We honestly can't say enough good things about Spencer! I rescued my anxious, reactive pup a few years ago and have been struggling through all different kinds of training, trying to get something to stick. It started to feel hopeless. I knew she was aware of what she SHOULD do, but getting her to do it was a different story. My partner and I saw a world of difference even after just the first session, and continued to see leaps and bounds ever since. The lifestyle adjustments he suggested, along with his detailed training plan and his coaching around our communication with her, have been truly life-changing for all of us. You can tell she's so much happier now that she doesn't feel like she has to stay "on guard" 24/7. Even our friends have been commenting on how much calmer she seems. I have done endless hours of research, online training guides, other trainers, etc, and nothing compares to the results we've seen with Spencer. In a world of infinite youtube "experts" and tiktok trainers, Spencer's calm, clear, and consistent approach really works. Now, whenever we see another reactive dog out in the wild, we just look at each other and say, "Man, they really need a session with Spencer." read more

We're able to enjoy time out of our home with our dog because of Spencer! Couldn't ask for more than that!! read more

Cultured Hounds - Pet Training Near Me

Over the years, Spencer has worked with all of our dogs. Behavioral issues ranged from reactivity with dogs to clinginess to demand barking and resource aggression. As pet parents with his help, we've developed more confidence with our animals navigating the outside world for a most fulfilling life. We owe all of our good moments to him. We consider him part of our family now Cody, Bella, Zora, Lucy, and Bobo are most grateful and will continue to work with him throughout the years.! read more

See all

Spencer is the man with the plan He's been real good with our Dog Rambo (our lovely/j in secure pit bull) Rambo loves him and the rest of the pack, I would definitely recommend him, especially to people that have A pup that is insecure, he will train and coach both dog and owner about steps needed to make your dog comfortable and happy. If you are thinking of trying Cultured Hounds, he has a great start up routine, from first evaluation to taking your dog in for the first time! Thanks Cultured hounds! read more

I've boarded my pup @Honeythepitweiler with Cultured Hounds on several occasions and every time Spencer and his amazing pack of dogs had managed to not only increase her confidence but help her truly become the dog she was made to be. We rescued her from a bad situation and unfortunately live in a small apartment complex so we didn't get the chance to properly socialize her as early as she should have been. She was about 6 months the first time she stayed with Cultured Hounds and at that time was very shy around some of the bigger dogs, not really sure how to interact during our outings to the dog beach and hikes. Spencer did an amazing job of first introducing her to some of the core pack members like Tahini, Baloo, and Irie. Tahini immediately helped to introduce her to healthy play. Despite her small size she is able to communicate with breeds of all sizes from pit bulls to mastiffs Tahini has a way of teaching these dogs how to interact in harmony. Baloo was very affectionate and it was a treat to see her play with a bigger dog and feel safe enough to let her guard down. Baloo was loving the puppy play a little too much, with a little direction from Spencer she was learning to set boundaries and let the bigger dog know when enough was enough. Despite him being much bigger he was receptive understood. In just a few minutes she was able to set boundaries. Something she hadn't really ever felt comfortable to do especially with a large mastiff like Baloo. Irie is a senior dog who was able to model boundaries plain and clear. Without any hesitation she let Honey know she did not appreciate her rambunctious puppy energy. After a few failed attempts of trying to engage some play she understood this dog was letting her know she was not interested in playing or any rough house. Honey was quick to pick up on this and respect it as Baloo showed her earlier. Spencer is absolutely great at what he does and truly has a special way of connecting with dogs. What puts Spencer above the rest in my book is his relationship with his dogs and ultimately the relationship they will have with yours when staying with Cultured Hounds. No matter how much time passes they will always be apart of the pack! I stand by the amazing work Spencer is doing and look forward to boarding Honey next time we go on vacation. She had an absolute blast with Dhalia during her last stay and I can't wait to see them play again. than more. read more

Cultured Hounds - Cultured Hounds Honey & Baloo - Pet Training Near Me

Spencer at Cultured Hounds is a godsend. After several different trainers worked with my reactive doberman, Spencer was the first trainer I encountered that took the time to understand the underlying issues of what both I and my dog needed to work on. In the time that I've worked with Spencer, he's helped me realize that when having a reactive dog, or even a dog that just needs a bit more structure, that it is not an overnight fix. He's helped me understand dog behavior and how to manage reactivity. We still train with Spencer and will continue to do so every chance we get! read more

