Earlier this year, my pup Ryder was viciously attacked by two large dogs who slipped out of loose dog collars as we passed them at the park. Fortunatley he healed well after two weeks of dedicated TLC but the trauma of the experience remained with both him and me well after Ryder physically healed. I reached out to Matt for virtual dog training appointments to help us through that, and his guidance and great wisdom around dog psychology and behavior and deep empathy for Ryder and in general made such a huge impact. I learned from Matt how to help Ryder through his fear and trauma and how to recognize when he was experiencing trauma (for example, he developed a new and strong fear of rumbling engines). By applying Matt's empathetic practices, Ryder has become much less fearful, is no longer afraid of rumbling engines or playing with other dogs and he's back to his old happy, playful, super enthusiastic and friendly self!! :) Matt also greatly helped my dog Ellie through the excessive anxiety that resulted from my marital separation and helped us learn what an impact the breaking of that social bond had on her and how to address it! We now give her the extra attention she needs when doing hand offs to switch between homes. Thank you so much, Matt working with you has made a WORLD of difference in Ryder and Ellie's quality of life!! :) read more

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Matt really knows his stuff. We were so happy to have him come out to meet up new pups and put us all on the path for success!!

Working with Matt was the absolute best decision we've made for our family. From day one he was reassuring, patient, understanding and listened without judgment. He takes the time to really understand the challenges you're dealing with and builds a path forward for success! We have an enthusiastic spirited German Shepherd and Matt was able to coach, guide and enable us to be the best for our pup. We learned that what we were experiencing was both normal and okay for our GSD and now we feel very capable to go out into the world with our pup. We will forever be grateful and appreciative for working with Matt! read more

I've owned two rescue pitbulls, each adopted as adults with sketchy history, and each with their own unique set of quirks and behavioral "issues," so I've been to my fair share of trainers. Matt is different from anyone else I've worked with. He respects the dog and encourages changes that will enrich and better the dog's mental health in the long term. After coming to our house to work through a food guarding issue, he pointed out a few things about how our dogs interact with each other and with us that were truly eye opening. No other trainer had even bothered to touch on the topics that were the focus of Matt's discussion. He truly tries to find the root of the problem, and not just quell bad behavior. With one house call and adopting his techniques we were able to solve the resource guarding issue that had begun to crop up between our two dogs. Since then, we've taken our dog fearing pitbull to his day boarding and they've worked with her on socialization. Sadly we had to put a pause on that since Covid, but we hope to be back. He also has gotten on the phone with us a couple times since the initial house call to give additional guidance on different issues, which we are very appreciative for. It's so nice to have that resource available. Of course dog training isn't "one size fits all" as others have mentioned, but I think that if you try to adopt his philosophy into your home, read the materials he recommends, and try to apply those overall approaches to how you relate to your dog you WILL see some kind of change for the better. read more

The Zen Dog - calm and happy buddies - Pet Training Near Me

I have had a few Zoom consultations with Matt Beisner and couldn't more stoked. He is coaching me and my GSD, Mona, towards her feeling safe and happy in the world. He has recommended some important resources. We feel held and supported by his strength and comforted by his compassion. read more

The Zen Dog - Pet Training Near Me

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Amazing place! Amazing trainers! This is really more of a thank you note than a review because it's actually difficult to write a review since we have seen so much improvement in Riley, it's hard to remember how rough it was when we started! We adopted Riley (a boxer) about 3 months ago and she is the BEST. She is so good when she is inside, and when we are home. BUT we learned quickly that she has severe separation anxiety and doesn't know how to behave around other dogs (basically could not be around them without freaking out). We've been boarding her at the Zen Dog almost every other weekend to help socialize her and we've seen a vast improvement. Honestly, a lot of it was for us on how to handle ourselves with Riley in situations that get her, let's just say, "EXCITED" ;) I can't wait to go in for our walking sessions to learn more. ALSO I just have to point out (beyond the dog work) they are just the kindest people to work with from a human perspective. The scheduling is so easy, their communication is BEYOND impeccable, and they are really fair (in pricing and rules). Super down to earth, reasonable, gracious, and caring people! We love the Zen Dog (almost as much as Riley ;)). Thank you!! read more

