Prior to NexGen K9 our dog, Richard, was aggressive towards people and very leash reactive. During our first meeting, Rob and Heidi were able to immediately determine the cause of his aggression - that Richard is "fear imprinted," which is information that no previous trainer had been able to tell us. Based on that assessment, they made a clear plan for us to learn to manage him and what our expectations should be. And notably, by the end of our first session they had Richard heeling while walking, something we hadn't been able to achieve in 2 years. Throughout our 8 sessions Rob and Heidi incrementally trained Richard (and us!) how to accept visitors into his home, stay calm in the presence of strangers, calmly walk by dogs and people, and most importantly to just relax. His entire demeanor has changed because of this training and he is a happier pup because of it. Rob and Heidi are exceptionally knowledgable about dogs, and can recognize seemingly imperceptible nuances in their behavior. We recommend NexGen K9 for any dog that needs any behavior modification. read more

Rob and Heidi are the best. Their love, commitment and skill are unbeatable. Remember, training us is probably harder than training our dogs, and they do it with honesty and grace! Terrific location for boarding your dog, too! read more

This review is long overdue. Three years ago, my family and I decided to adopt our very first dog. We found ourselves adopting a Shepherd Mix from the Human Society. At the time of adoption, he was only 10 weeks old. Not knowing what the mix was, we were told that he'll only grow to be a medium size dog. Nope. In six months, he grew to about 60 pounds. That's when the issues began. Our little ball of fur, is now a 60 pounds, Cujo. We named him Kenji. All of us would get bites daily. It was very difficult to walk Kenji in public, so I would drive across town to Fort Funston daily. Once at Fort Funston, I would walk Kenji on the Horse Trails, away from public. Keeping a very careful lookout for other dogs and people. This went on for a little over a year. We've spent $$$ trying different trainers, but all have been a waste of time and money. Finally, I contacted Rob. Like all of his other clients, I saw results during his first visit with Kenji. We signed up for Rob's 8 session package and it changed our lives. Rob was our last resort. Right before I contacted Rob, Kenji attacked my wife and we ended up spending most of the night in the Emergency Room. Kenji had bitten my wife and my son, one Sunday evening. Kenji just turned three years old, 100 pounds and still living with us. Thanks to Rob, he's now a much more balanced dog. He's still work in progress, but we wouldn't dream of giving him up. Kenji is now very gentle and protective of our family and home. read more

I have a Great Dane that suddenly became very aggressive. She was very, very aggressive towards other dogs. She even bit a neighbor's leg (which was in the way of my Dane getting to her dog). It was an awful experience and I knew I needed to resolve the problem quickly. I went to two trainers and thought I was doing fine but actually I was getting nowhere. They taught me how to get my dog to heel and sit, but when another dog was nearby I was in the same horrible predicament, Then I came upon Rob. He really is amazing -- he really knows how dogs think (and loves them too) and before I knew it, we were walking downtown with other dogs passing us without my Great Dane snarling and pulling me uncontrollably. I am sure that Rob can help anyone with any dog problem. He doesn't just give you commands, he helps you understand what the dog is reacting to and why. He's amazing and I know you won't be disappointed - you will be amazed. Thanks so much Rob! read more

Rob was recommended by a dog boarder in Napa. I was looking for a place that would take in my young and intact Pit Mix. Not a popular combination with boarders in my area. We decided on doing the 5 training sessions for Petey as recommended by Rob. We also boarded Petey with Rob before our training was complete. Rob quickly became one of Petey's favorite humans. He would whine and start getting antsty when we would get close to the facility. He couldn't wait to see Rob! I feel like the training sessions were 20% training the dog and 80% training me to understand how to "Dog." Petey is a well-behaved, well-adjusted, happy dog and I owe it to Rob. Door barking is completely under control, he is easy on walks, comes when called and even asks for permission to get on the couch. Worth every penny we spent on the training and boarding. Rob has left such an impression on me that I was inspired to begin the process to become a BAD RAP volunteer. Wish me luck! read more

