The only board and train I'd trust. Meryl has the skills and talent to really make a difference…read moreand help people and their dogs live better lives together. I've been blown away by her knowledge and ability to train dogs for years and I cannot recommend her enough. She knows her stuff!!

The long version: We…read moreadopted a very timid, quiet pup at the beginning of October who, once he'd settled in, turned into a smart, energetic, stubborn and barking pup. That wasn't an option as we live in an apartment with WFH neighbors and going potty means walks around town with lots of other dogs. Overwhelmed, I started googling and found so many 5* reviews for Meryl from Bay Area Balanced Dog training. After a very thorough phone consultation where she took the time to talk about her process/our options and answer our many questions/concerns (we were nervous/uninformed about ecollars), we opted to do a 4 week board and train with a few private lessons beforehand. It was more than I had budgeted, but I was upfront about that, and she worked with us on a payment plan leading up to his stay. The private lessons were so helpful, and I highly recommend doing that before your dog's stay. So much about his good behavior relied on me being a good handler. This practice was also like a bandaid before his training, seriously reducing my stress on our daily outings, and made the transition after his stay easy as I already knew the basics of how to ask him for what I expected in a way he understood/had learned with the trainer. The board and train itself was easy, though be aware there's some additional cost to supply all the tools pup will need during his training. That was rough for me at Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, she was happy to keep and train him during the holidays when we would be traveling anyway. Very convenient and saved me additional boarding bills. She provided lots of daily video and picture updates on Instagram which was nice/really lessened my guilt about leaving him with someone for four weeks. He came home the same happy, sweet dog we'd sent away, except now he can walk nicely on a leash without barking his head off at every animal he sees. She also worked on recall training which is such a relief for a high energy dog I just know would chase a bear on a hike as off leash skills are really important to me in a dog. We work daily on everything he's learned and he loves it so much. It's a lot of money for what was an average dog with average bad behaviors, but we really believe that starting your dog off on the right path with the best guidance is the way to ensure a healthy, happy, safe dog. We went on our first hike just a few days ago, and after all that practice, he got to experiment with being fully off leash. He listened to every command, every time, even when there were tempting birds. I want to have a dog that is as fully involved in my family's life as possible, and now that we both have these skills, I know with consistency and practice, that's what I'll get. Tldr: The board and train is expensive, but you get what you pay for. Highly recommend. It truly saved my sanity.

Our 2 year old GSD mix started struggling with reactivity and my partner and I felt like we needed…read morea lot of help/were lost training her ourselves. Luckily we found Gary at just the right time :) We knew we wanted to work with Gary just from the initial consultation. He was extremely knowledgeable and spoke about a lot of tools/techniques we previously researched and was not pushy at all about any training programs or commitments. We completed the Basic Obedience training program and the difference from when we started is amazing. Our girl is eager and motivated to work and we felt like we had great tools after each training session. Reactivity is definitely a journey but my partner and I feel so much more confident on walks and taking her around in public now that we have tools and techniques to rely on. Gary really cares about his clients, their progress, and well-being. He was extremely present during the sessions and communication about sessions was great and straightforward. Highly recommend for anyone looking for dog training!

I reached out to Gary for help with my dog Peaches and her leash reactivity, and he was extremely…read moreprompt in responding. The initial consultation went very well, and I learned so much about dog communication and how to better support Peaches. I also learned that she is a highly anxious dog, which explained many of the challenges I had been concerned about. We enrolled in Gary's six-week program and finished with the tools and knowledge needed to keep Peaches on the right track toward recovery. Just like humans, dogs rehabilitate at their own pace, and over those six weeks Peaches made significant progress. We're looking forward to enrolling in advanced training once she's ready so she can enjoy more freedom off-leash. Gary is not like other trainers we've worked with. He doesn't rely on obedience-based shortcuts or gimmicks. Instead, he teaches you how to work through real situations and explains the theory behind his approach so you truly understand what's happening and how to handle stressful moments. Most importantly, Gary teaches you how to become the focal point for your dog, which has made a lasting difference for us.

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!

Dan is great! For the past three years we've contacted Dan with several issues. He is always…read moreprompt, professional, patient and very very helpful. We have a husky / doberman mix who is NOT food or treat oriented so it's been rough at times, but Dan has helped us learn how to change our habits to help her.

I adopted my sweet girl and in the beginning, she was going through some separation anxiety -…read morescratching the paint off the front door, chewing the corner and the leg of the couch, etc. I called Bark Busters and Dan was able to fit me in that week for an evaluation! He taught me how to train and speak their language (she's a Husky, so very stubborn!) and I was able to see improvement in her and myself so quickly! I still reach out to Dan for advice and help! Recently, she went through a phase of not wanting to eat 4 different types of food and only wanted to eat my food. Dan responded right away with advice and reassurance, and my girl was back to eating within a week after that. Thank you Bark Busters, and thank you Dan!

