We brought our dog Doug into training with equal parts hope and skepticism. He's smart, loving…read more.. and wildly mischievous. From the very first session, though, something shifted. Almost instantly, Doug went from chaotic curiosity to calm focus--not because his personality was suppressed, but because it was finally understood. What stood out most wasn't just the effectiveness of the training techniques (though those were impressive), it was the perspective shift. We stopped seeing "bad behavior" and started seeing misplaced energy. Instead of correcting Doug, we learned how to redirect him--turning frustration into purpose and impulse into productivity. That change alone was a game-changer. The training style blended structure, consistency, and genuine affection in a way that felt natural and kind. There was no harshness, no shortcuts--just patience, clarity, and a deep respect for the dog in front of her. Doug didn't just listen; he trusted. Best of all, the improvement has continued. Each week builds on the last, and Doug grows more confident, controlled, and happy. The process didn't just train our dog--it trained us to be better humans for him. Sweet, intuitive, and deeply caring, she has a rare gift. Doug is proof.

Update: As John Van…read moreOlden has indicated in his comment on my previous review he has apologized and refunded *his portion,* but an apology is not worth $740 to me, which is the amount remaining that was paid and that I have yet to receive. This is not an inconsequential sum of money. I recognize that I can't hold John accountable for Greg leaving the company, but working with Canine Trade Group means there will be absolutely no oversight over your trainer. Regardless of whether the trainers are independent contractors or not, someone in business with them should be culpable and take ownership of the situation. Efforts made in John's comments to characterize this as a misunderstanding between Greg and myself about "events that transpired" could not be more disingenuous. I paid Greg and got nothing for my money. I fail to see how this could be a subjective dispute. As for Gregory J. Stewart, he has seemingly vanished off the face of the earth, after indicating that he would return a comical fraction of my initial payment and failing to deliver on even that. I don't know if he's training dogs elsewhere but wherever he may be employed I can't recommend hiring him or working with him in any capacity, as he has shown me that he has no ethics as a professional or even as a human being.

The dog trainer Lilian Akin has worked in the dog-training industry since the 1990s. She is a…read moreCertified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) as well as a Certified Behavior Consultant for Canines (CBCC). She offers in-home training and behavioral consultation for dogs that suffer from anxiety or aggression, and she uses positive reinforcement techniques to change their behaviors. Specific techniques might include using treats, head halters, harnesses, toys, clickers, and others. She does NOT use choke collars, prong collars, shock collars, or other forms of correction-based training. Most other dog trainers in the Pittsburgh area combine positive reinforcement with correction-based training, so I searched long and hard for a trainer who uses only positive reinforcement. My dog is very anxious and sweet, and I think that based on scientific studies, she would do best with positive reinforcement, not to mention that the shelter's contract forbid correction-based training. I felt very happy when my friend recommended Lilian Akin, and Lilian agreed to work with my dog and me. Please note that Lilian is an attorney during the day and a dog trainer only in the evenings and weekends, so she is very busy. My consultation was about 1.5 weeks after I first contacted her. She accepts payment via cash, check, Venmo, and Zelle. On the day of the consultation, Lilian arrived at my house on time. She wore a KN95 mask, and she said that she is vaccinated and boostered--which I greatly appreciate during this pandemic. Lilian had a very warm personality, and I enjoyed talking with her about my dog's behaviors and possible training methods. After 1.5 hours, Lilian handed me a two-page paper on which she had summarized what we had discussed. My dog does not go outside to pee and poop, so Lilian suggested that we 1) bring out the leash when we give the dog food and treats, 2) feed her near the front door, and 3) teach her hand targeting so she follows us. For the last 1.5 weeks, my husband and I have been using these techniques, and the first two have helped our dog to feel less nervous about the leash and front door. My dog is so nervous that we will likely need to train her for months, but I feel relieved that she is making some progress. For future appointments, Lilian said that we can hire her per session or with a package of three sessions for a discount. Lilian does make herself available via email and text if we have questions in between sessions.

