From "Cujo Junior" to "Polite Gentleman" -- Thanks to Mike! If you've ever adopted a 4-month-old…read moreSchnauzer who treats every living being like a personal insult, you know our pain. Our pup, Diego, didn't just bark; he acted like he was auditioning for a lead role in a horror movie. Walks? Impossible. Visitors? Forget about it. Even our long-time pet sitter--a woman who has survived literal wolves--couldn't go near him without fear. . Our first trainer took one look at him and basically told us we'd adopted a tiny, bearded landmine. She called him "one of the most reactive dogs she'd ever met" and gave us the kind of "good luck" that usually precedes a disaster movie. Enter Mike Hatjes from Bay Area Dog Training. We found Mike on Yelp, and honestly, we were just looking for a miracle. Mike is a unique breed himself: he's incredibly direct (no sugar-coating the fact that your dog thinks he's the CEO of Chaos) but also hilarious. He balances that "tell-it-like-it-is" energy with a sense of humor that kept us from losing our minds. The Transformation Timeline: * The Private Lesson Phase (8 Sessions): We went from "we can't leave the house" to "wait, is he actually sitting on command?" By the end of our eight private lessons, we were taking regular walks. My blood pressure dropped, and Diego actually started building confidence instead of seeing every mailbox as a mortal enemy. * The Group Lesson Phase (The Real Magic): If you told me six months ago my dog would be in a group with 10 other dogs, I would have assumed there'd be a SWAT team involved. But Mike's group lessons are shockingly amazing. Seeing my dog hold a "down" in a row of 10 dogs while each one weaves through the line? It's practically a glitch in the Matrix. The Verdict: Mike didn't just train our dog; he gave us our lives back. We can do family trips, have friends over, and walk down the street without looking like we're wrestling a caffeinated alligator. If you have a dog that makes other trainers cry, call Mike. He'll tell you the truth, make you laugh, and turn your "unbelievable" nightmare into a well-behaved companion.

When we first got our dog, a 4-year-old Jindo from Korea, he had a stubborn prey drive and would…read morepull on the leash hard enough to drag me to the ground. He was also very reactive to other people and dogs. Mike taught me to watch my dog for cues and to communicate with him. After 7 private lessons and two months of weekly group classes, my dog is now a well-behaved walking buddy (most of the time). Thanks, Mike!

Billy Mays here with another fantastic product!…read more Getting a dog in Northern California comes with a host of challenges for two working parents. Who can walk him during the day? Where can we board him when we leave? How will we get him there? All of these questions can be answered with Benji's Backyard. Sure there are services that come and walk for a half hour or so, and we use them too, but who picks up your dog at your home (trustworthy enough to enter with your spare key) and take the pup for a long walk at the beach with other dogs? That's great, but I didn't expect the detailed notes and pictures to verify that your dog wasn't just watched, but cared for. Even if your pre-neutered pup happens to Lothario every four-legged canine regardless of gender. But wait, there's more! What if you're leaving for a few days, and you can't have a house sitter? Benji's will pick up your barker and provide the same service they do for the long morning, notes included. And they bring him home. All of this for a price that I really don't know, The Wife handles that part. I can say during my monthly review of expenditures that it hasn't reached my What The Hell? threshold. So yep, this service earns the 5 stars. Great communication and care with no mistakes.

I needed to update this review because Marie and her band of merry dog walkers has expanded their…read moreservices and gotten even better! 1. They pick up and drop off at your house 2. They do beach hikes (Ft Funston most often, and others) 3. They do day care with enrichment and some training 4. They will wash your dog off before returning your pet home if they got very muddy or filthy 5. They train their dog handlers (who are already amazing) and she continues to get further certifications in various dog therapies, modalities, and techniques 6. They do overnight boarding for regulars including pick up and drop off making your flights/business trips/family trips that much less stressful 7. Your dog will have a wonderful time. Only downside is they probably won't miss you as much, lol. 8. Oh, and the pricing is competitive to all the other Silicon Valley services. You won't find another service that includes pick up and drop off and all day daycare/dog hike for this much. 9. Marie always does the meet and greet intake appointments and all of her handlers are awesome (I've had Jade, JR, David). They're all awesome dog people. 10. Bonded, insured, all the rest of it. They check all their guests vaccinations, health records, and health so you don't have to worry that your pet will pick something up while playing. These guys are a gem.

