Sarah is an awesome teacher, very knowledgeable, articulate, and patient. She is passionate about…read moredog training. She keeps her classes small for lots of individual attention. We highly recommend her class! Steve and Brenda

Patti was such a great help when it came to training our puppy Winnie! She tailored every session…read moreto our dog's needs and how we can better support/train her. She also took the time to send us a recap after every session with resources so we always had something to refer back to. We enjoyed every session and have nothing but Pawsitive things to say :)

Nikki is amazing. She took me and my 3YO dachshund - neither of whom had ever stepped foot on…read moreagility course - and turned us into competitors in the agility space. We are so happy that we started our training with Nikki, who is kind and patient, while also pushing us to be a competitive team while running. That means that we're not only taking home ribbons, but also bonding and having a blast on the course. Dash LOVED attending Nikki's classes; he was always so excited to run, and the courses Nikki put together were always fun and exciting while also being accessible to dogs of all skill levels. We loved training with Nikki, and if she was still in our area, we would 100% still be training with her. Because of her guidance and support, I'm a better handler and Dash is a happier dog, and we're both having a ton of fun together. Don't hesitate, try out these classes. Guarantee it will be a memorable experience.

I cannot recommend Nikki enough when it comes to dog training. Before I started training with…read moreNikki, I was seriously considering rehoming (giving back to the original rescue) my dog as I felt ill-equipped and completely lost with his behaviors. I genuinely believe that if it wasn't for Nikki, my dog would likely not be alive right now as he probably would have been marked for behavioral euthanasia. Nikki saved my mental health and saved my dog Waldo. I hold immense gratitude for all of the help she has provided us. Nikki exemplifies what it means to be an expert in the field: her methods are evidence-based & she is always staying up-to-date with the most relevant information available. I found Nikki when researching private agility lessons for my reactive dog. While I never had any intentions of performing, I knew that my high-energy dog, Waldo, would benefit greatly from learning new experiences and confidence building. The first time Waldo and I met Nikki, I knew I wanted to work with her. She wasn't phased by his loud barking or lunging. Nikki immediately started guiding me on ways I can change my posture & breathing as well as informing me what Waldo's body language was telling her. After just one session, we discovered his reactive behaviors were actually fear-based (not solely aggression-based as other trainers had led me to believe). Then came the hard part: the (unintentional) reinforcement of these behaviors that I had caused due to my own ignorance. Nikki was realistic about progress and the time it would take. She won't lie or cut corners to tell you what you want to hear. It was her honesty and humility that had me sold. I only saw Nikki once a week with Waldo, but after working with her for almost 2 years we saw SO much progress. Waldo is much more confident in high-stress situations. I have a full tool kit of tricks I can use inside as well as outside the house. The training never stops when you leave the session! Nikki taught me so much about reactivity & threshold. That training has to happen when they are below threshold!! She doesn't assign morality to dogs. I remember saying "Waldo is a bad dog and I don't know what to do with him" and she gently corrected me by saying "Waldo is not a bad dog, he is A DOG and he is scared. What we have to do is show him that he doesn't have to be scared and that takes time & trust." We were able to slowly work our way up to having Nikki approach Waldo without a fearful response. And eventually even had Waldo take treats from her hand and respond to her giving him commands. AND THEN, we were able to have Waldo in the same space as Nikki's dog Charm. Charm was so unbothered by Waldo's barking it was honestly a comedic relief. Charm lives up to her name. She is a beautiful, smart and oh-so sweet dog. Just having neutral // positive interactions around another dog was vital to Waldo's success and confidence building. Also, knowing that Nikki trusted me and Waldo to be able to interact with Charm after we spent so much time in 1:1 training helped MY confidence as well. I learned sooo much from Nikki, I could probably write a book just singing her praises. While I was devastated when I found out she was moving, knowing that she is going to continue educating dog owners and offering these valuable training lessons helped lessen the tears. Everyone in my life that knows Waldo has seen long-lasting, impactful changes in his behavior. And all of the praise goes to Nikki and her techniques! Come to Nikki with an open-mind and a willingness to learn. She very well could change your life for the better, the way that she did mine (and Waldo's!).

I'm really disappointed in how this business handles communication and customer service. I enrolled…read morein a 4-week group training class for my 9 month old puppy. I reached out nine days before the first session to ask about moving to the following 4 week session since I would be missing two out of four classes. I wasn't asking for a refund--just to switch sessions. My email went unanswered, and I had to call the facility to leave a message before the owner finally texted me back. I was told there are no changes or cancellations allowed, and to simply watch videos for the weeks I'd miss. One of the main reasons I chose this trainer was for the in-person group training and socialization, which can't be replaced by videos. I can find plenty of training videos online. This 4 week training was expensive, but I was very much so excited to grow with a training facility nearby. As a Carlsbad local, I love supporting small businesses, but this experience has been very disappointing. A little flexibility and better communication would have gone a long way.

I have taken classes with Laura since 2004, and just graduated my third dog/student with her... I…read morereally can't say enough good things about her thoughtful, positive reinforcement common sense approach to training, dogs and their humans! She really understands dogs and is a gifted trainer. Highly recommend her, and we will be back again and again!

