Josh has been such a help to our family! His stance on how to train was the perfect fit for us. We brought one of our dogs to Josh when we believed our dog was showing aggression signs. He quickly was able to identify that our dog wasn't aggressive, there was dynamics playing out in house between all dogs that created a level of tension. He provided us with tools to diffuse the house when we noticed signs that he identified that would lead to a scuffle. We saw no further aggressive behaviors from any of our dogs. One of dogs has never listened to any commands. One hour with Josh and she was trained on how to sit, lay down, and "place" with hand motions only! He has opened our eyes to the unending ways we can work with her. I can't thank him enough. Both dogs are now friendly with each other and we have had no further issues in our home. I highly recommend K9 Optima for anyone experiencing aggression issues. He is kind, compassionate, and truly does this to enrich the lives of the dogs he works with. read more

Josh is a genuinely kind person with a heart of gold, but based on our experience, I would not recommend him as a dog trainer. We paid over $6,000 for a one-month board-and-train program for our German Shepherd. One of the first things that concerned us was that he told us he had "his dogs" teaching our dog how to be a dog. We expected that, for the price, our dog would receive consistent, hands-on training from the trainer himself. Because the training took place over the Christmas holidays, it felt like our dog did not receive the level of attention and daily training we had anticipated. We also expected that, at the end of the program, we as the owners would receive several training sessions to learn how to maintain and reinforce the work at home. That never happened. When our dog came home, she was still reactive, continued chewing things as she had before, and overall showed little to no improvement. Josh gave us a spray collar (citronella or a similar scent) and instructed us to use it whenever she barked. I wasn't comfortable using it because it felt like it addressed the symptoms rather than the underlying behavior, so I chose not to use it. He also suggested that she was simply too active and that we should consider rehoming her if we couldn't handle her. That advice turned out to be completely wrong for our dog. Afterward, we worked with a local trainer for three months who focused on daily, balanced, hands-on training for both our dog and us--without spray collars or gimmicks. The transformation was remarkable. Her reactivity is gone, she learned how to behave appropriately, and we realized she wasn't "too active" at all. She was simply a family dog who needed consistent guidance and proper training. Looking back, I feel that the board-and-train program was not worth the money we paid. While Josh was always pleasant and well-intentioned, our experience was that the program did not deliver the training or results we were promised. Don't waste your money. Josh may be a great guy to rescue dogs, but in our experience he does not know how to do reactivity training or work alongside owners to change challenging behaviors. read more

I'm going to dive right Into it. Don't waste your time on other trainers!!!! If only I could have found Josh sooner! I have a pretty fearful cane corso, and if anyone knows this breed, you simply must train them. We had our first session with Josh and it was nothing short of amazing! Josh showed, and taught us more In one session than anywhere else we took him. He truly understands dogs and their humans. He spent so much time with us helping us understand what my dog Rocco needs. I look forward to our next sessions, and after our first four? Yep I'm setting Rocco up again. You just can't go wrong. Josh has a big heart, and not only was he incredibly patient with my nervous 100 pound baby he was so nice to my human 12 year old too! He took time to learn about our family, and really made my son feel good. Thank you Josh the Bank family loves you! read more

I did a lesson with Josh, and he gave me advice that I hadn't tried yet for my dog's behavioral issues. I liked that he thinks outside the box because at that point I had tried everything. It was a great experience and I'm happy I got to pick up some new useful tips on training my dog. This guy ALEX who wrote a bad review is a problem in the neighborhood. Alex constantly goes outside and into stores with his dog illegally off leash, and gets into arguments with neighbors and staff about it. He tries to physically fight anyone who asks him to put his dog on a leash. Josh was minding his own business and simply picked up his small dog...who cares?! That does not warrant a bad review. read more

We hired Josh to help us train and board our Frenchie Baozi. He did an excellent job! Our dog was instantly comfortable with him. We loved his training style which we still use to this day. We highly recommend him for both training and boarding. read more

We had an extraordinary experience! Our reactive rescue came home ready to keep learning and it is now a pleasure to drive with her. She's toned down a lot and is easier to be around! Thank you so much!!! read more

