I have so much to say about the Dan Perata team and their dog training camp - buckle in folks! If you don't want to read and - TL;DR - I recommend and cannot imagine not investing in my pup through Dan Camp. For those who want to hear my story, here it is: I wanted a pug my whole adult life, and have been on rescue waiting lists for 5+ years. In early 2018 I got a call that there was a puppy available and if I could get there within 48 hours she was mine. I hopped on a plane to San Diego and picked up my beautiful black Pug named Penny. It was all sunshine and rainbows until the honeymoon was over. I have NO IDEA that pugs were so stubborn, smart, and hard to train. I have a 9-year-old Chihuahua mix and training her was easy (or maybe she was easy, or I was young and didn't care that she was a turd when I got her). Anyway, Penny (who should be named Danger) started to wreak havoc on my house. She was jumping on all the furniture (Coffee table, COUNTER, vanity, stools, etc) and everywhere she jumped, she went potty. She destroyed my clothes, shoes, furniture, everything - you would think she was a 100lb dog. When I did my DIY training sessions with Penny I used a treat based system, I practiced in my yard, in the house, at parks, everywhere. I was exhausted. Finally, I called for reinforcements. I had a trainer come to my house and work with Penny and me to get a handle on her hyper rambunctious behavior. She taught me some great things, but it didn't stick. Penny was as hyper, rambunctious, and destructive as ever. Damn - that's that I thought to myself - I got a dud. I hate to admit this, but I was genuinely falling out of love with my dog. I was researching ways to adopt her, asking friends, etc. At work one day, I was venting about my problem to a coworker who also had a young dog - he said he heard great things about this 'Dan Guy'. I wanted to love her - but I didn't think it was possible. When I picked up the phone to call Dan Perata training i thought to myself 'if this doesn't work, I have to let her go to another home'. That phone call was the best thing I did for Penny (and me). So, I say F it. Sign me up. They tell me - drop her off 'monday at 7 am, you won't have contact with her until you pick her up Friday' -- thank GOD I think to myself. A whole week puppy-less! So, the time comes. Turns out I am more protective than I thought. Here I am, a terrified parent. I love her, I hate her, and I have all the emotions in between as I drop her off at 7 am on the first day. I am greeted by Ana. She is stern, and the first time I met her I was intimidated! They practice what they preach. Friday comes - Ok, she is using a leash - what the.... Ok, this is hard but something is happening... Week after week I see improvements. I am falling back in love with my dog again. WTF, I didn't think that could happen. Weekends were scary - I didn't want to 'break her' or ruin the training, but I didn't! Just do your best on the weekends, take copious notes, and ask a lot of questions during your weekly session/s. TRUST in their methods. The water bottle is my best friend, love is the best treat, and affection is irreplaceable. Penny isn't perfect, and maybe she won't ever be (I sure as hell am not), but putting her through Dan Camp is the best money I have ever spent - NO JOKE. She will be a part of my life for a very very long time (I'm hoping forever), and having a well behaved dog in the long run is better than coddling your puppy and being their doormat. Today, she doesnt get on the furniture when she is not invited, she is crate trained, she LOVES kids.. on and on... Next, kudos to the camp members I interacted with the most: Ana: I mentioned that she was stern the first day - and she is around the dogs, which is EXACTLY what they need (and I know it is hard for you since they are all so cute -- especially Penny ;) -- . Since then I have become increasingly closer to her and WOW, she is more invested in the well-beings of our sweet pups than anyone I have ever met. Thank you for all you do Ana - you are truly the best, the sweetest, most caring, and I don't think I could have survived Dan Camp without you! Aaron: He is the main training guy- SO Smart! He uses his cute pup Nacho to help out with lessons. I learned so many tips and tricks from him, and he is one of the main drivers behind Penny's behaviour today. Thank you! Dan: Well, it's Dan! '[His] name is on the door!] He is a tough guy from the outside, but don't let that fool you, he loves these little turds SO much :) I loved seeing his soft side come out throughout the weeks. Trust him - seriously, he knows his S**t. Also, ask him to go in the training box! There are a lot of other Dan Camp employees I want to thank but I don't remember their names - all of you who interacted with Penny - THANK YOU SO MUCH, you saved us! With all the love in our hearts, Penny and Sophia (may we live happily ever after) :) read more

I respect everyone's opinion on here but I am confused about some of the few negative reviews. I guess I just can't really imagine receiving anything less than five star service from Dan and team because I haven't ever had a negative experience. I haven't actually written a review in ages but Dan's place deserved one from me, here's why: I got Pepper when she was a tiny pup. She was my first dog and I had no idea what I was in for or how to even train a dog. I'd read a ton of conflicting and confusing stuff on the Internet about the first steps in training a dog, but I also work full time(like most of you) and commute far(I'm also very, very, very lazy), so how can I train a dog to my liking but at the same time earn income so that neither Pepper or myself has to starve? Generally I knew that I didn't want Pepper to be reliant on treats, I don't think a dog should be tossed tricks just to listen to owners. So I started scouring the web for training methods that didn't revolve around treats. I didn't find much, I'll be honest. So the lazy side of me decided to let a professional trainer do the work. I went and visited a couple places but they all seemed to be treat obsessive. But then I found Dan Perata Training. The week after I picked Pepper up from the breeder I dropped her right off for camp. I decided I wasn't even going to deal with the hardships of possibly training incorrectly(it's easier to prevent than to treat, folks), nor did I want to come home to piles of poop on my floor after a nine hour work day. When I reached out for services I was invited to take a tour of the facility and I pretty much got to meet everyone that would be handling Pepper. We went over the financial bits and though the board and train that I opted to go for came with a hefty price tag, I can say with honesty that it was worth it. I have no serious complaints about my dog and God only knows how she would have turned out if I had done the training myself. For the amount I paid, I have received the best service. Dan and team have accommodated for my late pickups, answered every email I've ever sent with same day responses(usually within a couple of hours), they extended an additional couple of weeks longer than usual for free because Pepper needed extra help, and they even offer ten days of daycare for free; which I have yet to use. But the most important thing that came out of my experience was a well trained dog. Nowadays, every time I go out of town I board Pepper with them because I don't trust other sitters, I want my dog to be reinforced in her training while I'm away. Not to mention they are always able to take her even though I'm unorganized and super last minute. In some situations I've even contacted them the day before I needed to board her. Each time I pick my dog up from boarding, they ask me when I'm taking her back in for free refresher courses. That's right guys, they don't just dump you after the training is over. They practically beg you to come back and take free refreshers. Everyone who works here is nice, and treats Pepper as if she were their own. I know they always say they don't do magic here but I think they're wizards. read more

Dan Perata Training - Pepper now at 9 months - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

