River Bend Pet Center

I was a first time dog boarding customer who used this boarding facility for 2 nights and 3 days…read morefrom Friday to Sunday. I think that for the things they do, $35 a night for boarding is a price that can't be beat. They offer group play or one on one play. Drop off and pick up are easy to navigate. Their location is very close to the Great Wolf lodge. Bryan was happy to show me the kennels upon request, Scott was kind enough to give us some tips on building our dog's confidence, and Gale was professional at all times. The presentation of the facility was clean, bright, and organized. The kennels are indoors with a platform that is attached to the wall. I can tell they spent a lot of time on their website as well, providing a plethora of info for you to indulge in should you have any questions. With that said, I do have some small qualms. I sent my dog's shot records as requested via email but I did not receive a confirmation of the receipt. When I called a couple days before our reservation to double check, I had learned that they did in fact receive my email but my dog did not have all his shot records present when I thought that he did. I was flustered at the thought of driving so far on the day of to potentially just getting rejected because we were missing information. Secondly, my dog definitely didn't use the potty enough. This may not have been at the fault of the trainers considering my guy probably held it in but he had thee longest pee of his life that I've ever seen after I picked him up. Since there's no knowing for sure how often supervision over potty breaks happen, my recommendation for all the first timers would be to not board your anxious dog. Overall we are satisfied with the experience.

Called for a next day dog boarding. Was accepted. They were clear about their rules. Doggie came…read morehome happy. Short notice greatly appreciated. People there were a bonus.

Centralia Chehalis Veterinary Clinic

2.9

(15 reviews)

I run a nonprofit Goat rescue and had a foster bring my dog that Wood belongs to us to this clinic…read more The dog was given back to the rescue from the foster and I have requested records for three days personally and through the rescue and through the veterinary clinic. This dog needs severe medical treatment and I do not feel that Dr. Fay's office was giving the best advice on how to handle the conditions of the dog therefore I am taking it to a second opinion, but unfortunately, I cannot seem to get the paperwork that needs to have that happen and his health is starting to decline because of this ! I've been told getting records from this facility has been very difficult for not private people but other veterinary offices. This is very very concerning considering people want opinions and everyone takes paperwork at the time of the visit when they have an emergency case.

The BEST vet in the county and probably the STATE. Dr…read more Brandy is kind, compassionate, knowledgeable & honest. She rejoices in your new pet & provides a guiding hand through the rainbow bridge experience. She's just AMAZING!

Canine Evolutions

4.4

(7 reviews)

Dr. Bart de Gols at Canine Evolutions understands dogs. Seriously. He is the total package and…read moreyou will not be disappointed if you bring your pup to him. Coming from the competitive dog sport world, and holding a degree in Cynology (the study of canines or domestic dogs), it seems Bart has been a passionate and lifelong student of the dog. Just google and see for yourself. Rather than "quick fixes", he dives deep to understand first and foremost, your dog. For example, understanding HOW your dog operates is fundamental to building a healthy relationship to him/her so that your dog does things WITH you (and not FOR you). This is the critical foundation which Bart builds upon in shaping the behavior of all the dogs he works with. It just makes sense. Since we brought our German Shepherd pup to him last year, we have watched his remarkable transformation around obedience to now protection work. And it hasn't just been him! I have learned so much through Bart's online resources, lectures, and important discussions. This has been so much fun. In summary, we have discovered in Bart, a rare combination of practical expertise, scientific understanding, and authentic compassion and advocacy for dogs. We cannot recommend him more!

Cannot rate this guy. For weeks has been promise of return call w info & price via email & phone…read more Sounded like a good fit initial call back but has not delivered on any other communication. Once a week got him on phone & told he would email or call...none of either. Phone won't accept voicemail, no response to text. There are 4 of us who compete in events listed on his website with two of us who have tried to nail him down for training, with being left feeling he has no interest. One has been trying for months. Having to go with somebody else to train with after well over reasonable amount of waiting with no attempt from Bart to return contact. Blows my mind how a trainer can just ignore multiple long term clients who are looking for somebody to train with closer to home. Will look at him again if he surfaces. But we have dogs in need and competitions upcoming and can"r afford to sit and wait to see if he surfaces. One of the group has already been with Scott Haywood w Centrailia Pet Resort, I'm going to sign up tomorrow as he has followed through with getting back, setting prices, and setting concrete schedules.