Spencer is "the dog whisperer". His experience and knowledge on reading dog's behaviors is more than impressive. With that his sagacious techniques with communication and training has made me erudite dog owner and managing my dogs anxieties and behavior. When I am out with both my German Shepherds, I get stopped by people, that either had one or have had one and ask how I trained them. I always refer them to visit the Culture Hounds website and to contact Spencer! read more

Cultured Hounds - Pet Training Near Me

Having Spencer train our dog was a godsend because we had lost our dog that we've had for years and we found another puppy from the SPCA who had territorial and some aggression triggers, that we did not know how to address. Spencer is very direct with his feedback with what we need to do as a dog parents. He worked with us as a team, and from his pack walks and daycare sessions with our dog, Stella, there has been a tremendous improvement in her confidence, and in her ability to be a dog. Spencer is dependable, direct, and loyal. He will never steer you or your dog in the wrong direction. If you find something that you don't like with one of his methods, he will definitely work with you to find something that does. read more

We first saw Spencer at the dog park where he was walking a pack of dogs in a line. I approached him because I was amazed and ask him if he was a dog trainer . We set up time to meet up and he came to see my pit bull Rambo and had one of his pups with him in his truck. I told him rambi does not do well with other dogs but Spencer had a trick up his sleeve. He had me hold his pup and he held rambi. Taught Rambo to smell his dog from behind and see that everything was ok. We proceeded to walk the dogs together after this interaction and found a park where they could play. I couldn't believe Rambo was playing with another dog. We have stuck with Spencer ever since. He's also become family and a friend. We were so excited when he moved to Vallejo because that meant we had him real close. read more

Cultured Hounds is amazing! My sensitive pandemic rescue pup greatly benefits from the pack walks, training class and boarding services offered. Spencer is a dog whisperer/magician. My pup adores him and now has dog friends. read more

Cultured Hounds fostered our Yeti before we adopted him. The owner is a fantastic trainer and continues to be a huge help to us as we raise our XL pup. Whenever we leave town, we board our Yeti at Cultured Hound where he gets to have a fun vacation of his own with his favorite pack of dogs at his home away from home. Don't know what we would do without Cultured Hounds! read more

Cultured Hounds - We adopted Yeti a year ago after he was fostered at Cultured Hounds. He was trained and socialized so well at his time there. - Pet Training Near Me

We have a insecure dog we adopted as a pup during COVID and received recommendations of Cultured Hounds from a kind, understanding woman at Point Isabel. We reached out to Spencer and have been with him ever since! He provides great coaching for us as owners to help our dog feel confident and happy to say we've graduated past the muzzle phase at Point Isabel. It's so nice to see our dog relax and enjoy his park time- huge relief! Pack Walks on Saturdays is the highlight of the week to our little man. Spencer is also great for boarding support and we know our dog is in good hands. read more

I highly highly highly recommend Cultured Hounds ! Spencer is such a caring dog trainer and will personalize your experience to you and your pet! He always goes the extra mile to not only make sure that your pet is where you want them to be behaviorally. He helps relax your anxieties as well so that you and your dog can work together as one. Every time we see friends and family they comment on how our dog is more well behaved every time they visit. Our own Stella loves her Uncle Spencer and we're so happy we found him! read more

Spencer takes exceptional care of our dog when we board with him. Goose gets time to socialize and build his confidence at Spencer's house, all in a safe and loving environment. Spencer believes in our dog and his ability to overcome challenges with socialization and reactivity. Spencer is a kind and patient teacher and I would recommend him to anyone feeling lost or overwhelmed in the search for the right trainer for their dog's needs. read more

Spencer is the best. My dog, Georgie, is nervous, stressed, sensitive and has fear-based reactivity. Spencer is one of the only men she immediately bonded with. He knows exactly what she needs - whether it's a strong correction or a big hug. He taught us how to use the muzzle so that we could hike, walk, and exist in a world with other dogs safely. He also came to San Francisco and helped train my daily dog walker when Georgie was reacting to him. Strongly recommend Spencer for training and/or boarding! read more