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2 months ago I brought home an adorable 9 week old Rhodesian Ridgeback and named her Savanna. So exciting! But it was quickly obvious to me that I needed help training my incredibly intelligent & stubborn girl. I turned to yelp to look for training classes, day care etc. Dan Perata Training scored extremely high on yelp and after combing thru many reviews I found they had previously trained Ridgebacks which caught my attention. I called & spoke with Natasha who was extremely professional, offered to schedule an appt to tour their facility, meet Dan & answer any questions. The next day I brought Savanna to check things out & fell in love with everyone. They are all truly dog lovers & I immediately felt confident in Savanna not only being trained but getting plenty of socialization, play time & love. I enrolled her in Dan Camp & it's been a life saver for me! Some huge bonus points that I had not expected prior to this whole experience: -Natasha mentioned that with Dan Camp they are really looking to be Savanna/my trainer for life. Anytime I had questions or Savanna needs a refresher in the future I am welcome to call or bring her in. I need this! She is my first large dog & it's super important to me that I have a well behaved dog who isn't barking her head off or nipping/jumping on people. -They are amazing with my schedule. I am a nurse who works 12hr night shifts, which vary week to week. They have been incredibly accommodating & I am endlessly grateful for this. I highly doubt I could find anyone/place in the city that could be so flexible with my schedule. -I was nervous to leave my brand new puppy at camp and they reminded me I can visit anytime & the junior trainers (Vince & Evan) even sent me photos & videos of my pup while she was in camp. -Savanna has turned out to have a sensitive stomach & was having several bouts of the runs & a couple ear infections. I felt more comfortable taking her home for a couple weeks to let her get better before she returned for training & the team was totally on board with this. I was then able to bring her back & have her finish up training. Not ideal as far as training a dog goes but again an excellent example of their flexibility. - Because Savanna was having these ailments I started to research a raw diet. Dan & Natasha have been excellent resources for all my questions. Now Savanna is on a raw diet and have been illness free! - Dan is a big personality which I'm sure you've gathered from other reviews but that's what makes him awesome in this profession. Savanna immediately responds & listens to him. Let's be real, the training is truly for me. Being a nurse I tend to speak softer, sweeter, try to reason (I know I know, it's gets me no where with a dog) & Dan is great at pointing this out during our one-on-one sessions. I've had to really practice speaking in a different tone and holding my ground in order for Savanna to listen and it makes a big difference in her response to me. -Times when Savanna was at camp I would stop by to visit and be able to watch the junior trainers at work. This also gave me the opportunity to practice with Savanna myself and having another set of experienced eyes tell me how I was doing. Dan encouraged me to do this and has offered me to use the facility and it's distractions to further train. In some ways it's easy to train your dog at home in the environment they know without distractions, but try and get your dog to focus on you while their buddy is 5 feet away wagging their tail for playtime. Obviously I could go on and on (I already have, oops!) but being a dog lover I couldn't have been more happy with my experience at Dan Perata Training. Savanna will continue with day care & boarding so she can get the attention, training & play time she loves. They will definitely be my trainer for life! Thank you thank you thank you! read more

Dan Perata Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Dan and Natasha are fantastic! Dan took my daughter's dog, who is a beast terrier, and created a service dog! My daughter had an accident that left her in a wheelchair! She loves animals, but her terrier was too much for her and we didn't know what we were going to do with her! We had tried other trainers, but they couldn't even get her to first base with the basics. Dan came along and had her picking-up my daughter's cell phone in a day. Since that time, she has progressed to opening doors, picking-up various things, sitting in "place" at restaurants and behaving like a service dog in general! It really is amazing! Dan just needs to teach her to open the fridge and fetch beers now! :-) We really appreciate Dan, Natasha and everyone at the training center! Thanks guys! read more

It's been almost a year since we first had our lesson with Dan and Ivy has come a long long way. While always a very sweet dog she was hard to take out to controlled environments (great at the dog park when she could run with abandon, not so great at brunch or at the office). Given her breed (part Pitt) she gets no benefit of the doubt when she's out and about -- even minor leash pulling and most folks jump to conclusions. Our lesson with Dan, weekly day care, daily training walks and his great bi-monthly (free) drop in sessions have done the trick. (As a side note my husbands and I both have busy jobs and don't spend hours a day training her). We didn't believe Dan when he said she could walk into a crowded restaurant patio and not try to pull us across the room to meet another dog. But with some training and the confidence / tips from Dan she's now a regular at our favorite brunch spots and we love to travel with her. We still have little things we are working on (she still isn't a fan of skateboarders) but I don't think any of us thought she could have come so far. And happily she's also become a positive ambassador for her breed, winning over skeptics along the way. read more

Dan Perata Training - A remarkable unremarkable picture. Ivy behaving at brunch at a busy restaurant with at least 3-4 other dogs on the patio. - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

tl;dr: awesome. 100% I would do it again. Good people. My name is Mik. I had my puppy Russ attend the camp in June-July 2021. It was awesome. I would definitely do it again. Business side of things: they were solid, accommodating, and despite all kinds of surprises and complications on my side, there was zero weirdness about money, hidden charges, extras, overtime, etc. I had talked to them maybe a year ago, just to see what's up (I knew about them from a friend who trained with them). Then I called once I knew I had the puppy coming (following the great covid puppy shortage). I "reserved" a spot in the camp, even though I didn't know the exact date. The puppy was sick when I got him (kennel cough) so I had to postpone for 2 weeks. Then at some point during the camp he got sick again (something else) and he had to wait out 2 more weeks. They were totally cool with the whole thing, no weirdness at all. Training: I really liked it, though it was (it felt like) a lot more about training me than training the dog. The dog stayed there Monday-Friday, and stayed with us on weekends. I went at least once a week (often more) to train with the dog in person (with the staff, on site). There were also zoom calls few times a week. Weekends were pretty intense, going through the training work sheet. The training focused on basic things that are needed all day every day: walking on leash, "go potty", "stay", "here", and "hush". Dan Perata himself. Lol. There is a reason he trains dogs, not diplomats. In the last few years in SF I can't think of a place where I laughed so much, so consistently, and with so little spite. He is a trip, and I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with him (and, when it comes to dogs, he is VERY generous with his time). Odds and ends. I'll exaggerate a little to make my point: I thought I would drop off a puppy there, pick him up 4 weeks later, and he would poop, sleep, and make coffee on command. Not so. They did a lot of work with the dog (I could tell the change every weekend when I had him home) but the big thing really was making me understand just how much work was required on my end (and teaching me how to do it). It is A LOT OF WORK to train a puppy. A LOT. I have a little kid (5yo boy) and the first 2 months with the puppy felt like first 2 years with the kid, compressed. Just like when raising the kid, many times I felt desperate / really overwhelmed, and they did a good job at talking me down / giving me actionable advice, and this I really appreciate. That helped a lot. If you know Dan, then you will know how weird it must have felt to have him of all people tell me to chill out. Lol. Just like when raising a kid, there seem to be no short cuts. I get out in proportion to how much (time, effort) I put in. There is no substitute for time. I still spend a lot of time with the dog, every day. The training is not "done". I have a dog that is happy, that stays in his crate as long as I need him to, doesn't bark when I don't want him to, doesn't tear up the house, sleeps through the night, and goes potty outside. He doesn't run away. So that is awesome. But it takes a lot of work. "Dan Camp" basically made me understand how much work on my part it will take, and showed me how to do the work. Wow, this got long. The dog (and the training) have been a really big part of my life for the last 3-4 months. Last thing: the "after hours" activities are awesome. These are the things you get to do after the camp, like the big group walks in GG park on weekends. I really like these. Lots of dogs and good dog people. Fun. All the best, I recommend this. If you have questions, feel free to contact me (though not sure how this works through yelp). Mik. read more

