Lisa has been working with my dog and I for almost a year, on and off. I am legally blind and so finding a ride for scheduled group classes is hard. We started with private classes after I got my sweet German Shepherd Dog puppy. As a previous GSD owner and having had other dogs too, I know the importance of a well trained and well balanced dog, especially with a larger breed. Private lessons went great! Always good to have a refresher on puppy training as they do t stay that way long. It's amazing the little things that can be forgotten over the years. We worked on all the basics, potty training, chewing, jumping and early commands like come, sit and drop it. What was also nice is being able to ask about any concerns. Learning about the psychology of days has been sooo very useful! It's so easy to think of our fur friends and apply human thoughts, feelings and behavior.but that just isn't the case! Their dogs and see the world different. Learning to see the world and situations through my sweet girls eyes has been a wonderful journey Lisa has taken us on! It has really enhanced the "basic training" you'd normally get with anyone else. We have also been able to attend a round of group classes. Even though this is not easy for me it's so so very important to expose young dogs to other dogs and people so they learn good behavior and just to have that exposure is good. The group classes were great! Lisa not only trained us people how to work with our dogs teaching commands (Let's face it, it's really people training we get because we're the ones going home and working with our fur babies everyday.lol) but she again gave us insight into why we should do things one way and not another way. Lisa explains these dog insights and behaviors so well that it just makes sense! I have continued with occasional private sessions as things have come up and wish I could do more group classes again, I just haven't had the ability to get us there unfortunately. I very highly recommend Lisa at Best Paws Forward for any training and behavior needs!! Thanks for everything you have done for us,Lisa I appreciate you and your help so very much! read more

Best Paw Forward - Pet Training Near Me - Chehalis, Washington

I appreciate Lisa and everything she's done for me and my dog. We work together as a team. We have taken 2 going on 3 of her 6 week training classes. I get complimented frequently of how well behaved my dog is. How calm she is and they can't believe that she's only 3. Lisa is always open for questions and making sure that it is a clear understanding of what to do. She has options of different types of tools to use to help lead your dog to success. I also love that after class she gives the option for puppy play time. read more

Best Paw Forward - Best buds. Both have worked with Lisa to ensure the best behaviors and friendly play with other dogs and people. - Pet Training Near Me - Chehalis, Washington

I've been training dogs and competing in dog sports for 30+ years. I was looking for an opportunity to work my young dog in a safe place around other dogs. I was in Lisa's advanced obedience class last year (2022). In my opinion that class wasn't safe. In that class there was an "incident" where one of the big dogs went after another dog. Then a 3rd dog joined into the dust up. It was our first night of doing stays together. Lisa set the exercise up with all the dogs on a long lines on a stay. The handlers were about 10 feet away from their dogs with the long line laying on the ground. The smaller dog and handler were instructed to walk around the training room between each dog and their handler. Because of the way the exercise was set up, the big dog owner didn't have any chance of stopping/controlling her dog and keeping him away from the other dog. This was the 3rd or 4th class in the series. At all of the classes, I had noticed that the big dog was making hard eye contact toward the other dogs and I had been keeping my distance from him and his handler. When the little dog (corgi) went between the big dog (German Shepherd) and his owner, the shepherd roared and went after the little dog. The little dog made noises and was knocked off of her feet. The dog next to the shepherd joined in. It all only lasted a minute or less and there weren't any physical injuries, but it was noisy and scary. I was surprised that Lisa said after the incident that she "didn't see that coming" as I thought it was obvious. This probably wouldn't have happened if Lisa had had the handlers next to their dogs with the dogs on a short leash while she had the other dog walk past to proof the stay. It was very inappropriate the way it was set up. I didn't feel like it was a safe place to take my dog and I dropped out after that. There are other local trainers to choose from... I'd recommend that you go watch some classes before you choose where to take your dog. read more

Took my Corgi to Lisa's Best Paw Forward for obedience class, including several 1:1's. I really appreciated her knowledge in helping correct certain behavioral issues goin on w/my super sweet but stubborn pup. She knows her stuff! Her suggestions have really made a positive impact and have supported me in setting boundaries. I know the education helped me just as much as it did my pup! read more

