When searching for a trainer I had specifics of what I wanted; Boutique Boot camp with Medium to High intensity with personal attention.... thats where FACD comes in! So glad I found Cary and the team--Jaclyn, Sadi, and Dannielle! I had a VERY active boxer mix puppy and zero experience, and from my first call with Jaclyn, I knew this was the right place. My pup did the 21-day board-and-train, and the results were amazing. We got regular updates, and when we picked her up, my whole family was blown away by how much she had learned. We also did in-home sessions with Cary, which made a huge difference in keeping everything consistent. Our house is honestly so much calmer and better now. Even when she boards or goes to daycare, they continue reinforcing her training--which I love. I recommend them to everyone. You truly can't go wrong! read more

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How I have not reviewed FaCD in all these years that I have been using them is a travesty. You simply do not get a better facility and team than what For a Civilized Dog offers. I will never board my dog elsewhere and have already started planning for when I move out of the area in the next couple years... will I be driving back just to board with them? Absolutely. Yes. Cary is the dog whisperer. My jerk of a German Shepherd is always a better dog when he comes home from boarding, and frankly sessions with Cary have taken what was in my mind incurable reactivity and brought the level down to a 5. There are videos on their IG of my brat actually existing next to another dog! I think people really have pipe dream expectations of trainers. At the end of the day it's about YOU as the handler, the training is for you not the dog. If you put in the time and energy, and actually listen to Cary and his team, you will come out of the experience with a Civilized Dog! read more

Cary brings a real and achievable style of dog traininig to those of us who perhaps should not be training our dogs. Cary breaks everything down to understandable steps that are easy to attain, even for the laziest of we amateur dog trainers. You know who you are; we think it's cute when they jump up on things and can't bear to scold. (Note: "we" also probably should not decide on a Jack Russell Terrier... just saying) We can't manage to keep a schedule to do the laundry, let alone remember to take treats out on a walk. Cary makes it make sense. He sets things up in a linear pattern where you know what step is next. If you can't manage to get beyond your step, that's ok. You'll keep working on it. But he's going to ask why. And you had better have a good reason. He reminds me of my favorite teacher in school who was infinitely understanding and patient, but holds you accountable. read more

For a Civilized Dog - She's just as sweet as she looks. - Pet Training Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Cary is the Dog Whisperer. He helped us take our high-energy, highly intelligent, strong-willed, somewhat stubborn, and physically active Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy 'Moose' from a handful to a joy to be with. For a Civilized Dog is worth every penny of investment of your time and funds. You have a dog - now you owe it to yourself to invest in fulfilling your goals and your responsibility to have a civilized pet. I recommend the entire team without hesitation for training. Consider their intensive program where your dog goes to their 'camp' for an extended period. Let them train you as a human, which is essential. Their daycare is also super convenient; you can use them for stays and blended obedience training while your dog is there. An extra plus is their saltwater pool if you have a swimmer like our Chessie. He *loves* going there. read more

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This review is long overdue. I would not have survivors 3+ years of crazy doodle energy without the patience, care, and love of the entire For A Civilized Dog team. Danielle worked with Dodger since he was a 10lb pup, transitioning him from a rambunctious, pushy, and REALLY mouthy ball of energy... to a civilized and well behaved 50lb boy. Well, when he's not in zoomies mode, of course. Doodles will be doodles. 3+ years later, we turn the corner and he still jumps up with excitement, wags his tail ferociously, glues a giant smile on his face, and jumps out the car to greet his favorite people and dog friends. Cary, Jaclyn, and Danielle always welcome him with pets and praise - and we are so grateful. We LOVE our Civilized fam! read more

For a Civilized Dog - After daycare pick up. Happiest boy. - Pet Training Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I have done 4 training lessons with Cary and it's like night and day for how my dog (Jojo) was before we started vs. now. Jojo is a 9 year old reactive cattle dog / lab mix. We lived in a house with a big yard and in a neighborhood without many dogs, but then we moved to SoCal and into an apartment complex. Jojo's reactivity became much more pronounced and our walks became a source of stress for us both. Enter Cary! He's given both me and Jojo so many tools to create a safe and successful environment on walks, around other people, and around other dogs. 3 months ago, Jojo wouldn't have been able to be within smelling distance of another dog without barking and lunging. Now, he can sit calmly as dogs pass at a distance. When dogs and people are close, he's able to listen to me and follow redirection away from the trigger. That is a HUGE improvement in just 4 lessons! I won't say Jojo is a new dog because he's still the same dog I adopted with the same goofy personality; however, the training Cary has taken us through has allowed that personality to shine over what used to be stress and reactivity. All of this to say that I highly recommend For a Civilized Dog and Cary!! read more

Cary at "For a Civilized Dog" has helped us with our reactive blue heeler and now we can walk her anywhere. We even continued with training because, being a smart and active dog, she loves it. We have a second dog now and there is no one else we would call for help other than "For A Civilized Dog." read more

