My two rescue pups and I have done a few group classes at MDDTC (Family Dog 1, Intermediate Obedience, and the Tricks & More). These classes were a great way to meet my goals of brushing up on the basics, and to keep my home training interesting by learning other ways to strengthen the bond I have with my dogs. For me, the classes are even worth repeating to simply be able to spend some quality time with my pup, and while around other people and their dogs. The instructors have been very supportive and informative, as well as the facility is a conducive environment for dog training. Worth checking out to see if they meet your training or competition needs! read more

Just finished Family Dog 1 class. It's a basic class that is helpful for new dog owners, people who.ha ent taken a training class before or has a new dog. They teach some very helpful things and add in some fun things along the way. They have other classes forvyhose who want to continue with more advanced training. read more

Awesome facility! Air conditioned and fully matted....parking lot ... Have taken 4 classes with my 2 dogs and they have learned so much! read more

LOVE MDDTC! They have a new facility and different trainers than they had several years ago. Their training methods reflect a more updated positive approach. I've been attending classes off and on here since 1985. Their classes are a far cry from what they were back then. Their whole curriculum is different than it was and reflects a more inclusive audience, rather than just people who want to compete with their dog. Now, in addition to competition classes, there are "family dog" classes that cater more toward pet dogs and their people who just want to have a well behaved family pet. My current class is fun and the trainer is supportive, really knows her stuff and seems to truly care about her students and their dogs. read more

They really take the time to make sure both the dogs and their people enjoy learning and understand what is being taught. The instructors are very encouraging and respectful. The new training facility is very nice too. read more

We started Basic Obedience classes at Mt. Diablo Dog Training based on the recommendation of another trainer that was not available. I saw the mixed reviews, but thought since they were recommended I would give them a try. The first day of obedience went well. The class and training is par, nothing spectacular, but ok. Practice during the week with my dog went well and I was happy with that. But we had already been working on everything that was taught in class that day and I only had the dog two weeks on that day. The second day of class, instruction was the same except for two factors. My husband, myself, and our dog were sitting down waiting for class to start when the instructor removed her Sheltie from one of the crates behind us. She walked him between my chair (and my dog) and another chair. Her dog made a move as if to say hello to my dog and her response to him was, "You don't want to say hi to that dog, she'll take your face off." I was very shocked she said that. My husband and I were stunned. The instructor had been friendly toward us and said hello to my dog. We were surprised that this came from the instructor. It was a rude thing to say and completely uncalled for. My dog was not being overly excited or aggressive. The second happened in the middle of class. Another employee walked past me and my dog during training and removed another Sheltie from a crate right behind us. Being the second day of class, I didn't understand why she would do that when it was completely distracting to both me and my dog while we are trying to pay attention to the instructor and class. She took the dog and sat in a chair against the wall and critiqued the instructor. I still did not see her purpose in taking the dog from the crate to take a seat. I assumed our instructor was new since she was giving her advice from the chair. We were really disappointed with the way class went that day and have decided to use an alternate training. I called three times to speak with someone about a refund. I could not find a refund policy on their website or any of the paperwork that I had. I wanted to speak to someone in person rather than back and forth over email. After 3 messages, I sent an email asking someone to call me. The reason it took so long to get back to me is she was out of town the last two weeks and just received the messages. I was told after the first class there is no refund. Disappointing and should really be stated somewhere on their site or literature. I was also surprised to hear that our instructor has been working there 11 years! Now I really have no idea why she was being told what to do from the sidelines. Very odd. I waited to write a review of the training until I spoke with someone in person so I could write a fair review. When I did speak with someone, I was told that could not be what the instructor said based on her experience with her. My husband and I both heard her and know exactly what she said. We would not make that up. I thought she was friendly and welcoming until she said that. If you are looking for an average training class the Beginning Training may be for you. Just be aware that if you do not like it, you have to decide on the first class or the classes you take become very expensive. My personal feeling is that there are better alternatives available. ** 6/17 UPDATE: We have now had our dog almost 2 months and the trainer we are working with now has been wonderful. I wanted to add an additional note that made a large difference in our training. The MDDTC instructor told us we should praise our dog in a high pitch, excited voice. The new trainer recommended exactly the opposite. If you speak to an excitable dog in an excited manner it will further excite them (and did). Now that we praise in a calm manner, our dog behaves much calmer. read more

Took the puppy class, it was mediocre, probably 3.5 stars. Day one of the next level of training, I remind them my vet says no rabies vaccine until 6m of age, at first she says ok, then 1 minute later she rudely snips and says it's not ok. Poor review is related to this, coupled with the mediocre training class. My rating doesn't reflect their knowledge of vaccine schedules, I realize that the AVMA recommends the vaccine at about 3-4 months, but my vet says 6 months, that's not what the debate is about, it was the way they handled this situation, and the fact that they were ok with it during puppy class (our dog was there from age 4m-5m). I've had three other puppies, each went to different puppy classes, and all three were superior when compared to this one, and one of those classes was at a Pet Smart (which some people would frown on). Ah well, there are other dog training classes. read more