We sent our dog to K9 Optima for a two week board and train to try and get an idea of what was fueling his dog reactivity and if it was something we could work through. Josh is very knowledgeable in dog behavior and in figuring out the driving force behind the dog's behavior. We felt we got exactly what we needed for our dog out of the board and train and a clear path forward on how to work through our dog's reactivity. On another note our dog was treated like a member of his family while there and had a blast while also being trained. I was able to watch our dog on some of K9 Optimas lives and definitely saw how happy he was while in Josh's care. If you need someone knowledgeable in dog behavior, Josh is definitely your guy! read more

Did not work out as we had hoped for. A lot of money that we didn't have readily available was spent boarding & training to make it work however our dog didn't respond to any of the training whatsoever as much as we tried to incorporate at home. We sent him for two weeks & missed him a ton but were hopeful he would return a less anxious & reactive dog ultimately having us all live happily together. We were left to surrender him back to the rescue shelter because of his aggression toward the kids did not stop & he was unable to stay at home alone for any period of time. We tried it all. Thankfully he is in good hands for a new family. Advice from us is that I wish we had talked through what expectations & end results would be extensively following the training & came up with a better plan (our bad) but we truly thought based on reviews, that he would come away much more adjusted. Unfortunate & expensive lesson learned. Josh extended a bit of additional time with him but the back & forth & stress of learning the hard way, each day, that our dog wasn't making any progress caused us a lot of distress & damage to our home. Josh extended half of our money back after I repeatedly asked for his empathy around the situation given nothing had changed for us & we spent $2800. We are still out $1400 but were grateful for getting $1400 returned. We agreed that Josh would provide me an itemized receipt for the services & I was not given a proper one (showing co name, tax ID, amount paid) so was unable to submit to our insurance to be able to get any reimbursement support there. Since writing my review, Josh has taken the opportunity to respond here with complete & utter untruths calling them "facts". My plan was not to create a juvenile back & forth situation here but feel that it is appropriate when a business owner has outright lied in response to a review written. We had to surrender our dog because he was biting & lunging at our children and was aggressive in OUR home despite of him sleeping in our beds & being loved on all day, every day. Josh knows this & we were both baffled as to how this could be given his comfort here. How he behaved in Josh's care is a moot point if he wasn't able to refrain from biting OUR kids. We did not surrender him due to his medical conditions. We took great care of him through our vet who diagnosed him with his condition that would have otherwise gone undiagnosed & he could have suffered sudden death. We were never away from our home (I work full time from home) for 15 hours a day. It would be impossible. I have camera footage & videos to prove this. The longest our dog was left was 20 minutes to 2 hrs. Josh did not recommend that I do not do board and train. It was my decision to move forward with it and it simply did not work for our dog. We did not try to get an invoice for the 3rd week of comped services, I was referring to the 2 weeks he was in Josh's care that we paid for and Josh is very aware of this. My insurance offered reimbursement for behavioral training. Why would I not seek an invoice for something I paid for? I had to repeatedly text Josh & call for updates on our dog while training. So much that Josh apologized for his lack of connection stating that he had been working with more dogs from shelters & that was why he wasn't in touch as often. When someone is paying $2800 for a service, an expectation is that they are given the full service, not have to chase the business down & constantly follow up. Per my honest & fair review, I was not coming for Josh in any way, just stating my experience which is what Yelp is literally provided for. It is despicable & disgusting that a business owner would create lies about their client after an honest, less than stellar review, was left. As a business owner, they should be able to maturely take constructive feedback, not retaliate hysterically following receiving it. I almost refrained from giving my review and based on Josh's reply here, I am very glad that I did as it very much revealed his dishonest character. read more

I can't even begin to express what an amazing guy Josh is. He gave me the confidence and tools I need to work with my dog to get her reactivity under control. I went in to this whole thing with very little hope. My dog still had reactivity issues but has made leaps and bounds since our meeting. He gave me the tools and confidence I needed to help make my dog a happy, secure girl. I honestly wish I could give more than 5 stars. read more

Josh is the best! He takes so much care with my aggressive golden doodle and still sees the best in her. I trust him 100% to train and/or board her. My dog absolutely loves him and his training methods. He is a huge reason why my dog is able to have a happy, successful life. read more

