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The Dog Listener

5.0 (128 reviews)
Open 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

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Response time

5 hours

Response rate

100%

Services - The Dog Listener

Group dog training

Private dog training

Puppy socialization classes

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Recommended Reviews - The Dog Listener

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Reviews With Photos

Shayna L.

We adopted our little Monkey from a rescue. Monkey had some trouble adjusting to his new home and we struggled with accidents in the house. He was also very skittish about his leash and he was refusing food. Enter the Dog Listener. Emily was awesome. From the moment she entered our home, it was clear that this person has a way with dogs. During our 90-minute session, she taught us how to help Monkey regain his sniffing response, prompting us to give him treats when we leashed him, which made him much more excited about his walks. She explained that he was a bit overweight and after changing his food, he began to eat regularly as well as took off the extra weight. She increased our confidence as dog owners and we couldn't be happier with our little shadow who wags his tail all the time now. If you have questions about why your dog behaves the way he/she does, don't hesitate to call the Dog Listener!

Co existing

Life-Changing Help for My Fear-Reactive Dog I can't thank Emily enough for the incredible impact she's had on my life and my dogs. My older dachshund, Scott, has always suffered from extreme anxiety--leaving the house would send him into full panic mode, causing diarrhea, shaking, an elevated temperature, and complete disregard for me or even his highest-value treats. Nothing I did seemed to help, and I felt completely lost. Things became even more overwhelming when I brought home a dachshund puppy. I immediately realized the challenge ahead--Scott was absolutely terrified of her. His fear turned into aggression, and he tried to bite her when she got too close. Rehoming wasn't an option for me because I believed in giving him a real chance to adjust, no matter how impossible it seemed at first. That's when I reached out to Emily, and I'm so grateful I did. From our very first session, she showed me that the way I was handling Scott- was actually making things worse. She helped me understand that what Scott needed most was clear communication, boundaries, and for me to step up as his leader. I made the difficult decision to start Scott on behavioral medication alongside training, and the results have been nothing short of life-changing. At first, I was consumed with fear--fear that Scott would attack the puppy, fear that I was failing him. But Emily not only trained my dog, she trained me. She taught me how to react, how to fulfill his needs in a way that set him up for success, and how to create a structured environment where both my dogs could thrive. I only worked with Emily for a few sessions, but with time, consistency, and the right approach, we've made incredible progress--so much so that I sometimes can't even believe it myself. Scott is turning into a completely different dog--more confident, less anxious, and even enjoying life outside the home. He has also learned to coexist peacefully with his sister, who is now 9 months old. My life went from being full of stress, baby gates, and constant worry to having two dogs who can share the same space. After working with three other trainers who couldn't help us, Emily gave us exactly what we needed. Her methods focus on understanding the why behind a dog's behavior and addressing their needs rather than just correcting the symptoms. Thank you, Emily, for giving us hope and real results. I look forward to working with you again in the future if new challenges arise!

We feel incredibly fortunate to have found Emily, the Dog Listener, for our older dog and our new puppy. Uni came from an unknown background and, after a few unfortunate encounters where he was attacked by larger dogs during his puppyhood, begun showing behavioral issues around the age of two. We had tried several trainers, and while some techniques offered pretty amazing quick fixes, Uni's confidence never fully returned. That all changed when we met Emily. She takes a different approach--focused on long-term results, true partnerships, and creating balance between dogs and their people. With her guidance, Uni has gradually regained his confidence, and our bond with him has grown stronger. Her personalized, thoughtful approach made all the difference. Recently, we welcomed a new puppy into our home, and since Uni is not the most social golden, we reached out to Emily for help with their introduction. She didn't disappoint! Emily built a solid foundation between the two dogs, and now, they not only get along but also enjoy playing together and sharing toys. We also enrolled our puppy in Emily's Social Etiquette workshop to learn proper leash interactions. It's been incredibly helpful in teaching us how to read dog body language, manage meet-and-greets, and redirect potential conflict. Emily has been a game-changer for our dogs and our family. We can't recommend her enough for anyone seeking a compassionate and effective trainer who truly understands the unique needs of each dog and their family and show relationship-based methods to build a long lasting bond.

