We have two 5 year old Cane Corso mixes from the same litter, Bailey and Dozer, and after they got into a pretty serious fight we knew we needed help. We found René and honestly the difference in both dogs and how we handle them has been incredible. Before training, walks were exhausting. They would pull, whine when they saw other dogs, want to go up to people, and get so fixated on things that nothing would snap them out of it. High value treats, walking the opposite directing, us talking, nothing worked. If our neighbor's dog started barking, they would run up and pace the fence. Bailey specifically had so much anxiety, she would pace, shake, or chew at her paws. They were behaviors we hadn't dealt with in our previous dogs, and behaviors that only got worse over time. Now both dogs heel, walk past people and dogs without reacting and Bailey has learned how to actually calm herself down. The biggest goal for us was getting Bailey and Dozer back together after their fight, and we have. We can have them together in a controlled and safe setting without constantly worrying something is going to happen. We still keep them separate when we aren't around or if we are moving room to room because we don't want to rush it. But we are hopeful that with continued training we will be able to get there in time. René was very transparent about this during our consultation. Because of their history we want to make sure everyone is safe and we are bringing them back together responsibly. The best "trust the process" moment for us was today at Bark in the Park. It has been a little over a month since they graduated from Fur Real K9 and we decided to take both of them. There were dogs everywhere, people, treats, barking, basically every possible trigger for a dog. They both kept their heel, held their down stays with everything going on around them, and even when dogs around them got into fights neither Bailey or Dozer reacted. I don't think anyone who knew our dogs before training would believe that. It is such a proud feeling being able to walk past so many misbehaved dogs pulling or not listening to commands and look down at our dogs and see them in a perfect heel. René didn't just train our dogs, he taught us how to communicate with them, understand their behaviors, and actually handle them confidently. They both still have their... personalities at times, but the difference in what we can safely do with them now is huge. I trust René with my dogs and would recommend Fur Real K9 to anyone with stubborn, anxious, reactive, large, or just very opinionated dogs. I genuinely wish we had called him when they were puppies. read more

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We reached out to Rene for our golden retriever's resource guarding. He took the time to understand our issues and evaluate our dog. Worked us through understanding why and what may be happening and then we did the 8 session obedience training with him. Each session was a huge learning for us ourselves about handling our dog and also our dog, Chai, learnt to be a calm and reliable. Rene armed us with tools to work through the resource guarding, which has really helped us trust our dog again and look forward to taking our dog out everywhere with us. Would recommend Rene to anyone who wants to have a reliable pet at home and build a strong relationship with your puppy. Schedules were planned ahead of time and great communication always. We love that we still have access to his group classes where there is reinforcement of the training for both us and our dog. This is a skill set every dog owner needs. Would recommend atleast taking the time to meet Rene for an evaluation to understand your dog better :) read more

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From the easy scheduling of the assessment to the training itself, everything went smooth. Immediately Rene showed lot of knowledge on dogs behavior and helped us understand our dog needs. He helped us choose the right program for us and our dog. His style is very straight forward and easy to follow. He provided notes after each lesson for us to keep practicing, he provided us all the gear (leash, collar, etc) as well. Rene was always in time for our appointments and he was willing to answer all our questions, even when he was repeating himself. We highly recommend his program to anybody that wants to have a happy and calm dog. read more

Fur Real K9 - Graduation day out in public - Pet Training Near Me

I can't recommend him enough! We did private training with Oliver before relocating to NYC, and I'm so glad we did. Oliver is a high-energy Goldendoodle who used to pull on every walk and had almost no reliable recall. I was worried about how he'd adjust to such a busy city. The best part of the training was that it wasn't only about teaching Oliver. It taught me how to be a better owner and how to communicate with him consistently. That made all the difference. Fast forward to today, Oliver has adapted so well to NYC. He walks through busy neighborhoods, handles distractions much better, and can join us on so many outings that wouldn't have been enjoyable before. We still use the techniques we learned every single day. If you're considering private training, I highly recommend it. The results have lasted, and whenever we travel overseas, he'll definitely be the person I trust to board Oliver. read more