I came to Josh last year as an already certified dog trainer looking to further my education and understanding of the industry, running a business, and to seek guidance on a few cases of my own. Josh has been an invaluable resource and an indispensable mentor. I continue to be deeply moved by his knowledge and talent as a trainer and educator- his app is an amazing resource for pet parents and anyone working in the animal care industry. Josh is clear about his education, his mission, and his unwavering dedication to canine education and development. I continue to be influenced by him and his technique in my own practice in every single day. He is a truly phenomenal one-of-a-kind trainer. I can happily recommend Josh and K9 Optima to any dog owner looking for a trainer and any dog trainer looking for a mentor who is highly professional and knowledgeable about the industry. read more

Josh has been very responsive and helpful with our new addition Wiley a Rottweiler puppy. We choose to go with Josh because he's an honest guy and trains dogs more our style not crating 24/7 and only bringing out for training, eating and bathroom. We wanted to board and train our dog at 6-7 months and Josh was honest and said to wait and do one on one for now which is working out. My husband is a firefighter paramedic and I'm an ER nurse and we believe honesty is the best policy and Josh is proving that unlike the other trainer who tried to board and train early and take our money and crate our dog when not being trained. Our dogs are part of our family and Joshes style of training correlates with that read more

Josh is a complete professional when it comes to dog training... he's worked with all types of dogs and I didn't think he'd be able to help my 5 year old reactive Belgian Malinois... he did help and gave me the proper tools I needed to have a successful and happy working relationship with both my Mals... he was always available by phone, too, in the event of any emergencies that came up (and some did)... I respect his methods and his experience and you will too!!!... thanks, Josh, for all your help!!!! read more

Josh is a phenomenal trainer and a decent, honest human being. We took our dogs to him when a new dog addition to our family created some tension among the pack. We didn't want to give up the new dog, but we also couldn't allow the aggressive behavior to continue, so we sought out help. Josh came highly recommended, and he was definitely the right person to help us! His understanding of dogs and their behaviors is astounding. His nonviolent approach to training is exactly what we were looking for. Josh worked with our dogs, figured out what was causing the reactive behavior, and gave us the tools to create a peaceful environment for our family and our dogs. We cannot thank him enough for all the guidance and support he gave us. When the dog drama was sorted out and we needed basic training for our new pup, he could have easily charged us his normal rate and we would have gladly paid. But he told us we could save some money by working with a trainer who would focus on standard training needs. He helped us find a new trainer who was a great fit for our situation and even offered to chat with the new trainer to help with the transition. We are forever grateful to Josh for all the help and support he gave us...without him, we would not have been able to keep all of our dogs! read more

K9 Optima - Josh working with our sweet girl. - Pet Training Near Me - Antioch, California

If you're looking for a dog trainer who truly understands dogs and their behavior, look no further than K9 Optima! Josh is nothing short of brilliant. What sets him apart from other trainers is his approach--there's no compulsion, no harsh corrections, no "alpha dog" mentality. Instead, Josh focuses on uncovering the root cause of your dog's behavior and working to change how your dog feels, thus changing how they act. Training with Josh is fun, engaging, and empowering--for both you and your dog. He creates confident, happy dogs during the process, never stressing them out by yanking them around on a leash. His ability to read dogs, pinpoint the source of their behavior, and offer solutions is unmatched. What makes K9 Optima even more special is Josh's talent for teaching humans. He explains why your dog is behaving the way they are in such a clear and insightful way that you walk away with a deeper understanding of your dog than you ever thought possible. If you want a dog trainer who prioritizes your dog's well-being and creates lasting results, K9 Optima is a rare gem. I can't recommend them enough! read more

I highly recommend K9 Optima. Josh was able to help me and my husband understand our reactive chihuahua mix, Minnie. Josh worked so hard with Minnie to get her on his side by changing up treats and also figuring out that she loves an adventurous walk. I really wanted to do a board and train because I was at my wits end with Minnie. Josh did a full assessment and told us that she is a "fuck around and find out" kind of dog. She wasn't afraid to get in conflict with larger dogs. Josh was honest with his assessment and shared that Minnie was in control of her emotions that she didn't need a board and train. He did ask us to come back so we could do a full training session. In our next sessions, he was able to show us that Minnie's reactivity is fear based and showed us some training to help her with the fear. It is a long road ahead for Minnie, and she's getting better each day. If you want to gain more understanding about your pups behavior and help with managing it, Josh is your guy. read more

