We have a two year old German Shepherd/Great Pyrenees mix, named Gordon, that we have had since he was 8 weeks old. At some point in the first year, things with our dog got very out of control. He had basically had every behavioral problem that exists. EXTREME resource guarding, food especially, to the point where we wouldn't even be in the same room with him while he was eating, couldn't safely get him away from the garbage if there was something desirable in there, and wouldn't even attempt to get things out of his mouth that he had picked up. Food was the worst but his resource aggression slowly progressed to include things like his bed, the couch, new toys and sometimes even us. Counter Surfing, poor leash etiquette (pulling and not responsive to commands), dog reactive, stranger reactive, non responsive to commands if there are any distractions involved, and extremely vocal at any thing outside that makes a sound and was generally very nervous at all times. We tried EVERYTHING!!! So many different "positive reinforcement only" training methods, books, youtube videos, everything!! It got to a point where we had people suggesting we put our dog down which we weren't willing to consider even though at times our dog was dangerous to be around. When we found Adam at Obedient Paws, I felt hopeful for the first time in a very long time. We described all of Gordons problems and he seemed very confident that he could help us. We chose to do 4 weeks of bootcamp. During the first training session we had with Adam (1.5 weeks into bootcamp) we were petting Gordon while he ate. We never thought that would be possible. Gordon got more and more secure with other dogs and strangers as well! He has a very reliable "heal", "leave it", "sit", "on", "off", "free", and overall is well mannered where we had a terror before. Adam even made him feel comfortable enough to take some short trips to the beach, play with the dogs and even go up to strangers! Adam not only taught Gordon how to listen and be comfortable and confident, but he taught us how to be confident and establish boundaries which made us much better owners for our dog by using the proper balance of correction and praise. Every training session I noticed vast improvements. Before bootcamp we often felt like prisoners in our own home but all of that has changed. We finally have the dog we have always hoped for. He is no longer aggressive towards any of the things that he once was, listens to our commands no matter what else is going on, and has amazing manors on and off leash. To say Obedient Paws has changed our life in the best way possible, and one we could never achieve through other methods, is an understatement. We owe our new found happiness to Adam, I can not recommend him enough and we can't wait to go back for daycare, and have more training sessions so we as owners don't fall into our old habits. read more

My GSD was adopted on his death bed at 2. I worked with him for 6 months and he was a fantastic, obedient, and loyal animal. In a year's time frame, I moved cross-country, got married and had a baby, and his obedience was put on the back burner. He was under stimulated, undersocialized, began gaining weight, and started resource guarding myself and my children against strangers and even my husband who lived in the same home. He was very anxious and stressed, began sleeping on the furniture while we were gone, practically plowed through us when called to come, and couldn't stay calm. The breaking point was him attacking an HVAC tech in our home. I was horrified. I thought we would lose our dog because of his breed, and began avoiding having anyone over, house arrested him more, and if someone familiar happened to come over, we muzzled him. He grew even more anxious and so did we. We brought him to Adam at Obedient Paws, and our lives were immediately changed. The 4 week boot camp will be done for any future animals we have, and recommended to anyone with a new or old pup. Our dog listens to commands the first time, no longer resource guards, is attentive, eager to learn, no longer anxious, no longer barks at everything, doesn't pull on walks and remains attentive and undistracted, the list goes on and on. He is the model citizen pet any owner would dream of. He separates work from play, doesn't aggressively scare people at the front door anymore, and no distraction keeps him from obeying on the first command. It's a completely different animal. His new drive overcame his anxiety and he's all over a happier pup because of it, and we no longer have to worry about guests or our children. I couldn't recommend Obedient Paws enough. If we moved away, I would come back with a new animal just for Adam. His hands on teaching with us on how to train our animals and handle them appropriately is more in depth than any other trainer or program I've ever seen. He truly did all of the hard work for us, and allowed us to reap the benefits while continuing training in our own way. read more