Let me start of by saying I have a Rottweiler and a Doberman. Both are strong willed and set on making their own decisions and have been a huge liability for me for years. They're both protective and dominant a with aggression. It is amazing what having proper training tools can do for your dogs. Within a matter of minutes dan was discussing my interaction with my dogs on a leash. So I had to help myself before I could help my dogs. (My dogs and I needed to simplify commands and get on the same page) I've always had a pinch collar for them but the Walk-N-Train or HOLT head collar's are an owners key to controlling their dog. Dan showed me some very helpful ways to socialize my dogs as well. My ultimate goal was to have my dogs off leash and be able to trust them with confidence as well as listen to me and respond. By the end of my hour I had my dogs walking at my side off leash with other dogs walking down the side walk. (My dogs respected me!) Dan accomplished in an hour, what I thought I would never be able to do in a lifetime. Dans methods are by far the best. No stopping to fiddle with treats, simple commands, and being a direct pack leader with your dogs. I cannot thank Dan enough for what he's done to rehabilitate my dogs and I. My dogs and I have a much more respectful relationship with each other now and it has made my life so much better! Once again Thank you! read more

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Dan and his team made raising a small breed puppy while working full time possible and much more enjoyable. They prevented problems and behavioral issues I've had with past dogs before they ever happened! (Crate training and potty training issues, separation anxiety, barking, poor leash walking etc). Dan really understands dog behavior and the human-dog connection. I've had a wonderful experience working with him, his team, and his wife Natasha. Best thing you can do to have a happy and well behaved dog! read more

Dan Perata Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

If you're looking for dog training, please please do yourself a favor and review the owner's response to reviews. They show exactly how they treat people. The response to my review literally reaffirms my last review. As for the owner: I'm no longer elite nor have I been for a long time. I only write reviews when I feel so compelled to do so. I don't know why creating a safe space on the internet should ever be considered a bad thing. If you have issues with Jeff, maybe you shouldn't broadcast it on a public forum, because you're really just making yourself look bad. read more

If you are serious about owning a well-behaved dog, this is the place to go. My wife and I were referred to Dan by a buddy of ours whose dog recently finished puppy camp and he couldn't stop raving about how much of a positive transformation his dog has gone through after completing his training with Dan. When he mentioned how well behaved he was and telling us what his dog can do, I was low-key jealous because our dog, in my opinion, was a hot mess. Of course our 6 month old pit bull pup was already enrolled in a local pet store's puppy training group class that met for six weeks, one day a week for an hour, but after almost five weeks in, we weren't seeing the results we wanted or heard about from our friend who went to Dan. Our pup was scared of everything and he lacked confidence- he was afraid of inanimate objects, unfamiliar sounds, he continued to pull while on his leash, his recall sucked, he barked/growled at other people and their dogs, and he had a nippy/biting problem, which is not something you want to see when owning a pit bull...they already have bad reputations as it is! I decided to email for more information and received a response within an hour- we scheduled a consultation with Dan at their facility the next day and brought our pup along so Dan could get a sense of his behavioral issues. Right away Dan knew what we needed to work on, asked us about what kind of training he'd received (or lack thereof), gave us a few training pointers, and offered to give us a tour of their facility, which I must admit, had us sold. While it is not cheap, I honestly believe you get what you pay for. In the 5 weeks that our pup has been enrolled in puppy camp, he has learned so much...from all of the above mentioned issues we had with him to learning how to be a more confident and socialized pup as well! My wife and I have also learned how to be attentive and responsible dog owners too. It's surprising to see so many inattentive owners and I just shake my head in disbelief. We are BEYOND grateful to Dan, Natasha, Aaron, Ana, Johnny, and all of the employees who've had a hand in helping our scaredy boy come out of his shell and learn important skills and commands that have laid a foundation for our puppy to grow up into a great adult pup in the coming future. Pro Tip: If you decide to enroll your pup into their intensive training camp, remember it is also a program that not only trains your dog, but you as well! So leave everything that you've learned or heard about at the front door and start with a clean slate! Oh, and don't forget- PAY ATTENTION & DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!**** read more

This team trains dogs like they give a damn. No nonsense training with amazing results for both dogs and owners. This is dog training boot camp for the particular overwhelming dog. This organization is rough and tough all around and that is what gets the job done. The gentleness of other trainers left me feeling good at how kind they were to my dog but did not produce proper results for either dog or owner. Do not be intimidated by the facility, location, or the personality of the trainers. The goal is to have your dog stabilized when faced with the world's roughest environments and people. If you are tired of the cute and sugar coated aesthetic from other organizations, Dan Perata Dog Training are the people you want to prepare your dog and yourself for the reality of city life to ensure you and your dog are safe. The head trainer, Dan, speaks his mind and won't hesitate to call you or your dog out for tomfoolery. It is refreshing to see a trainer get down and dirty when a dog (or human) is acting a fool. All other trainers I have used relied heavily on treats or even odd grunting techniques. Dan Perata training keeps it simple where your dog will be motivated by YOU. The biggest benefit is that they actually board your dog during the week. You sign up for classes throughout the week to learn their technique indoors and outdoors. On the weekends you take your dog home to continue their training. After graduation from all boarding classes you are expected to continue their training to perfection. You are free to continue to sign up for additional city walks and classes as well. NOTE: They offer a lifetime SUPPORT for you and your dog. If you cannot or will not put in the time and energy the lesson they provide you when you have your dog do not go complaining. In summary; Dan Perata Dog Training does what is necessary and effective in guiding YOU to train your dog. They will get your dog started but it is left to you to follow through. Their personalities can be intimidating for the sensitive souls but do not let that turn you away especially if your dog is particularly difficult. The cost can be intimidating as well, but I went through two other trainers who were not that much cheaper without any proper results. So long as you match the team's personality and commit to their teachings you will see the results for your dog and yourself. Personal experience: I brought my 8 month old dog here a broken and sad owner. She chewed up everything she could find, bark at anyone that was not me, and even ran away for a week. After trying two other dog training organization and failing to achieve a satisfying experience, Dan Perata Dog Training changed my outlook and personality on how to train your dog proper without anything other than your voice. The instant result I saw after one week was her crate training. She now instantly goes into her crate without any fuss and will remain quiet in there as well. Their training is simple enough to understand for both myself and my dog. They installed in me the necessary confidence in myself to maintain my troubled dog into a obedient one. read more

