1. OC Service Dogs

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    OC Service Dogs

    4.8 (19 reviews)
    Closed 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

    Services - OC Service Dogs

    Private dog training

    Pet boarding

    OC Service Dogs Photos

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    Reviews With Photos

    Nikki with Piper (2 yo Rottie) & Cru (7 mo lab)
    Trisha B.

    Nikki is the best! Her approach is all about the dogs & their humans working together, while having fun in the process. Whether you are looking for basic obedience, therapy dog certification, a service dog & training, or even board & train- you will get the best from OC Service Dogs!

    A J.

    Based on reviews I was excited to try this company out. I was interested in signing my puppy up for training and initially sent an email because I had a question about pricing. I received a response to my email right away to answer my question and was provided a phone number to call/text with further questions. When I initially text I was advised to create an account online. I did this but did not see the classes I wished to register for. I followed up and it took about 2 weeks for me to get a response. I replied right away and a few days later followed up after not receiving an answer. At that point the claim was that a text was sent to me but I must not have gotten it but my puppy was registered for training the second week of April (this was in late March). It is now the third week of April and I've heard nothing. I logged into my online account and did not see I was registered for any classes and also never received any follow up communication from the company. Not sure if they are unorganized or not interested. But if I am going to spend thousands of dollars and leave my puppy to train, its a red flag to me if you are not responsive and can't keep up with reservations.

    Archer. Pitbull/Boxer
    Brhi M.

    This training service is so helpful for my dog and I. I feel like every time I leave I have learned so much about dog training as well as how to cultivate a better relationship between me and my dog Archer. We have been actively training since September and Archer has come so far. Don't expect to attend one class and have a perfect dog, it takes a long time! I am super thankful that there are usually 3 trainers per group class so there are more perspectives on how to work with your dog. While all of the trainers usually work off the same learning theories, they have little tidbits of advice that are different and it helps so much.

    Nikki and Gizmo working on "hold." This command will help him to carry things (e.g., bags) and deliver them to his disabled handler.

    OC Service Dogs is run by Nikki Esser, a highly-experienced, professional, and compassionate dog trainer who specializes in training all kinds of working dogs, particularly service dogs and therapy dogs, but also offers obedience classes that are open to all dogs. I first interacted with Nikki over the phone when she responded to my inquiry about how to go about obtaining and training a Service Dog to help mitigate the everyday challenges I face due to my disabling chronic illnesses. Nikki has supported me through the whole process, from obtaining a dog (she recommended a fantastic breeder who connected us with an excellent Service Dog Candidate), to potty training and getting through the first hard months of obedience training, to task training, to phone conversations about questions and issues, and beyond. We are still in the training phase, but I have no doubts that she will support us through to certification. I highly recommend the group obedience classes (she offers these three times per week) for dogs of all ages. They really helped my Service Dog in Training get used to other dogs and focusing on me despite being surrounded by distractions. Private Lessons are another great option for folks who need individual attention to work on specific tasks or have difficulty training in a group atmosphere. Nikki also offers combination boarding and training, which has been very helpful for keeping up my Service Dog's training when I am feeling under the weather, training tasks, or working through complicated issues that I cannot solve on my own. You will not find a more empathetic, kind, or thorough dog trainer than Nikki Esser. Contact OC Service Dogs, you will not be disappointed!

    Lucy at her first day of training with Nikki. She 's Nikki and her team.

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    Ask the Community - OC Service Dogs

    How many classes are required for therapy dogs?

    We are starting a new 10 week Therapy dog class in June To qualify for the Therapy dog class you dog needs to have good obedience be able to heel on a loose leash, down etc

    Can anyone tell me about pricing?

    4 classes for $100.00

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - OC Service Dogs

    (she can show you how to make your dog look like this in 5 minutes as can I BTW) Nikki is the real deal.

