I wish I had contacted Karin sooner! Don't wait like I did. If you want your puppy on the path to…read moresuccess give Karin a call. She's also very fun to hang out with and you will learn a lot about your puppy and tools and skills for positive behavior training.

Karin is amazing! She is a true dog whisperer and extremely diligent/ knowledgeable AND hilarious…read morefun throughout the whole process. Our puppy is a rescue with some real issues, she was honest and frank about who he is and provided a path forward. We are forever grateful for her care and support, without her training and mentorship we may not have been equipped to keep our pup. Thank you!!

Silvie and I just completed a 5-session dog training and Vicki definitely has a gift. When we…read moreattended our first training, Silvie was already excited to make a new friend and eager to learn. I adopted Silvie, a Taiwanese Formosan Mountain dog and Labrador mix a couple of months ago...she came with some basic training courtesy of Adopt a Doggie http://www.adoptadoggie.org but needed additional training with staying (duration), walking (she gets too excited to focus and pulls, jerks from side-to-side) and learning to leave things on the kitchen counter. Vicki is wonderful in answering questions and making recommendations if something isn't working. I learned the proper way to help Silvie with her training such as the difference between using the command 'stay', 'wait' , 'settle, to 'leave it' and respond immediately when calling her name. And in order to get Silvie to focus on our walks is to use a higher reward treat (a yummier item) and eventually she will walk on a loose leash. Basically, what it comes down to is constant training and time and eventually Silvie will be on her way. Silvie and i both learned a lot and greatful for the sessions and will most likely continue with other sessions. Thank you Vicki!

Vicki is amazing and understands how to correctly train even the most stubborn of breeds…read more Vicki and Braveheart Dog Training was a recommendation from our vet. Beginning with great habits while they are puppies is optimal. We went from puppy class to intermediate clicker training to getting Nikkou CGC (Canine Good Citizen) trained! Shiba Inu's are known for their willful personalities but Nikkou loved Vicki and would complete each request for her. She taught ME how to gain the skill and the command so that behavior was kept over time. Owner skill and mood really does travel down the leash so ensure YOU are ready not just the dog. Plus, I have seen her take older or "problem" dogs and teach them socialization and great behavior. This is a MUST for owners who want to be out in public with their animal. Not just to learn how they are to behave but how to react when the other animal (okay mostly owners) that has no manners! Thanks Vicki for being a great part of Nikkou's development!!

I have two fur babies and recently my grand pup moved in. My oldest pup has been away to boot camp…read morebut needs reinforcement on good behaviors and corrections. She is the teacher and we wanted to find a trainer that would help us with positive reinforcement. Someone who treats our pups as the family they are without making them unsure and keeping our dogs trust. Ami is that trainer, she is wise patient and aware. I just a few sessions we have gained a ton of Confidence in correcting them and teaching them what we need from them. We explore new approaches together and the dogs love her too!

Our little French Bulldog had some serious behavior problems that needed to be addressed before he…read morehurt himself or someone in our family. We took Jetson to several training sessions with a number of different trainers but none of them seemed to be able to get through to Jetson. One trainer in particular used methods that cause a hemmorgage in Jetsons eye. We were totally lost as what to do next when our neighbor recommended a trainer they had used and were very satisfied, That trainer was Ami McFalrlane. Ami is now working with us and with Jetson and we are very happy with the results. We are very glad we found Ami and we could not recommend her more as she is very personable, professional, and kind. Our dog picks up on her relaxed being and immediately he begins to calm down. She is a hard worker and cares for your pet.

Rebecca was a big help with my dog reactive rescue dog. She has a positive focus and was able to…read moretailor her training both to my dog and to me. She had many helpful suggestions and provided lots of feedback and more advice after each session. She is a pleasure to work with. I can recommend her without reservation.

Rebecca has been an amazing trainer to work with. I have a senior dog with unwanted anxiety and…read moreaggression, and I had felt like it was useless to train my dog at such an old age. I gave dog training a shot anyway. And Rebecca has been extremely patient, personable, and understanding in working with me on my dog's unwanted behaviors. Throughout our sessions, I could tell that Rebecca genuinely cared about the success and happiness of both my dog and myself (and dogs in general). With just 2 at-home sessions with Rebecca and my dog, I learned so much about my dog's behaviors and how to work around them. The techniques that Rebecca taught were effective and personalized to my dog's needs. She was very observant of my dog and broke down the "why" behind my dog's behaviors. Additionally the questions Rebecca asked about my dog really proved to me that she really took the time to understand more about my dog's personality and quirks, and not just the behaviors my dog was exhibiting upfront. It was very helpful that we did the sessions at my home and around my neighborhood, where my dog normally exhibits the unwanted behaviors. Literally the next day after my 2nd session with Rebecca, I practiced the techniques I learned. For the first time in my dog's life, my dog was able to walk past multiple dogs without barking at them! I understand carrying out these techniques are not a one-and-done thing, but it goes to show how impactful Rebecca's guidance has been. I can't recommend Rebecca enough, even for people who might have older dogs. I feel much more confident having the tools to continue working on the unwanted behaviors with my dog so to be as happy as possible for the rest of her life. I wouldn't hesitate to reach out to (and work with) Rebecca again in the future.

