I originally found Shawn researching dog training for my dog- aggressive GWP. After consulting and…read moreinterviewing several different training groups all over Oregon and even as far south as California I thank God I found Shawn and The Dog Way. It's only been a few days since our first class and already my dog Edwin has much more balanced energy and behavior. For the first time I my life I actually feel like I really know what I'm doing when it comes to my dog and his behavior and I can be assertive in my demands of him. As a bonus the same things we are doing with him we are doing with our other dog Juno, which is a Doberman. She would growl and bark so aggressively running up and down our fence-line every time a person would walk by with a dog. Now she is barking maybe once or twice a day but stopping right away. Within a week I am sure she will no longer be barking or growling. This review is being posted at the very beginning of our training and I am so impressed with the knowledge we've gained and the changes we've seen in our dogs. I cannot wait to get Edwin to the boarding orientation so we can start him socializing with other dogs and learning the appropriate way to communicate and act. If you need help with ANYTHING dog call The Dog Way first. Don't waste your time on any other training. I've done treats, clickers, e-collars, gentle leaders and harnesses but the program Shawn has put together hands down WORKS. If you have ANY issues with your dogs for ANY reasons simple or complex call The Dog Way. It will change your life. I will return to update in a few months.

This is going to be a bit of a long review but I have a lot I want to get in and I really wanted to…read moredo Shawn justice. First off, training: In 2015 my family adopted a 2 1/2 year old German Shepherd, Lobo. I had no prior dog experience. I found Shawn and decided to take my new family member in. Prior to Lobo being rescued by the Oregon Humane Society he was abandoned at a pound after numerous backyard escapes and running around the streets in Clackamas. This dog I brought home was dominant, pushy, high energy, and totally ignored any command I gave him. He barked, couldn't be left outside for long periods of time, and jumped on furniture. So off we went to Shawn's for his 24 hour observation period. When I came to pick Lobo up the next day he gave us some training videos and a list of rules that Lobo needed to follow. He showed us how to do heel and blanket work and taught us the importance of being a leader. Shawn was informative, and he helpfully dumbed it down to one thing to remember (consistency) and one thing to work on (blanket time). When I put Lobo in the car he was shaking a little bit. A family friend with me at the time noted this and I made a note of it. I assumed it was because Lobo was so used to being in charge and he had been put in his place. Over the next several years I continued to work with Lobo using Shawn's methods and I saw great improvement. My dogs are my children, and I would never want to hurt them or cause them to fear me. Lobo doesn't. He loves me. We have a great relationship and are very bonded. Shawn's methods are NOT about fear and violence as some have suggested. They are about trust and mutual respect. How many times Shawn has said that "you must respect your dog and they must respect you" I can't even count. Lobo has blossomed under this leadership. He is the perfect dog. He is obedient, though he does test me every now and then. He is calm in the house and around people, and nothing makes him reactive. He is confident and will try to do anything I ask, even if I don't always think it through. He has faced fears for me because he trusts me, like swimming in a river. When we go out and about he is aware and alert and keeps an eye out for me, but he is never out of control or even close. He is amazing off lease and 100% reliable. He is great with kids, even when they have accidentally hurt him, and he has overcome dog aggression (he had gotten into 2 dog fights before). While Lobo started off a little put off by Shawn, he now LOVES him. Lobo gets super excited when we pull up to Shawn's place, and he always goes right up to Shawn to say hi. Shawn also loves Lobo and has told me so on numerous occasions. Last year (2020), my family welcomed another young Shepherd to the family. At 1 1/2, Ollie had already been through a lot before she was rescued by an animal shelter. She was anxious, shy, reserved, aloof, and went into panic mode if you clicked a pen. She didn't trust anyone. It felt like I was back to square one with her when it came to my knowledge of training. I knew what to do with a dominant dog, but an anxious one? I took her to Shawn for help, and when she first met him she was terrified. Now Ollie loves Shawn. She is starting to trust more and more and is way less anxious. We are still working with her and she continues to improve. In time I know that she will become every bit of the amazing dog that Lobo is. Thank you Shawn! Without you I am sure that we wouldn't have been able to keep Lobo, or at least be as happy with him as we are now, and we wouldn't have even dreamed of getting a second dog. Second, boarding: The boarding area is wonderful. I have been to the back of the house with Shawn to see it. The dogs get to run around a large secure area all day and play with one another. There is plenty of shelter and they always have fresh water because of a special pipe system. I don't ever want to board them anywhere else! They love it and I love it. One thing to mention is that on one occasion my dogs did get skunked, which was AWFUL. It wasn't Shawn's fault, but the smell didn't go away for months. The dogs usually need a bath after being boarded too because they run around with smelly dogs all day. Third, Shawn himself: Shawn loves my dogs and gives them lots of affection but is at the same time a good leader. My dogs love him. That relationship is very important to me. Shawn himself is loud, intense, and he talks a lot. A lot like me actually. Some people may call this abrasive, but it is his personality. Sometimes I do need to interrupt him to get a question in, and sometimes I have to put a time limit on a conversation. That being said, none of that is unique to Shawn. If you think he is talking too much tell him so instead of getting secretly offended. Having spent more than 7 years using "The Dog Way" training method and working with Shawn, I am confident in my review.

