I almost didn't book with The Dog Guru because I saw a review calling him "verbally abusive," and…read moreafter working with him personally, I honestly could not disagree more. Pay ZERO attention to that review. As a psychologist, I pay very close attention to behavior, regulation, communication, and emotional energy, and at no point did I witness cruelty, aggression, intimidation, or abusive behavior toward me or my dog. What honestly amazed me most was that he never said one word to my dog. There was no yelling, chaos, or "training performance." It was all action, energy, body language, timing, and an understanding of canine psychology that I have never personally seen before. Before we started working together, Daisy was going after every dog she saw. Within two hours, we were calmly walking and standing next to dogs that were within a foot of her, even sniffing her, and she was completely relaxed. The transformation was honestly remarkable. I think some people may misunderstand firmness, honesty, or structure as being "mean," especially when dealing with difficult dog behaviors, but there is a huge difference between abuse and someone confidently leading both owner and dog. My experience felt safe, effective, loving, and honestly incredible. For the first time in a long time, I left feeling hopeful and relaxed instead of anxious. I am extremely grateful I trusted my own experience instead of one negative review.

Initial impression - First thought . There is only one…read moreCaesar Milan. Second thought. No doubt an excellent trainer for the military and if that's what you're looking for he may be just your speed ! His accolades can be found in so many of his advertisements which I'm sure are no doubt accurate. If you're going to pay a sum in advance to schedule a conversation, (as I did) , you may have to call him to remind him to call you on the last day that the call was promised . While, this truth may not sit well and I didn't actually hire him, no matter because your mileage may vary. He is a busy guy. All the best to you all.

Cassie helped us so much with our reactive puppy. The reactive rover class gave us so much…read moreinsight. Then private sessions helped even further with the unique crazy needs of our little guy. Other trainers suggested harsh methods or multi week "camps" that were not only questionable but expensive. Cassie and Liv were lifesavers. We have work to do but we now have tools and a team to guide us. Thank you!!

We recently did private lessons with Cassie for our newly adopted dog and honestly couldn't be…read morehappier. She was so understanding and never made us feel rushed. She came to our home, walked with us, met us at nearby parks... really went the extra mile to work in environments that actually matter for our dog's day-to-day life. She also gave us supplementary material to reference on our own which was so helpful. We've also done group classes at the Clickstart facility with our other dog and every single staff member and trainer there has been incredibly kind and patient. It's just a genuinely good vibe across the board. 100% recommend Cassie and the whole Clickstart team. Whether you're working with a new rescue or puppy or just want some solid training support.

We started with Vladae when our Vizsla puppy was just a few months old and progressed quickly. It…read moreall made sense and yielded quick results. We were so happy with everything that we decided to progress further by sending her to his 2 week boot camp at 16 months old. When I asked why such a good dog would go to boot camp, Vladae responded with, "Same reason that the smartest kids go to university, to become all they can be and hone their skills." That made sense to me! If it was any other boot camp I would have been nervous about my baby. I know how well Vladae treats his campers though and his focus on health and exercise. "Only the tired dog is the good dog" Thank you Vladae!

As a first-time Cavapoo owner, I felt completely overwhelmed with the process of dog training and…read morehad no idea what to expect. It honestly brought back the feeling of being a first-time parent--questioning every decision, but without a nurse hotline for guidance. My husband and I were especially struggling with how to manage Chloe around our young kids. She was very unruly, reactive on walks, and difficult to control around other dogs. We found SoCal Dog Training through a friend's referral, and choosing Vladae ended up being one of the best decisions we've made. I'll admit, I was skeptical at first--so many trainers promise results--but Vladae truly delivers. The onboarding process was seamless. The initial FaceTime consultation helped set clear expectations, and I really appreciated how upfront and honest he was about the work required. What stood out most to me was his long-term commitment--knowing I could always come back for refreshers gave me a lot of confidence that I wasn't just getting a short-term fix. The training sessions are where the transformation really happens. After each session, it genuinely felt like we had a new dog--but that's also where the responsibility comes in. You have to consistently follow through with the exercises he gives you. In many ways, it reminded me that investing in my dog's future takes the same consistency and commitment as investing in my two kids. She's now quite literally my third kid. Chloe used to be extremely reactive--barking, pulling on the leash, and even jumping up on our toddlers. Vladae helped me understand the root of her behavior and showed me how to properly address it. Now she's calm, more confident, and walking her has become something I actually enjoy. Seeing that transformation has been incredibly rewarding. It wasn't an easy process, but it was absolutely worth it. Also, a special shout-out to Antonina for being so kind, responsive, and accommodating with scheduling.

I have 2 dogs, a chaotic puppy and a fear reactive German shepherd. Before working with Josh, I…read morefelt like I was always managing my dogs but still couldn't fully trust them in real life. Now they're calm, confident, and make way better decisions on their own. I can take them pretty much anywhere, which wasn't the case before. He also helped my German Shepherd become a lot more comfortable around people and other dogs. Biggest shift honestly was me. I'm way more confident, less stressed, and actually know how to communicate and teach my dogs without relying on tools. If you want a dog you can actually live life with, I'd 100% recommend Josh!