The Zen Dog - Riley 3 - Pet Training Near Me

I appreciate the fast, clear responses as well as a written out day to day what my dog will be doing while in their care. Both for Day Play sessions and Boarding. It really puts me at ease with my dog fearing Bull Terrier who is a work in progress. Great first impressions both with my online conversations to initial first day at day care meeting. Very professional and I liked how they handle your arrivals. You text when you arrive and they come out to greet you. First Day at Daycare Drop Off: I didn't have to remind them of her aggressive issues and I was able to give them her food for Day Play since she didn't eat this morning. No extra cost. Plenty of parking in the back on a Sunday morning. Pay when you pick up. Everything was set up in their system so I didn't have to do a thing. Receipt was emailed to me. So convenient. When I picked up Abby today, I was given a great run down of her day and behavior. So grateful for the description on how she was and that she had time to play with another dog. I was very happy to hear this. I truly appreciate the time that was taken to talk to me. As soon as I got her in the car, she was so loving to me. More so than usual. And then laid down immediately and rested the whole car ride home. She is now in her kennel and sleeping! I'm looking forward to her next play day to see how she progresses. Online System: Its great because you can see what calendar days you signed up for in case your forget as well as what packages you paid for and what you have left. I can add info about my dog if I want to. It's so easy. read more

Our family is so lucky to have found Matt and his team. We rescued our dog from Austin Pets Alive! and Matt was one of the trainers they referred us to. Our dog is extremely fearful and Matt has met with us in-person and on the phone multiple times over the last 2 years. He really took his time getting to know not only our dog but our entire family and has collaborated with us on an ever-evolving action plan to best support our newest family member as she matured from a puppy into an adult dog. His approach to training resonated so much with us - it wasn't just about how to get her to "behave" but how to best support her through her fears and anxiety first and then the behavior would follow. We are beyond grateful for his experience, patience, knowledge and support. We would not be where we are today without that partnership. read more

After trying 5 other trainers, I finally found the people who could help me with my beloved adopted pitbull Roxy. I was struggling so much with understanding my dog's high energy behavior and anxiety and no one seemed to be able to explain to me how to deal with it. My patience was dwindling to say the least. And then I found Zen. Matt came over and was able to show me simple things I could do to feel more confident in my ability to handle my dog and in making us both feel comfortable. I have also been taking her to socialization day play sessions and had a private session where I learned how to confidently introduce her to other dogs and how to walk her with control and authority. I cannot express how grateful we both are to have some clear direction and a place to go to practice potentially high stress scenarios in a safe place. I feel completely supported by them and can text or email at any time when I have a question or concern. I know that Zen dog will be a big part of me and Roxy's future and I couldn't be happier about it. Thanks a million Zen dog!! You saved our relationship read more

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Ziggy loooooves going to The Zen Dog for day play or boarding. He's very attached to me and usually my little shadow, but when we pull into the parking lot, he hops right out and heads inside the gate to play with his friends. Doesn't even stop to look back! read more