We adopted our 9 month old dog Blue during Covid, and didn't know what we were in for. He's a husky shepherd mix and is quite a handful, + INCREDIBLY stubborn. Specifically, since day 1 we've struggled with leash aggression + pretty severe dog aggression + general stubbornness. Blue is an angel with people, but just hates dogs I guess? We tried other trainers that helped with basic obedience and commands (sit, down, stay - sort of, bed), but it was treat-based, and when we didn't have treats, Blue would not listen to us at all. We were basically told "you have to have treats on you at all times for your dog to listen to you". To that we replied...hm...definitely not feasible for the rest of our dog's life. We were also told by our other trainer to just "ignore other dogs" indefinitely and that "Blue just doesn't like dogs, that's not going to change". We were feeling very frustrated, exhausted, and emotional about Blue's behavior around other dogs. We then found DPT and decided to enroll Blue in Dan Camp. Let me just say, this program is intense, and the success you see depends how willing you are to put in the work (both during and after camp). Pre-camp, Blue would only listen to us when we had treats. He is incredibly stubborn and at times fully acted like we didn't exist. Post-camp, Blue listens to us 99.9% of the time in the house. We feel like we have a much stronger relationship and bond with our pup than we did before Dan Camp. Blue is not perfect, and still struggles with some leash aggression and dog reactivity, but he's getting there. Dan cares deeply about ensuring you see the results you want from the training, but he's not afraid to tell you when it's your own fault! and most of the time, it is :) Post-camp, you have access to attend in-person sessions to get refreshers and keep you and your dog in track. We feel as though we are now a part of a community, and it's a huge relief and comfort to know we have a place where we can take Blue where we know he'll be treated like family! If you are feeling overwhelmed, emotional, and generally fed up with your dog's behavior - take them to Dan. You won't be disappointed! read more

I wish i could give more than 5 stars because my first dog " Tucker " got trained here 3 years ago and he has been such a wonderful and great dog and Now covid situation I got one more Golden name " Sadie " is training with Dan Perata again. They were compromising with my schedule times because of my work and so welcoming to me. i hope " Sadie " will be good as Tucker. If she is such a great dog after training i wish Yelp has a million stars for Dan Perata read more

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I cant stress enough how important dog training is. Dan, Natasha and the crew has helped us to not only train our pitbull puppy but also teach us the appropriate behaviors when dealing with him. A lot of it is small things that do a lot to reinforce good behavior from the dog and it takes practice to make it second nature but even after a few sessions, we noticed that things are better in the house and definitely when we go on walks. They're very generous with their time and knowledge and the facilities are impressive. The group classes are helpful to socialize and work on skills while surrounded by other dogs and distractions. I definitely recommend coming here for training and also boarding! read more

Dan helped train our new addition to the family, Maple, a Samoyed puppy. We had tried for almost 6 weeks to self-train her, with little success. When searching for experienced trainers, we came across Dan. While there were others that had a lower cost, we decided to go with Dan to get the best training the FIRST time around. It was a rough experience to be honest, but the DPT team were there every step of the way and have gone above and beyond multiple times. From Maple getting sick, to Maple getting spayed, to Maple's continued behavior issues, to a total of 7 weeks at Dan Camp. The extra 3 weeks were at no cost to us because Maple wasn't "getting it" at the end of 4 weeks. Now Maple's a great dog and has completely changed. I might bring Maple back soon for a refresher because we've been spoiling her too much, but otherwise I'm satisfied with the training. Thanks! read more

Dan Perata Training - Maple - DPT trained - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

OMG! CALL DAN NOW! TELL HIM YOUR DOGGIE PROBLEMS HE'LL KNOW WHAT TO DO. I have an 8 week old Morkie named Mia. She is a cute, loving and cuddly puppy that has a problem with piddling in the house. Due to my lack of dog training experience, how to housebreak a puppy, and properly feeding a puppy, she poops everywhere in the house (I over fed her "She's a Tank!" Quoted Dan) So I had this problem with having to clean up all her poop. I bought all of these cleaning agents, wee2 pads, etc2. Spent a fortune that I don't really need. the FRUSTRATION Mia gave me made me thought how troublesome she is and made me to consider to give her away to someone with more experience. However, I went on YELP called all of the dog trainers listed on Yelp (NO KIDDING) and most of them put me on VoiceMail. UNTIL, DAN! HE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO PICKED UP. I asked him if he could space me in through his day, and he said he could.. Not only that, he came promptly, kept me updated to what time he was going to arrive! During the whole 1 hour session, Dan taught me how to raise Mia. He taught me how to keep her in a crate and potty train her outside. Mia has never been caged in a crate before, I alway baby her and she always wants to sleep on my lap. This is BAD! So, during that whole 1 hour Mia kept on crying inside the crate, Dan was able to shut her up!! When he left the house, I brought the crate upstairs in my room and stuffed it with Mia's plush bed. As soon as I did that, she went inside and slept, NO MORE CRYING! When I opened her caged I called her name and now she was ABLE TO IDENTIFY her name! :) KUDOS TO DAN. HE IS AN AMAZING TRAINER. will soon see him again when Mia gets older. :) Will update you with Mia's development~ read more

Dan Perata Training - Mia- 8 week old Morkie (yorkie & maltese mix) - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

Our family travels quite a bit , and the only reason we don't feel bad about leaving the furry member of our family behind is because we know Zora is in the most excellent hands with Dan and his boarding facility . This is a family run business with love , and I know they care for my dog as one of their own , but it is run in the most professional way with reminder emails of our boarding dates and even reminders of the shots my dog needs updated . Natasha is beyond accommodating and runs the administration flawlessly , and their facility is top notch beautiful ! Also Can't say enough about Dan as a dog trainer who truly is the only one that could tame my 85 lb Bernese/sheepdog. He is always coming up with innovative ideas !! read more

This is a long overdue post! Dan, Natasha, and their entire team (Ana, Aaron, etc.) are wonderful and such a pleasure to work with. My dog Max is a german shepard/lab mix that grew up on the streets of Tijuana, Mexico. It was clear that after Max came home that he had some serious behavioral problems and got along with very select few dogs. When Max saw other dogs on the street, he would melt down barking and lunging. I am a small person and Max's out of control behavior was physically difficult, embarrassing, stressful, and emotionally draining. I knew I needed to get his behavior under control. I first tried positive reinforcement training at the SPCA (using super high value items like chicken, bacon, ham, etc.). It was clear that Max doesn't respond to high value stimulus because he has a high prey drive. I then sought help from a private trainer recommended by my vet. He used a prong collar (which I was very uncomfortable with) and came with an expensive price tag. I saw no improvement in Max's behavior despite numerous sessions and hundreds of dollars worth of sessions. I realized that Max needed a camp because I couldn't give him enough time during the day for training when I was at work. I picked this facility because of how they did not limit the training sessions after the camp. It also focuses on teaching the owners about how to properly interact with their dogs. Dan and his team really care about the dogs and about teaching their owners how to properly care for their dog. You don't just drop off your dog for camp - you also attend group training sessions and 1:1 sessions. The camp is as much about you as it is about your dog. Max was at camp a little bit longer than expected (6 weeks at first, then another 2 weeks several months later) and his behavior outside is still a work in progress. But Max has greatly improved from where he was when I first rescued him and I am so thankful to Dan and his whole team for their continued support and help. When you have a dog as crazy as Max, you need an entire support group to help you through it. Even though the camp is over, Dan and his team follow up to make sure Max comes in for a training session. And we also make it a point to regularly schedule training sessions for Max. I've become a smarter dog owner, I know way more about dog behavior, and I am much more in tune to Max and what sets him off. I would highly recommend Dan to anyone who is having behavioral problems with their dog. read more

