Cancel

Open app

Search

Fur Real K9

5.0 (28 reviews)
Open 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Updated 3 weeks ago

Request information

Response time

10 minutes

Response rate

100%

Services - Fur Real K9

Dog boarding and training

Group dog training

Private dog training

Fur Real K9 Pet Training Photos

Recommended Reviews - Fur Real K9

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Danielle F.

Be the alpha your dog needs René is literally the best top dog! His trainings teach you how to communicate with your dog while understanding their pack nature with you & your home. We did this program 7 years ago with our 2 male rescue pit bulls (2 &5 at the time). They had some stubbornly obedient challenges and after completing the program they were the best dogs I knew they could be. Still to this day I get compliments on how well mannered they are. So when I say this program works it's true and it's never too late to start. Now fast forward to recently we decided to add another dog to the pack. We were nervous brining a puppy into the mix but we knew this training is effective and lasts for years to come! As soon as our puppy was vaccinated training started. He was a little stubborn at first but then picked up on it quickly and has made the puppy stage so enjoyable. No puppy shenanigans here! At 7 months old people are astonished at how much he listens & takes direction. They ask if I'm the dog whisper and I say "nope but I was trained by the best.!" We will forever be grateful for René and everything he has taught us. If you want an obedient, well mannered dog invest in them and their future you will not regret it.

Obeying the side gate threshold boundary
Tyler J.

My wife and I brought home our chocolate lab, Lacey, at 8 weeks old and our family immediately fell in love. However, as she grew so did her unruliness. One day when walking her through the park with my wife, she jerked the leash so hard at the sight of another dog it made me spill my drink on myself and we decided to just go home instead. It was at that point I realized we needed some help. A friend had recommended René as he had helped train his two dogs. I reached out and set up an evaluation. In the hour René spent with us at the initial evaluation it was readily apparent this is a man who knows what he is doing and is meant to be a dog trainer. Think "The Dog Whisperer"! I shared sith René that one of the things I was looking forward to was being able to open the door or work in the garage and not have to worry about Lacey bolting down the street and having to chase after her. With our permission he performed some basic training techniques in our family room with Lacey and she immediately became submissive to his lead. It was crazy to watch and we knew it was going to be worth every penny. We agreed to board Lacey with René for two weeks and allow him to train her. He brought her back over to our house once a week for those two weeks to work with her and with us, then after those two weeks, Lacey was trained and he left her back with us. But at that point he came back once a week for four more weeks--not to train Lacey, but to train us! Lacey was our same dog, super playful, energetic, and crazy, but she was now obedient! It was the best of both worlds. René taught us how to establish threshold barriers so Lacey wouldn't walk out the front door, back doors side gate, or garage without our permission. Rene worked with us on how to hold the leash, how to give commands: heel, sit, down, stay, and "okay Lacey!" (which releases her into "free play" mode essentially), what to say and do, what not to say and do and how to reinforce good behavior occasionally but also correct the bad behavior. René also sets you up with the perfect equipment (leash and collar) once the training is complete so you can carry on once he's done. It's been several years now since we had Lacey trained and she has retained every bit of it. Again, it was worth every penny. We view the cost of this training as an investment into Lacey as a valued part of our family. Now we can enjoy her all the more due to the expertise and skill of René and how well he not only trained Lacey but us as well. If you're on the fence about getting your dog trained, consider it an investment like we did and look no further than René at Fur Real K9!

Elyssa B.