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    We've had a wonderful experience with Dog Den for the past 2 years! Our Alaskan Klee Kai absolutely…read moreloves going there for daycare and always comes home happy, tired, and excited for her next visit. The facility is very clean, and it's clear that the staff genuinely care about every dog in their care. The trainers are kind, attentive, and treat each pup like family, which gives us so much peace of mind. Whenever we travel out of state, Dog Den is our first choice for boarding. We love that they provide cameras so we can check in on our fur baby. The staff keeps everything clean, changes the towels regularly, and makes sure she is comfortable and well cared for throughout her stay. On days when she just needs some extra playtime and socialization, daycare is the perfect place for her to have fun with other doggos. We also love the photos update that were given throughout the day. We highly recommend Dog Den to anyone looking for a safe, caring, and trustworthy place for their furry family member! Great job dog den team

    This daycare really impressed me with how professional and well-managed it is. They have both…read moreindoor and outdoor play areas for the dogs, and both spaces are quite large, so it doesn't feel crowded at all. The facility itself is very well equipped, with more than 100 rooms. They also have separate isolation rooms in case a dog gets sick, which helps prevent illnesses from spreading to other dogs. I thought that was a huge plus. All new dogs are required to provide vaccination records, and they also do about a 20-minute temperament assessment before joining. Based on each dog's personality, they arrange suitable playgroups instead of just mixing all the dogs together. The staff are also very professional and attentive. They keep daily records of each dog's eating habits and bathroom activity, which really gives owners extra peace of mind. Overall, it feels like a very responsible and well-organized place for dogs.

    OC Paw House - Celebrating Rocky's birthday

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    I was looking for dog boarding at the very last minute and Wendy was very accommodating in taking…read morein my 2 dogs. I literally booked with her 2 days before the stay. My 54 lb Jindo does not do well with strangers, she is all bark but no bite. I was very anxious bringing her to any dog care but Wendy was willing to do an assessment prior to their stay. This was my very first time doing any sort of dog care so I was really worried about leaving them. They did really well and my other dog had so much fun (he's a social butterfly). The main reason I chose this place vs all the other dog boarding is because they offer a "home" living experience rather than a facility/warehouse. My dogs always freely roams the house and lays on our bed, couch, wherever they please so I wanted something similar and Wendy's house provided that. I couldn't bare the thought of them being kept in a narrow sleeping quarter locked throughout the day. Thank you for taking great care of my babies! This place will definitely be my go-to for any future dog boarding.

    August 11th The Day We Lost Louie…read more Our six-year-old French Bulldog, Louie, died from heatstroke just two and a half hours into what we were told would be a four-hour trial day at this daycare. We were told the purpose of the trial was simply to see whether Louie could get along with other dogs. We were never told that he would be taken to a dog park or participate in strenuous outdoor activity. We chose this daycare because the owner told us she owns a French Bulldog herself, and because the daycare had very good reviews. We trusted that our French Bulldog would be understood and properly cared for. What happened that day is something we will never forget. 9:00 AM -- We dropped Louie off for his four-hour trial. 9:30 AM -- Just 30 minutes later, Louie was taken to a dog park for outdoor activity without our knowledge. We had never been told that he would be taken off the daycare premises or to a dog park. The temperature that day ranged from approximately 77°F to 85°F. 10:18 AM -- According to the daycare, Louie vomited after the activity. We were not informed when it happened. 11:30 AM -- More than an hour after he vomited, we received a photo of his vomit. At the same time, we were communicating about payment and completing a reservation for his future stay. We were given no indication that Louie was experiencing a potentially life-threatening emergency. 11:45 AM -- We received a phone call telling us that Louie was not breathing. 12:00 PM -- Louie was pronounced dead from heatstroke. Our dog went into the daycare alive and healthy at 9:00 AM. By noon, he was dead. What is especially devastating is what we learned afterward. We were told that they had never seen Louie breathing so heavily before. We were also told that they had tried giving him water, but he was vomiting. For a French Bulldog, excessive panting, vomiting, and difficulty breathing in hot conditions can be serious warning signs of overheating and heatstroke. French Bulldogs are particularly vulnerable to heat because of their shortened airways and difficulty cooling themselves efficiently through panting. Yet during the critical period when Louie was apparently struggling, we received no immediate warning and no update about his condition. The owner was also not present at the daycare at the time. We later learned that she had a doctor's appointment, which contributed to a delay in communication. While the adults were dealing with schedules, appointments, and communication, Louie was suffering--and we knew nothing. This was supposed to be a simple four-hour trial to see whether Louie could socialize with other dogs. We never agreed to have him taken to a dog park in temperatures reaching 85°F. We never imagined that he would be subjected to strenuous outdoor activity in hot weather. We are devastated that Louie was placed in this situation while in someone else's care. We trusted this daycare because we believed they understood French Bulldogs. That trust was shattered in the worst possible way. Louie was in their care. We trusted them to keep him safe. We expected him to come home. He never did. Louie was not just a dog. He was part of our family, and we will never get him back.

