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Pack Method Prep

4.9 (139 reviews)
Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Services - Pack Method Prep

Private dog training

Puppy socialization classes

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Recommended Reviews - Pack Method Prep

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Reviews With Photos

Mary C.

First time dog owner of a 5-month shiba pup here! If you're like me, you've probably spend many hours watching dog training videos on YouTube when welcoming a new dog into the home. They were helpful to an extent, but sometimes my puppy didn't respond to their specific methods and their demo dogs were well-behaved and did the commands perfectly on the first try?!?!? I was disheartened and thought I should seek help from professionals in order to set us up for success. After looking around Yelp, I decided to enroll our pup for 6 Saturdays of basic obedience classes with Pack Method Prep. It was super helpful for me as a first time dog owner to get some foundational basics down, as well as tips on how to better communicate with the dog in front of me. With PMP classes, our trainer Zoe was right there watching us as we go through the lesson of the day and made suggestions as we practiced. They also emailed us "homework," or written lessons, to easily reference when we practiced at home. My original goal at the very beginning was to establish better leash manners. Six weeks later, I feel like I have a different pup! While he's not by any means a perfect sidecar, he's already checking in with me during on-leash walks and leaving (most) items on the ground--a huge improvement from his pulling days. I'm so glad I had these classes as a way to stay accountable and look forward to enrolling in their intermediate/advanced series when they become available.

Katie G.

Ashley has been an amazing trainer to work with. She is responsive, helpful, encouraging and creative. She has a personalized approach because every dog is different. I have had many trainers over the years and this is the first time I have felt truly supported. Dog training can be a frustrating and long process but Ashley's methods are so doable and she gives you realistic expectations. I love working with Ashley so much and would recommend her to anyone!

Graduation day from Level 1 of obedience class.

This is such a great group of trainers for dogs. Very knowledgable and helpful. They share so many helpful tips. Everything is very positive.

Star

Well well well... you getting frustrated over your puppy/adult's unwanted behavior? Looking for a trainer? Boy do I have the place for you?! THIS! THIS IS IT! Having trouble with your rescue? They got you! Don't know where to start with your adorable puppy? Aha...they got you! Generally don't know what you are doing as a dog owner?! You already know what I'm going to say! THEY GOT YOU!!! Our favorite trainer: Ashley has helped us with our German Shepard puppy to now a big puppy. We then rescued a Husky with extreme guarding issues. She's been with us with that also. Ashley is friendly, personable, funny, and super knowledgeable! We love having her as our ongoing trainer.

Susan S.

I fell in love with our Ruby the first day we met her at a Second Chance Dog Rescue adoption event. She was a two year old pitbull, living with in a foster home with both dogs and cats! We could tell that she wanted to please and that she had so much love for her foster mom and with all that, we decided to adopt. It was on our ride home that i first realized she had some issues (which we assumed she would) but her aggression and behavior in the car was just the start of what developed into a list of insecurities and related issues. Into our first week her insecurities started showing. She was aggressive towards everything she was afraid of - which was just about everything besides us. At this point I was thinking I am too old to handle a dog like her. I was afraid she could hurt someone, or even myself - not necessarily due to aggression but partially due to her strength, energy and intensity. That is when my daughter suggested Pack Method Prep - a new school for dogs in Pacific Beach. I took Ruby in for an evaluation and she ended up starting school the following Monday, enrolled in 3 days a week. I absolutely don't have enough positive things to say or words to describe my gratitude for Zoe and her staff - to me, they are miracle workers. I've had dogs my entire life, all of which were adopted or left to my care and while my family and i have learned things over the years - nothing prepared me for Ruby until PMP. After 4 months of school, I am no longer worried about Ruby. Not only has Ruby grown in confidence and ability, but I have as well. At one point I wasn't sure Ruby would ever leave the house because of her fears and completely losing it in the car - and now we can go anywhere and we do with daily trips to the dog park, walks with and without other friends/dogs, to see the groomer or vet. What is even better is that I now know how to deal with things when they arise - like new sounds or situations that Ruby isn't familiar with, I have the tools to work through them with hr and if I am unsure, Zoe and her team is ALWAYS there to help. It wasn't long ago that I thought I might have to give Ruby up or that she might be a dog confined to our house - even thinking of how helpless I felt in the beginning makes me emotional but I am so very thankful to have found PMP when I did. Ruby is all that we had hoped for in a dog, we both just needed the right people to show us the way.

