Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Lori Hamilton Dog Training

    4.6 (168 reviews)
    Open • 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Request information

    Response time

    1 day

    Response rate

    100%

    Lori Hamilton Dog Training Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Lori Hamilton Dog Training

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Babies finally back together hanging at bass. Pro shop watching the people pass.
    Sue F.

    Lori Hamilton is a dog whisper! I got news that a young man in Fresno was breeding English Cream Retrievers and was being evicted from his home. He was supporting his Mother and young sister. There were two 4 months old puppies that had contracted parvo which he treated with antibiotics. He was unable to sell so he was going to put them in a shelter by 2pm that day as he had to be out of his home. I drove from San Jose and rescued the pup's. Upon arriving home they had severe food insecurity, and began chewing on EVERYTHING! We had to gate them out of everywhere but the kitchen and dinning room. So began crate training. Their first trip to the vet came next and were diagnosed with Giardia. Our vet also suggested that Immediate training would be necessary because aggressive behavior would be imminent with siblings. Unfortunately, we would have to wait until the Giardia was cleared. 3 months and 2 bouts later, we were finally able to take them to a 5 week training course once a week. Unfortunately this did not produce the results we were hoping for. Enter Lori Hamilton's dog training. She invited us to her new facility for free evaluation. Right off the bat, she recognized behavioral issues between the male and female. Lola and Mylo. Durning that first evaluation, Lori was able to get Mylo to walk on the leash without him pulling her around. She suggested that a 4 week board and train would be best for a 63lb female and a 72lb male at 8 Mos. She also suggested that they be separated during this time. I was devastated but eventually agreed. One of her trainers Angelia,lived in Gilroy and would take Lola. Mylo would go to the training facility with Lori and Chelsea. On the day that Angelia and Chelsea came to pick Lola up to take her to Gilroy,they were both amazed and frightened at the fact that Lola actually jumped up on our kitchen table several times to greet them. I think Angelia may have asked herself. What did I get into? Lori invited me out to the facility after 2weeks, to see the progress that Mylo has made. He was running on a treadmill with his friend the boxer Lenny. He was also obeying commands such as sit down and place. I was also updated with Lola's progress by daily videos from Angelia. Chelsea set up a WhatsApp so that we could see the progress of both dogs on a daily basis. I can't tell you how much that meant to see my puppies on daily basis and how they were doing. Soon after that, my wife and I were invited to join in on training with both of the our dogs. Lori made it very clear that most of the training had to come with us. We had to be trained. In the following weeks, Lori and Chelsea offered additional training with me and my wife at various places such as Bass Pro, Pet Express, Butcher park, and the LHDT facility as follow up. No charge! Over the past 2 months I have learned that Lori is a pack leader. Her training and her staff have made my babies balanced an obedient. I would highly recommend to my friend's, family, and anybody out there that wants to bring pet balance into your life. Lori saved me from having to re-home home one of my puppies.

    Gracie girl.
    Faith ..

    I at first thought that Lori was the answer to my fear based aggressive dogs issues. We met at my house, my office and a very busy park near her home. I have a very reactive and large Cane Corso who as she got older, became less and less friendly with new people and dogs. It was difficult and my guilt was immense because she had no social life. Lori came to my home and convinced me that Gracie could be cured but it would costs thousands of dollars. $3300 to be exact. I was a single mom with a child in school and totally on my own financially so that is a huge amount of money to me. But I decided we had to move forward with the training. During training, Lori came to my office to see how Gracie behaved at work. She had a co-worker come into our very small office space with my dog under her control and gave him specific direction which he followed. Al was promptly bitten by Gracie. Red flag number one. I still trusted her. She suggested my housemate come to the park and train with us. She guided my friend and Gracie around the basketball court giving instruction and to me, all looked well. She cut the session short and told me he could not handle her and the situation was dangerous for my housemate. Which was odd because Gracie LOVED Cesar. They had never had a single issue. And never did have a single incident. Red flag number 2. There is definitely an ego issue when you question her. Lori then suggested that Gracie come stay with her and train in her home. It was intense there. A lot of dogs and crates all in her living room. I was worried for the other dogs because Gracie was 135lbs at that time and pure muscle. I paid Lori over $3300 and a he allowed me to make $500 payments which I appreciated a lot!!! When I got Gracie back from Lori after a 5 day stay and I was surprised at her behavior. She did seem less afraid and I was told she was playing well with Lori's two large poodles. We went home and snuggled on the sofa. I had missed her terribly. She was crying and so glad to be home!!! As she laid her head in my lap I reached down to scratch her chin and jowls which she loves but she cried out. I gently rubbed my hand down her chin and neck and felt scabs. I thought oh no, she has a rash or something but on closer inspection, I saw probably a dozen deep bloody lines about 3"-5" long. Idk which trainer it was, I just know that someone in Lori's employ was very very heavy handed with the metal prong collar. She calls it her "listening collar." It took 3 weeks for those deep wounds to heal. It took longer for my daughter and I to get over that Gracie had been mistreated to the point of bloody wounds. I cannot imagine how frustrated someone must have been to do that to her. That was abuse, not training. And perhaps if they had pointed it out to me, I would not have been quite as upset. So it was either hidden in hopes I would not notice or they didn't even know that they wrenched Gracie by the THROAT that aggressively. Disgusting either way. Gracie has never been the same. When I went back to her home to confront her, I was told she was very sick and having surgery. I did not finish the final 3 park lessons I paid for. I never heard from them again.

