Kathy is a phenomenal at training people and their dogs. She's helped us with in-home training,…read moreoff-leash practice, and everything that's come up in between. She also hosts monthly classes that are free for clients who work with her regularly and has put in lots of additional time inviting dogs (and their people) to tag along on pack walks. It's clear that she does this work because it's her passion and she cares about dogs being happy and well cared for. "Balanced" dog training includes tons of treats, lots of play, and the safety needed to make sure no one gets hurt. We weren't sure what to expect from training with Kathy, but it's been a wonderful balance of true fun, silliness, joy, and clear and firm boundaries. We're so grateful to have her in our lives.

I cannot recommend Kathy at Cause and Effect Dog Training enough! When we first reached out, our…read moreSpringer Spaniel, Checkers, was fearful, anxious, and often growled at my spouse and sometimes even at our kids. We had already tried multiple trainers, different techniques, and even followed our vet's suggestion to try antidepressants--but nothing was helping (in fact, the medication only made things worse). The moment I spoke to Kathy on the phone, I felt confident she truly understood the problem and could guide us in the right direction. And she absolutely has. Over the past year, Checkers has made tremendous progress thanks to Kathy's knowledge, patience, and the clear guidance she gave us. We followed her suggestions carefully--even switching vets based on her recommendation--and the results have been life-changing. Earlier this year, we had to travel out of the country and trusted Kathy to board Checkers. During that time, he developed a beautiful bond with her partner Dan. This was nothing short of amazing, as Checkers has always been fearful of men. Watching their relationship grow has been such a gift. With Kathy's help (and the influence of her own two balanced dogs), Checkers has learned how to be a dog--something I once thought might never happen. He now participates in pack walks and can even run off-leash in the fields, something I couldn't have imagined a year ago. If you're struggling with your dog's behavior and feel like nothing is working, do yourself and your dog a favor and call Kathy. She and Dan have changed our lives, and I am endlessly grateful for the care and dedication they've shown to Checkers and to us.

I visited this place with my wife and I a number of times. We had been looking for the right dog…read morefor so long, and I'm glad the team of volunteers were able to help me so kindly. This is the cleanest shelter I've been to by far, you can tell the volunteers here really care about the animals there. They always have new kittens and pups!! Perfect amount of space in their back area to get to know the baby you want. They even have a section of free clothes, toys, and everything you need for your dog and cat donated kindly from people in the neighborhood. I really love this shelter. A reminder to adopt not shop!!

I came to the Berkeley Humane Society after being told they were providing a free health clinic on…read moreSaturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7. This included free spay and neuter services with advanced sign-up. The staff and volunteers were absolutely amazing--so kind, organized, and genuinely helpful throughout the entire experience. One of the sponsors was Tony LaRussa and LaRussa Rescue, along with other rescue organizations. Tony and his wife were there during our visit, taking time to chat with people and personally thanking everyone for coming, which was incredibly touching. I've been wanting to visit this shelter for a long time, and I'm so glad I finally had the opportunity. The dedication and compassion of everyone here truly shows. An amazing place filled with amazing people.

We highly recommend Jayne, she is a very experienced dog trainer. Very flexible with scheduling…read more Also very responsive over text.

Jayne is amazing! I actually called Jayne bc I was worried abt my young pom bc he jumped on another…read moredog on one of our walks. I was so worried and embarrassed! I called my vet as soon as i got home! My vet suggested I call this particular behavioral trainer she knew and so I did. (It wasn't Jayne). This behavioral trainer told me I should return my dog to breeder. I should never fall asleep with this breed on my bed (Pomeranians) as they could bite my face off. She continued to tell me all these horrible stories abt poms. I was so confused and upset when I hung up. My husband insisted I get another opinion. I found Jayne's info online the next day and called her. She came over same day because she knew how upset I was and she wanted to meet my fur baby. Needless to say, she is amazing! I am so happy I made that call! My pom is now 5 yo and he is fabulous! Sweet, entertaining, and so well-behaved because of Jayne's training!