I enrolled my 10 yr old dog Griffin in Obedient Paws 4 week "Boot Camp" in order to correct many years of behavioral issues which I had never been able to correct, despite many attempts. I am not a novice 'dog mom'. For years I participated in a local dog obedience club, training 2 golden retrievers and competing in many obedience competitions. It never occurred to me that I would ever have a dog that I could not control until I adopted Griffin. I tried many things: 2 basic obedience classes, positive reinforcement training, prong collars, an e-collar, all with no success at correcting Griffin's reactivity to other dogs and his escaping & running away at full speed at every opportunity. In fact, his behavior became increasingly more severe. I eventually began to avoid taking him anywhere because it was always so difficult and frankly, embarrassing! We fell into a vicious cycle of increased isolation for Griffin, which in turn made his reactivity worse. He began to react to people on bikes & skateboards, cars, motorcycles, and he began to start fights with other dogs. I finally had to do something to address Griffin's issues. I spent a lot of time researching local dog trainers and decided to contact Adam Blackiston at Obedient Paws Dog Training. Adam did a wonderful job of training Griffin and teaching me how to continue to work with Griffin to maintain the good behaviors after he came home. He recommended reading material and videos to help with my understanding. Adam continues to reach out to check on our progress and to offer advice; he obviously wants to make sure that we continue to be successful. I can now take Griffin for walks and out in public knowing that I have the tools to properly handle his behavioral issues. I have even had him off-leash without him running away! Never thought I would be able to do that! I highly recommend Obedient Paws Dog Training. Owner/Trainer Adam Blackiston is an experienced & knowledgeable trainer who understands dog behavior and knows how to train dogs and their owners with that in mind. read more

I can't say enough great things about Obedient Paws and Adam. Our dog had basic training as a puppy, but over the years (he's now 4), he became increasingly anxious, reactive, and aggressive towards other dogs and strangers. It reached a point where we feared he might bite someone, forcing us to consider rehoming him. The situation caused us a great deal of anxiety, especially when having contractors in our home or encountering other dogs, and we had a couple of close calls. After extensive research, we chose Obedient Paws for several reasons: 1. Adam's Expertise: From our first conversation, it was evident that Adam understood our struggles and could help us and our dog. We also needed training, and Adam was prepared to guide us through the process. 2. Top-notch Facilities: I've never seen a boarding facility as clean as Obedient Paws. They maintain impeccable hygiene, cleaning up immediately if a dog uses the restroom. The place doesn't smell or feel like a typical boarding facility; you only know dogs are there because of the crates, leashes, and collars. 3. 4-Week Bootcamp: We knew our dog needed to be fully immersed in his training, and the bootcamp was perfect for that. Although it was hard to drop him off, we knew this was best for him, given his attachment to us. 4. Involvement in the Process: Adam kept us deeply involved. We worked with our dog, Jif, and Adam daily, receiving constant updates and photos. We even did off-site training together at local beaches and parks. I am forever grateful to Adam and his team. This is a lifelong journey, and Adam created a strong foundation for us to build on. We've learned to be better dog owners, establish boundaries, and keep our dog and others safe. We now enjoy walks without pulling or aggressive behavior towards others, and our dog enjoys off-leash time in the yard or at the beach. Our dog is living a fuller, healthier life thanks to the training at Obedient Paws. Highly recommend! read more

If you're looking for a trainer who can completely change your dog's behavior and make you a better dog owner, Adam is your guy. My wife and I rescued our dog, Shep, from the SPCA back in February. Because of his leash aggression and lack of obedience, he was a nightmare to walk and take out in public - our walks often ended in frustration and embarrassment, so we needed to do something. We found Adam through Groupon and were very impressed after just one session. We decided to put Shep through the three week boot camp and couldn't be more pleased with the results! Also, Adam doesn't just focus on the dogs - he takes the time to work with the owners, too. During Shep's boot camp, my husband and I came in for 6 one hour training sessions, but we would usually stay much longer because Adam wanted to make sure we knew how to properly train Shep after he left boot camp. He gave us multiple resources and great advice on how to better interact with Shep, which is a big part of transitioning what he learned in the training environment to our home. Shep is now much calmer and extremely obedient as a result of Adam's expertise and dedication. Before, he didn't listen to anything and did whatever he wanted. Now he sits, stays, walks like he is a show dog, comes when he is told to come, will "leave it" and willingly and happily goes in his crate. It is a complete turnaround. Now we don't dread our walks - we look forward to them, and life with him at home is very enjoyable. We can't thank Adam enough for all of his help! There is not a single complaint we could give Adam and his facility. He is a dedicated professional and as good as it gets! If you live in the Hampton Roads area and your dog needs training, send your dog to Obedient Paws. read more