    Kayla M.

    I began training with Amy from LHDT when my puppy was 6 months old, and it has been the best decision for him. I am very pleased with the results and thrilled to have such a well-behaved dog.

    Amazing and totally involved! We found Lori through Yelp, and were convinced by watching videos on her website. We had adopted a shelter puppy who we were told would be 60 pounds, but seemed to be growing at a much faster rate than we expected. He is a sweetheart, but can be very domineering when he sees something he wants. And he was rapidly becoming too strong to easily control. Lori instantly took over on our first visit, and we saw our pup truly respond for the first time to somebody controlling him, rather than the way he wanted it. Lori instantly recognized something was off, and led us to correctly diagnose his breed (Anatolian shepherd) within minutes of meeting him. We were shocked to find out he might grow to 150 pounds, but instantly glad that we were getting him the training he (and we) needed. They boarded and trained him for a month. The dog is now a totally different dog. They almost completely changed his behavior and responsiveness. At the same time, they have spent a number of training sessions with us, to enable us to be responsible dog owners. Lori and her assistant Chelsy have been completely involved, making sure we know what we are doing, how to recognize behavioral issues and address them, and how to keep the big guy happy. They have answered questions about equipment, food, travel, and safety. Every time we go to train, Lori and her team has a number of dogs they are working with. All of these dogs behave almost perfectly, even with all of the other dogs surrounding them. We cannot recognize or recommend Lori enough. She is a true pro, and we have a magnificent and happy dog thanks to her and Chelsy. Her service should be considered by everybody who wants to share a happy life with a well-behaved dog.

    Lori Hamilton Dog Training saved us! In June we adopted a four-month old puppy from Silicon Valley Humane Society named Frank. He was about 50 pounds when he came home and quickly grew to 65 pounds and was terrified of new situations so his response was to "pancake" - going out the front door, walking in the kitchen, getting near a car, etc. Two months in we knew we needed more help than the standard puppy training and treat only approach. Going on a walk was dangerous with him zig zagging in front and pulling or dragging us to get to the park or see another dog. Also, he was intent on eating things he shouldn't like rocks, bark, leaves, etc. We were in way over our heads. Lori assessed us with Frank and gave us options on how we could improve his behavior and our communication with him. We opted for her three-week board and train program. She matched us with an amazing trainer on her staff, Chelsea, and Frank is a changed dog! Not only has he has been trained, but so have we in one-on-one sessions and the transformation is nothing short of amazing. He walks on a loose leash, will stay in place on an elevated cot while we work, and now has good recall. We have been given a great toolbox of resources versus just yanking him with the leash. Chelsey was the perfect match for us and Frank. She had him in her home during the training and treated him with love and taught him (and us) so much. Thank you, Chelsea and Lori!

    Magnus
    Jordan D.

