Manners for Mutts

(656 reviews)

Great experience! We have an 8-year-old rescue Golden…read moreRetriever who developed some habits we wanted to correct and weren't able to do on our own with traditional training. A couple of these weren't terribly serious, but we felt we weren't "in charge" anymore, that our dog wasn't getting the message from whatever we were doing, and that if we didn't do something different, it could really get out of control. Brad really helped us with this, where traditional "training" wasn't working. We have two or three things we're working on with our girl, but here is the most dramatic change we had with one issue. She is very food motivated, and would beg from us at the table whenever we sat down to eat, and would be underfoot in the kitchen during prep. She got overly excited and would not settle and lie down. Brad explained we weren't communicating well with her on a dog level, so to get that communication kicked in to gear, he actually started our session not with this problem, but with making sure she would not dash out the front door when it was opened. This was to establish that we were in charge and what was expected of her. What he showed us how to do worked like you wouldn't believe. It was like a light bulb went off for our girl. What we did affected everything after that. It wasn't about dashing out the door, it wasn't about begging for food, it was about knowing what was acceptable in our pack and to look to us for direction. That night, at dinner, she went to her "spot" with a simple direction and was relaxed during our entire meal. She can now be directed to her spot and will stay quietly any time we need her to. Best of all, she seems truly relieved that she doesn't have to be in charge and that WE are. She is much more relaxed around so many other things. It gave us so much more confidence! I didn't think that what Brad taught us would work. It's quite counterintuitive. But trust me, it worked like magic. This is not dog training - it's communication with your dog. Brad answers all your questions, doesn't waste your time, shows you clearly and directly what will work. We're so thankful we found him!

Before working with Brad, my dog Cash struggled with severe separation anxiety and reactivity…read more Leaving him home alone felt impossible, walks were stressful, and I was constantly worried about how he'd behave around new people and situations. I met with several trainers before Brad & had little to no success in the areas we needed most, I was exhausted. Now for the first time ever, I can leave him home alone without the overwhelming anxiety and guilt that used to come with it. Our walks are actually enjoyable again, and I feel confident bringing him around friends and into new environments. What I appreciate most is that the training gave me the tools and confidence to understand and communicate with my dog better. I have my freedom back, and Cash is happier and more relaxed because of it. If you're struggling with separation anxiety, behavioral issues, or just want a better relationship with your dog, I can't recommend Brad enough. The impact has been life-changing.

SoCal Dog Training

(460 reviews)

Watching Instagram and YouTube videos won't give you a well-behaved dog. Working with Vladae will!…read more We've been working with Vladae for about four months with our now six-and-a-half-month-old Golden Retriever, Coach, and it has been one of the best investments we've made. What sets Vladae apart is that he doesn't just train dogs, he teaches owners how to build a lifelong relationship with them. Every lesson leaves us with practical tools, clear direction, and the confidence to continue the training every single day. Because of that, the progress doesn't stop when the session ends. Vladae has an incredible ability to understand dogs. Watching him read a dog's behavior, body language, and mindset is genuinely fascinating. He knows exactly how to communicate with each dog in a way they understand, and it's clear this comes from years of experience and a deep understanding of canine psychology. He's also one of the most invested professionals we've ever worked with. Throughout the week, he encourages us to send videos, provides thoughtful feedback almost immediately, and is always available to answer questions or jump on a call if we need guidance. You never feel like you're figuring things out on your own. He truly cares about both the dogs and the people raising them, and he always follows through. Every recommendation Vladae has made, whether it's training tools, techniques, or daily routines, has become an essential part of Coach's development. We trusted the process from day one, and the results truly speak for themselves. (See the videos! Coach is only 6.5 months old in them.) Our puppy is happy, confident, well-mannered, and genuinely loves learning. We receive compliments on his behavior everywhere we go, and we owe so much of that to the foundation Vladae helped us build. We also had the opportunity to work with Erica, who trains alongside Vladae, and she was absolutely wonderful. One session with Erica is included in the program, and it was incredibly helpful. It's clear she shares the same passion, knowledge, and dedication that make this training program so special. Vladae brings unmatched energy, professionalism, and passion to every session. He genuinely wants every dog and every owner to succeed, and that level of commitment is incredibly rare to find. If you're looking for a trainer who truly understands dogs and is committed to setting both you and your dog up for long-term success, I can't recommend Vladae highly enough. Coach has become an incredible puppy, and we're excited to continue into adult school because of the foundation he's helped us build. We're so grateful we found him!

I wanted to address your recent claims regarding my review of your services. I assure you that I…read morewas a legitimate customer who genuinely shared my honest experience, which I believe is critical for other potential clients. While it's understandable to feel upset when receiving negative feedback, it's important to reflect on the reasons behind my review. I noticed that during our initial interaction, you made a comment about my background that many found to be a stereotypical and racist remark. In fact, I saw that you previously posted video footage of our encounter on your Instagram, but you removed it after receiving backlash for those comments. This indicates that others found your remarks concerning as well. I want to emphasize that my intention was never to harm your business; rather, it was to share my experience. Thankfully, I have since found another trainer who practices positive reinforcement, which aligns much better with my values and my dog's needs.