As an owner of a "Maligator" I knew when I picked Gauge up at 8 weeks I was in for a wild ride. From day one I was extraordinarily particular with whom I chose my dog to train with. I had done research on different training options and I had become a fan of positive reinforcement. For awhile we had great success with it, but I soon realized that some of Gauge's reactive behavior could not be managed with only positive reinforcement. His leash aggression, reactive behavior to runner's on the beach, and rude dog play tactics were becoming unpredictable and slowly getting worse. I knew I needed to find a new trainer who understood positive reinforcement but had a broader approach to it and could offer effective tools to help me understand, handle and fix Gauge's aggressive attitude. Enter the greatest trainer ever: Rob. With Rob's patience (mostly for me), expanding knowledge of dog behavior, and the correct tools Gauge no longer possess his unpredictable reactive behavior! We can walk our neighborhood without him barking or lunging at other dogs and even go for run on the beach leash-less without the fear of him chasing another runner! Rob is set apart from other trainers not only because of his understanding of dog behavior but his ability to communicate YOUR dog's behavior to YOU in a way you will understand. If you have a dog with a behavior issue I highly recommend Rob! xx read more

When our sweet German Shepherd/ Malinois cross began dragging us into the bushes in pursuit of squirrels, we sent her to Rob for a 2 week board and train (with e-collar) She was returned to us loving Rob and happy to show off her new trail skills. The training was a fun experience for her, the e-collar really was humane and her stay was very cost effective. Thank you so much Rob read more

When my german shepherd puppy started exhibiting leash reactivity and fear aggression at only a few months old, we immediately signed up for an 8 session training package with Rob. This puppy was completely out of control - lunging at people and cars on walks, not allowing guests into our home without lunging/barking.. you name it... We were at the end of our ropes, questioning whether we were equipped to handle this dog. I can't say enough about how grateful we are to have found Rob and NexGen K9. Over the 8 sessions, our anxious, insane dog became more calm, easy to handle, and started to listen more. He now heals during walks, allows guests into our home without lunging at them, waits at the door until we go in first....He's an incredibly well behaved dog. While he will never be a happy-go-lucky Golden Retriever, we now understand our dog and how to manage his behavior to make sure we are all happy and comfortable. Rob was extremely patient during the entire process, answered my millions of questions when I called in a panic, and not only trained our dog, but taught us how to be better handlers. We also boarded our dog with Rob a number of times, and he has always come home exhausted and happy. Thanks Rob! read more

This review is a few years late, but regardless of how long it has been since our training with Rob for our furry member of the family, Tubesock, his training with us still resounds through the last few years. Tubesock had aggression issues (or at least that is what we had thought) whenever he would see or smell another dog. Before we had our lessons with Rob, we went through a number of different group dog training sessions with the East Bay Humane Society and the one in Berkeley (I forget the name), but it was to no avail... It wasn't until Tubesock got loose from our car and attacked another dog that we finally decided to go with Rob and it was THE BEST decision we had made. Rob was very knowledgeable and was able to figure out immediately why our Tubesock reacted the way he did. He was able to explain to us from the perspective of dogs as to what was going on with Tubesock and how we could go about to solve the issues we were having. IT WAS AMAZING HOW TUBESOCK SUDDENLY BECAME A MODEL DOG RIGHT AFTER ROB TOOK THE LEASH. Rob, you truly are a dog whisperer and we thank you for everything you've done. It truly changed our lives and we were able to take him out on regular walks and runs without having to overly stress about him hurting other dogs (or getting hurt himself). You are a rock star Rob!!! read more

