Meatball started training with Amie when she was just 4 weeks old and the progress has been incredible. From the very beginning, Amie has been so patient, flexible with my schedule, and genuinely caring about Meatball's growth and overall wellness. We began with standard baseline training which gave us such a strong foundation. Those basics made it so much easier when I decided to move on to more advanced skills. One of the biggest things I have appreciated is that Amie did not just train Meatball, she also trained me. She taught me how to communicate better, be consistent, and really build a strong bond with my dog. Another amazing part of working with Amie is the community she has built. After private lessons, we have had the opportunity to join group classes and pack walks which will be so great for Meatball's socialization. She also goes above and beyond by offering support outside of in-person lessons. Whenever I have questions, she is always responsive via text and often sends helpful how-to videos, tips, and tricks that make a big difference in our progress. I truly cannot imagine what our training journey would have been like without Amie. She has made such a positive impact on both me and Meatball and I am so grateful for her dedication and support. I am going to miss our one on ones!!! read more

See all

Amie has an amazing understanding of dog psychology. She will assist you in becoming familiar with your dog's stressors, behaviors and physical/mental needs. While my guy is well socialized and intelligent, he is much more confident and happy thanks to her. We look forward to continuing our learning journey with her. Update: We recently completed a 5 week course with Amie for E-collar training. And before you judge, understand I was just like you. I had negative, judgemental thoughts about ecollars and looked down upon people who used them. I felt it was negative reinforcement, similar to physical punishement. I wanted my guy and I to have more freedom in our exploring, so I signed him up anyway, because I knew I could trust Amie. I had extreme anxiety about using the ecollar. I was scared I was going to irreversibly damage my dog's trust in me and injure him. After signing up and feeling apprehension I reached out to Amie who assured me, settings are low, we do things slowly and incorporate the collar similarly to verbal commands and/or leash pressure. She told me I wasn't alone in my thoughts and that she felt the same concerns when she started. Throughout the 5 weeks my relationship with my guy changed. He was following me without the stim, verbal commands or leash pressure. He checked in more frequently, came back on his own and was FREE. It is an absolutely freeing feeling allowing him to roam at a safe distance, knowing his recall is more secure and our trust in each other is greater. I CANNOT recommend Amie enough for you and your dog's needs! read more

See all

If you are looking for a dog trainer, go with Amie! Amie helped us train our puppy Coco for a couple months, and it has been the best decision we've ever made! Coco was struggling with dog reactivity, pulling on the leash while walking, barking, and other things that arise with most puppies. I was desperate to find help and even after the first session with Amie, Coco was walking without pulling and following directions! She has given us the tools we need to help Coco through her big feelings. It truly is like night and day compared to when we first started. Coco is a complete different dog because of the training Amie provided us. I would do it 1000x over without a doubt. She explained everything slowly and carefully, let us film so we wouldn't forget what to do, replied to texts when something would come up, drove to our apartment multiple times to train in Coco's usual environment, and listened to our concerns and what we wanted to focus on. Again, if you need help training your fur baby whether they are a puppy or not, I highly recommend Amie and her program! read more

First Instinct Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me

I have never grown up around dogs so I had no idea what I was getting into when my foster doberman, Zeki, stole my heart. I reached out to lots of trainers as I knew I had to acclimate him with my senior cat and he was very reactive to dogs on leash to the point of pulling me down/injuring my hands and legs with his jumping and scratching and road burn. I couldn't walk him unless it was on a harness or he'd pull me any which way he wanted. He would not obey a single command outside of the house. I knew he was a smart dog, just lacked focus/impulse control and was overall chaos! During the phone call with Amie I felt confident in her technique and abilities so we had our first session. I've been working with Amie for the past 6 months seeing her at least weekly and she has boarded my dog for board & train and regular boarding when I was on vacation. Following her advice has made my dog manageable, enjoyable, and got me into the world of dog training! I am now confident in my abilities to manage my dog and don't want to cry daily - her support via text is top notch so I never stayed confused on any homework task or training nuance. Zeki is... special and requires different techniques sometimes and Amie always makes sure to learn more about him and teach me different techniques to try out to make sure it works for him! We can walk past a dog on the sidewalk at parks now. We can walk past squirrels without him darting every 5 seconds and staying in a chaotic mindset. I can more easily bring him to a calm mindset. People literally ask me if he's a service dog and how to train their dog like him- and I give them Amie's card :) Training is a lifelong task and Zeki is still reactive. But I have the tools to work him through any reaction and set him up for success by understanding his mindset and preparing ahead for the location we are going (does it have enough space, will I have the time to work with him if he's overwhelmed, etc). Oh, and he's crate trained now and trusted around my cat with no need for any intervention most days :) Thank you Amie for being so welcoming and introducing me to the dog community Probably would have returned Zeki if it wasn't for your support. read more