Rene saved my dog's life. I adopted my dog Lilac from a shelter when I was 19 and knew very little about how to be a responsible dog owner. That situation as well as previous trauma she experienced put her at a disadvantage. Lilac developed very severe anxiety and reactivity to other animals and people which resulted in aggressive behavior. She would not listen and I didn't know how to create structure for her. At the time, I was in college and working part time. I was becoming very overwhelmed and frustrated with the situation. I enrolled Lilac in a 3 week board and train at another company that cost 5K the previous summer. The trainer was able to teach her some basic skills but after I got her back, she slowly regressed to her previous behaviors. I felt scared and upset that i couldn't take her anywhere. I attempted for months to rehome her to rescue groups, shelters or a family that may have more time for her. All groups refused her due to bite history, size or being at capacity. After various meet and greets, she was placed with a couple who stated they were very experienced with all types of dogs. Within the first few days, the owners lost control of her, and she attacked a small dog while they were in public. Unfortunately, this was not the first time this had occurred. At this point, after displaying this much aggression to other animals and biting a handful of people, I felt hopeless. In my mind the most responsible thing to ensure everyone's safety was to have her be euthanized. When speaking with some veterinarians, Rene was recommended as an amazing dog trainer that truly could help Lilac. I came into contact with Rene and set up a consultation. I felt very comfortable with his confidence that Lilac was able to be rehabilitated. I enrolled her in a 1 week board and train with monthly check-ins afterwards. Rene was so supportive during this whole process and was able to help Lilac so much. He created structure and expectations for her that reduced her anxiety. She felt safe and had no need to be reactive. He was able to teach his methods to me so I could continue to work with her. I cannot believe how much this training changed Lilac's life. I wish I had gone through this training sooner. Lilac is now thriving and able to come with me anywhere I go. Rene's dedication and hard work gave her a new life full of new experiences. This training has developed a deeper connection between me and Lilac. I am so grateful that he came into our lives. I recommend him to anyone and everyone who is interested in truly being a responsible and loving dog parent.

Guisselle N.

We recently completed a 5-week training with Rene for our dog Murphy. Murphy had been professionally trained 10 yrs ago, and as Rene mentioned Murphy mostly needed some polish. We worked on his "heel" position among other tweaks. Rene worked with Murphy in a steady, thoughtful way and we saw the "polish" working. I highly recommend working with a professional trainer like Rene for any dog owner looking to reinforce and build good habits (for both the dog and you). It's worthwhile investment for both your family and your dog. Grateful for Rene and his expertise!!!

Graduation day for Dumpling and Pumpkin!
Jamie T.

I sought René's training program after seeing and hearing about the amazing progress my friend's dogs had - especially one who was reactive and stubborn. I adopted a stray putty pup named Pumpkin who was a little under a year old and ended up in a few altercations with my other pitty girl, Dumpling. I exerted everything I know about training and was desperate for help. I called and scheduled an evaluation with René who provided great observations about the dogs which I didn't notice/think of before. The program was hard work- but what in life isn't hard work to benefit from the best of it? René showed us how to build trust and respect with our dogs. Within a few sessions we saw so much progress with the two of them! Pumpkin was fearfully anxious, and we saw her calm down so much with training. Dumpling is very stubborn and hard headed- I stopped taking her on walks because of how stressful it was (from pulling, reactivity). After the program, I can walk Dumpling confidently, trusting in the training and the bond we've built. Pumpkin was anxious and reactive when she saw other dogs, but now we can walk her off leash and feel confident she will be by our side the whole time! Thank you René for being so patient, supportive and helpful in teaching us as owners how to be better trainer/owners to our babies. I can't stop raving about René and his effective training for dogs of all sizes and walks of life! 100/10 would recommend to any owners seeking training for their fur babies!

2020 training with Rene

We contacted Rene to board and train our Boerboel the moment we got him. Knowing we were bringing home a large, powerful breed, we wanted to ensure we started off on the right foot--and Rene was the absolute best! ​Throughout the boarding, he sent constant pictures and updates, which gave us such peace of mind. What we appreciated most was his patience; he didn't just train our puppy, he trained us. He took the time to explain the 'why' behind every technique so we felt confident continuing the work at home. We are so grateful for his expertise and would recommend Rene to anyone with a dog, whether it's a brand-new puppy or an older dog!

Monique W.