EveryDog

(173 reviews)

Dave came to train our pup, Hanky who had serious issues with anxiety, aggression, and resource…read moreguarding. Dave was compassionate, informative, and incredibly helpful. He took time to get to know our family and tailor Hank's training to his personality and needs. He is incredibly knowledgeable and we have seen a huge improvement in our dog's behavior. Hanky is happier and now we know how to support him in order to avoid aggression. We also started taking both of our dogs to EveryDog Daycamp and it has been amazing to have a safe place where our dogs can play with other pups without me worrying something might happen to them. I can't recommend Dave and EveryDog enough!

I was visiting from Southern California and stopped in the store just to use the bathroom. Such a…read morecute store! The worker was so warm and friendly. So many unique items. They had a good selection of MLB neckerchiefs that easily attached thru his collar that I ended up buying a Dodger one for my dog.

Paw Sweet Paw Pet Resorts

4.3

(578 reviews)

Great grooming and bathing services. Have been coming here for 5 years+ for both my dogs. They do a…read moregreat job with our corgis with shaping them and making them nice and clean. Very friendly staff as well, have never had an issue. Here is Harper after a bath below!

We've been bringing our pups to the Jamboree location for quite a while, and up until the beginning…read moreof this year, we had nothing but positive experiences. Last year, we brought them frequently and always felt confident leaving them there. The staff was friendly and welcoming, the facility felt clean, and our dogs always seemed happy to be there. That's why it's so disappointing to see how much things have changed since the ownership transition. Since the change in ownership, we've noticed a significant decline in the overall experience. The staff no longer feels as friendly or approachable. While there are still a few kind employees, several team members come across as cold and unhelpful, making drop-off feel uncomfortable and even a bit intimidating. It no longer feels like the warm, welcoming environment it once was. We've also noticed the facility doesn't seem nearly as clean as it used to be. Our dogs consistently come home smelling strongly of urine after daycare. We occasionally check the live cameras throughout the day and frequently see urine sitting on the playroom floors for extended periods before being cleaned up. If messes in the common play areas are left unattended, it raises concerns about how often the kennels are being cleaned when the dogs are resting. Combined with the odor our dogs come home with, it has made us question the overall cleanliness of the facility. Another noticeable change is how little time our dogs now seem to spend in the play areas. We'll pay for a half-day of daycare, and by the time we pick them up, we're lucky if they've spent more than 30 minutes interacting with other dogs. The majority of their visit appears to be spent kenneled. We choose daycare because we want our dogs to have a safe, clean environment where they can socialize and play. If they're spending most of their visit in a kennel, it's difficult to justify paying for daycare when they could be comfortably resting at home in a cleaner environment for free. Customer service has also become frustrating. Recently, one of our dogs came home without his collar. We didn't realize it until we got home, so we called the facility and were told someone would call us back because they were too busy at the moment. We never received a callback. After calling several more times over the next few days without getting an answer, we ultimately had to drive to the facility ourselves just to ask about and retrieve the collar. Pickup has also become much slower than it used to be, often requiring a long wait before our dogs are brought out. We're genuinely disappointed because we loved this location for a long time and trusted the team with our pets. Unfortunately, since the ownership change, we've experienced a noticeable decline in cleanliness, customer service, and the overall level of care. We hope these concerns are taken seriously because we'd love to see this location return to the high standard that made us loyal customers in the first place.

iSpeakDog!

(48 reviews)

Tommy helped us with our Miniature Australian Shepherd puppy when no one else would! He came to…read moreour house when she was 11 weeks old (other trainers wanted to wait until she had all her puppy shots) and immediately got us off on the right foot for behavior training. He trained my husband and me as well as our puppy! So grateful. Tommy has a gift for knowing how dogs think and he shares that knowledge as part of the session. We never felt rushed to finish a lesson when he came to the house, he just dealt with our issues and reminded us to keep practicing with our dog until next time. We even decided to enroll in his weekly puppy class so that our puppy would learn to behave around other dogs. His private dog park is a god-send as we live in a condo and don't have a yard for our puppy to play in. She loved going there and we'll be back! We highly recommend Tommy. He showed us how to anticipate what our puppy was going to do before she did it and correct her misdeeds before they take place. Five stars!

Tommy came for our first private session and it went better than I imagined. My husband and I…read morelearned a lot from Tommy. He is very relatable and has a unique way of teaching that is very enjoyable and actually entertaining, all at the same time! Now that is talent! Tommy was made for this job and well worth his price. You get what you pay for. He definitely does not watch the clock and gives you more than 1 hr and does not leave until he has answered all your questions. My dog is already doing better on our walks. Tommy teaches but you have to do what he says or you have wasted your money. I signed up for 5 lessons and looking forward to the rest. I will update when we are finished.