Zoe-Raven S.

Emily is the absolute best. My husband and I adopted a 2 year old Cane Corso/Italian mastiff and brought her home to our house full of 3 cats. In just two months and only a few lessons with Emily, our dog went from chasing our cats and trying to jump at them through our door to happily letting them groom her and run around the house while she stays totally calm. Emily came to our house and thoroughly explained our dog and cats body language so we could interpret their behavior and redirect as necessary. She gave us all the tools we needed to make sure every animal and human in our house is completely happy and safe. Her group class was also a godsend to make sure we could properly walk our pup and keep her focused and undistracted by other dogs . From responding to texts when we had questions to being available to help us figure out our pups quirks The Dog Listener is truly incredible. I can't recommend her enough, it will truly change your family's life.

Reesey B.

We have been with different trainers over the years with our different dogs and hands down we have learned so much more with Emily. You will get so much more out of training with her. I wish we knew this information with our other dogs. She is so good at what she does and always works so hard. Highly recommend!

Happier, calmer, better adjusted dog.
Erin S.

This is Luger, my beautiful boy as I often tell him. I will be honest. I have shied away from sharing anything about him; even with people who are close to me. Why? Because I was ashamed and heartbroken. Luger is a happy boy in this very recent photo. But, it has been over a year of grueling hard work and dedication to helping him and for us learning how to best to guide and manage our special boy. At 5 months old Luger's behavior turned extremely reactive and aggressive. It shocked us and broke this mamas heart. There was no reasonable explanation for his behavior - he had full blood work, and check up by a few vets actually, he was also going to a highly recommended trainer. His blood work was normal. There was no traumatic event that preceded this behavior. I always believed it's "in the way you love and raise the dog, I can love this out of him." It really tormented me to find out by living it that it doesn't matter how hard you love your dog, sometimes they are wired differently and to no fault of your own, they will have challenges. We were told by a trainer that he was just "a young punk" that needed a very assertive handler. Desperate to change his behavior and thinking the direction was appropriate considering it was coming from a professional, we listened to that advice -- This did not help our special boy, this actually made his behavior worse. I was scared that we were not going to be able to provide the home that he needed, that we wouldn't be able to manage his behaviors and keep others safe. I desperately looked for another person to help us and found a lady who used to train with Tigers, Emily. Her methods are centered on calm, firm direction, built on trust and creating a strong relationship with the dog, not dominating him. I can honestly say she saved our hearts and his life. After working with Emily, Luger started to behave like a puppy again - he smiled his big smile, he would roll over and sleep with his belly exposed, and smile on his face, instead of walking around nervous/ posturing up, ready to take on anything that appeared even slightly out of the norm. We have made great strides and still have work to do, but the place we are in now, I couldn't even imagine a year ago, it's beautiful progress and I am grateful. I have been told lately by our vet and other professionals that it is likely that Luger's behaviors are a cross between something heredity and neurological - it's hard to say definitively without a brain scan. So, he truly is a "special boy," he has special needs. I studied Neuroscience in college and know that there is much plasticity in brains, meaning they can potentially form new connects / be re-wired with hard work and dedication, and a willing participant. So, that is where my hope lies with Luger. We love him enough and see that beautiful soul inside his eyes, so we keep trying for him and us. He's our family. It's not for everyone, but those of you who struggle with a dog like him and have your heart set on trying, know that it is possible for your dog to "get better," live better. My only regret is that we didn't find Emily sooner. Thank you Emily, from the bottom of our hearts

Katherine S.