    Lori has helped to transform my dog, Magnus. Before Lori, Magnus was terrified to even go near a dog park. Entering the off-leash area of a dog park was not an option. Magnus pulled on the leash during walks and I couldn't trust her around other dogs. Today, Magnus is a completely different dog. Her obedience has improved tenfold. She is confident, relaxed, happy. I am proud to say that I've learned a whole new way of interacting with and relating to Magnus. Looking forward to learning more!

    Basic Obedience Class at Butcher Park
    Natalie F.

    TLDR: Old school approach to dog training which may not be the right approach for sensitive and/or small dogs. Reading through the many positive reviews, I'm not sure if this is a one-off situation with my dog class or if this is how all LHDT dog classes typically go. I don't mean to sound overly harsh, but my experience with Amy's Basic Obedience training left me with the impression that she neither likes dogs or people. Classes are 10 dogs per class and it can be a bit difficult to hear. There is no attempt to learn any names. Dogs are not allowed to socialize with each other, which makes sense since there was no need to provide proof of immunization. During the class, you learn basics like down stays, place, etc. Class goes by slowly because each dog needs to demonstrate and receive corrections from Amy (which can take a long time since it is mostly negative reinforcement). My pup was one of the more advanced dogs in class, but that did not leave us immune from "pops" from Amy. I have a generally obedient toy poodle who knows down, stay, place, etc. thanks to prior training. Whenever we were demonstrating ...if he would get out of his "stay" she would grab his leash and pop him so harshly he would recoil, leaving him in such a terrified state that he is now legit afraid of her. He no longer is excited when we pull into Butcher Park. So as of this week... we are drop-outs. I really feel like I failed my dog by signing him up for this class and would STRONGLY caution others from considering this kind of training if you have a shy, timid, or small dog.

    Anne E.

    Amy at LHDT transformed our jumping, hyper-excited, and stubborn little Boston Terrier, Del, into a calm and obedient little gentleman who we can now take anywhere! We couldn't be any happier! I HIGHLY recommend Amy for any stubborn dog training! Thank you, Amy!!

    Place training
    Shelby L.

    I can not be more satisfied with Lori Hamilton's Trainers! Prior to taking both group classes, our German Shepherd mix, Indi, was reactive on leash, pulling on walks, and obedient in the home setting (but not in public settings). I have always wanted a pup I could take ANYWHERE and that is the dog I have today thanks to Lori, Amy, and all the other trainers who helped! The first group class had a larger group, but it was wonderful to train Indi around other dogs to work on her reactivity and obedience in such a distracting setting. The second class with Amy was the game changer. Amy was so patient, clear, and helpful! We worked on reactivity, pulling, whining, place training, recall, and off-leash work. With a field-trip built into class #2, I learned how to handle my dog in public settings. Indi has now gone to downtown settings and restaurants without reactivity or pulling! Amy made a huge effort to know all the dog's AND owner's names (given she has many classes and only sees us once a week). She placed importance on knowing what your dog is able to take. She made it clear if you have a more sensitive dog, you will have to adapt your corrections to meet their confidence/sensitivity levels. We loved coming to her class every week! If you are on the fence, I would say go for it! The prices are extremely fair and the trainers are well experienced. I will definitely be coming back for future pups that join our family!

    Our dog at the apple store.
    Teddy H.

    Lori Hamilton We brought Lori a challenge - a reactive, strong willed border collie who would lung at children, squirrels, and who was unwalkable. Cue Lori Hamilton. After our dog completed her board and train as well as four private lessons, our dog walks on heel, stays on her bed until released, and can walk by squirrels, crows and people with ease. We can even take our dog out to dinner and she remains calm. Lori was determined to make our dog a success. I can confidently say that this investment was worth every penny. Not only that but personally I've learned how to train and lead a dog well. I can't thank Lori enough for her patience and determination. If you need a dog trainer, look no further than Lori.

    Koda (black dog) walking along side Amy's dogs!
    Carly L.