René is the best! Our dog Roscoe was leash reactive and difficult to walk before we met Rene. Our main problem was not knowing how to properly correct or handle him. Rene trained us and gave me so much more confidence as a dog owner. He is a compassionate trainer and helped me through the emotional struggle of the training process. Our dog responded to him right away and we're forever grateful for what he taught us. I highly recommend his services to anyone looking to create a better relationship with their dog and correct problematic behaviors.

When I adopted Sydney from the shelter in 2024, she was big but I did not know she would be reactive to other dogs. At 100+ pounds, she quickly became difficult to handle and walking her was pretty rough and sometimes it got scary. We found Rene and within 8 weeks, she was a different dog. I learned (Important to note that I needed training too) how to manage her on walks and provide her with the discipline she needed. Now, we go everywhere together, she attends Rene's monthly group trainings and is well behaved around the other dogs, and I have even introduced her to some dog friends for some play time. Rene's program is a game changer to transform your dog into a canine good citizen. While I saved Sydney from the shelter, Rene definitely saved her (and me) with his training program.

Big personality over here

My dog was trained by Rene in 2020, and I'll always be grateful for the experience and the results. I rescued an 11-month-old husky who needed a lot of structure, guidance, and support, and Rene's training completely changed both my dog's behavior and our relationship. What stood out most was Rene's consistency, knowledge, and ability to explain why certain behaviors happen and how to properly address them. His non-treat training approach gave me the confidence and tools to handle my dog in real-life situations instead of relying on constant rewards. Because of his training, I'm able to genuinely enjoy public outings, walks, and everyday life with my dog, while also seeing a huge improvement in behavior at home. One of the biggest moments for me was realizing I could walk through Home Depot without even holding the leash and rely solely on hand signals and verbal commands. I never would have imagined that level of trust, focus, and obedience when I first rescued my husky. That experience alone showed me how effective Rene's training methods really are. Rene also helped me better understand canine behavior overall. We often humanize our dogs, but he taught me that dogs still need clear boundaries, leadership, and accountability. Just like children, they will test boundaries as they mature, but thanks to the foundation Rene provided, I feel prepared and confident handling new behaviors as they come up. His training didn't just help my dog, it helped me become a better, calmer, and more effective owner. I fully endorse Rene's training program and highly recommend him to anyone looking for lasting results and a stronger relationship with their dog.

Chandra R.

Rene is truly amazing. His skill, patience, calmness, and positivity were exactly what we needed for our very loyal (yet very stubborn) alpha dog, Pennywise (Dogo Argentino; 95lbs). Completing the training, we continued with Rene for many years receiving level two, three and protection training for Pennywise. The training has absolutely changed our lives. We have the most beautiful and special bond and are able to take our dog anywhere off leash. He listens to both my husband and myself in any situation, without question. We could not be happier with Rene and Fur Real K9. 11/10 every day. Highly recommend.

If you're on the fence about professional dog training, let Liam's story convince you. Liam came to the U.S. from the Philippines in 2024 at 4 years old, so not only was he adjusting to a brand new country and environment, but he also came with separation anxiety and some deeply ingrained bad habits. He had been so spoiled that he genuinely thought he was the leader of the pack -- doing whatever he pleased, on his own terms, with zero regard for boundaries. On top of that, the moment he'd sense I was about to leave -- grabbing my keys, putting on my shoes -- he would get anxious and worked up. Sleeping in my bed was one of many issues we had to work through. Honestly, it was hard for me to make him sleep alone, but Rene taught me that giving Liam the confidence to be by himself -- and helping him trust that I will always come back and he will see me again -- is actually what helps him. It wasn't breaking him. It was building him. That's a lot for a dog to navigate, and Rene handled it all with patience and expertise. The obedience training Rene did with him has been truly transformative. Liam responds to his commands consistently, and the progress has held up well because Rene gave us the tools to keep reinforcing everything at home. It's not just a short-term fix -- it sticks. Fast forward to today, and he calmly settles into his "spot" when I leave without so much as a whimper, and sleeps soundly in his own bed or crate without a fuss. We take him to the mall, playgrounds, parks, and even on RV camping trips, and we constantly get compliments from strangers on how well-mannered he is. That's the best testament I can give. And even after training wrapped up, Rene has remained supportive and available for follow-up questions. That kind of continued care is rare and so appreciated. Rene is exceptional at what he does. Highly, highly recommend!