I took a class that went pretty well. I learned a lot and so did my dog. Then I signed up for a private lesson. The instructor overstepped professional boundaries by insisting on giving non-training related advice without accurate information, without bothering to ask questions or even let me explain the context of the situation. Then the trainer told me I was "always" doing certain things with my dog that just weren't true. I didn't understand why I was being scolded for inaccurate information that someone else gave her about me without even asking me about it first. I was baffled, shocked, caught completely off guard and was extremely disappointed. I never worked with this trainer again after the classes I had pre paid for were completed. I was very upset that the one on one interaction went so poorly since I did find her group training helpful. read more

a few years back, I went to one session of a group training with this company, that cost a lot of money for 6 sessions - paid in advance the first day. Lisa, the trainer, rents out various places to hold the group training. The one I was directed to go to was a broken down field next to an old house in a very poor place in Tumwater, with broken glass, debris, junk and trash everywhere. The dogs were supposed to train in and among this mess! My dog got a cut paw from a loose piece of metal and ended up at the vet. One person drove in, took one look and turned around and left without even getting out of her car. I wish I had done that as well. I spoke to her about not wanting to use a choke collar and she vigorously defended it as a practice to keep control of a dog. Her dog was a pit bull so maybe she needed to do that, mine did not have those problems. I told her I wasn't coming back, after the vet visit and the vet telling me there is no way a choke collar should be used. I was also upset about the stitches that were required to fix my pup's paw. Not only did Lisa refused to return my payment for the group sessions but she emailed me over and over, so many times, using rude language and basically was so angry, and would not admit it was a terrible place to hold training sessions. I had to block her from emailing me. Never again, and I would never recommend this company to anyone wanting to train their dogs. Unprofessional and was fine with choosing training areas that were unsafe. I'm posting this now because my dog has never been the same since the injury to his paw, she refused to admit the training area was unsafe and that was how he was injured, she kept my money and refused to pay the vet bill. I feel people should know about the past practices. Hopefully, some learning for this trainer has taken place and this doesn't happen any longer, but check her out very carefully before you give her your money. read more

We're using Best Paw for dog training and doggy day care and we love it so far. My dog comes away from day care tired and happy. We're also looking forward to more training classes from Lisa. Highly recommend! read more

I have had a great experience with Lisa. I agree with her training style and she has a lot of patience with both dogs and owners. I have been training with her help for a year now and we just started our second puppy with her. She is down to earth and has so much experience. I highly recommend her training classes! read more

I highly recommend Lisa! She is an honest, compassionate, dedicated dog person, an excellent trainer, and it shows in the way that she works with the dogs! And me! I have a new puppy, and after losing my 14 year old lab I was completely out of my element with a pup! I had to learn everything again, and my puppy did a much better job than I did, I have to say! Lisa was so patient with me, and helped both of us to learn work together! Tucker is such an amazing dog! So smart, and it is so easy now that he knows what to do and how to do it! I could not have done this without Lisa! Her decades of dog training experience are evident in all that she says and does! Dogs respond so well to her... Not just mine, but all of them! She is so kind and gentle with them! There is never any harsh words or harsh treatments! She taught me how to use a gentle leader, and a harness for Tucker, and never to clip the leash to his collar which would injure his neck /trachea if he pulled. I've learned so much from Lisa, and I plan to bring Tucker back for more training now that he's gotten a little older. I will never go any where else for my dog training! Lisa is AWESOME!!! read more

I have been a fan of Best Paw forward since my 1st. visit in 2017. I had a 9 month old male Saint Bernard with some issues, he was great with people just not other dogs ! I was extremely nervous to bring him into a group setting with other dogs, by the end of the 1st. class Lisa had taught me how to keep his focus on me. I went to the 2nd. class with much more confidence! He finished his AKC Star Puppy class with flying colors! He now weighs over 190 lbs and is welcome anywhere because of his good manners ! I have been so happy with the valuable information Lisa share's with each class that I am now in training with my 3rd. Saint Bernard. The best advise Lisa has given me to date has to be the use of the Gentle Leader for my giant breed dogs, where the head goes, the body will follow ! I look forward to more classes at Best Paw Forward, I learn something new each time around, plus Lisa make's learning fun. I cannot recommend Best Paw Forward enough ! read more

Lisa is a fantastic trainer. I took a previous puppy training class with another trainer and was disappointed.I then brought my 5 1/2 month puppy to Lisa and oh what a difference!! She suggested I use a gentle leader and I can now walk my puppy without all the pulling. Lisa is wonderful with people as well as with dogs and I plan to continue training with her through the Canine Good Citizen program. Thanks Lisa!! read more

We love Lisa Tyson. Her advise works! I highly recommend her to everyone! She turned my dog Jack around in 2 visits and people could not believe it was the same dog. Just hired her again because I got another dog and want things to go as smoothly as possible while transitioning. read more