    Our pup was very dog reactive on the leash when we first signed up. She would bark, scream, growl, and lunge at other dogs during walks. It made taking her out very stressful, every-time we saw another dog we had to avoid it at all costs. When we first met our trainer, Amy, she was very understanding and explained the process. She took the time to get to know Koda (our pup) and implemented methods that worked for us. We started with a prong collar and that helped tremendously. With the collar, Koda learned not to tug on the leash, walk by our side / heel, sit when we come to a stop, and to pay attention to me during walks. Amy not afraid to tell you what your doing wrong and how to correct it. She makes sure we implementing correct corrections with the collar and teaches us safe methods to implement. After just 2 training sessions... Koda was a new pup! As we progressed with the training, it was recommend we use a stimulation collar with Koda since she would still sometimes show aggression to other dogs on the leash. Amy took her time to figure out Kodas working level and made sure that she was comfortable and not being hurt. She also took the time to train me with how to use the remote when to tap it. After just a few sessions with the stimulation collar, Kodas reactivity to other dogs was reduced dramatically! We've been able to take her to parks off leash, hiking, and so much more. She even learned recall/here and is so responsive. We just completed our 11th session with Amy and it's amazing to see the progress Koda has made. Never in a million years did I think we would get to this stage. Amy has definitely made a huge impact on our lives. Kodas behavior is like night and day now, she's improved 500% and our stress of taking her out with other dogs has been tremendously reduced. Thank you so much Amy and Lori Hamilton's Dog Training.

    This is Lori , owner and one of the trainers

    See all

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lori H.

    Lori H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lori H.

    Lori H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sue F.
    6
    6
    20

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lori H.

    Lori H.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lori H.

    Lori H.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lori H.

    Lori H.

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 43
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Shelby L.
    478
    12
    6

    5 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    The team at Lori Hamilton's dog training was amazing I recommend anybody that is struggling to train their dogs to bring dog here

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M L.
    0
    4
    0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lori H.

    Lori H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Carly L.
    244
    51
    43

    6 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Linda P.
    1088
    39
    48

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Lori is instinctive and effective as a dog trainer. She taught my Golden Retriever to "heel" off-leash in 5 minutes !!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lori H.

    Lori H.

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 4
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jim C.
    6
    17
    3

    8 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Lori Hamilton Dog Training

    Review Highlights - Lori Hamilton Dog Training

    “I began training with Amy from LHDT when my puppy was 6 months old, and it has been the best decision for him.”

    Mentioned in 39 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Bark Busters Home Dog Training

    Bark Busters Home Dog Training

    (13 reviews)

    We didn't have a great experience with Randy, the prior owner of Los Gatos Bark Busters. The Bark…read moreBusters 'approach' is pretty hands off with puppies....they just teach you to repeatedly growl at bad behavior or spray your dog with a water bottle....both of which didn't work for our pup who didn't care and loves water. There was no additional tactics and it got weird. ChatGBT was more effective and we found a new trainer more experienced with puppies. The new owner gave us a full refund at her own expense. It's worth exploring more with her, she may have a smarter approach.

    Gusty is an Exceptional Trainer - Forever Grateful…read more We are beyond grateful for the incredible work Gusty did with Daisy, our rescue Rottweiler. Daisy needed not just training, but patience, understanding, and someone who truly cared about her. That is exactly what we found. Gusty easily connected with Daisy in a calm, confident, and compassionate way that immediately put both of us at ease. The progress Daisy made was truly remarkable. Not only did she learn important skills and boundaries, but she also gained confidence, trust, and a sense of security. Watching her transform into the happy, well-adjusted, and joyful dog has been a rewarding experience. Gusty also transformed me - I am less anxious about Daisy now. Gusty has a deep understanding of canine behavior, body language, and emotional needs and she applied that knowledge in thoughtful, effective ways. Every technique was explained clearly, and we always understood the "why" behind each step of the training process. Gusty's level of expertise is both rare and impressive. However, what makes this trainer so special is not just technical expertise, but genuine love for animals and deep respect for their unique stories - especially rescue dogs like Daisy. Daisy was in the best possible hands. We cannot recommend this trainer highly enough. Gusty helped Daisy become the very best version of herself. Thank you for giving Daisy such a beautiful start to her new life. We will always be thankful.

    One Day Dog Training - Steve trains dogs of all ages and sizes.

    One Day Dog Training

    (226 reviews)

    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!