The Zen Dog - Pet Training Near Me

My husband and I LOVE the Zen Dog. We met Matt 2 years ago while we were fostering a 13 month pitbull (Gracie) with severe separation anxiety who was hyper-focused and extremely powerful. He came to our house for a 2 hour one on one with us and Gracie. His training tips were amazing and easy to implement and stick with on our own. A few months after Gracie went to her permanent home we adopted a 3 year old pitty from a rescue. She was shy and had very little confidence. And she was afraid to walk by other dogs on the street. And she would shake when we put her in the car or take her to an unfamiliar environment. She also refused to walk on "strange" surfaces (for example she wouldn't walk over a grate on the sidewalk or metal stairs). Then after 3 months she started to growl if someone touched her crate. Immediately we called Matt to set up an appointment. He diagnosed her with fear anxiety and thankfully it only took 2 sessions for her to overcome. His technique is Zen, as the name implies. He is very patient with the dogs and you can tell he loves what he does. After she overcame the first issue, we knew we had to help her overcome her shyness. She needed to gain confidence so we decided to start taking her to day play so she could socialize with other dogs in a safe environment while being supervised by a professional trainer. We do not trust dog parks at all so this was a good option. At Zen the staff gets to know the dog's temperament before they let them play with a larger group of dogs. Introductions are done more slowly not like some places that just throw big dogs in one area and small dogs in another. I don't trust those places b/c shy dogs end up getting bullied and could get hurt. In addition, having a pit bull means being extra cautious b/c even if my dog is the one being bullied, my dog will be blamed b/c of her breed. Speaking of breed, Zen Dog does not discriminate against breeds either, which is difficult to find. When we started taking Sage to day play Zen was in Culver City which was less than 10 minutes to where I work then they moved to Downtown LA :O( It was a huge pain in butt with traffic but since Sage had already built a relationship with Matt (and some of the other staff) we decided to do the drive. I also read reviews for other places and I didn't like what I read. I already trusted Zen Dog with Sage and she loves them. When we arrive in the parking lot she cannot get out of the car quick enough to greet all her friends! Recently we went away for 3 weeks and boarded Sage. They kept us updated and even sent some photos. We asked them if they thought she needed any extra training since she was already there but they said she didn't need anything further. That makes me respect this business even more b/c they do not try to upsell their clients. They are honest. When we pick Sage up from day play, she is exhausted, which we love b/c we know she had a fun day with lots of stimulation. I would HIGHLY recommend Zen Dog for training, day play, and/or boarding. My husband, Justin S also reviewed this business and he talks more about what Matt did with Gracie. read more

I love the Zen Dog and I'm thankful to the staff there for being so committed to healthy and happy dogs. As a nervous first time dog owner, I was beside myself that my sweet little 10lb terrier would scream bloody murder if I left her side. Her separation anxiety was so intense and for the first few months, seeing no end to it all and with the daily day care bills stacking up, I succumbed to thinking that I wasn't meant to be her owner. Maybe I wasn't really a dog person? I reached out to Zen Dog for help and had two at-home visits. Matt also kindly invited my Gal to spend some time socializing at the day care facility under the watchful guidance of the staff so that she could grow her confidence. Never made a better choice. The staff there would give me great updates and gave me so much good advice. The best advice typically involved me getting over my own nervousness and being the leader that she needs. Gal loved going there and the best update of all is that she now chills out at home--ALONE--for up to 5 hours at a time. This means the world to me and I can't thank Zen Dog enough. She's a happy go lucky food stealing sneak (gotta have some things to work on) and I couldn't be happier. read more

The Zen Dog has been such a positive day care and boarding experience for my little Luna. She is a rescue dog that requires a special touch, and we tried several unsuccessful boarding facilities that feed all the dogs in the same room and had too many toys that created an aggressive, resource guarding experience for her. I love the nap times that they offer so she isn't in a high energy state the entire time, and that they feed her separately to not cause anxiety. We love them here! read more

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We cannot believe how fortunate we are to get to work with Matt. We have an older chocolate lab who is very animal aggressive but have always dreamed of her having a friend. We are now trying to integrate a little chocolate lab puppy with Matt's guidance and expertise. We have utilized many trainers in the past but Matt is by far the most observant, intuitive, intelligent, and effective trainer we have worked with. We have 100% confidence we are in the best of hands and highly recommend Matt and his team! read more

The Zen Dog - Pet Training Near Me

I have two female rescue dogs. One GSD mix I've raised since she was 8 weeks old. The second, a GSD we adopted from East Valley shelter 9 months ago. Both are 3 years old. When we brought the second home, our dynamic certainly changed, and not for the better like we were expecting. Our first trainer refused to work with us, saying the recent rescue was "trying to kill our other dog and it would never get better." Our second trainer took the recent rescue for a two week "board and train" where no training took place. She claimed our first dog was the one causing the fights. Another trainer didn't even bother doing an assessment after speaking with me on the phone. We were looking into rescues to give her up but no one would take her. Someone suggested I call Zen and I'm so happy we did. Matt came over to our house for a 2.5 hour session and our relationship with both dogs has dramatically changed for the better. The girls aren't perfect and still have spats, but it went from 2 fights a week to one every 10 weeks. Every day we are working on making the time between fights longer and longer. We try to send both dogs to boarding or daycare at least once a week so they can continue learning healthy relationships with other dogs and people. I can't recommend Zen Dog enough. I never have to worry about my dogs when they're at the facility and if it weren't for them we wouldn't have been able to keep both dogs. read more