Rene is the real deal! The insight and training he provided our family was amazing. 100% would recommend Fur Real K9.

Before working with Rene, Canela struggled with leash pulling and reactivity, which made walks stressful. My wife and I took Canela to a different dog training program and we saw little progress. We felt hopeless that we would not have the off-leash dog we always wanted. My good friend recommended Rene and our life with Canela changed completely. After training with Rene, we trust Canela off-leash and feel confident to take her anywhere with us. Renes provides structured training that gives dog owners the tools to practice and get your pup to a high level of obedience. If you trust Renes process and put it in the work, your relationship with your dog will change in a positive way. Our only regret is not going to Rene sooner!

See all

23 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Mai D.
3
37
15

13 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

13 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

14 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

14 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

14 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jamie T.
384
28
12

15 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Marie M.
279
11
1

14 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

14 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jeffrey M.
114
31
17

16 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

16 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

14 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of D L.
0
6
11

15 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

14 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

14 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

16 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

14 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of René S.

René S.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Emily N.
199
10
0

7 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of René S.

René S.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of René S.

René S.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Ask the Community - Fur Real K9

Review Highlights - Fur Real K9

Murphy had been professionally trained 10 yrs ago, and as Rene mentioned Murphy mostly needed some polish.

Mentioned in 19 reviews

Read more highlights

Cali K9 - Our dog Carson far left in his 2nd group training. Very impressive.

Cali K9

(491 reviews)

Fairgrounds

We've been working with Cali K9 for the past 8 weeks to help train our dog, Luna, and address some…read morebehavior challenges--and the experience has been amazing. Hamza has done an incredible job guiding us through the process, helping us build Luna's obedience while also giving us the tools and structure we needed as owners. The training has been clear, effective, and tailored to Luna's needs. What we appreciate most is that this isn't just about short-term results--it's about setting Luna up (and us!) for long-term success. We're excited to keep learning and improving with Hamza's guidance and the support from Cali K9. Highly recommend to anyone looking for professional, results-driven dog training!

We have an adorable and STRONG 4 year old Rottweiler with reactivity issues that needed to be…read moreaddressed. After our initial intake phone call with Cali K9 we decided on the 8 week semi-private and 8 week group session training package (with additional remote assistance). From the first session Hamza was professional, patient and firm with our dog (and us!). He gives detailed guidance in a structured environment, always remaining calm. It has been a journey, but halfway through our program we are seeing significant results - both in and out of class. We see our Rottie understanding and following commands much better, and our confidence in him and ourselves has grown tremendously. Hamza is not intimidated by large breed dogs and keeps the atmosphere super positive. While I see that this program is beneficial to all breeds, I would especially recommend Cali K9 for strong, reactive dog breeds.

Lori Hamilton Dog Training

Lori Hamilton Dog Training

(164 reviews)

I'm coming out of the dead to leave this review because I hope it helps someone who is thinking…read moreabout seeking professional training for their dog(s). We are not new dog owners and with our previous dog, we lived the best life - traveling across US and Canada, flying on planes, staying in hotels, dining at Michelin star restaurants, going to work at the office, walking off leash, etc - with zero professional training. He actually was a puppy school drop out! We learned that all dogs are different and with our new pups, we needed help on dealing with behavioral issues like reactivity. Through positive reinforcement, Amy coached us on how to loose leash walk our dogs in heel position. She also showed us how to do "place" work, use spatial pressure and how to get our dogs to focus on us around distractions. We also learned how to turn up our praising game verbally and with treats! Trainings were mainly at Butcher Park which is a very high pressure environment given the amount of dogs at any given time. It really put us to the test and honestly, we were challenged! It's hard work. We had homework after each lesson, but we committed to practicing in between lessons. We weren't perfect but we always showed up ready to learn, and to give and receive feedback each time with the goal of growing and improving. We ended up doing "board and train" for both of our dogs (one at a time) and we couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome. We needed a jumpstart and Amy gave us the knowledge and tools to set us up for how we want to live our lives with our French bulldogs. She truly loves dogs and wants the best for them and their owners. We highly recommend Amy!

