We cannot recommend Mutt and Tumble Dog Training enough. Bryan helped transform our two doodles from reactive, poorly behaved dogs into calm, obedient companions who are now a pleasure to walk and have around others. Before training, we struggled with leash pulling, barking, lunging at other dogs, and nonstop chaos whenever someone came through the door. We were honestly at our wits' end. Everything changed after I saw Bryan in Jackson Square walking a calm, perfectly behaved pack of dogs. We started weekly family lessons in January 2026 with our dogs and our two 12-year-old daughters, and progress began almost immediately. Bryan quickly helped us realize the humans needed training too. With consistent coaching, support, and a board-and-train program, the transformation has been incredible. Our dogs are now well-behaved both at home and in public. We can comfortably walk them, take them to parks and outdoor restaurants, and genuinely enjoy being with them. Friends and family who knew our dogs before cannot believe the difference in their behavior. Thank you, Bryan. You really can teach old dogs new tricks. read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

Our dog, Maggie (2yrs - Cockapoo), is coming home tomorrow after a 2 week board and train and I couldn't wait until then to write a review for Bryan. Bit of background: Maggie has done 12 weekly group training sessions with another trainer and is generally well-behaved. However, she doesn't read the social signals from other dogs well (ex: when they want to be left alone), tends to jump on everyone at all times, doesn't respond to commands unless there's a treat involved, and lacks confidence. What I enjoyed about the program is that it includes several in person training sessions during the B&T. We got to see Maggie's progress as time went on and most importantly, we were trained on their behavior psychology and how to become the leaders of our pack. I will say I was nervous about implenting the ecollar but Bryan has demonstrated that it is a safe and effective training tool-- I got to see it used as a tool for correction that Maggie actually responded well to. Maggie is coming home tomorrow and hand-off includes an in-home training sessions to ensure her progress doesn't regress which I appreciate. From what I've seen, Maggie has become more confident, responds to recalls in distracting places (no treats involved), learned to self-soothe, and plays/greets other dogs/people with manners. Truly the best investment I've made in my dog and I'd highly recommend Mutt and Tumble to all dog parents! read more

I worked with Bryan to help my doodle, Ruby, with selective reactivity. Ruby has always been very sweet and highly obedient -- I've done a lot of positive reinforcement training with her -- but when it came to reactivity, that approach wasn't working. If anything, it sometimes amped her up more. Importantly, she wasn't reactive across the board. She was totally fine on dog walks and at parks. The issues showed up when she was on leash passing dogs, when she felt territorial, and especially with dogs or animals on TV -- she would charge the screen. It felt unpredictable and like it was getting worse, not better. I was nervous about changing approaches because I'd had a bad experience with board-and-train in the past, but I knew I needed to rethink how I was helping her. We started with several in-person sessions so I could fully understand and feel comfortable with the training philosophy and how e-collar training would be introduced. That foundation made a big difference for me. After that, Ruby did a three-week board and train. When she came home, there was a noticeable shift. A few weeks later, while I was out of town over the holidays, I had her go back for an additional week, which also went really well. After the board-and-train, Bryan also did a lesson with my parents in the East Bay, who are Ruby's primary caretakers when I'm out of town. That follow-through meant a lot -- making sure everyone was aligned created real consistency for her. The results have honestly been transformative. She still has occasional moments (as all dogs do), and I keep the e-collar on her to reinforce boundaries, but the trajectory has completely changed. For example, she now sees dogs on TV and doesn't react -- even without the collar on. She sat through the entire Super Bowl, ads and all, without charging the screen, which felt like a major milestone. I can now take her to cafés, and for the first time, I genuinely believe one day I'll be able to bring her to work. Instead of her reactivity escalating, it feels like we've unlocked a new, calmer path forward. The only area for improvement would be communication during the board-and-train portion. I'm used to receiving frequent photos and videos when my dog is away, and updates were more limited -- typically one photo or video per day when I prompted, usually at the dog park. I would have loved more visibility into what her training days looked like, especially footage of the specific reactivity work (like TV desensitization). Overall, I'm incredibly grateful. Ruby is still her sweet self, but with clearer boundaries and far more confidence. That step change has made a huge difference for both of us. read more

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My experience with Mutt and Tumble and with Bryan was truly horrible. I trusted Bryan and April with my dogs and what I got back was heartbreaking. My younger dog came home with painful sores, significant weight loss, and a level of neglect that was impossible to ignore. He looked thin, weak, and completely different from the healthy dog I dropped off. Once he was finally in a safe environment and receiving proper care the sores began healing quickly which made it very clear to me how bad the conditions must have been. When I tried to talk to Bryan about what happened he said he would make it right. He never did. I later learned that he went on vacation while my dogs were in his care which made everything even more upsetting. April was also responsible since she was part of the care my dogs received and the results speak for themselves. I am sharing this because I do not want another dog owner to experience what I did. My dogs are my family and what happened to them under Bryan and April's care was unacceptable. Please research reviews carefully before trusting anyone with your animals. read more

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When we decided to board Sienna in Bryan's family Sienna received excellent new behavior, obedient and training well above our expectations. We were simply wowed what they accomplished in 5 weeks. read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - She graduated from her boarding session. We are so thrilled with our little Scholar. - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