NexGen K9 - Pet Training Near Me - Vallejo, California

Rob is a total pro and really helped us with our GSD who was leash reactive and didn't let new people in the house. We had tried numerous trainers before, but they talked about "management" and keeping our dog out of tough situations. Basically, we had no results and were very frustrated. Then came Rob! Not only did he have my dog laying calmly at his feet within a few minutes of meeting us but he gave us every tool to succeed. I get the feeling this guy can handle anything, and he made our dog's case look easy. I now have total confidence in my dog in all those previously-tough situations. He continues to be a great resource for us on all things canine. Oh, and we boarded our dog with him during a vacation - she came back with more confidence and manners and lots of educational outings under her belt. Rob truly gets dogs and their owners - we are so lucky to have worked with him! read more

Over the last year my 180 lb Newfoundland decided he didn't want to get into the car anymore. Attempts to use steps, ramps or treats were no longer working. I called Rob at NexGen K9 for help. He and his helper Samantha spent 2 hours working with my dog and were successful in getting him into the car. Thanks to their help my dog once again enjoys going for rides and gets into the car willingly. THANK YOU ROB AND SAMANTHA FOR A JOB WELL DONE. read more

Rob was a lifesaver! I adopted Cassie, a young Shepherd mix, thinking she would be the perfect addition to my home. I had raised my 5 year old Lab and thought I had it all under control. I could not have been more wrong! Cassie was either a sweetheart or a nightmare. She was unresponsive to direction and had no boundaries. She did not know how to appropriately interact with my Lab, Ryder, harassing him relentlessly. Eventually he withdrew completely and any attempt she made received a growl or warning snap, which she ignored. When walking, Cassie was unruly and aggressive to other dogs. I had no clue how to address her behavior and knew I needed help. I tried several trainers with no results. At the very end of my rope, I tried one more trainer and am incredibly thankful I did. Rob's experience & understanding of K9 behavior and psychology was obvious from our first conversation. He patiently explained that each dog was unique and required an approach that would be most effective for them. We set up time for him to come to my home to evaluate our needs and provide a solution that Cassie would respond to. During our first meeting, he listened to my concerns and the problems I was struggling with. He explained not only why she was behaving the way she was, but also why what I had been trying wasn't working. He helped me understand what made her tick...how she was different from my Lab and, therefore, had different needs from a leader. Very quickly, I realized this was as much about my training as Cassie's. Rob explained how to begin teaching Cassie to correctly coexist with Ryder. He took her for a walk & worked on her leash behavior as well as re-activeness to other dogs. She became an angel with him. He worked with me on the skills I needed to achieve this same behavior from her. By the time the 1st meeting ended, Cassie was attentive and controlled when walking, and I was well on my way to managing her aggression to other dogs. Throughout all of our sessions, Rob always provided the training and tools needed to succeed with Cassie as well as explaining the theory behind them. He would correct me when needed to ensure I was learning to do it right. He worked patiently with me on ways to control my anxiety and the impact it had on Cassie's being dog-reactive. Rob was the first trainer to give me the ability to take charge of my dog. After just a few sessions, the changes in Cassie were dramatic. She is now a joy to walk and has learned how to interact with Ryder. They are inseparable and play together daily. Rob helped me to become the leader that Cassie needs me to be. I cannot recommend him enough! read more

Rob is kind of the bomb. This was my very first experience with a dog trainer. We adopted a 4 year old Retriever mix, and he has dog aggression and anxiety issues. Cue the panic and migraines! Rob and his pup worked with me and our dog to see what the problems were, and that same day I learned really helpful tips and exercises that are already helping our doggy cope. Ultimately we chose a board and train situation (going extreme on this one!), but I would totally recommend Rob, especially for obedience training and engaging your dog's mind to give your pup a more fulfilling, happy life. I learned a LOT about that from Rob, in only one session. Would gladly work with Rob again in the future! read more

Recently there was an emergency in my family requiring that we make very quick arrangements for two weeks of boarding for my daughter's dog. Heidi was very responsive and quickly accommodated our needs. She was great about keeping us up-to-date with the dog's activities and status. The fees were clearly explained and Heidi was very professional at all times. The dog was recently picked up and seems to be doing great! Thanks NexGen K9 for stepping up to help us in a very difficult situation. We couldn't be more pleased! read more