The whole crew is top notch! Jaclyn provided detailed information and was helpful in answering all of my questions to see if they would be able to help with our anxious and aggressive rescue dog. We met Cary at check in, and he was thorough in understanding her behaviors, our concerns, and our goals for training. They provided updates daily (and often pictures and videos too) via a digital report card, which was wonderful. We were grateful for the seemingly infinite patience that Cary and Danielle had training our dog and pleasantly surprised at the progress after three weeks. The follow up training was conducted at our house where our dog is very territorial. Cary would cater each lesson to the challenge of the day (or reinforce prior lessons if there wasn't a pressing issue), and we had continued progress. Every single interaction was the best, and it's obvious they all care deeply about helping dogs and the dog parents. Can't recommend For a Civilized Dog enough! read more

Cary delivered as promised! My beloved spoiled monster has become a happy civilized dog.

Cary has worked with all our dogs and we have appreciated his patience and ability to make training seem achievable through simple steps.Our dogs have all loved being boarded here as well when we're out of town. That's testament to me of how well they are cared for and loved by the staff. So thankful to have found this place, I would highly recommend! read more

Just the best place - the people, the facility, everything is so amazing here. We just moved and one of the hardest parts of leaving was that we wouldn't be taking our dog here anymore. We've been taking our dog, Cash, here for 2 years and he's always so well taken care of and so happy when we pick him up. Take your dog here - you won't regret it! The owners Cary and Jaclyn are the best, I recommend this place to all of my family and friends. Thanks again guys for the last 2 years! read more

Cary Peterson is truly a master dog whisperer. He patiently worked with me and Archie for some behavior modification (for both of us!). Archie Is a 4 year old rescue and we have some "hot spots" in our community that simply set him off. Cary analyzed quickly our interactions and gave me some very specific tools and techniques. Cary also kept in touch between sessions by sending emails with training guides and videos. Do not hesitate to call Cary for a civilized dog! He is the best. We're now moving to LA and Archie and I will miss Cary but he's given us great references near our new home for other trainers. Deep appreciation. read more

For a Civilized Dog has been the best solution for teaching my very rambunctious puppy! He'd been in training but still had some seriously challenging issues that I'd yet to work through. I'd about lost hope, but meeting Cary Petersen and FACD supplied the missing link. He speaks "dog" and "human" and is adept at analyzing the situations of behavior, tailoring the training solutions to the specifics of this person-dog relationship, which has improved greatly. My puppy now listens well and has much greater control of his excitable behavior. I've used several other dog trainer's with other dogs I've had and Cary is the best! I've learned so much. If you want the best for you and your dog, this is it! read more

The best! We love our trainer Dannielle and so does our 5 month pup, Wally. From the first session Wally had made so much progress and we continue to see vast improvements week to week. For a Civilized Dog is hands down the best trainer out there. You can tell they really care about the dog and their progress. The detailed notes that come with the trainings are also a huge plus! read more

Cary is pure magic! Cary has an incredible insight on how to communicate and relate to animals. He has completely changed our family by teaching us how to understand and train our dog. We are forever grateful for his kind, generous, effective training! read more

THE VERY BEST! I have to be honest but if it wasn't for Cary I don't think my pup and I would have survived the first year! Cary was patient and went through everything from basic sit and stay commands to walking. Proper behavior when walking with other people and dogs around to greeting guests at home. Cary provided me with confidence and the tools to use to be comfortable in any place with my dog and I couldn't be happier!! If you're looking for a trainer I highly recommend For A Civilized Dog. read more

I thought I had shared this already, but here goes again. I highly recommend For A Civilized Dog! Cary Peterson is a gifted trainer and a man of high integrity. A less honest business man could have taken financial advantage of me when I was needing an honest assessment of a rescue dog. With his guidance I was able to make the best decision for the dog and myself. I am very grateful. Adrienne S. read more

We have worked with Cary for years. He is a patient, kind and thoughtful trainer. His patience extends not only to the dog, but more importantly to the parents of the dog. We have two rambunctious herding dogs, Cary worked closely with us to correct their naughty behavior. We think the world of Cary, Jaclyn and all the staff of For a Civilized Dog, they are a joy to work with and true professionals. read more

If you're looking for an extremely patient, extremely knowledgeable and extremely caring dog trainer look no further. Carey and his staff are so amazing and so patient. I have a four-year-old French bulldog who has severe resource guarding issues, is aggressive, and over all unpredictable. She spent 28 days with Carey and she's a completely different dog. He also gives you the tools to continue the work at home and it's not out of this world difficult that you'll give up. The things he teaches you are to help your dog integrate into your life. I honestly had zero expectations given that I know my dog is an extremely difficult case but Carey was able to transform her without the use of shock collars and being aggressive. He's by far the best dog trainer I have ever seen and he was the only one who was upfront and honest with what to expect. I'd met with several other trainers who said they could get the job done but were very apprehensive and it felt like they were trying to sell me on something. Carey wasn't that way at all- he truly gave me the information I needed and let me decide what to do. Thank you so much Carey for transforming Naughty Minaj! read more