State Ave

2.7

(10 reviews)

I really can't say enough good things about Newaukum Valley veterinary services! I have used this…read morelocation for close to 30 years. They have always been wonderful and have always treated our pets wonderfully as well! Yesterday we had to take my daughters border collie to the vet because he was having severe bouts of diarrhea and vomiting. Everyone in the office from the receptionist staff, to the assistants in the exam rooms, to Dr. Faye were amazing! They always are amazing! Bandit had several accidents in the exam room and none of the staff complained about having to clean it up. They treated Bandit so kind and were very compassionate towards him. They quickly took him back to the procedure rooms, knowing something serious, was going on with him. They ran the necessary, bloodwork, tested his stool, and got IV fluids going immediately. They also gave him the necessary medication he needed, and he was discharged in the evening the same day. His diagnosis was colitis and gastroenteritis, both which can be very serious if left untreated. My daughter and I are so thankful for this veterinary office! They always, without fail, take care of our pets in the best way that they can. We are grateful that they were able to resolve the health issue with bandit quickly so that we could bring him back home and get him on the road to recovery. I highly recommend this veterinary office! They are amazing!

The worst. Unconscionable treatment. They left me in a freezing room for my last moments with our…read morebeloved cat, and then came in and rushed us after we were left in the cold with the sound a barking dog (I know it is a vet, but no one ever tried to find us a nice room - I was kneeling on the floor in tears and a hurried worker handed me something to sign, like we were just in the way. I said I could not see, as I was crying, and no one responded. Now I have none of my cat's fur, because no one helped to walk me through the tiny lettered form I signed. Now they just say over and over that I signed a legal document. Just as cold as their eyes. They made the worst trauma ever even worse. Could not help to save fur for a child but could run the credit card just fine to suck up $$$$$. Never have I felt more neglected, when all I was there for was to try to help our adorable cat. Not even did they give me eye contact or show an ounce of compassion. we may as well have been on death row in a prison. I have to live with this unbearable regret for the rest of my life.

Guiding Tails

(1 review)

We have a large (100+ pounds) 2 year old rescue pup who is great at home, but struggles with…read moreoverarousal around new people and other dogs. After our local training place closed we were looking for other options and committed to positive reinforcement training. Unfortunately a lot of trainers use aversives, especially with large strong dogs. We were so excited to find Julia, and after our meet & greet we were confident she was a good choice. Julia did a 2 week board & train with our dog while we were traveling, mainly focusing on leash skills and practicing calm behavior around exciting things. We noticed an immediate improvement, but have also been continuing to work on the training at home after our follow up. I'm happy to report that we are continuing to see improvement using Julia's methods.

From the owner: At Guiding Tails, I focus on building real, lasting relationships between you and your dog through…read moreclear communication, trust, and understanding. Rather than using tools that suppress behavior, my approach centers on changing how your dog feels, so they can move through the world with more confidence and less stress. I guide you step-by-step through real-life situations, helping your dog learn that you’re a safe, consistent source of support, especially when things feel overwhelming or uncertain. As an IAABC-ADT and Family Dog Mediator, I’m committed to ongoing education and science-based methods, so you always receive thoughtful, up-to-date guidance tailored to your individual dog. Sessions are available in-home, virtually, or through Zoom, making training accessible no matter your needs.

T L C

4.0

(1 review)

Lots of T L C . Pet Care and Kennel. Help especially helpful and ready to help. Located in a scenic…read morewooded rural Lewis County.

Hedgehog Garden

(4 reviews)

I have the most sweetest little baby hedgehog that I purchased from Edith who is knowledgeable and…read moreis honest, kind. If you're looking for a hedgehog she's the nicest.

We got a newly weaned hedgehog and it is great! She had us come meet him about 2 weeks before we…read moretook him home so we knew he was a good fit for our family. She is knowledgeable and friendly and also has all the products needed on site if you need them!!!