Jeanette was amazing training our dog. We tried the chain store training and it was okay but…read moreoutside of class was a completely different thing. Our high energy doodle is so smart but Staying focused was such a challenge.With Jeanette we did his training outside with distractions like loud noises cars people and other animals around. With her help our dog is fully crate trained , comes to us when called and we can send him to his spot/place when guests are over or we are having dinner. It's so nice being able to take him with us to shops or dinner. I really appreciated the back and forth communication when I had concerns and questions.

If you are looking for a trainer in the San jose area, Jeanette is your girl. The process of…read morebeginning private lessons was quick and easy. Just contact her through Instagram or her phone number to schedule an assessment. She is super nice and has the best knowledge to help build that confidence in your pup and the handler as well. She was very supportive and understanding of my concerns before, during and after our sessions. Be prepared to put in work with your dog because training your pup takes time and patience. I am glad that over three years later we are still and contact and I'm looking forward to having lessons with her again in the near future. Thanks Jeanette for teaching me so much about dogs and building that confidence in me to be an amazing handler for my chunkers. Mariposa and I wouldn't be who we are today if it weren't for you!!

Steve at One Day Dog Training is truly one of the most special and remarkable people I have ever…read morehad the privilege of learning from, and an absolute delight to spend a day with. I have decades of experience fostering dogs and personally adopting many of my own, and over the years I've worked with a wide range of trainers. Without question, Steve is in a league entirely of his own. His talent, intuition, and depth of understanding when it comes to dogs is extraordinary. He doesn't just train dogs; he teaches humans how to truly understand them. What made the experience even more unforgettable was the joy he brought into the day. We laughed constantly. At one point my cheeks genuinely hurt from hours of smiling and laughter. And yet, amid all of that warmth and humor, we walked away with an incredibly clear, grounded, and practical understanding of his methods and a deep sense of confidence in our ability to apply them. Steve's approach is refreshingly doable: just five minutes of training per day, paired with his ongoing availability as a resource. That combination alone feels invaluable. We literally just completed our training day today, so I plan to update this review in a few months with more detail about long-term ease of execution and results with our dog, Griffin. But one thing I feel compelled to share now is this: throughout the entire day, even while Griffin was dramatically protesting (vocally, and with flair), Steve remained calm, steady, and completely unfazed. Griffin didn't love everything he was being asked to do, but he clearly adored Steve. He never cowered, never shut down, never showed fear. That level of trust speaks volumes. At one point, I asked Steve about scheduling an additional training day for one of our other dogs. His response was thoughtful, sensible, and deeply ethical: he told me it wouldn't be necessary. He explained that the principles I was learning with Griffin would absolutely apply to our other dogs as well, and that he'd be more than happy to answer questions along the way. That moment really matters to me because it so clearly reflects that Steve is driven by genuine passion and care for people and dogs, not by squeezing every possible dollar out of his clients. I also want to wholeheartedly acknowledge Tasha, who was incredibly kind, responsive, and compassionate throughout the scheduling process. We had to cancel our original training day due to a traumatic injury our other dog, Enzo, sustained: a spinal stroke. Tasha immediately offered to refund our deposit without hesitation. When I shared that I still very much wanted to work with Steve, she later went out of her way to find us an earlier date than originally offered after I asked to be notified of any cancellations. That level of care and humanity meant so much during a really difficult time. I am profoundly grateful for Steve and his entire team. This was one of the most positive, affirming, and empowering experiences I've ever had as a dog guardian. If you're looking for the best, congratulations. You have found it with One Day Dog Training!

Amazing Dog Training session with Steve Miles of One Day Dog Training today!…read more My husband and I were "beside ourselves" with the incessant barking, lack of focus, dog walking struggles behavior that Finn (1 1/2 yr old) Maltipoo had started displaying over the past 6 months. We had tried various tactics, treats to rid Finn of his "bad habits" We were referred to One Day Dog Training through some close friends who had worked with Steve to train their 2 dogs. From the start.. Finn really took to Steve. Steve is personable, knowledgeable, and patient. His love for dogs is felt. He put our minds at ease from the start. Through the training, Steve took time to teach us how to better understand dog behavior and how we can better communicate what we want our dog to do...It was very enlightening. It was an education for us and Finn! At the end of our 3 hour session, we were really amazed to see a transformed young dog. We are soooo proud of Finn. The 3 of us have learned so much! Thank You, Steve!

Allie is the best place to leave your dog while out of town. She will love you dog like her own…read more She is very responsive and accommodating. Her place is puppy heaven and my dog comes back so happy and he always wants to go back. You can tell from the tail wag in the car. Price for boarding is on the steeper side but worth it. I wish she would make packages for boarding.

