Infinite out of 10 -- Ben is the Dog Whisperer with an MBA, ph.D, M.D, heck even a J.D all in one…read more
We just finished our first session with Ben, and I'm already looking forward to the next one. He personally invited us to be able to go to his backyard where he trains all his Champion level of dogs.
Honestly, if Yelp allowed me to bribe people into reading this with dog treats, I would. But since they don't, here's my attempt at the next best thing: a very honest, slightly over-dramatic, and absolutely heartfelt review about why you need to call Ben.
Because let's face it -- dogs are not just pets. They're family. They fill your life with joy, cuddles, chaos, and occasionally the type of stress that makes you wonder if you should start a side hustle just to cover the cost of chewable furniture replacements.
Our Story
I grew up with a Rat Terrier for 9 years (basically a furry rocket with opinions) before he went to Heaven. My wife grew up with a Labrador who lived to 12 before also crossing over. So when we adopted our mixed-breed Labrador, Chestnut, at about 5 months old, there was both a big hole in our hearts and a lot of nerves.
Here's the twist: Chestnut's first home meant well, but with kids and chaos, she wasn't trained properly. Crating was used as punishment, schedules were nonexistent, and walking her was basically "good luck and Godspeed." Enter my realization: asking for professional help isn't weakness -- it's investing in your family member's happiness (and your sanity).
So I went hunting for help, and Yelp led me to Ben at Canine Concierge. Thank goodness it did.
Initial Consult: The McKinsey of Dog Training
Ben is basically the management consultant of the dog training world -- he asks all the right questions, digs into context, and gives you that "wow, he gets it" feeling within minutes.
What stood out? He didn't pressure us into booking. He listened, understood where my wife and I were, and his love for dogs (he owns a Champion pure-bred Labrador himself) radiated through everything he said. Professional? Check. Empathetic? Double check. Convinced? Sold.
Pricing
Compared to the big chains (looking at you, PetSmart ), Ben's pricing is a breath of fresh air. Affordable, transparent, and -- as you'll see in the next section -- worth every single penny.
The Session
Ben personally came to our home (already a win). He started by meeting Chestnut outside, letting her warm up naturally, instead of charging in like some trainers who start barking commands at you before even greeting your dog.
We then walked Chestnut back as we normally would so Ben could see her behavior in real time. It felt less like a "training bootcamp" and more like a science-backed strategy session. The man is part professor, part dog whisperer, and part stand-up comedian -- I was engaged the entire time.
Training & Education
Here's where Ben shines. He doesn't just tell you what to do; he teaches you the why. Using metaphors, anecdotes, and even little history lessons, he explained Labrador psychology in a way that made me feel like I was back in school -- only this time, I actually wanted to take notes.
Chestnut learned to see her crate as a safe space, not a punishment zone. We tackled leash pulling, especially in distraction-heavy environments. And the best part? Ben never pushed a "my way or the highway" approach. If something didn't align with our family, he adapted. That respect for personalization is rare and invaluable.
Above & Beyond
The cherry on top: after leavin-
Ben actually turned his car around to drop off a Butter Collar for Chestnut to help with pulling. Who does that?! That's not just customer service -- that's passion and care in action.
WOW!!!!!!!
Final Verdict
Look, I could keep writing, but I'd risk giving away Ben's trade secrets. What I will say is this: if you want the best for your dog (and you should), Ben and Canine Concierge are the only call you need to make.
This wasn't just training -- it was an investment in Chestnut's happiness, our peace of mind, and our family dynamic.
Infinite out of 10. Highly recommend. And seriously, this man needs way more reviews.