As someone who is extremely cautious and picky when it comes to choosing the right person to train my pup, I'm 100% confident in Josh. He's well-versed in different breeds and knowledgeable in a myriad of behavioral issues. He's transparent in his approach to training, and you can watch him in real-time on social media to get a feel for his style. He helps local rescues by volunteering his time and home. I initially reached out to Josh and had a phone consultation when my dog was just a puppy and now she's 2.5 years old. I will miss having Josh so close to me after he moves, but I'm willing to travel for quality care, so I'll certainly follow him to Antioch! I wholeheartedly recommend Josh and K9 Optima read more

Absolutely incredible trainer. Josh was patient, met my dog where she was at, gave updates and most importantly my dog was happy with him. When I picked her up she kept going back and forth between us soliciting affection from him. I cannot recommend K9 Optima enough for boarding and training read more

There are not enough good things to say about Josh and K9Optima! My neighbor passed away and I have been trying to help with his sweet senior dog that I cannot fill in as the new home. I was having the worst luck with rescues due to a small situation with the dog. I reached out to Josh on recommendation and he offered to meet with me immediately (and was flexible and kind when I had to bring my toddler and was a bit of a mess - he showed compassion). He did a full assessment of the dog with a detailed introduction to 4 different dogs ranging in temperaments, that he trained. He had his apprentice, Isaiah, helping handle the two dogs. Everything was reward based, positive and relaxed. After confirming that the dog was an exceptional dog with no reactivity, he wrote an assessment for me to share with rescues in hopes of giving him a chance but also called to make some recommendations on his behalf too. Without Josh and K9Optima, this dog didn't have a chance and not only was he super professional, helpful and clearly a master at his trade - he was kind and helpful too. I would recommend him to any and all clients for dog training AND for reactive dog training! He is top notch in a field that is hard to find someone operating at his level of care and caliber (and he does virtual as well for those a bit farther away, like myself in a different situation)! read more

My dog Sadie struggled with walks daily and would bark and lunge at dogs in the neighborhood. I tried two trainers with limited success and was feeling frustrated and lost with many differing opinions from trainers and vets. Finally I found Josh and I made the trip to California with Sadie to work with him in person. Josh was very thorough. He evaluated Sadie to find out how she learned and how she responded to different methods. We found out that Sadie responded to touch and speaking to her softly. The typical stuff that is recommended for reactive dogs was the completely the opposite of what she needed. Ever since working with Josh that weekend, we have kept up with his recommendations and our life is completely different. I used to be so stressed about taking Sadie out for walks and embarrassed and frustrated when she would lunge and bark. She is otherwise a total sweetie and it was sad to see her stressed and to be misunderstood. Now Sadie doesn't bark or lunge at all. It's a thing of the past. She calmly looks at other dogs and calmly says hello when appropriate. We both enjoy our walks now and have the communication and confidence to handle any situation. Nothing we tried before worked, because the trainers didn't know how to assess Sadie properly. We had the wrong diagnosis and wrong plan. It is rare that you get to meet someone who is truly dedicated to their craft, continues to learn, and cares about their work and clients the way Josh does. I highly recommend working with Josh. He truly changed our lives for the better and Sadie and I are very grateful for all his help and support. read more

This a follow-up review confirming the excellent results we have continued to have with our Dalmatian. Jazz stayed at K9 Optima for 11 days last year. Josh kept in daily contact with us the whole time, sending us emails and even videos so we could see how Jazz was doing. When we picked Jazz up, Josh shared his observations about our boy - what motivated him, his natural tendencies, how to use his innate nature to help us further his training. Now, even after months since the training time with Josh, we've continued to find Jazz is much more attentive to us. We can even have him off leash at hiking trails that allow it, something we never thought we would achieve. Through Josh, we learned the best ways to work with him, and the results have been exactly what we hoped for. We're very happy, and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend Josh and K9 Optima. read more

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Josh did an amazing job working with our Saint Bernard rescue that was reactive to larger men, including my boyfriend. By the end of that one training, my dog felt safe with my boyfriend and is his best friend for life. He even changed up the treats when our dog was being picky. Josh and his wife open their hearts and work with all breeds and sizes, and provide the humans irreplaceable information to keep you and your dog safe and happy. read more