We reached out to Mutt & Tumble when our Corgi, Twinkie, developed resource guarding that was getting progressively worse--first toys, then food, space, and even people (especially my wife). It started spilling into walks too, with aggressive reactions to other dogs, and he began nipping at family members. At that point, we knew we needed real help. Bryan responded within minutes and got us on a call right away. That alone stood out. After the consultation, we decided to move forward. What makes Bryan different is his focus on the human side of the equation. He doesn't just "train the dog"--he shows you exactly how to respond, how to correct behavior, and how to be consistent. His approach is calm, controlled, and very practical. We saw meaningful improvement by the second and third sessions. The nipping stopped, walks are now calm, and situations that used to feel unpredictable are manageable. This isn't basic obedience training. But if you're dealing with real behavioral issues, Bryan knows how to get things under control--and fast. read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Twinkie - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My husband and i were recommended Bryan, from a friend who also had a tough time with his pupper. Our 1 yr old Jax is a mixed Doberman and pinscher and before his training with Bryan, we had almost given up. Jax was very anxious, clingy, over protective and did not let people or other dogs near him or us. He would pull on his leash and would launch at anything that moved. When he would be at home without us, he'd howl his lungs out and would tear up his toys, my shoes, socks, couch pillows and cause all sorts of ruckus. He would poop and pee all over the house and would refuse to use his pee pads when we weren't home. We tried everything, as far as being affectionate and giving him the expensive food and toys, but it wasn't aiding our situation. Bryan took in Jax for 6 weeks and during that time, we would meet up with them and also be given lessons on how to work with Jax. After a couple of weeks, we started seeing a difference during his training; NO MORE PULLING!!! I couldn't believe it!! I sware I thought to myself Jax was never going to change, and here Bryan proved me wrong ! Jax was a whole new dog !! When it came time for Jax to come home, he was completely turned around. We are now able to walk him without a leash she no longer rips anything in the house and occasionally when he does have an accident, he goes on his pee pads. We are able to enjoy long walks out in public areas along with playtime at the dog park. Having a dog is a responsibility and a long-term commitment, so investing in our pupper is a no-brainer. It is 100% worth the training and has made our life so much easier and stress-free. I do want to also say, though that after the training, it is required to continue the same lessons that Bryan has given us so that our pupper continues with his routine. Thanks to Bryan, Jax is now well behaved and calm. We get compliments everywhere we go on how well behaved he is! We are proud doggy parents . read more

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I couldn't be more thrilled with the results of Maverick's board and training program with Bryan! Before enrolling, we were navigating quite a few challenges. While Maverick has always been an incredibly sweet and friendly pup, he had developed some concerning habits -- chewing on everything from power cords to the clothes on our backs, and most worryingly, swallowing rocks. Our vet had actually told us the rock-eating was likely a lifelong issue and even recommended he wear a muzzle outdoors to manage it. When Maverick came home a few weeks later, he was like a transformed dog -- in the best way possible. The rock-eating and destructive chewing were completely gone, yet he was still the same joyful, loving companion we adored. On top of that, he came back genuinely well-behaved: responsive to our commands, with excellent recall, and fully potty trained. The compliments have been pouring in from strangers, friends, and family alike -- everyone is amazed at how happy and well-mannered he is, especially for a puppy. Bryan, we truly cannot thank you enough. You gave us our dream dog! read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Maverick - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

My search for a dog trainer ends with mutt and tumble . These guys opened my eyes with everything I was doing wrong . By far the best and most honest service in the Bay Area . Bensi my pup is doing amazing and we are continuing everything mutt and tumble has done for him and us . Bensi will continue to train with Bryan and his team in the future . Although we think he is perfect we understand he can be better and mutt and tumble is helping us get there. Highly recommend to anyone struggling with a high reactive dog . read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - A calm and tired boy. Training , exercise and affection . This is the recipe and it works !! - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

Updating my review since we got a 2nd dog. 2nd dog means different and new things to work on. April and Bryan are super knowledgable and so helpful with the training. They train us on how to work with our dogs. Worth every penny! read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

I'm so fortunate to have found Bryan from Mutt & Tumble. I have a 1 year old female dachshund who I had been taking to Petco training since I got her at 8 weeks old. Even though she knew basic commands, she still has issues with excessive barking, listening/following through commands, and staying in bed without constantly following me around. Her trainer at Petco said we needed 1:1 attention with a professional, and I reached out to Bryan. After several sessions with Bryan, me and everyone else around us has noticed how much my doxie's behavior has improved. She isn't as reactive anymore, she isn't constantly pulling on her leash, and she knows to stay in her bed when I ask her to. I'm so grateful to have found Bryan when I felt like my doxie was a lost cause and I was running out of options. Also, I'm always happy to support a small business owned by Bay Area natives! read more

Exceptional and a miracle team. My 2 french bulldogs had created very aggressive behaviors. The techniques work. My dogs now are social and as a bonus do extremely well in off leash settings. I had given up until I found Mutt and Tumble. read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