I hardly ever leave reviews, but I want to give hope to anyone who is struggling with their dog and…read morefeeling frustrated and helpless. The first year with my golden retriever, Luka, was extremely hard. He was a mouthy dog who had zero boundaries at home or outside. He would get excited or frustrated and grab/bite onto my shoes or clothes daily. Walking him became an impossible task because he was extremely dog-reactive, and he dragged me a couple of times while trying to chase another dog. Walking him also became a two-person job, with someone always on the lookout for other dogs so we could turn the other way. He also began to resource guard and snapped at my dad twice.. I had already spent thousands on another trainer and didn't have much success. I began to feel like this was just what life with Luka would be like forever. It got to the point where I felt scared of him, and the life I was giving him out of that fear wasn't fair to him. So I decided to try and get help one last time. I found Lori's page and after reading the reviews I became hopeful again. I took Luka in for an evaluation, and Lori recommended their board-and-train program. I can't thank Chelsea and Lori enough for everything they've done. I've learned so much about Luka, how to manage different situations, and how to better understand his behavior. We had training lessons throughout his board-and-train stay and afterward, because we are the ones who need most of the training! Chelsea did an amazing job with Luka. At home, Luka is unrecognizable in the best way. We can actually go on adventures outside without being terrified that we won't be able to handle him. Those who knew Luka before his stay and see him now always comment on how well he is doing. I cannot recommend Lori Hamilton's Dog training enough to anyone who feels like they've tried everything and is feeling discouraged. I am so thankful because it finally feels like Luka and I can start living life and enjoying everything around us.

One Day Dog Training - Steve trains dogs of all ages and sizes.

One Day Dog Training

(225 reviews)

Steve at One Day Dog Training is truly one of the most special and remarkable people I have ever…read morehad the privilege of learning from, and an absolute delight to spend a day with. I have decades of experience fostering dogs and personally adopting many of my own, and over the years I've worked with a wide range of trainers. Without question, Steve is in a league entirely of his own. His talent, intuition, and depth of understanding when it comes to dogs is extraordinary. He doesn't just train dogs; he teaches humans how to truly understand them. What made the experience even more unforgettable was the joy he brought into the day. We laughed constantly. At one point my cheeks genuinely hurt from hours of smiling and laughter. And yet, amid all of that warmth and humor, we walked away with an incredibly clear, grounded, and practical understanding of his methods and a deep sense of confidence in our ability to apply them. Steve's approach is refreshingly doable: just five minutes of training per day, paired with his ongoing availability as a resource. That combination alone feels invaluable. We literally just completed our training day today, so I plan to update this review in a few months with more detail about long-term ease of execution and results with our dog, Griffin. But one thing I feel compelled to share now is this: throughout the entire day, even while Griffin was dramatically protesting (vocally, and with flair), Steve remained calm, steady, and completely unfazed. Griffin didn't love everything he was being asked to do, but he clearly adored Steve. He never cowered, never shut down, never showed fear. That level of trust speaks volumes. At one point, I asked Steve about scheduling an additional training day for one of our other dogs. His response was thoughtful, sensible, and deeply ethical: he told me it wouldn't be necessary. He explained that the principles I was learning with Griffin would absolutely apply to our other dogs as well, and that he'd be more than happy to answer questions along the way. That moment really matters to me because it so clearly reflects that Steve is driven by genuine passion and care for people and dogs, not by squeezing every possible dollar out of his clients. I also want to wholeheartedly acknowledge Tasha, who was incredibly kind, responsive, and compassionate throughout the scheduling process. We had to cancel our original training day due to a traumatic injury our other dog, Enzo, sustained: a spinal stroke. Tasha immediately offered to refund our deposit without hesitation. When I shared that I still very much wanted to work with Steve, she later went out of her way to find us an earlier date than originally offered after I asked to be notified of any cancellations. That level of care and humanity meant so much during a really difficult time. I am profoundly grateful for Steve and his entire team. This was one of the most positive, affirming, and empowering experiences I've ever had as a dog guardian. If you're looking for the best, congratulations. You have found it with One Day Dog Training!