K9 Optima - George, the Saint Bernard. - Pet Training Near Me - Antioch, California

We brought our reactive senior dog to Josh. We had tried other trainers and a lot of different tips/tricks. We used be able to take her out anywhere but she was attacked by off leash dogs while on leash for a walk. I first found Josh on TikTok and was impressed that he live streams his trainings. I watched him work with aggressive dog after aggressive dog and showed all the videos to my wife. Then I looked to see where he was located and was thrilled he was only an hour drive from me. I know this sounds exaggerated , but Josh truly changed our lives that day. Our dog is so mellow around other dogs now and she even accepted our foster dog into our family. We planned to do a second training but it wasn't needed. We kept using the training he showed us and I can now take her anywhere again with all 3 of our dogs. Our world is opened back up! Thank you so much! read more

K9 Optima - Calmed dog, so close to new dog. - Pet Training Near Me - Antioch, California

We took 2 of our dogs to Josh to try and get them to stop jumping up on people. Within 15 minutes he was able to show us tools that were effective in curbing this behavior. He was very patient and gave great instructions that were clear to both the dogs and us. He also offered continued support, not just through additional paid sessions, but also said we could call him anytime and he'd try to provide easy at home things we could do without having to come in. It's obvious his interest is clearing in making dogs more pleasant and better to be around. I highly recommend him read more

Absolutely LOVED Josh at k9 optima, for training our puppy. He really took the time to show us how to reinforce training, didn't yell at my dog and was not aggressive what so ever as some trainers can be. He was very patient and calm! Josh sent us recommendations for different toys and explained the difference between high reward toys and high reward treats, and what they're used for. Unfortunately I was unable to keep up with the cost of training, so we use the things we were taught to implement at home. Josh is always my go to when recommending training for friends and clients of my own. He's the best in the Bay! You won't regret it. read more

Joshua is a wonderful dog trainer for reactive and dogs with aggression. My dog Tucker who is pit bull/poodle mix and almost 2 year old (you can see videos of him on Joshua's TT page) had reactivity towards every person, dog and sound. Tucker would lunge at and try to bite strangers and dogs. We were so desperate that we even put our dog on medication. After going through 2 trainers we were at a loss of what to do. Joshua, his family and his dogs were a lifesaver for us. In a 2 week board and train Joshua took the time to know Tucker, find out what what makes him reactive and gave us the tools to help with his reactivity and set us up for success. Tucker is a brand new dog who now goes to crowded places and parks and shows no signs of reactivity. Tuckers training is a daily thing but from the help of Joshua our dog is going to live a happy life. read more

K9 Optima - Tucker walking with his first dog friend thanks to Joshua - Pet Training Near Me - Antioch, California

After a month of researching I decided k9optima was going to be the perfect board and train for my new pup Scarlet. Once she turned 12 weeks I called Josh and asked him if she could do the 4 week board and train program. My kids had previous trauma from my senior dog who was blind and bit one of my kids hands. This was about 3 years ago and is now in doggy heaven. My 3 month old Saint Bernard was very strong willed and did not seem to understand no. Her nipping was out of control along with many other issues that I needed to get under control. I tried to train her at home but like I said Scarlet was very very stubborn. Luckily when I called Josh he had an opening and took her in the following week. He took her in and treated her like one of his own dogs. Loved her and spent soo much time with her. There was constant contact, videos of her training and live streaming sessions. He made himself very available to answer any questions and concerns. Josh even went above and beyond and took her to a vet appointment that was scheduled prior to her board and train. She is now home and life with her is night and day. The kids are comfortable with her and she is doing great. I highly recommend Josh!! read more

K9 Optima - Scarlet, 4 months - Pet Training Near Me - Antioch, California

We found Josh, and he immediately demonstrated a deep understanding of reactivity, in both his experience (literally training thousands of reactive dogs) and knowledge of physiology and the canine brain. Josh provided valuable advice on understanding and managing reactive behavior, along with the importance of closely watching and interpreting body language in context. Josh, Natalie, and the whole family contributed to our lessons. We felt like they really cared about us and our journey, and my dog loves nothing more than to visit. Now, I feel more confident in handling challenging situations with my dog. I highly recommend K9 Optima to anyone dealing with reactivity issues with their dogs-- his expertise, professionalism, and genuine care make him an ideal choice for transforming challenging behaviors into positive outcomes. One more thing: I also highly recommend joining Josh's online community at K9 Optima (available on his website.) It is a valuable resource that gives you access to him on a regular basis. No matter where you are in training, questions come up all the time-- it is reassuring to be able to get answers from him during those weekly online sessions. In addition, the community is very supportive and offers a lot of great advice. With a reactive dog, you need support (IYKYK!), and everyone is available to help you. It also gives me peace of mind that if I need anything, Josh will make the time to help us. read more