See all

Amie has been the best trainer ever. She has a calm & confident presence which is crucial for working with reactive dogs! I signed up for her 5-week E-collar training class and couldn't be happier with the results! Before her workshop I was extremely nervous and uncomfortable with using the e-collar in fear that I would "mess up" my dog Jax. Jax would chase after squirrels and was super iffy around other dogs. But thanks to her guidance I am now 100% confident using the E-collar and it's given my dog much more off leash freedom. Now I know that no matter what happens I will have control of my dog which really puts my mind at ease. Think of an E-collar as your seatbelt, it's there for safety in case of emergencies and totally worth it! Now I take Jax to parks and let him run off-leash around distractions such as dogs, people, and squirrels and have no issues like I had before! Amie truly knows what she's doing and is beyond patient if you have any questions. If you're thinking about it, trust me, go to Amie! read more

First Instinct Dog Training - Jax at his E-collar graduation - Pet Training Near Me

See all

Amie is fantastic and we were so blessed to be referred to her. My wife and I rescued Milo from the Harbor Animal Shelter in San Pedro. He's a 2 year old Rat Terrier ho has a strong personality and began to bite my son and I. We knew instantly there were some behavioral issues beyond basic training. Amie spent about an hour talking with us on the phone to identify the issues before even meeting us. We knew she was going to be a great fit. She taught us how to take control and teach Milo the new ways of life and develop a routine. We worked with her for 4 seasons and taught us how to use a slip leash, go to "place" crate training and how to walk with him and more. We saw instant improvement with Milo and couldn't be happier. Milo isn't perfect but it's a night and day difference in his behavior. We learned that his major issue is separation anxiety. We're now able to put Milo in his crate and leave the house for a few hours and he's as happy as can be. Amie, we can't thank you enough!!! read more

First Instinct Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me

See all

I reached out to Amie and First Instinct Dog Training a couple of months after adopting my three-year-old Doberman, Abby. I got Abby thinking her companionship would help me cope with stress. As she became more accustomed to her new life and started understanding our routine, it became difficult to take her on our walks or have her join me for a run. She has a lot of anxiety outside of the home, and she quickly became unmanageable, pulling against the leash with all of her Doberman strength and unexpectedly darting toward people and dogs. I was thankful she showed no signs of aggression, but that was a small comfort. During some of our low points, I thought I would have to return Abby to the rescue. I felt an immense sense of guilt. Tears were shed. I got a good feeling from Amie during our phone consultation and decided to commit to her four-session program. The improvement after just one session was remarkable. While we still have things to work on after completing the program, Abby and I have developed a strong foundation, and I'm confident that with time and practice I now have the tools to get us to where we both want to be. Amie is a great communicator, personable, confident, and has a real talent for diagnosing dog behaviors from careful observation and correcting them. I recommend her services wholeheartedly. read more

First Instinct Dog Training - Abby and I, practicing living in the moment. - Pet Training Near Me

Before I met Amie, my dog's behavior was erratic when he was alone and reactive when he was in public. I reached out because everything I was trying wasn't working. From our very first session, it was clear that Amie had special gift for working with dogs and their owners. What struck me most was her unique approach--she creates a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere that immediately puts both dogs and their humans at ease. My pup felt relaxed and open to learning in her presence. It's evident that Amie greatly understands canine behavior and knows how to build trust with her clients. At the same time, she maintains a level of firmness that is crucial for effective training. Her clear expectations and structured methods helped my dog understand what was required, while also ensuring that he felt secure and supported. She knows how to set boundaries without being harsh, which I really appreciated. It's a delicate balance that she handles with finesse. The techniques she taught us were practical and easy to incorporate into our daily routine. I've already noticed positive changes in my dog's behavior, making our walks and playtime so much more enjoyable. If you're looking for a dog trainer who combines warmth with a strong sense of discipline, I highly recommend Amie and Pure Instinct Dog Training. read more