Tony Nila Puppy & Canine Cognitive

(229 reviews)

Xavier is amazing. Cooper had some major issues, leash aggression with dogs, skateboarders, people…read more(if they tried to say hi to cooper from a safe distance) etc. Coops change in behavior started after our first session with him. If you are willing to listen, do the work, be consistent and actually do everything he says to you will not be disappointed. It was worth every $ spent. @ xavier hernandez dog behaviorist on Yelp if you want to see more reviews specific to him. I am no longer dreading taking them on walks. Turns out Cooper just had some anxiety and can get over excited. I thought I had an aggressive dog until we met with a Xavier. Very thankful and grateful.

I have a Large Cane Corso Masstiff female who just turned 1 year old in January. She is going thru…read moreher teenage years has been very dog aggressive lately. She was attacked by a much smaller dog ever since she goes crazy whenever we see another dog. I found a, "Highly Recommended" Dog trainer online according his website. After 3 sessions with him, his advice was to punch my dog in the face and head until she worried more about me than other dogs. As you can imagine that did not work and we stopped going. I started calling around to other trainers I found online but nobody wanted to work with such a big aggressive dog. One trainer referred me to Tony. After talking with Tony and watching his webinar he referred us to Xavier who from the first 15 minutes had my dog sitting down calmly and accepting directions. I can't speak highly enough for how professional results oriented both Tony and Xavier have been. We were considering returning her back to the breeder before meeting Tony and Xavier. Thank you both so very much!

Bark Busters Home Dog Training-South Orange County

(134 reviews)

We can't recommend Joshua at Bark Busters highly enough. Our English Bulldog struggled with…read moreanxiety, excessive barking, and unpredictable aggression toward people. After working with two other trainers and seeing little lasting progress, we were feeling hopeless. With a new baby in the house, we were genuinely worried we might have to rehome our dog. Joshua changed everything. Instead of just working with our dog, he taught us the skills and techniques to communicate effectively and create lasting change. In a surprisingly short amount of time, our dog made a complete 180. He's calmer, more confident, and his behavior has improved beyond what we thought was possible. Joshua gave us the tools to keep our family together, and we couldn't be more grateful. If you're struggling with your dog's behavior, we wholeheartedly recommend Bark Busters and Joshua.

From our very first session until now, he has taught me so much. He's incredibly knowledgeable, and…read morealways explains the methods from how dogs think and perceive the world and how the training ties into it. The progress I've seen has been amazing, and I've learned how to communicate with my dog in a way that has strengthened our bond. I highly recommend Josh and Bark Busters OC to anyone looking for a trainer who truly knows what they're doing!

Sit Means Sit Dog Training

(111 reviews)

Just wanted to let everyone know, how AMAZING this group is!…read more Our Kat (Katerina) is a 70 lbs golden retriever that when she sees something she goes full throttle. At first, I was a little apprehensive about leaving her for a full week. My visions of the ASPCA commercial were playing in the back of my head. But when we arrived, Chris, Ryan (our trainer), and Bill were eagerly awaiting our arrival. I voiced my concerns; they gave me a tour of the kennel - none of the dogs were crying or barking. All were well behaved. It didn't smell like a kennel, it had A/C. When they stay overnight, your suppose to pack their food in individual servings. They asked if they don't eat, would it be ok, if they added broth or chicken pieces to their meals. Feeling that they were really concerned about our pets well being, I had no hesitation of leaving our baby girl with them. After a week apart, she was so excited to see us. I learned the rules, and she has been so great, no more pulling and makes eye contact with us anxiously awaiting direction! We returned two weeks later for a refresher (mainly on me). We are excited to start group classes. If we were to ever get another dog, their would be no hesitation on scheduling a training with SIT Means SIT.

Michael is an amazing trainer! My dog is now a different dog. Only four sessions of one-hour…read moretraining transformed my dog. I just cannot believe it! I am looking forward to my relationship with my dog and I am certain that it will be amazing and enjoyable. Thank you, Michael and Sit Means Sit Team

Kind To Canines Dog Training Services

(53 reviews)

Love Dan! Helped me with both my pups - also trained me which was needed to train the dogs.read more

I came to Tye for my rescues first haircut and she was amazing! He may have had some trauma from…read morehis past life but apparently he did well after she gained his trust. His haircut was amazing, check the picture for proof! I will definitely be coming back when my Zuko needs another haircut!