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My wife and I brought home our chocolate lab, Lacey, at 8 weeks old and our family immediately fell in love. However, as she grew so did her unruliness. One day when walking her through the park with my wife, she jerked the leash so hard at the sight of another dog it made me spill my drink on myself and we decided to just go home instead. It was at that point I realized we needed some help. A friend had recommended René as he had helped train his two dogs. I reached out and set up an evaluation. In the hour René spent with us at the initial evaluation it was readily apparent this is a man who knows what he is doing and is meant to be a dog trainer. Think "The Dog Whisperer"! I shared sith René that one of the things I was looking forward to was being able to open the door or work in the garage and not have to worry about Lacey bolting down the street and having to chase after her. With our permission he performed some basic training techniques in our family room with Lacey and she immediately became submissive to his lead. It was crazy to watch and we knew it was going to be worth every penny. We agreed to board Lacey with René for two weeks and allow him to train her. He brought her back over to our house once a week for those two weeks to work with her and with us, then after those two weeks, Lacey was trained and he left her back with us. But at that point he came back once a week for four more weeks--not to train Lacey, but to train us! Lacey was our same dog, super playful, energetic, and crazy, but she was now obedient! It was the best of both worlds. René taught us how to establish threshold barriers so Lacey wouldn't walk out the front door, back doors side gate, or garage without our permission. Rene worked with us on how to hold the leash, how to give commands: heel, sit, down, stay, and "okay Lacey!" (which releases her into "free play" mode essentially), what to say and do, what not to say and do and how to reinforce good behavior occasionally but also correct the bad behavior. René also sets you up with the perfect equipment (leash and collar) once the training is complete so you can carry on once he's done. It's been several years now since we had Lacey trained and she has retained every bit of it. Again, it was worth every penny. We view the cost of this training as an investment into Lacey as a valued part of our family. Now we can enjoy her all the more due to the expertise and skill of René and how well he not only trained Lacey but us as well. If you're on the fence about getting your dog trained, consider it an investment like we did and look no further than René at Fur Real K9! read more

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Our adopted German Shepherd/Malinois mix went through training with Rene at 1 year old and we have been boarding him with Rene for the past 8 years. Not enough positive words exist to express how happy we are with having gone through the training - this mix is a handful! Rene has been the most patient and consistent trainer, and the boarding service is great - we have the peace of mind when traveling that our dog is in best hands! read more

Fur Real K9 - Pet Training Near Me

We recently completed a 5-week training with Rene for our dog Murphy. Murphy had been professionally trained 10 yrs ago, and as Rene mentioned Murphy mostly needed some polish. We worked on his "heel" position among other tweaks. Rene worked with Murphy in a steady, thoughtful way and we saw the "polish" working. I highly recommend working with a professional trainer like Rene for any dog owner looking to reinforce and build good habits (for both the dog and you). It's worthwhile investment for both your family and your dog. Grateful for Rene and his expertise!!! read more

Fur Real K9 - Pet Training Near Me

I sought René's training program after seeing and hearing about the amazing progress my friend's dogs had - especially one who was reactive and stubborn. I adopted a stray putty pup named Pumpkin who was a little under a year old and ended up in a few altercations with my other pitty girl, Dumpling. I exerted everything I know about training and was desperate for help. I called and scheduled an evaluation with René who provided great observations about the dogs which I didn't notice/think of before. The program was hard work- but what in life isn't hard work to benefit from the best of it? René showed us how to build trust and respect with our dogs. Within a few sessions we saw so much progress with the two of them! Pumpkin was fearfully anxious, and we saw her calm down so much with training. Dumpling is very stubborn and hard headed- I stopped taking her on walks because of how stressful it was (from pulling, reactivity). After the program, I can walk Dumpling confidently, trusting in the training and the bond we've built. Pumpkin was anxious and reactive when she saw other dogs, but now we can walk her off leash and feel confident she will be by our side the whole time! Thank you René for being so patient, supportive and helpful in teaching us as owners how to be better trainer/owners to our babies. I can't stop raving about René and his effective training for dogs of all sizes and walks of life! 100/10 would recommend to any owners seeking training for their fur babies! read more

Fur Real K9 - Graduation day for Dumpling and Pumpkin! - Pet Training Near Me

We contacted Rene to board and train our Boerboel the moment we got him. Knowing we were bringing home a large, powerful breed, we wanted to ensure we started off on the right foot--and Rene was the absolute best! ​Throughout the boarding, he sent constant pictures and updates, which gave us such peace of mind. What we appreciated most was his patience; he didn't just train our puppy, he trained us. He took the time to explain the 'why' behind every technique so we felt confident continuing the work at home. We are so grateful for his expertise and would recommend Rene to anyone with a dog, whether it's a brand-new puppy or an older dog! read more