We are so grateful to have found Kelsey! We have been working with Kelsey since our rescue puppy,…read moreMaverick, was 9 weeks old. He is now 5 months old! From her offerings, we chose private virtual sessions, the bimonthly puppy afterschool sessions and signed up for her membership which gives us great training videos and access to the monthly meet ups as well as the monthly q&a. I highly suggest the private virtual sessions, they were a game changer for us. Kelsey is an AMAZING positive reinforcement trainer. I would give her more than 5 stars, and think everyone could benefit from working with her - especially anyone with a puppy! She has a wealth of knowledge in dog behavior and focuses first and foremost in this area. Her training videos and 1:1 direction literally, and I mean literally, helped me so much during some really challenging moments with Maverick. She also took the time to give us tips and ideas between sessions. I was sure we had the bitiest puppy that ever lived..he was literally a little shark running mouth first! Let's just say that Kelsey went above and beyond to help us here. Setting Maverick up with the right foundation through Kelsey's guidance has made all the difference and he's thriving today. He does great with other dogs, kids, adults. Next step, trying to get our cat to love him as much as we do! Thank you Kelsey, you ROCK!

Kelsey fostered and raised my puppy's litter from the Willamette Humane Society using Puppy Culture…read moremethods and lots of volunteer time. She did an amazing job with socialization and basic training. I am immensely thankful for the solid foundation because my puppy is very important - she is a service dog in training. I couldn't have asked for a better person to raise my puppy. Teaching my puppy new behaviors is a breeze because her foundation with Kelsey set her up to be attentive and patient. In the past two months since bringing my puppy home we have been working with Kelsey each week in group classes as well as private and one-on-one sessions. I will continue working with Kelsey throughout our training. She is above all an observant and knowledgeable trainer, and very pleasant to work with.

We did a board and train for our one year old energetic boy, Chief. I had no idea where to begin on…read moregetting help training him. I wasn't sure if I should board him, do short lessons, or classes. I didn't know what training he needed or anything really! I found Maddie and during the consultation she made me feel so much more at ease about everything. She gave us so much amazing information and helped us set up a solid training plan! Sending your baby away with someone can be really nerve wracking but she is so knowledgeable and passionate that I knew it would be okay. She gave me daily updates, whether it was silly photos of him having some play time or showing me videos of him training! He was clearly having a fantastic time and it eased that anxiety of him being away from home. When he came home he was ecstatic to see us but I could tell there was a distinct difference once he calmed down. It was clear Maddie put a lot of time and effort into him, and he absolutely loves her!! When she brought out his training tools he got soo excited!! She took her time throughly going over all the different things they learned during their time together. It's definitely a lot but she is so great at explaining it and showing you how to do everything to be successful!! The training has given him more confidence, less anxiety, and more fulfillment. I cannot recommend Maddie enough for any training needs you have whether your furbaby is young or old. Seriously she is so dedicated and amazing at what she does. This is an investment not just for you, but for your furbabies happiness. So... don't hesitate. Reach out to her and get set up!! We know you'll adore her just as much as we do. (Especially Chief!)

Left voicemail messages and emails; did respond to emails but never responded to set date and time…read morefor a phone consultation and/or meet with our pup. When responding Heather gave no apologies or reason(s) for not replying except for we don't work on Sundays. Very unprofessional and disappointing. Our friend who made the recommendation felt so bad because her dog did well under their training.

Great experience with Heather of Pooches Pals. Our dog Kona adores her & has learned so much & is…read moredoing great on walks. Thank you Heather!

This is such a wonderful idea and I'm super grateful that we've finally got a local option!…read more Not only does Sarah come to you, but she's extremely communicative and very nice. We had two dogs try it out today for the first time, and one caught on extremely quick and the other was a bit shy/nervous. Sarah was wonderful while having to work with two very different dogs and their attitudes towards the mills lol I'm super excited for their next few runs to watch them progress and get even more comfortable. I highly recommend this to anyone with a dog, especially in the PNW as rainy season arrives.

I've observed their setup and think this is a fabulous concept for dogs who need to and love to run…read moreand need the exercise!

Great experience learning how to work and train my teenage Boston/Pug! I would not hesitate to…read morecontact Educating Fido for further training down the road.

Susie does a great job teaching you and your pet using positive training methods. I recommend her…read moreclasses to friends regularly.

Marvin and Bianca helped to train our then 1.5 year old Golden Retriever. She was a stubborn girl…read morebut managed with consistency to level out and pass her AKC Good Citizen test. Thank you.

Every to big. Great training. Great trainers. Great service. Great DOGS…read moreLoved all the attention and love they gave to my dog.

My pup a boxer so strong and muscular went to board and train for 21 days and Frankie was amazing…read morewith her and all the updates. Definitely have seen an improvement since she's been back. Frankie was also amazing with both my pup and I during private sessions as well. Highly recommend for anyone looking for board and train or training for their pups.

I cannot recommend Frankie enough! She's so full on knowledge and I love knowing why my dog does…read morecertain things and how to correct it. I'm so happy she was recommended to me! My German Shepard is turning into such a good girl thanks to Frankie's help!