Heaven Sent K-9 Dog Training

(166 reviews)

Bucky- Great Pyrenees/Akita mix 110lbs. Dog aggressive and now, no problems on walks or around dogsread more

Sogi was a miracle trainer to help my dog Dumpling get over his aggression issues towards other…read moredogs and people. We chose her 2 week board and train - aggression rehabilitation service, after a week her and her staff noticed my dog still being very aggressive in protecting his food bowl and she extended his training another week (no extra charge!) so she could really focus on that aspect to make sure Dumpling's aggression was addressed. Wife and I also highly recommend her private sessions after the board and train. 2-3 weeks is definitely not enough time to make sure behavior issues are completely addressed, so her sessions helped make sure we properly did our daily trainings with Dumping. Her sessions also evolved the trainings we did at home as our dog's aggression level kept going down and focus on his high alert/anxiety responses to stimuli, and try to help him associate his dopamine response to being relaxed. She also helped identify a food allergy that made him itchy, which added to his higher anxiety level. All these things added up and now our dog is a lot happier and hasn't displayed a snarl or showed his teeth in anger to anyone or any dogs in months! Thanks Sogi for helping Dumpling and us and hope this review helps others choose you over other trainers out there for their dogs.

Paw Sweet Paw Pet Resorts

4.3

(578 reviews)

Great grooming and bathing services. Have been coming here for 5 years+ for both my dogs. They do a…read moregreat job with our corgis with shaping them and making them nice and clean. Very friendly staff as well, have never had an issue. Here is Harper after a bath below!

We've been bringing our pups to the Jamboree location for quite a while, and up until the beginning…read moreof this year, we had nothing but positive experiences. Last year, we brought them frequently and always felt confident leaving them there. The staff was friendly and welcoming, the facility felt clean, and our dogs always seemed happy to be there. That's why it's so disappointing to see how much things have changed since the ownership transition. Since the change in ownership, we've noticed a significant decline in the overall experience. The staff no longer feels as friendly or approachable. While there are still a few kind employees, several team members come across as cold and unhelpful, making drop-off feel uncomfortable and even a bit intimidating. It no longer feels like the warm, welcoming environment it once was. We've also noticed the facility doesn't seem nearly as clean as it used to be. Our dogs consistently come home smelling strongly of urine after daycare. We occasionally check the live cameras throughout the day and frequently see urine sitting on the playroom floors for extended periods before being cleaned up. If messes in the common play areas are left unattended, it raises concerns about how often the kennels are being cleaned when the dogs are resting. Combined with the odor our dogs come home with, it has made us question the overall cleanliness of the facility. Another noticeable change is how little time our dogs now seem to spend in the play areas. We'll pay for a half-day of daycare, and by the time we pick them up, we're lucky if they've spent more than 30 minutes interacting with other dogs. The majority of their visit appears to be spent kenneled. We choose daycare because we want our dogs to have a safe, clean environment where they can socialize and play. If they're spending most of their visit in a kennel, it's difficult to justify paying for daycare when they could be comfortably resting at home in a cleaner environment for free. Customer service has also become frustrating. Recently, one of our dogs came home without his collar. We didn't realize it until we got home, so we called the facility and were told someone would call us back because they were too busy at the moment. We never received a callback. After calling several more times over the next few days without getting an answer, we ultimately had to drive to the facility ourselves just to ask about and retrieve the collar. Pickup has also become much slower than it used to be, often requiring a long wait before our dogs are brought out. We're genuinely disappointed because we loved this location for a long time and trusted the team with our pets. Unfortunately, since the ownership change, we've experienced a noticeable decline in cleanliness, customer service, and the overall level of care. We hope these concerns are taken seriously because we'd love to see this location return to the high standard that made us loyal customers in the first place.

Wags and Wiggles - Tustin

4.1

(421 reviews)

Dad will take a bullet for wags and wiggles (W&W). Me? Not so much, not that I don't love them and…read morethey don't take absolute great care of me, but because dad's already on that. Let's not have too many chefs in the kitchen). LOOK AT THIS BIRTHDAY DAYDAY PHOTOSHOOT - Waffles the corgi. Switching over to Waffdad now... In all seriousness wags and wiggles is amazing in everything they do. Waffles is not a, what say you... level 1 dog parent dog, you know the kind of "dandelion" you give food, potty, and water. She is the dog where you need take the derivative, integrate, multi variable calculus, oops you forgot to do the math proof and now she has bad poops. So, the extreme detailed and precise care W&W provides is so, so invaluable. They're really great people :)

Tried this location for training, daycare and overnight care and was not impressed. The training…read morewas ok, overnight stay had me feeling incredibly anxious with the lack of updates and feedback, and the daycare visits were the most disappointing. They have a concept, but are unable to execute it successfully. Would not recommend.

Bark Collective

(127 reviews)

We have been customers for almost 5 years. The staff is awesome and our dog always comes home so…read morehappy.

Our dog Hank loves bark collective. They always take such good care of Hank and he is soo happy…read morewhenever we pick him up. I know he's been well cared for. We also just had or first training session with AJ and I'm so excited to implement her training methods that don't require and e-collar. The e-collar is optional and can be used on certain situations, but I saw her techniques with him work without the ecollar.. I'm so glad I scheduled the training session and will continue to schedule training session with her! Her training techniques are soo effective.

