My husband and I adopted a Lab who had grown up on a cattle farm in Northern California. Once we…read morebrought him home, we quickly realized that the social, human loving, on your lap labs that we had in the past, was not the case with our new family member. We knew immediately that we would need support with socializing our pup. That's where Cynthia, the dog whisperer came in. Cynthia came to our home to assess our fearful and anxious dog to see how she could best help. Looking back, we had a dog who had never been on a leash, heard everyday sounds, cabinets closing, babies crying, trains passing by...he was raised in a crate, outside with little human interaction. It was challenging to determine how we could help him become comfortable, trusting and of course happy and settled. There were moments when we thought maybe we weren't the right fit for him. Maybe he needed wide open spaces to run free and feel comfortable? Cynthia immediately calmed our doubts, after explaining her approach and plan of action, we signed up for the 21 day immersive training. She was so great about working with our schedule and keeping it consistent. Within a week we saw that Rock was able to walk on a leash, follow basic commands and more importantly build a relationship of trust with a human. Cynthia communicates very well with her clients, we received multiple videos daily documenting Rock's growth. In these videos we began to see a more confident, trusting dog. She literally took him everywhere. Lowe's, the pet store, dressing rooms, coffee shops, the post office, home goods....you name it. Cynthia's commitment to her craft is like no other. She is confident, knowledgeable, and willing to do whatever it takes to support your furry family member. Fast forward a year...we now have a happy, healthy, confident, human trusting lab. Rock runs up to people with a wagging tail, he displays trust for those strangers that he encounters. He allows children to kiss his face. He loves his new life all because Cynthia showed him how to trust in his new environment. We are forever grateful for the work that Cynthia did with Rock. She truly changed his life. If you are in need of a dog trainer who truly cares, Cynthia is your gal.

I can't recommend Mac's enough! Growing up we always had a yappy dog around who was cute in…read morepictures but borderline satanic in real life and potty trained at best. When I decided to raise my own fur baby (a precious poodle/weimaraner rescue) I wanted to do better and I can't believe the night and day difference it makes to put in a little more work and invest in training. Major bonus points for clear communication, easy scheduling, and convenient payment options. On behalf of Sprinkles, myself, and my security deposit, I have to say thank you Cynthia!

Christine is truly the best in the area. We have been using her services, to babysit our cats,…read moreseveral times a year since 2018. We have a kitty with special needs and she is always able to do and help in anyway possible. She sends us, the best, pictures each day we are away. We love her attention to detail and how she thinks of everything while we are away. We highly recommend her to anyone looking for pet services. I would give her more stars if I could.

It's always scary when you have to leave your pups and you definitely do not want to board them…read more However, Christine and Lindsey made it easy with the communication, kindness, and pictures! They took care of my dog and my roommates dog like they were their own and they were so happy when we got home so I know their lives were not disrupted with the great company in their own home. The pups played and walked and ate and slept just fine while we were gone and I am so grateful to have found them!

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

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

I highly recommend Ugly Dog Adventures in Orange, California. Jenn, the owner, is incredibly…read moreknowledgeable and clearly passionate about what she does which carries over to all her team. I enrolled my two, two-year-old rescue dogs in their comprehensive boarding/training program and on-going daily pack walks. The results have been fantastic. Not only were their command-response established , their unruly habits were corrected and their overall behavior became much more balanced and manageable. If you're looking for someone who truly understands dogs and can make a real difference, Jenn at Ugly Dog Adventures is the one to trust.

We love UDA! Our rescue dog was welcomed into the pack and I always knew that my dog was in good…read morehands with the team. Pack walks and boarding were always such good experiences for our girl and we will miss Ugly Dog!!

