I can not say enough about working with Dave. We have a 4 year old, protection German Shepard, and Dave has not only brought the best out of Ruger but the best out of us as handlers. Dave is fearless in his approach with Ruger's protection training but gentle and reads Ruger's energy and needs impeccably. We have made so much progress and sealed a connection with our dog that is invaluable. My gratitide is immense and every week we look forward to training day with Dave and Ruger. read more

I'm very disappointed with my experience with this company. I signed up and paid in full for Basic training for my dog. The first class was canceled because the instructor was ill. A different instructor conducted the class the following week. I received an unprofessional and threatening email from the original trainer. The email disparaged the trainer who stepped in and requested (demanded) that I scheduled a private training session at a reduced fee to get "caught up" . I was uncomfortable with the lack of communication and unprofessional behavior from the trainer. I requested some type of refund since I was not going to train with them any further. I received another email denying any portion of my fees be refunded. Lesson learned for me, I suppose. I would definitely NOT recommend using this company. read more

So disappointed in Caroline for her unprofessional handling of her board and train agreement she had with me. After her only giving me a 1 week notice for the board and train, she told me that she wouldn't be able to take my dog. She agreed to work with me on returning my $550 deposit, after many attempts to contact her for resolving the deposit return she ignored all my emails and phone calls. I even went so far as to say I would work with her and she could pay me back monthly but still no response. I've learned a hard lesson in trusting someone to do what they agree to. I would definitely never recommend her for any training based on her lack of professionalism. Don't waste your money as I have read more

overall the training is fine for dogs but i think i got bad luck with my Malinois Shepherd mix baby. she is currently 4 months teething (her big girl teeth are coming in and this is considered her "second wave" of teething) and this breed of dog is high temperment. ive done extensive research and have trained her the basics on my own without help of "professionals" and was looking for extra help with obedience. this specific "bootcamp" was supposed to be a way of helping my baby succeed as she is my emotional support dog. during the first day at training i was told i was "too mushy gushy" with my baby and had to be more strict which i understand as she is my first dog who ive devoted mysef to. this was not a problem and something i told myself i needed to work on, fine! during that same class, i let out a "NO" at a higher volume to check her and correct her but was told in front of everybody that i was getting "too emotional" and needed to stop...weird to call somebody out like that in front of the whole class but ok. she lost a tooth and began to bleed quite a lot during some basic bite work which concerned me but quickly got over because it was just her tooth. second day of training comes and i was unexpectedly able to get her prong collar the day before and hoped to get some help putting it on during training but my baby did not like that. Philip Justice was helping me as he would be taking over sessions 2-5 so in a way i was "stuck" dealing with him. since she did not feel comfortable with him putting on her prong collar, she began to throw a fit and warned him to back up by getting vocal, i wasnt able to visibly see but allegedly she attempted to snap at him and yelled in both of our faces "NO" followed with "YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BITE ME, DOG" which left me angry and completely shocked at how he handled that...when the previous class i was told i was getting emotional for doing the same thing a peg or two down. he asked if i had her check collar which was recommended for her prior to first class due to her age and the controversy over prong collars being used on dogs in general. while i went to grab it in my car he then ANNOUNCED TO THE WHOLE CLASS "THIS IS A MALINOIS FOR YOU LADIES AND GENTLEMAN" (NOT OKAY I WAS LIVID AND HAD TO USE EVERY LAST BIT OF OUNCE OF SELF CONTROL TO NOT POP OFF.) and began to tell EVERYBODY that he doesnt recommend this breed personally which makes me sad due to the bad reputation Malinois get. i was utterly shocked and had to hold back tears because i was embarassed, angry, and overall felt singled out. i felt like he completely dragged her and made her look viscious and insane but she isnt. she gets excited and wants to bite her leash...shes literally been alive for 4 months lol. it made me feel so uncomfortable and disappointed in a training company that claims to specialize in Shepherds/Malinois yet they obviously dont have the patience for mine. also when asked why i wasnt able to get the prong collar i said for "personal reasons" Philip was quick to jump to assuming it was financial reasons...LOL relax. I ORIGINALLY WROTE THIS REVIEW the weekend of our last training session with Sirius K9 Training. More has happened since then so this is the full updated version of my review. I called the phone number provided for the Zelle payment for these classes and got sent to voicemail which was no big deal. I decided to try texting the number and thats how the text conversations began. the venmo screenshot was the only form of communication i got from Caroline which i think was a little rude, passive aggressive toned, and unnecessary...she didnt even email me back for my detailed story. i would have appreciated an apology or something since i didnt feel comfortable with my dog going to YOUR classes??? like personally id be so embarassed and shocked if someone experienced this behavior at my dog training class but i guess we're different, i would actually care about my clients. read more