I came to Dan and his team, desperate for help with my rescue dog - leash pulling, barking all day at everything (me, dogs, birds, letter carrier...), no recall skills, crate training, the list goes on. I met with Stephanie and Natasha on a Thursday, and my dog was in camp on Monday. Within just a few weeks at camp, I could see a major shift in my dog's behavior. I love that the program has trained me, too. I've learned how to how to behave with my dog, the proper tone to talk to her with, how and when to look at her. It seemed like a lot at first, and required a shift in my own behavior, but the hard work really has paid off. Having the opportunity to tailor the training to our specific needs has been a game changer. Any question or issue that comes up throughout the week, you have the opportunity to ask Dan, and he has a solution specific to your situation. After leaving camp, they don't leave you high and dry, either. I love being on weekly zoom calls to ask all my questions, and hear about what other owners are experiencing - it's nice to know that you're not the only one struggling! The weekly walks are another great opportunity to reinforce what we learned in camp and continue to improve. Dan, Stephanie, Natasha, and the whole team have been incredibly kind, supportive and accessible through the whole process, and I'm so grateful to them for all they've done for me & my dog. read more

I have a Chihuahua puppy (10 months old) that I rescued because he was small, and very cute/adorable. However, that cuteness wore off very quickly as I learned that this breed, is stubborn and self-willed, thinking they are a BIG dog. I'm a senior with a bad hip, so I thought, how hard can this be?...Well, my daughter suggested "dog training" and said a co-worker had been to Dan Perata Training Camp and was very pleased with the results. Excellent referral. I fell love with this team of people after the first visit. Dan walked through the lobby during our orientation and gave my dog the command of "sit and hush"; and immediately Choco complyed. "What! just happened!!!!....I enrolled him immediately. Their goal was "that I would be able to go anywhere with my dog and know how to handle him with a calm voice." if I was willing to put in the work and practice. These people are dog whispers truly. They trained ME, Choco now is getting better every day. I have to be firm with Choco, and can't let him get away with "stuff"; he does try...but the tools that I learned from DPT work. read more

I have a 2 year old rescue mini dachshund recently adopted from the SPCA. He had serious aggression issues as he would bark at every dog he encountered . I tried training with treats but he was very aloof and would not hold my attention. I admit I came to Dan as a nonbeliever. He spoke to me on the phone multiple times before the training session and taught me the way of playing the alpha role to my dog. When the session came, I was still a bit hesitant of what the results would entail. I could not be more pleased with my mini Cooper now! He no longer barks at other dogs incessantly in the park and will listen to my commands. He is the relaxed, loving and friendly dog that any dog owner would dream of now! Life with my dog is definitely much better because of Dan! He is simply the best!! read more

Dan Perata Training - Cooper making a friend, Milo, during Dan's group walk at Fort Funston! - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

Dan and team did a great job with my 5 year old staffie. She came to me about a year ago. We started working with Dan and team after a smaller dog in our building attacked her, and she started showing small dog and leash aggression. She also had pretty severe separation anxiety (eg followed me around the house, slept on top of me, threw herself at the door when I left). It's been about 6 months since our time at Dan Camp. We started with a visit to his facility. It was a little intimidating at first, but he had my dog listening to him intently almost immediately, even around the other dogs in the facility. He took with through what he thought was the best options for us, and set realistic expectations of how much I would have to put into making this work and how far he thought we would get. It was important to me that he emphasized how much I was going to have to do and learn as a part of getting her lined out. I agreed that his Dan camp program would be the best option for us. He told me most dogs would take about 4 weeks. He thought she would likely be there longer. She there almost twice as long :) We came to classes weekly on Fridays. With homework (with notes!) over the weekends, and drop offs again at their facility Monday mornings. Just like the staff all said, you get what you put in. The pricing seemed steep at first pass, but in retrospect it truly wasn't. It's just a flat rate, and they're with you for life. For a business to stand behind their work, and double the amount of service that is normal without any additional charge is kind of amazing. We're going to a follow up class this evening that is included in what I paid months ago. Dan even spent a half hour talking to my mom about her dogs a couple weeks ago. I can't stress how conscientious the staff was about her care. She was burning extra calories as they worked with her, so I was asked to bring extra food and they even suggested bringing some squash to encourage her to eat more during the week. She has very sensitive skin. All of her medications were applied exactly as needed. Plus, you could tell they were really invested in making sure we had a good outcome. The classes and "homework" were geared to us and managed appropriately. I disagree with some of the reviews that Dan has you dominate your dog. All I was coached on was setting good boundaries in my dog's life. Frankly, I think they coached me more than the dog. She's much more secure, and much easier to manage as a result. I also since used them for vacation boarding. Same great care. She's always happy and tired when she comes home. read more

I haven't even met with them in PERSON yet but this review is for the amazing experience I've had speaking with Natasha so far! SO great! I called around 10:30pm the first time, expecting to leave a voicemail, and she answered!!! And said she was answering just in case it was a current client...... THAT is the kind of relationship I want with someone training my new little puppy. :) Anyway we spoke a few more times, all lovely and pleasant. Excited for my first visit next week! read more

Dan may work well for some dogs. My experience here was brief but set me backward with bonding and basic training for my then puppy. I met directly with Dan for about an hour. Dan promotes dominance training and spoke at length of how he has worked well with aggressive dogs which I can't dispute or confirm. My experience however, was counter productive for an anxious shy dog who had severe separation anxiety. I found both Dan and his business partner enjoyable. They presented a level of professionalism and understanding about their business model that has kept them running for a long time. After our meeting I called and spoke to them directly. I let them know I was not using them for training or boarding because after our session my dog showed signs of distress and greater fear. I've learned a lot since then. I'm writing this mostly to say if you have a fearful or anxious dog Dan may not be the best fit. Not everyone fits every trainer. SFSPCA offers lists of approved trainers and behaviorists that may be better suited for you, especially if your dog has separation anxiety. I spoke with 4-5 other trainers after Dan to get the information I needed and find a good fit. SPCA classes and Malena DeMartini were especially helpful in our process. I highly recommend both. It's been almost a year with my little love and I can thankfully say she has come a long long way. She is obedient, confident in herself, travels easily with me off leash and even enjoys her alone time. It takes time and diligence but it's completely possible. Wish you all the best in your process. read more

Woof Woof! Monty is in "Dan Camp" right now & I am thrilled with what my little Havanse has learned so far. He has stopped howling (HUGE!) & can sit & fetch. Good progress for such a little guy. Dan has made the transition so easy & even took Monty for 16 week shots. I booked Dan Camp BEFORE I picked up my puppy. Planning is everything when you are adding a flurry fluff ball to the family. Dan is in demand - Plan ahead for your canine... Life is so much better with a well trained companion! read more

Dan Perata Training - Monty! - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