USE JOSH - This guy is amazing!…read more My dog Nuggets, is a 6 year old 15 pound, timid, terrier mix, sweetheart, but when she is on leash she displays some pretty nasty aggressive tendencies and her demons come out. As a first time dog dad, I haven't sharpened my tools around understanding my dogs emotional state and how threatened she feels and how to react or treat such aggression. So its harder for me to empathize and as such know how to handle it. I ran into Josh while walking my dog. I always see him walking his dogs, and they are so well behaved and so focused on him. So, I inquired about their training and he and i scheduled a session. Josh shared tools to improve these behaviors first from a actual tools piece like replacing a harness with a collar and a firm leash rather than a flex leash. Next, he helped me understand the psychological state of my dog and why she does what she does, it was enlightening and helped me better understand Nuggets. Finally, Josh taught me exercises to employ to redirect Nuggets focus to me. I couldn't be more grateful for the service Josh provided. You can tell Josh loves what he does and it shows by how good he is at it. That being said, I struggle to understand how anyone could complain about Bark Busters, my experience was one in which Josh , an incredible professional, was trying to help me be a better dog parent, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Tommy helped us with our Miniature Australian Shepherd puppy when no one else would! He came to…read moreour house when she was 11 weeks old (other trainers wanted to wait until she had all her puppy shots) and immediately got us off on the right foot for behavior training. He trained my husband and me as well as our puppy! So grateful. Tommy has a gift for knowing how dogs think and he shares that knowledge as part of the session. We never felt rushed to finish a lesson when he came to the house, he just dealt with our issues and reminded us to keep practicing with our dog until next time. We even decided to enroll in his weekly puppy class so that our puppy would learn to behave around other dogs. His private dog park is a god-send as we live in a condo and don't have a yard for our puppy to play in. She loved going there and we'll be back! We highly recommend Tommy. He showed us how to anticipate what our puppy was going to do before she did it and correct her misdeeds before they take place. Five stars!

Tommy came for our first private session and it went better than I imagined. My husband and I…read morelearned a lot from Tommy. He is very relatable and has a unique way of teaching that is very enjoyable and actually entertaining, all at the same time! Now that is talent! Tommy was made for this job and well worth his price. You get what you pay for. He definitely does not watch the clock and gives you more than 1 hr and does not leave until he has answered all your questions. My dog is already doing better on our walks. Tommy teaches but you have to do what he says or you have wasted your money. I signed up for 5 lessons and looking forward to the rest. I will update when we are finished.

We have been taking Zuma, our German Shepherd to Paws Pet Resort in Lake Forest for years. We feel…read more100% comfortable leaving our baby with them because they play ball with him and give him plenty of attention. He comes back happy and looking clean from their complementary bath and healthy so we know he is in good hands. We took long vacations and never had to worry that he wasn't well cared for by the excellent staff.

My husband and I began trusting Paws Pet Resort, in Lake Forest, 20 years ago. They are very…read morepatient with the humans, and extremely caring for the pets that visit, for whatever the length of time might be. None of our boys have been growlers/snappers. One boy, however, must take Prozac, simply as he is like some humans and can be very stressed. Paws employees have always been kind, and it is obvious as he never has to be carried in the door ... he walks beside his brother with no fear.

My sister got a new puppy so I'm in full auntie mode! I took my furry nephew (Farley!) to PetSmart…read morefor the first time to do some shopping and get him exposed to seeing other dogs & people. The staff were so nice and the space was clean & well stocked. I only wish there were more bandanas/clothing- there was only one bandana and it was huge. We got a few things, prices are comparable to anything you'd see online. We are also looking into taking him to the puppy classes to further socialize him. They do require proof of vaccination which is wonderful and essential. Fun outing!

- - CARPET STEAMER RENTAL - -…read more I was today years old when I found out that you can rent a carpet steamer at petsmart! I called ahead of time to inquire about the process and the pricing. The manager went over everything on the phone with me. So here is the deets- $40 for a 24-hour rental ($35 deposit which will be refunded once you return the cleaner in good form). I already have carpet cleaning solutions at home so I didn't need to buy- but you can purchase the solutions in the store. The manager, Evelyn, demonstrated how to use the steamer and it's pretty easy. The steamer is pretty compact, fits easily in the backseat of my car. It's roughly about 20-25 lbs if you need to carry it up the stairs. Most importantly, the steamer worked!