Mutt & Tumble have changed our lives! Specifically, Bryan and April have put in so much work and effort into helping us achieve what we thought was impossible. We enrolled in a 4 week board and train for our 5 y/o female Australian cattle dog, Boba. From the very start, in our in-person consultation, Bryan was very welcoming and understanding of our situation. His calm and confident attitude won Boba over just from their first meeting. He introduced us to his methodology and the 3 pillars for ensuring a stronger relationship between us and Boba. Over the 4 weeks, Bryan maintained an open line of communication, with frequent updates on Boba to ease our own anxiety from being separated. He relayed her progress multiple times a week over personal text, and Boba was featured lots of times on his Instagram page as well. Boba entered this board and train as a dog with strong reactivity to loud noises, people, small animals, and especially other dogs. She came out of the program as a nearly blank slate; so much progress as to the point where she was playing friendly with other dogs while supervised and even improved her on/off leash manners. Aside from the amazing things Mutt & Tumble instilled in Boba, like strong recall and an overall reduction in stress/anxiety, they were also extremely kind and effective in teaching US what we needed to know in order for her training to last. During and after the 4 week program, Bryan met with us at dog parks, trails, and even our own home's local park, so that we too could develop the skills to maintain our new relationship with Boba. At the end of the program, they even provided us with plenty of handover documents like a structured daily schedule and loads of great information so we never forget anything. Our relationship with Boba has solidified 10 fold and it shows inside the house as well as during our excursions. Boba is happier now and shows us just as much love as before. We used to become stressed, frustrated, and exhausted just from a simple daily walk. We now feel a relief off our shoulders and a feeling of excitement for the future, looking forwards to taking her everywhere with us, from brunches to hikes! Mutt & Tumble has excellent training programs and an even more impressive aspiration to help all dogs and people alike. Mutt & Tumble for the win! -Zane, Natalie, and Boba read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Graduated boba - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

Our dog Hopper stayed with Bryan and April for a 4 week board and train. We were worried that our big boy (over 90 lbs at 10 months) was starting to show aggression on leash and he was overly protective of us at home. After the first week and a half with Bryan we did an in person training and I could already see huge changes in Hopper's attitude and behavior. What I love about this program is that Bryan worked with me on how to carry myself in order to keep Hopper calm. Hopper has now been home for several weeks and he is amazing - it almost feels like I have a service dog. He is still sweet, goofy and fun - but he listens and follows the rules! I have taken him to dog parks and trails and he is great with both the dogs and the people we encounter. Best decision ever - huge thank you to Bryan and April. read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Hopper riding a paddleboard. - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

Don't do the mistake I did! I read the bad reviews, one said Bryan traumatized their puppy and I didn't believe it. My mistake, and I paid for it. Bryan talks very well and talks a lot, he says he understands dog psychology. The results were horrible though. On the first session I asked him about leash training my puppy. He just put the leash on him, with no treats and no positive reinforcement, and he stared pulling him. My puppy was scared and confused and started screaming. I thought Bryan knows what he is doing so let him continue. What happened was my puppy wasn't leash trained (I didn't expect it to happen in one session) but he was traumatized about leashes. After 2 weeks my puppy is still scared of any type of leash. Before meeting Bryan I could put a leash on my puppy and he didn't have any problem with that. I just needed him to learn not to pull and follow me when he's on leash. Now he is running away and hide everytime he sees a leash. Bryan's schedule is always open, and he negotiates the price and number of sessions easily. Why? Because he doesn't have customers and there's a reason for that. All other good dog trainers are very busy. Save yourself money and time and save your dog of trauma this business can cause them. Disclaimer: this is only my experience and only based on one session with Bryan, so I can't speak for other people, but it was so traumatizing for my puppy that I wanted to warn others. read more

Bryan and April have changed our lives. Our 5-year old Australian Shepherd Wiley is a rescue, and has crazy anxiety and reactivity. For more than three years, he has been an extremely challenging dog to manage. We've tried different classes and trainers, and even medication to help him regulate, but while we'd see some minor improvements here and there, on a fundamental level things were not getting any easier. Everything was hard: leaving the house, going for walks, people coming and going, driving in the car, you name it. When we finally decided to try balance training with Bryan, we were literally at the end of our rope. The changes Bryan and April have created in Wiley's behavior -- starting from our first home lessons, before we even began the board and train -- have been astonishing. The framework they helped put in place (and taught to us) has allowed us to begin living with a level of ease that we hadn't really believed was possible. We are now able to effectively communicate with Wiley in a way he responds to, and able to establish and maintain boundaries that had previously felt impossible to have. Wiley is happier and calmer with the right amount and types of structure, and we've been able to take him off his medication. He's still a very energetic guy, but has made transformative strides in his ability to regulate himself. I cannot emphasize enough how positive our experience has been. Bryan is amazingly kind, committed, and passionate about what he does. He has totally reshaped our understanding of how to interpret and engage with our dog, and the benefits have been enormous. From the first consultation, Bryan really made us feel seen, supported, and encouraged, while also helping us reframe how we operate. I would give these folks 10 stars if I could. We are so grateful to have found them, and so inspired by the work they do. We love Mutt and Tumble! read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