Amazing Dog Training session with Steve Miles of One Day Dog Training today!…read more My husband and I were "beside ourselves" with the incessant barking, lack of focus, dog walking struggles behavior that Finn (1 1/2 yr old) Maltipoo had started displaying over the past 6 months. We had tried various tactics, treats to rid Finn of his "bad habits" We were referred to One Day Dog Training through some close friends who had worked with Steve to train their 2 dogs. From the start.. Finn really took to Steve. Steve is personable, knowledgeable, and patient. His love for dogs is felt. He put our minds at ease from the start. Through the training, Steve took time to teach us how to better understand dog behavior and how we can better communicate what we want our dog to do...It was very enlightening. It was an education for us and Finn! At the end of our 3 hour session, we were really amazed to see a transformed young dog. We are soooo proud of Finn. The 3 of us have learned so much! Thank You, Steve!

Bark Busters Santa Clara County West

Bark Busters Santa Clara County West

(63 reviews)

Josh at Bark Busters West has been absolutely outstanding. He has worked with my dog and me for the…read morepast two years, and the difference he has made has been remarkable. When I first brought my dog home, he was a recent rescue, very undisciplined, and difficult to handle. Josh immediately understood that the training needed to involve both of us -- not just my dog, but me as well. He taught me how to communicate clearly, set boundaries, and handle my dog with confidence and consistency. Over the past two years, we have met with Josh in person more than a dozen times, and he has always been available by text or phone whenever I needed guidance. That kind of support is rare and incredibly valuable. The transformation in my dog has been amazing. He is now well behaved, much calmer, and far easier to manage. It is obvious that Josh truly loves dogs and has a real passion for helping them. When you watch him work, you can see how much he cares. I honestly think Josh has become my dog's favorite friend. I highly recommend Josh and Bark Busters West to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, patient, and committed dog trainer.

Josh is absolutely phenomenal with dogs. I loved how he uses non-food reinforcement and how ethical…read morehe is with animals. He is a former education professional and he brings the most humanistic approach with animals while giving a plethora of resources and plan along the way. He showed us tangible rewards within our first session and the most notable moments being my dog behaving as I passed through to grab my cup of coffee and also her manners as we were walking around and with creating ranging proximity to enable her to understand walking versus exploring. Definitely would recommend supporting this small business owner here locally!

Bay Area Dog Training - Now loving bond with energetic independent pup bouncing like frog. Mike's a skilled educator with precision, praise, reinforcement THE BEST

Bay Area Dog Training

(117 reviews)

Willow Glen

From "Cujo Junior" to "Polite Gentleman" -- Thanks to Mike! If you've ever adopted a 4-month-old…read moreSchnauzer who treats every living being like a personal insult, you know our pain. Our pup, Diego, didn't just bark; he acted like he was auditioning for a lead role in a horror movie. Walks? Impossible. Visitors? Forget about it. Even our long-time pet sitter--a woman who has survived literal wolves--couldn't go near him without fear. . Our first trainer took one look at him and basically told us we'd adopted a tiny, bearded landmine. She called him "one of the most reactive dogs she'd ever met" and gave us the kind of "good luck" that usually precedes a disaster movie. Enter Mike Hatjes from Bay Area Dog Training. We found Mike on Yelp, and honestly, we were just looking for a miracle. Mike is a unique breed himself: he's incredibly direct (no sugar-coating the fact that your dog thinks he's the CEO of Chaos) but also hilarious. He balances that "tell-it-like-it-is" energy with a sense of humor that kept us from losing our minds. The Transformation Timeline: * The Private Lesson Phase (8 Sessions): We went from "we can't leave the house" to "wait, is he actually sitting on command?" By the end of our eight private lessons, we were taking regular walks. My blood pressure dropped, and Diego actually started building confidence instead of seeing every mailbox as a mortal enemy. * The Group Lesson Phase (The Real Magic): If you told me six months ago my dog would be in a group with 10 other dogs, I would have assumed there'd be a SWAT team involved. But Mike's group lessons are shockingly amazing. Seeing my dog hold a "down" in a row of 10 dogs while each one weaves through the line? It's practically a glitch in the Matrix. The Verdict: Mike didn't just train our dog; he gave us our lives back. We can do family trips, have friends over, and walk down the street without looking like we're wrestling a caffeinated alligator. If you have a dog that makes other trainers cry, call Mike. He'll tell you the truth, make you laugh, and turn your "unbelievable" nightmare into a well-behaved companion.

