We honestly can't believe the difference we've seen in Sienna since working with Lori and her team…read more We've put a tremendous amount of time, money and effort into training Sienna, since she was a puppy. From basic and advanced obedience to agility and calm down classes, with multiple trainers and programs, we tried just about everything. While those programs helped build a good foundation, none really addressed her reactivity. We were often told it was typical Border Collie behavior, but as she got older, it progressively worsened and eventually turned into aggression. She reacted intensely to dogs, children, people, bikes, squirrels, and just about anything that moved. Once she became fixated, nothing seemed to get her attention back. After researching and consulting with several trainers throughout the Bay Area, we found Lori. Her 20+ years of experience with obedience and behavioral challenges really stood out. She was knowledgeable, honest, and direct from our first consultation. We were hesitant about a board-and-train program and initially had reservations about balanced training methods, but decided to trust her experience. We're so glad we did! Throughout the program, Lori shared videos of Sienna's progress. We sincerely appreciated each of the videos. Each time, we were amazed at how much she had improved.  Lori's facility is also professionally maintained, clean, spacious and has the right equipment setup, along with the proper 24/7 supervision. They even have shade canopies throughout! Her team truly cares for the dogs and clients.  One thing we really appreciate about Lori is that she doesn't sugarcoat things. She's straightforward, direct and will tell you what you need to hear, even when it means recognizing mistakes in your own training habits. You must be coachable to mesh well with her program and be the best you can for your pup. We learned that some of the methods we'd previously been taught were actually contributing to Sienna's reactivity. Lori helped us understand how to communicate with Sienna differently, and it made a tremendous difference. Sienna also absolutely loves Lori and her team, which means a lot to us. After the board & train program we brought home a noticeably calmer, happier, and more confident dog. During a follow-up session, Lori took us into real-world situations around playgrounds, children, and basketball courts, all things that previously would have triggered Sienna. We couldn't believe how well she handled them. We recently took Sienna to Los Gatos Creek Trail, and she walked calmly beside us, passing people, children, and cyclists without pulling, barking, lunging, or showing aggression. Not a single reaction to bikes passing right alongside us! For anyone who knew Sienna before, that's an incredible accomplishment. We know there's still work ahead and that consistency is important, but Lori and her team have given us the tools and confidence to continue helping Sienna succeed. through her program, we've seen more progress than we thought possible. We are at a point we can trust Sienna walk with us off leash in a controlled setting, with the right tools and supervision, but understanding this will still take heavy work. We're incredibly grateful to Lori and her ENTIRE team and would absolutely recommend her to anyone struggling with serious reactivity or behavioral challenges. It's genuinely changed things for Sienna and our family in the best way possible!

I hardly ever leave reviews, but I want to give hope to anyone who is struggling with their dog and…read morefeeling frustrated and helpless. The first year with my golden retriever, Luka, was extremely hard. He was a mouthy dog who had zero boundaries at home or outside. He would get excited or frustrated and grab/bite onto my shoes or clothes daily. Walking him became an impossible task because he was extremely dog-reactive, and he dragged me a couple of times while trying to chase another dog. Walking him also became a two-person job, with someone always on the lookout for other dogs so we could turn the other way. He also began to resource guard and snapped at my dad twice.. I had already spent thousands on another trainer and didn't have much success. I began to feel like this was just what life with Luka would be like forever. It got to the point where I felt scared of him, and the life I was giving him out of that fear wasn't fair to him. So I decided to try and get help one last time. I found Lori's page and after reading the reviews I became hopeful again. I took Luka in for an evaluation, and Lori recommended their board-and-train program. I can't thank Chelsea and Lori enough for everything they've done. I've learned so much about Luka, how to manage different situations, and how to better understand his behavior. We had training lessons throughout his board-and-train stay and afterward, because we are the ones who need most of the training! Chelsea did an amazing job with Luka. At home, Luka is unrecognizable in the best way. We can actually go on adventures outside without being terrified that we won't be able to handle him. Those who knew Luka before his stay and see him now always comment on how well he is doing. I cannot recommend Lori Hamilton's Dog training enough to anyone who feels like they've tried everything and is feeling discouraged. I am so thankful because it finally feels like Luka and I can start living life and enjoying everything around us.

She trained my 1.5 year old newfoundland that I adopted and had no behavior training prior. 5 years…read morelater he is still a good boy.

Dawna is MAGIC!! We have worked with her for 20+ years with many different dogs. She is a…read morefantastic trainer with a true gift backed up with extensive knowledge. She is an expert at training us humans so that we can have beautifully behaved canine companions. I love the positive reinforcement (R+) training methods she employs. So grateful for her expertise to help us.

