I have been positively impressed with Kaajal's knowledge, professionalism and experience. Following adopting of a 1+ year old mixed breed female dog from a local shelter I have retained Kaajal's services to evaluate the behavior, advise on a plan and guide me. Kaajal's help has been very valuable and outstanding. I highly recommend Kaajal as a future trainer for your dogs. read more

D For Dogz - Pet Training Near Me

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We were really struggling with our puppy when we reached out to KT to ask for help with training. She was incredible from the start: reassuring, and realistic. She started with simple goals: get our dog to know what to do so we don't have to tell him, and through teaching him calm behavior he would become more calm all the time (I was incredibly skeptical). We had several private sessions, and worked on everything from sitting, not eating food off the ground or the high chair, how to feed him, how to walk him, how to keep him from demolishing our 2 year old, and are ending with drop and come (also skeptical we would arrive here). Our dog is a completely different dog: he is calm, seriously, he has stopped peeing when we come down in the morning and when we come home, he is so well behaved around the kiddos they now feed him solo. Even when your not in session you will receive videos and be asked to send videos. KT is incredibly supportive all the time, and sincerely wants to make you and your dog happier. We are so grateful for our time with KT, and will continue working with her in the future. read more

KT is a wonderful dog trainer. She's very experienced working with dogs with big feelings, ones that might be reactive when walking on the leash, and training them without the use of any aversive tools. She's an excellent trainer for dogs and their people to set them up for success. Whether you take her group classes, do board and train, puppy day school, or take private classes, you will learn so much about your dog and how to help them. I highly recommend KT as a top choice for training your dog positively. read more

I met Kaajal back in January, with my pooch Duke. Quick background on Duke: He was found abandoned on the streets in Fresno, estimated to be two weeks old. We adopted him at 8 weeks old from an organization in Redwood City (Pound Puppy Rescue) in November 2019. His foster family determined he was a shepherd mix. We had a short stint with a trainer almost immediately after adopting Duke. While Duke was deemed highly trainable, we just didn't feel he was making progress as fast as we had hoped. He had body handling issues (growled when we would try to carry him or touch his abdomen/chest), treat/toy aggression (growled at our older, mild mannered dog with ANY toy or food), and darted all over the place when a walk was attempted (even in our own front yard). He seemed on the road to becoming a frantic hostile dog, and I had no idea how to gain trust with him. I felt nervous around him. Any puppy owner out there, you know this is one of the worst feelings to have when you have committed to raising this addition to your family. Following a DNA analysis, we found out Duke is a mix of Belgian Malanois, German Shepherd, and Chinese Sharpei. Any one of these breeds (especially Belgian) can be a challenge to train, and we got a mix of all 3! I've only had experience with my mild mannered older doggo, with no idea how to proceed with this pile of temper and boundless energy. Now what? Enter Kaajal (KT for short). She met us at my home for an evaluation. She had a calming sense about her, a relaxed professional, while friendly and focused as well. She had a command of Duke's attention, using only positive reinforcement methods. She has options that I didn't find with other local trainers, including board and train, dog day school, and private lessons (with flexibility within those options). We opted for dog day school. 3 days a week, 6 hours per day, with 30 minutes of each of those days working with KT and doggo together. In addition, this program included 30 minutes every Friday with a lesson catered to your concerns (mine included being in calm in public areas and walks with Duke keeping his mellow). We met in January, as previously mentioned. After coming up with a training plan and a set schedule, the coronavirus threw a wrench into our perfect set up. Miraculously, she figured out a way to adapt with training, and transfer lessons (dog, owner and trainer) adhering to safety recommendations. Masks and social distancing, she has this figured out even in "these uncertain times". She is also incredibly flexible. With the coronavirus, and also throwing out my shoulder in May, we had to make some schedule adjustments, and she made it all feasible, easily. Duke is nearing his first birthday. He's still a Belgian Malanois German Shepherd Chinese Sharpei. Now, he has impulse control. He follows commands. He looks to me to guide him, rather than melt down because his surroundings overwhelm him. He comes when I call him, even if his favorite past time (chasing squirrels) must come to an end. None of this would have been possible without KT. Her knowledge and guidance helped achieve what I wasn't sure was possible: a trust between my dog and I. She works with dogs and owners with needs on many levels. Reach out to her! You won't regret it! read more

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Wow just wow! Finding Kaajal (aka KaTi) has been a godsend! I needed help with my fear-reactive (barking/lunging) mini Aussie who is afraid of both strangers and strange dogs. I didn't want to work with anyone that used choke chains or e-collars to train reactivity as it often makes it worse. Fortunately, I stumbled upon D for Dog and discovered that KaTi is a force-free positive based behavior trainer! Not just your run of the mill obedience trainer, but someone who can "read dog" and knows how to not only communicate with them but earn their trust and help them grow confidence and calmness in the world around them. KaTi has not only helped me work on how to train my pup and improve his confidence and reactivity, but she has also really been there for me emotionally. I cannot explain the stress, anxiety, and sometimes hopelessness that can come with owning a reactive dog - if you're dealing with it yourself, you'll know what I mean. I just can't thank KaTi enough for being there when I'd had a bad day and checking in to see how I was doing. Giving me pep talks and helping me see the light at the end of the tunnel. Telling me her own stories and really helping me understand the situation. It's been so wonderful having her in my corner! She really has gone above and beyond what I ever could have expected or imagined. My pup is still a work in progress, but I've seen so much change in him in such a short time, and I feel confident working with KaTi that sooner than later we'll get him to a point where he can face the world without fear. I only wish I'd known her from the get-go as I'm convinced we could have stopped this behavior from reaching the point it has! There's just so much bad advice out there for anxious dogs. Often times, the general consensus on how to socialize - including standard training practices (even positive ones) - can make things worse for these types of dogs. I can't recommend KaTi's services enough. Whether you're dealing with a fear-reactive dog like me, or just raising your young pup, KaTi is the way to go! Her focus on behavior really helps the dogs learn not only to listen but to be calm and confident both at home and out in the world. And ultimately, that's really all you need. read more