Amani K9

(10 reviews)

Changing lives, one neutral dog at a time. Amani K9 are…read morechanging lives. Honestly, our Nyx (120# Cane Corso) had become a liability. We love her to pieces, but our sole focus was trying to manage her environment. Some of our "management" techniques included: cardboard blocking the slider so she wouldn't see and yell at the neighbors, or the squirrels; a heavy rope martingale harness to walk her to the car; blacked out the back windows of our car so she couldn't see out and yell at every pedestrian (and scratch at the windows); we could not walk her; she had to be completely sedated to be seen by a vet; we could only board her at a kennel an hour and a half away; she could not be introduced to visitors. Our goal was to keep everyone safe, but when we ended up at the E-vet with our Corgi (Lexi) we realized we were not up to the task and looked for help. Every interaction with Amani K9 has been professional, empathetic, direct and effective. From our first contact we felt supported and understood. We didn't know what to expect, but they were clear about what services they could provide and how to proceed. Our evaluation with Marianna and Synclair was so informative, it's clear they know and love what they do and want to help. We left that meeting feeling more hopeful about Nyx than we had been in years. We enrolled in the 8 week board and train, and not everyone in our household was completely on board. (8 weeks is too long, why can't we visit, when can we see her, when can we love on her) We were in it for the long haul though, and Marianna even volunteered to be the bad guy, because we were NOT managing Nyx, we were just delaying a potential catastrophe. The next lapse might be worse than just an E-vet visit and some stitches. Those 8 weeks flew by, and while we had 6 "sessions" to teach us how to communicate effectively with Nyx, it's a steep learning curve. Imagine learning a new language while also learning to tango and having to match words with movement AND remain grounded and neutral. It's a real strain on the brain, and we had some baggage we were carrying around. (How am I supposed to keep #105 (now) of determined muscle from going wherever she wants to go with this teeny tiny ribbon of a leash?) Marianna and Synclair are ultimate "hype girls" though, able to give constructive feedback while still pointing out all the right things that you're doing. At the end of those 8 weeks, Marianna brought Nyx home, walked me through all the important new processes we were going to incorporate, and then said the most helpful thing ever: "I'm not just walking out the door and you'll never see or hear from me again, I'm just an email away." After Nyxy's first day home, our local sceptic realized how relaxed and calm Nyx was, sleeping on her cot. It was inconceivable to him, based on the Nyx of before times, that she could be anything but miserable if she was held hostage in her "place". After Nyxy's second day, he asked when we would be getting a "place" cot for Lexi. It's work, it's constant and forever work, but the Nyx we have now is so much calmer and at peace than we ever could have imagined. In our attempt to "manage" Nyxy's environment, we had shrunk her world so much, it's a joy and relief to be able to expand Nyx's world for a change. Amani K9 changed our lives, and we will be forever grateful.

Amani K-9 are legitimate trainers. We entered our 15 month old dogo argentino in the 8-week…read moretraining program due to him previously being a adopted from the humane society and struggling with issues of anxiety, recall, tantrums, and self-regulations. After just four weeks when we went to parent train his temperament was so much different and he was able to work through his anxiety when it came to seeing other dogs, and outside distractions, follow commands consistently, and walk on a leash properly alongside us without pulling or just walking aimlessly. It has created a whole new level of respect in our relationship with our pup where he trusts us Amani K-9 are truly legitimate trainers. We enrolled our 15-month-old Dogo Argentino in their 8-week training program after adopting him from the Humane Society. He had been struggling with anxiety, recall, tantrums, and self-regulation. After just four weeks, during our parent training session, we noticed a remarkable difference in his temperament. He was able to manage his anxiety around other dogs and outside distractions, follow commands consistently, and walk calmly on a leash beside us--no more pulling or wandering aimlessly. This program has completely transformed our relationship with our pup. He now trusts us more deeply because not only did he learn how to regulate himself, but we also learned how to help him do so. He stays in place on his mat without following us around or begging for food--it's like having a completely different dog! We're so glad we chose Amani K-9. We feel more confident and connected in our relationship with our dog because we better understand him, and he knows exactly what we expect of him.

Jackson Hwy Veterinary Clinic

3.7

(46 reviews)

We absolutely love this vet. Our dog loves the staff and feels comfortable with them. They're kind…read moreand patient and take the time to address any questions or concerns. We couldn't ask for anything more!

I would never take another pet here. Dr Amanda should not be allowed to care for animals. She is…read moreheartless and just wants the interaction finished. She has misdiagnosed two of my pets and has caused life long issues that would have been prevented if diagnosed correctly. Instead she just suggested euthanasia. She should not be a doctor. I will never take another pet here. If a zero star rating was an option I would be using it!