We love Allie's Doggie Day Camp! Captain has been boarded with Allie before and goes to day camp…read moreabout 1-2 times a week, and he genuinely loves it there. He's always SO excited to run in when we arrive, and he comes home completely pooped every time (in the best way). Allie is super communicative, really sweet, and clearly understands dogs. It's obvious she cares a lot and treats them like her own. We always feel really comfortable leaving Captain with her and knowing he's in good hands. Highly recommend!

I take my puppy Watson here for the socials from time to time. Watson is a miniature Dachshund and…read morealways seems to want to be right in the action (even if it's sometimes a bit too much for him sometimes) Dieuwke has looked out for him every time we have gone and has made sure that everyone is playing safely. Truly such a knowledgeable person and I'm so grateful Watson and I get to experience these classes! Highly recommend!!

Orion Dog Training has been an enriching and transformative part of Marshy's life. Marshy is our…read morelively 14 month old deaf husky/cattle dog my wife and I adopted 9 months ago. From Nose Work to Agility to Control Unleashed, every class has brought something new, fun, and confidence-building. We're currently in multiple classes and already signed up for Tricks in January. Whether it's weekly training or festive events like the Halloween social, Orion Dog Training continues to be a place where Marshy thrives. What makes this space special is Dieuwke van der Velde herself. She leads with softness, kindness, and deep empathy, and it's easy to see the pure delights dogs bring her. Dieuwke is always rooting for the dogs and she meets each one with genuine curiosity and care, connecting with their individual strengths and helping them grow in ways that are natural and supportive. Watching her work is impressive and engaging. She brings magic to every class. Dieuwke is clearly passionate and deeply committed. Her own dogs are often featured in her Instagram trainings, which we love watching and sometimes even practice ourselves. Her willingness to share her learning process is just one more way she supports the dog training community. The classes at Orion Dog Training are thoughtfully curated. There's something for every type of dog and guardian. Dieuwke will also bring in other expert trainers like Vicki Huebner for Control Unleashed. Marshy especially loves (and I mean LOVES) going to Orion Dog Training. The moment we pull into the parking lot, she starts whining with excitement and knows something super fun is about to happen. Marshy's confidence has blossomed, and Dieuwke's support has played a major role. As a deaf dog, Marshy benefits from agility training tailored to visual cues, and Dieuwke adapts the training with ease and grace. There is always something new, active, and enriching happening at Orion Dog Training. Boredom is simply not an option. We're grateful to be part of such a vibrant and supportive learning environment. Dieuwke and Orion Dog Training have truly become part of our extended dog family!

Dan has known my dog Cleopatra since she was a puppy. He is wonderful, reliable, and my dog…read moreabsolutely loves going on walks with him. I wholeheartedly recommend him to friends, family, and just about everyone who comments on how calm and well behaved my dog is! Thank you dan for over 5 years of fantastic walks!

Dan has been taking care of our dog since he was a puppy. Max loves him and is always excited for…read morehis visits. Dan sends us photos of them out and about town which is always nice when we are on vacation. He is extremely conscientious and worried for our dogs safety and well being. We will definitely use Dan again on our next vacation.

Jenna has been training us to be good pet owners since we got our Lagatto Romagnolo pup - who just…read moreturned 3. She interprets dog speak so well ... she got us thinking and understanding Cosimo's reactions and feelings and more and more in tune with him. It's been wonderful to learn and understand our dog and work with him in the framework Jenna set. We relocated to Germany early March and brought Cosimo. In the months prior to travel, we read about Germany and how pet-friendly the country is - and how well-behaved German doggies are. This worried us and we did a few sessions with Jenna to brush up our skills in managing Cosimo. I am deliberately dwelling on 'our skills' ... because that's how Jenna works - she trains the owners more than she does the dog. It's been absolutely wonderful in Germany. We find Cosimo well-adjusted and wonderfully well behaved. He's in the upper percentile. Just this morning, there were two dogs barking and being quite aggressive - and Cosimo, off-leash, walked by, at my side, without so much as turning his head ... and this is because Jenna had told us to be reassuring ... 'I have your back, buddy'. Jenna gets dogs and knows how to train humans to work with them!!!

We received Jenna's information from another parent at my son's elementary. Our Dane pup had…read morebecome reactive to so many things and this was post puberty. Jenna has been amazing! I actually cried with joy after Our first session at the change It made In him. He is a super sweet goofy pup, but was getting to be too much! We have had 3 sessions, 2 at our house, one in town walking around past people and pups and oh my goodness! He did great! My teen and I are so please that our Dane can go out and about with us. Can't wait to see how session 4 goes! Thank you Jenna you are amazing!