I came to KT as a slightly overconfident trainer after watching lots of YouTube videos on my own. I had taught Miso the corgi a few tricks, sit, and down, but she was easily distracted on walks and barked at everything. I thought Miso just needed some obedience training, but boy was I wrong! KT taught us the importance of socialization and how Miso could become a calm and confident puppy. After just 1 week, she stopped barking, and by the end of our 6 weeks, she was absolutely calm in new situations and maybe a little too confident (corgi attitude!). KT really understands dogs and helps humans see the world from their dog's perspective. She's basically transformed her home into different training stations, so you know that dogs are a huge part of her life. Her lessons have really helped me as a human to problem solve long-term by understanding what my pup might be feeling and what I'm ACTUALLY rewarding. I will admit that at first I was concerned about the price for board & train, but it really is an investment in Miso's happiness and access to a lifetime supportive coach. KT accommodated MIso as a puppy on a short timeline despite several unfortunate personal events, and continued to support us when we moved to 2 different places via video lessons. She is always a text/call away to translate whenever I feel like I'm not understanding my pup. I am so thankful for KT and highly recommend D for Dog, especially for puppies (earlier the better!!). read more

Every once in a while life throws you an angel...and KT from D for Dog was that angel sent for me. I reached out to D for Dog after reading genuine reviews on Yelp and feeling overwhelmed introducing a new puppy into my household. I was not sure what was normal vs abnormal puppy behavior and was really struggling with my 13 year old dog's reaction to the new puppy. I had a very long initial phone call with KT and was initially surprised and impressed how genuine and willing to help she was - giving me all sorts of tips on the phone before we even had a working relationship. From the start KT always clearly laid out my options. And always gave me several options. I invested in private lessons and we got to work helping my puppy understand how and when to calm himself. She gave guidance on what behaviors to allow and which to correct. She helped me understand how to work and interact with my puppy. The thing about KT though is that she also took on other roles I did not ask of her - namely therapist and friend. She'll just say that she's doing her job but I know while to some degree that's true, she's going above and beyond because she has such a good heart and sees her clients not just as the fur ones. Highly recommend her services. read more

My boyfriend and I adopted a rescue dog, Harley, and quickly discovered she was fearful of strangers and reactive to other dogs. We chose D for Dog because Kaajal has multiple certifications, uses force free methods, and offers classes at convenient locations and times. We were unsure whether Harley would be able to handle a public group class setting, but Kaajal was skilled in running classes with multiple dogs and tailored the training to each dog's individual needs. She is clearly passionate about training, and provides lots of encouragement. We completed Basic Manners and Public Manners and Harley has learned several important skills, such as recall and walking nicely on leash. Going to different locations and practicing being in proximity to other people and dogs has made her much more comfortable around people, and lessened her reactivity to dogs. Next we are taking Kaajal's class for leash reactive dogs. D for Dog training is a great investment for anyone who wants to correct their dog's problem behaviors, and Kaajal is wonderful to work with. read more

I found Kaajal when I was at the most overwhelming time in my life. I had two puppies, 5 months old and I was spinning out of control. She was like an angle that helped me and my puppies through some tough times. Her skills as a trainer go above and beyond, but her people skills are just as impressive. I would show up crying, I would cry on the phone with her and I would forget a lot of things but Kaajal always knew what to do and say to fix it. After five months we are at a happy place and it's all because of Kaajal. I will be continuing my training with her as long as she wants us. You can never learn to much!! I would highly recommend D for Dog Training to anyone in need of help. read more

We were really disappointed with our previous dog trainer and were looking for someone who really loves dogs and can understand them. Kaajal is exactly what we were looking for. She has an amazing relationship with Coco our dog and she loves Kaajal. Coco actually gets super excited for all training sessions with Kaajal. Coco had confidence issues, she would be scared to go for a walk outside, but Kaajal helped build her confidence. Coco now explores all new places and is not scared at all. I highly recommend Kaajal, as I completely trust her with Coco. She has helped me learn a lot about not just training but also how to read dog food labels and what food to feed her. She is an amazing person and I am glad we found her. read more

Kaajal is truly gifted when it comes to helping dogs & dog parents. My rescue pup is fearful of other dogs and strangers. We've been working with Kaajal on managing his anxieties and I trust her judgement implicitly. She is without doubt my dog's favorite person! Having a reactive dog can be very challenging and I have had to lean on Kaajal countless times for advice & support. She has come through each time, guiding both me and my pup. Thank you! read more

I have just recently met Kajal and I see her wonderful loving energy! She is a joy to work with and I highly recommend using her services, because she has a passion for what she does! I can't wait to see what happens with my 6 month pom after her hard work! I am looking forward it! read more