I was initially recommended Obedient Paws from someone at work when I first sought a trainer last year for Thomas, my Great Dane. After going with another trainer, who was okay, I found Thomas still needing training (myself included needed training on how to work with him). He wasn't aggressive with people or other animals, but did resource guard his food around other dogs. He also displayed a lack of manners and would listen to basic commands... just when he felt like it. Growing frustrated with Thomas, I needed help and immediately called Obedience (something I should've done initially last summer). We talked briefly about what I needed training on and how he can help and booked the first visit on the initial phone call. I saw an improvement with Thomas from just a 60-minute meet and greet and knew that it was the right choice. I signed Thomas up for boot camp during the visit and trusted them with my dog for a week. They were very communicative and reached out, even now after the week. Everyone I encountered there was great to work with and Thomas was more than happy to be with them. Taking Thomas home after the 1 week boot camp was a night and day difference. He is now actually focused on me when I issue a command and I know how to hold him accountable. I know how to continuously work with him to keep our bond growing and his training consistent. His resource guarding has improved and I am still actively working on correcting it with him. Everything I sought out a professional trainer for was accomplished and more with Obedient Paws. Well worth it! I'll be continuing to use them for daycare and/or boarding when the need arises. I know he will be in good hands! Would recommend. read more

My wife found this place here on Facebook and we were willing to try anything. Our lab retriever mix (2 y/o) Recently became aggressive towards guests we would have over. He kept trying to bite them and lunge/snarl at them so aggressively. Before this time he was perfectly fine with others, so we weren't sure what had changed. He barked constantly at people who would walk passed our backyard and other dogs. He pulled us like crazy on the leash and never listened to commands to come back inside. After we found Obedient Paws, we knew we had to try something. All the reviews seemed amazing so we sent him to 4 weeks of boot camp. They taught him to keep his focus. Using command signals and practiced being around other dogs without problems. All in all, he came back completely different. We only have had him back for almost a week and so far he does not pull on walks at all. He stops and stares at others passing by, but he has only barked once. Today, we had 2 friends over. When the first one came, he started barking at the first walk in, but with the help of the E Collar, prong collar, and treats he stopped within a minute. When the second friend came, he did not bark at all. He did not try to lunge, snarl, or any other of his old antics. We kept him on the leash and were cautious with letting them feed him treats. With faith in him, we took him off the leash within 15 minutes and did amazing! Highly recommend anyone who is skeptical of boot camp training to try this out. 100% worth every penny in my opinion! read more

I think the problem with most training places is they show you how to encourage and reward good behavior, but don't address how you can discourage bad behavior. If I keep rewarding my dog repeatedly for pooping outside, that's great. But if he also keeps pooping in the house, I need to do something to let him know that's unacceptable. We spent a lot of time and money at positive-only training classes, and no one showed us how to address what we saw as growing bad behavior in our puppies. Adam is the owner and trainer at Obedient Paws. We gave him our two puppies to train. One of them was horribly antisocial and was starting to develop a nipping habit. We were afraid to take him anywhere. By the end of 5 weeks of training, they weren't perfect but they were a lot better. They listen to commands like "come" and "leave it" and "quiet" - we use these with them every day. We (the owners) were also trained along with the dogs, so we know how to correctly leash walk them and how to recognize when our own bad behavior or lack of knowledge is exacerbating problems with the dogs. Delivery and mail people keep telling me how well behaved my dogs are, because they sit and stay when I open the door, instead of trying to bolt out of it. We're actually about to give Adam our 3rd puppy to train. It's expensive, and it's tough to hand over your "baby" for a few weeks of bootcamp, but it's worth it. It really is. Especially if positive-only training classes have failed you. Especially if you have a problem puppy. read more