WONDERFUL experience working with Emily. Our 3.5 year old German Shepherd needed some help with his behavior. Specifically leash work, reactivity, communication, and leadership. She reached out immediately after I inquired for her services. Gave me a little coaching over the phone and set up an in person training with her right away. She's incredibly responsive and accomodating. Within seconds of Emily meeting Duke, she had him under control and it was clear, she is an EXPERT. She has a talent for understanding the dog's behavior - and then being able to translate that to us so we can adjust our behavior. We've had a few private sessions where we learned the right collar to use and how to use it, proper leash work, identifying anxious behavior and how to manage it, best practices for walking, front door reactivity and how to manage a few bad manners in the home. The results with Emily are phenomenal. We are thriving after her training and it's such a relief to know we can lean on her to help us have the best relationship with our dog. We are SO thankful to be working with Emily and look forward to building a long relationship with her. Thank you Emily!!!

Huck
Ter M.

My dog, Huck, was extremely dog aggressive and reactive before I had a private lesson with Emily. I can't tell you how pleased I am with Huck's on leash behavior now. He's still slightly reactive every so often, but I'm able to divert him and talk to him to calm him down. It's like night and day with him. I have much more confidence leading our team now. I cannot praise Emily enough for giving me the tools to manage him, as he is constantly looking at me for his queues now. I'll further my commitment to him and his progress by attending her group classes at DP, so we can continue to build on our teamwork. If you need a great dog trainer, Emily knows her stuff and understands dog behavior, I can't recommend her enough.

We needed help with our Shepherd mix for over excitement with guests and some anxiousness. Emily taught us about taking care of her needs as a herding dog and how to meet her potential with 'jobs' to help make her feel useful and happy. What a huge help Emily has been for us. She's amazing! So glad we found her!

Buddies after some training!

The best training you will find. We have 2 male bulldogs that hated eachother and after about a month they are buddies now. You will not find a better dog trainer anywhere else and i would bet money on it.

A private training session at the Dana Point Harbor
Julie N.

So thankful to have found this dog trainer! We were new dog owners and didn't even know where to begin with our impulsive puppy. Emily has taught us how to help build our dog's trust and confidence in us, which has made all of the difference in training. Her balanced approach teaches you to be a team with your dog and to fulfill their needs to help them to become a relaxed and happy pup. She is always available to answer any questions and will work with you to find the best options for your dog. We have done both private sessions as well as her group class. I cannot recommend her enough!

Jessilynne L.

I don't know where to begin with this review. Emily has literally impacted the lives of our family and our fur babies in such a positive way. We first reached out to her a few years back to help us with our Aussie, who had bitten a poodle and is very protective of our human family, which we learned from Emily that our Aussie was very understimulated and needed a job to rid her anxiety. We implemented her techniques and because of her suggestions, our family could not be more happier with the results! Recently, a Shorky came into our family, and naturally we wanted to ensure that the two of them had a positive first experience just to be cautious. Emily not only came out and blew our socks away with her fabulous techniques, but she actually TAKES THE TIME to call and couch you before the session even begins, for no additional charge! She is also very responsive and answers any questions pre and post your session out of her time, again free of charge, which truly shows her dedication to the incredible work that she does. Because of Emily, my Aussie, who was once over protective, is PLAYING with my Shorky, something I can honestly say we would have not believed to be possible if it weren't for Emily's guidance. Emily is by far the best resource and investment we have ever made for our dogs, and is honestly affordable considering what you're getting; instead of taking our dogs to some training at Petco weekly that would have added up quickly and risk the chance of us not following through, Emily comes to your house and works on skills in the dogs' most familiar environment, which makes her techniques that much more powerful. She also explains her strategies with analogies and descriptions in ways we can relate to so we can learn along. Sorry for the long post, I am just so beyond grateful for Emily's services, and am ecstatic for the future families she will work with.

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This gal is the real deal. I was impressed with her knowledge and confidence. No doubt she gets all five stars. She deserves it!

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She is the best! Listens to what you need, shows you and the dog the process to correct behavior.