Cascade West Veterinary Hospital

(32 reviews)

Absolutely love it here!! I live in Tumwater and although…read morethe drive is a drag, its worth it. Ive called other places closer to me but for 4 shots they all wanted to charge 180-200+ . Cascade did it for way cheaper. My family and i have taken our pets there for years.

I have no complaint about the medical care. All the vets I have seen over the years have been…read morecaring & helpful. My problem is that I called the office to get a monthly pain shot for my cat ( which I got) but I also said I'd like to discuss a problem with the vet. To me that meant I wanted to schedule an appointment with the vet, but to the receptionist this apparently wasn't clear & when I got there I didn't have a vet appointment. After driving 25 miles to get there this was annoying. So if you want an appointment you need to use precise language " I want to make an appointment with the vet" I think I will take my cat somewhere else where they listen.

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

17 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Cindy S.

0

1

0

5 years ago

River Bend Pet Center is a home away from home for our family peta (kids). Each person I've come in contact with from reception, day play, grooming and training truly cares so much about our pets. It is NEVER a concern leaving our girl ever! Hannah, the magnificent trainer for RiverBend not only is the best, she is highly recommend by many! Any questions or extra help you need, she is always willing to take a step back , take the extra time with you and your baby! The training doesn't stop at your 6 weeks, she continues the maintenance training with our babies throughout there day play and boarding. It's a great feeling knowing staff continue to keep our babies safe and give tons of love to our babies when we're away! Thank you River Bend Pet Center. read more

Apletr N.

0

1

0

8 years ago

My husband calls River Bend our puppys "country club" We use the boarding and day play. Our pup is always excited to go and is very happy and tired when we pick him up! Such a great service . . . when we want to have a weekend away or have things to get done around the house. Pricing is reasonable and fair, they have 7 day a week boarding and a 12 hour window for weekday day play. in response to the gal who posted a 1 star; Yes, It can be a little chaotic at times, but hello . . . dogs and cats being herded by humans is just chaos by nature. Thank you River Bend for taking awesome care of my furry baby!!! read more

Elizabeth C.

0

1

0

6 years ago

Every time I bring my Corgi, Willie, to day play, I am greeted with a kind hello and Willie is so excited to see them, too. If Willie had a choice, he would leap out of the car and burst into the building. I do not have to ask Willie if he likes River Bend Pet Center. I love it when staff has Willie ready to go for pick up at the end of his stay. Somehow Chandra sees my car and, every time, has a very excited, happy Willie dog, dressed and ready to go home! read more

Michelle R.

20

3

0

8 years ago

I have been bringing my dogs to Dr. Fay for 11 years and would not consider taking them anywhere else. My sister-in-law took her dog to several clinics in Puyallup because she would not eat and did not want to get out of bed. The other Vetrinarians told her that her dog was going to die and nothing could be done. We talked her into taking her dog to Dr. Fay and was diagnosed with a knee that would not stay in it's joint. After knee surgery her dog was fine. read more

Trudi C.

0

3

2

3 years ago

Our experience with Dr. Fay is always wonderful!! We took Bandit in for a pretty bad ripped nail. Dr. Fay always gets down and sits on the floor at Bandits level to make him comfortable. She shows such love and care for our fur babies every time!! This is seriously the best vet ever!! The reception staff was also very kind and helpful. There is sometimes a wait at the front desk so be prepared for that, but they do have a sign posted to inform of that. read more

Jeannie C.

0

1

0

5 years ago

Oh my heavens brandy fay and team are awesome they literally saved my pets life I believe.Dr brandy took the time even though she was packed busy to take a look at my dogs situation and had gotten us seen right away next day I have always loved having her as our vet we recently stopped using another local vet for reason not saying but boy I'm happy dr day took the time and she really does listen to all your concerns staff is excellent read more

Dawn W.

0

1

0

3 years ago

Boarded my dog for vacation. Went to pick up my dog, he was filthy, wet feces on his backside. Had a whooping cough, that sounded rough. Wasn't the same dog that I dropped off. When brought to the owner Brandys attention, because I thought she should know, she said she'd look into it. The only she thing she did was close my account down so I could no longer have services. No true resolution. Not professional. read more

Kelly G.