If you need an AMAZING dog trainer Aimee is the one. I first brought my dog Leo to her because he was having difficulty obeying commands. He was always stressed out and had a bite incident. Ever since our first session with he was a completely different dog and Leo and I bonded with her well. She is kind, patient , and really great to be around. Leo now obey my commands and he is great in the house. He is less stressed and visibly happier. Thank you so much Amie we love you read more

First Instinct Dog Training - place command - Pet Training Near Me

See all

Ever since I adopted him I used to joke that the plan was to get a dog to help me with my anxiety but the universe heard me wrong and gave me a dog with anxiety. My rescue Finneas had every behavioral issue that you could name, dog reactivity, separation anxiety, extreme fear of new things, submissive peeing in the house, ect. I met Amie during one of her group classes while I was walking Finn at the park, and am eternally greatful that I did! What initially caught my eye was the calm energy of all the dogs in her class has well as her own dog's impressive behaviors! Not only is she the best trainer i've ever met (and i've worked with quite a few), but she is one of the most genuine people ever. I feel like I've met a friend and gained a community! Amie gained Finn's trust extremely quickly, tailored our training to his (very many) needs, and is always available for support outside of our sessions. She goes above and beyond with typing out our homework, staying extra time when needed and understanding individual circumstances. Finneas has progressed leaps and bounds, like instead of people giving me the stink eye when he flips out in public I have strangers stop me and ask how he is so well behaved. He can walk past other dogs and squirrels without batting an eye, I can take him to a pet friendly cafe with confidence (and without a lengthy pep talk), men talking don't trigger him, and he doesn't pee in the house every time I recall him. My relationship with Finneas and his temperament have done a complete 180 that would not have been possible without Amie. She is truly an incredible person, and trainer that I cannot reccomend enough!! read more

First Instinct Dog Training - Halloween Pack walk - Pet Training Near Me

My boyfriend and I started training with my dog Titus after moving in together. Amie helped us with the adjustment and with new strategies and boundaries to help Titus with some anxiety and behavioral issues. She also helped us facilitate bonding between Titus and my boyfriend. Amie has great knowledge and a multitude of tips and tricks. We enjoyed the private training and ability to practice in different settings. Titus has made so much progress in becoming less anxious, obeying commands, and adjusting to his new home. read more

Amie has changed our lives for the better, she's the best trainer I've ever worked with and an amazing person as well! I have two sister dogs from rescue who are great dogs but very nervous and one is rather reactive. Amie was so easy to work with and such a great coach for me. Her knowledge and techniques worked great for all of us and her patience and communication are fantastic. When we started our training we were a mess of dogs pulling human. Now, we walk confidently and I feel far less stress because I'm in control of the walk. I highly recommend her for anyone needing help with any issues you might be having with your dogs! read more

I met amie one day while I was working at a restaurant and as she walks in I notice the finest trained little doggo! Within our conversation I asked how she had her little guy so trained as I needed help of my own. That is when she revealed to me her dog training business and our relation started to grow! I was having trouble walking my 2 year old,160 pound, and not neutered German Shepard! Before Amie it was almost impossible to walk Sergeant(GS) during the day without any leash pulling and barking. We tried PetSmart dog training,shock collars,prong collars and nothing seemed to be working. There is a decent size park across our home and in order to walk him, it had to take place when absolutely no dogs were present or nightfall. During our sessions with Amie,sergeant was in a very excited state of mind which made it twice as hard to train him. Working more with Amie she provided exercises to release all the excitement before we go on our walks. After 2 months I finally feel confident in myself to walk sergeant not just at nightfall but during the day with dogs present. Sarge has definitely become a more calm dog from when we first started and not just on our walks but in our daily living. The type of confidence you get when walking a big dog without a problem and having other dogs barking at you is one of the best feelings I have ever felt!! I want to thank Amie for being such a great teacher and having the patience to work with my boy!! Keep up the good work and wish you the best in the business!!! read more

Great I loved this place! They are so friendly and my dogs loves it here. Truly the best!

Amie is genuinely one of the best trainers I have honestly ever met! She makes sure to do her best to take into consideration what would be best for our dogs and not just following a standard procedure that most trainers follow. Her energy, patience, and communication are some of the best qualities that she brings to the table, and I feel so confident leaving my dogs in her hands! 11/10, would definitely recommend! read more