Lilian Akin came to observe my pup, Kizzie, who was having behavior issues such as resource…read moreguarding, fear biting, unsociable actions towards my other dogs and also people. Lilian was here for more than 2 hours, asking questions and making notes. I'd known Lilian from my pit bull rescue work and knew she'd tell me what I needed to hear. At the end of this session, she gave me a plan of action to follow, notes to share with my vet, worked with me on some exercises to do with Kizzie and my other dogs, and gave me literature to read up on. Lilian was teacher to not only Kizzie, but also to me. She listened to the behaviors I noticed, helped me work through them, and celebrated the milestones we accomplished. It's always scary when you see your dog is struggling, but Lilian helps you not feel alone and provides you with sound exercises and cues to work on. She's calming to both you AND your dog.

Josh was amazing! He rememberd all of my dogs weird quirks even after a year without seeing her. He…read moreimmediately knows the solution to everything and explains what I need to do once he leaves very well. I cannot recommend Josh enough!

Highly, highly recommend Say It Once Dog Training! We have used them for our two pups with trainers…read moreDonna & Michelle. They were both wonderful and really took the time to explain each of the dog's behaviors - the how & why. After your first in home visit, you're able to take your dogs to group classes which are held all over the city & suburbs. These classes are awesome for our reactive dogs - it gives them the exposure they need in a controlled environment. I have never been made to feel embarrassed or bad about my dog's behavior which I have experienced at other training organizations -- that is why we hired them! I really feel that I have a strong support system with Say It Once. While we (my fiancé & I) need to stay on top of training on our own, our dogs show so much progress each training sessions. Love Say It Once!!!!

Very sleepy after a packed day with Centurion Canine! Our Cane Corso LOVES the Pace n Place…read more(daycare)! He gets training & play while we are at work and we couldn't be happier. Great pick up and drop off times and a great price for incredible service and trainers.

Excellent program and suck caring dedicated trainers. We had Porter in the 4 week program and it…read morewas night and day when we picked him up. He spent a day there this summer while we had to attend an event. When he saw Victoria he was just so excited. He has an issue with bikes so after the winter Victoria met us again and we took him on the trails. He was excellent with the bikes. They really are the

There is no one that I would trust more to train my dog. Tena, Kelly, Coleman, and the rest of the…read moreteam are so knowledgeable on dog behavior and are always working to keep updated on the newest scientific practices in the field. It is so hard to find a good dog trainer, but your search is over now that you've found SJC.

Tena is a miracle worker! She helped me with my leash-reactive rescue dog through one-on-one…read morelessons, and I couldn't be happier with our progress. It's been almost a year and a half since we finished up our private training classes. I can now walk my dog basically anywhere--from busy Downtown PGH streets to Frick Park--and he can get past another dog with little more than a whine. Tena is very kind, patient, and knows how to teach both dogs & people! My relationship with my dog improved so much thanks to Tena's guidance, and I'd recommend her to anyone, especially those with reactive dogs! Positive reinforcement for the win!!

Our 17 month, 80 pound goldendoodle, Baxter went the two week board and train with Buck and Sue…read more This experience has been wonderful for all of us, most of all Baxter! We learned that Baxter truly loves to train and does not have to be treated to perform. Our praise is what motivates him. Buck and Sue sent us updates and videos of Baxter. We loved seeing him progress over the weeks. Baxter lived with Buck and Sue in their house. In fact Baxter was even in bed with them! They trained Baxter at their home for a while. Once he got his commands down they took him out and about. They said Baxter went to every place that allowed dogs. One of Baxter's unwanted behaviors was pouncing on Shilo, our four year old cockapoo. Both Buck and Sue knew this and had a 40 lb. dog stay with them and Baxter for a while so they could work on this behavior. They reassured us that Baxter wants to play with everyone and everything. They said he does not have a mean bone in his body! My husband Kirk and I were amazed when we went to pick up Baxter. Watching Buck and Sue work with him was so exciting for us. Then we were taught the commands and practiced with Baxter with their help. This training is one of the best things we have ever done. It is great to know Baxter will be a well behaved dog for a long time. With a dog as big as Baxter we did not want him jumping on adults or kids. This behavior was extinguished after the two weeks. The hardest part of the training for us was missing Baxter. We missed him terribly, but he didn't miss us. He was too busy training and having fun! Both my husband and I train Baxter every day. It is nice to know also that if we need a refresher, we can come back and they will help us. Buck and Sue gave us their phone number and email and told us to contact them anytime with any questions or concerns. We cannot thank them enough for what they did for our family. We loved Baxter before Off Leash K9 Training, but we REALY REALLY love him now. Thank you so much Buck and Sue!