    Cali Pets Hotel

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    We came back again this year! My dog seemed to have a great time! They sent me photos Friday! I…read morewish I got more on Saturday. I texted asking if I can get more photos, but I didn't receive any. Totally understand if they were just very busy Saturday, or I asked too early in the day. However, Sunday, I asked again, and they sent a photo. Overall, still so happy with the care and attention they give my boy. And I forgot to ask her name, but she was so kind and sweet when we dropped my dog off on Friday 8/21 at 7:00am, and I saw her again Sunday at 5pm! She washed my dog's belongings before giving it back to us.

    My wife and I had to attend to an out of town family function for a few days and had to board our…read moretwo girl dogs. Talk about alot of anxiety. We were really stressed leaving them overnight with anyone. We checked a few places and finally a close friend of ours recommended Cali Pets Hotel. All I can say the staff and accommodations were AWESOME!!!! Debbie, Michael and Brie were fantastic and assured us that our girls would be well taken care of. They sent us daily photos and would text or call us telling how the girls were!!! I liked how they played with them and gave them attention. I totally felt the sincerity that all the staff demonstrated when telling us that our pets well-being and comfort was their priority. My wife and I are now talking about taking them for doggy day care just so the girls get that social interaction they need. I'm just so grateful to Cali Pets Hotel for their loving and sincere care they extended to our furry family members. Thank you Cali Pets Hotel!!!

    Tails A Wag Inn - Sweet Miss Maizy

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    I would not recommend this place to my worst enemy!!! The…read moreowner threatened to drug my dog with Trazadone if I didn't pick him up before his scheduled pick up date. I had to cancel my plans to make sure my dog was safe and away from this establishment. She said he cried too much and disturbed her sleep. She said she had to take sleeping medication the one night he spent there because he cried and disturbed her sleep. She is very unprofessional and this is not a safe place for your pet. Be careful. I do not recommend this place.

    Business owner Nora ended the contract early despite having collected a $500 deposit from us. Our…read moretwo dogs only stayed at her place for four nights, so the total charge should have been $75 x 4 = $300. However, she charged us $400, claiming that our dogs have long hair, drool, and even accused them of being aggressive from thin air. That additional $100 was the extra "penalty" charge. We travel frequently for work every year, and our dogs are very well-socialized. They have boarded at many professional facilities without a single issue. Despite our repeated attempts to communicate and request a refund, Nora responded with a very disrespectful attitude and refused to return the overcharge. Dog owners, please be aware: this boarding service has no official certifications or professional credentials. It is simply a small, home-based operation. Also worth noting -- the business owner is a rude senior woman who may struggle to handle larger, or small size but more active dogs. There is a real risk she could be knocked over, tripped or injured if the dog is too strong or too quick for her to manage safely. If you're looking for reliable, qualified care for your pets -- and want to avoid the potential liability risks involved with a caregiver -- this is not the place to go. * Update( with image) : Nora is trying to play the victim, yet she threatened to report my puppies to animal control via text message. Dog owners, be warned--if you ever have a disagreement with this business, your beloved pets could be used as leverage. My dogs may be big, but they're gentle giants. After realizing Nora's lack of professionalism, we had a trusted friend drive them to a reputable, accredited boarding facility. There were no issues at all--our pups were safe, happy, and the staff treated them like family. As I mentioned earlier, be cautious--dealing with this business could unexpectedly shift liability onto you as the pet owner.

    OC Service Dogs - pet_training - Updated September 2026

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