. He's still our confident fiesty little pup, but now he's learning how to act according to our rules and we are not living according to his. Anyway, Mark has years of experience, is very patient and is a bona fide dog whisperer! I would highly recommend him. His fees are very reasonable and he works with our schedule. I'm glad we found him! read more

Mark Reed of Exception Dog Training is excellent! My husband and I rescued a dog several months ago. We used another (more expensive trainer) who came to the house twice and recommended we send the dog back to the high kill shelter. We finally found Exceptional Dog Training. Mark came to our home 4 times in a week and a half to work with us and our dog. The transformation was amazing! Mark's services are worth every dollar! He really cares about the well being of the dogs to help them become balanced and happy. We would recommend Exceptional Dog Training to anyone who has a dog with issues. Mark can handle any type of behavior and does it without harsh corrections. read more

Mark recently helped us to train our mastiff. We recently adopted our dog and were experiencing problems with him when he was around other dogs. He would become overly excited (sometimes aggressive) and fixated on other dogs when he encountered them. This made it very difficult to keep him under control while walking him. We tried a group obedience class, but it was not a good fit for our situation. Mark met us at our house and at the dog park to work on appropriate behaviors. He taught us effective ways to communicate with our dog and appropriate rewards and consequences for his behaviors. Now I can walk our mastiff without fear of what he will do if we pass another dog. The training that we received has greatly improved our relationship with our dog and increased our confidence level. Mark did a great job and we are very happy that we found him to help us train our dog. read more

I've only spent about 3 and 1/2 hours with Mark Reed, I absolutely love him. I saw such a difference in my chihuahua already. I have to rave about him as a person- I feel so comfortable with him and can tell he is very passionate about his work. Not to mention, he keeps his German Shepard as a training dog for my dog and it is highly impressive. I booked another 2 sessions and can't wait to learn more! I feel like I've learned so much already, I look at my chihuahua differently now, with more respect than annoyance. I highly recommend Mark - great guy. read more

Mark Reed on Exceptional Dog Training is amazing. We asked Mark to help us with our year old Cockapoo in three areas: not jump on visitors who ring the doorbell, not pulling on a leash when walking and to come when called. We purchased a package of 6 lessons and at the end of each lesson, our dog was transformed and understood what we wanted from her. Or more importantly, we're been transformed into knowledgeable dog owners who correct unwanted behavior and praise wanted behavior. I highly recommend Mark for your dog training. He's been punctual and reliable and an outstanding dog whisperer. read more

Mark with Exceptional Dog Training is without a doubt the best you'll find in the metropolitan area! We needed help with our 1 year old pit bull who had a tendency to jump on people who walked in the door and pulled us on the leash. We looked into dog training with other companies but most require a basic commands course first before getting into anything technical, which is a waste of money if your dog already knows sit and paw. Mark comes to your house or where ever you need; he even met us at Burke Lake Park for a walk.. in the snow! Since our dog had excited behavior issues with people coming over, having Mark come to us couldn't have worked out better. He is completely dedicated to working with you and your dog and specifies lessons tailored to your needs. His methods work and he is never hard on the dog. Our dog loved her rewards program Mark implemented! Mark genuinely wants to help you in order to make a difference. I saw positive results after 1 lesson! Having a well-behaved dog is priceless and Mark's prices are more than fair! Companies in the area generally charge twice as much for in-home private lessons! Exceptional Dog Training was worth every dollar and I couldn't be happier with the results. Mark is results oriented and is a pleasure to work with. He has a special way of relating to dogs and truly understands the issues. Our loving pit greets visitors in a polite manner and walks are finally peaceful! We are one happy family thanks to Mark and Exceptional Dog Training! read more

We were hysterically ready to give our corgi away. He was involved in several fights with our terrier and had bitten my daughter after one of these emotional encounters. Added to the mix is our adopted lab, goofy and in your face. We were feeling hopeless. Mark changed everything for us. We have three dogs all on the road to great behavior and have no thoughts of having to find another home for any of our dogs. Thanks to Mark, we are a happy 3 dog family, plus...... read more

We recently adopted a deaf pit bull mix and although she generally has a lovely disposition, she also is stubborn and our walks were complete nightmares. She would constantly pull and get WAY too excited when she saw other dogs (cats, squirrels, people, etc.). A friend recommended Mark Reed and I can honestly say I don't know where we would be without him. He helped us teach her signs for different commands and helped us learn to keep her under control while on walks. I did a great deal of research and his rates are much less than other trainers (he also spent well over an hour with us each session but only charged for the hour). He is incredibly knowledgeable and his methods not only work, but are humane. We tried a prong collar and he stopped using it when he could see that it was cutting our dog's neck (even though she didn't seem to mind and kept on pulling). I'm thrilled that Olive is doing so much better but also a little sad that we aren't going to see Mark anymore! read more