Fantastic experience with gentle touch. They were caring and patience with our big pittie boy. Gave us lots of great training tips that we are still using! They are true to their name -- gentle with lots of praise for pups. Would 100% recommend. read more

Gentle Touch has awesome trainers/ class instructors and wonderful programs! They use only positive training methods and have something for everyone, from basic puppy socialization to competitive dog sports. Reasonable fees also support a non-profit organization that provides service dogs! My young dog has been a regular since she was a puppy and loves everyone there. She is so excited every time we arrive for a class or competition. read more

I'm so impressed with Gentle Touch! I called about some reactive behavior in my dog, and they called me back the next day for a thoughtful 20-minute chat to discuss the issues. She actually advised *against* enrolling in a class for now, confident her corrections alone could help - and one of them worked immediately. I'm actually writing this mid-dog walk, because I'm so grateful for her kind, expert advice. This is definitely where we'll go for training moving forward! read more

I've taken my dogs here a handful of times for workshops and puppy courses (both cattle mix rescues) and it was fun, but these courses are 90% tricks and obedience and 10% real life training. More than half the class was sitting on a chair with the dog on the floor listening to the instructors, if your puppy starts getting frustrated and barking-their solution is to put a divider panel in front of you. I was told that both of my dogs were reactive and was recommended the "Fiesty Fidos class" to learn to "manage" reactivity. Mind you I was told this about my 5 month old insecure puppy. I decided not to sign up for that course because I couldn't imagine putting my puppy in a room full of reactive adult dogs would do anything for her. I reached out to a smaller, lifestyle based trainer and we started working with them. Their group classes are outdoors and based on real life situations, and the trainers view dog training as a spectrum rather than a singular set of outdated rules. (As well as actual professionals who have a background in dog behavior) My "reactive" puppy has since earned her Canine Good Citizens Award, been offleash e-collar conditioned, is neutral around other dogs, and learned to have an off switch all without much help from Gentle Touch. This training facility is not for everyone, if you want a dog that can perform in a classroom and earn some pieces of paper, this is for you! But if you want a well mannered, socialized, confident dog that knows how to behave outside of the classroom -I suggest looking elsewhere read more

Lots of different classes Great trainers Worth any inconvenient drive you have to make read more

Great resource for training your dog. Knowledgeable trainers who work with you to get the situation right. I took my 6 year old dog and he really liked it and benefited from the training. read more

Gentle Touch Pet Training - Wolfgang - a 6 year old poodle - Pet Training Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

We've had Alaskan Malamutes for 41 years, and never tried clicker training before. With the pandemic closing most classes and all dog shows, we decided to try Gentle Touch (which has room for outdoor classes). We are now sold on the clicker training. Our puppy is excited every week, and is learning and engaged. We are enjoying learning the positive training techniques, and finding ways to shape our pup's behavior. read more

The gentle touch trainers adhere to positive dog training techniques that have gained popularity in recent years (rightly so) rather than the archaic dominance training theory. Do not go there expecting to get the Cezar Malan training experience. The trainers are friendly, passionate, knowledgeable, and are great communicators. They are very impressive. There are always enough trainers to manage the often large class sizes. The facility is clean and spacious. We've taken their basic puppy class and intro to nose work. Both are fantastic. read more

I met Tia the owner that opened up gentle touch, 23 years ago and I think she's the best trainer in the county. Also, maybe a sign of a greatDog. trainer is when they write a book and your clear across the country and you see the book in a service dog training schools library, someone that you did not know. They didn't get the book because of me but because of who she is and what she wrote. read more

Knowledgeable and kind trainers who all clearly love dogs. They are willing to work with difficult dogs and provide owners with what they need in class and out of class. read more

Love, love love this place!!! My Bella feels more at home at Teahs place than her own home, well almost. I am hoping to get Bella higher into Obedience training and Agility! This is the place to do it. Bella is a very strong willed doberman. Gentle touch has helped with her accepting she doesnt run the show! read more