0

1

0

4 years ago

Dr Fey and her staff at both facilities are absolutely amazing and kind my girls love when we go see the Dr and the groomers are great my girls don't come out stressed out like all the other places I have taken them to We absolutely love Dr Fey's accessibility and when I call to refill meds they are right on it she treats the animals as if they were her own and not just a patient read more

G M.

0

1

0

8 years ago

Dr. Fay and her team are great with my animals. They're going through some growing pains due to some unforeseen state regulations at her 2 nd place but they are handling it amazingly well all while still taking care of customers. If you haven't joined the dog park group and taken your dog out to play. What are you waiting for? read more

Dara W.

0

1

0

8 years ago

Dr. Brandy Fay is a wonderful and caring vet. She has taken care of two of our dogs since they were 8 weeks old. The dogs only like being seen by her. River Bend Pet Center is a nice and peaceful place to take your dog or cat to. The employees are very friendly and helpful. read more

Tyler B.

0

1

0

8 years ago

Dr. Brandy Fay is an amazing vet! My dog ran into a fast moving train. She took an emergency appointment and had Pepper in her care right away. She's very personable and truly loves her critters. I'd recommend her clinic to anyone looking for a great service for a fair price. read more

Trena B.

0

3

0

3 years ago

This place is amazing. The boarding is top notch, staff is well trained and whenever I leave my pets I hear from them multiple times a day with updates and photos. The vet clinic is no longer at this location as far as I know. Thank you for existing River Bend Pet Center. read more

Larae G.

0

1

0

7 years ago

Dr. Fay is amazing!! She loves her clients as if they were all her own fur babies. Couldn't ask for a better vet. So kind, compassionate, and caring. Always explains everything to you and answers all of your questions. No one better for your fur babbies!! read more

Sheila M.

0

5

0

3 years ago

The staff is very compassionate and helpful. We appreciate the support they offer when we have a pet that needs help to pass over the rainbow bridge humanely. I would highly recommend them based on the two times we've seen them. read more

Gigi B.

0

4

1

4 years ago

The place and people are like family. You can tell they love your pets! It is worth the 45 minute drive.

Bob S.

0

2

0

3 years ago

Excellent service. Brandy was pleasant and spent time with us even though her office was very busy.

Dara H.

0

1

0

6 years ago

Vets are awesome, convenient locations, and hours

River Bend Pet Center - pet_training - Updated August 2026

People found River Bend Pet Center by searching for…

Browse Articles

Articles by date

People who viewed River Bend Pet Center also viewed

Cascade West Veterinary Hospital

(32 reviews)

Absolutely love it here!! I live in Tumwater and although…read morethe drive is a drag, its worth it. Ive called other places closer to me but for 4 shots they all wanted to charge 180-200+ . Cascade did it for way cheaper. My family and i have taken our pets there for years.

I have no complaint about the medical care. All the vets I have seen over the years have been…read morecaring & helpful. My problem is that I called the office to get a monthly pain shot for my cat ( which I got) but I also said I'd like to discuss a problem with the vet. To me that meant I wanted to schedule an appointment with the vet, but to the receptionist this apparently wasn't clear & when I got there I didn't have a vet appointment. After driving 25 miles to get there this was annoying. So if you want an appointment you need to use precise language " I want to make an appointment with the vet" I think I will take my cat somewhere else where they listen.

Centralia Pet Resort

4.5

I was a first time dog boarding customer who used this boarding facility for 2 nights and 3 days…read morefrom Friday to Sunday. I think that for the things they do, $35 a night for boarding is a price that can't be beat. They offer group play or one on one play. Drop off and pick up are easy to navigate. Their location is very close to the Great Wolf lodge. Bryan was happy to show me the kennels upon request, Scott was kind enough to give us some tips on building our dog's confidence, and Gale was professional at all times. The presentation of the facility was clean, bright, and organized. The kennels are indoors with a platform that is attached to the wall. I can tell they spent a lot of time on their website as well, providing a plethora of info for you to indulge in should you have any questions. With that said, I do have some small qualms. I sent my dog's shot records as requested via email but I did not receive a confirmation of the receipt. When I called a couple days before our reservation to double check, I had learned that they did in fact receive my email but my dog did not have all his shot records present when I thought that he did. I was flustered at the thought of driving so far on the day of to potentially just getting rejected because we were missing information. Secondly, my dog definitely didn't use the potty enough. This may not have been at the fault of the trainers considering my guy probably held it in but he had thee longest pee of his life that I've ever seen after I picked him up. Since there's no knowing for sure how often supervision over potty breaks happen, my recommendation for all the first timers would be to not board your anxious dog. Overall we are satisfied with the experience.