5/5 Stars -- A true puppy genius and an absolute lifesaver!…read more If I could give Amelia Olson ten stars, I still don't think it would be enough. Navigating puppyhood can be an overwhelming journey, but working with Amelia has completely transformed the experience for us. From our very first session, she proved herself to be nothing short of a puppy whisperer. Amelia has been working with our little Maltipoo, Mercedeh, and the progress has been remarkable. What sets Amelia apart isn't just her deep knowledge of dog behavior and training techniques--it's her boundless patience, warmth, and genuine love for canine companions. She doesn't just train the dog; she lovingly guides and empowers the owners every step of the way. She has shown endless patience with all of our questions, always meeting us with encouragement, clear communication, and practical solutions tailored specifically to Mercedeh's personality. Mercedeh absolutely adores her, and we genuinely look forward to every single session on our calendar. You can feel how much Amelia truly cares about the animals she works with; her dedication, heart, and passion shine through in everything she does. I want to voice our deepest and most sincere gratitude to Amelia for all of her hard work, care, and commitment to our family. We will unquestionably continue to train with her, and we cannot recommend her highly enough to any pet parent looking for top-tier, compassionate, and effective training. Amelia is simply the best in the business!

We had 5 sessions with Amelia over the past year and working with her has been great. We never had…read moreformal training for my dog, Dash, prior to working with Amelia, and the only reason we wanted training for him was because he was struggling with separation anxiety. Amelia gave us really powerful tools to improve Dash's behavior, and overall and tips and tricks for how to get him more comfortable at home. Dash is a lot more attentive to my cues on walks and is a lot less reactive to dogs on walks. He was a well mannered dog to begin with, but is even better now. I really appreciated that Amelia was able to come to my home in San Jose to do the training. Even though Dash primarily lives with my parents in San Bruno, he still spends a fair amount of time in my home in San Jose and getting him trained in a familiar environment has seemed to be beneficial for him. We also went to the Campbell Farmer's Market and Santana Row to expose Dash to a lot of children/other dogs and all were really great outings for Dash. Thanks Amelia for your patience and guidance!

We've tried a few different daycare/boarding places and K9 keep fit ended up being the best fit for…read moreour dog! We rescued an energetic husky with body boundaries and questionable social skills and the k9 keep fit staff have demonstrated deep understanding and respect for our boy. Since he isn't a good fit for the large daycare setting (rough play, doesn't understand social cues, etc), the staff always ensure 1:1 staff playtime or try to pair him with another dog with similar play styles. Husker seems to love his time here and is always tired after we pick him up. I also love that the staff is very communicative and will send us pictures and video updates when we board him.

K9 Keep Fit is the BEST place to board your dog. There's no other place we would trust to take care…read moreof our husky. They go above and beyond to give our husky the best home possible while we're away. We love Renee and her crew! Highly recommend this place!

Steve is a miracle worker!!! I was at my wits end with my 2 1/2 year old Yorkshire terrier…read moreClementine. He was anxious, pulled on walks, barked, and was incredibly difficult. After just a few hours of training with Steve, Clementine is a new dog!!! He doesn't pull the leash on walks, doesn't bark when people come inside and most importantly he is calmer and less anxious. Steve is THE BEST dog trainer and I highly recommend him.

Steve at One Day Dog Training is truly one of the most special and remarkable people I have ever…read morehad the privilege of learning from, and an absolute delight to spend a day with. I have decades of experience fostering dogs and personally adopting many of my own, and over the years I've worked with a wide range of trainers. Without question, Steve is in a league entirely of his own. His talent, intuition, and depth of understanding when it comes to dogs is extraordinary. He doesn't just train dogs; he teaches humans how to truly understand them. What made the experience even more unforgettable was the joy he brought into the day. We laughed constantly. At one point my cheeks genuinely hurt from hours of smiling and laughter. And yet, amid all of that warmth and humor, we walked away with an incredibly clear, grounded, and practical understanding of his methods and a deep sense of confidence in our ability to apply them. Steve's approach is refreshingly doable: just five minutes of training per day, paired with his ongoing availability as a resource. That combination alone feels invaluable. We literally just completed our training day today, so I plan to update this review in a few months with more detail about long-term ease of execution and results with our dog, Griffin. But one thing I feel compelled to share now is this: throughout the entire day, even while Griffin was dramatically protesting (vocally, and with flair), Steve remained calm, steady, and completely unfazed. Griffin didn't love everything he was being asked to do, but he clearly adored Steve. He never cowered, never shut down, never showed fear. That level of trust speaks volumes. At one point, I asked Steve about scheduling an additional training day for one of our other dogs. His response was thoughtful, sensible, and deeply ethical: he told me it wouldn't be necessary. He explained that the principles I was learning with Griffin would absolutely apply to our other dogs as well, and that he'd be more than happy to answer questions along the way. That moment really matters to me because it so clearly reflects that Steve is driven by genuine passion and care for people and dogs, not by squeezing every possible dollar out of his clients. I also want to wholeheartedly acknowledge Tasha, who was incredibly kind, responsive, and compassionate throughout the scheduling process. We had to cancel our original training day due to a traumatic injury our other dog, Enzo, sustained: a spinal stroke. Tasha immediately offered to refund our deposit without hesitation. When I shared that I still very much wanted to work with Steve, she later went out of her way to find us an earlier date than originally offered after I asked to be notified of any cancellations. That level of care and humanity meant so much during a really difficult time. I am profoundly grateful for Steve and his entire team. This was one of the most positive, affirming, and empowering experiences I've ever had as a dog guardian. If you're looking for the best, congratulations. You have found it with One Day Dog Training!