Teah and her staff are awesome! You can tell they truly love their jobs and that they love dogs. I'm much more confident that I have a well rounded dog after graduating puppy school with my miniature schnauzer Ellie. If you truly take the time to work with your dog during class and at home, all their methods for training work. My puppy really enjoyed the socialization with the other puppies. It was fun for her and also beneficial bc she was able to get her socialization in with other dogs which is vital for a happy well rounded pup! read more

Gentle Touch Pet Training - Ellie says thank you! - Pet Training Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

I have taken 3 Golden's to gentle touch and highly recommend it I also highly recommend their nose work classes read more

I was really happy to see that Gentle Touch offered Puppy classes for puppies that were not fully vaccinated. We have a German Shepherd puppy and were anxious to get started on socialization with other dogs as soon as possible. Our vet recommended this class. I was very impressed with the precautions that Gentle Touch goes through to make sure the puppies are safe since they haven't had all their shots yet. The class was great and my puppy has had the experience of playing with other dogs at a very young age. We are looking forward to taking the next level class! read more

Gentle Touch Pet training is a fantastic group of professional trainers. Professional in their communication with both humans and animals. Professional in their techniques to foster human/animal understanding of one another. My puppy, Jagger, has grown into a smart, respectful, kind and confident young dog. I thank all the trainers for their passion in creating a wonderfully positive relationship for us. From puppy preschool to puppy enrichment class...We are a dynamic duo looking forward to many adventures together. read more

I have taken my pup to several classes starting at puppy class thru intermediate and both my pup and I have learned a lot . I would recommend Gentle Touch to everyone that would like their dog well trained with good manners read more

Teah and her staff are Amazing...each of them is very caring about dogs and helped get my dog Ziva to be a better dog. After taking 2 classes on training we tried out nosework class and Ziva loves it. We really appreciate the variety of classes and how much we have learned...Thank you!!!! read more

Gentle Touch Pet Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

I have done a variety of classes at Gentle Touch: Elementary clicker Clicker high Intro to Agility Intro to Nose Work I highly recommend all of the above. The trainers are great and very helpful. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of my time spent at gentle touch. read more

Our personal trainer, Lisa came to quickly to help us with our new German Shepherd puppy. She came every week for several weeks and gave us really good advice to help us and the dog settle down. Then we went to the Puppy Enrichment class, learned some more and had a great time with the other participants. There were always 4 trainers there to assist us all through our lessons. We plan to sign up for more! read more

Great dog trainer, Teah, who really knows what she's talking about. I took both my dogs here for beginner's puppy training. It was very effective training based on positive reinforcement rather than scolding or yelling at dogs. It was the furthest thing from harsh or intimidating. Dogs receive experienced training as well as introductions to the world of intriguing smells and other puppies. Self-control for puppies is exercised here in an effective way. read more

Gentle Touch Pet Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

A force-free, positive reinforcement training environment with excellent and qualified teachers, a full range of courses, and many helpful programs, clinics and special sessions. These are the RIGHT kind of trainers in a healthy environment, at very fair prices. I drive an hour each way to take classes and other events at times. (Going to an NW3 clinic tonight, in fact!) I recommend them every chance I get and have heard only good feedback from friends. Highly respected in the training community, too. (BTW, that one-Star review...you can probably tell by reading it, but that is not what you will experience here. There is a high level of respect for pets AND humans here. And BTW, the CO can vary from one ORT to another, so not sure that person understood the whole situation, anyway.) You'll be happy with Gentle Touch. read more

After training many wonderful dogs the "traditional" way, I have found that clicker training and positive reinforcement training is the only way to train a happy and well behaved dog! I am so glad we went with Gentle Touch and I hope to return in a few months for more advanced training. Thank you to all the trainers for their expertise and kindness! read more

We started class with our four month old puppy eager to learn. Excited we made our way through the first two classes. By the third week they had zipped passed sit, stay, come and then on to an assortment of commands for the next week and the next. A couple of the trainers were very good and then a few that I almost would say were judging the less astute dogs. I felt like they were trying to cram way to much in a short amount of time. I would not recommend this facility if you are just looking for the basics. read more