If you are looking to train and rehabilitate any reactive/insecure/unsocialized dog, I HIGHLY recommend Cultured Hounds!! Before I met Spencer & his mentor pack, I was so terrified of taking my rescue pitbull Sapphire out to parks with off-leash dogs. Sapphire used to stalk dogs at a distance, lunge and bark if we tried to walk by, and would fight other dogs if they got too close. (She was especially reactive towards small dogs). Luckily, I was given Spencer's contact early on in my search for a dog trainer, and I was able to get a consultation within a week of contacting him through his website. When Spencer met Sapphire, he understood her anxiety very well. He was calm yet commanding and knew how to make corrections by using his body and voice. Unlike many other dog trainers, Spencer does not use treats or choke collars or e-collars to train dogs. He is a huge advocate for baskerville muzzles, which has allowed Sapphire practice socialization without ever hurting another dog. After the first consultation, I booked Sapphire's 3-day boarding evaluation right away. Spencer sent me updates of Sapphire, and it was amazing to see her transform so quickly. Without me around, Sapphire didn't have to be in a protective mode anymore--she was even initiating play with another dog! Within a few months, Sapphire was able to go off-leash at dog parks and befriend Tahini, the littlest dog in Spencer's pack! Sapphire continues to make big strides in her training, and I owe it all to Spencer's guidance. I've seen changes in myself as well and feel like I am a much more vocal and confident leader than I was before. I feel so fortunate that I was given Spencer as a recommendation early on. Dog training can get expensive so it's important to go with someone whose methods are going to work for the long-run! If you're thinking of starting your journey with Spencer, I'd recommend booking a consultation on his website (bc he is getting v popular and his bookings fill up quick). I'd also recommend going to the weekly Saturday morning classes because that's where you'll get hands-on training & meet other awesome dog parents in the community! read more

Really sad because I heard great things about this place. Just too bad the customer service was horrible. Was supposed to meet and never received a time or specific place for the date that was given for consultation for my dogs. I called left a message to which I received a text replay saying to email. Email responses take days. Don't waste your time! read more

Spencer is a dog-training guru. He's remarkably successful with more difficult dogs, and his approaches work without hurting your furry friend(s). Beyond this, his services offer rare and life-changing dog-to-dog social interactions for your pup. Free consult (not always easy to book, but FREE). Highly recommend! read more

Simply put Spencer and his pack take a chance on, and rehabilitate troubled dogs! And I should know, I've tried all the trainers. I am the lucky owner of a sweet hound, who has developed behavior problems with other dogs, she growls and snaps and general wants them to leave her alone. Because of this she has been booted out of doggie daycare, group walks and dog parks are simply a liability. When no one would take her on, Spencer would, and with a smile. She needs to be socialized, but, its tough to do so when you have act the way she does - she has since joined Spencer's pack and now goes off leash to beaches and hangs out with a pack of big, scary dogs (her words, not mine). She's stayed at his house, and we go on group walks at Pt. Isabel where I learn to not be the problem (cause it's normally our fault). He's got her able to go off leash (and she's a hound dog, and the other trainers said she'd require a shock collar), play well with other dogs and generally be a better dog. Also - she has a blast - loses her mind when he comes to pick her up - she's gone for hours and sleeps for nearly a day after. He's also a great guy who really cares - and is not phased by her (more than I'd like) bad behavior. I've spent thousands on different trainers and tools, but Spencer is the real deal! read more

Spencer is amazing and has helped me with my dog's unruly behaviors. I concur that he is the dog whisperer. He takes the time to understand your dog and trains you along with your dog. You will not be disappointed, and your dog will be a happier animal after working with Spencer. read more

I have an Italian Mastiff who has the sass of a 16 year old girl and is very wary of strangers. I got him as a puppy and honestly was way in over my head with this breed and how much work they are. If I had not found Spencer to work with him I do not know where I would be. I had spoken with many trainers about obedience and all of them had a generic "this is how you teach a dog x" Many of them were of the mindset that if my dog was not okay with strangers he would never be and that was the end of it. I could not for the life of me get my dog to remain calm or be confident around people. I thought he was broken, or I was broken as an owner. It was not until I started working with Spencer that I learned every dog has a different way of communicating and needs a different approach. His ability to get my dog to listen and relax around him is uncanny. Seeing the possibility of what my dog could learn brought back my confidence that I can teach my dog and have him feel more comfortable around people he doesn't know. It can take a little while for Spencer to get back to you, but as I understand it he work solo. Every time we have met his attention is 100 % on my dog and me. His weekend pack walks are great too, you get to meet his other clients and share stories and advice. Super appreciate the community that it brings. Having a reactive dog can feel very isolating. read more