Best dog training ever . My dog loved it so much we took every class possible, puppy socialization,…read morebeginning medium and advanced obedience and then Sandi created a special class for those of us still Interested... happy hour with dogs! Participating bars invited us and our dogs to low cost happy hour drinks. Omg, so much fun and such well behaved dogs in every situation Of course, not sure if all these classes offered all the time, but we sure did love it when we took em Honestly, best decision you'll Ever make! You and your four legged best friend will be happier and better off for rest of your lives To

Best experience imaginable. The trainers are fantastic and they make dog training fun for both pups…read moreand pup parents!

I can't say enough good things about Jonathan! I reached out for help with my dog, Novah, who…read morestruggled with reactivity toward other dogs, especially because we had an upcoming road trip to Canada. What really stood out to me was his patience, knowledge, and willingness to take the time to not only understand Novah but also teach me how to better understand her. I've worked with other trainers before, but this experience was different. He didn't just tell me what to do. He explained why she behaves the way she does and gave me practical tools and techniques to help her succeed. He helped me realize that training isn't just about changing my dog's behavior; it's also about teaching me how to communicate with her, build trust, and handle situations with confidence. I'm happy to say that Novah did amazing on our trip! She still had a few moments when she felt overwhelmed, but the difference in her behavior was incredible. She's now much less reactive, and I feel so much more confident handling her. I'm truly grateful for the time, patience, and care he put into helping us. If you're looking for a trainer who genuinely cares about both the dog and the owner and takes the time to teach you, I highly recommend Pack Leader Dog Training!

We had adopted our Kody boy 8 months ago from a shelter. It was a very hard five months trying to…read moreget him settled with a routine. We all had different ways of how to train him and it was causing a rift in the family. I was turned down by some trainers until I came across Jonathan Wong's page. He was local, he was fast to get back to me and he was willing to give us a chance after everything I told him. Kody still has a long way to go and I will continue with Jonathan as his trainer, but it is night and day after three months of training with Jonathan. He was dog and people aggressive, to the point we had to avoid them entirely. We can now go for walks, albeit we move opposite of any dog and can keep walking without any barking or pulling. He was always actively pulling on the leash and bad at recall. He is loose leashed now and responds with recall with our daughter. In the end I had to get use to the idea that Kody was a crate or muzzle dog when it came to large crowds or people in our home. I felt awful but Jonathan was so supportive and positive as I came to terms with it. I hope as we continue to train with Jonathan and Kody builds his confidence that soon things might change for him. Jonathan has such a kind soul and so encouraging when it comes to both us and Kody. I cannot thank Jonathan enough for what he has done for us. He left solid foundations for us to grow on. Kody is such a sweet and smart boy, and we always want the best for him. Jonathan truly is the best.

2 weeks of board and train with Pat has made huge improvements in reducing reactivity in my German…read moreshepherd mix rescue dog. Over the four years I have had her, she has progressively gotten more reactive to the point that I can no longer let her off leash except in the most controlled circumstances and walks were stressful and unpredictable. Whenever we encountered another dog or any other animal, I would have to brace myself for lunging, barking, and potentially getting dragged down the street. When I picked her up from board and train a week ago, she showed much improvement. I had been concerned that corrections could dampen her spirit but that was not the case. She's still as sweet and spirited as ever. Also, I noticed she had bonded closely with Pat which was a good sign. The improvement in her reactively became very apparent when I took her to Pat's group class for the first time today. In the past, she would have started barking from the car at the dogs in the park and I would not have been able to walk her anywhere near a park full of dogs. Today, I was able to walk her into the park without incident, and during exercises where the dogs had to walk near each other and sit within 3 feet of each other, I was amazed that she could do the exercises without a lot of stress and even seemed somewhat relaxed. That never would have happened before Pat! I look forward to taking my dog to as many group classes as we can! Thank you Pat!

Pat is fantastic! I…read moreenrolled Harley, my very reactive doxie puppy, in one-on-one sessions followed by a 2-week board and train program and it was the best decision I've ever made. Pat uses these awesome analogies to help you understand the way dogs think and react. You can tell he is extremely knowledgeable and breaks down the training process in a way where it's straightforward for both you and your pup. I can see how it may be awkward to meet a total stranger who is then teaching you how to train your "child", but it never felt that way with Pat. He is super down to earth, hilarious and extremeley personable. I continue to use his dog sitting services until this day and I can tell my Harley girl adores him!