I was not impressed. Everyone seemed nice. Except the head lady. I admit I am a bit of a class clown and chatty Kathy but I did not need the teachers attitude while telling me to be quiet when it was the class assistant talking to me! Who also was the most helpful in trying to break my dogs bad habits. I felt like my dog was failing when he would lay down because he is too lazy to sit when we weren't actively doing something. She was constantly telling me how to do things which is what the class is about but never addressed how to get my particular dog to respond, especially on the tasks he had trouble with. I had her take him at one point and felt verified when she could hardly control him. (He is a large lab) Just because your fully trained aussie dog (who doesn't like other dogs) can do it all easily doesn't mean I deserve attitude because my 6 month old lab has the attention span of a knat! It was an okay class, I would pick a different one if I got a new puppy. And maybe the other classes are better. I only took the puppy class. read more

I took my dog here for a few months, every week for conformation training. When I say training, I mean the most watered down version of training possible... if you can even call it training. There was nothing helpful or insightful about these classes. It was really just a less expensive dog show without the ribbons. At other conformation classes I've since been to, the instructor watches carefully, tells you what you're doing wrong, how you can make your dog look better, and what to practice at home. At Mt. Diablo it was almost entirely just stand for inspection, do a down-and-back, do a go-around, done. My dog was young, bouncy, and playful when I started bringing him to these conformation classes. When he would show happy behavior in the class ring, I was instructed (and this was the only feedback I ever got) to yank hard on his slip lead and shout NO in his face. I didn't know any better, so I listened. My dog never showed nicely after those classes. In fact, he became horribly fearful of judges!! I've since learned from professional handlers that you should encourage happy behavior whenever the dog is in the ring so that they always have a positive show experience. Take your money elsewhere for training. There's a dog training facility nearby that doesn't freak out dogs to get results. read more

I am aware a long history of great trainings that has been done through this club. That is why I am having my springer spaniel start at the Headstart program and then proceed through more training in the future. I am serious about making sure that my dog is safe and that I know my responsibility to her as well. I have full confidence in Mount Diablo dog training club. read more

I'm not sure where Jason went for training, but this is not the Mt. Diablo Dog Training Club that I know and love. I've taken our three family dogs there, one who had some pretty tough issues, and i have learned more and had more success than at any time with any dog in the past. Unfortunately we've moved away from the Bay Area, and I am still searching for the equivalent of this club. Great instructors, great facility, and incredible volunteers. read more

I've been involved in dog activities most of my life, and I would rank Mt Diablo dog training club as one of the best. It has a good variety of training classes as well as fun classes like tricks, scent detection, puppy beginner and canine good citizen awards. The instructors and members have been friendly and helpful. I highly recommend the training classes, fun classes, and the club itself. read more

I took a class here with my dog a few years ago. I can confirm with the other reviewers that the staff is not particularly coordinated and has an attitude (with one exception, a very nice assistant). What really irritated me is how several times in front of the class, the staff made derogatory comments about the owners, making thinly-veiled accusations of neglect, over feeding, etc. People come to training because they want to do right by their dogs. Expressing concerns in private is a good thing, but harshly calling owners out publicly (with no benefit of the doubt) crosses the line and if anything turns off owners to potentially good advice for their dogs. read more

I wanted to enroll my dog in beginning training which is for dogs 20 weeks and up. My dog turned 20 weeks the first week of the session so I arrived ready to begin. They actually turned me away because my dog was 4 days from her 20 week birthday. If they had another session around the corner I would shrug it off and start in another month but they don't have another session for 2.5 months!!! 4 DAYS TOO YOUNG?!?!She has all her shots and already knows several basic commands (sit, paw, down, beg, stay with food temptations, ect) and she walks and trots on a leash nicely. Dumb rule and silly enforcement of it. read more

I am surprised about the bad reviews. I've had excellent luck with my dog at Mt. Diablo Dog Training Club. I rescued him out of the Martinez Shelter. He was a fear biter when I got him, and not an easy dog. Very aggressive and mistrusting of other dogs and people. I had a lot to deal with. I had so much fun learning about him and dogs in general that I ended up showing him in Obedience. He had fun, and so did I. We worked through his aggression issues. He is 14 now, and I still take him to MDDTC. He is learning how to do Nose Work, which is a perfect sport for an older dog. Negative training has never been an issue. We learned through treats and games. Dena Z. read more

My German Shepherd Monty and I went through beginner's obedience and we both learned a lot. Wonderful instructor!