K9 Optima - Kiki and her BFF, Josh - Pet Training Near Me - Antioch, California

After being scammed by another dog trainer out of thousands of dollars I was hesitant to go to another one. But then we found Josh and K9 Optima. He changed our outlook on dog training AND I can honestly say I've never seen my pup light up so much until we worked with K9 Optima. I'm so excited for my pup's future and unlocking his full potential! The first/scam trainer had not only taken our money for what was supposed to be a six lesson plus board and train package, she also sent a new trainer for our dog who placed a prong collar on him that was inappropriately sized causing our pup who was 5ish months to cry... so naturally I was not as opened to hiring a new trainer. (I want to note we don't have anything against training tools when used correctly this was a case where the trainer did not use the tool correctly causing harm to our pup.) I had emailed Josh via the website asking for more information and was able to chat with him over the phone about my pup's needs before booking a session. We have a high-drive one-year-old GSD, white Swiss shepherd, cattle dog mix that was reacting to people, barking at sounds while inside the home and hungry for direction. We started with a session to help with his reactivity at their facilities where our dog was able to learn a greeting ritual and even work with other dogs and kids. Since he picked up the lesson so quickly we also got some obedience training in. During the second session, Josh came to our place to help our dog work with his in-home barking. He also showed us some training techniques to help with our dog's drive. Our dog lit up! He had this spark in his eyes that I've only ever seen when he gets a new toy or goes on a new adventure (his favorite is alpine lake swimming). But the real game changer was a 7-day board and train. I was nerrrvous to leave him and pretty sure I was the one with separation anxiety. Josh reassured me and even helped make sure our pup had an easy intake -- no crying at drop off (well except for me... in the privacy of my car lol). Throughout the week, I was sent video and text updates. I was also even able to watch some of my dog's training on TikTok. All of which have helped me to continue his training now that we're back home. There was a noticeable difference in not just what our dog learned but mostly his behavior. He's now an on-first-command dog and extremely attentive. Overall a happier dog! Josh even gave us some recommendations to help us continue seeing how far our pup can go from toy recommendations to agility and dock diving. We're pretty sure we found a life-time support system for our pup at K9 Optima. read more

K9 Optima - Josh leaning into our dog Petzl's prey drive for reward with a tug toy. - Pet Training Near Me - Antioch, California

Josh is an educated, empathic and deeply trustworthy trainer who understands dog (and human) behavior in a way that makes working with him such a joy as well as very effective. Without him (and all his helper dogs!) we wouldn't have been able to keep our Leia due to intense fighting between her and our Rocco. It wasn't fixed in one session - we worked with both dogs individually on their issues and did sessions together over several months. Behavior change takes real effort and time - both in session and then applying it every single day at home. To go from attacking each other on-sight to being cuddle buddies that played all day and had no issues around food, bones, toys, etc felt like nothing short of a miracle - but what it really was was understanding dog psychology and behavior and working WITH them to help them both move past the issues. None of that would have been possible without Josh. After Rocco passed and it was time to rescue a new dog, we had such a better understanding of how Leia thought and what signs to look out for that we were able to integrate a new dog without any issues. We will be forever grateful to all we've learned from Josh (and Boo, Waffles, Juju & Gigi, of course!) and will continue to go back to him whenever new issues arise. read more

K9 Optima - Pet Training Near Me - Antioch, California

Josh is responsible for my dogs happiness! Little bit of a long story, but worth it. Ruby is a golden retriever who was surrendered by her owner and while being fostered showed some behavior that could have possibly made her a questionable adoption into a home with kids. K9 Optima is a trusted resource that the rescue from whom we ultimately adopted Ruby. They made the call that they wanted josh to spend some time with Ruby to make sure that she would be a good fit for a home with kids. Josh did his thing, and signed off on the adoption and the rest is history! She's the sweetest dog ever and I would trust her with a newborn. Josh really nailed it. And in the process, Ruby and our dog Rooster have become the closest bonded dogs I've ever had. And even though one is a mutt and the other is a golden, we are constantly asked if they're litter mates!! read more