The Zen Dog - Pet Training Near Me

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From the moment Matt graced our doorway, we knew our family and 3-month old Goldendoodle puppy, Bailey, were in for a special experience! Matt spent a couple of hours with us in our family room helping us to better understand first what our puppy is going through behaviorally and how we are currently trying to respond to her needs/wants. By the time Matt left, we had witnessed and learned how he was able to transform moments that had previously been stressful, into an exchange of mutual respect and boundaries between he and Bailey. For example....her puppy biting when trying to play with us, her excitement and jumping up on us at the front door, meal time, rowdiness on the leash, barking to get her way.... All of these behaviors were easily corrected by the calm energy, steady neutral voice and direct eye contact we, as humans, were able to maintain with our puppy in these situations. Magic - Omg. What Matt teaches is truly a daily practice of being conscious and in the moment with your dog. If I don't maintain consistent respectful boundaries that flow both ways (Bailey needs space, too) then I will have an unruly dog who acts out to get my attention. Since Bailey is frickin' adorable, her naughtiness is easily overlooked and pretty harmless. However, we don't want a puppy who grows into her dog body but still acts like a terrible 2yr old. The Zen Dog experience is a MUST for anyone who has a new puppy!! And if you have a dog that you want to start embodying Buddha-like mojo, Matt's team is the only answer for you! read more

The Zen Dog - Bailey chilling the morning after Matt visited. This is usually her "witching hour". Not today - bless you, Matt! - Pet Training Near Me

I would give 10 stars if I can. We adopted a four-year-old pit bull about four years ago and we could not find a suitable pet sitter for our two-week travel. We were referred to this place by our pet trainer. There were some initial concerns (high anxiety) for my dog and they were not able to commit for my dog's lodging. So, we sent our dog to its daycare for about a week and a half and on Wednesday, they felt comfortable enough to take in my dog. We had to seriously consider putting her for adoption as a last resort, and we are so glad that they were able to accommodate us. In addition, they have shared some tools and tips which were so helpful. They are the best. read more

Review for: TRAINING, DAY PLAY, BOARDING In the course of two months of new puppy motherhood, I worked with (and had to let go) two trainers, because neither were helping with my 6-month-old's resource guarding issues, and one actually traumatized her with a leash correction (I still feel really guilty). TRAINING I could have avoided all of this, if I'd gone with my gut (and friends' recommendations), and hired the trainers at The Zen Dog. Carlos spent hours with my husband and me, helping us understand how so much of what we were doing and saying was confusing our pup, or rewarding her for behaviors we didn't want. I'm naturally anxious and a heavy researcher, but after our session with Carlos, I literally stopped my web research and really started to focus on OUR dog in OUR home, reading HER cues. We're still working on her behavior, but from the very next day, we saw such a difference: she's sleeping more, is generally calmer, and seems more secure with us. We especially loved that the approach is not to upsell future sessions, but to set us up for success. Oh, and she's not addicted to treats anymore!!!!! DAY PLAY and BOARDING We were getting ready to go on vacation, so we sent her to Day Play to get used to the facility (which is super convenient to DTLAers). I have to say, I was way more anxious about dropping her off, than she was, but the staff was really patient with my worries, and answered all my questions. Things went great that day, as well as when we boarded her for 5 nights. They thoughtfully curate the supervised play groups, so that dogs can play with complementary energy levels and play styles - not necessarily just with similar sizes or ages, which is really helping her learn her manners! They even immediately measured out her food and noticed that I hadn't sent enough - they didn't just feed her whatever was around; they also sent pictures and videos of her playing with other pups, and she looked SO happy!!! In all, I love their approach to working with dogs, and the relationship with pups and their human parents. In all honesty, I was a little hesitant at the price tag (three dollar signs, y'all!), but for my dog's well-being, and my peace of mind, it is SO worth it! read more