Ok Dan rocks!! :-) I came across his name on craigslist when possibly looking for a dog trainer. There was a link there to his yelp reviews. They were all VERY good as you can see. So I said, what the heck, let's try him out. I have a 5 month old puppy pit-bull who doesn't want to listen (hard headed) sometimes. So I called Dan to see if he can help. My boyfriend and I met with him last Saturday for an hour and he went through some basic training with us, and let me just tell you....in that one hour, we learned a lot!! And so did my dog, lol. We saw a complete change and we are so happy with our choice to do this. We know it's not an overnight thing, and we will have to continue to work with our dog on what we've learned from Dan. We will continue to follow up with him and he as well will continue to follow up with us. It's great! I noticed people were calling him Dan the man in some of his reviews, and I even caught myself saying to my boyfriend, Dan, IS the man...He's a great trainer, great personality. So if you are looking for a trainer, or someone to give you helpful tips, I would def go to Dan. :-) Thanks again Dan for everything... read more

Dan Perata Training - Memphis - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

I am not your typical Dan Camp client. My dogs don't need training (Dan may wryfully disagree with me) or lots of activity, as they are all old and frail senior smallies. What they DO need is tender loving care when I am out of town or need a break (full time job/big ass house/4 senior dogs - Calgon take me away!). They need a staff patient enough to make their elborate meals, give them their meds, keep them comfortable, and love up on them the way their Mama does. Leaving your dogs in boarding can be stressful for any pet parent, and it's not easy for me, but when I take them to DPT I know they are in the best of hands. My kids all go together in one kennel and are made comfy with their beds and blankies and each other. They get lots of attention and I get texts when I'm abroad telling me what little celebrities they are (it's not every day you meet a pack of 4 geriatric Chihuahuas. Welcome to my life). The DPT staff carefully follow their care and feeding protocols and keep my old guys trucking along. I can't begin to express how this has changed my life....I can now travel, or if I'm at my wit's end, just check them in for a few days to get a break & reinvigorate. Dan and his staff are funny, personable, quirky, and very upfront. If you're looking for velvet-glove, kissass concierge service, this might not be the place for you, but I can't stand that fake approach anyway (often with little to back it up). I appreciate the refreshing straightforwardness, the dry humor, and most of all, the superior care my Tiny Iditarod gets. read more

It's not the dog, it's the owner. What you do from day 1 is what your puppy picks up on. You can either be the pack leader or you can let your dog be the pack leader without even realizing the bad habits you are reinforcing in the mind of the dog. I had gone through multiple dog trainers with my Bluetick Coonhound, Leo. I do Search and Rescue in the Bay Area, so I started him in training programs around 1.5 years old, with the intention of getting him on the Canine Team. While I get that every trainer have their own philosophies and training methods, none of those seemed to have stuck with Leo...or myself for that matter. Upon discovering Dan and his team, after I left the consult, I knew this was the trainer Leo needed. I was learning drills and practices that I had not gotten with the other trainers and, more importantly, ones that seemed to have a strong impact on Leo. His camp is definitely worth while. The amount of simple, yet effective, tips he and his team provide have been lifesavers. The other dog trainer programs I had Leo in, once we finished the block of lessons, pretty much disappeared, leaving you to fend for yourself after you completed their program. Not the case here. When they say they are with you for the life of your dog, they mean it. Whether its going in for 1 on 1 lessons with Dan post camp, his weekly Zoom meetings or being able to bring any questions to the team via email, it certainly backs up their word on being with you. As I said in the beginning, it's usually the owner, not the dog. Leo has a long road ahead of him. I have a long road ahead as well in becoming a more informed, knowledgeable and effective pack leader. But I have all the confidence that Dan and the team will get both of us there and both onto the Canine Team when we become eligible. If you want that badass, off leash, looks to you for every decision instead of making it on their own dog and impressing the hell out of people while doing it, go with DPT. In Leo's case, results don't come overnight. But, if you're patient and do the work, results come and continue to come when you realize that every moment is a training moment. Great team, great results and great commitment to you and your dog. You stick with it, they stick with you. Go enroll today! read more

We adopted a puppy that has major fear aggression. We could not walk past a dog on the street without Bailey lunging and sitting at a coffee shop was a disaster as she lunged at dogs and an occasional passersby. I took her to two trainers with no improvement. We then went to Dan Perata. The training takes a little time and entails the owner consistently following the program. It took me a little while to accept the direction but once I did Bailey started to improve. Dan and his staff stick with you through the blips and problems that seem to be inevitable with dogs and continues to give help and advice. We can now walk past calm dogs on the street, usually walk past lunging, barking or growling dogs and sit quietly at a coffee table. We still have work to do but Dan Perata's program has made Bailey a happier and more confident dog. I highly recommend the program! read more

We adopted our mixed breed Polly when she was 10 weeks old. She was a happy and confident puppy but started to have behavioral issues around 7 months. She became leash reactive and lunged at dogs on walks. We hired a trainer who used treat training but things were getting worse. This method was creating an incredibly nervous and neurotic dog. A few months into "treat training" a neighbor saw us struggling with Polly and referred us to Dan. We went for the consultant thinking we would book a few sessions and go from there. Dan immediately identified all of her issues and recommended Dan Camp. After researching our options we decided to send Polly to camp and haven't looked back. We are first time puppy owners and were naïve to what a dog (like Polly) really needs to be happy and confident. Especially a dog living in an urban area. We've been working with Dan and his team for 7 months and it's changed Polly (and us) for the better. She is gaining back her confidence and we're becoming the leaders she needs to feel safe and secure. She is loving her walks and her interactions with other dogs have greatly improved. Dan and Aaron do an amazing job of laying the foundation and holding you accountable to continue it. Dan is direct and focused. We immediately saw that he has a gift with dogs. The training methods are not harsh. This was an initial concern when making our choice to send Polly due to reading prior yelp reviews. During the months she spent at camp and the months of training sessions afterwards we were never uncomfortable with their methods and will continue to send her there for boarding. In fact, DPT is the only place we feel comfortable boarding her when we go out of town. The facility is clean and well organized. Everyone is incredibly professional. Natasha was kind and responsive to all of our questions (and I had a million) when deciding to send Polly to camp. After camp the follow up has been awesome. We've been to multiple lessons and Dan came out to our home for a training. We're so grateful that we made the choice to work with Dan Perata Training. read more