Pooch's Best Friend

(117 reviews)

John and Cassidy took such great care of our two cats!! This was the first time we've ever used a…read morepetsitter service and were veryyy nervous to say the least. Every day we were sent 10+ photos of them along with a paragraph of a summary of their visit with them. Their level of care was so impressive and we know they even vacuumed on a few occasions! We cannot express how impressed we are with this company. Highly highly recommend Pooch's Best Friend!

I live in Irvine, CA, and so happy that I found them when I did. We have 2 dogs and all of the…read morewalkers are so very sweet to them. I love that they all are genuinely kind to our pups and leave the sweetest pics and comments about them. My husband and I are really busy with work and PBF always accommodates our schedule and do what they can to make sure our needs are addressed. We recently also had a baby in the last year and pbf has helped accommodate us as we move into our next chapter of having kids. Even when we had to go to the hospital when the baby came, the owner helped us schedule the pups walks and transportation to our pet boarding facility. They are simply great and amazing and I never worry about our pups and trust each and everyone of the walkers in my household. I highly recommend them.

The Bone Adventure

4.6

(181 reviews)

He is so happy to go & visit friends & get lots of pets & playtime!…read moreVery attentive staff!!! He is very tired the next day from all the fun!

This review is for the Intro to Swim Class. For 30 min, we all had SO much fun! Beagles aren't…read morereally known for liking the water too much, but mine is different-ish haha. Zack was completely awesome through and through. My dog and another were first-timers, so Zack walked us through all the ground rules and what to expect. I loved that he doesn't force the dogs to go in the water, but also doesn't just let them avoid it. He noticed my dog was just having fun running AROUND the pool, but wouldn't try and swim, just splash on the shallow part. So he would go and get him and baby-step him into the deep side. It was so refreshing to see! I love how considerate it is. The staff is also all so great and nice. The facility is impressive and well-thought out. I love it. I can't wait to bring my dog back and I'm sure he's looking forward to his next swim session!

Bow Wow's & Whiskers Pet Care

(13 reviews)

Rosanne or Bow Wow's and Whiskers is the best kept secret in Irvine! That is because no pet owner…read morewants to lose her. We have been so fortunate to have Rosanne care for our many cats, including those with medical issues for almost 20 years. As a vet tech. and trained professional, I can trust her advice and know she has the best interest of my animal in mind. Travelling internationally, I have absolute confidence she will turn up, never let me down, care for my cat and home and inform me of any potential issues. She is detailed, conscientious, totally honest and best of all, she actually spends time playing with your pet! A fantastic pet sitter! Laurie, CA

It's hard to put everything we feel about Rosanne into just a few words. She has cared for our…read morefurry cat children for the past 27 years! She's been with us as we suffered the loss of 3 of our babies over the years, and she has become a part of our family in many ways. Our current kitties, Isabella and Mary, are now 17 and 18 years old respectively, and Rosanne has cared for them since they came to us 17 years ago. Whenever we're away, she lives in our home, giving them the comfort and security they need. Knowing she's here when we're not gives us the same sense of comfort and security. Rosanne cares for the girls in every way. As a licensed and caring Vet Technician, we trust her judgement completely. She has advised and guided us in their care so many times over the years. Rosanne is committed to the care of the animals in her charge - she is a true professional, and more importantly, she LOVES all of the furry babies in her care. She also takes cares of our home like it's her own. She's licensed, bonded and insured. But the best part of Rosanne is . . . Rosanne. We absolutely treasure her, and cannot recommend her highly enough! Sincerely, Michael and Judy McLane May 6, 2023 Irvine, CA

The Bone Adventure

4.4

(101 reviews)

I feel they neglected my puppy. The camera was always shut off when I was out of town trying to…read morefind him on the camera view. I had to call them to see if my puppy was okay. He did love the doggy daycare but when I picked him up from Bone Adventure Boarding where he stayed two nights on Sunday evening my dog was very ill. He got two ear infections, paws red itchy, and bloody. He seemed traumatized and very ill. I took him to the vet and they had put him on antibiotics, they gave him steroids and allergy shots and it's still 16 days after and his paws are not healed and my puppy is getting worse and lots and lots of vet bills. It is worth it to pay for a dog sitter.

Booked a pool day here and it was so fun! They have two people in the pool to help with the dogs…read more I've never seen our dogs has such a blast

Manners for Mutts - pet_training - Updated July 2026

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Miguel has been amazing with me and my 3 year old German Shepherd, Memphis. Memphis used to show…read moreaggression toward other dogs and pull a lot on the leash. Miguel recommended a 3-week board and train, and it honestly made a huge difference in Memphis' ability to stay calm in more stimulating environments. He's improved so much from where he started. I really appreciated Miguel's approach focusing on productive exposure that builds confidence without overwhelming Memphis. It felt very thoughtful and tailored to what he actually needed. Now our walks and even playing fetch at the park are so much more enjoyable for both of us. I'm really grateful for the progress Memphis has made and would absolutely recommend Miguel!