From "Cujo Junior" to "Polite Gentleman" -- Thanks to Mike! If you've ever adopted a 4-month-old…read moreSchnauzer who treats every living being like a personal insult, you know our pain. Our pup, Diego, didn't just bark; he acted like he was auditioning for a lead role in a horror movie. Walks? Impossible. Visitors? Forget about it. Even our long-time pet sitter--a woman who has survived literal wolves--couldn't go near him without fear. . Our first trainer took one look at him and basically told us we'd adopted a tiny, bearded landmine. She called him "one of the most reactive dogs she'd ever met" and gave us the kind of "good luck" that usually precedes a disaster movie. Enter Mike Hatjes from Bay Area Dog Training. We found Mike on Yelp, and honestly, we were just looking for a miracle. Mike is a unique breed himself: he's incredibly direct (no sugar-coating the fact that your dog thinks he's the CEO of Chaos) but also hilarious. He balances that "tell-it-like-it-is" energy with a sense of humor that kept us from losing our minds. The Transformation Timeline: * The Private Lesson Phase (8 Sessions): We went from "we can't leave the house" to "wait, is he actually sitting on command?" By the end of our eight private lessons, we were taking regular walks. My blood pressure dropped, and Diego actually started building confidence instead of seeing every mailbox as a mortal enemy. * The Group Lesson Phase (The Real Magic): If you told me six months ago my dog would be in a group with 10 other dogs, I would have assumed there'd be a SWAT team involved. But Mike's group lessons are shockingly amazing. Seeing my dog hold a "down" in a row of 10 dogs while each one weaves through the line? It's practically a glitch in the Matrix. The Verdict: Mike didn't just train our dog; he gave us our lives back. We can do family trips, have friends over, and walk down the street without looking like we're wrestling a caffeinated alligator. If you have a dog that makes other trainers cry, call Mike. He'll tell you the truth, make you laugh, and turn your "unbelievable" nightmare into a well-behaved companion.

When we first got our dog, a 4-year-old Jindo from Korea, he had a stubborn prey drive and would…read morepull on the leash hard enough to drag me to the ground. He was also very reactive to other people and dogs. Mike taught me to watch my dog for cues and to communicate with him. After 7 private lessons and two months of weekly group classes, my dog is now a well-behaved walking buddy (most of the time). Thanks, Mike!

I found A Canine Affinity from a recommendation in a Facebook group. I had recently adopted a dog…read morefrom the shelter and I suspected she had separation anxiety, so I was looking for someone that was specialized in it. The advice online is confusing and conflicting -- from keeping your dog in a crate or letting them free roam, giving them a kong toy before you leave to not giving them anything, etc. So I scheduled a consultation with A Canine Affinity to learn more about the trainings and determine if it was in fact separation anxiety, or just normal decompression from the shelter. Melissa was wonderful right from the beginning and was very thorough and explained everything very clearly. You can tell she has a passion for this area. I decided that it wasn't too early and it couldn't hurt to do the initial assessment and get some good foundation to try to nip the separation anxiety that she in fact was showing. Melissa built us a solid plan and gave great advice on things like how and where to get my dog situated before I leave, stress body language, desensitization trainings, etc. I'm excited to share that my dog, Birdie, can now be left alone for about 1 hour and she lays down on her bed that's right near the door I leave from while I'm away (although she is still very alert/has her eyes on the door). I even saw her on the camera lay her head down for about 30 seconds, which is such a small thing, but such a BIG WIN! It means Birdie is starting to get a little more comfortable alone. I find myself so proud of my dog and celebrating her small wins, which has been the most rewarding part of this training. Birdie does regress every once in a while, which I'm told is normal, so I am trying to take it one day and one week at a time. Birdie has made HUGE strides and is building confidence and comfort being alone. Just 5 months ago, she couldn't even be left alone for 30 seconds without pacing, howling, scratching at doors, and having accidents in the house. So thankful for Melissa and the wonderful foundation she set me up with. We'll continue with our trainings and hope Birdie continues to progress over the next few months, but if she doesn't, I won't hesitate to reach out to Melissa for some more trainings and guidance. Thank you Melissa, you are a lifesaver!