Driving back from my second training session with Dan, I told my friend this story. "So I'm standing there on the sidewalk, and Elroy [my dog], is sitting in between us. And the guy just keeps getting closer and closer, and I feel Elroy leaning super hard into me and his little paw is on my foot. He's eyeing the guy, I can tell he wants to strike him, but he doesn't move. He didn't lunge." *He did not lunge.* About a month ago, he would have. When Elroy was younger, he showed signs of fear-based aggression and so I called Dan. Dan showed up and he kind of freaked me out. He's a big loud personality and Elroy immediately tried to bite him because he felt threatened. So, I didn't pursue training with Dan and instead went with the positive reinforcement training methods I was used to. Today, about 4 years later, my full-grown GSD mix is a full-grown protective biter. A month ago I was at a decision point: put him down or try something drastic. I met with Dan. He told me he wasn't sure if he could help, but he'd try. He said it might be the case that I need to put Elroy down. As much as that sucked to hear, I appreciated his honesty. I figured if anyone could help me, it'd be Dan. In two sessions I've learned how to walk Elroy differently, how to pay attention to the signals he's giving me when he's stressed, and how to redirect his attention away from stuff that frightens him (which he'd typically then lunge at / bite) to me. I feel more in control of him, and I feel like I understand him better, and it's 100% because of Dan, Natasha, and the rest of his team. They've been kind and supportive, and I feel like I have partners in Elroy's training with them. It's a lot of work, though. When I started training I was hoping I could just give Elroy to him and that everything would be resolved. After doing the sessions, I understand why that's not possible. So much of what we're doing is about training ME. And like anything that requires a person to learn something complicated, it requires a lot of work on my end. I say this because you should expect that once you start going to Dan, you'll be expected to follow through with at home. Forever. Finally, I think it's important to note that not all dogs necessarily need this type of training. I have friends with dogs who did just fine with positive reinforcement for basic stuff like sit, stay, down, and housebreaking. Dan specializes in *problem behavior.* In Elroy's case, it's aggression. Straight up bite a human aggression, and bacon wasn't enough. read more

Dan Perata is a dog whisperer. Over the past six years, he has worked with three of our dogs (two were rescues) and we could not be more pleased with the results. Part of the magic and success of Dan's approach to successful dog management is to also train the owners. A number of our dogs' issues had to do with our naivete and lack of experience with dogs. Once we were educated and trained on how to properly manage puppies, many of our dogs behavior problems were corrected. Dan has a very experienced, well defined approach to his training program. His team is outstanding and his training facility is equally outstanding: extremely clean and well organized, priced very competitively, roomy and will laid out. We have compared their facility and program to others in the Bay area and feel none compare to theirs. Another aspect to Dan Perata, not to be overlooked, is that this is a family business. Dan and his well organized wife Natasha run an exceptional business noted for their passion, integrity, competency and effectiveness. We recommend them without reservation. read more

I cannot recommend Dan and his team highly enough! For the past 7 years, he has trained our dogs (both as puppies and we are constantly being told by strangers how well behaved they are) and the have spent many nights there being boarded when we've traveled. Our dogs are always excited to go to see Dan (so we never have to worry or feel guilty when they're being boarded). His entire team is friendly and professional. And Dan's training is unsurpassed--our one dog went from a cute little puppy who wouldn't listen to us and began growling if we took a toy from her to a little sweetie who will drop her bone and sit immediately upon us telling her to "leave it." From basic training, to more specific training needs, to boarding, Dan and his team are absolutely excellent! read more

Dan Perata Training - Thanks Dan and team! - Pet Training Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is everything! I struggled with my dog's behavior for a long time. She had several bad habits which I was convinced were irreversible (running away, excessive barking, aggressiveness towards other dogs). I also believe she is quite possibly the most stubborn dog on the planet so this was/is not an easy task! The team at Dan Perata has educated me in how to properly command Roxy & communicate with her effectively. By staying consistent (with what they have & continue to show me), it has worked wonders. You have to be willing to commit to the work from your end too, so this is not for the faint of heart! If you want obedience that lasts, you have to change the way you are interacting with your dog. But, luckily, Dan & Natasha have designed a strategy that works & they will show you how! Aaron has been extremely helpful & instrumental in my dog's improvement. He's professional, direct, and knows what he is talking about. I did not meet one person on the crew here that I didn't like & I feel very confident leaving my "fur child" in their care. I would highly recommend this facility for both boarding and training services! read more

I couldn't be happier for what Dan Perata and his team did to bring out the best in my dog (Blue). We adopted Blue (Toy Aussie Shepherd) back when he was only 12 weeks old. My GF and I decided to bring him to Dan Perata because it was our first time to own a puppy and we wanted nothing more than to provide Blue with the fundamentals of being the best dog ever. Overall, they really exceeded our expectations. We worked a lot with their lead trainer, Aaron, and he was outstanding. We noticed exponential progress with Blue week after week from mastering the basic commands to properly walking on a leash. They would teach puppies how to feel at home in a crate and at the same time instruct discipline. The way they taught Blue how to properly socialize with other humans and dogs was second to none. The one thing that really impressed me was that they weren't only training your dogs to unleash their full potential, but they were also training the dog owners on how to properly command their dogs. If you want to have the best dog possible, it is expected that the dog owners consistently enforce what was taught during the week. You can't expect the dog to listen to their owners if these practices aren't reinforced outside the training grounds. At just 6 months, we were able to confidently take Blue out to dog parks while being off-leashed. His recall is amazing and he constantly checks-in with us. Thank you Aaron and Dan for being the best trainers out there. It's all about strong, positive reinforcement and consistency. I highly recommend any dog owner to check out Dan Perata's Dog Training and see what they're all about. I guarantee you it'll be the best investment you can make for your dog. read more

My wife and I are so thankful for Dan Perata training. We brought our crazy, but fun-loving, Golden Doddle in a few years ago; he was a disaster and would chew up our furniture, scratch our wallpaper to shreds, and destroy our garbage cans. After a few weeks of due diligence and searching, we were introduced to Dan and Natasha and have been thrilled ever since. After an intense five-week training course, our dog was listening to commands, walking along side us rather than leading and pulling (it's all about the walk). Most importantly, he stopped terrorizing our home. It's been two years since training and our dog is a saint because of the techniques taught at Dan Perata. Now, we still continue to use their services for boarding while we are away and feel confident our dog is safe and getting trained well. One warning-just like anything in life, you get what you put into it. Same with dog training. Dan Perata can arm you and show you the way, but YOU have to be responsible to keep it up and execute. It's tough, but so rewarding. Happy training! read more

I cannot recommend Dan and his team highly enough. Their process flat out works, their staff goes above and beyond, and they make good on their promises. Period. I adopted a 1yr lab mix that had been physically (with scars to match) and emotionally abused. When I got her, she was completely emotionally shut down and extremely fearful of EVERYTHING. I was the 4th person to try and adopt her. Having had dogs all my life and rescued in the past, I thought I was equipped for the challenge. I was completely wrong and in over my head. I called the majority of recommended dog trainers in the Bay area and Dan's training program was the only one that resonated with me (affection based training, no shock/choke collars, etc.) and set up a consultation. After the consultation Dan pulled me aside and recommended full Dan Camp and let me know that my dog was going to need extra time. Dan camp is a 4-6 week or until complete, intensive training program where they train your dog and more importantly YOU. My dog and I were on the "or until complete" end of the spectrum due to all the abuse and neglect she received. We stayed in Dan Camp for weeks after the original 6 weeks at NO EXTRA COST. Before Dan Perata Dog Training, I had a dog that had: -Extreme fear of people, new places, loud noises, petting etc. -Would run away any chance she could get -Was completely shutdown and unresponsive After, my dog: -Gets constantly complimented on how sweet and well behaved she is -Is walked almost entirely off leash with voice commands -Has 100% responsiveness -And most importantly is Happy If you check your ego at the door, buy into the program, and do the homework you are going to see great results. Not only is Dan and staff extremely professional, they are great people. You will enjoy your time and learn a ton! read more