See all

I initially did a private session with Ani to train my 3 month old Dobbie. She provided me with so much information and direction that proved to be invaluable. She gave me the foundation to work with my puppy at home....we later took a four week obedience class that we also found really helpful. Worth the $$$. read more

Sirius K9 Academy - Dog - Pet Training Near Me

Ani Rubio was GREAT every step of the way with our puppy manners class. We had a 4 session course ($150) which included how to mentally work our dog. We did sit, down, stand, place which our dog learned well. We practices on proper walking and worked on controlling the puppy biting. It was great to do the puppy class with others to learn from everyone's experience. Ani was always there for us with any questions. Our pup loved going and we saw the improvement each and every time. We're signing up for the obedience class because we'd definitely appreciate Ani and Sirius K9 on this journey with us. read more

Sirius K9 Academy - Pet Training Near Me

If I could give this place a 10 star rating I would! Anita was my dog's trainer, Telkes my 3 year old rescue PittBull was struggling to walk well on a leash and had really high reactivity to other dogs. With just one private training, Telkes was worlds better! After 30mins with Ani, my dog was walking by my side and not pulling on the leash. After an hour with Ani, Telkes was sitting by my side with chickens and two of her dogs less than 5 feet away. It was amazing how well she worked with me and Telkes. If you're looking for COVID safe and amazing training, I would send everyone I know to Anita. You can tell how experienced she was, my dog and I both loved her! read more

Sirius K9 Academy - Pet Training Near Me

This was not a good experience , therefore i have allowed a few days to pass before postingy review. I contracted their services since I adopted a dog from a county shelter, the shelter did say the dog was not agressive during the adoption process. The pup started showing some food agression and territorial behavior just a few days after bringing him home, he was specially bad when i had someone visiting. Contacting the business was not the most streamlined way. It almost felt like dealing with a large company with a call center. They are busy but it felt i had to pay to actually speak to someone. Their customer service and communication needs some polishing to say the least. When it comes to training, the trainer was not able to work with my dog really as the dog was not very interested in paying attention to him. Instead we just talked for the most part at the park. Ultimately, i was told that feeding him between my feet and teaching him to look at my eyes prior to feeding him, would make the dog look at me as the provider. This advise was not only something that didn't work, it actually got me bitten a couple of times. When i told the trainer to assess him, he told me to give him time, and offerer to come to the home, which is more expensive of course. Overall i feel this place might be good for teaching dogs tricks and general obedience, but they did not impress me with their expertise with previously abused dogs, more complicated cases and feel their advise was quite lacking. read more

I worked with Anita and Dave with my German Shepherd rescue. It was a difficult and emotional situation but they were so incredibly supportive. They truly care about the dogs and the owners. The charges are incredibly reasonable for the amount of care and effort they put in. I can't say enough wonderful things about this business and how hard their trainers work, how accessible they are and how genuinely kind and caring they are. read more