Where do I begin? I left my Golden Retriever puppy Roxy with KT when she was around 5 months old. I was going away for a vacation, and I didn't want to leave her at a kennel. I wanted her to learn some new things while I was away. And boy, did she learn new things! Before, getting Roxy into her crate was a HUGE hassle. Have you ever seen a child throw a tantrum? Well, cue 30lb puppy throwing an adorable (but very annoying) tantrum every time it was bedtime. When Roxy came back from Board and Train with KT, she went into the crate without a peep. She would even crawl in to nap on her own. Roxy is now about a year old, and she still sleeps in her crate every night. KT doesn't just train your dog, she trains YOU, so you can better train your dog. Before meeting her, I had no idea that dogs needed mental exercise, I just assumed that physical exercise was enough to tire them out. But KT has helped me do tricks and games with Roxy so she's tuckered out in both aspects. (I just wish I had met KT before Roxy decided to chew holes in my wall out of boredom.) KT will also go above and beyond. I've called her in tears before after being frustrated with Roxy (typical teenage hormonal dog behavior), and she's calmed me down and immediately scheduled sessions to fix the issues. She will also recommend a good wine to drink for when puppy training takes it's toll. The best part about KT is that she does positive training. No leash popping, no shock collar, and none of those controversial correctional measures. This was extremely important to me. Is Roxy a perfectly trained dog? No, of course not. But thanks to KT, she's on her way. :) read more

My husband and I read about KaTi on Yelp, and when I contacted her, she was very quick to respond and we set up the initial meeting at our home. Our fur baby Phoenix was almost 4 months old at the time, and we were having a lot of difficulty with getting him to sleep in his crate and staying alone for even a few minutes! Plus we had to travel out of the country and needed to board our baby some place safe and trustworthy. One of the reasons we chose KaTi is because she is one of the very few trainers who has qualified certifications for training, as well as her methods are very positive and not in humane such as shocking and scaring your dog into obedience! When you meet KaTi for the first time, you will immediately like her! She has this wonderful and positive energy about her, and she is very knowledgeable and straightforward. Most importantly, I knew my baby would be safe with her! When we were out of the country, I would bug her at ungodly hours for updates, coz I'm a paranoid doggy momma! And KaTi obliged me every single time with messages, updates and photos of our baby! Phoenix loves KaTi and whenever we leave him with her, whether it's for play dates or training sessions, he does very well with her. I have seen KaTi with other dogs and you know they all adore her. She is an excellent trainer and has done wonders with Phoenix- he is crate trained and has good recall, and is so much more calmer today at 8 months old. We get plenty of compliments on his behavior whenever we are out with him - all because of KaTi. She is a wonderful and thoughtful person and I trust her blindly with Phoenix and would recommend her 100% to anybody with pups that need training, boarding, etc. KaTi takes her time to get to know you and your pup, after which she will recommend what is the best way to move forward - whether it's training and/or boarding. She is very flexible and dependable- someone we always turn to for advice, whenever Phoenix is unwell, acting up or misbehaving. We continue our training sessions with KaTi, and she has taught us so much - the need for physical, as well as mental exercises for your dog, communicating with you dog and incorporating only positive behavior during training. This has helped us to understand Phoenix even better, which has made life easier for us, and I'm sure for Phoenix as well!:) read more

Spot On! Kajal worked with our Cocker Spaniel when we adopted him from a rescue at 2 years of age. We needed help integrating him into the family. She did the initial assessment/evaluation (about 90 minutes), spoke to us at length to understand our goals and limitations, educated us on the best possible options and set up a training plan. What I liked about her is that she gave "workable" and "doable" solutions keeping our very busy lifestyle in mind (Both my husband and I have a busy professional life). Puzo loved Kajal and took to her instantly. She seemed a natural with dogs and very amiable with people. We did a 10 session training package (I initially thought it was a tad bit expensive but realized it was SO WORTH IT), where she would show us a step by step approach on house training, crate training and teaching manners to our dog and most importantly building a bond. We learnt a lot of tools to effectively socialize him. We did sessions at home and also at public places like malls, coffee shops etc so Puzo learns how to behave in various situations and we learn how to manage him. She is enthusiastic, extremely patient and really cares about her clients - both the two and four-legged ones (she made sure to follow up over the phone twice a week on what was working and what wasn't considering our busy schedules and made necessary workable changes immediately). We highly recommend her to anyone who loves their dog as much as we do. read more

Update: it is 3 months later and my dog (small pom) has hit a wall, his fear barking is still there, and he started lunging at children that approaches suddenly at a shopping mall, all not good. I booked an appt at UC Davis to see a vet behaviorist ( I was suggested the one in Walnut Creek by my regular vet, but I would advise going to UC Davis or ASPCA SF instead. Too much to write here, but read the Walnut Creek's negative reviews, and I will say I agree). The current attending vet at UC Davis is a 20 year general practice vet who is specialized in veterinary behavior ( she herself also has a large rescue dog with fear aggression)-- and believe it or not, not too many vets know what to do about dogs with behavioral issues, because it is an elective at vet schools and not a requirement. The UC Davis team met my dog in person, and we did a 2 hour follow up via Zoom; which lead to the diagnosis and plan for treatment. They totally got his condition and we are starting to calm his fear reactivity and situational anxiety to manage his stacked reaction ( flooding his threshold) to new people, situations and other dogs, via combined medication and training (they have specialized trainers that work with the vet school). It is highly likely he will be tapering off his medication as his brain learns new behaviors and manage his anxiety. What a relief! The vet team there are wonderful, knowledgeable and very understanding and compassionate. They won't just give meds unneccesarily and will use other treatments as much as possible. D for Dog is great for training and most dogs for leash reactivity, but if your dog has a serious problem and you feel you have hit a wall in progressing, you might want to seek specialized help, such as board certified vet behaviorists who know the latest methodologies, including pharmacology. Sometimes you need to go beyond a trainer, get the assessment and treatment, and then you might have to go back to training, as advised by the vet. We are lucky to live in the Bay Area where you can go to the SF ASPCA or UC Davis ( long wait for both though), because there are not many vet behaviorists in the country. Don't give up, do all that you can first, your dog is counting on you. read more