We sent our "batshit crazy" Yellow Lab to Dan Perata last year and it changed our life forever. I would have paid double knowing how amazing our dog is today because of DPT. He had always been the sweetest, but our main issues were boundaries, impulse control, walking on leash and just overall craziness. Our dog had been walking all over us for about a year and thanks to DP and his team we were able to regain control and change our relationship with our dog for the better. Our dog now: 1 year later, our dog walks ENTIRELY off leash through the streets of San Francisco. He passed the Canine Good Citizen Test, the Canine Good Citizen Urban Test, AND the Canine Good Citizen Advanced Test with flying colors. He keeps a perfect heel, walks through crowds, crosses the street, ignore any and all distractions and spends every moment looking at me. He stops the moment we stop, can follow us while we bike....off leash, all the time. We don't even need to worry about him staying at our heel because we know he never breaks it. It all started with perfecting the walk and the other rules that DPT establishes. It is so impressive, that even we still cannot believe it. We just had to change our relationship with our dog and follow all the rules, forever...not just for the 6 weeks of Dan Camp! It is important to note that you get what you put in: you can't just send your dog to DPT and not put in any extra work and expect your dog to be perfect. Its important to follow ALL the rules even at home, outside, ect and to continue working with your dog even once it goes home. We do know some people who's dogs have not ended up as "perfect" as they wanted but that is because they didn't continue with the training after the dog's were done with Dan Camp. We don't even know where to begin with how amazing our experience was.... 1. Dan and his team love these dogs : Sure they are strict and set boundaries but we learned very quickly that you can be "tough" while still loving and caring for your dogs as part of the family. Our relationship with our dog is better because of it. Dan is honest & frank but he is right - and its important to remember how much he cares about the dogs. Dan works hard to help rehabilitate aggressive dogs that many trainers wouldn't even consider - he is willing to take bites (many times) to help these dogs get back on the right track. Even though this wasn't a problem we were dealing with, we could tell how devoted the team was to making sure all dogs had a chance at a fulfilling life. 2. Our dog loved Dan & his team: We worried about leaving him in board and train at first but after a week we realized how much he loved it there. He was as excited to go to DPT as he was to go to the beach. He still is when we send him back for boarding when we are out of town. 3. We received unlimited support: After paying the one time fee, the team was available to help us everyday whenever we had questions. We went in person while he was at camp 1-2 times per week and then continued for about 6 months after camp. 4. Our dog was not "broken", he just became the best version of himself: A lot of people ask me if strict training breaks the dog's spirit - this couldn't be further from the truth. Our dog is more confident, mellow, even more affectionate than ever before. He's so much more pleasant to be around while still having the great personality that we've always loved about him. We think that all dogs can benefit from DPT. We can't thank the team enough for all they have done for us. We recommend them to everyone who asks us how we got our dog to behave so well. read more

Dan and his team are incredible! I cannot possibly express the full extent of my gratitude for what they do! I will give details, but for those of you that want a quick testimony DPT is the absolute best facility. They are knowledgeable, compassionate, and so incredibly patient. I never left feeling like I had unanswered questions, and they are always certain that I have tools to follow through. There are some reviews that were concerned their dog's temperament would change; for me the only changes that happened were positive. My dog is still extremely goofy, lovable, and affectionate, but Dan and his team helped him be a dog; not my bodyguard, not the head of the house, and not a 70lb ball of anxiety ready to pounce. This team saved Orson and gave me back my confidence in my best friend and myself. I adopted Orson and did what I thought every good dog owner does, enroll him in puppy classes, socialize him, and smother him with love. I was through the moon when he was house broken in the first week, had basic commands down, and didn't destroy a thing. I'm still unsure what caused his switch, but suddenly my sweet boy was not so sweet. I took him to the park regularly and one day he had a dog by the ear. Luckily, the dog was unharmed, but I was shaken. I contacted the puppy training facility and was not invited for a follow up or other options; instead I was told "carry good treats with you so he wants that more than a dog." Well, it turns out a Husky is more enticing than deli turkey. When I talked to them again I was told, "Orson might not get along with dogs. Try avoiding them." If anyone has ever gotten this advice, best of luck to you finding a street with no dogs in SF. So began walks where you could find me zig-zagging the streets while I push turkey in his mouth to distract him. Before I knew it Orson didn't want to just lunge at dogs. Soon it was motorcycles, skateboards, cyclists, etc. With every block I grew tenser and Orson more on edge. My breaking point was after many lunging attempts the corner I was stopped at had a dog behind me, another crossing the street, and a skateboarder approaching. Orson had me pinned against a building as he used me as a springboard. At that point I had nowhere to turn and frantically searched for trainers that wouldn't tell me to carry jars of baby food with me so he could lick them... I came to DPT and after the first session I had hope restored. Orson was obedient and they immediately recognized what was happening when I walked him. In that session I felt more prepared and ready to get to work. They worked with me for what I needed, and sometimes lessons went over the allotted hour and some didn't because the team was focused on where I was struggling and progressing. I made a mistake in not continuing after 4 sessions. I was feeling more consistent so when my busy season came I stopped going. Three months later Orson and I had a walk where he was lunging and I fell back into avoidance. I soon realized that everyday I was getting more anxious and he was harder to walk. A few months later we encountered a dog and Orson took off and knocked me to the ground. I picked myself up with ripped jeans and scraped wrists and pulled him off the neighbor's dog. Then I enrolled in Dan Camp. Dan Camp is pricey, but when I think about what it has saved me in potential vet bills and for my own peace of mind it was worth much more. One lesson I cried out of happiness because it was the first time in a year Orson had been in the same room as dogs. His demeanor had changed and he wasn't locking on. My friends noticed that he was calmer and were surprised that he stopped jumping on them. Walks were a night and day difference. I was starting to lose some of that nervousness that had been building from a year of tumultuous walks. Camp is hard work. Every day that I had him home I had homework and I was going to ensure that I worked as hard as I could for what they were doing; it won't work if you don't put the effort in practice. It's been a year that I've been going to DPT. Is Orson completely perfect? No. I'm still not able to let go of my nerves (which has been a more difficult task for DPT than Orson was) but I have partners now to turn to. I have trust in a group of people that have shown me nothing but kindness and patience. Orson and I had an incident a few months ago and when I emailed Vanessa about it she got me in for a lesson the next day at no cost. Since then I've had follow-ups and invitations to day care and a team of people that genuinely care about the well being of Orson and me. My days with Orson are easy and he doesn't flinch when skateboards and most dogs go by. Dogs have successfully approached him on hikes and at the park and I feel more confident! I'm a little sad that his good behavior means I frequent DPT less but I stay in contact and work towards more progress! I can't give this facility enough praise for the difference they have made! read more

My husband and I are very happy with the training results for our 5-year old rescue GSD. He no longer barks and runs at birds on leash (it had become dangerous for all of us) and his behavior overall has greatly improved. It was just as much learning for us as him. We made many important changes. All of the effort and time was very well spent. And great to know that we can go back for a refresher at any time. Dan, Aron and the entire time were wonderful to work with. read more