I'm sure he's a good dog trainer it just wasn't a good match for our dog. Our dog was a very broken and scared rescue...with vision issues, who was "guarding" me and had separation anxiety (but barked at men including my husband). We ended up with a female trainer from a different company who had a different philosophy. For example...She had my husband hand feed the dog for a few weeks. This really helped build trust. He wasn't aggressive- just scared! So, the thing with dog trainers is that it has to be a good match. There is no one size fits all. Shop around and go with your gut (or your dog's). read more

A little over 3 years ago, my husband and I contacted Matt because we were about to bring home our adopted baby. We were concerned about our dog (pit mix, roughly 5 years old at the time) because while she loves people, she was aggressive towards most other dogs; her outbursts were scary. We had no idea how she would react to a human baby. Plus, we didn't have the length of a pregnancy for our dog to see that things were changing. This was going to be an abrupt change in her life; one she was not going to understand. Matt gave us the best advice! To keep them separated at first and let the relationship evolve; he reassured us that our dog would actually come to understand that this is another member of the family. 3 years later, she and our son are the absolute best of friends. They ADORE each other! Their relationship was fraught at first. Our dog was definitely like "WTF is THAT?" But, once the baby started eating solid foods, and she discovered that he was a terrific source of treats, she got on board. She 100% tolerates his toddler ways, plays with him, and lets him hold her leash. Our son's first word was her name. While he was still an infant, and I had moments of doubt, my husband would just say "Remember what Matt Beisner said. He said this was normal. He said she would get used to him. He said it would take time." He was totally right. I am so thankful for Matt and Zen Dog. He made a huge difference in our lives. read more

Let me start by saying that Matt and Caitlyn were extremely nice/gracious - this rating is more for the program because I don't think it is up to par with it's price tag. It's been almost a year since our first private training session and we have yet to see any improvement. Despite efforts to stay on the plan, she has unfortunately regressed. Her initial issue with her behavior was food aggression/resource guarding and unfortunately it has turned worse. Before, food/toys were her trigger, but now it will be a dog that walks by the window, a dog across the street, sometimes a dog slightly near her. I reached out to Zen Dog about it and they were really nice, but their only solve was offering me a discounted session of $200/hour. To be honest, I didn't see it being worth it because our initial 3-hour session was I think $450 and I feel like we wasted time on other training techniques rather than the actual issue. I will say Matt was nice enough to chat on the phone after I reached (sent him videos) and he admitted that he was unsure what to do because what my dog was doing "wasn't making sense" being that we had been on the same track he left us on. I waited to write this, because I think they do great work especially with rescues and such, but I just wanted people to be aware that this program doesn't work for everyone. Do your research. Good luck! read more

I am grateful for the great staff that work with compassion at "The Zen Dog". My wife and I relocated from a Home in the suburbs to a high-rise condominium in downtown Los Angeles. Our large breed dog has been visibly upset over the move. Since the move, he started to showing slight signs of aggression towards other Dogs that live in our building. After a few play day visits with Doug at Zen Dog, he has been in much better spirits. It seems to be a great outlet for energy and he receives love, attention, exercise and socializes with other dogs that have a similar demeanor. I strongly recommend you give Zen Dog a try! read more

The Zen Dog is our hero! Their motto "there are no bad dogs" is everything when you have a large anxious aggressive Great Pyrenees like ours. The handlers are all well versed in our Captain's variety of behavioral problems from dog/people/leash aggression. Everytime he is boarded he goes in with a muzzle and comes out without one. They make sure he socializes with even tempered dogs and they know his limits for his anxiety to his calm state. They are just incredible with him and I'm so thankful that I came across them for all my traveling needs when no one else would take him anymore. The facility is great, the staff is amazing and they are super responsive if you're needing updates on your pup! I love them so much and can't believe I haven't written a review sooner! read more

