I have taken 3 dogs through Top Dog. My older dog is very reactive, the classes gave him confidence and focus. My 2 young dogs are currently going through classes and are doing AMAZING! Lori always puts the dogs needs and emotions first. I highly recommend these classes! read more

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It is great to have a great trainer when you adopt a puppy! Lori is extremely helpful with all aspects of dog obedience. She generously shares her knowledge and makes sure you get it. read more

Looking for a great trainer who works with dogs of all ages JoAnn Fine is it. No nonsence approach to making your dog a well trained,happy, member of your household. Fenced property allows for off leash training. Check it out at www.topdogobediencegrassvalley.com My dog loves going to class and she has taken Basic,Intermediate and Advanced classes plus Agility . Can't say enough good things. read more

The training our dog and we received at Top Dog was top notch and cannot come more highly recommended. When we adopted our dog she was a shy girl scared of everything that was new to her and untrusting of strangers. Through our obedience classes, and eventually agility, she gained both confidence in herself and trust in us. This style of training assures us that she will respond and listen to direction without question and without using treats as motivation. The trainers at Top Dog take their time to get to know each dog and work to address the unique needs of each student in the class. Even in a class of 8 or 10 I know each dog and owner is getting the attention and training they need as an individual. I have seen dogs of all sizes, ages, backgrounds and breeds succeed. read more

Outstanding! Top Dog has a unique approach to dog training that has led to our GS, Misty, to be completely off leash after the basic and intermediate classes. She was taught to heel at the very first lesson and to learned to respond to voice and hand commands from us without the use of treats. We live in a very rural area with wildlife constantly flitting over the property that she now acknowledges but does not pursue...all part of her Top Dog training. Thanks Taylor and Jo Ann. PS Tired of your canine leash puller? Visit Top Dog! Bob and Lynn Haight, Penn Valley read more

I never leave reviews but felt I had to this time...I was kicked out of the class after I was told my dog was aggressive. My dog barked at 2 people while we watched an advanced class...this is why I was kicked out. I was told by Taylor I had to do private lessons, which I of course agreed to as I have never had an aggressive dog and didn't want one now! Taylor was to talk to Joanne as it is her property, and I totally understand. But nobody ever contacted me again...now let me say that my dog, who was less than 1 year old at the time, has never bitten anyone nor any animal and she goes everywhere with me and our other two dogs. I truly loved taking my dog to the obedience class and everyone was extremely nice. But I would have loved to be given some guidance, or recommendation or a phone call after spending several hundred dollars. This is my dog who I would do anything for and I felt completely slighted. What irks me the most is that they are allowing a dog to be in the class who has actually bitten another animal and animal control was called out on - But the positive is that I found a behaviorist - Beverly Ward, who helps Sammies and Friends, as well as owners throughout Placer and Nevada counties. She is helping me with my dog - who has not bitten anyone or any animal - plus she offers obedience training, agility classes as well. My dogs are my children and to be treated so poorly after thinking Joanne and Taylor cared is simply terrible. read more

Hated this place. If you've got a large, stubborn or blockheaded dog, this place might be o.k. If you've got a dog that weighs less than 20 lbs., find another place. Teaching method involves jerking the dog's neck and pulling the neck into an uncomfortable position in order to force the animal to do what is wanted. Because of rainy weather, our classes were held in a garage that was slightly larger than an average 2-car garage. Dogs of all sizes were walked in concentric circles to practice heeling but the instructors don't pay attention to how the circle keeps getting smaller, leaving the smallest dogs in the inner circle getting squeezed in by the larger-dog outer circle. Intimidates the smaller dogs and makes for a bad training environment for them. After the third class, my husband and I couldn't stand to put our dogs through training we felt was cold and coercive. We also both felt JoAnn seemed to take our questions and comments as, in some way, threatening her leadership. So we dropped out. A few months later we tried, "Green Dogs and Pam." This was advertised as "clicker training." We were able to go to 1 or 2 classes for free to test it out. The trainer provided clickers and treats. This class was based on rewarding the dog with a click and then a tiny treat when the dog did the little step toward the ultimate behavior, i.e., sitting for a few seconds when working on the command, "stay." Then lots of praise also. No negative actions toward the dog whatsoever. And it worked beautifully. For those of you who don't know how clicker training works, after the dog has learned the behavior you want, you fade off giving treats every time and eventually aren't rewarding with treats except for doing a little bit of refresher training, when needed. read more