Fur Real K9 - 2020 training with Rene - Pet Training Near Me

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René is the best! Our dog Roscoe was leash reactive and difficult to walk before we met Rene. Our main problem was not knowing how to properly correct or handle him. Rene trained us and gave me so much more confidence as a dog owner. He is a compassionate trainer and helped me through the emotional struggle of the training process. Our dog responded to him right away and we're forever grateful for what he taught us. I highly recommend his services to anyone looking to create a better relationship with their dog and correct problematic behaviors. read more

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When I adopted Sydney from the shelter in 2024, she was big but I did not know she would be reactive to other dogs. At 100+ pounds, she quickly became difficult to handle and walking her was pretty rough and sometimes it got scary. We found Rene and within 8 weeks, she was a different dog. I learned (Important to note that I needed training too) how to manage her on walks and provide her with the discipline she needed. Now, we go everywhere together, she attends Rene's monthly group trainings and is well behaved around the other dogs, and I have even introduced her to some dog friends for some play time. Rene's program is a game changer to transform your dog into a canine good citizen. While I saved Sydney from the shelter, Rene definitely saved her (and me) with his training program. read more

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My dog was trained by Rene in 2020, and I'll always be grateful for the experience and the results. I rescued an 11-month-old husky who needed a lot of structure, guidance, and support, and Rene's training completely changed both my dog's behavior and our relationship. What stood out most was Rene's consistency, knowledge, and ability to explain why certain behaviors happen and how to properly address them. His non-treat training approach gave me the confidence and tools to handle my dog in real-life situations instead of relying on constant rewards. Because of his training, I'm able to genuinely enjoy public outings, walks, and everyday life with my dog, while also seeing a huge improvement in behavior at home. One of the biggest moments for me was realizing I could walk through Home Depot without even holding the leash and rely solely on hand signals and verbal commands. I never would have imagined that level of trust, focus, and obedience when I first rescued my husky. That experience alone showed me how effective Rene's training methods really are. Rene also helped me better understand canine behavior overall. We often humanize our dogs, but he taught me that dogs still need clear boundaries, leadership, and accountability. Just like children, they will test boundaries as they mature, but thanks to the foundation Rene provided, I feel prepared and confident handling new behaviors as they come up. His training didn't just help my dog, it helped me become a better, calmer, and more effective owner. I fully endorse Rene's training program and highly recommend him to anyone looking for lasting results and a stronger relationship with their dog. read more

Fur Real K9 - Big personality over here - Pet Training Near Me

We brought our 6-month-old Golden Retriever to Rene to help train our puppy. Before training, our dog was constantly pulling on the leash, barking, and ignoring our every command. After working with Rene, we now have a well-behaved dog we can take anywhere without issue. Rene set us and our dog up for success for life! If you have a dog, we can't recommend working with Rene enough! read more

Fur Real K9 - Pet Training Near Me

Rene saved my dog's life. I adopted my dog Lilac from a shelter when I was 19 and knew very little about how to be a responsible dog owner. That situation as well as previous trauma she experienced put her at a disadvantage. Lilac developed very severe anxiety and reactivity to other animals and people which resulted in aggressive behavior. She would not listen and I didn't know how to create structure for her. At the time, I was in college and working part time. I was becoming very overwhelmed and frustrated with the situation. I enrolled Lilac in a 3 week board and train at another company that cost 5K the previous summer. The trainer was able to teach her some basic skills but after I got her back, she slowly regressed to her previous behaviors. I felt scared and upset that i couldn't take her anywhere. I attempted for months to rehome her to rescue groups, shelters or a family that may have more time for her. All groups refused her due to bite history, size or being at capacity. After various meet and greets, she was placed with a couple who stated they were very experienced with all types of dogs. Within the first few days, the owners lost control of her, and she attacked a small dog while they were in public. Unfortunately, this was not the first time this had occurred. At this point, after displaying this much aggression to other animals and biting a handful of people, I felt hopeless. In my mind the most responsible thing to ensure everyone's safety was to have her be euthanized. When speaking with some veterinarians, Rene was recommended as an amazing dog trainer that truly could help Lilac. I came into contact with Rene and set up a consultation. I felt very comfortable with his confidence that Lilac was able to be rehabilitated. I enrolled her in a 1 week board and train with monthly check-ins afterwards. Rene was so supportive during this whole process and was able to help Lilac so much. He created structure and expectations for her that reduced her anxiety. She felt safe and had no need to be reactive. He was able to teach his methods to me so I could continue to work with her. I cannot believe how much this training changed Lilac's life. I wish I had gone through this training sooner. Lilac is now thriving and able to come with me anywhere I go. Rene's dedication and hard work gave her a new life full of new experiences. This training has developed a deeper connection between me and Lilac. I am so grateful that he came into our lives. I recommend him to anyone and everyone who is interested in truly being a responsible and loving dog parent. read more