I cannot speak highly enough of Zen Dog and Matt's training for humans who are struggling with difficult dogs. We just saw Matt a few days ago and so I'll update this later if my opinion changes over time, but we started noticing huge changes for Ziggy literally within hours of our training session. Some background - Ziggy is our 1.5 year old lab mix rescue. We got her as a puppy and did everything we could to train her well, but despite our best efforts she developed some very problematic behaviors between 6-9 months old that continued to get worse over time. She was clearly an anxious dog from a very young age, and as she moved into being a doggy teen/adult her fear started turning into fear aggression. Lots of lunging at both dogs and humans on walks, two dog bites (one of which was pretty bad), fear of strangers, and endless stress for my wife and I as we tried everything we could think of to get her to behave. We worked with a very reputable veterinary behaviorist, and after her first round of advice brought small gains (maybe 25% less lunging) but ultimately didn't get the job done, we decided to try meds (generic prozac). Meds didn't help at all, and we were back at square one. We love Ziggy to death but we did have to start considering the idea that we wouldn't be able to keep her long term. Enter Zen Dog. Their approach is very different from most training and I think was exactly what we needed. While most training focuses on behavior, Zen Dog and Matt focus on shifting the dog's underlying energy and the relationship between human and dog, which is exactly what we needed. A few hours after our training session with Matt, we had our first "normal" walk with Ziggy ever. It was amazing. Every time I take her out for a walk I still can't believe how much she has changed in just a few days. To be clear, we have a lot of work left to do, and I am sure it will take months of continued focus for us to get Ziggy to 90-100% of where she needs to be. A trainer can only give you the tools - you have to use them and be disciplined about it over long periods of time. But Zen Dog makes it as easy as possible and they make themselves available for follow up questions totally free of charge. To top it off, they seem to be on the affordable end of what I saw from researching other training options. I've been recommending Matt to all of my fellow dog owner friends over the last few days. I am very grateful for what they've done for us and for Ziggy. If you are losing your mind with a difficult dog and desperate to find a solution, I would highly recommend giving Zen Dog a try. read more

We just had an initial online session with Matt and if we could give 100 stars we would. He is so present, attentive, and caring that it was truly effective and helpful. We're signing up for additional sessions because we think our homework will help our family deal with any issues for our beloved rescue pups. Who are great btw. read more

There are no words to say how thankful I am to Matt and his staff!!! I wish I could explain the entire story of our situation...but it is very long and very complicated. Short version is....Matt and his team got my wife and I through a very difficult situation. We had to rehome one of our 5 large breed rescues. Now that dog is living with a new family!!! She is happy, healthy and thriving better than we could have ever hoped! She was a super high energy 2 year old shepherd mix that we have been fostering since she was 8 months old....like weapons grade hyper. Somehow Matt got her under control in an amazing amount of time!!!! I am a believer in their method...and I was somewhat skeptical at first. I come from a search and rescue background and I have done some animal wrangling for films....totally different training style. Matt and his team saved our baby girl's life. I can't put it any more plainly. I am forever in their debt. Anyway, feel free to contact me if you have any questions and I will be happy to share my experience. I HIGHLY recommend Zen Dog!!!! They are simply amazing! read more

I don't typically write Yelp reviews, but The Zen Dog is worth every minute of praise I can give. My 1.5 year old terrier mix, Rufus, had been exhibiting aggressive tendencies towards strangers and other dogs for the past 6 months or so. He would often lunge and bark incessantly whenever we would encounter someone on our walks. I couldn't even have people come over to our home for fear of his reaction! I have tried a multitude of other trainers and companies to try and get him some help, but to no avail. Finally, I stumbled across Matt and The Zen Dog while doing an internet search for trainers who specifically work with aggression. I was very dubious to believe all of the amazing review I read, but it was really my last shot! So I made an appointment... Firstly, Caitlyn and the admin team are AMAZING. They were quick to respond to any email and are always willing to answer my exhaustive list of questions and concerns. Caitlyn was patient and understanding and really put my mind at ease. Then came Rufus's first appointment with Matt. I was a nervous wreck, fearful that Rufus would react negatively to a stranger coming into our home and bite. However, from the minute he walked in, Matt was in control! He taught me so much about the importance of changing my relationship with Rufus in a way that was practical and actually made logical sense. From that day on, Rufus has made IMMENSE progress. He now walks by my side, barks less, and is overall a much calmer and happier pup. Finally, Matt recommended Rufus go to The Zen Dog's doggy day care to begin socialization with other dogs and people. Once again, I was very, very hesitant and worried that Rufus would react aggressively during his visit. However, the WONDERFUL Day Play team toured me through the extensive facility and showed me through the process, really making me feel at ease. Rufus did great thanks to their knowledgeable handling and confidence. He now goes consistently every week and is able to run around with other dogs, getting exercise and socialization. This would have been unheard of for him prior to The Zen Dog! Words cannot express my gratitude for this team! If you have a pup that you love, contact the The Zen Dog - whether it be for training or for a day play experience, you won't regret it. They are truly compassionate and capable people who will only add value to you and your dog's life. read more