When we first got our dog, a 4-year-old Jindo from Korea, he had a stubborn prey drive and would…read morepull on the leash hard enough to drag me to the ground. He was also very reactive to other people and dogs. Mike taught me to watch my dog for cues and to communicate with him. After 7 private lessons and two months of weekly group classes, my dog is now a well-behaved walking buddy (most of the time). Thanks, Mike!

Bay Area K9 Association

Bay Area K9 Association

(227 reviews)

Bay Area K9 has been a lovely experience with me and my dog Cane for the past few months, from the…read moretraining and using the Sniffspot as well. This review is long overdue for sure! Training aspect: Steve, has helped my men reactive and dog reactive 2yo German shepherd adjust to our home and make our bond SO strong. I myself, have learned so much from him and have finally been able to teach my dog phenomenal manners and after a few sessions, his behavior at home is so much better now. We have more to learn, but Steve has taught us everything and been patient and kind, and it works out so well for our learning style. His photography is also phenomenal and has taken amazing progress photos of Cane, and I can guarantee I'm probably going to get one framed in the future. 10/10 trainer, couldn't recommend him enough. Sniffspot: This area behind the facility is SO nice if you don't have a backyard, which is very common in the Bay Area. Having a high energy dog, exercise is so important to keep him in shape, and keep him happy. The turf is always nice and clean, and the area is always quiet and we are never disturbed. Plenty of toys to play with and so much room to run! It's always worth the drive over for sure. Overall, no complaints whatsoever, if you are looking for a trainer that is kind, knows his stuff, and makes training FUN and makes your bond stronger with your dog, go here! I couldn't be any happier with our time with Bay Area K9. :)

If your pet is running from you should be running to Bay Area K9 Association!!!!!!…read moreAre you looking for an amazing quality caring and experienced professional who will make your two naughty dogs a little bit less crazy? Look no further! Steve is an amazing professional who understands your pets needs and your own needs. Whether your pet is old (or young) Steve's your guy.

Happy Tails To You Dog Training

Happy Tails To You Dog Training

(69 reviews)

Cambrian Park

This review is long overdue. We adopted a 2yo pit bull in February 2020 from a shelter. Then, as…read moreyou know, Covid hit the very next month. Our boy had been found wondering the streets of SJ. With my wife and I, he was the Biggest love bug. So cute, and funny, and cuddly. But we can only imagine the terrible experiences he had endured. He had a scar atop his head and was very nervous around new people, which led to behavior like growling and snapping at times. His fear was only made worse by social distancing and not being around new people. Once Covid settled a bit we sought out a trainer for him. I'll never forget the first day Dawna came to the house. Our pup growled and was very displeased that this stranger was in his space, and worse, trying to interact with him. Dawna was not a bit deterred, which I was impressed by but I remained skeptical. Fast forward something like 2 weeks: Dawna interacted with him with ease on training days and he loved receiving love and pets from her. We couldn't believe it. Dawna taught us how to train him and he was able to meet all kinds of new people and doggy friends on our outings. We are forever grateful. We only had 2 years with him. Cancer. I knew I would get emotional writing this review, which is why it has taken so long. Dawna and Megan (from Dawna's other business, Canine Corral Dog Daycare) changed our lives. We will be forever thankful for them. I couldn't recommend Happy Tails To You enough.