We did a 2 week board and train with this trainer for our French Bulldog, Rip, and the difference…read moreis night and day. Miguel is a well experienced trainer who knows a ton about dogs, dog behavior, and dog training. Before training, Rip had a lot of behavioral issues. He would bite people when overly excited or overstimulated. If you ran around, he would chase and bite. He chewed cabinets and any plastic he could find, even if we gave him toys. He went through bathroom trash bins, jumped on tables and chairs, and would eat food off the table. He barked and whined immediately when left alone in his crate or in the backyard. He peed on everything and still had accidents inside. He was aggressive toward other dogs and had attacked before. Had issues biting relatives for being over stimulated/aroused. After the 2 week program, he is a completely different dog. He's calmer, more obedient, easier to handle, and much more controlled around people and other dogs. We can actually relax in our own home now. His impulse control is dramatically better, and we have the tools to maintain it.

Bark & Roll Dog Training

(19 reviews)

I cannot recommend Sara at Bark and Roll enough! I sent my 4.5-month-old golden retriever puppy,…read moreJetty, to her for a board and train program after being referred by a coworker who had a great experience. While Jetty was already a good puppy, he came back an even better one, and his progress on the leash has been a total game-changer for us. I'll admit I was pretty nervous at first because I'd heard horror stories about dogs coming back from board and trains acting "different" or losing their spark. Sara completely eased those fears. She managed to teach him discipline and commands while still letting him be his goofy, happy self. It's the perfect balance of structure and personality. Throughout the process, I felt totally connected to Jetty's progress thanks to the daily training videos and pictures Sara sent. You can truly tell he was in excellent care and that she treats the dogs like her own. Thank you so much, Sara, for all of your help and for making this such a positive experience for both me and Jetty!

I highly recommend Sara to help train your dog. I've done private sessions with her and the 2 week…read moreboard and train. Gucci, my pup, came back home with better focus and impulse control. Gucci is an athletic, energetic, and curious dog and walking her was challenging because she pulled me wherever she wanted - chasing birds, lizards, etc.! Sara figured out the best training tool to walk Gucci and our walks have improved so much! She also educated me and my family on other training tools to use in the house, which has stopped Gucci from jumping on our kitchen island and counters. Sara is responsive when I have questions and sent pictures and videos of Gucci's progress! Thank you Sara and Gucci can't wait to come back and see you for daycare and boarding!

The Dog Listener

(131 reviews)

I've known Emily for 3 years now, first as a client of hers and now as a colleague. At risk of…read moresounding dramatic, she quite literally changed my life with my obnoxious adolescent Golden Retriever. My dog was horribly mouthy and unruly when we met Emily, and after a scarring experience with a different trainer in the area, my hope and faith were kinda down in the dumps. Emily, with her no-nonsense attitude and plethora of dog knowledge, left me with hope, homework and a multitude of things to ponder - Am I communicating clearly and fairly? Am I giving him everything he needs to be successful? A year and a half after our first session, Emily helped train the same (now less obnoxious) Golden Retriever on an e-collar so he could achieve full off-leash freedom. Emily has been, by far, one of the best investments I've made in my dog's life. I run a dog-walking company and refer my clients out to her and everyone is as amazed by her as I am. She answers all your questions about training for life, which is invaluable and puts on amazing events with other knowledgable trainers. She even organizes a free monthly pack walk where owners and their dogs can come learn to walk together in a neutral environment. My world with my dog opened up significantly since meeting Emily and we can't thank her enough.

I left a review on google which she replied "i have no one of this name and this never happened"…read more But it absolutely did happen. During a training Emily took my dog which had a choker on walked it to another dog that barked at my dog then proceeded to choke my dog behind her back while using the leash as leverage over her shoulder. A group of 20 people watched this and thats when I was done. Emily you know what you did and you cant push the illusion you haven't done this. It was beyond inappropriate and could have lasting physical effects on the dogs. Up until this point you were pretty good with the dog but there was something "off" that day and it was taken out on my dog. Other people should know this.

OC Canine Coaching

(66 reviews)

I 1000% recommend OC canine coaching. My Chihuahua/Xolo 1-year old, Patty Lupe, is a rescue, a…read moreformer street dog from Tijuana, and I was worried she would never be able to just enjoy walks. She would bark at everyone and everything, and was just SO anxious and nervous (understandably) in public. Other trainers we looked into wanted to use shock collars and other more aggressive forms of discipline on her, but I knew Patty didn't need more trauma to help her calm down. Bryndon, on the other hand, was patient, kind, and used treats and other strategies to help Patty gradually feel comfortable on walks. When he got her to go into a dog park - WITH NO LEASH - I was literally speechless (in a good way!). I never thought that would be an option for Patty, but here she was going up to other dogs and walking around without growling, barking, or lunging at them. After 4-5 weeks of training, I'm now able to take Patty to a dog park on my own, off leash, and she actually PLAYS with other dogs all on her own! I literally teared up the first time I saw her running and playing with other dogs; this was something I never thought would happen because so many other people and trainers told me that Patty would probably always be aggressive and scared. Now, she loves dog parks and I'm planning on enrolling her in agility classes in the future - just like Bryndon said would be a possibility one day. I cannot praise him enough. Trust him with your dog because he will take help them through patience, kind words, and care, and not through fear, pain, or aggression, which our dogs don't deserve.