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Rene is an amazing trainer! He spent a good amount of time with our Doberman and guided us on how to bring the obedience out in him! Definitely recommend Fur Real K9 if you are looking for results in a good amount of time! read more

There's not a day that goes by, that we're not reminded of the life changing decision we made in working with René those 4 years ago. My family adopted our dog Blue, and instantly fell in love. Though she was recommended to be in a home with children, she had no experience with human or child interaction. She spent her whole life in a backyard, and the shelter described her as a "bull in a china shop". She was a sweetheart, but she was incredibly anxious around our young children. We brought René on, after a recommendation from a close friend, and it will forever be one of the most meaningful choices I've made for my family. René recommended home training, after our initial assessment. I felt overwhelmed at first, with little faith in myself and on occasion doubting the process. Sticking with him and putting in the work, ultimately gave the long term success and life we have now. I can't even say it led to the relaxed, well trained, constantly complimented, easy and enjoyable dog we have. It led to the LIFE we have. The love this dog has given my children and our family is something that will forever impact all of us. I've put off writing this review for months, because words couldn't and still cannot express the gift René has given us. I have always stayed in touch since his training, informing him of all the ways Blue amazes us and those who come in contact with her. As I said when I began this review, there's not a day that goes by that we don't appreciate where we've come in this adoption, and who we attribute it to. read more

Fur Real K9 - Pet Training Near Me

If you're on the fence about professional dog training, let Liam's story convince you. Liam came to the U.S. from the Philippines in 2024 at 4 years old, so not only was he adjusting to a brand new country and environment, but he also came with separation anxiety and some deeply ingrained bad habits. He had been so spoiled that he genuinely thought he was the leader of the pack -- doing whatever he pleased, on his own terms, with zero regard for boundaries. On top of that, the moment he'd sense I was about to leave -- grabbing my keys, putting on my shoes -- he would get anxious and worked up. Sleeping in my bed was one of many issues we had to work through. Honestly, it was hard for me to make him sleep alone, but Rene taught me that giving Liam the confidence to be by himself -- and helping him trust that I will always come back and he will see me again -- is actually what helps him. It wasn't breaking him. It was building him. That's a lot for a dog to navigate, and Rene handled it all with patience and expertise. The obedience training Rene did with him has been truly transformative. Liam responds to his commands consistently, and the progress has held up well because Rene gave us the tools to keep reinforcing everything at home. It's not just a short-term fix -- it sticks. Fast forward to today, and he calmly settles into his "spot" when I leave without so much as a whimper, and sleeps soundly in his own bed or crate without a fuss. We take him to the mall, playgrounds, parks, and even on RV camping trips, and we constantly get compliments from strangers on how well-mannered he is. That's the best testament I can give. And even after training wrapped up, Rene has remained supportive and available for follow-up questions. That kind of continued care is rare and so appreciated. Rene is exceptional at what he does. Highly, highly recommend! read more

Fur Real K9 - Pet Training Near Me

Before working with Rene, Canela struggled with leash pulling and reactivity, which made walks stressful. My wife and I took Canela to a different dog training program and we saw little progress. We felt hopeless that we would not have the off-leash dog we always wanted. My good friend recommended Rene and our life with Canela changed completely. After training with Rene, we trust Canela off-leash and feel confident to take her anywhere with us. Renes provides structured training that gives dog owners the tools to practice and get your pup to a high level of obedience. If you trust Renes process and put it in the work, your relationship with your dog will change in a positive way. Our only regret is not going to Rene sooner! read more

