Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Primal Needs Behavioral Solutions

    4.8 (52 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Request information

    You can now request a consultation from this business directly from Yelp

    Services - Primal Needs Behavioral Solutions

    Dog boarding and training

    Private dog training

    Primal Needs Behavioral Solutions Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Primal Needs Behavioral Solutions

    Recommended Reviews - Primal Needs Behavioral Solutions

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Daisy V.

    Blair was a total game changer for us and our dog, George!!! George was a pandemic puppy who we never really socialized enough with other humans. We took the lockdowns pretty seriously and so he went about a good year without interacting with anyone outside of our household. Needless to say, he developed some serious behavioral issues -- he had severe separation anxiety and aggressive behavior towards people that came anywhere near my boyfriend and I. We got really worried about things escalating so we did the virtual training with Blair. Today, George is a changed dog. He doesn't pull on the leash anymore, he doesn't bark/lunge at people/dogs walking by, doesn't howl his brains out every time we leave the house, and is learning to welcome people into our home without immediately lunging at them and barking like a maniac. We really liked the virtual training because it allowed us to move at a pace that accommodated our schedule. You'll get what you put into it, so be prepared to spend lots of time practicing what you learn with Blair, but even after week 1, you'll see a total shift in your dog!

    Rue and Tucker
    Chelsea P.

    Blair was my 3rd and final trainer for my dog aggressive Great Dane, Rue. She had already bitten 3 other dogs and I was completely turned off to the idea of introducing her to anymore. My partner had a dog Rue needed to get along with for the relationship to work. Blair worked with my partner and I to re-train us on how to train them and in a few weeks we were able to get them completely comfortable with each other. I never thought she would get to this point. Additionally, the leash training has allowed rue to be off leash in areas and parks I would have never taken her to before. I can happily say I have full control over her and she didn't have to learn the e-collar "the hard way." My only regret is that I didn't find Blair sooner.

    Camo

    Our family worked with Blair in person at our home in Sacramento several months ago and we are forever grateful to him! We are first time dog owners and he really helped us to understand Camo and his behavior and temperament and how to make him really part of our family which was the most important thing for us. Having him at our house helped to really see how he acts with us in our environment and sculpt a plan that was right for our family. We have two boys (7 and 9 yrs) and it's been amazing to see them all bond and play together. It was not just about learning dog tricks and commands, but learning how to really bond and live with him and teach Camo what was expected of him. We are able to go some places and have him off leash which we absolutely love, as does Camo. People are always amazed with how well behaved he can be for his age (now 1 yr old). Blair is amazing at what he does. We had to put in the work as a family but his guidance laid down the foundation for what we needed to work on and he did check-ins and in person follow ups. He also helped us with Camo's diet and I still reach out to him for advise from time to time on things and he never seems put out and is very helpful. Thank you Blair!

    He's a good boy now!

    Today I walked my dog Larry off-leash. That is really not something I would have thought possible before working with Blair. Definitely worth it. Initially we were hesitant about a training program delivered remotely via video calls and phone instead of meeting in person. But we felt like we had tried our other options so we gave it a shot. We had previously worked with in-person trainers and not made any progress with Larry's cat aggression problem. Blair had a very structured program for us to begin re-training my dog Larry. It wasn't just a few commands like take-it and leave-it. Throughout the process he answered any questions we had, and adjusted our program as Larry's behavior improved. Now our life has improved as we do not have to constantly be closing off portions of the house to prevent the dog from attacking our cats (bonus, we also argue less about dog training) And we don't have to worry about tugging or marking when we take him out for a walk.

    Wilma in wilderness, off leash.
    Slam B.