My pup and I just finished basic obedience training here. The instructors were all great. For the first couple weeks, it was Caroline teaching the class, who is also the owner. After that it was John teaching the class. They are all very nice and are willing to help you out after class if you need help also. You can also sign up for additional private lessons at a discounted rate if you are really struggling. The basic classes are either on Wednesdays or Sundays. I was able to sign up for the Sunday classes since I am off every Sunday. If you must miss a class, like I did, they let me go observe the other class and I also signed up to make up a private lesson. The classes are about 2 hours, once a week, for 6 weeks and the cost is $250. Private lessons will depend on how long you want it to be. For 30 minutes, I believe it is $25 and a full hour is $55. If you do not have the proper equipment, during the first class, which is a full 3 hours+ orientation, you can order items that you need. If you do sign up, know that you must practice with your dog at home also! Your dog most likely "know" everything by doing the exercises just once a week. Unfortunately, I was not able to fully practice with my dog everyday, but tried as much as I could and every chance I could to get him to do things. Good thing he is a fast learner and listens! My pup was able to pass his finals and therefore passed basic obedience training. I will keep doing the exercises with him though. There are lots of other training available also! I plan on signing up my shepard to do intermediate training, but will give him a couple weeks off first before getting back to the grind. Also my schedule is crazy now with all the work stuff I am doing. I specifically picked this place because they offer protection training, which is my ultimate goal... but my guy seems a bit friendly! They also do drug sniffing, therapy, good canine citizen, decoy training, pet CPR. Each classes can vary in price, so check the website. Just remember that whatever work you put in is what you and your dog will get out of the class. The only reason I give this place a 4 stars instead of 5 stars is because they did not honor the discount I was supposed to receive. When I signed up for the basic obedience training course, it was BEFORE the 2 week deadline. Even during the first orientation class, Caroline the owner said that it was the first time the classes filled up before the deadline. As a nurse, I was supposed to receive a 10% discount, which equates to $25. Not a huge discount, but still, a discount and should be honored since it was posted on the site. I had also emailed about it prior and mentioned it when I registered. The registration process is a bit weird, you pay first on the site before really knowing if there is still room for you or not, then you get an email and they will tell you if there is space and you submit whatever documents you need to submit. I paid the FULL amount because I did not know how the discount worked, like if I should only pay the discounted rate or it was be applied later... Anyways, so later I inquired again, because any questions I had regarding a discount was not even addressed. I now receive an email saying the deadline is 3 weeks and that I had signed up after the deadline... which was NOT true since she even said in class BOTH classes filled up prior to the deadline this time. I had even written on my calendar and taken screenshots of the online calendar which included the deadline... going back to my emails and payments, I had both registered AND paid for the class prior to the deadline. However, after I received an email the second time, I was now told 3 weeks and when I went back to their calendar, it looks like it was a change they had made AFTER I already registered... so in essence, since I registered before their changes, it really should had been honored... That rubbed me the wrong way initially.... and even made me think that I didn't want to do business with someone who changes stuff after and now tells me I did not qualify. Anyways, I stuck with it and I really liked the training and my dog did well... so I actually want to continue with more classes. I would say if you plan on signing up, double check all the discounts and PAY the discounted rate and not the full amount because they will not give you the difference back!! There are not really any discounts for the future classes I want to do, so I guess it won't matter as much. read more

I can honestly say that this changed our life for the better. Oso our German Shepherd was extremely leash reactive and Ani our trainer was great at giving us pointers. She gave us homework throughout the week and made sure we put the work in so that Oso and us actually enjoyed our walk/hikes... Thank you again Ani read more

Sirius K9 Academy - Pet Training Near Me

See all

I grew up having dogs my entire life. All my dogs have been good & disciplined, so I thought. We started puppy manners training with our extra bitey Belgian Malinois. After the first session we learned so much from Dave that the biting dropped by at least 75%. Dave explained what we were doing wrong as pet owners & was a great instructor. The way I trained my previous puppies turned out to be wrong, and it becomes obvious when you get your first Malinois. The classes are easy & straight forward. I think the price is very reasonable and affordable. We are definitely continuing with obedience training with Sirius K9. read more

Sirius K9 Academy - Xena - Pet Training Near Me

If your life doesn't revolve around your dog then be prepared to be treated like a terrible person. I hired for private lessons and couldn't continue because my schedule changed, not by choice. My dog started eating poop only on the days I didn't take him to doggy daycare, I've changed his food, added enzymes and he still does the unpleasant behavior. I sent an email asking if in kennel training would help because I can't keep a dog that gives himself the runs and excessive gas from eating poop it's a nightmare. Not even knowing my situation I get a condescending email back telling me I need to change my situation and I'm unreasonable. Not the way a company should treat someone that is looking for options other then getting rid of their dog. I posted a picture of the email because I feel like the way it was written was extremely rude. read more

Sirius K9 Academy - I asked a question and I get a rude email. - Pet Training Near Me

I've known Caroline for several years. Just recently saw her after a loooong looong time. One of the things I appreciated about her most back then, was her honest, open and inviting nature towards all regardless of skill level or individual goals. She didn't treat anyone, differently. Things have not changed. If anything, she is all she was 20+ years ago, and more!! Sirius is a competing dog Training business for me. I'm proud to have this type of professional referral for clients, friends and strangers. Top notch always! read more