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René changed the game for us ! We brought two dogs, a timid, fearful rat terrier mix and a highly energetic, anxious, intelligent and at times belligerent black lab. The lab had been through several group trainings and personal training sessions, but nothing stuck longer than a few months. We also both work and have two kids, so we didn't have time to devote to hours of reinforcement each day. René's mix of boarding and private sessions, clear and disciplined framework (leash, collar, commands) and patient training (of us more than our dogs) and highly focused/efficient training techniques resonated with everyone and completely changed the way our dogs saw the world. The rat terrier drew confidence from the structure she had in her life and the lab started to be very focused on what was right Vs wrong and learning to enjoy doing the right thing. Since René's training our dogs have been able to walk on and off leash, my wife is actually able to walk the lab again (who weighs almost as much as her) and we are all much more relaxed. If you are considering a trainer look no further than René! read more

We brought our two dogs to René for a 2-week board and train followed by 5 weekly sessions, and the results have been nothing short of amazing. We actually drove out from Sacramento after our original trainers referred us to him -- the girls had gotten into a fight, and when we tried to break it up, my husband was bitten in the chaos. It was a really stressful moment, and our original trainers knew we needed help from someone with experience with dogs whose aggression has escalated. Before training, we were dealing with reactivity both inside and outside the house, potty training issues, and growing tension between the dogs. I'll admit I was unsure about the structured training approach at first, but René explained everything so clearly and made sure we understood how to follow through at home. Once we committed to the process, everything started to change. The progress we've seen has been incredible -- our dogs are calmer, more confident, and we finally feel in control of our household again. The time and drive were absolutely worth it. I can't recommend René enough for anyone who wants real results and a better relationship with their dogs. read more

René is a legit trainer. I am so impressed with the results since starting my corgi puppy on his training program. The evaluation was helpful and I saw immediately what behaviors could be worked on. He brought one of his dogs during the home evaluation and my corgi was barking a bunch since another dog was in his "territory." Fast forward to now and he is complemented for his outstanding behavior. A dog or cat would walk his way and he acts like nothing happened. This is great because after the training my dog learned to focus on me and only me. I am able to walk him around SF or any park without worrying about him getting distracted by other dogs/people and it makes bringing him to other places (beach, hiking, etc) stress-free. The training is thorough and I learned many useful tips throughout the training and after my dog's "graduation" thanks to the free followup classes offered by René. Definitely worth the cost for a well-trained dog! read more

Fur Real K9 - Me and my corgi :) - Pet Training Near Me

If you're looking for your furry friend your dog to be the best version of itself there isn't a better place than Fur Real K9. I came across Fur Real K9 through a social media add on my instagram and connected with Rene the Owner who helped me get my girl Mysty a much better structure, obedience, guidance thru the training. I did the 8 weekly private sessions with Rene to train Mysty my 2 year old American Pitbull Terrier. Then after the evaluation of understanding my issues of Mysty being reactive to random sounds & noises and rigorous pulling of the leash on trying to walk her we got started. In these 8 weeks of private sessions learning and providing all the tools provided by Rene my girl has transformed and improved immensely and has come over these issues I was facing with her. I've come across and seen many different dog trainers, and dog training programs but haven't come across anything more efficient, effective & set up as I did working with Rene. Highly & strongly recommend Rene & Fur Real K9. The whole process, training sessions, & overall experience working with Rene was great & has brought my girl Mysty & Myself to being much more confident & prepared for any environment, encounter out & about to also having built a stronger relationship too! As I mentioned Fur Real K9 is the place for you & your furry friend, all you dog owners & dog lovers! - Aakash Tourani - read more

Fur Real K9 - Mysty my 2 year old American Pitbull Terrier in a down stay with me being away from her in a noisy & super distracting environment. - Pet Training Near Me

Rene is an amazing trainer! Rene is very knowledgeable and educated us and our dogs' behaviors. We highly recommend him for training, one or one and board and care training. Before Rene's training, our dogs (Penned & Spice) would react and pull during walks, but now our walks are so much more pleasant, enjoyable and safer. My neighbors and other people that we have come across during our walks have noticed a huge difference. Their behaviors in and out of the house is so much better. We highly recommend Rene to anyone who is looking to build a better and safer relationship with your dogs. read more