Do you want your pet dog to act like a trained service dog?…read moredo you need a trained service dog for yourself or family member? vision, hearing, autism, dementia, diabetes, and other needs... family owned and run group classes or private classes at home or board in training available for every need and every breed.. wonderful caring people

Many dog trainers are complete rip offs! Does that surprise you? Be careful out there before you…read moreget talked into handing over 4 figures upfront for "send away training" . Nikki and her team at OC Service Dogs brings credibility back to Dog Training. You can't appreciate how good this trainer is untill you experience bad ones. Hopefully I can save you from having to do that Its easy to make your dog look like its trained and appear like the trainer spent a ton of time with it. A little food in one hand as the dog looks so good heeling, as you have your wallet in the other as you are impressed with the smoke and mirrors. (she can show you how to make your dog look like this in 5 minutes as can I BTW) Nikki is the real deal. I have known her for about 15 years. She has trained protection, Schutzhund obedience with me for high level competitions. She has mentored my son when he was younger as a decoy. She has been a decoy and now she is helping me train a new dog. The takeaway is that she is very experienced at all the roles and levels so so understands what its like being a trainer, trainee, competitor, club member, etc. You want someone that has had all these viewpoints and experiences. She is an awesome parent and she often does things through dog training that helps kids. For example, getting girls accustomed to saying "no" to a dog so saying "no" in the future is easier. We can only hope our girls grow up to be like Nikki. I probably averaged 15K each in training my other dogs (Sch III, IPO III dog). Her group training is a STEAL. She has awesome staff members at the group training so you are not just left alone, lost, and confused. You almost always get private training in the group training and this is worth double the price she charges . It's hard to appreciate this until you spend thousands of dollars on training in the past and realize that her training is just as good if not better for a fraction of the cost. Go to other group trainings where you are lost and just in a herd of people with no attention given to you and you will see what I mean. Her group sessions incorporate discussions too. Last session she spoke of nutrition and the new grain free controversy. Not only is this something unique, it is very strategic as she knows that you can't train dogs for excessive lengths of time and this allows her to break up the group training to keep the dogs motivated while educating you and dog issues well beyond training. Aside from being a great parent, she does a lot for the community and church. You can trust this person to not take your dog in and do nothing. She will work your dogs constantly. But I encourage you to start with the group lessons first as its such a steal and you get private lessons that Nikki probably just feels are "part of the group experience" (she could easily charge more for it or try to talk you into more like other trainers do). From there discuss private training or other send off training once you experience her training in the group Her expertise is amazing. We were about on the same level 10 years ago and training competition dogs together. I recently attended her group class and she was showing me all of the new positive techniques and I felt like I have never trained a dog before. Training has never been this positive toward the dogs like she does it now. Her love for all dogs is so incredibly evident and her desire to make everyone better through dogs is something you probably will not see in other trainers. Her group classes are a great way for families to do something good together and to have a positive activity as your dog becomes more and more a great part of your family because of her.

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

This review is long overdue! We've been working with Sara since our dog, Luca, was an 8mo old puppy…read more(he is now 3) and still trust her for everything now from small questions to boarding whenever we need to be away. We've known her for 2 years now and have seen how much love she puts into caring and training him -- she's adapted how she works with Luca as he's grown and changed as well and we know he's in good hands when he's with her. Recently, we were having a hard time figuring out how to help him with his anxiety that felt like it escalated during his transition out of puppyhood so much that we started to avoid bringing him to many places--needless to say: we were getting anxious ourselves. After entrusting him with Sara again in the two week training program (in which she always shares daily updates), he came back to us with more confidence and a refreshed state for us to be able to continue all the things he learned with Sara back at home. Although the program did help him a lot, we know that ultimately it's our job to ensure his continued success, and Sara has been so patient and understanding when guiding us on how to work with him in the way that works best for him-- always creating space for us to share specific concerns so that she can give us tailored advice and instructions. I can probably go on and on endlessly, but I'll end it with the fact that we went from feeling stressed whenever we were out on walks to now constantly looking forward to the next walk with our boy and bringing him along whenever we can. Thank you Sara!!!!!

I've known the person in charge of this company for years and she has always loved animals, not…read moreonly her own, but others fur babies as well. She is a class act, a great person, and very understand of animals and their behaviors. She knows what she is doing and is very communicative. If you're looking for someone to be a companion with your dog and go on fantastic pack walks, look no further! This place is golden. I would only trust 3 places with my babies... OC Lucky Dogs, SoCal Dog Training (Vladae), and Banfield Buena Park (where I am personally lucky enough to donate my time and work / be with animals) ... 10/10 service 10/10 communication 10/10 safety 10/10 fun for the dogs I love finding good people!