I have taken my puppy to Janice's beginning puppy class. I liked her teaching method so much that…read moreI currently have him rolled in her intermediate puppy class. Her training methods are easy to learn and to reinforce. Most of her method involves positive reinforcement. My puppy has learned to sit, stay, leave it, and wait until invited in or out. He learning how to heel and ignore distractions. Her focus is not on tricks but on practical things that one needs to have an obedient dog. Her training has made him a very good puppy which is important in my household.

Janice is an incredible trainer. Her wealth of knowledge is so impressive! She is thoughtful,…read moreresponsive and makes training really fun and informative. She helped my dog with leash reactivity and really meets pups where they are at. Highly recommend.

Hillary is an excellent dog trainer and wonderful person to work with! She is very kind and patient…read morewith the dogs. She helped me work through some fear issues my show dog had about being examined by the judge. She approached it positively, letting the dog work at her own pace and never pushing her past what she was comfortable with. She is a balanced trainer that believes in a mind body approach to dog training. She helped me develop a great exercise routine for my dog to keep her both mentally and physically stimulated. She's really worked wonders with my puppy and I trust her completely with all my dogs needs. She even trains service dogs and will be getting her Masters of Science Degree from Bergin University of Canine Studies. You can't find a better all around teacher and dog person than Hillary. She will custom tailor a solution that works with your family's needs, and she used to be a teacher with Teach for America so she can help you train your kids to train and walk that dog they always wanted! Look no further than Hillary for training your family pet or working and performance dog. I can't recommend her enough. She really helped my dog succeed and just a couple weeks ago she won big at a dog show getting a Best of Breed over dog that was already a champion.

Would not recommend. $1,700 and three weeks of training for 6 hours a day and all my 20 week puppy…read morelearned was to walk on a leash. None of the requests (sit, stay, come, etc) were taught. Hilary didnt do a great job at communicating or setting expectations.

We had a great experience with The Dog Wizard! Harry was our…read moretrainer and he was exceptional. We did a board and train with our dog and truly noticed a big difference after the training. Harry set a great foundation for our dog and we can confidently say there is a significant positive impact. We shared our concerns and goals with The Dog Wizard and they executed in jump starting it for us. We feel confident and comfortable to continue training with our dog because we've been provided with great tools and resources to help us succeed. We have done different trainings in the past and this was definitely the best one for us. I would highly recommend!

I HIGHLY recommend the 15-Day training program through The Dog Wizard in Walnut Creek! Such a…read morewonderful team in Harry & Zara! Thank you both from the bottom of our hearts for giving Duckie Louise a strong foundation rooted in love and appropriate, attainable expectations. from Darcy, Ben, 13-year-old Precious, and 8-month-old Duckie Louise!

If I could give 10 stars, then I would give 11…read more Ksenyia and Amanda are professional and trusted dog-trainers. For the past five years, these ladies have walked, trained and cared for our family dog, Hummus, who is a pit-bull mix. We adopted him from the San Francisco SPCA. Like many pit-bull mixed pups, his opportunities for finding a loving home were slim. He was anxious, nervous and afraid of others. Aggression is the first word that came to mind, but for us, he was just misunderstood. Kas and Amanda are patient, reliable and kind. Since we brought Hummus home they gave continuously worked with his anxiety and affliction to other dogs. We would be lying if we said he was perfect, but like humans, dogs are not perfect. Nonetheless, he has a come a long way from lunging, barking and growling at other animals. Kas and Amabda have made vast improvements in his temperament. We now have two human pups of our own. He is respectful and has nothing but love and compassion for them. Hummus boards with Kas and Amanda for periods of a time while we travel. They have always been reliable and responsive to our needs, not to mention flexible when situations arise. These ladies started out as our dog walkers, but as we continued to grow in family size our relationship grew as well. We are honored and proud to call them our dog trainers, but most importantly, trusted family friends. Their youth, passion and dedication are truly inspirational.

I trust Amanda and Kseniya more with my dogs than I do anyone else around. They are professional…read moreyet funny and kind.

Camp Bow Wow has been my go to location for boarding my dog or for just having a fun play day!…read more Camp Bow Wow has cameras where you can monitor your pup playing all day which is really helpful for an overprotective dog mom like me. Sending my dog here helps with getting him socialized with other dogs. Not to mention it really tuckers him out after a fun filled day. After the first initial meeting with Camp Bow Wow, scheduling days for your dog to stay is easy through their app. They also have special offerings. They offer baths and nail trims. They also offer special enrichment packages like cuddle time or a sniffing game. If you choose the enrichment packages they will send you a photo and a synopsis of how well your dog did during the enrichment time! Love this place!

I was just raving about this place to a friend and then realize I had never taken the time to write…read morea yelp review! We love camp bow wow and so does our fur baby, Mellow. She is thrilled to go there weekly and they take such good care of her. She is a slow to warm dog but they worked with us until she got comfortable enough in their environment (they are diligent in their interviews) to start going there and now she is a big fan and so are we! The crew is consistently kind and awesome, which to me shows the owners are setting a great tone and have cultivated a wonderful culture.

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.