Rob is amazing!!! I have a 1 year old Labrador, German Shepard, Rottweiler mix who was completely out of control. He would almost pull me down when I took him for walks. He would knock me down when I entered the house. He would panic if I left the room. Thanks to Rob I feel like I have a brand new dog. I can walk him off the leash and he will stay right next to me. He sits on his bed when I walk in the door and doesn't come until he's told. He's learned he can stay when I walk away that I will come back. I can't believe the changes in my dog that happened with only a few sessions with Rob. I would recommend him to everyone. read more

Rob is great! He is incredibly knowledgeable and works wonders. He has given us so many good tips with our English Bulldog who gets very anxious and isn't well socialized. And not only do I love Rob, but so do our dogs. He frequently dog sits them while we are out of town and I can tell they have a blast. We've started referring to him and his wife as our dogs' "grandparents" because I know they receive so much love and attention while being boarded at his home. read more

Rob was amazing! Zoey (my 2 year old German Short Hair pointer with attention issues) and I had been through puppy classes and other trainers and were hopeless. Rob made all the difference. He figured out what Zoey and I needed quickly. We did 8 sessions and I now have an off leash running companion who listens to me when I call her. Zoey seems much more confident too - literally prancing around as she plays in the house and at the park. I highly recommend him. He is worth the time and the money. read more

Rob was the answer to my problems my rescue pitty mix was having - She was becoming increasingly more leash reactive and walking in the park with her was stressful for us both- Rob and she bonded immediately and he had great tools to teach me what was happening, why it was happening and how to change it - She and I are much better off, since we hired Rob - Also we had used two previous private trainers and Rob was the only answer -I recommend him to anyone and carry his cards with me at the park - Mabel says Thanks Rob! read more

Rob is the man when it comes to dog training. He helps you understand dogs and there behaviors. He gave us the tools and knowledge to train our 1 year old rescue German Shepherd, Jojo. Before we started our training sessions with Rob, Jojo didn't have any formal training nor was he exposed to the outside world. He is now confident, and is an obedient loving dog. After completing our 5 sessions, Jojo is continuing to thrive in our home and the outside world. read more