Just attended the NACSW Odor Recognition Test on January 27, 2019 at Gentle Touch Pet Training. The venue was excellent and the test was well organized with helpful staff. The CO of the test was positive and professional. We false alerted on one of the odors and the CO gave us constructive comments afterward. Everyone working the event was so positive it was impossible to be disappointed about missing one odor. We are looking forward to the next ORT held at Gentle Touch so we can add the final odor to our box ;-) read more

We've taken several classes at Gentle Touch with our rescue dogs and highly recommend their classes. Personal experience has been with housework (fun and great for all dogs), beginning obedience and agility. All the instructors have been great. read more

I love this group of trainers!! So many different training options to choose from! I've taken the puppy class and just finished with the obedience class. Next is agility. They are so professional, supportive, and caring. The best!! read more

I was walking in a store and saw a service dog. I asked the people where they trained their dog. They said Gentle Touch in Arroyo Grande. I realized that business was the same trainers my vet recommended. I then made arrangement to enroll my pup in puppy classes. It was a great experience. The classes were run by real lover of dogs. Not only do they love dogs, but they know how to train humans how to raise their pups. I'm planning to enroll our 5 month old in more classes. read more

Great people. Great classes. Would highly recommend Click Connect. Very knowledgable and attentive to a variety of dogs with vastly diffent personalities during the training classes. read more

I am a first time dog owner and this class was amazing for me to learn about my pup and teach him through positive means from a young age. I strongly recommend to anyone with a puppy. My dog got socialization in a safe environment from the beginning and I got the confidence I need to be his master. read more

If you are planning on doing an ORT at this facility, be prepared for the CO to be very condescending, patronizing and rude. I didn't realize my entry fee included unasked for, unwanted and incorrect advice from the scribe. read more

Nearly twelve years ago we brought our first "baby" home just after our honeymoon. She was an adorable Scottish Terrier and we loved her to pieces. When she was old enough we began looking around at the training options (for us and for her) and were told by more than one person that "you can't train a terrier!" Then we found Teah Anders and she scoffed at such a remark. She has trained all types of terriers and vowed that our Scottie would be easy to train. Two training sessions later we had a reasonably well-trained Scottie Dog. It was really only our training that was rough around the edges. This year Santa brought us a Miniature Australian Shepherd. While she is very smart and relatively easy to train by comparison she is HIGH energy and needs guidance. So we found ourselves back with Teah and her helpful knowledgeable staff and amazing facility in a specially designed barn on her property. She has a wealth of information and experience from decades of training and the success of her methods are apparent after the first week. We are in the second round of puppy training and look forward to the agility class with Talley the Aussie. The mission statement on the Gentle Touch Pet Training web site states that they are "Dedicated to helping people live a happier life with their dogs and helping dogs to live happier lives with their people." This is clear in everything they do during the Gentle Touch classes and is outlined in Teah's book "Click 'N Connect." The training system is so user-friendly that we had our son who is 7 take it with us and he immediately understood the concepts taught in class and could follow through with them at home. There were many other children in the class as well -- which is a great idea to learn the training cues as a family and be able to roll them out consistently. The Gentle Touch trainers are well divided depending on the number of class participants keeping the puppy chaos to a minimum. It turns out to be a positive, rewarding and successful experience in a safe, clean environment even if your puppy has not finished their vaccinations. Although we have been fortunate to never have had an adult dog with behavior issues, Teah and her trainers can address those as well in group or individual formats. To make it simple Teah offers the training tools you need -- nose sticks, treat bags, recommended toys etc. in her retail room so if you forgot or like what she uses better you can get it right then and there. If you are too far away to take one of her awesome classes I recommend purchasing the books and watching as many of the training videos as you can on her site www.clicknconnect.com. The positive reinforcement psychology behind this form of training has proven successful with our family multiple times and with dozens of our friends and acquaintances. I highly recommend Gentle Touch for your dog and your family! read more

