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Dogpanion

5.0 (54 reviews)
Closed 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Services - Dogpanion

Private dog training

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Sam C.

I really enjoyed working with Mel. My husband and I adopted a 3 month old boxer puppy who had to learn everything and struggles with separation anxiety. Mel met with us weekly to gauge how he was doing, show me some new tips, and always followed up with emails and handouts I could use during the week of training. She showed me how to break things down into smaller steps so he could learn what I wanted, and how to deal with some undesirable behaviors - like incessant attention-seeking barking. He is so smart, and being able to see all the progress we've made with Mel's help has been so much fun. I highly recommend her for your private training needs.

Beemo socializing with his beagle classmates!
Rina Y.

As an owner of a breed of dog (beagle) that is notorious for being independent and hard to train, we decided to go with Mel at Dogpanion upon learning that she has two beagles herself. Although we attended a group class, Mel and Becca took the time to work individually with each dog to focus on areas that need improvement. The difference between the first and last day was so shocking it's like I went home with a different dog at the end of the course. Highly recommend!!

Being new puppy parents, we knew we had to find a trainer to educate Binxy (and us) in our new family ways. However, the global lock down meant that we could not use traditional face-to-face training methods and would, instead, need remote training. After some research we were fortunate enough to find Mel Reichek of Dogpanion. Mel proved to be a superb trainer. Working with us through video chat, Mel could see our dog, and she also had a pair of her own dogs to use as perfect role models (something for our little guy to aspire to). We had a series of puppy classes with Mel. Mel structured the classes so that we could learn from her with demonstrations, and following she sent us homework to work on privately with Binxy. We met once per week. Following the first session Mel invited us to text her with questions in between classes; for more complex issues Mel would talk to us on the phone. Mel was very patient with us, answering our questions and steering us through the inevitably weird behaviors that little puppies have, all with her signature good humor. Mel has a great personality, is fun to work with, and is really encouraging to new puppy parents. Our puppy is still small and has a lot to learn but with Mel's help, Binxy is on his way to being a very good boy! We will be working with Mel again on the next stages of training as our little guy gets older. Mel is simply the best!

Mel teaching Gus to "touch"
Lora E.

Mel is amazing. My 5mo old French bull dog has high anxiety; we were worried that outings would not be possible. Mel taught us ways to deal with his anxiety and made realistic suggestions as to how we could get him to relax in public. We've already implemented the techniques and see the results, truly remarkable. Mel understands how dogs communicate and was able to guide us in ways we didn't expect. Mel also taught my puppy "manners" and basic commands that we use everyday. Thank you Mel!!

PC: Mel -- Taco during training! This is an example of one of many great photos I received from Mel during Taco's day school attendance.

TL;DR: DEFINITELY contact Mel if you're looking for a highly effective and understanding dog trainer! I wholeheartedly recommend Mel (the owner and trainer of Dogpanion Training) for anyone who wants to have a happy, well-behaved dog and to establish a strong, positive relationship with his/ her furry companion. Mel's puppy day school (http://www.dogpaniondogtraining.com/puppy-day-school/) was the absolute, best-possible answer to my extensive search for a program that would provide positive-reinforcement training and socialization for puppies under 4 months old (aka not done with puppy shots) during the work day. As a then 11-week-old husky-mix, our puppy Taco was very intelligent but easily bored, often nervous around new dogs, and possessed some typical undesirable puppy behaviors (mouthiness and low frustration tolerance) that we hoped a full-time program would help address from the get-go. We enrolled Taco in puppy day school Nov-Dec 2018, 4 days a week, and have seen Taco transform from a little alligator to a happy, well-behaved puppy who licks instead of bites and from a pup who would hug the walls during puppy socials to a confident fellow who proactively asks his peers for play. While Taco knew basic commands prior to starting day school, Mel perfected his behavior even with distractions, such as waiting patiently at the door while the door is open, and introduced new, good behaviors, such as walking calmly on a loose leash. Under Mel's tutelage, Taco even passed his AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certification test at the end of his puppy day school tenure! Not only did Mel do an amazing job training Taco, I appreciated the pictures and short videos of Taco's activities that Mel texted me throughout the day every day and also her helpful emails with training guides and "homework" that I could reinforce at home. Mel also graciously offered her time outside of the day school to teach my partner and I how to communicate better with Taco and perfect his tricks like "rollover". She also provided recommendations for places where we could safely socialize Taco and develop his confidence in new environments. Even since I've left the San Diego area, Mel has generously reviewed trainers in my area to provide my partner and I with great recommendations for where we could continue Taco's education. Thanks again for all of your fantastic work and support, Mel!

Brad S.

Look no further for a dog trainer, Mel is the best. She is passionate, patient, and excellent with animals. In the short time that we have used her we have seen results and a more disciplined dog. She cares so much about your animal that she is always available for consultation over the phone. She has boarded and trained our dog when my family went on vacation and sent follow up videos and photos of our puppy on our vacation. We look forward to a long term relationship with Mel and our adorable and well trained puppy.

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Aimee trains all facets of puppyhood! Flexible schedule. Available to answer all questions. Recommended to me.

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Ask the Community - Dogpanion

Hi , do you come to our house are we bring the dog to you?

Hi Ronen, yes, we are happy to come to you to train.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - Dogpanion

. Mel was able to work him into her schedule almost immediately, totally saving my sanity and his behavior

Mentioned in 49 reviews

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Dogpanion - pet_training - Updated May 2026

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