It's very rare that I give a less than favorable review (check my history!) But with that being said it's unfortunate that I have to leave this. I was seeking dog training for my dog for a specific problem I was having. I contacted several trainers and businesses and told them my problem, many of which it would be taken care of. I contacted Caroline who said he would need to be put through basic training. I explained my problem very specifically what I wanted out of her company. It was a 7 week course and after about week 3 or 4 I figured out quickly this is not what I wanted. I did not sign up to teach my dog his sits or downs. I contacted Caroline and explained to her and I felt like she was dancing around the situation. She mentioned he would get better through training, yet of all the trainers I contacted none ever mentioned that he would need to learn his sits and downs and his basic commands. They may have a wonderful program going on but I felt cheated signing up, especially since no other trainer ever mentioned a basic course would fix the problem like K9 did. read more

The basic obedience class was a game changer for me. I don't just like my dog now. I love my dog!!!!! They create a structure, and you undoubtedly have to do the practice and follow through. They are strict, but ultimately, you see how beneficial it is. read more

I have taken my dog to have private obedience lessons before but that started to get pricey. I want to continue with training so I decided to look for group classes. Most people I know took their dogs to Petsmart or Petco but I wanted a real trainer who would be well rounded and not just teach my dog tricks. I looked around for a while before I found this place and from their website I could tell they were what I was looking for. It is a bit confusing to sign up because it is a several step process. First you fill out a form online, then there is a paypal link to pay the deposit. Although it doesn't say how much to pay or anything but that was cleared up after the owner emailed me some info. You pay a $50 deposit for each dog enrolled and then pay the balance on the orientation day. If you have your pet from a shelter or rescue they will give you a discount on the class fee. After the deposit and online form is done you need to send in proof of vaccinations which I like because it means my dogs will only be around healthy dogs. The Sunday class is very popular and if it fills up quickly. They have other times that same day they make available based on when you put down your deposit. Classes are always 2 hours and you can't drop in to other classes if you can't make your assigned time. The orientation is also 2 hours and went over a lot of good information. Since I have had a trainer with similar philosophy I already knew some of the info but some of it was still new to me. One perk to this place is that the classes are in an indoor facility so if it rains there is no problem. I much prefer this over other places that meet in public parks or parking lots. read more

We recently adopted a very high spirited mini-whoodle (that's 1/2 Wheaten Terrier and 1/2 poodle) from a local rescue group and we're so in love with him. Not so in love with some of the behaviors he was exhibiting so we asked around and a friend recommended Sirius. So happy we pursued it! The other review is right; it's a bit odd to register, but once you've figured it out, it's worth it. Caroline and her staff are completely awesome. We're not quite done with our training and there's some question as to whether we're really graduate or not, but our little buddy can heel, sit, lay and come. It's a night and day difference - so much more relaxing to take him for a walk or have him around people. John is an awesome trainer and his passion for dogs is infectious! The classes are held outside - not inside as the previous reviewer indicated. They are moving the facility, so I'm not sure what's going on, but we've been outside in a parking lot for the past 4 weeks. I would have preferred to be inside, but it's not that big of a deal. The attention we get and the skills that we're learning are so very valuable! read more

This is the second place I tried to help my very fearful dog. Knowing that there was probably no quick fix for my dog given the level of her anxiety -- I chose Sirius K9 Academy because they offer more than just basic obedience. They have intermediate and advanced obedience as well as some other classes. Given that this was my second try at training my dog, I wasn't expecting much from basic obedience but I was pleasantly surprised at how much we both learned. While she still had issues, she was much improved and I learned how to manage her behavior in all kinds of situations. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I have continued with my dog beyond basic training and the improvement is beyond my expectations. Training is now just for fun and I have a super cool dog. I would recommend Sirius K9 Academy to friends and family. read more

Took my 11 month GSD to the basic obedience course, and we both had an amazing time. Ani made us and everyone else feel comfortable, you could tell she has a passion for dog training, and is a PROFESSIONAL dog trainer with many years under her belt. Although the cost may seem a bit high, it was worth every penny! I highly recommend Sirius K9 Academy and Ani for the basic obedience course! Looking forward to the intermediate obedience course! read more

Took a five week basic obedience class with instructor Ani Rubio. The class meets once a week for five weeks, cumulating in a basic obedience certification if your dog passes a battery of basic obedience tests. Class was well organized and our instructor Ani showed and taught us how to use effectively both positive and negative reinforcement techniques to help shape and control our dogs behavior. Overall, Ani is an excellent instructor and I would highly recommend her and Sirius K9 Academy for anyone who has dog problems or who wants to get better behavioral control of their dog. read more