Loved it! My dog and myself improved tremendously on walks and she learned who the boss was! In the past my dog would pull me so bad and practically drag me down the road. Now she is all voice command and stays right beside me with no pulling. She learned manners as well as many other things! I really encourage you to take your dog here! Especially if you are having a hard time controlling your animal! The instructors are great and very knowledgable! read more

We started taking our dog Dakota here not knowing how amazing they are and what to me seems like magic they do in getting our dog to listen and do what we ask her to do. Everything they said would happen does happen. I can't believe our dog can sit in a circle with no leash with 8 or 9 other dogs and behave and not move after just a few weeks of training. After 6 weeks we took our dog to a dog friendly restaurant and she was perfect. We could never have done that without Top Dog's training. You have to work with your dog and be dedicated in order for it to work but it really is fun seeing what your dog will do just to make you happy. We are not stopping here, she has been through basic & intermediate classes and we will start her in the advanced class next. We can't wait to see what she will do next. Thank you Top Dog Obedience for everything you have taught us and our dog. If we could give you more than 5 stars we would. read more

This program is the best! I started my rottweiler puppy in the Sirius training program offered in Roseville, it is a treat based program and the practicality of always having "treats" to blackmail your dog into doing what you are asking of him was not working for us. Luckily and thankfully, I found JoAnn Fine's Top Dog Obedience program. Her program works in every way. I can take my dog anywhere and know that he will listen and behave as he should in every circumstance. I love her and her trainers expectation that you are your animals pack leader and once you accept and follow that rule of thumb, both you and your dog are much happier. This training literally saved my pup from a rattlesnake bite last month, he was nosing around a bush and once I got closer I heard the noise and gave a "front" command, which means basically, no questions asked, no hesitation, come to me immediately, he did so right about the time the snake was in a strike position. For an unnuetered male pup of 10 months old that is something! I certainly would not have had a treat available at that moment! I could go on and on in regards to all the great things that come with this type of training but to sum it up it just works! read more

I love my doggie training class! From the first day i knew my wife really found the right place for our dogs! Currently Hank my male puppy pitbull , Izzie my inlaws aussie, and my adult mixed pitbul, Misty All attend classes here!:) The energy is great, the people are very nice and honest! In my opinion these people really love not only their jobs, but dogs and to me thats important for this type if thing. I own 3 pitbulls and when i say all three of them are the sweetest dogs i mean it. Still i take their training serious and want them to be model citizens so likei said this is mucho important to me and my family. Not only that, but we have definitely seen huge difference already when on leash walking and general obedience which is exactley what they needed. My dogs are now in intermediate and beginers classes so they still have a lot to learn, but i still have seen an amazing change! Not only to just obedience and following commands, but also in their confidence which is very cute to see! My lil buddy prances around struttin his stuff! Anyways this place is already highly recommended so if you are serious about your dog getting his act together and want a fun positive place for your dog, this is it! Thx so much to Taylor and team, God Bless! read more

We took our seven-month-old Golden Retriever to Top Dog with hopes to train him basic commands. We didn't realize we would be walking out of class each week with skills bonding us to Captain such as trust and loyalty. The dedicated Top Dog staff not only made themselves available to us, but also inquired weekly to help us become better dog owners. They are passionate about what they do and the results have tremendously exceeded our expectations. We are currently in our third set of classes and they have individualized techniques to help us with Captain's needs. We love and enjoy bringing him to different places where we are frequently complimented because Top Dog continues to give us the skills we need to have an obedient dog. Captain has transformed from a hyper, exuberant, and uncontrolled dog to a happy, well mannered, and enjoyable companion. He enjoys going to class and looks forward to training at home. Our experience with training at Top Dog greatly exceeds our expectations. We are excited to continue with agility and advancing through the different classes read more