K9 Optima - Pet Training Near Me - Antioch, California

AMAZING. His knowledge base is significant. I've got a Malinois, a Dutch Shepherd, and a Central Asian Shepherd so I've seen it all. ABSOLUTELY love his approach to training and management. living in the Bay Area there are individuals claiming to be professional trainers everywhere. he's the real deal. I would only recommend him and one other trainer. read more

I've worked with Josh with three different dogs all with different issues. He helped us with a frenchie who was aggressive and biting. He educated us and gave us tools to work with our rescue pit bull mix who we've struggled with walking. We also brought our tiny chihuahua puppy in who I feared was not going to be good with people and Josh gave us tools to work on this issue. He is always professional and had an immense knowledge about dog behavior and training. read more

I had a wonderful experience with Josh at K9Optima. I brought my German shepherd, Maya, to him for what I thought was reactivity. Turns out, she just needed to learn some self-control because she was so excited by all these things in her environment. He gave me thorough instructions, background understanding of why she is the way she is, recommendations on tools/resources and follow up. The change in her was immediate.. without the use of any negative reinforcement tools. My journey of frustration with my dog has turned into a journey of joy and learning. Thank you, Josh. If I still lived on the West Coast, Josh is the only trainer I would go to, hands down. read more

Josh helped me with some basic recall issues w our pup. He was clearly a pro - a great teacher, very kind and effective with our dog, and very fair pricing. I highly recommend, and would use him again in a heartbeat! read more

Josh's videos and live training sessions have been very helpful for me to understand the inner workings of my dogs mind and anxiety and I look forward to an in person session. Once I stopped setting up my dog for failure we have made some major progress and my pups are so much happier and secure. read more

I wish I could give more stars. We took our 70-lb foster dog who was found as a stray to K9 Optima for two sessions so we can learn a bit about his personality because his past was completely unknown. One of the sessions was to test his 'aggressiveness' to people/strangers and another to test him with dogs. For the first session, Josh had the dog interact with multiple people in his household; for the second, with multiple dogs (maybe 5 or 6!). This was super informative for us and gave us the confidence to handle the foster doggy appropriately in various situations. Josh's interactions with the foster were through positive reinforcement - tons of treats, pets, and a safe space for the dog to feel at ease. Josh set him up for success and showed us how to do that, too. [Dog has since been adopted and is in a wonderful home.] The other reason we love Josh is because he is a very compassionate person who advocates for dogs. He walks the walk by opening his home and fostering at-risk doggies from high-kill shelters. I appreciated that very much and was happy to support this business. We will go back if/when we foster again (and you know we will). read more

I joined Josh's online group after finding him on Tik Tok and watching his Live sessions. He is so knowledgeable about dogs and their behaviours, and he easily explains what is going on with your dog, and what they are thinking. He is able to answer questions on his Live sessions when there is time, and I've gotten valuable training questions answered because of this opportunity to work with him in his online group community. Josh is a solid trainer, and you can feel how much he love dogs and training them. I would rate my experience in his community a 10/10, and would highly recommend him to anyone looking to further their training with their dog. read more

K9 Optima - My puppy Maddox - Pet Training Near Me - Antioch, California

We took our pup to Josh for an evaluation and we thought that he was a great dog trainer. He provided us with a lot of information that we didn't know about our pup and unfortunately found out that our dog just doesn't like being with other dogs. He is very knowledgeable and I do recommend his services if you are looking to get your doggie some dog training. read more

Fantastic trainer, Josh clearly loves dogs, loves his job and loves helping owners. He gave me excellent advice and helped me break my dog's bad habits. Stella enjoyed her lessons so much that she was always happy to go and practically exploded out of the car when she saw Josh's training facility. Stella loved learning from Josh. We recently moved to the east coast and I wish I could fly him and his team here. Really, I can't recommend him more highly. Stella has learned a lot working with Josh. read more