We adopted Benji from SPCA and thought our pup was just adjusting to a new home. We gave him space and love but he seemed distant. Then he started snapping and bit several family members. He was unpredictable and would growl without provocation. In less than a week he went from growling to snapping at anyone he felt was coming into his space. At times he would be fun and loving but the unpredictability kept everyone at bay. We were at wits end and began to wonder whether we could keep him or not. Fortunately, we found Obedient Paws. The idea of a boot camp for a dog was totally foreign but having run out of options, we decided it was our only chance. After one week we were amazed that Benji was responding to commands and best yet, no biting. In the weeks to follow, Adam had every family member train with him. Benji was particularly hard headed and stayed for 5 weeks and every day was well worth it. The Benji that came home with us was not the same dog we had brought. He is clearly happier and we have a correctable and manageable dog with whom we can now begin to bond. We are no longer intimidated and enjoy his company. Hindsight being 20/20, I realize how close we were to giving up. Adam is truly a gifted trainer. He not only works with the dog but teaches the family correct handling and technique. His knowledge, patience, persistence and commitment made all the difference. Our reward: we get to keep my dog! read more

SHORT VERSION: Obedient Paws changed our lives. Adam saved our sanity. We no longer hide from our dog - he's a joy to be around. Obedient Paws is clean, doesn't smell at all, and has a lot of room for the dogs to play, train, and hang out. LONG VERSION: Our Giant Schnauzer male puppy is not a biter, nor an excessive barker or even a growler. But his cute behavior as a little 10-pound fluffball got much less adorable once he became a 10-month-old, 110-pound bulldozer. He stopped being funny and I got concerned for the safety of my family, with a kid and senior at home. We met with Adam for a consultation, and he immediately pinpointed the issue - it was us! We had not been consistent with our attempts to "train" the dog, and we seriously had no idea how to undo what we allowed to happen, because our dog ignored our commands. We enrolled our dog in the 4-week camp, and we visited every few days to do training with Adam. We began seeing a difference in the dog's behavior at the first visit. Once we picked up our loveable pooch after the 4 weeks, the change in him (and us) was remarkable. Adam truly cares about our success. He knew we were having people over for a visit, and he checked in to see how our dog did. (He was great, by the way.) Our friends and family are amazed with his transformation. The dog doesn't jump onto people. He doesn't bolt through the door. And, he doesn't whine! read more

I have a 1 year old German Sheppard named Nala. She was a very rambunctious pup. She had horrible anxiety issues and bullied her way into attention from everyone in the house. She was very rough with the kids and my wife, who was pregnant, we just didn't have the time to put any type of home training into her. She also was very unruly on walks which made it to the point I would just keep her in the house, which wasn't good for such an energetic dog. I sought out Adam after taking a look at his Instagram and I do not regret it. He recommended the 4 week program which at first I thought to myself, he's just trying to upsale his services. But after the consultation and seeing how he worked with the other dogs I was sold that my pup needed the 4 weeks. The E-collar training surprised me because I heard negative things about it from animal lovers, but he was very informative and transparent with everything involved with the collar. He was very helpful throughout the training regimen and within the first week I could already tell the difference. He provides a lot of information to you free of charge and considering the fact he backs his training up once the regimen is over with bringing your dog back anytime free is top notch service. Nala is a changed dog and one I am proud to own and have in the home. We plan on getting another pup and we will definitely be sending it to Adam! read more