    I contacted Steve and One Day Dog Training upon the suggestion by a close friend who had worked…read morewith him several times over the years. Lana, my 3 1/2 year-old lab mix, a foster fail that I took in as a 2 yr old, was getting bigger and stronger, jumps on anybody that comes in the door etc. She's a sweetheart, but I needed to be able to mange her energy and size My other two dogs are small and this is the biggest dog I've had. I knew going into this training that it was me that needed most of the training! Steve explained that I needed to learn how to communicate with my dogs, that they communicate differently. What an eye-opener! Everything he explained made sense and in just the few hours we spent together, Lana was already following the cues that Steve taught me. Consistency and repetition is key. We are just 2 weeks in and the process is going great! Steve was absolutely terrific to work with. Somehow, he makes the whole process easy and effortless. His follow up calls to check in are much appreciated and he's available for questions that might come up. I'm so glad I made the call and was able to work with Steve.

    Los Gatos Dog & Cat Hospital - Raeann with the cutest little puppy.

    Los Gatos Dog & Cat Hospital

    (139 reviews)

    Even though I had to put down my dear Lizzy July 13th, my 11-year-old kitty, Los Gatos D & G was…read morecompassionate and took gentle care of her during her final hours. She had tumors throughout her body, and she was suffering. Prior to giving her the injections to hasten death, they allowed me to hold her in my arms. The vet sat by me and comforted me, which she did not have to do. As we lay Lizzy on the table, they gave the final injection. I was bawling my eyes out. I was saying thank you to my dear Lizzy for all she gave me, how she helped me, and what she meant to me. I could tell that the vet and the vet tech were almost in tears as well. This is not just a job for these folks; they love and care deeply about animals. Are they always able to save our dear fur babies? No. But they care deeply and want the best for their clients. I have always felt the deep caring from the front desk to the exam rooms. Thank you, Los Gatos D&G, for everything.

    this incident occurred back in March 2024 but remains concerning. I brought my French bulldog,…read moreLola, in because she was panting and unable to sleep at night. The first thing the vet tech did was scan her microchip, and she seemed very angry. It was strange. I think she thought that I stole my own dog who I have had since she was a puppy, but without even explaining anything, she just threw down the microchip reader and walked out of the room. So that was a terrible start. Then, the doctor came in and said that the dog was in distress and needed to be seen by emergency right away, did not prescribe any painkillers or give any explanation as to what was going on. So she directed us to Sage. Around $10,000 later, it was determined that Lola had a mild case of IVDD and she was sent home. Only after we brought her to our regular vet for a check up, was she correctly diagnosed with bladder stones. I strongly believe that Sage gets kickbacks from hospitals that recommend their services. They ran tests for pneumonia, they ran an x-ray, they recommended an MRI that would cost several thousand dollars, all of this and no one thought to ever check for bladder stones. This was a pretty ridiculous experience that started out terribly with LG Dog and Cat hospital.

    Happy Tails To You Dog Training

    Happy Tails To You Dog Training

    (70 reviews)

    Cambrian Park

    Dawna is MAGIC!! We have worked with her for 20+ years with many different dogs. She is a…read morefantastic trainer with a true gift backed up with extensive knowledge. She is an expert at training us humans so that we can have beautifully behaved canine companions. I love the positive reinforcement (R+) training methods she employs. So grateful for her expertise to help us.

    This review is long overdue. We adopted a 2yo pit bull in February 2020 from a shelter. Then, as…read moreyou know, Covid hit the very next month. Our boy had been found wondering the streets of SJ. With my wife and I, he was the Biggest love bug. So cute, and funny, and cuddly. But we can only imagine the terrible experiences he had endured. He had a scar atop his head and was very nervous around new people, which led to behavior like growling and snapping at times. His fear was only made worse by social distancing and not being around new people. Once Covid settled a bit we sought out a trainer for him. I'll never forget the first day Dawna came to the house. Our pup growled and was very displeased that this stranger was in his space, and worse, trying to interact with him. Dawna was not a bit deterred, which I was impressed by but I remained skeptical. Fast forward something like 2 weeks: Dawna interacted with him with ease on training days and he loved receiving love and pets from her. We couldn't believe it. Dawna taught us how to train him and he was able to meet all kinds of new people and doggy friends on our outings. We are forever grateful. We only had 2 years with him. Cancer. I knew I would get emotional writing this review, which is why it has taken so long. Dawna and Megan (from Dawna's other business, Canine Corral Dog Daycare) changed our lives. We will be forever thankful for them. I couldn't recommend Happy Tails To You enough.