    Blair Diamond saved my life with my rescue dog, Wilma. He has changed my relationship with dogs, and there is not a day that I regret investing into my animal. After all, Wilma will not be my only dog, and his lessons will transgress from animal to animal. I adopted Wilma (8 month old pitbull mix) from a local shelter in Sacramento. When she was at the shelter, she showed no signs of animal aggression (she shared a pen with another older dog). When I brought her home, I quickly realized that she was a level 10 aggressive towards all animals and that I might have a potential lawsuit on my hands if I wasn't careful. Wilma was so intense, she nearly broke through a glass window in my home to get to another dog. I lived in midtown Sacramento at the time and I could barely walk her without being fearful that she may bite me or another dog if quarters got too close. She's a very strong dog, so yanking me down a few blocks was an easy task for her. In addition to her aggression towards dogs, Wilma would often jump up and bite me if she couldn't get to the other dog. Essentially, walking her was a f-ing nightmare and I hated my life with her. Inside the house she had very 'puppy' like behavior. She was always biting me too hard and bruising me, jumping on guests and couches... like I said, total nightmare. I reached out to Blair and opted for the weekend session (3 days of training). He has an awesome home in Shasta. The experience is very much like Air BnB. Blair runs you through a 3 week program over the course of three days. Each day is designated to a different skill the dog will learn, with the intention of you leaving and running the three week program at your own home. The first week is a lot of crate training, the second week your dog gets a little more freedom and learns where their 'place' is, and the third week is training your dog off leash. The benefit of visiting Shasta to learn how to create the program yourself, is that your animal looks to you for guidance, rather than the trainer. Blair has an awesome disposition and a passion for his career, which makes his teachings easy to follow and enact on my own. After the three week program that Blair taught me in three days, Wilma's behavior improved 1,000,000%. Here's what you should expect from your dog after training 1. Your dog will walk by your side. 2. You have the ability to teach your dog well behaved mannerisms, like waiting on their bed while company comes to the door. 3. You will have a better relationship and more control over your animal. Wilma is hands down the best trained dog of any of my friends. She will walk by my side in a 'heel' command, as long as I instruct her to. She doesn't bite me anymore. She still shows aggression w/ animals, but it is 1,000,000% manageable. My expectations with her are reasonable, I don't ever expect her to enter a dog park, but I still want to enjoy my walks with her and 'normal' human dog activities. Don't have unreasonable expectations from Blair. If your dog has killed another dog, don't expect that your dog will come out of training looking for other dog friends. Set yourself up for success and think about what behavioral issues are absolutely non-negotiable, and what behaviors do we as humans WISH we could change? I know the price may be a bit of a choker for you.. but ask yourself two things. 1 - If my dog had a broken arm, would I pay a couple grand to fix it? If you answered yes, then there's no reason you wouldn't want to fix your dogs brain if it's broken.. It's just a covered ailment versus an overt one. 2 - If your dog has 10 years left, 3,650 days and you spent $2,650 for training.. then that's less than a dollar a day you just bought yourself the most well trained pooch, ever. Lastly, I'd like to finish up this review by thanking Blair for being there for me after training. He's a man that's true of his word. He told me, "you're dog is in AA, and I'm her sponsor". He's always answered my calls and I went to Shasta in October. He has never charged me for additional sessions. When he says he cares more about his reputation than money, he's not full of crap. I put my word on it. Thank you Blair. Here's pics of my well behaved pooch. I love her. PS he was on Good Day Sacramento, here's the clips for reference https://gooddaysacramento.cbslocal.com/video/3980563-think-like-a-dog-pt-2/ https://gooddaysacramento.cbslocal.com/video/4097032-think-like-a-dog/

    Sarah R.

    Blair was amazing at helping me achieve my goals with my rescue pup. I rescued my girl in March of this year, she immediately became my best friend but was extremely fearful of other people. Even family and friends she had met multiple times! I couldn't have people at my house without her reacting/barking, could not go for walks without her trying to run the opposite way of anything that scared her. I reached out to Blair for his board & train, and he was very honest that this wouldn't be the best option given her personality. I was definitely skeptical about doing the virtual program, one because I've never behaviorally trained a dog & two because I really did not think I had the time for it with a full time job. The virtual program was great. Blair modified the schedule to fit around my work day, he was always in constant communication and made me feel very supported. I'm glad I went the virtual route because now I know how to lead my dog. We still have a lot of work to do, but walks are much more enjoyable (we are even off leash at times!), she does not bark at the doorbell or guests who are entering the home, and she is a lot less fearful over all. I thank Blair everyday for his help and would recommend him to anyone!

    JoJo barking out the window before his training with Blair!  Also looks like a great match.com profile pic :)

    See all

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Slam B.
    199
    38
    16

    6 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa C.
    182
    41
    37

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J S.
    14
    7
    0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of R C.
    4
    12
    1

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liz C.
    61
    8
    5

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bob P.
    9
    37
    44

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ann S.
    3
    73
    13

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Blair D.

    Blair D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jessie W.
    88
    17
    10

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Primal Needs Behavioral Solutions

    Review Highlights - Primal Needs Behavioral Solutions

    Blair's continued dedication to Koda's success has been a reassuring presence we didn't even know we needed.