We were truly lost with our newly rescued dogs from India. They had always lived in fear when they were growing up on the streets surrounded by cruelty and ignorance. We opened our home to them but honestly, didn't have a clue about how to raise feral/ stray rescued dogs who were conditioned to fear people and other animals. It was a herculean task that we couldn't have handled by ourselves. We did our research and looked around for available trainers most of whom guaranteed a behavioral change in a given number of days but with use of some kind of forceful methodology. We weren't comfortable about that and decided to look around some more. It was by chance that we connected with Kajal but from the very first moment we knew that our rescued dogs were in loving, kind and truly capable hands. Over the next few months, Kajal spent time with us on a regular basis to understand our struggles that come with managing multiple dogs and created a step by step plan to TEACH US to manage their behavioral issues. She was always been honest and precise with her analysis on any given issue and shared it like it was. Her honesty was much appreciated. That one thing that sets her apart from other professional trainers is that she is an A+ trainer, who uses her intuitive skills and deep knowledge to create harmony among dogs and their parents, and encourages you to adopt kind and cruelty-free training methods. She gives you practical solutions that are easy to adopt and has always been accessible for advice during the training period. When you start working with Kajal, you realize that she isn't in this profession to make money; she is genuinely interested in creating harmonious relationships between people and their beloved dogs so that they may truly enjoy each other's company for the rest of their lives. read more

Our 5 month labradoodle Aliki was full of energy, constantly barking, biting our youngest daughter, chewing on our shoes and digging holes in our garden, all apparently concidered very normal with an untrained dog. She was very difficult to walk and have around other people as well as dogs. She was mostly afraid and would pull on her leash and run in a different direction, pee and or cry. We looked for help with a couple of diffrent trainers in the area but were alarmed with the methods that were being used in the process. Luckily we came across KT (Kaajal@ D For Dog)!! She immediately made my family feel at ease. After hearing us out she recommended the Calm & Confident Puppy Program and boy has it made a difference to our little girl Aliki. Kaajal tailored the training to our needs. it's almost graduation time and I must say we can't thank Kaajal enough for the time and love she has given our precious Aliki. If you are looking for the best trainer for your dog, look no more! Kaajal is awesome! She has helped our family enjoy every minute with our now calm, confidant, obediant and playful little Aliki. read more

Kajal is simply amazing at training dogs, and has the best teaching methods for dog owners. My SO & I took our first dog to her and we'll be doing that with our next dog. I have been recommending her to friends and family especially those who own out of control dogs and I've only heard good things in return. read more

I took several classes with D for Dog and loved all of them. I really enjoyed that many of the classes are held in different locations around town, so your dog gets to practice these skills in the real world. KaTi has some really great and creative exercises for teaching impulse control/self control. Everything is force free, and it is very obvious how much KaTi invests herself in the success of her clients. read more

Bringing a puppy in your life is a big decision and can get overwhelming even if you've had prior experience with raising a pup. Within a few days of bringing our puppy, Munchkin, into our life we realized that merely watching videos online to train wouldn't be enough. After searching online and speaking with a dozen or so trainers, we found KaTi and immediately loved the connection she had with our puppy and us. KaTi is very patient, and she believes in positive reinforcement training which is what we wanted as well. The one thing that sets her apart from other trainers is that she is remarkably good at training humans in how they connect with their puppy as that sets the right foundation for a successful long-term relationship with the pup. For instance, during training, KaTi will recommend subtle changes in how we give commands and reward our puppy and just tweaking that has helped us quite a bit to train our puppy better. We joined the group basic training + puppy socials, to begin with. The group classes are small and KaTi focuses on each and every puppy and ensures that they get the concept well. After successful basic training course, we enrolled in canine good citizen training and are already seeing a difference when we take our puppy to a restaurant or a busy downtown. When Munchkin was sick, KaTi would regularly check-in with us and offered us guidance on how we could help our pup recover sooner. This meant a lot to us and we love and appreciate that the relationship goes beyond the training sessions :) read more