Where to begin, My wife and me live alone in Rio Vista. We have a 100- 105 lb. German Shepard name Rocco.Rocco was 1 when we got him and he turned 2 Oct 2016. He is a rescue we got at the Marin pet fair. Beautiful Dog but we didn't know what baggage he came with if any and you do take a chance when you get a pet this way but he is a gorgeous animal so we went for it. Within a few days after getting him home he started to become increasingly aggressive toward anyone but us and we were living in Hercules at the time and eventually moved temporarily to Grass Valley. While in Hercules it got to a point where anyone. friend, family member, neighbor etc coming into our home had to be take 'taken out'. Rocco was out to kill ! We tried everything, rewards, yelling, etc. It was extremely difficult to hold him back as he is extremely strong. We moved to Grass Valley while our new home was being built in Rio Vista. While in GV Rocco bit someone on the property (10 acres) we were staying on and this man had to see a doctor who had to report it. Fortunately the person who got bit was a family friend as was willing to let it slide.Rocco was then quarantined for 2 wks which only meant he couldn't go into town and walk down the sidewalk.but he was able to be loose on the property so no big deal for him. We then moved to RV and he still had his problem. I doubt all the moving helped him any but it is what it is as they say. We realized we either needed to get him trained or we'd probably eventually would get sued for him attacking someone. Keep in mind when at the house and its just my wife and me he is as gentle as a lamb but is clumsy due to his size. We can walk him down the street and anyone can pet him but at the house watch out. So we hired NexGen .Rob and Heidi came out to see him and talk with us and gave us a plan and cost and yes it is expensive to have a dog trained well but it's a heck of a lot cheaper than getting sued. When you see other dogs behaving great you should realize these are dogs owned by people who not only spent money on them but are also committed to spending time with the animal even after the training, it doesn't just end there. If your not committed to doing it don't bother. Rob and Heidi both came out and immediately took control of Rocco and gradually showed us how to work with him. After two sessions in Vallejo we had three at our home in Rio Vista . 5 sessions was the agreement we had paid for but at the last session Heidi said she wanted to do another session to work with Rocco with his issue greeting people coming up our driveway. She came out the next week as planned and we worked on his issues. She did this extra session at no extra cost. She didn't try to sneak it in for more money or anything like that. Also when Heidi came out she brought her boyfriend Derrick with her who played the Guinea pig (sorry Derrick) as Rocco got used to her so she was ok in his book and we needed a stranger at the door. She was genuinely concerned for Rocco to see that all his issues were addressed. Rocco's big deal is when people come to our door and we don't get a whole lot of company so it does limit our practice but he is getting better. We are utilizing the skills that Rob & Heidi taught us and it is working out. Sometimes either my wife or myself will go outside and wait a bit and then ring the door bell and the other will work with Rocco in the house. Like some other people on Yelp we also tried other trainers and it is hard to get someone committed to what they do. Some web sites even advertise they work with aggression and when you call them up they don't. NEXGEN DOES ! I am confident now that Rocco is behaving better. You can have a dog that is just house broken and that's it and I suppose that's ok for some people but to me that is an ignorant dog which I wouldn't have. It eats, it shits, it sleeps, No thanks ! They can be intelligent animals and become members of the family if you only spend the time with them. They're well worth it and so is NexGen. Thanks Rob & Heidi and Derrick. God bless, Shaky & Arlene read more

Nexgen to the rescue! We have a beagle that is ALL beagle! Loud and proud. But that wasn't the only problem we were dealing with. He also has separation anxiety. He was making it impossible to have a life. All of us couldn't leave the house at the same time and if his "Mama" left, he would not stop howling. Rob and Heidi taught not just our dog but trained us as well. We learned how to train Sparky to walk without howling, train him to be alright with Mama and the rest of us leaving (this is still ongoing but getting better daily ) and be a generally better behaved dog. We have always had dogs and never needed a trainer before but this is our first beagle. He is a love in all other aspects so giving up on him was not an option. Rob and Heidi were patient and really knew the way to bypass the triggers that set Sparky off and how to disconnect the dogs triggers. We are grateful and would highly recommend them. If our beagle can be trained any dog can be trained. read more

Thanks to Rob & Heidi we've been given our lives back. No matter how many things I read nothing would help us with our separation disorder Begal. But thanks to them and showing us how to propbly use commands. I now can walk my dog without the fear of being pulled to the ground. Since I have M.S. and I'm always home there was a lot that we were doing but not quite in the proper way. But now with the right tools we are able to go out as a family without the fear of what we would come home to. This has given us ALL our lives back. Happy dog = happy life. We gladly give out their cards because they truly knew how to reach our dogs overactive mind, by slowing things down to get his attention and get those words to stick. Right from the first meeting there was a difference. I gladly pass out their business card to whomever I hear are having a doggie problem. Not only were we saved from our life of madness but they most likely saved or begal! No amount of thanks is enough. They are truly the best. read more

We have a 1 year old Dogo and an 8 year old corgie mix, the two dogs were having some issues learning to live together and they had agressive behavior towards each other. Rob came and turned all that around. The dogs both now can be in the same room together, they go on walks together (walking side by side) and neither one of them pulls on the leash. We even got them crate trained which I didn't think would ever happen and it's wonderful. I don't know what we would have done if we didnt find NexGen. I would highly recommend them to anyone. Rob is very knowledagble and easy to work with we've really enjoyed the time we've got to spend learning from him. Thank you again for all of your help! read more