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The Driven Dog

4.4 (53 reviews)
Open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Services - The Driven Dog

Dog boarding and training

Private dog training

The Driven Dog Photos

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Reviews With Photos

Rio yelling at you for calling a different trainer in the area.
David W.

I've been working with Karin and her team for the last 5 or so years. As a trainer, I always look for trainers whose training philosophy closely resembles mine. I happily refer leads that I get from long beach and the surrounding area since we don't cover those areas. Super knowledgeable, great team, they turn out nice dogs. You'll be doing yourself and your dog a favor.

Luna smiling while she practices the "stay"
Ite L.

Thank you Karin and team for training our Belgian Malinois (Maligator) Luna, who was adopted by us at age 1 1/2 and did not have the benefits of early socialization. After an intensive "board and train", Luna was delivered back with very clear instructions for us, regarding how to maintain her training. It made a world of difference! Luna is much calmer and we finally see her relax and show her smile (see pic). Luna, our other three dogs and we (the two humans) can all live together in relative harmony and we can keep this sweet dog that has taken over a huge chunk of our hearts. We are so grateful! And the training has even spread to our other dog, who has copied Luna and gets on his place to get a treat! We also appreciate the opportunity to join the bi-weekly brush up sessions to practice with other owners and their pups.

Brian S.

Karin and her team have been so helpful, they really helped me and my dog excel in some of the dog sports we compete in. They helped him become more well rounded and helped me understand how to bring the most out of his potential.

Wes S.

To anyone looking into dog training of any capacity, look no further. From the most complex cases, to in my case, a 7 month old crazy Pomsky, Karin and her entire team exemplify professionalism and passion for your animals. I opted for the board and train, which may to most seem like a long time away, but leaving your dog in their care is a notch above the rest; in fact, sometimes I feel even after the board and train she might be just as excited to see The Driven Dog staff as she is to see me... What you have to respect about their approach is they are trained experts who set direct, blunt and realistic expectations Day-one based on your dog, breed, and your lifestyle. When I received my puppy back she was so far above and beyond what I expected that it's set both my dog and I up for success as she continues to grow as a part of my family. During the board and train I received updates and pictures, but she was always available to answer questions. They think of every possible real-life distraction, and address accordingly. Most importantly, they educate you, the owner, how to continue training and be a responsible owner. Words could not express my gratitude and the invaluable asset they've been to the future of my little pup. Whether you're looking for correctional assistance, or want to have your new family member understand you; building that trust and communication early... The Driven Dog is the answer.

Vyktoria C.

Karin, Everything you know and have done for me, my dogs, my girlfriend dog, and us all together is amazing. I got my hiking buddy back, your knowledge of behaviors and what/how to work with them all is amazing. You helped reassure us that going slow is best way to go, and that there are more options than just one. I say thank you for it all. You Truly have an amazing gift. You stern way of getting through to people is something that a lot of people need. You are true, you don't hold back. You get people to think and to work. Silver, her brother Ice, and myself say thank you.

Michele L.

Thank you so much Karin and Staff! My dog recently did a board and train with them for the summer! I definitely see a lot of improvement with my dog since she returned home and we will be committed to keeping up with the awesome training techniques! Thanks for taking good care of Cali and working with her! Cali is well behaved and amazes me how well she does with the staff and dogs!

Nala came into rescue with zero training, was dog reactive & was not housebroken.  Ty Karin for making this possible.
Amaliya L.

Where do I begin? Karin is an incredible asset to the animal rescue community. She is our go to person whenever the rescue that I volunteer for encounters new or old behaviors that need more professional evaluation/ modification than our fosters or we ourselves can offer. She has accompanied me on home visits, performed evaluations on dogs that we were interested in pulling from animal control and has helped fosters and adopters acclimate with their dogs. One of the things that I want to stress is that a person can not go into obedience or behavior modification expecting a trainer to miraculously give them the perfect dog. The owner must participate, accept, learn and modify their own behaviors as well. I can not tell you enough horror stories of how people mis-communicate with their dogs and wonder why they can not replicate what she makes look so easy. I can personally attest that if you follow her guidance too a tee, your dog can be modified of it's behavioral issues. Clear, Consistent, Communication is key. Watching Karin work is truly magical and inspiring. I have witnessed her rehabilitate dogs that others have given up on. She has an incredible confidence and mad skills working with dogs. She is able to educate and teach others in a way that truly makes sense. Karin has helped the rescue that I volunteer with on many dogs that came with fear aggression, trust issues, as well as dogs that resource guarded. I believe her help made finding their forever homes possible. We highly recommend her services to those in need of obedience training, CGC certification, behavior modification, or whatever needs you might have for your dog. I would trust Karin with my own dogs and I have.