This review is for D for Dog Board and Train Services. I cannot offer a strong enough recommendation for D for Dog's Board and Train program! If I could give them 100 stars, I would! Let me tell you why I feel so strongly about them. It all began when I was feeling a bit desperate, as other puppy families do, and my resources for training were not adequate. I had a 12 week old, high energy, uber-playful Bernedoodle puppy. She was adorable and loving, but she had not learned proper bite inhibition and she was not responding to my best efforts to curb severe puppy biting. I had experience with training prior family puppies, and I knew that raising a puppy was hard work--but even with a lot of effort, this one was beyond my skill level! I was even working with another trainer once a week and taking the puppy to classes with another service, so I wasn't leaving the training to chance. But none of the advice or techniques were working for us. One day the puppy bit hard enough to draw blood, and even though she was playing and did not do so out of aggression, I knew I was over my head. I needed serious help! At about the same time, I encountered a family emergency that would significantly impair my ability to spend the necessary time and attention with the puppy. That was when my normal puppy desperation turned into real panic. I even considered whether it would be better for the puppy to find her a new home where she could get more attention; but of course I loved her so much I did not want to do that unless it was a last resort. I talked to my veterinarian and others, and upon the recommendation of some of the best trainers in my area, I reached out to D for Dog. I will never forget my first conversation with Kaajal (aka KaTi). I was in tears and at my wits end, but she wasn't thrown off at all. She was kind and helpful, and I was immediately impressed by her responsiveness and her empathy. We arranged a meeting right away, even given her busy schedule. When we met, I watched with awe as my puppy fell in love at first sight the D for Dog team. After just a few moments in their presence, I knew that I was in the right place. Given the puppy's response and the sense of care I felt, I knew that I need not have any concerns leaving my puppy in KaTi's care. Beyond her kindness and skill, I want to convery that the model D for Dog uses is very smart; the best I have ever seen in a board & train program. The puppy spends 4 days of the week with KaTi and D for Dog, having continual lessons from humans and from other dog friends. So the puppy learns fast. The magic happens on the other 3 days of the week, though. The program offers a weekly transfer lesson, and then 3 days of practice together with the puppy, so I was learning as fast as the dog! We were able to practice the behaviors and techniques over thew weekend and then report to KaTi about what worked and what did not work before the next week of training. In my view, this is the ONLY WAY to do a board and train program that has the best hope of sticking over time. I will never use another program model - because the training is as much about the person learning the techniques as it is the puppy. The D for Dog model reinforced my bond with my puppy and helped me become a better family member for the dog. At the same time, an experienced trainer like KaTi, given constant interaction with the puppy, was able to instantly shift the play biting behaviors and the other behavioral issues that I could not handle myself. I have waited a long time to write this review, because I know that a board and train program can wear off quickly if the people and dogs do not know how to continue the work and make the behaviors real at home, after the program is over. I am happy to report that it has been over 9 months since our graduation from D for Dog Board and Train, and we are still going strong! I know how to interact with the puppy to help her remain well behaved. My puppy is still high energy and way, way, way playful, but she does not bite or jump. She engages in impulse control and knows how to play respectfully with dogs and humans. I am still a novice, but I am able to teach the puppy new tricks and behaviors, because she knows how to pay attention and I know how to reinforce and reward her. D for Dog has taught us how we can both be at our best together. I was in such a difficult position before I found D for Dog--given the puppy's strong will and high energy, and my family emergency--that I was worried I couldn't be a good enough dog parent and I would have to find my beloved baby a new home for her own well-being. I can say with all honesty that KaTi and D for Dog's Board and Train program saved our family and and kept us together. I will be eternally grateful. And I know that D for Dog will be our go-to place for training for the rest of our lives together. read more

We were so lucky to find Kajal and D for Dog when we picked up our first dog. Full of energy, smart, and stubborn, our dog would have been a serious problem without the tools and training provided by Kajal. Going in to her program she was clear about what to expect not only from her and our dog but what she expected from us as the owners. We chose to do group classes so our dog would socialize and have to focus through more distractions. Each week we'd learn new techniques, practice some old ones, and address specific challenges we were facing. At the end we'd have homework and keep a report through the week of challenges and successes. The group program is centered around you building the foundation with your dog while Kajal steps in where needed and provides the structure to teach your dog what you want him/her to do and learn to read your dog's mood. I strongly recommend D for Dog to any pet owner looking to either train their puppy up or help you correct behavior your older dog picked up as a puppy. A note to anyone looking for help with their pooch; do not go into the training programs expecting everything to be fixed without your participation. The classes are a piece of the training component but without your reinforcement between lessons your dog will not make much progress. Lastly, if you have a stubborn dog, things can take longer but share your struggles via email. Take videos and ask for advice; it will take time but once your puppy sees that whining, barking, or other forms of stubborn rebellion won't work they'll come around. In addition, you'll learn your dogs limits and what is a realistic expectation for them (i.e. expecting your dog to sit still for hours when it hasn't had any excersice all day.). read more

Kajal came to my house where I have 5 dogs, she demonstrated to us how to handle our dogs. She gave us hands on training on how to properly fit them into their harnesses, she showed us to hold the leash and properly walk them. She is an amazing person. She not only trains the dogs, she trains the owners how to train your own dog. I will forever be grateful for Kajal and her techniques. I will recommended Kajal to you and anyone else that wants to be a good responsible dog owner. read more

Kajal showed us effective and inventive techniques to train our dog and trouble-shooted any problems we had implementing the training. She took the time to get to know us and our dog so that she could suggest ideas that worked for us. Kajal went the extra mile, checking in on our progress weekly and showing our dog love and kindness. Our dog is happier and calmer with the new routines and her parents are happier, too! Thank you Kajal for all your help! read more

Very happy We were out going to be out on vacation for 5 day. I was a little worried about my cocker spaniel "twilight". And I got reference of Kajal. She stayed with twilight for 5 days in my house. She sent me updates of twilight everyday with videos and photos. She also worked with twilight with the stranger anxiety. She took twilight for walk and also trained her then. We actually did skype also one day. She also was kind enough to help water the plants too.when we returned the house was very clean. I am very happy with her and would highly recommend Kajal. read more