Called for a next day dog boarding. Was accepted. They were clear about their rules. Doggie came…read morehome happy. Short notice greatly appreciated. People there were a bonus.

Coal Creek Pet Lodge

4.3

They boarded our large dog in the same kennel as our small dog, even though specifically told not…read moretoo. This made our larger dog reactive to small dogs and since have had to rehome our small dog. Devastating truly.

I am MORE than happy with Kira's service! She went above and beyond. I had planned our trip several…read moremonths in advance and she had kept her word in reserving our space for the holidays. We had never boarded our Lola before so we were nervous. Kira allowed me to call often to check on Lola during our trip. She bathed Lola AND even clipped her nails. Lola loved her so if we ever are in need of boarding, Lola will be going to COAL CREEK PET LODGE! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, KIRA!

Jackson Hwy Veterinary Clinic

3.7

(46 reviews)

We absolutely love this vet. Our dog loves the staff and feels comfortable with them. They're kind…read moreand patient and take the time to address any questions or concerns. We couldn't ask for anything more!

I would never take another pet here. Dr Amanda should not be allowed to care for animals. She is…read moreheartless and just wants the interaction finished. She has misdiagnosed two of my pets and has caused life long issues that would have been prevented if diagnosed correctly. Instead she just suggested euthanasia. She should not be a doctor. I will never take another pet here. If a zero star rating was an option I would be using it!

Doggie Designs Pet Grooming

(38 reviews)

Our Sadie always has a consistent and quality grooming experience at Doggie Design. Mary is her…read moreusual groomer and she does a fantastic job with her. But when Mary isn't available we've had really good grooming from others in the shop too.

We love taking Bella to Doggie design. The staff always…read morefriendly. They take the time to be sure all the pet needs are met.

Dogz Downtown

3.7

(6 reviews)

I feel so lucky to have found this place . My 5 yr old service dog is my lifesaver, and I only want…read morethe best for him always. We have been a military family moving every 2 years for last 30 years, and we just retired to this area. I have been stressed about finding his "forever" groomer. I am so thankful for the suggestion to bring him here . I honestly have nothing but high praise to say about this place. The qualities I look for in a groomer were all exceeded today. On his first visit he walked in confidently and at ease, he was happy and safe when we arrived to pick him up, and he looks amazing! Epic win ! Thank You

First let me say I understand the need to run a business how you see fit and that's ok!…read more However hanging up on a customer before they can work out an issue with you not a good move ... I wanted to make up for my tardiness by purchasing grooming services six months in advance (I recall you offering something similar to that from my first and only appointment) that way if I was late or missed an appointment again at least you would still get paid. I was only 2 minutes away when you told me to find another groomer and hung up! I appreciate you being sympathetic to my previous dog's passing but I was surprised by your unwillingness to hear me out today.

Maggie's Grooming Lab

(1 review)

Amazing service and great communication. I reached out to her after seeing an ad on Facebook. She…read morecame out to my house and did an incredible job with my baby. Will for sure be our groomer for now on!!

Best Paw Forward

(12 reviews)