I adopted Maya, a young Belgian Malinois mix, a few months ago. She came from an extremely abusive…read moresituation and had pretty severe behavioral and reactivity issues that needed to be addressed. I searched around extensively and contacted a few different trainers and specialists, but remained skeptical (worried about finding someone good enough to handle Maya). However, I finally managed to come across Bryndon who seemed to fit the bill perfectly. Within minutes of the first introductory session, I could tell Bryndon knew exactly what he was doing and gave me the confidence that I had made the right choice. He experienced first-hand what Maya's reactivity was like, and yet by the end of the first introductory session, he already managed to showcase how we could help her improve. I knew that her issues were bad enough that it would take a very long time for her to get better, but to my surprise she showed massive improvements literally within the first few sessions. Most importantly, he showed and taught me what I needed to do to help guide her along, which was my biggest worry. We've both learned a lot (and got to learn a lot of tricks along the way lol). I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have chosen him as Maya's trainer. He listens to your needs and concerns and actually addresses them, is extremely well informed, and gives you and your dog the confidence they need to be better. He has a good mentality towards training dogs and utilizes positive reinforcement to help correct the source of issues rather than training that only serves to suppress and hide the bad behaviors/triggers. I don't say this lightly, but I cannot recommend Bryndon enough! If you are someone like me who was both highly skeptical and unsure, try meeting him for an intro, he is very approachable and friendly, and is genuinely honest enough to tell you if he's the right fit or not. Thank you Bryndon!!!

Rex Dog Training

(10 reviews)

Thank you so much Julia for taking care of Bird. I'm glad she was able to make friends with the…read moreother doggies they had that weekend especially Julia's super adorable pup Robin:) I was leaving town for July 4th weekend and wanted to do a little meet and greet the day before the actual drop off, which Julia was very accommodating on. I knew Bird was in good hands. Thanks again!!!

We could tell right away how much Julia loves dogs. We got Hazel at the shelter and she hadn't had…read moreany real training, so at three years olshe came to us with some behaviors that needed to be worked out. Julia immediately had a great rapport with Hazel. She was patient with her and us as we worked them out. Hazel still has a ways to go but Julia is always there to answer any questions we might have. Our relationship didn't end after the classes were over. We loved our experience with Rex Dog Training.

David Utter - Dog Evolution

(112 reviews)

I was extremely resistant to getting training for our two shihtzus (they're little dogs!!) and I…read morethought I could do it myself. I was wrong. I highly recommend David for any dog training, and I think he provides amazing value for his expertise. Extremely responsive. Highly recommend

David is a great trainer, he really helped my dog sergeant become more mature and easy to bring…read morearound new people.

World Of Dog Training

4.7

(22 reviews)

I am so happy I found Ryan with World of Dog training ! I have an 8 month old White German…read moreShepherd puppy named Abigail. I have tried other trainers in the beginning for puppy training with disappointing results and empty promises. Abigail was attacked by 2 large dogs at 5 months that lead to fear and insecurities, then at 8 months she was attacked by a coyote while we were on a walk that resulted in leash aggression and more insecurities, fear of other dogs. Meeting Ryan has literally changed my and Abigail's life--she is a whole new dog. I could see major improvements after only our second 2 hour training session. Ryan has been excellent at teaching us proper leash techniques and manners, ways to redirect her attention from aggression against other dogs and even how to boost her confidence. She can now go to public spaces and act calmly, and does well on the leash and doggy daycare. Ryan also helped me feel more confident in how I walked Abigail and her training, it's really a package deal to make this work. I cannot say enough great things about Ryan! I recommend him very highly! Sabrina

I truly can't say enough about the impact Ryan has had on both me and my dog. He helped me realize…read morethat what I thought was caring for my dog was actually setting him up for failure -- I was unintentionally reinforcing the exact behaviors I didn't want. Before working with Ryan, my dog was unruly -- honestly like a toddler mid-tantrum -- chaotic, unpredictable, and stressful to manage. Through Ryan's training, everything changed. My dog is learning calmness, safety, structure, and clear boundaries, and our home feels so much more peaceful because of it. Ryan doesn't just train dogs -- he teaches owners how to lead with confidence and understanding. I highly, highly recommend him to anyone looking for real transformation.