I have two rat terriers and sent the more troublesome one to Mutt and Tumble for board and train. My dog "Togo" is 2 1/2 but hasn't outgrown puppy mode. To summarize the results of Mutt and Tumble's behavioral training is the following experience. Every time I took Togo to a dog park, it would take me at least 15 minutes to an hour to get him leashed and go home. Once Togo knew it was time to go, he was so smart to know my antics on how to get him leashed up. I would also have to ask any other dog owner in the dog park to grab Togo for me because he would avoid me like a greased piglet. Now after board and train, I called "Togo come!" from 150ft and he came to me and sat. Wonders! Just Wonders! I've always been afraid that Togo would jet out my garage and get hurt by a car. Now that he has developed a reliable recall I feel much better. I've also learned from Bryan to be a pack leader and reset the hierarchy at home with the dogs. Togo is a working dog and vermin exterminator. I'm trying to give him the life and structure he needs. read more

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I honestly can't say enough good things about April. We recently had our two French Bulldogs do some training with April out of our home and in public as well, and what I initially thought was simple puppy aggression from the younger one turned out to be a much bigger dynamic: our older Frenchie was resource guarding both me and my partner like his life depended on it. Within literally five minutes of April walking through our door for the very first session, she had already pinpointed the exact issues and started showing us (the humans!) how to fix them. It was eye-opening how fast she read the room--and the dogs. I especially appreciated that neither April nor her partner, ever pushed their board-and-train program on us (even though they offer it). They could tell right away that a huge part of the problem was my own "soft" handling and lack of clear boundaries, so they focused on empowering us to make the changes at home. The difference in our dogs' behavior in just a few sessions has been night and day--calm, happy, and actually listening! This actually isn't our first time working with Mutt & Tumble. About a year ago we had another Frenchie who had bitten someone, and we were living on edge thinking we had an "aggressive" dog. April quickly helped us see that he was actually fearful of strangers and had learned to guard the house (and us). She gave us practical, compassionate tools that completely turned him around. No drama, no harsh methods--just clear, patient training that worked. If you have a dog and you're struggling with reactivity, resource guarding, fear issues, or just need someone who truly gets animals, do yourself a favor and call Mutt & Tumble. April is patient, adaptable, no-nonsense in the best way, and genuinely wants both you and your dogs to succeed. Highly recommend. read more

I adopted my year-old pit bull Edison after fostering him and his brother, who were both at-risk for euthanasia at the Oakland shelter because they had highly-contagious parvovirus. Edison came to us sick and malnourished, scared of almost everything and very unsocialized. His panicked reaction to brooms, sticks etc. leads me to believe that he may have been beaten in the past. Edison wouldn't walk on leash for almost a month. We were able to get his health back and stabilize him to a point on our own, but we did not socialize him with other dogs (apart from our resident dog) because he was in foster. We ended up adopting him after a year in our home. After adopting Edison, we saw that some of his negative behaviors were increasing. He was very reactive to other dogs, especially on-leash and at fences. He had a high prey drive with neighborhood feral cats. He had bit (but not harmed) small off-leash dogs while on our leashed walks. The breaking point was when he started to growl/lunge at strangers when they were greeting him on patios. Before this point, he had been very friendly with people. We decided it was time to get professional help to end these dangerous behaviors before someone was hurt. We decided to bring Edison for a board-and-train with Bryan and April at Mutt and Tumble. Bryan met with us throughout his stay to work on our training skills and to understand Edison's mental state. I appreciated that he took safety precautions at first using a muzzle when Edison was at the dog park, but then increased his freedom as his behavior improved. Edison loved Bryan to the point that I think he was sad for a day or two when we brought him home! I think he will enjoy staying with Bryan for an upcoming board while we are on vacation. After having him home for about two weeks, I can confidently say that it was money well-spent as an investment in Edison's quality of life and our peace of mind. Edison is no longer reactive to dogs in the neighborhood, and ignores the feral cats/small off-leash dogs. We've been able to take Edison off-leash to places we would have never thought possible before: Point Isabelle dog park, Stinson beach, and for relaxing walks around Lake Merritt. Edison has amazing recall and is very attentive to our corrections and feedback. He no longer fixates on dogs, and has appropriate, calm greetings. He is much calmer at home as well, which has improved the well-being of our other dog. If you have a frustrated, reactive dog, I would highly recommend Bryan's services! read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

As a dog parent to a sweet but nervous and reactive pup, I was devastated that I could not safely and comfortably take Gwen to the dog park, go on walks around the neighborhood, or even get into my elevator with other dogs. Gwen had failed her temperament training for doggie daycare and on a trip to the dog park, she'd been called a bully. As fate would have it, Bryan was at the dog park working with another dog and owner. After seeing the phone number for Mutt and Tumble, I called Bryan for a consultation. When completed three weeks of training and I have to say, she is a completely different dog. Through structure, discipline, exercise, and affection, she has learned and continues to learn to be a productive member of the pack. She is no longer reactive when she sees other dogs, and through my continued practice in what Bryan taught me, she is learning to properly socialize. One of the things that impressed me most was how Bryan emphasized developing a new relationship with my dog through simple and easy to replicate daily actions. I am committed to continuing to grow the seed he planted and help Gwen have the best life possible. Thank you, Bryan for being such a wonderful and positive force in her life. read more