Lisa has been working with my dog and I for almost a year, on and off. I am legally blind and so…read morefinding a ride for scheduled group classes is hard. We started with private classes after I got my sweet German Shepherd Dog puppy. As a previous GSD owner and having had other dogs too, I know the importance of a well trained and well balanced dog, especially with a larger breed. Private lessons went great! Always good to have a refresher on puppy training as they do t stay that way long. It's amazing the little things that can be forgotten over the years. We worked on all the basics, potty training, chewing, jumping and early commands like come, sit and drop it. What was also nice is being able to ask about any concerns. Learning about the psychology of days has been sooo very useful! It's so easy to think of our fur friends and apply human thoughts, feelings and behavior.but that just isn't the case! Their dogs and see the world different. Learning to see the world and situations through my sweet girls eyes has been a wonderful journey Lisa has taken us on! It has really enhanced the "basic training" you'd normally get with anyone else. We have also been able to attend a round of group classes. Even though this is not easy for me it's so so very important to expose young dogs to other dogs and people so they learn good behavior and just to have that exposure is good. The group classes were great! Lisa not only trained us people how to work with our dogs teaching commands (Let's face it, it's really people training we get because we're the ones going home and working with our fur babies everyday.lol) but she again gave us insight into why we should do things one way and not another way. Lisa explains these dog insights and behaviors so well that it just makes sense! I have continued with occasional private sessions as things have come up and wish I could do more group classes again, I just haven't had the ability to get us there unfortunately. I very highly recommend Lisa at Best Paws Forward for any training and behavior needs!! Thanks for everything you have done for us,Lisa I appreciate you and your help so very much!

I appreciate Lisa and everything she's done for me and my dog. We work together as a team. We have…read moretaken 2 going on 3 of her 6 week training classes. I get complimented frequently of how well behaved my dog is. How calm she is and they can't believe that she's only 3. Lisa is always open for questions and making sure that it is a clear understanding of what to do. She has options of different types of tools to use to help lead your dog to success. I also love that after class she gives the option for puppy play time.

Longhorn K9

3.0

(4 reviews)

Signed a contract for a "board and train behavior modification package" with our dog who while…read morealready trained in basic obedience, barked and acted aggressively towards other people and animals. The first issue is that communication with the "trainer" was spotty at best, no regular updates like we were promised and as was outlined in the contract. When we complained about this we were told the trainer was doing this all by herself and was overwhelmed. It wasn't something we wanted to hear as we entered into the contract with TWO trainers, the missing one considerably more qualified than the one left behind. We demanded proof of her "training" and got a few blurry, out of focus videos of our dog performing feats we had already trained her to do ... no new tasks. No meeting new people and dogs to work on her aggression. Again - voiced our concerns and got another poor video of a dog within range of ours but there was a sound overlay ... no way to tell if our dog was displaying her negative behaviors. This was totally by design. In the last video we noticed our dog's coat was horribly overgrown and looking horrible. We asked to pick up our dog and suddenly she "bit another dog" and needed to prolong her stay. When pick up time finally arrived we were jerked around for three days about picking up our dog at three different locations all around the Tacoma/Graham/Chehalis area. Pulled up in a driveway finally to see our dog JUMPING ALL OVER THE TRAINER. In her presence our dog barked and lunged at people passing by, jumped all over her and our family members and displayed no manners or training whatsoever. The "trainer" gave us the remote to an Ecollar and told us basically to stimulate/shock her every time she displayed bad behaviors. It's not what was discussed and not what we wanted. We could have gotten a "shock" collar ourselves ... what did we pay Longhorn K9 for?! Our dog was filthy, dusty, matted and smelled like she was left in a kennel or a garage the entire 45 days. She somehow ate the leash we left her with. She soiled the floor in our home, something she has not done since she was a few weeks old. Our dog was NEGLECTED at Longhorn K9. Period. She was not trained. She learned no new skills. Shocking her into submission is NOT what we wanted and that seems to be all they were capable of. Our dog had to be shaved to the skin to remove the 45 days worth of matting and lack of basic care she experienced. She lost 10% of her body weight when she was lean to begin with, you could feel ribs and backbones as well as sunken points in her temples. The "trainer" said she understood our concern and promised a refund. Daniel Morris the owner (and the trainer who left/never met our dog despite being on our contract) was aggressive with our complaint but said that yeah Alexa was probably overwhelmed after he left so he would refund us also. Never happened. Likely never will. Clearly the business fell apart after the qualified trainer left and set up his girlfriend in his place. As far as I know Alexa has no qualifications to train dogs and as this proves she cannot do so without him. Our dog was neglected and untrained after her stay with Longhorn K9 and so I would not recommend them to others. I only hope we can get our money back as well as others I see having the same problems.

Daniel helped train our GSD. Not only was his instruction clear but he was really easy to work…read morewith, answered all questions, demonstrated anything that confused my husband and I, and our dog absolutely loved him. I highly recommend his training style and him as a trainer.

Royal Frenchel

3.8