Jina K.

I made the most impulsive and best decision I have ever made about 5 months ago and got a Malinois puppy. I knew what to expect with a Malinois since we had one in the family and that is mainly the reason why I fell in love with the breed and had to have one too. I knew it was a working dog and it could possibly be dangerous if not trained properly. We looked up the best trainers and no one was as knowledgeable as Karin. We quickly scheduled a 6 week board and train program for Bibi. The program is about 3500$ and it's definitely expensive, but worth it. Bibi is now a little over 5 months and she is the most obedient dog I've ever had. She sits in "place" and doesn't move off of her cot until instructed and stays by your side when you're walking her. It's amazing. I can't thank Driven Dog enough. I would 100% recommend bringing your dog here if you are looking for a trainer. Thank you, Karin!

Chase showing an awesome place & food refusal!
Joanna B.

I recently adopted a beagle named Chase from Karin. I was told he was given up because he was too much for the family but so far he's the perfect dog for me. He truly is the definition of a "working" dog. Currently he's in the nose work class with the driven dog and chase is GREAT. Besides his work ethic, he's so friendly and gets along great with people and dogs. He actually is trained and knows all his commands. It's all about how much work you decide to put into your dogs training, the trainer (Karin) can only do so much until it's up to you. It's all about consistency with the training. I've had a beagle before and know what they're like. Chase is a perfect example of one. His nose takes him every where and that is why I put him in the nose work class with Karin. Right now he's the best in the class! When I brought him home he adjusted really quick and knew to use the bathroom outside because at my house he is a house dog. He of course still has his hyper moments because he is only 1 years old but it's nothing I can't handle and keep practicing on with him. He does have an Instagram where I have pictures and videos of him showing off his training! @Adventuresofchase_ Thanks Karin for such a lovable & great dog!

My brussels griffon puppy, Krum, and I had an excellent experience with The Driven Dog! Karin is very knowledgeable and patient and she will take the time to explain any questions you may have regarding your puppy's behavior. Questions like: where the behavior could be coming from and how to adjust things to help your puppy succeed. The philosophy of The Driven Dog is to set your puppy up for success and not get mad at him for being a dog but to use positive interactions and clear communication for listening to you so you can keep him safe in the human world. Krum is still a bundle of hilarious energy but now I feel like I have a much better understanding of whats going on in his little head, and I am so much more confident and comfortable with day to day stuff. I just feel like I have a better grasp on how to deal with him and being able to get him to pay attention and actually care about what I want him to do. Thanks so much again for all of your help with my pup Karin!! Krum can't wait to see you again

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Ask the Community - The Driven Dog

Do you do puppy socialization classes?

I’m sorry - we don’t offer those anymore. Happy to refer based on your needs if you send a message!

Do you offer board and train programs?

Yep! We do start with an evaluation, please contact to schedule!

View All 3 Questions

Review Highlights - The Driven Dog

Karin is an excellent trainer of dogs, teacher of humans, and an all-around fun person to hang out with.

Mentioned in 48 reviews

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Diamond Dogs Training

Diamond Dogs Training

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We definitely recommend Andi!…read more We originally reached out to Andi for consultations regarding both of our Maltipoos, Kiki and Coco. During our initial phone consultation, Andi was incredibly honest and genuine. After learning more about our dogs, she felt that Kiki was the one who would benefit most from formal training and suggested that we could apply what we learned with Kiki to Coco as well. We really appreciated that she didn't try to upsell us on training for both dogs when she easily could have. That immediately showed us how much she genuinely cares about helping dogs and their families. At the time, Kiki was about six months old and was extremely reactive to just about everything in the outside world. We were looking for someone whose methods aligned with our values, and we loved Andi's positive reinforcement approach. Kiki completed Andi's six-week program, and the growth we've seen has been incredible. What sets Andi apart is that she isn't focused solely on teaching dogs tricks or obedience commands. She truly cares about each dog's emotional well-being and how they're feeling throughout the process. We learned so much--not just about Kiki, but about ourselves as dog owners. Andi helped us understand how our own behaviors and responses can shape our dogs, which was eye-opening and incredibly valuable. Of course, the work doesn't stop when the training sessions end. It takes consistency and ongoing practice at home, but Andi gave us the tools and confidence to continue building on Kiki's progress. The effort has been absolutely worth it. One of the best parts is that we were able to use many of the same training methods with our older Maltipoo, Coco, and she learned and benefited from them as well. Andi actively encouraged this, which we really appreciated. If you're looking for a knowledgeable, compassionate, and ethical trainer who truly puts dogs' well-being first, we wholeheartedly recommend Andi and Diamond Dog Training.