I am a veterinarian and worked with Melissa on my own dog, I would recommend her to anyone. She is…read morevery knowledgeable and very good at what she does. I love that she is truly an advocate and voice for pets. She has a lot of patience for both me and my dog - and that is definitely what we needed. My dog was very fearful and was scared of everything in the world. My dog would panic and freak out on her walks, afraid of strangers. Through private trainings and her "while you're away" day training - I saw my dog becoming more confident, and is enjoying her walks more and is not freaking out at every little thing. Melissa helped me understand dog behavior more, what my dog needs with a lot of positive reinforcement. She helped me set realistic expectation and taught me tools that is helpful in the long term.

I recently moved from LA to the Bay Area with my fiancé. I have a 9 year old named Lulu and she's…read morealways had an underlying form of separaron anxiety. After the move, her anxiety skyrocketed and it was hard for me to figure out what to do next. I moved forward with Bark busters and it's been the best investment ever! I've learned so much from Josh throughout this year. We've made significant progress over the course of a few sessions. I also regularly receive in depth guidance on how to keep the peace amongst Lulu and my fiancé's Frenchie Bash. His wife Nicole, is also so kind and has made scheduling follow ups so easy. I hear back the same day when it comes to responses to questions, rescheduling, and progress updates. If you're ready to learn and understand your dogs on a deeper level, booking with Josh is the way to go. Practice goes a long way and I'm grateful to have that deeper insight on her anxiety and how to manage it. His homework assignments are so easy to understand and follow through on and I know part of creating lasting change is on me too.

I was really skeptical about hiring a dog behavioral therapist at first. Part of me just wanted to…read morebuy a training program or send my dog away for professional training so she'd come back "fixed" My French Bulldog, Mango who was 2 at the time, was super stubborn and reactive, and she suffered from pretty severe separation anxiety. She couldn't leave my side, cried the moment I walked away. It was overall super stressful. Josh helped me understand where that anxiety was truly coming from. Turns out, IT WAS ME! He encouraged me to create healthy boundaries with Mango and offered practical solutions, along with dietary supplements, to support her emotionally and physically. I had no idea that excess energy could actually contribute to anxiety in dogs! Josh suggested adjusting her meal plan, and that alone made a huge difference. He also gave me plenty of tips and tricks to help Mango naturally regulate her anxiety. And since his program includes lifetime training, he's continued to guide me whenever I have questions or notice old behaviors resurfacing. Josh reassured me that if I stayed consistent with the regimen he provided, Mango would be okay, and he was absolutely right. She's like a whole new dog now! At 4 years old She can stay home calmly without destroying furniture or becoming overly needy. I'm beyond grateful to Josh for his guidance and to his partner, Nicole, who helped me prepare for our first session. If you get a chance to talk to Nicole, let her know she's an absolute gem! so kind and caring, even behind the scenes!

We have been training with CaliK9 for the past few months and have been so incredibly impressed…read morewith our experience. Hamza is extremely knowledgeable and has such a great understanding of how to handle, communicate with, and build confidence in dogs. What we've appreciated most is that the training hasn't just been about Dakota -- Hamza has given us confidence too. We are learning how to communicate with her more effectively and how to create an environment that encourages learning, growth, structure, and success. Dakota continues to improve every day, and it has been so rewarding watching her confidence and skills grow. We are truly grateful we found CaliK9 and Hamza! I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for knowledgeable, effective, and supportive dog training. And the Turbo Treats are an added bonus! Dakota goes absolutely CRAZY for the chicken hearts! Thank you, CaliK9, for helping all of us become a better team!

I have a 1.5 yr old Italian greyhound who has super reactivity high energy, and I was extremely…read morefrustrated. Within the first session, I noticed such a huge difference in not just her confidence but my own. Hamza, our trainer was amazing! He was able to explain what I needed to be for my dog in each session. He even stepped in when needed or saw that I was extremely frustrated or couldn't get my dog to complete a command although my Italian greyhound is still reactive. I feel more confident in being able to expose her to triggers and be able to correct her when she reacts. We just graduated the beginner semi private class and are excited to sign up for group class and continue to work on her reactivity

Thank you so much to Gaby and Taylor who expedited an online order for me on my most recent visit…read more I drive across town to come here because I always receive great service at this location.

I genuinely had to leave a review for Sarah and Rylie (i think that's how it's spelled) because…read morethey were genuinely so kind to me today. I brought in a tiny kitten I found that was absolutely covered in fleas, and I was honestly overwhelmed, but they immediately jumped in to help without hesitation. They helped me bathe the kitten, brought me supplies and tools, gave the baby treats, and even helped me call someone while I was trying to wash the cat hahaha. They were both so patient and sweet the entire time and made a really stressful situation feel manageable. You can tell they truly care about animals and people. I seriously appreciated them so much and I'll definitely be coming back because of how amazing they were.