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Ask the Community - The Dog Listener

Do you do in home training? How much do you charge?

Hi! I definitely do in home training, as well as a drop-in leash handling skills class, a variety of workshops throughout the year like my social etiquette series or my puppy workshop, and giant free monthly community pack walks.… Read more

My 14 week old husky started showing signs of food aggression and resource guarding with his bones where he'll tightly close jaw & snapping at other dogs that come over when being given treats. How much would consultation & training be to fix this?

Hi Heather! Rates are contingent on location as I service four different counties. Both some sessions or a session and group classes can get you the results you’re looking for. You’re welcome to call me at (707) 273-3521 or message me with a phone… Read more

Have you ever helped a dog with spinal cord injury with motor bowel and bladder issues or recommend of someone who can to help potty train in our house?

Hi JL, I’ve worked with many dogs that have mobility problems or medical issues that impede house training. I am not, however, a physical therapist or a veterinarian—so I recommend you combine behavioral work with physical therapy if that is… Read more

View All 4 Questions

Review Highlights - The Dog Listener

But finding Emily of The Dog Listener has been one of the greatest blessings for me and my American Bully puppy.

Mentioned in 80 reviews

Read more highlights

The Dog Guru Whisperer & Ex K9 Officer Training - http://www.thedog.guru

The Dog Guru Whisperer & Ex K9 Officer Training

(648 reviews)

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.

OC Pup Scouts - Pack walk

OC Pup Scouts

(114 reviews)

When others show love for your Dog (who you love and consider your family member), it means a LOT…read more The dog walkers that work at OC Pup Scouts really love their dog clients, and their people! I'm unable to walk my standard poodle, and I love it when he is so happy to greet Katrina, or Shaylene, and grinning when they send photos during the walk, and most of all...my big energetic goofy dog comes home Happy, tongue out and tired!!! Worth every penny!! Highly recommend.

Unfortunately, I had to edit my drafted five star review down to a four star review because I feel…read morelike I was bait and switched. We are relatively new to OC Pup Scouts starting in Dec 2025, and have gone through the temperament assessment and puppy training, but now that we've "graduated" to the pack walks, they've changed their prices and increased them 10%. Seemingly nominal, but this should have been disclosed or at least acknowledged upfront when asking about the program and pricing. The walkers and admin have been great, and my pup seems to really enjoy the walks. It's just feels a little icky that they probably knew about the price increase and conveniently left it out when vetting the business. Maybe I just had unlucky timing with it, because they did say this price increase was the "first in years". I get it, cost of living goes up. I just wish they had been honest and upfront about it (or at least honor their quoted pricing for another quarter or two), hence the removal of a star. I was looking for a service where my pup could safely interact and socialize with other dogs, not necessarily for the walk itself, so I found what I thought would be a good pick in OC Pup Scouts. The pack walk services are great. The handlers all seem friendly and genuinely nice people. They will pick up your pup from your chosen location and drive them in a van to a park where they embark on an hour long walk at a time. I especially love that they provide you an update/pictures of their walks. The pups all seem to enjoy their time together. There have been a few last minute schedule changes that range from a few minutes to an hour delay, but they've been pretty consistent about communicating these. This is also to be expected when your clients are... well dogs, but I only mention it to warn others to be flexible. Overall, I'm satisfied with the services rendered. I am happy I found OC Pup Scouts, and would be happy to recommend them for their pack walks. Hoping that the prices remain stable for the foreseeable future, and they don't pull a Spotify and jack them up every year.

iSpeakDog! - The Dog Director, Tommy Stark - Dog Behaviorist and Dog Trainer in Corona Del Mar, Ca

iSpeakDog!

(48 reviews)

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.

Bark Busters Home Dog Training-South Orange County - BarkBusters pet training classes focus on everything from puppy training to behavioral modification.

Bark Busters Home Dog Training-South Orange County

(133 reviews)

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.

The Dog Listener - pet_training - Updated May 2026

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