We adopted a 7-month-old, 45-pound Husky mix, and after my wife was pulled to the ground while…read morewalking her, we knew it was time to get some professional training. After reviewing all of the referrals provided by SPOT Rescue, we chose Kindred Spirits, and we're so glad we did. The experience was absolutely worth it. They didn't just train our teenage pup--they taught us how to work with her, communicate with her, and reinforce the right behaviors at home. Each week, we were given homework that helped us practice what we learned and prepare for the next class. In just six weeks, we've seen a huge difference in her behavior and in our confidence handling her. The best part is that they gave us the tools and knowledge to continue working with her long after the classes ended. We would highly recommend Kindred Spirits to anyone looking for dog training that really involves and educates the owners, too. Look at that eye contact.

We had a wonderful experience at Kindred Spirits Canine Education Center. Tanner made so much…read moreprogress over the six weeks of training, and we are so grateful for the support and guidance we received. Kate was an invaluable asset throughout the program. She gave clear examples, helped us understand the challenges that came up, and always approached training with such positivity and patience. She made it easy to ease into the process by providing supplemental reading and exercises that gave us the fundamental tools we needed to keep building Tanner's training at home. Every class was truly a joy. I loved watching the other dogs and owners succeed, and it was so encouraging to see major progress from each dog and their family. Tanner will absolutely be continuing his training with Kate. Karin was also such a pleasure to have in class, and we loved the adorable photos she took of all the pups. Everyone we met at Kindred Spirits was kind, understanding, and patient. Their ability to problem-solve, adjust, and customize each dog's training based on where they were at was incredible. We cannot recommend Kindred Spirits enough!

I cannot sing the praises of Michelle enough! When Monty returned from two weeks of Board and…read moreTrain with Michelle, he was a changed dog. He's not just a calmer dog, he's a CALM dog. We've had no out-of-control barking incidents; he can be tethered and remain quiet. He's very good on walks, moving from "heel" to "break" and back to "heel" again. He's very responsive to the "off" command, which we use primarily to keep him off the furniture and out of the kitchen. Last week we had friends over for dinner and after his initial excitement he was a good boy, lying nearby content and chewing on a bone. We even attended the Humane Society Walk for Animals at Kit Carson Park, and with hundreds of dogs and people and non-stop activities, he was again a very well-behaved boy. We are so appreciative of the work that Michelle did with Monty. He is now the dog we always hoped he would be - happy, well-behaved, and living his best life!

I just picked up my dog today and I could not be happier! I had a great experience from start to…read morefinish with the team at Cosmo K9, specifically, Sophia! Sophia handled Kodi for the 2 weeks he was there and did a fantastic job training him! Sophia kept me updated on Kodi's progress every few days sending me pictures and short videos, and always took the time to explain everything to me, as well as teach me how to best handle him when returning Kodi back to me. I live in the valley (Los Angeles) and took the 2 hour drive because of a referral so highly recommended Cosmo K9 and I'm glad I did! 5 STARS! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

I could not be more grateful for all the knowledge that Pilar has shared over the course of…read moretraining my ACD mix. Piper can be a frustrated greeter and is strong enough to really pull while on the leash, but both behaviors have been minimized with the right tools under our belt. Walks went from being stressful to being a fun experience for us both! We learn new games and training exercises - time spent with Pilar is always rewarding! Her experience time and time again has helped me communicate more clearly to my dog as well as understand her behaviors. Pilar's positive reinforcement training has helped me build a strong bond with Piper built on trust, and I'm so grateful!

Pilar treats your dog as if it were her own. You will be thankful you called her for your dog or…read morepuppy training because she a certified trainer and knows the proper techniques so you don't have to worry about your dog being mistreated or doing further damage as some "dog trainers." Your dog will love you for calling her!

Dustin and Nick did a beautiful job training our beautiful German shepherd Zeus. They trained him…read morewith love and care

I took my dog for a walk today when he suddenly stopped and became very alert. He kept glancing…read morebetween me and something ahead, refusing to move forward. That's when I saw it--a baby rattlesnake right in front of us. It hadn't moved yet, but my dog had already sensed it. This is exactly the kind of response he learned during his training with Dustin. As soon as the rattler started to rattle, my dog immediately turned and pulled me away from the danger. Without that training, this situation could have ended very differently. The snake was nearly invisible among the shrubs and rocks on the trail. I'm incredibly grateful for the training--it truly made all the difference today. Dustin's training is truly top-notch--absolutely deserving of 5 stars! I'll definitely be coming back. His rattlesnake avoidance training is as real and effective as it gets. Dustin's professionalism, knowledge, and calm demeanor set him apart. He doesn't just train dogs--he teaches them life-saving skills.

Thank you, Lori and Ruben, for all of your help. You both are so kind and we know GOOD dog people…read morewhen we see them.

Trusting and working with Lori has truly been life-changing for our fearful dog (Diego had been…read morebeaten by his past owner, before we rescued him). He was fearful of most people, especially men. He was stubborn on leash, and was most often not responding to commands. Lori's effective approach, focused on trust, building his confidence and teaching him how to properly behave with other dogs and humans. The 3-week stay he had at her place made an unbelievable difference. Diego's fear of people has drastically decreased, his confidence grown exponentially, walks are super enjoyable with him heeling constantly, and he responds reliably to commands. Lori not only trained Diego but also empowered us with the skills to continue his progress. I am so grateful for her expertise and highly recommend her to anyone struggling with their dog's behavior. She has transformed our lives and Diego's! Thank YOU Lori!