    Mentioned in 52 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Off Leash K9 Training Sacramento - Joey before K9 Obedience Training

    Off Leash K9 Training Sacramento

    (52 reviews)

    I cannot recommend OLK9, and specifically Trainer Christina enough…read more My pup is 5.5 years old, extremely sweet, but would get extremely excited around other people/ dogs. We couldn't take him in public. When we'd have to take him to the vet, he would pull so hard (90 lb pitbull/ American bull dog, so he pulls HARD) that he would choke himself and make my hand hurt from holding the leash, and he would SCREAM/ bark/ cry when we wouldn't let him go up to people and dogs. He wouldn't tire out. He would do that the entire time. It was stressful as all heck when we'd have people over to our house. He would jump all over people, knock over small kids, non stop licking people, etc for about 15-20 min before calming down. If we kept him crated when people were over, he'd scream the entire time (I'm talking HOURS). It was extremely stressful. We did the 2 week board and train program with Christina. I'll be honest, because his issues seemed more like personality issues rather than not knowing commands, etc. I was a little nervous that our biggest concerns wouldn't be fixed. Him sitting, laying down, walking on heel, etc would be nice and all, but really what we needed was for him to be able to CALM DOWN around people. Lucky for us, we got the best of both worlds! My husband and I are blown away by the change in our boy. It's truly day and night. We picked him just one week ago. Yesterday I took him to the local Farmer's Market. He walked at a heel the whole time, not pulling toward any of the other people or dogs. We also spent multiple minutes at a time in a "sit" or "down" position just watching. This used to be a scenario where he'd be going crazy trying to get to everyone, but he remained calm for the whole 45 ish minutes we were there. Shortly after that, we had 2 new-to-Wesley friends come over to our house. I placed him on his cot before they came in the door. He jumped up once, but after I placed him back on it, he remained there and didn't move until I allowed him too. I thought for sure after I let him off, he'd run over and jump on his new friends. But nope! He walked over and let them pet him, but remained calm with all four feet on the floor and didn't lick them like crazy. He spend most of the afternoon just laying near us but not demanding attention like usual. He even stayed by himself quietly inside, while we were in the backyard (another first, he always wants to be where the people are) A total transformation!! Not having him for 2 weeks was definitely tough but Christina sent us multiple pictures and videos every single day, letting us know how he was doing and just showing us his cute face. She was quick to answer every question. You can truly tell how much she loves dogs and what she does. When we picked him up, we spent about 2 hours where Christina taught up how to use the e collar and worked on some training with us and Wesley together. The only thing I'm disappointed in with this training is not doing it sooner. I am in awe of what my boy learned at almost 6 years old and I truly cannot recommend Christina enough. We drove 5+ hours round trip for her training and it was so so worth the drive and the cost. THANK YOU CHRISTINA!!!

    Chaos, our one year old male Doberman, lived true to his name. Barely manageable, he was and…read moreremains an arrogant and stubborn stud. Enter Channa from Off Leash Training Sac. She kept our high energy incredibly smart pooch for the two week board and train. We got a break while Chaos underwent intensive training. He's back now and Channa has provided us with a fantastic foundation to build upon. Thank you Channa for the excellent & personable training and Janessa for your patience and expertise. Picture added of our new grad celebrating so much he slipped into a slumber.

    Jaimie Scott Dog Owner Training and Behavior Modification - Missy in the park

    Jaimie Scott Dog Owner Training and Behavior Modification

    (24 reviews)

    Jaimie is great. I mean great. He had a group session first. Covers plenty in the group session…read moreto get many motivated pet owners moving in the right direction. This is not only a benefit to pet owners but to their pocket book as well. He could just as easily charge for introductory classes. Instead he has a great system of a group class. Explains a lot in that class. This makes it cost effective and can help you determine if you and your pet are ready to commit. We have since taken a private lesson. The wealth of knowledge he has is impressive. He met us at a dog park and gave us plenty of things to work on. Remember he is a real trainer. That means he is training YOU to work with your pet. Not your pet to work with him. Our dog couldn't walk in a dog park without going crazy. Being a bit of an alpha and posturing. Now, he has been a great pup at the parks. I highly, Highly recommend seeing Jaimie. He has followed up with us since our session. He has really helped give us the confidence to read our pup.