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My 3-year rescue chihuahua mix was a constant barker whenever I had guests over or took her to my aunt's home. I kept hoping that she would improve once she settled in and became comfortable. After a few months I asked friends if they knew of a trainer that could help. One highly recommended Mutt and Tumble run by Bryan and April. I contacted Bryan and arranged a meet and greet with him, me and my dog, Lucy. He observed her behavior and said that he could help. I did the 3-week board and train. During this time Bryan kept me up to date on Lucy's progress with text messages and videos. During her boarding I got to meet with Bryan and Lucy to see her progress and learn what to do on my own. After the board and train are a couple more training sessions. When Lucy came home, I was given notes about her and how to continue the training on my own. It is a process. She has been home a month and I have seen so much improvement. She is a more confident dog. She rarely barks when people come to my place, or I take her to my aunts. If she does it is a quick bark to alert me someone is here. I do what I was told to "do. She then stops. If you go on vacation they will board your dog. I will be using them when I go on vacation to reinforce what Lucy has learned. I highly recommend Bryan, April and Mutt and Tumble. read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Graduation Day. - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

We had an absolutely phenomenal experience with the Mutt & Tumble family! From the orientation and initial meeting with Bryan, we felt like the goals and process of this style of training would be perfect for our dog, Indy. And it worked out just like we'd hoped. Our 5 year old dog didn't have any major behavior challenges, but with treat-based reinforcement we had struggled to get her to follow commands or behave herself when we didn't have a reward for her. The calm, confident, pack-leader approach to her behavior that Bryan outlined seemed perfect for our circumstances. The planning sessions were helpful in setting attainable goals in a reasonable timeline. Having multiple in-person lessons to train us while Indy was staying in Daly City was extremely helpful, since our learning was just as big a part of the process. Bryan admirably helped us navigate the process, even with the challenges posed by the involvement of various family members/households who care for Indy. While she was away, we received frequent video updates showing our girl thriving as part of the pack. In the meantime we did our homework of listening to audiobooks about being a pack leader, and by the time she returned we were ready and well-equipped to sustain the progress she'd made. She came back so much more calm and regulated, and we have her graduation photo that we received on our mantle. Even after our 3 weeks of boarding Indy, we remained part of the Mutt & Tumble family. When we struggled to get her comfortable in a crate, we checked back in for some helpful pointers. And now we're proud of Indy for really meeting all of the goals we'd set, and we couldn't more grateful to Mutt & Tumble. We absolutely couldn't have gotten here on our own, and we already have friends planning to adopt who we are planning to send their way. read more

I honestly don't even know where to begin! I have a 4 year old Golden Retriever named Tofu and my god he's literally a perfect bean but I've noticed he's always had an aggression towards other dogs and I couldn't even walk him in our neighborhood without him lunging and barking at them! I have always wanted to bring him on our mall days, hikes, longer walks, the park, etc! I was still in school (a freshman in college) when I was trying to find places to help tofu now that I have saved up enough money and I am so glad I decided to go with Bryan and April! When we had the consultation, Bryan was the chillest and realest person I've spoken to and I felt very heard and welcomed when I spoke about Tofu's issues! I decided to do the 4 week board and train when I came back to SF and in the beginning, it felt weird not having a dog attached to your heel everyday but Bryan has always sent in updates and progress checks! We also get 4 in person lessons + 1 free additional one for going with the 4 week board and train! I saw my boy every week and by the 1st lesson, I could already see so much difference! I've honestly already seen so much progress with Tofu that I thought I'd never see! My boy has off leash recall and can be around dogs now! He's only been back for a few hours but I'm so glad I decided to with Bryan and April! I'm happy to say that we are going on our first hike very soon :D read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - TOFU!! - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

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April and Bryan are calm, confident, assertive trainers with a massive wealth of knowledge and experience with all kinds of dogs. I felt so overwhelmed with my two high-energy Cattle dogs (one of them is blind), but immediately felt at ease as soon as April and Bryan were by my side. They train YOU and prioritize balance and boundaries to ensure a reliable, trusting relationship with your dog. They also provide such great insight into a dog's mind and how they navigate the world. I especially appreciate how they tailored their training to my blind, traumatized rescue. Before working with them, my dog couldn't interact with other dogs and could not be left alone without spinning in circles and having major anxiety attacks. With Bryan and April's technique and coaching, we are now regulars at Ft. Mason, Ft. Funston, and Golden Gate Park! He has grown happier and much more confident, and I'm so glad we are putting in the work to help him thrive. I could not recommend April and Bryan enough as trainers. Not only are they amazing people, but I'm convinced they are dog whisperers and healers, and are always here when I have questions or need support. read more