Our time spent at Pack Method Prep was so valuable- for us and for our puppy. In prep school, she learned basic obedience, fun tricks, confidence and positive socialization with other dogs. We learned valuable tools to continue training her outside of PMP and always had any of our questions answered thoughtfully. We are grateful for their knowledge and kindness. Our puppy had an amazing experience in their care and we are grateful to the entire staff... especially her main trainers, Elaine & Julia. We highly recommend Pack Method Prep!

We adopted our older puppy in November and she really needed a lot of training. She completed the basics class and the training we received and implemented actually could have saved her life. She left out the front door to the street. I followed what we learned in class and she listened immediately and came right back to the house and inside. Similar situation at a dog park when she left a fight and came running right over to us when I called her. She also learned how to stay in place and I've successfully taken her to outdoor sporting events and she can chill and watch. I highly recommend Pack Method Prep.

my rescue and his first dog friend!!!!
Ellie P.

We adopted our boy from the humane society and he began to show signs of leash reactivity a couple of months in. Although it has been a while since we've had a session with Ashley I am still using everything she taught us from our training sessions together. Ashley taught us our dog's body language, signs to look out for, and what actions to take. My boy is still reactive but we are slowly slowly working through it together. I am SO happy with not only his progress but my own as well!!! I'm learning to be a good first time dog mom :) thank you Ashley!

I can't say enough good things about PMP. I adopted a border collie, Gus, about a year ago and tried everything I could to train him. Until I found Zoe's Dog Training (The sister company of PMP), nothing worked. I went through several group classes offered by Malory and Ashley and finally began to see improvement. When I first got Gus, he was incredibly fearful of strangers to the point I couldn't have people over without him going ballistic. After he began to improve with the classes, I wanted to continue his training and spoke to Malory and Ashley about getting Gus into Pack Method Prep. It worked. Gus is 1000 times better than I ever thought he could be. I can take him with me anywhere I go without having to worry about how he reacts to people. Even having a big group of people over isn't a problem. None of this would have been possible without Pack Method Prep. They have such a diverse group of trainers and a well thought out curriculum. I began seeing improvements within a few weeks of taking him. He's now been going for 6 months and the change has been drastic. I even learned about the exciting sport of sheep herding from Malory and take him every weekend for some extra work at Action K9 where he gets to do what collies do best - herd. I shopped around and spoke with every dog trainer I could in San Diego prior to joining PMP. None of them came close to the results I saw with Zoe's Dog Training and PMP. Zoe, Malory, Ashley, Yanina... every trainer there is the best of the best. If you're looking for the perfect place to see drastic improvement in your dog, look no further. Thanks PMP. For everything.

Last week Arlo was terrified of babies, after training w Ashley he doesn't mind when she's crying or sleeping!

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3 years ago

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Zoe S.

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Thank you, Katie! We're so glad to hear you had a great experience.

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Last week left two voice mail messages and still, no one has called back. Ended up going elsewhere.

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Ask the Community - Pack Method Prep

Do you train 8 year old cockapoo to play with a 3 year old English bulldog?

Hello! We would need more information about your specific dogs, but I would be happy to connect you with one of our certified traiers who can help! Please email admin@packmethodprep.com. Thank You!

Are your private lessons held at the owner's home?

Yes, we do offer in-home private lessons!

Can you post pricing information? Owner or anyone who attended what you paid and what services you had? Thank you

Hi there! Our prices vary depending on the service that you're looking for and the training specialist you may need. If you'd like to submit a request, I would love to connect you with one of our experienced trainers to provide you with more… Read more

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - Pack Method Prep

I would highly recommend Zoe's Dog Training for anything from basic training to complex behavioral issues.

Mentioned in 88 reviews

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Bark Busters came to us highly recommended. After some research and reviewing Ted Talk and…read morearticles, I signed up our two rescue mix breed ~20lb boys. We are grateful to James of BB who placed us with Jenna. Our boys issues: high reactivity outside, especially other dogs, and inside, door bell, ring cameras, etc. Coupled with greetings by jumping and owning the house. Jenna set us on a path of activities for inside and was incredibly patient letting me share and ask questions, learning constantly. As we fine-tuned and we all got more comfortable we moved our training to outside. The methodology used is absolutely amazing and, I dare say, short of a miracle. We practice regularly and introduce the boys to different circumstances. All that food luring and positive food reinforcement training certainly has its place but only the techniques of BB with Jenna has helped our boys become trusting, comfortable, and happy. Here I thought I had to scan the horizon constantly to be aware of incoming dogs to prepare myself to hide behind a car or go in the corner behind garbage cans to get maximum distance. Not true. I walk no longer with my head on a lazy susan. We all are forever grateful. Our boys can lead richer more social lives. Thank you!!!

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