I'd only recommend this place if you already KNOW what you're doing and you want to get your dog use to being with other dogs in a "dog show similar situation". No, I don't mean "puppy socialization", I mean getting them use to the noise, chaos and dysfunction that occurs at these types of dog related events. I've been showing dogs for over 40 years and I have finished a number of champions as an owner-handler so I know what I'm doing. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the "instructor" giving the conformation classes here. This is NO place for an amateur handler trying to learn how to show a dog!!! Each dog is different and works differently, it's up to you to work with your own dog and find out what works for best for your dog to get that win. The "instruction" they provided was minimal, at best, and completely ineffective. Thank God I knew what I was doing because, had I taken their "tips, advice and/or instruction" to show my own dog at a real AKC Dog Show, my dog would have NEVER done anything in the ring except lose! My advice is: If you don't have a clue what you're doing or how dog training is suppose to be done, find a REAL dog trainer that you can trust and have seen the results of their experience in the training of Show Dogs or hire an AKC professional trainer because if you listen some of the things I was told when I brought my dog here, and actually do what THEY tell you you're suppose to do, you're just setting yourself up for a very disappointing dog showing experience! read more

When I first got my dog, my brothers and I were overwhelmed with owning a puppy and were not very knowledgeable about how to properly train one. We were quick to find a trainer that could help us get his nipping and hyperactivity under control. We looked for a trainer in our area and found this place and thought it was promising. We went to two of the six classes and immediately stopped attending because their methods are outdated and old fashioned. They employ dominance based training like jerking the leash when they aren't listening or grabbing their snout when they growl or bark and saying NO! Our dog struggled with heels on leash so they told us to use a prong collar. After successfully training my dog using positive reinforcement with the use of different trainer, I can definitely say that although you may see results using punishment or dominance as are employed by the trainers here, the results are transitory. Their ideas on training are completely disconnected from ethology and I would recommend anyone interested in getting some training for their dog to look for someone who employs methods of positive reinforcement because the methods employed here are cruel and possibly dangerous. read more

Do yourself a favor and take your money elsewhere. I got yelled at in this class, I was told that my dog needs to be quiet RIGHT NOW at the start of the very first class. Tell me how and I will calm him down, that's why I'm there! They told me that the only way I could stop my dog from mouthing is to spray him in the nose with bitter apple. Really? The only way to control your dog is a choke chain in this class. I'm not even talking about the attitude of the lady running this show. I don't know who owns this place but they better consider hiring very different people for the job. You don't really learn much there either as a first time dog owner. Waste of money and time. read more

Six years ago I started as a rank amateur in training dogs. It was to be my retirement hobby. Mt Diablo Dog Training classes were excellent for my puppy and motivational for me. My hobby has now become a passion and my puppy has become a grown-up dog with 5 competition titles! All thanks to MDDTC and their wonderful trainers and classes. I highly recommend this club and the trainings they offer! read more

I've trained all my dogs at Mt Diablo and I think the training there is great. It is so impressive to see our beginning class at the end of the session..... Every pup paying attention and walking nicely on leash. Don't expect your puppy to learn and remember everything from class. You need to be consistent and do your homework for your puppy to be a successful canine citizen. Big mistake when I took my new puppy to a place down the street which set her up with some bad habits due to their training philosophy. I read some of the current negative reviews and they are not for the pet companion class but for people wanting to show there dogs in confirmation so don't let them scare you away! read more

I took a couple classes (two different instructors) at MDDTC in 2016 and will sign up again in 2017. The lessons were informative and fun. Whether I wanted pet or competition training I was getting something out of the class. Both instructors listened when questions were asked and helped me as well as other students. Class prices are very reasonable too. read more

I think they are wonderful trainers, knowledgable, learned a lot from them... Have three dogs I have trained/training... Still training... Yelp why do you put only bad reviews up and hide the good reviews?? I will go to mt Diablo DTC... With my new puppy!!! read more

I have had nothing but positive experiences with Mt. Diablo. I don't know why the other two have had problems. (Of course, usually people with gripes are the ones who post reviews bcs it's a way to vent. Satisfied folks usually don't bother to write reviews.) Teachers are professionals (many championship obedience dogs), and there are plenty of assistants in class for help when the teacher is addressing another dog's owner. Teachers are happy to address problems after class, too. My puppy really enjoyed the agility "puppy exercises," tho he wasn't too sure about running thru the tunnel at first! Loved the cone weave and hopping up on the "pause table," however. After we took the puppy class, we went back for more and are currently participating in their formal obedience training program (competitive). I recommend them. The facility is large, beautiful, and CLEAN. mb read more