    Smart Paws Private Training - Amelia Olson - THE best behaved pups, thanks to Amelia and Smart Paws!

    Smart Paws Private Training - Amelia Olson

    (51 reviews)

    5/5 Stars -- A true puppy genius and an absolute lifesaver!…read more If I could give Amelia Olson ten stars, I still don't think it would be enough. Navigating puppyhood can be an overwhelming journey, but working with Amelia has completely transformed the experience for us. From our very first session, she proved herself to be nothing short of a puppy whisperer. Amelia has been working with our little Maltipoo, Mercedeh, and the progress has been remarkable. What sets Amelia apart isn't just her deep knowledge of dog behavior and training techniques--it's her boundless patience, warmth, and genuine love for canine companions. She doesn't just train the dog; she lovingly guides and empowers the owners every step of the way. She has shown endless patience with all of our questions, always meeting us with encouragement, clear communication, and practical solutions tailored specifically to Mercedeh's personality. Mercedeh absolutely adores her, and we genuinely look forward to every single session on our calendar. You can feel how much Amelia truly cares about the animals she works with; her dedication, heart, and passion shine through in everything she does. I want to voice our deepest and most sincere gratitude to Amelia for all of her hard work, care, and commitment to our family. We will unquestionably continue to train with her, and we cannot recommend her highly enough to any pet parent looking for top-tier, compassionate, and effective training. Amelia is simply the best in the business!

    We had 5 sessions with Amelia over the past year and working with her has been great. We never had…read moreformal training for my dog, Dash, prior to working with Amelia, and the only reason we wanted training for him was because he was struggling with separation anxiety. Amelia gave us really powerful tools to improve Dash's behavior, and overall and tips and tricks for how to get him more comfortable at home. Dash is a lot more attentive to my cues on walks and is a lot less reactive to dogs on walks. He was a well mannered dog to begin with, but is even better now. I really appreciated that Amelia was able to come to my home in San Jose to do the training. Even though Dash primarily lives with my parents in San Bruno, he still spends a fair amount of time in my home in San Jose and getting him trained in a familiar environment has seemed to be beneficial for him. We also went to the Campbell Farmer's Market and Santana Row to expose Dash to a lot of children/other dogs and all were really great outings for Dash. Thanks Amelia for your patience and guidance!

    Calero Canine Education - Our happy well behaved GSD!

    Calero Canine Education

    (18 reviews)

    Roman is a true dog whisperer. He transformed our female German Shepherd from an unruly puppy that…read morechallenged my wife for dominance into a wonderful family member. Roman even taught our GSD some service dog skills. We highly recommend Calero Canine.

    I know he is still being charged currently for animal cruelty - as he deserves. ANOTHER yelper…read moremessaged me that their dog was injured while in his possession!!! You disgust me that you're still advertising your "business". What is most horrifying about him is that not only did he kill our puppy but that he tried to claim he was blameless, first our witness that tried to alert him our dog was loose in the back of his truck while he was weaving in and out of traffic on 17 and speeding!! Then said our dog was smart and got out, again not his fault. Oh and third said the cage he used to "secure" her was faulty. But he did know that about this particular type of cage, yet still used it. THE WITNESS WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO ALERT YOU IF YOU HAD USED A NON- FAULTY CAGE IDIOT! Of course dogs are smart, she was smarter than you! She was a beagle, she got out because the Cage door was faulty! You said "she was just a dog, so how much was she worth $700?" - NO, NO AMOUNT for a family members life which you cut short. This clearly demonstrates how you treat other people's pets, which you called her "property". I'll be contributing to this ongoing case, to ensure no one places their dog with you ever.

    South Bay Dog Training

    South Bay Dog Training

    (7 reviews)

    THIS IS the place to start your puppy training, whether for socialization or manner classes…read more They help you, help the puppy and set you both up for a success. Kimberley is so kind, knowledgable, personable and dogs loveeeeee her! The facility always clean and my puppy doesnt come home with pee smell. Whatever they do, it works!! And I've been to many dog training/daycare facilities in my 20years of being guardians for dogs. Highly recommend this place!