There is not a day of my life that I don't regret trusting my dog with Mutt and Tumble. Harlan is now gone, and none of this would have happened if I had stayed away from Bryan. The Broken Leg: Bryan called me 3 days into my dog's Board&Train to tell me my dog had a fracture in his leg during a training session. He assured us everything was going to be okay. He said the emergency room vet had taken an x-ray and said all Harlan needed a splint. Bryan told me the vet advised Harlan to continue moving to maintain strength in the leg, and that he could continue with his training. The Big Lie: When we picked up Harlan almost two weeks later, he seemed in incredible pain. We took Harlan back to the same vet that Bryan had used. When we got to the pet hospital, the vet told us that Bryan had lied. Bryan had been told that Harlan needed surgery immediately that absent urgent intervention Harlan risked permanent deformity or handicap, and that he should have had absolutely no weight on the leg. Even worse, in the weeks since the injury Harlan's bones had started to calcify. Harlan would need major surgery the next morning. Emergency Surgeries and Complications: Because of the calcification, the surgery was major - rods, wiring, staples. The next six months, Harlan required constant care and sedation. Complications arose because the long rod required to hold Harlan's femur together, caused his kneecap to repeatedly dislocate. In Harlan's final surgery, he contracted severe pneumonia and died. Refusal to Reimburse: To date, Bryan still hasn't reimbursed us for the cost of the Board and Train, much less all the follow-up surgeries. Protect your dog. Stay away from Mutt and Tumble. read more

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Our family is so lucky to have come across Bryan with Mutt and Tumble. We LOVE Mutt and Tumble!! Bryan was very accommodating with our schedule and able to get us in for boarding right away. Our energetic rescue dog is a good dog but he had issues with leash pulling and barking and over stimulation when out on walks and around other triggers. Our dog needed training and so did we! Throughout our boarding training, Bryan gave us updates and videos on his training and his outings with the pack. You proudly see results right away, and notice Dogs are such social creatures that love to be out and about! Bryan has gone above and beyond to help my family get the necessary foundation to help get our dog trained to be the sweet, loving dog that we know he can be. We did the boarding training first and then had some private training lessons after that. If you Love your Dog and want it to behave better in your family setting, then Consider Mutt and Tumble. There is no shortcut for training dogs, it takes time and consistency and Mutt and Tumble help lay the foundation for your family get there sooner! read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been fostering dogs all this year with Hella Dam Bitches and Queens Rescue and recently picked up a 1yr old pittie named Ace. Poor boy had a rough beginning and was naturally pretty scared and overwhelmed by new environments and overly excited around new dogs. He was also very nervous around men. After a few weeks of letting him settle in and building a bond he became a little better but not much progress. We reached out to Mutt & Tumble and met with April the same week. Even after our first training I could see improvements. We did about 4 sessions, after the 3rd session I had Ace off leash, playing with every single dog big and small and going up to every person for a little love. I couldn't believe his improvements in such a short time. With Aprils help and guidance we were able to build Aces confidence and help him be the best dog. Because of his fast improvement Ace was able to find a perfect forever home. I am so grateful for the tools I learned from April, I'll be able to help so many other fosters. She is truly the best! read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

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So glad I did not use this business after reading the reviews! I had a phone appointment scheduled at 11am and got a message of what number they should call me at. I gave them my number and no call back. I received a text message from Bryan 6 hours later to chat about services. No thank you and bad customer service. The bad reviews are the truth. I can feel these dog owners frustration and traumatic experience. The 5 star ratings are a joke. There are companies you can hire to rate your business to make it look like you are great on Yelp. read more

Shouting from the rooftops how AMAZING Mutt & Tumble was for our big boy, Hercules. We enrolled our 100lb 1 year old puppy for the 4 week board and train, and the outcome has been truly life changing. Hercules is a large breed working dog who inherently wants to guard and protect, and was overly excited about....everything. He's a gentle giant toward people (especially kids), but when it came to other dogs he came off strong and we weren't sure how interactions would go after experiencing a few scuffles. Walking him became stressful because he pulled the whole time and whenever we encountered another dog, he'd lunge and pull and bark like crazy. It started to feel out of control and walking him or taking him anywhere became daunting and stressful. We couldn't let him off leash unless we were in an enclosed area, and his overall obedience needed some major improvement. All this to say, we knew at his core he had the potential to be an amazing dog, he just needed the right resources to show him how to be the best version of himself. Enter Bryan and April with Mutt and Tumble. I found them on Yelp and reached out immediately based on their glowing reviews. We had a phone call and then scheduled an in person meeting the following week. Bryan was extremely responsive and explained things thoroughly. And as soon as we met him, we could feel his calm demeanor and knew his program would be the perfect fit for Hercules (and us!) We enrolled him immediately. Saying bye for 4 weeks wasn't easy, but the board and train comes with in person lessons (the humans need to learn what the dog learns!) so we got to see him once a week for training sessions. From the first visit we saw an improvement! By the time he finished week 4, it was like night and day. And now that he is home, our world has changed for the better!! Our boy is loose leash walking, recalling, minding boundaries, is fully crate trained, listening to our commands, and not barking at other dogs. Most importantly, he's so much calmer which is translating to every aspect of his behavior. It's been such a positive transformation and I can't thank Bryan and April enough for shaping our dog into such an incredible family member. The time and effort they put into each dog's training is so apparent. He was well loved and from the pictures and videos it was clear he was having a great time with the rest of the pack. If you're on the fence about getting your dog into a program like this, don't hesitate. Mutt & Tumble is worth Every. Single. Penny!!!! read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Hercules graduated from Mutt & Tumble dog training - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