I got Ringo, 6 month old Cane Corso pup, when he was 12 weeks old. He was not socialized prior to me picking him up, and despite my best efforts in getting him to puppy classes, training, dog parks, etc, nothing I was doing was helping. He had problems with submissive urination, anxiety, guarding, horrible car sickness, and was incredibly excitable. After having owned several dogs, this was a first for me. Because of his breed and the size he was going to eventually reach, decided to bring him to Adam for a 4 week board and train. I had to be sure that any future potential problems were handled early on before he became worse or unintentionally hurt someone. I myself needed to learn the best way to react to and stop the behaviors he was showing. What a difference! He is so much calmer and less anxious. No barking at the doorbell, no jumping when new people come in, no more following me everywhere I go. He sits or lays down and stays in place. He still gets nervous in the car but no longer get sick. He is still a puppy and will continue to be a work in progress, but Ringo and I both have the tools we need to continue his progress. Adam is fabulous at what he does and makes sure you're comfortable doing it as well. I could not be happier with the results I see and highly recommend Obedient Paws for anyone who needs help with their dog. read more

My wife and I were about to go into the hospital and have our second child, and we were nervous about family coming down to watch the house/kid/dog... primarily because of the dog. Our friends gifted us the cost of 2-weeks worth of boarding, and we decided to use that as a down payment toward the boot camp training. BEST DECISION OF OUR LIVES! Our 1-yr old chocolate lab is now so much more manageable! We used to not be able to take her on walks because she was too crazy. We used to not be able to have people over to the house, unless they were dog-lovers, because she would jump at them uncontrollably. Even in our own fenced-in backyard we'd have issues, whether it be her jumping at our neighbors or their dogs on the other side of the fence, or barking at any activity going on within eyesight. All of those issues have been subdued! Adam and his team gave us and Lucy the tools to be successful in these daily activities. Lucy knows not to jump at the fence or at guests, but if she needs the periodic reminder, we know what to do! She heels when we walk her! Before, you could hardly manage her solo, but now my wife can walk her and push a double running stroller simultaneously! We thought we were just going to have to wait until she was 4-5 years old to experience this sort of behavior from her. Thanks, Adam! And thanks, Obedient Paws! read more

I brought my four month old puppy, Ronnie, in for a three week training stay. He was driving me up a wall with the pulling on the leash, eating everything he possibly could and a laundry list of other things. The first training visit after dropping him off I was already seeing a huge difference in Ronnie's behavior. Adams training site is very spacious and accommodating for all dog types. It has a large open fenced in area for the dogs to run and play together. But also allows opportunities to go into the play area to train with your dog. Great practice for training with distractions. Adam is also very accommodating to dogs with special needs. With separate kennels or enclosures for them to stay so they feel safe. Adam's training techniques are on point. I was very hesitant about using an E collar for my dog until he taught me how it's used and why. The E collar, verbal commands and rewards were very easy for Ronnie to pick up on. The rest of Adam's team are incredible. They also make the experience very fun. You can tell that all of them really care about your dog and want the best for them. I wish I could remember their names but y'all are amazing! Highly recommend! It's so nice to go on a peaceful walk! Thanks to Adam and the ladies for all your help! We'll see you again soon for day care! read more

We went to Adam and his awesome team to see if he could help us with our Great Pyrenees, Siopao. He went in with social/separation anxiety and fear based aggression which made it impossible to have people over or just take him on walks. We initially started with 3 weeks but decided to do the four week boot camp in the end because at first our big baby was reluctant, and it took just the first week to get him use to Adam, but overtime Siopao started to open up and take treats from people he didn't know, and was even able to be put with other dogs which was amazing to see. He learned several commands and has learned not to pull on the leash which has been extremely useful on walks since he's a big dog. He also does so much better with company around, which we had such a hard time before to calm him down. We are grateful that we came to Adam at Obedient Paws than any other place 'cause you can really tell he cares and puts time in individually to each dog and the issue they came in with. You can tell all the dogs also respect him and that itself is amazing, we will continue to bring Siopao into daycare just so he can see his best friend Adam, his pal Zeus and all the other workers he loves being around. Thanks everyone at Obedient Paws, and Adam! I'm sure we'll see you soon again Lol. read more