Updating my review because the zen dog sneakily changed their reply to me - initially they admitted poor service due to a new facility opening. I'm not sure when they updated their response to me- but come on... online reputation is important so don't try shady tactics. They did not respond to me in 48 hours - in fact they did not respond to me at all at first! And I was charged $340. I also did not get a new trainer until way after working with them ... so sneaking that additional excuse in was the last straw. My "second dog" was a blind senior chihuahua that did not need or get any training. Unreal. read more

I contacted the Zen Dog by telephone to ask for help with my dog Lucy and mentioned on the voice mail that an email reply would be satisfactory. Throughout the course of the emails & videos of Lucy going back and forth with Bianca, Caitlyn, and Matt, all were very encouraging, thorough, and professional. I was asked for detailed information regarding my dogs history and how it related to my query (-she won't get into the car unassisted) The emails lead to an informative and educational phone call from Matt Beisner himself!! He was so very kind, helpful and knowledgeable and shared his obsevations and knowledge with me. As a result we have used some of the tips given to us by Matt & Lucy has stepped into the van on her own more times than not! I am most grateful to all of them. The Zen Dog is a fantastic company with wonderful people who truly care about dogs, using bridging to co-exist with their humans #teachingnottraining #thezendogla Thank you for your kindness, Jenn & Lucy read more

The Zen Dog - Lucy - Pet Training Near Me

I hate to be the only one to not give Matt a 5-star review, but I have to be completely honest. This review is for TWO dogs, which is why I'm not giving 5-stars. Don't get me wrong, Matt's advice and lesson were extremely helpful. Matt is also very responsive and willing to answer any questions you have to put your mind at ease before your session. However, I paid for 2 dogs, but he really only addressed one of them. In fact, Matt ended up putting our other dog in his crate because our dog wouldn't stop barking at him. I've actually never seen my dog act that aggressive towards a person before and try to attack someone like he did with Matt. Unfortunately, Matt was not able to get through to him, and I feel like a large portion of the time for our session was wasted. Eventually it seemed like Matt gave up with him by putting him in his crate. We ran out of time and weren't able to take the dogs on a walk, which was my main concern with them. When it comes to my one dog that he was able to get through to, I feel like the session was worth every penny. We've put his methods to pracitce and have seen great improvements. I just feel like we paid for a 2nd dog that was ultimately neglected. So if you have more than one dog, you might want to look at other options. However, if you have just one dog, I would definitely recommend Matt! read more

Kiki came home from the San Pedro Animal Shelter at exactly eight week of age (her tail had been culled). She was separated from her sister, was spayed, then brought to live with us, all within a 10 hour time frame. She would be my first larger sized dog and my first puppy. This poor little 8 lb fluff cried constantly, she could not rest. After two days of neither of us finding sleep, I phoned a trainer who at my panicked, exhausted urging agreed to come to the house to begin training that evening. I then phoned Zen Dog for another opinion, Matt talked me through Kiki's (and my) misery, assuring me that we were on the right track, all that we were going through made sense in light of her brief history, no training needed. What Kiki needed was time to recover, her only job for the next many weeks was to be a puppy, which was a mighty task for her two month old self! Matt helped us with many queries over the next few weeks, all were resolved over the phone (at no charge!), Kiki's first training session was around 12 weeks, my husband, assistant and I were present. We were glued to Matt's approach and amazed with what WE learned. Matt's approach is one of complete empathy with the animal, teaching the humans how to create compassionate yet consistent structure for their dog, teaching the humans how a dog thinks, how to maintain a psychologically healthy relationship with their significant canine. I have learned so much over the many months of having Kiki in my life, she continues growing into a surprising being, who owns her integrity as a now 8 month old, 40 lb puppy. She is utterly alert, makes full eye contact, is opinionated, strong willed, always does her best and is VERY much part of our pack! She can be a lot of work, but so so worth it, she is a gem. I can't detail Matt's approach herein but to say it is experiential, my family and I could not have formed the understanding or relationship we now have with Kiki from a book or video, it must be taught, with your dog, you and Matt. The learning continues! Lastly, Kiki often stays with Matt & Brooklin, when we travel or do not want to leave her for a long day alone. She is completely at ease when she arrives, she trots up to say hello, plops herself smack in between them and doesn't notice I've gone... "...A dog comes to you and lives with you in your own house, but you do not therefore own her, as you do not own the rain, or the trees, or the laws which pertain to them." -Mary Oliver, an excerpt from a poem in her book "Dog Songs" read more