KaTi is one of the best dog trainers I have ever met. I thought long and hard about how to write this review, but now matter how hard I try, I would not be able to convey adequately what an amazing trainer she is. She is wise and extremely knowledgeable about dog training. She can communicate her wisdom in very clear, concrete and tangible ways that even a first-time dog owner can understand and follow. And she is so willing to share whatever she knows because she truly wants your dog to do well! My little labradoodle, baby M, had extreme fearfulness and anxiety. Of people, dogs, anything. And I was having trouble leaving her alone, house training her, everything. Enter KaTi. I saw her flyer in a local pet store and called her. Not only did she promptly call me back, she talked to me at length on the phone, and gave me wonderful, solid advice to help me with the most urgent things I needed help with right away. I wasn't even a client yet, and she wanted to help because she just wanted me and my dog to do well. And her advice was simple, clever, and worked! That's KaTi for you. A brilliant dog trainer. And an exceptional human being. This is not just a job for her. She wants to make the world a better place, one dog at a time. She has made such a difference for my puppy. She has made herculean efforts to help socialize her and reduce her fears, and has been amazing at training her (and me!) She has gone above and beyond, to help my puppy overcome her fears. Her generosity of spirit and true passion for improving the lives of the dogs she trains shines through and we are so lucky to experience that. I can honestly say that having KaTi as our trainer, not only made an incredible difference to our puppy, who is so much happier and well-trained, because of her - but it has made a difference in our lives as well. Watching someone love these dogs as much as she does, teaches you a little about what kindness is truly all about! read more

KaTji is a passionate, gifted trainer and we highly recommend her. We engaged KajTi to help us with our 3 year old lab/greyhound mix, Tipper. When we first rescued our dog, we didn't know were inheriting a "project." She had been through at least 6 homes in her short 6 month life, and had not had a chance to be properly socialized, exposed to the world, or even bond with anyone. Tipper's behavior problems (plus elbow dysplasia) were bad enough that, if returned to a shelter, she would most certainly be euthanized. We are experienced dog owners, but went through no less than 3 highly recommended trainers, plus a certified vet behaviorist, and worked incredibly hard with her. Tipper remained highly reactive to just about everything, and often aloof with us, preferring the safety of her crate to being petted or played with. She would seriously flip out around other dogs. She flipped out at a lot of imaginary things. We were all stressed, tired of judgment from others about our dog, and out of cope. But we didn't want to give up on Tipper. Enter Katji of D for Dog, recommended to us by our vet behaviorist. We decided to have one more try with a trainer, and she has changed our life. If only we had found her sooner, Tipper would have had much less bad stuff to unlearn (it's really hard to find a truly qualified trainer, especially for hard cases like ours)! From the beginning, KaTji made it clear that she didn't know whether she could fix all of Tipper's problems, but approached our project with unsurpassed dedication, enthusiasm, tons of support and lots of ideas. We really appreciate how she has made sessions fun for us and Tipper, and shows, in many ways, that she not only loves dogs in general, but our dog. No matter what craziness Tipper comes up with, KaTji takes it in her stride, always with support and encouragement, never judgement. Dogs love KaTji and so do we! KajTi is a strong believer in focusing on positive training, and she knows how to make it work. She creatively finds ways around problems. She really knows dogs and continuously keeps up with her education and advanced training. KaTji was clear that we would have lots of homework with Tipper--and we have worked hard. KaTji has worked very hard with us, going the extra mile for Tipper, showing incredible generosity. If we didn't give up, neither did KaTji. As a result, over time we have seen many positive changes in our girl, and many others have noticed, too. She has gone from a "lost girl," in KaTji's words, to being happy and comfortable in her own skin. She loves pets and attention, can relax in front of the TV with us, and no longer has to be hypervigilant at home or everywhere she goes. We still have a long way to go with her--but she is gaining confidence day by day. read more

I have been working with Kati for about 3 months now and could not be happier. Our puppy Alfonso is a maltipoo and is now 6 months old. We received him when is barely 8 weeks old and he was no bigger than our palm. We have been working on some issues related to isolation distress, alone time, and all kinds of obedience training. Kati is a very responsive person, she calls you back within the day, and responds to all emails and endless text messages I have been sending. She really wants the best for your doggie, she is not just simply charging you and trying to make money off of you, but really cares and tries to propose the best package for you and your dog. We have had a combo of private lessons and group class. We really like the 1 on 1 and value all the advice we got during those sessions. She leaves you with homework and if you keep it up and check in with her for questions - your puppy will make progress. Alfonso is much better now on his obedience and we can see him starting to use his "puppy brain" to figure out how to please us :) Alfonso is obsessed with Kati - we just call her the Treat Lady :D Alfonso could not stay alone at all in the beginning and freaked out instantly (whining, crying, howling) and now he can stay in the crate 3-4h without a fuzz. We are also able to leave him unexercised now for 30min in the house and are continuously raising the limits. Which may not sound like a lot, but from where we started - this is sooo much progress. She really tries to figure out a plan particularly for your dog and your schedule. She does not just give blanket advice but really explains decisions. Sometimes it may seem like baby steps, but those go sometimes much further, because you are working at your dog's speed and comfort. She also has been a great listener to the human part of the team. She had to listen to me whining more than once on the phone and always had an open ear and some advice. She cares deeply for dogs and their human counterparts. We are going to continue to work with her and want to say THANKS KATI! read more