My 18 months puppy kept on walking me, leading the pace and managed to pull me down to the ground face down several times when excitement of chasing a squirrel struck. It came down to making our walks a night mare. Bryan, within 4 weeks of training created a miracle. Charlie is a lot more relaxed and mostly looking for my leading, awaiting my commands when walking, and where ever we are. Bryan also taught me to walk Charlie in a way that I'm safe from falling regardless of any possible "bed walking behaviors" . I learned to feel confident, and the fear of walking with her is replaced with much fun and joy. It feels good to be safe and in charge of of the little one. Charlie had other trainers before Bryan, and in my experience, any one other than Bryan is a second best. Thank you Mutt &Tumble. Thank you Bryan. Yael Gottlieb. read more

Bryan & April are amazing dog trainers! We have a 6 year old rescue pitbull who needed training with leash reactivity, outside/inside social reactivity, dog reactivity, car anxiety, and overall obedience training which was long overdue. Needless to say they tackled everything and more in their one month board and train. Our main goal was to be able to take our girl anywhere and everywhere without having to worry. If this is your goal, they are the perfect match. We are always skeptical when choosing a trainer because you never know how your dog will be treated behind closed doors. Bryan & April were very descriptive in how they run their program and put us at ease. They accommodated all of our care requests, sent frequent video updates, and are flexible for the follow up trainings after boarding. The biggest thing that separated them versus the other trainers we consulted with is that they are kind and caring people who give a personalized touch to their approach. We didn't feel like we were just customers. Their focus to ensure the OWNERS are trained and not only their dogs is paramount to the longevity of the training. I highly recommend working with them! The peace of mind we now have was worth every penny. read more

Best training philosophy. Brian worked with our 1 1/2 German Shepard mix that we recused. Got to know our dog and asked what we wanted. We are able to enjoy taking our dog at Fort Funston without worries. You won't go wrong working with Mutt and Tumble team. read more

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My pup, Dewy, had severe separation anxiety and barked so much when I was gone that my property management was complaining. He also had zero recall and a problem with tugging, barking, and lunging on walks. He came back from training camp a new dog: quiet and well behaved, completely crate trained, and with almost 100% recall. Bryan, our trainer, was incredible. He was able explain all of the little behaviors to me and provide training, tools, and long-term solutions to sustain the training. Personalization The BEST part was that their training approach was very personalized to Dewy. They make sure to have a limited number of dogs at a time, so they can really give each dog the proper attention and time. We talked a lot about Dewy's problem points and potential solutions, so I was part of the process as well. Dewy's training plan was meticulously tailored to address his specific needs and challenges. The weekly training sessions were a lot of fun because they were meant to train ME as a dog parent. I realized there were a bunch of little things that I was doing to shape and perpetuate my dog's negative behavior. It was great learning how to be better dog mom from such an open, knowledgeable, and non-judgmental trainer. Value I admit it was not cheap, but it is because Mutt and Tumble really know what they're worth: they did an amazing and comprehensive job with Dewy. I rationalize it as investing in the long-term benefits of having a well-behaved, happy, and calm dog. He is so much more relaxed now, compared to his anxious and distressed self prior. Communication and Updates Communication with Bryan was super kind and seamless right from the start. He provided daily adorable photos and videos of Dewy and his progress. He also answer all of my many questions and always responded promptly. I am an anxious dog mom (that's where Dewy gets it from), so it was very reassuring getting so many progress updates and videos of him happy playing in beautiful parks. Accommodating Bryan was super flexible and understanding. He would meet at parks in my neighborhood for weekly training sessions because I do not have a car. He was also understanding of my busy scheduled, financial constraints, and incredibly empathetic to me as a first time pet parent. I normally don't write reviews, but they really exceeded my expectations. I'm grateful to know that my dog will have a calmer, happy life now that he and I have this training and knowledge from Mutt and Tumble. Do it! read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - such a sweet touch to take graduation photos! - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

We had a great experience with Mutt & Tumble for our dog's board and train. Bryan was super responsive before and during Mocha's stay and we appreciated the videos and pics of how she was doing. We had a meet & greet first where we covered what Mocha already knew and what we could work on such as recall and not counter surfing. We felt Bryan tailored the training to Mocha's temperament and our family style, which we really appreciated. It made us really happy knowing that Mocha was getting lots of exercise and fun going on the daily trips to Fort Funston and other parks. It was like she was on a fun summer doggy camp of her own getting to hang out with her pack buddies. Mocha came back with the new skill of being off leash, faster recall, and is overall a better listener. Of course, dog training only works if their humans put in the work to continue to enforce boundaries and limits. Just like human children who might misbehave or behave more appropriately when around certain individuals. We're really happy we chose Mutt & Tumble and would recommend them! read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Mocha with her pack buddies - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We never expected to need the services of a professional dog trainer, but we did. Our 18 month old Wesley was a rescue, sweet but anxious/nervous and began randomly nipping at people. Not sure why, how to stop him, and not wanting to risk someone getting hurt, we found Bryan and April through our dog sitter. After a few home visits with April, we decided to go all-in with their board/train package. We got regular updates and photos/videos from Bryan and a training visit a week before Wesley came home so we could see the progress for ourselves and how to be ready for him when he came back home. When Wesley returned home, he clearly was a different dog. We saw the difference right away, he had less anxiety, he was more relaxed, he listened much more than before, and we have not had a nipping incident. We continue to practice the lessons we learned from Bryan and April. They also provide you with lots of information on how to continue to practice what your dog has learned and how to set a schedule for your dog. We also have a few more lessons and we've been able to work together at a dog park being around other dogs and owners, and one lesson we took Wesley and his sister Daisy together to a shopping mall and it was an amazing experience watching them together being well behaved with so many people around in close proximity and around other dogs. These are the best trainers, hands down. Wesley took to Bryan immediately and the results were amazing. We would use them again in a heartbeat. There's a reason they have 5 stars. read more