I had several past students recommend Gentle Touch when I started asking around about dog training. We have been taking classes here for 4 months and we love it. Maggie, my McNabb, and I started with the Clicker training when she was 8 months old and we loved it. I wish we had found them sooner. We've since completed the Intro to Agility with Darcy, and we are already signed up for a second agility class starting in January. The beginning clicker training is a great class that is good for any dog who hasn't had any obedience training. We learned the basics, I.e., sit, stay, come. In the clicker 2 class we built on the basics and started to learn basic leash handling, greeting strangers and their dogs, as well as testing for the CGC certification (canine good citizen) which is a prerequisite for therapy dog certification. Our instructors varied, but everyone was very knowledgeable and always answered everyones' questions. The agility classes are taught by Darcy and she knows her stuff. The intro to agility is exactly that, an introduction to the world of agility. Maggie learned the different types of courses, I.e., the tunnels, jumps, a frame and weaves. She loved every minute of it. If you have a high energy dog this is definitely something to look into but I strongly suggest taking a basic obedience class first if your dog hasn't taken any type of class before. It is a lot easier to do agility if your dog already follows basic commands like sit and stay. The facility itself is beautiful. The agility course is set up outside in a large, fenced area. And the obedience classes are inside a converted barn. The prices are very reasonable and there hasn't been more than 8 dogs in each class, and there is always 1 teacher and 1 assistant, so there is a 1-4 teacher to dog ratio which allows the dogs some individualized attention. Their website has all of the classes listed as well as a schedule and its super easy to sign up online. read more

Our dog took the Elementary Clicker Training Class. I was skeptical at first, but you are taught how to train your dog with a clicker! Excellent class! My dog was able sit, stand, and finally do a 'down' after the 6th week! All the things taught in this class your dog learn will learn in time! read more

This is my second class with gentle Touch. Learned a lot of useful information. My puppy is growing maturely in her obedience training. My dog is a delight to walk now. She is polite when greeting people and other dogs. Will continue to use the Clicker for future behavior and/or issues. My dog has responded well with this training. I appreciate the RRR information since my pup is a "bolter!!!" She is really responding to the RRR training we recently started. read more

We love Gentle Touch Pet Training! We took our rotweiller to their puppy preschool, which was his absolute favorite thing! Our puppy got lots of great socialization and training, and we had a place to ask questions and learn new skills. We'd definitely recommend working with Teah and her staff, and we'll be back for more classes! read more

Gentle Touch Pet Training - Pet Training Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

We are only in our 3rd week but I have seen so much change in our puppy, and the trainers are just amazing...super attentive and loving with all the animals. I would recommend this place to everyone. my boyfriend and I have bonded worth our puppy so much and she is getting so much socialization...it's great! read more

After adopting a young pup from the shelter, I figured it was a good time to get some basic training in. At Gentle Touch, I did the puppy Enrichment class and they taught the basics of clicker training and we did some cool activities that would help the dogs prepare for some real life situations (going up stairs, seeing/hearing a lawn mower, desensitizing them to firework sounds just to name a few). For a little over a $100, it was definitely worth it. At the end of the class, my dog learned to sit, leave items alone, bow, and I used my new clicker training I acquired to teach him at home some things like how to roll over and stand. Cant wait to see what else he can learn. Definitely worth it, even for just the dog socialization! The staff here was very friendly and their knowledge and understanding of dog behavior was top notch. read more

Teah and her staff were wonderful and knowledgeable. A very comfortable environment. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed with our new puppy and was amazed with how well the clicker training works. Just exposing our guy to the people and other dogs at an early age was worth it alone. Of course it is up to us to follow through and continue with training but the puppy class gave us a strong foundation especially when I really had no idea where to start. A lot of information to absorb in six classes but Teah's book (given as part of class) is a very Handy reference so you don't have to remember everything. Cost is very reasonable. If your looking for a gentle way to teach your new member of family This is it. read more

Best dog training method and trainers anywhere! They are all very knowledgeable and helpful. I've been through many traditional dog training classes with several different dogs in the past, and the Gentle Touch clicker method is not only a kinder, gentler method of training, but it works so much better! It helps build a bond between you and your dog, rather than making them fear you! I'm bringing my 3rd dog, over 10 years, that I've brought for training to Gentle Touch and all 3 dogs have loved it and learned well. I highly recommend all the trainers at Gentle Touch! read more

Great experience and a chance to practice training my dog around the distraction of other dogs. Becky was very knowledgeable about training and provided a great beginning clicker course. read more