I had first given it 3 stars on google, but Lyn's actions made me drop a star…read more As to the e-collar, I will never ever use it. It was so tight on him that I could barely get it off! Im NOT kidding! Now to mention the massive matted knot in his hair behind his ear that the groomer had a hard time getting it shaved off. Angry, oh yeah! Then I found a scab with matted hair on his neck around his jugular vein! She said it must be an old scab...ah NO! Now it's a trip to the vet. All I got from Lyn was the e-collar has to be tight and basically if I dont follow through with that, it's on me. After the massive hair knot (rough collie long hair), Im not putting him thru that. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO ON WHAT YOUR DOG WILL BE PUT THRU! I will never recommend this place!

Cannot recommend enough! I went to CanineKind thinking I wanted just for a quick refresher for my…read more3-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog. After just one session, Heather helped me identify key problem areas and brand new things to teach him that have made my life so much easier. She is so patient (with humans and dogs) and has a way of explaining things that just makes sense, to both of us. We worked entirely via Zoom, but I never felt like trainings were impersonal or unproductive. She's extremely flexible and really takes the time to understand your family, your pup and your situation and implement strategies that work best for YOU! And without any guilt trips for not doing things 100% perfect or "by the book" all the time - she's totally understanding of what it means to have a dog you love and a busy human lifestyle. I feel like I learned HOW to train Rocky as much as what to train him, which has been invaluable! Now I can apply what Heather taught me and make new progress on my own. Will definitely be coming back for check-ins now and again.

I cannot say enough good things about Heather's training! As a first time dog mom, to a rescue…read morepuppy whose mix was full of highly energetic breeds (German Shepherd, Husky, Aussie mix) I knew I needed to get my puppy in class right away! From about 14 weeks old we worked on the basics, and then tailored our sessions to meet mine and my pups needs. Working with Heather not only set my puppy up for success, but gave me as a pet parent the tools I needed for future successes in my home. For anyone looking for training for their pet, do not hesitate to call Heather! She did a fantastic job meeting our needs in person and virtually!

Mr O finished training our dog well. Diesel is now well…read morebehaved and eager to follow commands.

5+ STARS!! Thank you Mr. O!! I brought my 2 year old Yellow Lab Abby (she is 100lbs) to Mr. O (we…read morelive in Winchester, VA) on Saturday to the one day training! This man definitely has God working through him! Abby was a very manipulative pup, and basically ruled me and I was not able to walk her because she pulled me that I thought I dislocated my shoulder, and fearful of falling and breaking bones, and or face planting!! After just one day I can now walk her with confidence that I won't be pulled, even in situations of other people (she is very friendly and would be overly excited and uncontrollable) I can now control the situation with the knowledge given to me during my training session. Mr. O trained Abby (Abby absolutely loved Mr. O!) This was the best investment for Abby and myself and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Mr. O !! If you want your dog obedient and able to follow commands, walk on a loose leash etc!! Mr O's "THE DOG TRAINING PLACE" is where you need to take your Dog!!! He uses POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT! I am following the instructions given to me during my training as Mr. O explains is very important for the first 10 days after the one day session. I have exercises to do with Abby twice a day to instill in her everything Mr. O taught her. I will follow up with more after my ten day training exercises with Abby to let everyone know, including Mr. O on how well Abby is continuing with my reinforcements of what Mr. O taught Abby. His TALENT and God gifted Ability with dogs, especially my Abby was AMAZING to see!! Mr O GOD BLESS YOU!!! You are TRULY AMAZING!!! You really should have your own show on Animal Planet, because you are THE TRUE DOG WHISPERER!! Thank you again from Abby, myself and my Husband!! We are so very thankful!!! Elsie, Bill & ABBY Fisher Winchester, VA j