    I often approach google reviews with a healthy dose of skepticism, but after researching Jaimie's…read moreapproach to training, and gaining a cursory understanding of his training philosophy, I knew I had found the trainer I was looking for, and took a leap of faith. All I can say is: wow! My dog has never been happier and more well-behaved. Ironically, his approach, really, is about training you, the owner, to cultivate the behavior you want to see in your dog. He trains owners to address the root cause of behaviors, which leads to broad, systemic changes through energy-management and LOTS of positive reinforcement. Before finding Jaimie, I was worried I'd have to give my dog up to a sanctuary if I ever lived with another person who owned a dog because my dog's behavior was out of control. I no longer have that fear after training with Jaimie. He is truly a master of his craft, and I have full confidence his training techniques can work on any dog after seeing my dog's behavior transform. I have a 10 year old Shih Tzu that I adopted from the pound at 5 years old. She was constantly getting into trouble: jumping on furniture, marking in the house, pulling trash from trash cans, aggressive with kids and other dogs. I believed the folk wisdom that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks," and Jaimie shattered that myth within the first training session. Jaimie's approach is really quite simple, if you think about it: if you manage your dog's energy, and you set boundaries for your dog, you can create a completely new routine that your dog will adopt through your consistent, clear communication and praising good behavior. Over time, through consistency, you fall into a new routine, one where your dog listens and understands the expectations you've set, and it feels natural. Since beginning training, my Shih Tzu has stopped marking inside the house and outside during walks, stopped begging for food and stealing food from the toddler in my house, pulling trash from the trash cans, stopped barking at every little noise in the house, listens to my commands while walking on a leash, and no longer jumps on furniture. Additionally, she is generally happier, and more affectionate with every human she meets. Next, I'm planning to work with Jaimie on addressing my dog's anxiety with other dogs. All of the work the work you put into training really pays off, and I have full confidence that his techniques and attention to detail will help me guide my dog finally begin to trust other dogs. Trust the process, be patient with yourself and with your dog, remain consistent, and cultivate the behavior you want to see.

    Midtown Mutts - Puppy Spirit in the ball pit

    Midtown Mutts

    (64 reviews)

    River Park, East Sacramento

    I brought my puppy here for socialization class and came back for their membership training…read moreclasses. Cassi and Lindsay have been great trainers and I have noticed a difference in our dogs. They use positive reinforcement for their training method. Midtown Mutts also offers dog walking, 1:1 sessions and pet sitting. My neighbor uses them for pet sitting and she loves them. You pay based on how many visits and the length of time you want them to stay. They take pictures everyday they visit to show you how your pet was that day. Pros: they have a membership and you can choose 1 or 5 classes a month. These classes don't roll over if you don't use them - I made the mistake of thinking they do. They have a calendar where it lists the classes, time and topic. The calendar is a bit clunky and confusing so it takes a bit to figure out how to navigate. If they don't have too many people sign up and you need help in a certain area, they accommodate your request. They have answered my numerous questions and been very patient. I can say my puppy REALLY enjoyed class because he was showered with treats also as a lab, he never turns food down! Cons: if there is a large class and the gym in the same business structure is busy, parking can be a bit hard to find.

    I have been taking my puppy to Midtown Mutts through their puppy socialization classes and then to…read moretheir group training classes. It has been fun to watch her become more confident and get better at the things we are practicing.

    Follow My Lead Dog Training

    Follow My Lead Dog Training

    (61 reviews)

    Follow My Lead has far exceeded my expectations when I signed my puppy up for training. We started…read moreher at 9 weeks old, and she's now 5.5 months and has completed 6 one-on-one sessions, 3 group sessions, and many more puppy play times. I've watched her transform from a bit of a wild puppy into an (I might be biased here) absolutely perfect dog. We learned all basic commands including sit, down, come, loose leash walking etc., and have since gone onto more complex commands such as emergency recalls, staying with distractions, etc. Outside of teaching our puppy, I've also been able to shed many bad habits that I had in terms of training. The classes definitely have structure to them, but the trainers also allow enough flexibility where they're sure to address any issues that you're having, or will take time to focus on a specific command that you're interested in. I'll definitely continue our training here and wouldn't even consider going somewhere else. Liz is incredibly knowledgeable and great at what she does, our puppy loves going to class and makes a huge fuss when she greets her. I've met Jennifer on a few occasions as well, and it's clear that she too is incredibly experienced.

    Personal and valuable training method. My Beau had become reactive to other dogs on leash after an…read moreattack. Liz helped me work with Beau and gave me the tools needed to train him. It took time, but I was consistent and he is back to my easy going boy.

    Primal Needs Behavioral Solutions - pet_training - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...