I cannot recommend Andi enough! She worked with our two golden Labrador puppies and, from our…read moreinitial call, took the time to walk us through her training philosophy, courses, and our goals. Our main issue was walking and pulling on leash. After our six-week training course, our pups improved tremendously. Not only do they no longer pull on walks, but the other techniques Andi shared have also improved our communication with our dogs. Andi is incredibly patient and has a straightforward, easy-to-follow way of explaining things. She followed up after every session with detailed notes and references, which made a huge difference .Again, I cannot recommend Andi and Diamond Dogs Training enough.

Zenni Dogs - I never thought I could walk Dante without a harness, a lead around his snout, and with another dog! Thank you, Yasmeen!

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(112 reviews)

We saw improvements with our dogs after our first session with Yasmeen! We highly recommend working…read morewith her if you want to learn more about your dog and what you can do to make improvements with behavior.

We couldn't be happier with our experience working with Yasmeen at Zenni Dogs!…read more My husband and I are first-time dog owners with a happy, energetic black lab. When we started looking for a trainer, we received two separate referrals for Yasmeen -- and we quickly understood why. At about seven months old, our pup had unfortunately been bitten by another dog, and we wanted help reintroducing him to social settings with both people and other dogs. We also wanted to learn tools and techniques to feel more confident managing him both inside and outside our home. From day one, Yasmeen was patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping our dog (and us!) succeed. She took the time to understand his personality and tailored her training approach perfectly -- we started seeing improvement after just the second session. Her positive, effective methods made training fun and engaging for our whole family. She also shared practical tips we could easily use every day, which made a huge difference in reinforcing progress at home. Thanks to Yasmeen, we now feel so much more confident with our dog and better understand his needs and reactions in different situations. We're so grateful we decided to work with her -- highly recommend to anyone looking for a skilled, compassionate, and professional trainer who truly earns the trust and respect of both her clients and their dogs.

Dogfather Dog Institute - COCOBEAR

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One hundred thousand percent yes!! The answer to your question if you're wondering about alex and…read moredogfather. We have a mini Aussie who's 9 months also and was very reactive. Not his fault because it's in their genetics, plus in the fear stage but we wanted to do our best and provide the training so we can set him up for life. Alex is really one of a kind. after 5 weeks, our little guy knows boundaries of doors, sit, wait, down, plays fetch, come, stay, place, walk - what more could we ask for? What I like the most too is that you go to his location at least once a week and you train alongside him so you can also learn and do right by your puppy which is just as important. Don't look anywhere else! Alex is amazing.

Working with Alex was truly a game changer for our dog Charlie and for us. Given Charlie's issues…read morewe decided to do a board and train program. Charlie was reactive (barking and pulling at the leash upon seeing other dogs) mouthy with constant nips to the hands, resource guarding (which really freaked us out) and really struggled with confidence and basic manners. We knew Charlie is a sweet, loving boy but training him was out of our wheelhouse. Upon meeting Alex, we immediately were made to feel supported and hopeful. What stood out the most was how calm, patient, and warm Alex was with our Charlie. He clearly understands canine behavior and approaches training in a way that builds trust and confidence rather than fear. You could see our Charlie begin to relax and learn almost immediately under his guidance. His mouthing stopped immediately, and the unique new schedule Alex provided has brought order and calm to Charlie's day. Not only are his guidelines used to create order, but also to strengthen the bond and relationship we want with our dog. Most importantly Alex is patient while trying to train US. He did an incredible job communicating with us throughout the entire process. Every day he sent videos, updates, and check-ins so we could see our dog's progress and understand what he was working on. Weekly at home training sessions helped us with Charlie's behaviors specific to our home. Alex made us feel included in the process and helped us learn how to continue reinforcing the training at home. The transformation in Charlie been amazing. He's more confident, far less reactive, and his manners have improved tremendously. We're so grateful for the care, dedication, and expertise Alex put into helping our dog succeed. I am sure Alex will be in Charlie's life for a very long time. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, compassionate trainer who truly cares about both the dog his family.

The Driven Dog - pet_training - Updated June 2026

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