    Nine months ago, my wife and I adopted Marshy, a deaf pup from the Humane Society. What we didn't…read moreknow then was that she was also an active herding breed mix, Husky and Cattle Dog, which meant our journey was going to be more complex and more rewarding than we ever expected. Marshy is now 14 months old, and she is an absolute joy. I firmly believe that Kimberly at South Bay Training has played a major role in that transformation. We would not be where we are today without her guidance. Kimberly and her husband, Larry, were essential in helping Marshy learn how to socialize and play with other dogs. We joined their puppy socials when Marshy was about six months old, and I look back in awe at everything we learned. With such compassion and care, they helped her ease into appropriate puppy play. Marshy began behind an x-pen to observe, and soon she was out with the group, frolicking, making friends, and eventually even helping guide more energetic and vocal pups into play. Watching her grow into that role was incredible. We also enrolled in Manners 2, where we learned how to teach Marshy to settle, stay at a distance, and engage in cooperative care. These skills have made grooming and daily routines so much smoother. What sets Kimberly apart is her clarity and presence. She is a trainer who understands boundaries, reads dogs with remarkable accuracy, and takes the time to show guardians what to watch for. Her thoughtful instruction helped us understand not just Marshy's body language, but also how to gauge safe and joyful play between dogs. Marshy is now a confident, well-socialized dog who can stay, settle, and stay connected with us on walks. Kimberly and the South Bay Training team have been core to that growth. They are, without a doubt, one of the best parts of our training journey.

    Vikki Boyd - Vikki Boyd performs run around trick with Jozie

    Vikki Boyd

    (16 reviews)

    5 woofin' stars! If…read moreyou have a pup, I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend that you work with Vikki. We enrolled in the Private Puppy Head Start Course ($145.00 - Three 45 Minute In-home Private Lessons) which covered how to teach your puppy bite inhibition as well as potty training, leave it, sit, down, come, nail trimming, ear cleaning and introduction to loose leash walking. Our pup adapted quickly to her knowledgeable training. Having someone right there (without other distractions) made a huge difference with our pup's developmental stage. Vikki is AWESOME. I cannot recommend working with Vikki enough. She is worth every penny and more!

    It was our lucky day when I contacted Vikki to help us select a dog breed and then train our new…read morepuppy. I'd hire Vikki a million times over. Vikki is a wonderful trainer and very observant of dog's behaviors. With her attentive observation and caring heart she easily taught our family how to care for our dog and train her. Vikki's recommendation on the breed and training were all spot on. Our dog, Jade, a Havanese is a wonderful pet, well trained and loved by all. See for yourself from the pictures below. After my initial phone call to Vikki she came to our house to talk to us about getting a dog and what breed would be a good fit for our family. She is a good listener and asked a lot of questions about our family's lifestyle. Then we took a tour of our home and backyard so she could see where the dog would be living. While we had thought we wanted a medium size dog, Vikki recommended a small companion dog. Vikki advised us that a small companion dog would be more appropriate as we wanted the dog for our daughter. We trusted Vikki's opinion and got busy finding a Havanese. Prior to receiving Jade, Vikki made another visit to help us get our house "puppy ready". She emphasized that getting a doggie door before the dog came was instrumental for potty training. She also had us set up an area right outside the doggie door that was penned in. She had us use an x-pen and fake grass called "puppy grass" in the fenced in area. The puppy grass acts like a litter box and makes clean up easier as everything is in a small area. It's like a litter box for dogs. This is a lifesaver! The day Jade arrived Vikki came and met Jade. She spent a lot of time just observing Jade and her behavior. Vikki also had us take her out the doggie door and observed her going to the bathroom. She gave us tips on how to recognize when Jade needed to go to the bathroom, food and how some general training ideas. Jade adapted quickly to our house and potty training! Thanks to the great tips from Vikki. Since then Vikki has continued to help us with training Jade to walk on a leash, training Jade to respond to safety commands like stop, be in public, sit in cafes and to come. Vikki is an excellent trainer and is so knowledgeable about dogs. Jade is an adorable dog and everyone loves her because she is cute and well trained. Thanks to Vikki for everything, 5 star dog-training service with style!

    Lori Hamilton Dog Training - pet_training - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...