Kuma's Journey
Aaron was the first person I spoke with after a serious yard incident where our dog, Kuma, jumped the fence due to reactivity and over-excitement. In what was an incredibly stressful and emotional moment, Aaron was calm, professional, and completely non-judgmental --and he came out to help without hesitation.
Right away, Aaron recognized that while Kuma had a solid foundation, we needed to establish clear boundaries and consistently follow through. At first, this felt overwhelming, but with each in-home session, Aaron's guidance became clearer and more manageable. Everything
started to make sense.
Our front yard sits directly on the main drag, and Kuma's bed is positioned by a window facing all that activity--what we jokingly call "OB HD TV." Aaron explained how constantly watching that stimulation was increasing Kuma's anxiety and reactivity. He helped us understand why Kuma was reacting, showed us how to manage excitement levels in both the house and the yard, and gave us clear, realistic training tools and steps we could actually follow.
One of Kuma's biggest challenges is skateboards--and living in Ocean Beach, CA, that's unavoidable. Aaron helped us understand that even in such a highly stimulating environment, with constant exposure to dogs, motorcycles, planes, skateboards, and both on- and off-leash
dogs, things can still be managed safely and successfully with the right training and guidance.
We initially debated between purchasing eight in-home sessions or doing a board-and- train. After our fourth in-home session, we realized board-and-train was the best option given our
schedules and the level of time and consistency Kuma needed.
When Kuma arrived for board-and-train, he broke out of his crate--as Aaron joked, Kuma was trying to be like Pablo Escobar and escape, so he had to be moved to "Alcatraz." Kuma had never been kennel-trained before, so hats off to Aaron. He even became Aaron's
personal 4:30 a.m. alarm clock. Kuma was definitely a challenge--stubborn and spoiled by us with too much love. Loving Kuma is good...but boundaries matter!
After four weeks of board-and-train, my fiancé and I met Aaron at a beautiful park. After not seeing our dog for weeks, we didn't know what to expect. When we arrived, we saw Kuma
looking regal and calm, confidently holding a raised place command with Aaron by his side. We greeted Kuma and seamlessly transitioned right into training.
Aaron also educated us about Kuma's breed--a working-line German Shepherd--and helped us understand the traits and needs we were working with. He showed us how to properly engage Kuma's mind with targeted activities that provide both mental and physical exercise, which has made a huge difference in managing his energy and focus.
As we prepared to bring Kuma home, I did a one-on-one session with Aaron--and WOW. Kuma had truly transformed into the dog of my dreams. I loved it so much that I booked another session at the mall, and we even went into Barnes & Noble with Kuma. I learned so much and felt immense joy and confidence.
When our daughter came home for winter break, all four of us met Aaron for a final session before Kuma transitioned home. During that session, Aaron brought along another previously trained dog who Kuma had never met and who was boarding with him at the time. My daughter and I walked that dog while my fiancé trained with Aaron and Kuma. Watching both dogs calmly pass each other was incredible and truly showed how effective Aaron's training is.
The wait to get Kuma back felt long, but it was absolutely worth it. Aaron stayed in constant communication, sending photos and videos and always making himself available for questions or concerns. He worked around our schedules--even during a major life event when I was hit head-on by a tire on the highway, totaling my vehicle. He was kind-hearted, patient, and incredibly understanding throughout it all. Choosing Aaron truly felt God-sent.
I highly recommend board-and-train with Aaron unless you're one of the lucky ones who only need in-home sessions.
Most importantly, Aaron helped us prioritize safety and responsibility--for Kuma and for the people and dogs around us.
We now feel confident, prepared, and proud of the dog Kuma has become. Aaron's dedication, communication, and genuine care go far beyond what we ever expected from a trainer. He is not just someone we worked with--he is someone we trust completely with our dog. Choosing Aaron was one of the best decisions we've made for Kuma and our family, and we recommend him without hesitation to anyone seeking real results, lifelong support, and a trainer who truly cares. read more