Jess is so so sweet and patient, and is a wonderful teacher for both dogs & humans! She's extremely…read moreknowledgeable and has had some really helpful and creative ideas for navigating confusing behaviors/challenges that my senior rescue dog has been struggling with. She really knows how to break down training steps in an approachable, non-overwhelming way. We have only had a few sessions with her so far, but her warmth and support have really helped us both already! :) I have some health challenges, and Jess has been incredibly accommodating and understanding about my different needs. Highly recommend!! :))

Jess is a patient, insightful, and thoughtful trainer. She helped us understand and work through…read moresome of our older toy poodle's quirky and problematic behaviors (attacking certain people's feet, barking at the tv, hiding whenever it was time to go for a walk, etc). We felt very stuck and unsure of how to navigate these behaviors prior to meeting with her. We worried that our dog being older would make change impossible, but that definitely isn't the case. I particularly appreciated how collaborative she was with us throughout the process-- she made sure to check-in with us each week about how we felt regarding her suggestions, how things were going when we were practicing training on our own, what interventions we were comfortable with or not, what behaviors we wanted to prioritize working on next, etc. Jess is also in general just a lovely and kind human who clearly has such a strong passion for the work she does. This made it really easy for us to trust that we were being guided by someone wise and with the best of intentions. Highly recommend.

Petra Reynolds has dog sat and trained our 12 year old chihuahua, Mole' since she was a pup. Over…read morethe years her work has turned our dog from a shy, timid dog into a confident, friendly, responsive dog. When we go on vacation, Petra takes Mole' into her home and treats as if she were her dog. For dog training, dog sitting and dog walking, there is noone better! Helane Zeiger

I'm so pleased to be able to update this review from 2010. How time flies!…read more Our dear Penny whom Shasta helped us with back then passed away in 2015. We started working with Shasta again in 2017 when we got our new pup, a border collie rescue. He came to us emaciated and poorly socialized, needing love and positive experiences to bring him out of his shell. Shasta gave us much-needed training advice, and from there her staff started walking Hugo on group walks, which he's done once a week since 2018. He enjoys these walks so much; they provide wonderful socialization experiences. All the treats and training in the world can get a dog so far, but a strong adult with a great pack really helps with confidence-building and calm. Hugo walks with Toni, who send us pictures of him each week with his crew. I can tell that Hugo is happy with Toni and his pack: as we release him to the car (to maintain social distancing), our pup who usually does not like to leave my side will happy run down the stairs to greet him and hop in the car! Shasta also runs Puptown for boarding. We've only needed this service once, but having been in there and knowing Shasta for so many years, I know that this would be a great resource as well. It has been a pleasure seeing Shasta grow this business for over a decade, and watch it continue to provide the same excellent service it did in the beginning. If you need training support, especially with difficult dogs, a weekly walking group, or more, Bow Wow is a great choice. Review from 2010 I love Shasta. She has walked our dog for well over a year. She been amazing. We have worked with four dog walking companies, and Shasta is a cut above. As a handler, Shasta knows dogs and dog behavior. We switched to her when we were having some behavioral problems with our dog at home, especially after walks. Shasta worked closely with Penny and we've seen huge improvements in her behavior. Last year our dog needed surgery; Shasta worked with us on her rehab, and continues to be conservative with her play to ensure that she stays strong. As a business person, Shasta has been great. She handled our initial interview, paperwork, and invoicing professionally. We LOVE her daily dog walk "reports"--these little report cards let us know how our dog was feeling, what she did, and (sorry for the detail) even if and how she pooped! Who could ask for more? Our dog loves Shasta, responds well to her, and behaves well at home after a walk with her. That's what matters most.

This crew... where do I start? Shasta and her team have been walking our dogs since they were…read moremonths old. Now they're in their twilight years, we still feel the same. They are a wonderful team that treats these dogs like their furry children. Shasta and her team have been awesome, helping to transform these loving, high energy dogs to obedient and happily exercised ones. One of our dogs is socially awkward -- he's gotten kicked out of almost every doggy day care in the East Bay. o_O The off-leash hikes are must haves for them and our backyard - you should've seen what these two did before we hired Bow Wow Ventures! They're worth every penny. I'm not kidding when I say our dogs love them. When they hear the truck coming, they're raring to go. And they're the only ones we call when we need to board them. I cannot recommend them enough.

Fabi is one of THEE best trainers in The Bay. She is super accommodating with your schedule, my…read moreBelgian Malinois LOVES her so much and loves the training work Fabi does with her. Every time I get her back from doggy daycare or from long weekend boarding she comes back with a great demeanor and in great spirits. I also love all the videos and photos I get while I'm gone. Constant updates and communication is incredible and I know Luna is in amazing hands while in traveling. If she can handle multiple Malinois at the same time, you know she's a dog whisperer.

Leaving my dogs behind when I travel used to give me so much anxiety. Durk and Simba are my babies,…read moreand the thought of them being somewhere unfamiliar always made it hard to enjoy my time away. That all changed when I found Fabiola. From the very first visit, I could tell Fabiola genuinely loves what she does. She treats Durk and Simba like they're her own. She takes the time to get to know their personalities, makes sure they feel comfortable, and gives them the love and attention they're used to at home. What truly sets Fabiola apart is her constant communication and care. While I'm away, she sends me updates and pictures of my boys having fun, playing, and training--it seriously brings me so much peace. Knowing they're not just being "watched" but actually thriving in her care makes all the difference. Durk and Simba get to socialize with other dogs, which they love, and Fabiola makes sure they're engaged, active, and mentally stimulated throughout their stay. She continues their training while they're with her, and it shows when they come home--they're happy, calm, and well-behaved. Fabiola doesn't just board dogs. She creates a safe, fun, and loving environment where dogs feel like they're part of her family. I'm so incredibly grateful for her. Thanks to her, I can travel with peace of mind knowing my fur babies are in the best hands possible. If you're looking for someone who will love and care for your dogs like you do, Fabiola is the one. I can't recommend her enough.