Let me just say this: I trust OC Lucky dogs with my golden baby more than I trust most people with…read moremy coffee order. My dog, (a 70-lb goofball with zero spatial awareness and the emotional range of a toddler), is my baby. I don't leave him with just anyone. But the team at OCLD? Total pros. From the first meet-and-greet, they were calm, confident, and totally in tune with his energy before bringing him around any other dogs. They took the time to understand his quirks, his terrible leash habits, and even which dogs he vibes with on the trail before taking him out. What really blew me away is how seriously they take safety. Leash checks, paw inspections, water breaks -- it's like he's walking with a trained bodyguard. They even texted me once to let me know he had a little paw irritation and shortened the walk so he wouldn't overdo it. WHO DOES THAT? Legends, that's who. When Leanna does pickup/drop off she comes in and has a full conversation with my cat and makes sure she gets belly scratches. Plus, they send adorable pics, which is obviously the only thing getting me through my 2 p.m. work slump, and often end up as my phone background. On Bensons birthday, he was wearing a crown in all the photos with his friends- could you ask for anything cuter?!! Bottom line: they love animals, they know animals, and they treat yours like their own. Benson gives them 100/10 pup cups, and every dog should be an OC Lucky Dog!

If I could give For a Civilized Dog more than five stars, I would…read more Jacklyn and Cary are an exceptional husband-and-wife team who genuinely care about every dog that comes through their doors. They don't just train dogs--they take the time to truly understand each dog's personality, behavior, and individual needs. Their experience, knowledge, and thoughtful approach are evident in everything they do. I have a Rottweiler who developed dog reactivity because of mistakes I made while handling him on walks. Instead of simply training my dog, Jacklyn and Cary trained me as well. They helped me understand where I was unintentionally contributing to the problem and gave me the tools and confidence to handle him correctly. Thanks to them, my dog is no longer dog reactive, which has been absolutely life-changing for both of us. They've also become our go-to boarding facility whenever we travel. The best endorsement I can give is that my dog gets genuinely excited when we pull into their driveway. He can't wait to go inside! That peace of mind is priceless. Their facility is modern, clean, secure, and exceptionally well maintained. Because Jacklyn and Cary live on the property, I know my dog is safe and well cared for around the clock. Unlike boarding facilities we've used in the past, he's never once come home sick. One of my favorite touches is the daily report cards. Every day I receive thoughtful updates about how he's doing, along with photos of him playing, learning, and enjoying his stay. It makes being away from him so much easier. The entire staff is fantastic, but Danielle deserves a special shout-out. She is incredibly kind, patient, and talented, and my dog absolutely adores her. Seeing how excited he gets when he sees her says everything. Communication has always been outstanding. They're quick to answer texts, scheduling is easy, and every interaction leaves me feeling like my dog is in the very best hands. I trust For a Civilized Dog completely. Whether you're looking for behavioral training, obedience training, or an exceptional boarding experience, I truly cannot recommend them highly enough. They have made an incredible difference in our lives, and I am so grateful for everything they've done for both me and my dog.

When searching for a trainer I had specifics of what I wanted; Boutique Boot camp with Medium to…read moreHigh intensity with personal attention.... thats where FACD comes in! So glad I found Cary and the team--Jaclyn, Sadi, and Dannielle! I had a VERY active boxer mix puppy and zero experience, and from my first call with Jaclyn, I knew this was the right place. My pup did the 21-day board-and-train, and the results were amazing. We got regular updates, and when we picked her up, my whole family was blown away by how much she had learned. We also did in-home sessions with Cary, which made a huge difference in keeping everything consistent. Our house is honestly so much calmer and better now. Even when she boards or goes to daycare, they continue reinforcing her training--which I love. I recommend them to everyone. You truly can't go wrong!