Cary is a wonderful trainer! We have a rescue pup - she had a lot of issues, mostly with strangers. Cary worked with us (and her) and helped immensely. What I loved was that he didn't have a set plan - he saw how she reacted each session and adjusted as we went along. I think that's one of the reasons why he is so successful. He is super easy to work with and was also gave us great tips before we brought our baby home. We are so grateful! read more

Not only is Cary an intuitive trainer of the highest order, he is also one of the most genuine guys you'll ever meet. Archie is our first puppy as a family so we are total rookies. In just a few short months Cary has us feeling like we almost kinda sorta know what we're doing. We use his tips and tools daily and are a happier household because of it. We look forward to working with Cary for years to come (and enjoying his singular sense of humor). Thank you Cary, Jaclyn and your whole team! read more

If you have a dog that is giving you trouble or even one that you'd just like to be a little more "civilized", For a Civilized Dog is fantastic. Before we got our new dog from Southern California Animal Rescue he spent two weeks here working with Cary and it seems hard to imagine that anyone could have ever surrendered him. Cary took the time to show us how he had been working with him and to answer any questions we had. He's a fantastic trainer and a really nice guy. read more

Cary is the dog trainer I recommend to all friends and family. He's trained our 2 Wheatons and is currently training our newest puppy, a 5 month old doodle. His guidance, knowledge, & skill help us create a disciplined, fun, loving relationship with our furry family members! read more

I can't recommend For A Civilized a Dog enough! I have two dogs and both have become more "civilized" and enjoyable to be around. Cary is very knowledgeable and his training is sequential. He's very willing to problem solve and try different, yet successful, approaches. He's cordial, professional, and it's very apparent that he loves what he does. Jacalyn, although not present during the sessions, is extremely friendly via email as she handles all outside communication. My dogs also are new visitors at their dog kennel, Bzy Feet,, and have enjoyed their stays! read more

I was referred to Cary by a friend who had worked with him about 8 years ago. My friend's dogs are so well behaved and obedient that I had to get his number. We have an 8 month old Jack Russel with lots of energy and working with Cary has been such a great experience. Our pup loves him and has taken to his training with such ease. It is amazing when you put Cary's practices in place how quickly a dog responds. Our dog was pulling quite a bit on walks and since we have been putting "free dog" into place when she is about to be distracted on a walk, she knows before the leash tightens to relax and sometimes a simple nudge on the leash by me will do the trick and she's back to a loose leash. Walking a dog that pulls constantly is no fun and within one lesson, our dog was changed. Cary is very professional. He sends an email with a summary of your lesson after each appointment to help. For a Civilized Dog is the place to call if you want a well-mannered, trained, happy dog and owner. :) read more

This is the 2nd time we've worked with Cary. He is the best! We got a new puppy in December and Cary came over to introduce him to our girls. We are now doing training with the puppy. Cary is so patient with both of us. He is soft spoken but Cody really responds to him. Cary's reward based methods are both kind and effective. I can't recommend him highly enough. Susan Lamb read more

We have known and worked with Cary and the For a Civilized Dog team for a couple of years now. They are incredibly knowledgable of the needs of dogs and owners. Obviously we have always loved our dog but now we enjoy him so much more because we can comfortable take him wherever we go and am confident that he will be a model dog citizen. read more

When we brought our dog Brody to Cary for training, we had already been advised to put him down due to him being unpredictable when being corrected. The prior trainer (a European trained, highly respected dog trainer) advised us that in his opinion, our dog was a danger to us, other dogs, and possibly other people. Brody would bark out of control and lunge at pedestrians, bicyclists, dogs, cats, and blowing leaves. Attempts to meet other dogs while on leash resulted in either him or them snapping & growling. Cary was not deterred. After we left Brody for the in-kennel training, we already saw a HUGE difference in his behavior. We kept with the training for a few months, and I'm happy to say that we now have a dog that loves to go for walks, goes camping with us, and is well-behaved in restaurants, parks, and at the beach. We are so grateful for Cary's help - I'd recommend his services to anyone! read more

Cary was faced with the unenviable task of training my wife and I (beginner dog handlers) as we learned to work with our two new puppy Coon Hounds (extremely scent driven hunting dogs) in the confines of suburban Huntington Beach. We've been working with Cary for nearly a year now and have found him to be very professional and helpful. I do not hesitate to recommend him as a trainer. His instruction has helped to transform our dogs from headstrong hounds to obedient family companions...and in the process helped to transform our relationship with the dogs. His work was instrumental in forging a living environment that is productive for us all. Our sessions are always accompanied by notes for us to refer to during training between sessions and questions have always been quickly responded to via e-mail should further questions arise at any point...scheduling and billing has always been quickly addressed either in person or via e-mail. Overall, I highly recommend "For a Civilized Dog" as a very competent and highly professional and effective dog training service. read more