The West Coast Academy of Dog Training

(9 reviews)

i hired Vickie Marx for my four month old newfoundland puppy. I chose the in-home program where we…read moreworked at my house when the time was convenient for me. This costs more than a class you can take on Saturdays, but for our busy family it was best. We worked on stopping her from jumping on the counters, the coming when called command. Vickie is a professional. She always showed up on time, was good about contacting me the day before to confirm our appointment, and being flexible. The puppy loved her and I learned a lot. Highly recommend her.

I have used Vickie's pet training services since I purchased the very first dog of my own, way back…read morearound 1979. It was a Doberman Pinscher puppy named "Doody"! (As in "Howdy"!) With her "Praise and Reward" methods of training, my puppy and I took to her immediately and she taught both myself and my dog the proper and gentle methods to train what turned out to be the most obedient dog around! She made my relationship with my dog the most enjoyable 9 years I've ever had. Since then, Vickie has gone on to train many other dogs I've had since Doody passed away. All of them have been trained just as beautifully as she was, making them absolutely wonderful additions to my life and family. I can't recommend Vickie and her training highly enough and am looking forward to her training what I'm hoping will be my next new family addition, a Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pig!! I consider Vickie not only to be a SUPERB pet trainer, but a great friend as well! THANK YOU for making my life a "whole lot" easier than it could have been!! Stacey

At A Pooch's Pace Dog Training Orange County

(7 reviews)

This trainer was absolutely perfect for us. We have three dogs, but I hired Susan mainly for…read moreOliver, a 6-year-old rescue who has been extremely fearful and anxious all his life. Because he's so anxious, he barks a lot, and he hides from strangers who come into the house. With Susan's help, we modified his training and even got him on medication (Susan wrote us a SIX PAGE REPORT to show the vet as evidence that Oliver needed medication). A lot of people are hesitant to put their pets on behavior meds, but they have made a world of difference when combined with Susan's gentle, force-free training methods. Oliver's quality of life is just so much better now. He can now go out on walks, greet strangers and guests, and stay quiet when there's a knock at the door. Oliver will never be the most outgoing dog ever, but he's at least a happy dog now. Susan has also helped out with our other two dogs, Houston (8-year-old Golden Retriever), and Zoe (1-year-old maltipoo). With Susan's help, I've taught them how to calm themselves down and be quiet when there are guests. They even have a "go to your mat" command and they'll all happily lie down on a bath mat together and stay there while I cook dinner or clean up around them. Susan is also fantastic because she keeps you on track and is always available to answer questions. After every session, she writes you a long, detailed email with your "homework" so that you don't forget what you've learned. Through email, she answers questions, looks at any videos you might have taken of you training with your dog, and gives you tips in areas you're struggling. This trainer is my hero!!! I will always call on her if I need any help with the dogs.

We rescued a shelter dog and brought her home on Christmas Eve. She is a pit mix. The shelter…read morewasn't very forthcoming with information regarding her reactivity to other dogs. The shelter felt she was reactive due to being jealous of other dogs getting taken out of their kennels by prospective adopters. We brought her home and she has been amazing! She became part of the family instantly, BUT we had a miserable time taking her on walks. Inside the house she was well behaved, outside she was a different dog. She was hyper-vigilant and very reactive towards other dogs. The shelter provided two free training sessions. My son and I took our girl to the trainer and this guy proceeded to abuse our dog like NOTHING I've ever seen. I was traumatized as well as my son. I forfeited my second lesson as I did not want to subject our dog to this kind of torture. My wife knew of a co-worker who was trying to become a dog trainer. We had him come over and work with our dog. Sadly this guy was way under qualified and simply didn't know what he was doing. One of my clients recommended Susan from At A Pooch's Pace. I was thrilled to see her certificates and that she was a proponent of Positive Reinforcement Training. Our consult with Susan was so different than the other trainers AND we saw immediate results! She has been a godsend! Not only is she super knowledgeable about dog training and conveying the methods to her clients, she is a source of moral support. I can't count how many times I was feeling down about what neighbors were saying about our dog or if we would ever be able to go out on a walk with her again. Susan bolsters the confidence of her clients AND their dogs! I've been working closely with Susan now for several months. She's great at communicating. She sends detailed emails with attachments (I made up a book/binder to keep them organized!) She sends links to videos. She answers all questions and backs up all her training methods with current science. Our Shannon has learned so fast (as have I!) and she is almost done with her basic obedience training and we are getting ready to transition to behavior modification! I have full faith in Susan that our newest family member will be able to go on a walk without scaring all the neighbors who are walking their dogs! If you are looking for a dog trainer, look no further. Susan is simply the best. It took me three tries to find the right one. Our first trainer was 100% aversive and abused our dog. Our second trainer was a fan of Caesar Milan and basically got his "training" from ordering Caesar's videos off of Amazon. Susan is the real deal. Certified, knowledgeable, caring, supportive and realistic. We are truly grateful to have found her.

For a Civilized Dog