I departed a while ago from another vet due to their repeatedly jostling my dog's MAST cancer sites…read more(this uniquecancer is triggered by histamines) and insisting on tests to confirm an obvious condition. My my, what a difference experience the BAnimalHospital staff and doctors. They listen. Carefully. They are courteous, efficient and kind. No having to pay for tests to confirm what is already known -- unnecessarily. I think they are stellar. They are also proactive. There's usually parking out front (metered). The wait times are reasonable. Recommended!

Best experience for veterinary services in Berkeley. Calm,…read morecompetent and organized from the moment you enter. You can feel confident with the care, your pet will receive.

Bryan is so good at what he does. If you've been thinking about scheduling dog training, just do…read moreit! After her first lesson, Kala was a changed dog. And now, after completing our first round of dog training, it is honestly hard to remember how much she used to pull on leash. Before we decided to get training, it had reached a point where we had started avoiding taking her out, which made us really sad. With a baby to manage now, an overexcited dog pulling on the leash had become too much to handle. After only two lessons, we took her back to our favorite pizza spot. It's a tight space with so many distractions and food temptations, and she stayed in a down the entire dinner. When we got up to leave, the people next to us literally said, "Wait, there was a dog here!?" Being able to include Kala in those outings again means so much to us. Thank you, Bryan!

We cannot recommend Mutt and Tumble Dog Training enough. Bryan helped transform our two doodles…read morefrom 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.

I have brought my dog to Happy Hound for over twelve years, after we tried another doggie day care…read more The staff at Happy Hound knows and cares about all the dogs, they have a thoughtful system for placing every dog in the appropriate group based on the dogs' energy level and temperament (mine is cranky with other dogs and wary of people), and the staff (all great) really understand how to accommodate different dogs -- no matter the size, breed or personality. For years my dog was there five days a week as I commuted into the City, and I always knew she was safe and happy there. Really the best facility for boarding dogs. M.A.B.

Short version, they stole $2500 from us, and we heard they are oldschool and use punitive measures…read moreon the dogs. They claim to be positive reinforcement only, but I heard this from one of the two licensed dog behavioralists in the area. This tracks with talking to the boss and hearing her talk about the "alpha" which is antiquated terminology. long version - we were researching a place to board our dog, and went for the 1 month board and train. We then heard that they use punitive measures when training the dogs so in less than 24 hours we canceled. They take half the money as a deposit, which in this case was nearly $2500. We asked for a refund and they said no. They said it's in the contract, which it is, but they do not make it obvious, and certainly nobody told us that verbally. You really have to read that thing. They said we could use the money toward future services but as they use punitive measures we will not be working with them. So, they stole $2500 from us. Be careful of what you're getting into.

After a year or so with mixed results in the Bay Area, we began taking our dog, Cleo, to The…read moreBarkmont for daycare. We wanted a smaller, hands-on environment where Cleo would be able to socialize with dogs regularly. But also, be consistently observed to avoid things like dogs fighting or worry that they don't have enough water, etc. After a few years of weekly visits, The Barkmont has been a huge help to us. Knowing that we have a reliable daycare spot, Cleo has taken to it as well. She howls with excitement on the way to "school" (as we call it) and comes home pleasantly exhausted. In addition, their overnight services have been excellent and we're never concerned about how she's doing if we have to leave town for an evening. Highly recommend this spot in Berkeley for anyone looking for a dog daycare or boarding place.

We have been boarding our dog and sending her for daycare to the Barkmont for about 3 years now. It…read moreis a fantastic safe place for her and a good price given other options (many more expensive options don't even have playtime included!!). She always runs right in when we drop her off and we can tell she has a lot of fun when we watch her on the webcam. Her latest stay was 2.5 weeks and while she was exhausted when we picked her up from playing so much she is very healthy and happy. In situations where our travel plans have delayed us in picking her up, they have always been incredibly kind and understanding. We started adding walks to her long stays so she gets some individual outside time in addition to all day inside playtime. I have nothing but good things to report about the Barkmont and they make being a dog owner in the Bay so much easier. I also think they are just really good people, I heard they now partner with local pet rescues to give their foster dogs some socialization and love. Makes us feel good supporting them. Picture is from home but the boarder in question.