Amazing dog trainers. Our 8 month old German Shepherd puppy is now in the intermediate class. He spent a fruitful three weeks with Caroline for his basic training and came back a different dog. Both Caroline and Ani are amazing with dogs. We've learned so much from them. Highly recommend for anyone wanting some training for their pups read more

Went through the basic courses with my malinois and they were very attentive and guided us through the training process. They were able to give individual attention to make sure our dog was grasping what we were learning that day. It helped a lot especially with my wife being a first time dog owner. We are ready for the intermediate classes! read more

John from Sirius K9 Academy helped train our two unruly German Shepherd rescue dogs (and us!) at our home in Costa Mesa last year. John was the perfect trainer for us. He advocates the right combination of correction through tools and techniques and positive reinforcement. We did our part by following through on our "homework" between sessions but we honestly couldn't have done it without the techniques taught to us by John. We couldn't be happier with our choice of trainer and are very thankful that John helped us be better dog owners. Our two lovely Shepherds are happier now too that we are in control. read more

Just finished the Beginner's Obedience Training Class with my two dogs. Caroline and John are thorough, thoughtful, and each class is filled with information. I was hesitant to sign up for a group class (thinking that my dogs wouldn't get enough attention), but I was proven wrong. I never felt like I was overlooked or ignored. Caroline and John (and their assistants) walked around and were constantly helping, commenting, and instructing. A day or 2 after each lesson, Caroline sends out an extensive email covering everything that was taught in the previous class. She also urges anyone to send her emails or video clips if they're still having problems. So glad I signed up for this. read more

Very impressed by Caroline, Jon, and Jan! We went with Sirius K9 to start our 1 year old German Shepherd on basic obedience and move her up towards intermediate trainings. So far, we're almost done with basic, and have enjoyed the change in our dog as well as the change in our ability to be better owners to her. The team at Sirius offered several solutions for each of our dog's behavioral issues (minor) and worked with us during group and private lessons. Bummed that some people are having negative experiences here when ours has been so positive, but I guess you get out of it what you put in and everyone has different experiences. read more

I contacted Sirius k9 for my 2 year old Labrador shepherd mix after meeting a dog who was training with them. John is great and so patient. He put our needs first, is always available to text and even made a second house call without charging us extra. The best thing that i liked that he would listen to you and not try to force a certain thing if you aren't comfortable. He is one of the few trainers that tries different methods rather than just shocking the dog into submission. read more

YIKES........reviews are so mixed that I don't want anyone to think that I am best friends with the trainers. We are truly just clients. Very happy and ready to give a great review clients!! Our year old American Foxhound mix is a "rescue dog" and was flown here from Arkansas. He is a really sweet dog but a real jumper. It was so aggravating that it affected the way people responded to him. He loves walking the trails in Fullerton with me but he wanted to jump on other dogs and walkers alike. We had him in training with John for two weeks and he came back a calm and well trained dog. He actually lived with John the entire time and enjoyed other dogs and friends. He has been back for a month and he still has not jumped once and we love how he can stay so long in the "down position" while we have lunch on the patios of local restaurants. We love Cubby Bear and it was worth the cost to have him professionally trained. read more

Caroline is the owner of Sirius, and her knowledge of dogs is amazing. I did tons of research before bringing my Doberman in, as I wanted something that was a mix of positive reinforcement training, and correction training. I completed the Basic obedience class, participated in intermediate (moved states so didn't complete), search class and protection as well. I really enjoy Caroline's style of teaching, as I appreciate someone who doesn't sugar coat, and helps you be the best possible dog parent. She has extremely high standards for what is the correct way of doing something, and I loved that. If I do something, I want to be excellent at it, not marginal or average. John Endlich was another trainer there, and he was phenomenal in obedience as well. His dog Katie is an amazing dog and obviously very well trained. He has high positive energy, and is especially good with rookies who are new to the whole experience. Lisa, Nazrine, and Doug are also involved in various aspects and they all are very knowledgeable at specific areas and I thoroughly enjoy working with them as well. I have moved so unfortunately I am unable to continue classes. If you are hesitant or on the fence, I would 10000% recommend you going through at least basic obedience with your pup. It is an amazing feeling when you are out and about and 95% of other dogs are acting foolish and your dog is doing exactly what they should be. read more

I have been training with my rescued German Shepherd at Sirius K9 for years. We started with basic obedience and currently train with Caroline in her advanced obedience course. These classes have helped my dog tremendously. You have to be dedicated and put it the work to be successful. read more