This team is incredible! We were totally lost with our French bulldog puppy who would not stop using my hand as her chew toy, no boundaries, and regressed with potty training! I am so grateful for the training of my puppy, but even more so, he trained us! This is key! His method and pillars work. Be ready to change your behaviors too, because I will be the first to say, I was doing it all wrong and grateful for what foundation he gave us. I wanted a board and train that was in-home, because it broke my heart thinking she would be left alone overnight. I would recommend this team to anyone feeling lost with their dog. Young, old, rescue. He's got the method for all! Thank you Bryan, grateful to have you as a resource for our lil wild child! read more

We can't recommend Mutt & Tumble more! We have a 5 year old mini Australian shepherd named Truffle. He had extreme anxiety and aggression towards other dogs & people. He has had instances where he acted out to people and he would bark and lunge at dogs in public. We knew that for his safety as well as everyone else's, we needed to seek help for him. We found Mutt & Tumble through yelp and read through all the good reviews. Bryan was extremely responsive and had us meet up with him to better understand the program / the work he would do with Truffle. We decided to do the 4 week board & training. It was also nice that he crate trained Truffle since he wasn't crate trained previously. Included in the program are 8 private training sessions. We would meet during the 4 week program to go over training and then follow up as needed after the program. Bryan was so kind - he let us bring our other pup during our sessions to ensure training can be applied to both pups. Bryan and April would also send progress photos of Truffle very regularly since this is the long we've gone without seeing our boy. When Truffle came home, we can instantly tell he was a lot less anxious. He was able to walk off leash and run around at the park with other dogs. His confidence grew tremendously and his recall is amazing. We no longer felt the need to stress every time we were out in public Additionally, upon finishing the program, we were provided a handbook, tailored to our dog, which outlined best practices and general dog training principles moving forward. We couldn't recommend Mutt & Tumble more! Our lives have changed for the better! read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My 1 year old Cane Corso had some REALLY bad habits and we were not able to enjoy him and take him every where like we did our previous dog. He as leash aggressive, unsocialized, would jump on people/kids, not crate trained and peeing in the house all the time. We finally bit the bullet and sent him off to Mutt and Tumble's board and train. He was with Bryan and his family for a month and when we got him back, he was a completely different dog. His recall was great, he was crate trained, he was no longer reactive to other dogs, he was socialized and was able to loose lead walk. Prior to going to training, I had such a hard time walking him because he would constantly pull and he is a VERY strong dog. It got to a point where I felt it was unsafe for my wife or my kids to walk him because of his pulling (even with a pinch collar). We now have been able to take him out to breakfast at a restaurant where he just lays next to the table and doesn't beg for food, we took him to Broadway Plaza in Walnut creek and he did not react to any dogs walking by and he got lots of compliments on his behavior from other dog owners! We also have been able to take him to a dog park where he played really nicely with other dogs. Yes, this training is not cheap but well worth it. Bryan texted us weekly videos and photos of LeRoy's progress . The best thing about the board and train is the fact that your pup will be going Fort Funston dog beach for off leash time. He'll work on recall and other behaviors you're looking for. If you want to be able to enjoy your dog more, be confident in his behavior around other dogs and people, training with Mutt and Tumble is the way to go! HIGHLY recommend! read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My wife and I looked for a dog trainer that could specifically help our 5-year old small poodle mix become less reactive towards new dogs and small kids. We did a 3-week board and train for our dog and the results, overall, were good. We could see him be less reactive towards other dogs or small toddlers on our daily walks where he would previously bark and lunge towards them in anxiety. We learned different tools and methods of communication from Bryan that we continued to practice and utilize day to day. We learned how to set boundaries, how to use corrections appropriately and how to be an effective leader for our dog. The board and train included 4 in-person training sessions where we were able to ask additional questions and practice some of the training he learned during his time there. Overall, it was a great experience working with Bryan and his family! read more

April is truly THE dog whisperer. My mother adopted a rescue and from the start it was difficult to get Matatus to warm up. My dad had a hard time getting her cooperation when it came to putting her in her crate. My sisters and my mom were the only ones able to touch her. After one lesson with April my dad was able to work with her and hold her! My mom was very impressed with April's handling. I recommend Mutt and Tumble! No dog is left behind no matter how difficult. I truly have hope for other dogs who have a hard time surviving because they're big and vicious. I've seen April work with other dogs and she and Bryan are miracle workers. I honestly believe Mutt and Tumble will save these precious dogs. read more

Mutt and Tumble Dog Training - Matatus - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California