Easy drop off and pick up. Staff is caring . My dog is always tired from her day. Highly recommendread more

Sit Means Sit Dog Training South Bay - The Sit Means Sit South Bay team hanging!

Sit Means Sit Dog Training South Bay

(114 reviews)

Berryessa

We sent our 1.5-year-old golden retriever for three weeks. We were stunned by the results. If you…read moredon't know anything about goldens, just know that they're very welcoming and friendly, but are also overwhelmingly energetic for the first three to five years. Think zoomies x 10. They're easy to train, but that was the issue. He would ignore our commands because he wouldn't feel like doing it. We asked Ryan to focus on three areas: recall, drop it, and going off-leash. We would spend 15-20 minutes chasing after him after he'd bolt out the front door. He thought it was a game. As you know, running out to the street can be dangerous. 'Drop it' rarely worked. He would have everything in his mouth - sticks, trash, balls - you name it. Sometimes, he'd have things that aren't edible in his mouth. And frankly, we never trusted him off-leash, that was asking for it. Everything was resolved when we brought our pup home. We were so proud of him! His recall was better, he never bolts out of the front door, and with that, we trusted him off leash (only in confined areas, of course). We're super grateful for Ryan and the SMS team. Now it's on us to continue with the training! One more thing to add: our pup had perpetuating issues with digestion/stool and paw and ear infections. It was the worst! We tried everything and spent so much money. Ryan suggested that we transition to a raw diet and we haven't had an episode since. I'm so thankful for that too!

My husband and I have 5 dogs. At the time we put 4 through…read morethe program because we did not have the 5th one. My oldest dog is 12 years old with no training. I soon got 2 more dachshunds and then a German Shepherd. Being that the 3 dachshunds had no training, we knew it was irresponsible on our part to have a bigger dog that was untrained. When I dropped off my first two (German Shepherd 6 mo. & dachshund 1 yr) I told Ryan, good luck! LOL They are very energetic since they are puppies and the GS was already taking in bad habits from the little ones. Always barking, was getting on top of our counters, very reactive. Typical dog stuff. After a couple days we received videos of them walking by other dogs and no barking! I was witnessing a miracle! After 2 weeks we got them back and we saw a MAJOR IMPROVEMENT. Dogs are dogs, so of course they are still a little reactive and bark, but it's much much much MUCH EASIER to stop it! No more haggling. I say quiet and they're quiet! Especially with as many dogs as we have, we had no idea how to train them all at once. Then they took in the other two dachshunds. The 12 year old and the 5 year old who are the most spoiled. To my surprise they were very disciplined the first couple of days! The little ones always pulled on the leash and was starting to hurt my shoulder. Not anymore!! They all walk beside me with no tugging. So now my husband walks the GS while I walk the 3 dachshunds. And yes they are actually pretty good at walking all together. IT IS POSSIBLE! Now that we have another puppy, a GSD Shar Pei mix, we have him into training too. Since the other dogs are into their routine, he falls into place. We also got him a place mat, and an ecollar. Not only does this program know how to train your dog, they are also very passionate and loving about it. You can tell they love your dog like it was their own. They are also very knowledgeable about the raw food diet. I highly suggest talking to them about it. I want to say a huge thank you to Jaden and Sam too who helped make this possible! Also, being that this is basically a franchise for dog training, it was a HUGE PLUS for being in a military family. Training is every week for the lifetime of the dog, so your dog can interact with other dogs that have been through the same program. My husband and I are moving across the country due to military orders, and we don't have to worry about the dogs not socializing with other trained dogs. They have someone out there too! I hope they are just as great as Ryan, Sam, and Jaden! We are truly going to miss this little family!

Fur Real K9 - pet_training - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...