Obedient Paws , Adam is amazing ! Zeus is a very lovable boy but had issues with resource guarding of me from my lovely wife . Food and toy aggression was another . Zeus is very intimidating and scared the handlers from 2 day care centers . We arrived at Adam's facility with hopes of saving our dear Zeus . I saw things happen that evening that scared the hell out of me as far as Zeus trying to get at Adam . Within 30 minutes Zeus was quiet and walking around the training area with Adam alone . Unbelievable ! First the dog wants to tear him up and presto chango Zeus settled down . Adam suggested 4 weeks of Boot Camp board and train . The methods that were taught and enforced by the trainer are unbelievable . We were skeptical at first . I think it was tougher for Adam to teach us was more difficult than teaching Zeus . All I can say is if you have a troubled pup please do not hesitate to see Adam at Obedient Paws for a solution to make your buddy like my Zeus a true mans best friend . Deb and myself are very grateful to Cosmos Day Care in VA Beach for the referral to Adam at Obedient Paws . I cannot say enough about the knowledge and skills that Adam has in order to make these great changes to our Zeus and all the other pups that have been through the program . Thank You Adam !! read more

I am so grateful for Obedient Paws! My dog Pacey is 5 year old, male hound dog that I adopted from an SPCA about two years ago. We had been struggling with his separation anxiety and resource guarding for a long time before my vet recommended Obedient Paws to me. I originally signed Pacey up for a two week board and train program, but he ended up being there for about four weeks because he was benefitting from it so much! The times I got to go and work with Pacey were amazing. I got to see all of his anxiety and fear chip away and be replaced by confidence. The staff really understand dogs and were great about teaching me how to understand Pacey's behavior as well. They gave me lots of tips and advice to help us have better communication and trust. Now that Pacey is back at home, we haven't had any issues with anxiety or aggression. Everyone comments on what a well-behaved dog he is and how much of a difference the training has made! If Pacey would talk, he would probably recommend Obedient Paws too. I have been taking him to doggie daycare since the training program ended, and every day he practically jumps out of the car window to go see his friends and get lots of pets and treats from the staff. Overall, it has been the best thing to happen to both of us! read more

We found Adam after a lot of internet hunting and are so glad we did! We had recently gotten an 8-month old Rhodesian Ridgeback from a breeder. Kiara was skiddish with people, had out-of-control separation anxiety, and was very sensitive to any harsh sounds, movements, etc. No aggression, pretty much just frightened of her own shadow! After a four week Boot Camp with Adam, we are amazed! Kiara is back in the house with us, sleeps soundly in her crate (in a different room from us, which couldn't happen before) and can be left in her crate throughout the day, which before led to terrible crying and howling. She has also gotten much better with others, and is now happy to meet new people on her walks and when we take her to new places. She is much more obedient around the house (we also did the e-collar training) and has so much more confidence in how she acts in every situation. Adam did a great job training both Kiara and us, we visited with him 2-3x a week and really learned what we had been doing wrong that was stifling Kiara's development. I can't say enough about his love for dogs, and his facility is cleaner than most houses I've been to! We were hesitant to jump in for 4 weeks, but it was the best decision for us and Kiara! read more

Take your dog here! Our Labrador retriever was 9 months when we took him to see Adam. He did the 2 week boot camp and changed tremendously. He stopped resource guarding and stealing the pillows from our bed and he listens now. He also stopped the annoying barking. Also out in public he is calm and quiet and does not bark at other people or dogs. It's very nice. He doesn't jump on people out of excitement anymore when they come greet him and he sits and waits to be pet. He walks right next to me as well and does not pull on the leash. I get compliments all the time about how well behaved he is even when I take him into the pet store or to the park. He is doing good with distractions as well, I purposely put ourselves in situations to test him and so he gets used to it. Even family/friends that knew him before the training says how he is like a totally different dog now. We are using both the prong collar and e-collar, so very thankful for Adam and his awesome training. It's been two months since he completed the boot camp training and he is still doing well. It's definitely worth the time and money. read more