Five Stars for Everydog -- A True Lifesaver for Anxious Pups!…read moreIf you have an anxious dog, look no further than Everydog. When we first brought our dog Delilah to daycare, she was a bundle of nerves -- shaking, pacing, and clearly overwhelmed. Dave, Miranda, and the entire staff met her exactly where she was, with incredible patience and genuine care, and worked with her at her own pace until she felt safe and comfortable. We came to Everydog with a specific goal: to socialize and train Delilah so she could be boarded while we visited family in Manila over the Christmas holidays. Dave was upfront and honest with us -- when it became clear that Delilah needed more time to adjust, he advised us to postpone our trip rather than rush her. That kind of integrity means everything. We took his advice, gave her the time she needed, and by February she was thriving in boarding. That trip finally happened, stress-free, because of the foundation Everydog helped build. We also took advantage of their in-house training program, which was remarkably effective in addressing Delilah's behaviors -- excessive jumping, refusing to come when called, and reactivity. The progress has been real and lasting. Now? Delilah absolutely loves going to Everydog. Miranda told us she's been happily jumping, running, and playing with her dog friends -- a far cry from that scared, shaking pup on day one. Watching her transformation has been so rewarding. On top of everything, the grooming is excellent and wonderfully convenient, and we deeply appreciate their commitment to safety -- strict vaccination checks, clean play areas, and a well-maintained environment throughout. We are so grateful to have found Everydog for our little Delilah. Thank you, Dave, Miranda, and the whole team! ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I was visiting from Southern California and stopped in the store just to use the bathroom. Such a…read morecute store! The worker was so warm and friendly. So many unique items. They had a good selection of MLB neckerchiefs that easily attached thru his collar that I ended up buying a Dodger one for my dog.

We really enjoyed the experience of working with the Sit Means Sit team! They were all very…read moreprofessional and stood out to us as really loving the animals and what they do. Our pup loved every minute of it and we are extremely grateful for the care they gave him. We did the 20 day program and immediately reaped the benefits of their training and guidance. Our pup is back showing us all his new skills and we are extremely proud of the graduate. Thanks for your wonderful work!!

Wasn't sure we were going to make it with Indie....WOW! She is awesome now! She is off lead…read morearound out property, comes instead of runs away, happy (so are we) and she has turned the corner into an enjoyable member of our family. Sit means Sit team has a star in heaven named after them. Thank you!

One thing I'm most thankful for this Thanksgiving is Sogand!! She is amazing. We didn't know what…read moreto do or who to turn to with our dog Clyde. He was usually good with people but super reactive with other dogs and animals. We got him as a puppy, he was always super high energy and reactive, even to animals on TV. We had to always try to walk him where there were no dogs or people. This past summer we went on vacation and our oldest son was watching him. He took Clyde on a walk when they saw another dog across the street, Clyde went crazy, started barking and lunging for the dog. My son got in front of him and Clyde ended up biting him several times. When we found out about the incident on vacation we had no idea what to do. We thought we had to give him up, it broke our hearts. Then I found Sogand when I was searching for trainers and options. Her reviews were great, but what sold us was our first conversation with her. We had talked to several other trainers during our initial search but no one gave us hope yet realistically assessed where Clyde was like Sogand. We were at the airport waiting to board our flight home. I'll never forget our first conversation with her. She patiently listened to us and then reassured us that Clyde was not a lost cause. She was direct and honest about her approach, and confidently said she could help Clyde. From our first session with her we knew we had made the right decision. She commanded obedience from Clyde like he had been her dog his whole life. Within 10 mins, she had him interacting with her dog and not going ballistic. This has never happened before. We have had to avoid other dogs all the time. In this first session she was able to assess several of Clyde's bad behavior and patterns and correct it. Because of the severity of his behavior and having bit our son so badly, she recommended we do the board and train for intense training. This was the best decision we ever made. Clyde came back a changed dog, and more importantly she trained us in how to train Clyde. With her help we have been able to keep up Clyde's training. We still meet with her for one on one sessions once a month to complete Clyde's trainings. The best result came yesterday at Thanksgiving, we had 22 guests and one other dog. I texted Sogand and she gave us guidance on how to handle the the event with Clyde. We followed her instructions and Clyde did amazing. People who have known Clyde said he was like a different dog. I can't recommends her enough! Her approach was just what we needed. She doesn't just train dogs, she becomes an integral part of the dog and owner's life and journey. Because of Sogand, Clyde has a new lease on life and we are able to keep our beloved dog without always fearing that something horrible will happen!!!

Sogi was a miracle trainer to help my dog Dumpling get over his aggression issues towards other…read moredogs and people. We chose her 2 week board and train - aggression rehabilitation service, after a week her and her staff noticed my dog still being very aggressive in protecting his food bowl and she extended his training another week (no extra charge!) so she could really focus on that aspect to make sure Dumpling's aggression was addressed. Wife and I also highly recommend her private sessions after the board and train. 2-3 weeks is definitely not enough time to make sure behavior issues are completely addressed, so her sessions helped make sure we properly did our daily trainings with Dumping. Her sessions also evolved the trainings we did at home as our dog's aggression level kept going down and focus on his high alert/anxiety responses to stimuli, and try to help him associate his dopamine response to being relaxed. She also helped identify a food allergy that made him itchy, which added to his higher anxiety level. All these things added up and now our dog is a lot happier and hasn't displayed a snarl or showed his teeth in anger to anyone or any dogs in months! Thanks Sogi for helping Dumpling and us and hope this review helps others choose you over other trainers out there for their dogs.