I recommend Kaajal (KD) and 'D for Dog' unreservedly. I have two dogs - a 6.5 year old Tibetan Terrier and a 1 year old Aussie Bernedoodle, who trained with Kaajal. I wish I'd known KD when we were training our Tibetan Terrier! She and her comprehensive training program are a God-send. Here are my top reasons: - She has tremendous experience with ALL kinds of dog breeds and ages. - KD can deal with any situation and problem you are facing with your dog, even older ones. - She helps you understand her training approach so you can actually remember and follow it; this is critical since all the training in the world is rendered ineffective if you can't follow it at home. - KD makes video lessons for you, which help tremendously with training at home. - She will visit you at home or any other environment which will be best for your dog's training goals. - She has extremely qualified apprentices who help with the training - ensuring your dog learns to respond to the command, not just one person. - D for Dog offers follow up group training classes as part of the package, which are wonderfully helpful with reinforcement. - She is extremely knowledgeable about all sorts of dog-related issues - nutrition, personality issues, allergies, holistic vets, you name it. - KD is a fantastic, warm human being who absolutely LOVES dogs - you feel great leaving your dog with her! And you will see how much your dog will get attached to her. Mine still howls with joy when he sees her. Of course, in a well trained, controlled manner. :) read more

I was really impressed with Kati's technique to quickly catch my dog, Riley's attention and start listening from day 1. Riley, has been to Kati's basic manner and impulse control classes. When Riley started showing fear and anxiety to the vets office, Kati went with me to take Riley for vaccines and teach me how to train Riley to be more comfortable around these procedures. Overall, I feel very fortunate Kati is there for Riley and my many questions about why dogs do something. read more

We were desperately looking for a professional trainer for our lab puppy who was turning into a rambunctious dog in the summer of 2018. Thankfully we were referred by a good friend to "D for Dog" and I must say that we are extremely impressed with the outcome. Our puppy is a very well behaved dog now and we get praises from family and friends only because of the hard work put by KaTi. KaTi is a highly experienced and certified dog trainer that you will rarely come across. She is an expert in positive training, does not do leash popping, doesn't use shock collars, and none of those controversial correctional measures which we didn't want our pup to go through. She is simply awesome. I was so nervous in many of our sessions but she made me feel at ease and gave me the confidence to work with my dog. KaTi was very patient with me and answered my doubts very promptly whenever I messaged her...day or night didn't matter! She made sure to transfer all the skills, that she trained my dog, to me very efficiently and helped me to do it correctly with my dog so that I can continue to maintain his skills once we are done. You can see the passion and dedication towards what she's doing. My dog totally adores her. Once the training started he just ignored everyone around there and kept his focus on his trainer. KaTi has answers to all your questions and she has tremendous ideas how to work with your dog if there are any issues pertaining to not only training but also taking care of your dog on a day to day basis. She is a very loving and sweet person who truly loves dogs and will go out of the way to install the desired behavior in them and will not give up till she and the dog family are happy with the results. It is very rare these days to come across such a warm personality and we are lucky to know her. D For Dog is the best dog training school and boarding in the bay area. My dog successfully completed the puppy training and upgraded to go to day school to play with the other pups and dogs there....he loves it there and gets ample exercise while we are at work :) We love KaTi and would highly recommend to consult her for your dog, puppy or adult, whatever age it doesn't matter. She has that magical touch and expertise which will amaze you when you see your fur baby transforming into a friendly and obedient pet. Thank you so much KaTi and D for Dog team!! read more

One of the smartest trainers I have had the pleasure of knowing is Kaajal Tiwari of D for Dog. Kaajal is like a well oiled machine with a huge heart churning away to help dogs and the people who care for them. Why so good? Despite the pressures of training work, Kaajal doesn't fall into the forceful training category many trainers use for a "quick fix". Kaajal is big on weighing options, problem solving, providing realistic guidance and education in activating solutions for every client - all while dosing anyone who'll listen with good dog sense. She keeps training sessions/classes moving forward with optimism and encouragement. Eyeball one of her classes to see what I mean. This is one trainer I recommend to EVERYONE! read more

KT, is truly amazing, in simple terms, she is the best!!! She shows true and genuine care for her customers and their pets. When I saw her authentic passion for dogs, that's when I knew I was working with the right trainer. KT has been nothing less than amazing for my Rottweiler and I. We did the obedience course with KT and have no regrets. My Rottweiler since then, has been great and continues to improve in all aspects. I'm improving and learning along with him also, since KT also teaches us, the owners how to work with our pets so that we can continue proper handling at home. Thanks to KT's amazing training tactics and all her advice, I have a great, well behaved dog. Thank you KT for all your help, your sincere caring and all your follow up even after our course was completed, has made my experience with you an amazing one! THANK YOU!!! read more

KaTi is an outstanding trainer. She is very patient, smart and really understood how to teach me AND my dog. I highly recommend her! Her love for dogs really shows. read more

I cannot express how great it is having someone whom my dogs absolutely love, and whom I totally trust, take care of my dogs! Kajti from D for Dog is AMAZING! She took care of my 2 American Staffordshire Terriers. She treated them as if they were her own dogs and they loved all the attention she gave them. I loved that she texted me pictures and videos of how they were doing every day. It made going away so much easier knowing they were being loved and having fun with her. My dogs are high maintenance because they have a lot of allergies and need medicine daily. Kajti was wonderful about giving them their meds and making sure they got them at the proper times every day. I am so glad I found Kajti from D for Dog because seeing my dogs extremely happy with her is definitely a 5 star rating in itself. I definitely recommend her for taking care of your dog(s). I will have her watch my dogs every time I need to go away. read more

I signed up with KT due to the great reviews. I did not have a great experience. I attended a few classes and wanted her to follow up with home visits. When I asked her to come my house and she always told me "we will get to that". She canceled a few of the classes. And offered to meet at other times during the week, at other locations. I signed up for one location and one time. She was not as professional as I had hoped. I have moved my puppy to another training school and he is THRIVING. read more