Spencer has helped me tremendously with my rescue pit bull. She was difficult to begin and even walking her on leash was a challenge for me. With Spencer's care and attention she has become a truly social, serene companion, who is finally able to enjoys playing with other dogs. I did not know where to leave her when I had to go away for a few days. It was a serious concern for me. Now she gets to stay with Spencer and his dogs, and she is excited to go there, and excited and happy to see Spencer. And I am at peace. A walk with my dog is now a pleasant outing, two friends walking together and enjoying themselves ... I am deeply grateful. read more

Very happy with Spencer. Interviewed several dog trainer, Spencer is the most down to earth and realistic person. We have an unsocialized Pit-bull/lab mixed female dog and spending two nights with Spencer, she was able to ride in a car with other dog. Also Spencer's price is much reasonable than others. He even offers free consultation for the first time. We look forward to attending some training offered by him in the near future. read more

Spencer is a godsend...period! (or exclamation point in this case)

There's no other way to put it: Spencer speaks dog. Spencer has a calm yet commanding demeanor with the dogs, and an uncanny ability to know exactly what each dog needs and the skill to provide it. I've seen him work with dogs in his home and out on a pack walk and he is always in control of the pack. Regardless of size or breed or behavior, Spencer treats each dog with respect and love and helps them learn how to be more balanced. If we lived closer, I'd send my dog there on a regular basis! One thing that I appreciate most about Spencer is that he learned how to work with dogs by working with them. Books and videos and classes may help, but Spencer's innate skill is something you can't teach. I trust him 100% with my dog. read more

I really wanted to try this awesome dog trainer out because of all the great reviews. I booked on the website for an appointment weeks in advance, and the email said that Spencer would be in touch. Well, I organized my weekend around the appointment, which the email said would be from 12-4 on a Saturday. Unfortunately, Spencer never contacted me. read more

This review is long overdue.. Spencer helped me and Luna, my loving yet rambunctious pit mix puppy, as well as Katy, my other tiny terrier-chihuahua mix senior dog, also loving yet anxious at times (they are quite a duo). I've had only small older dogs before Luna but thought I knew about big dogs from interacting with them, reading lots of books, and taking dog training courses.. wrong. I've been realizing it's a whole new (wild) world to responsibly raise a big dog who wants to play without boundaries and am not sure where we'd be without Spencer. He knows how to interact with and bring out the best from the seemingly unmanageable dogs and has taught me so much about how to set boundaries. He knows when to praise and when to discipline, lovingly yet clearly. We've been joining his pack walk for many months now, and it's obvious the entire pack loves and respects him. I also appreciate greatly that he has invited my small and sensitive Katy to the pack walk without any reservation and demonstrated how all different shapes and sizes of dogs can coexist peacefully. I/my dogs are not yet perfect of course, but whenever I feel at the end of the rope, walking with Spencer always brightens the hope (Luna is pretty much perfect when she's with him:). I want to encourage anyone who feels their dogs are beyond their capacity to take a chance with Spencer; you won't be disappointed. read more

Recently moved from Chicago to San Fran with a dog that had serious aggression issues with other dogs. She was a rescue that had previously lived on the streets, so naturally she had to fight for basic survival. Had a trainer in Chicago, but we were not making much progress. When we found Spencer, we saw immediate progress. I can not accurately describe what an incredible trainer he is. Within weeks, our dog went from lashing out at other dogs to actually being able to run in a pack and feel safe. He effectively socialized her. Taught her how to responsibly interact with other dogs. It was amazing. But what is really great with Spencer is that he works very closely with the owners to teach us how to effectively work with our dog. How to continue to reinforce the positive behavior and change the negative behaviors. I can not recommend Spencer enough - especially for dogs with social issues. He is amazing. I could not be happier or more impressed with his work. You will not be disappointed with Spencer, his abilities to effectively train and his sincere love of dogs. He is great and I could not be more thankful for how he has made such a positive impact on our lives. If you have a dog with social issues - Spencer is the guy you want to work with. He clearly knows what he is doing:) read more