Communication and timeliness of follow through could had been better. Nice trainer who would bring really good treats to class for motivation of the dogs. Pricing was cost effective. The first set of 4 classes probably would had been sufficient in my case. Didn't get out as much from the second set of classes. read more

Tl;dr - Great trainer and training program for puppies and adult dogs, highly recommend. Board and train is perfect if you can't spend as much time with their dog as you would like. Value of services is exceptional. The D for Dog training program run Kaajal (KaTi) offers something for everyone at every stage in your dog's life. New puppy owners can take advantage of puppy classes and socials to help your dog grow up into a well socialized and well behaved dog. Outdoor classes help you take the tools you learn on the road and practice real practical skills you can apply every day. Adult group classes help reinforce basic manners or teach them to adult dogs who may not have had the best puppyhood (this is perfect for rescue dogs). Private sessions can help you hone your dog handling skills and really give you the one on one support you need to help your dog get accustomed to your lifestyle and to correct the specific issues that you want to work on. There are times when life gets in the way of your plans...maybe work gets hectic, your kids schedules are crazy, or you have a personal issue to take care of; you want to spend more time with your dog but you can't. For these situations, Kaajal's board and train program is perfect. She will take your dog for a week and work on the issues you don't have time for. Then she will spend time with you to transfer the skills to you so you have to tools to manage it going forward in the time you have. Like all training programs, these classes and sessions are only as effective as your commitment to your dog's success. Doing the weekly homework helps keep you on track and helps you show how easy it is to keep your dog engaged and well mannered. Doing the homework also helps you see how practical it is to integrate training into your daily routine. In terms of cost, Kaajal's classes are on par with or cheaper than most training programs in the area, but it then comes to a question of quality. With the quality of services and dedication she provides to her clients, she can easily charge double or triple the amount she does and still have a thriving business. Because of her affordability and five-star quality of service, I have been able to take advantage of the full gamut of options Kaajal provides and it has really helped me with my journey as a dog owner. My Experience with D for Dog: I first brought my Australian Shepherd puppy, Nico, to Kaajal's class when he was 8 weeks old. At first, I was unsure of what to expect from the Puppy 1 class and, since Nico was my first dog ever, I had planned to take Nico to play groups with several trainers to see different training styles. For me, Kaajal's style worked out the best; she will not push you to train your dog a certain way, but rather will help you teach your dog the practical skills it takes to have a well-adjusted dog that fits in with your lifestyle. Since then I have had experience with multiple other training styles from very strict to very laid back, and none of them felt like they advocated for a harmonious lifestyle where your dog truly becomes a part of your family. By the end of the first class, Nico had learned all the basics (sit, down, etc.) and had a chance to socialize with other dogs. Since then Kaajal has been a valuable resource by not only teaching me how to train Nico, but also how to care for him. As a young puppy, Nico had digestive issues and was not eating ever. Kaajal truly showed she cared about Nico by helping us with suggestions and recommendations for food, vets, home remedies, and other veterinary specialists throughout the months it took for his stomach issues to settle. She has gone above and beyond any expectations I would have for a dog trainer and has really been a huge asset in my journey of learning how to raise a puppy. Another issue we had to deal with, when Nico was about 6 months old, was his separation anxiety. Up until that point Nico had never been left alone. Kaajal helped tremendously throughout the next few months to really help get Nico to the point where now he is comfortable being left alone. I don't think he will ever like being left alone, but I also don't think any dog likes being left alone since they are such social animals (if it was up to me I would take Nico everywhere with me and it wouldn't have been a problem in the first place). Since that first class, Nico has done Puppy 1, Puppy 2, Basic Manners, Outdoor, and some private sessions with Kaajal and I am always getting compliments at how well behaved he is. I am able to take Nico to work, into shops, to restaurants, downtowns, and anywhere he can go and I truly feel that Kaajal's classes have helped prepare me for that. I plan on continuing training with Kaajal because I know she can help me achieve all the goals I have for Nico and even more than that. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a trainer because her breadth of knowledge is so vast and she genuinely cares about read more

I've never written a yelp review before - never been angry or impressed enough too do so. Until now. I wholeheartedly recommend Kajti. We adopted a VERY spirited Brittany Spaniel around Christmas, then proceeded to ignore him due to my battle with breast cancer. 6 months later, our dog was completely out of control. He wasn't house trained, he ate my kids toys, tore up our yard, ate food off the table & wouldn't walk on a leash. Kajti was my last hope. We paid for 2 weeks of board n train & literally got a new puppy back! He was SO MUCH BETTER. I would have been completely satisfied with her work at that point, but she wasn't.... Kajti continued to drive up to my house (an hour away), once or twice a week, for months, to work with me & the dog. She's a perfectionist & wasn't happy with "good enough." She then, even went as far as to bring Dakota back to her home for 4 days for a refresher course. Did I mention that she didn't charge me a penny for it? Seriously. Hows that for integrity? I was, AM, extremely happy with the changes I've seen in our puppy (worth every penny)....but Kajti goes above & beyond. Also, I gotta mention that she is a really lovely person. She LOVES dogs & truly enjoys her job. Disclaimer: I am NOT a dog person. We gave Dakota to my two young sons for Christmas - and with the 2 young children territory comes that fact that I have very little time to myself. I would have DREADED the training sessions of Kajti wasn't such a fun, sweet, kind, funny, LOVELY individual. She's become a friend & I'm grateful. Hire her. You won't be sorry. read more