The Zen Dog - Kiki at 6 months. - Pet Training Near Me

First of all, I just want to say what a joy it is to write this review. My experience with Matt & the pack has been more than positive & exceptional. My dog Tiberius was a surrendered rescue (pitbull mix) and had never been socialized as a pup and also had some really bad run-ins with some other dogs attacking him. I really thought that there was no hope for his anxiety and his sudden issue with aggression. This hurt my heart more than anything, because all I wanted for my dog, was to feel safe and secure on a walk -but also be able to socialize with other dogs. I was searching for the "right one" for my dog and by a fluke found The Zen Dog on this site. I was impressed by their mission statement and the reviews others had written. Matt treated us with nothing but respect, kindness and dignity. All ready on the 1st appointment, I learned more about how my energy affects my dog and how there was hope to correct both of our behaviors. By the 2nd appointment, I was able to walk down the street with my dog and another on either side without any aggression or anxiety problems from my dogs end. This had never been possible in the past. Also, Matt took his time introducing different members of his pack to my dog. My dog was actually able to socialize with other dogs. My jaw dropped in disbelief- because again, this was never possible. I'm used to falling face flat into the pavement when my dog spots another on a walk. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs help with their dog. In my opinion, he's better than Cesar Milan- and that's saying a lot, because I have an immense amount of respect for him. Also, their pricing is VERY REASONABLE!!!. I have nothing but good things to say about my experience. Thank you to Matt & the pack for their help. Tiberius is a changed dog. And I am a changed Pack Leader. If you're willing to put the work into this, it can work for you and your pack. read more

Incredible! Matt was perceptive, thorough, attentive, and most thematically CALM. He gave straight forward instruction and we saw literally IMMEDIATE results. We have 2 seven year old, very intelligent (often manipulative) poodles, and he handled each dog's unique difficulties in stride. We are excited and have been left with a renewed sense of control and love for our baby puppers. Thanks so much Zen Dog. The Klar Family read more

As any dog owner knows - they are more than just a small wookie, but a furry child... so whoever takes care of my lil' lady needs to be AWESOME. After we went to a few pet hotels in LA - which were fine - I was still hesitant whenever I we needed to put our dog up. Enter The ZEN DOG. We used Matt when our pooch was acting up and he quickly broke down our scenario. Once we incorporated his techniques, we saw huge improvements in our dog. So when the time came to put her up again, I reached out them and, voila, I now have my go to place to put my lil' girl up and feel totally 100% secure that she is well looked after and treated in a manner that dogs should be treated (i'm not one of those "let's pay over $100 a night so our dog can get a massage and watch a flat screen tv for a night - WHAT do dogs watch anyway?!?). This town has so many hustlers that promise you the best and deliver poorly. Take it from someone who has spent 7 years discerning those annoying people who are trying to use you in some odd way vs. the legit good people in LA (who do exist) but are harder to find. Matt and his wife are wonderful people who will care for your animal as much as you do and will do it with respect and pride. Don't stress. Join the pack. ZEN. read more

We are so glad to have found Matt and his team! A couple months after we adopted our 5-year-old Dug, he displayed some less than ideal behavior: lunging/barking at other dogs on walks, really hating anyone who came to the door/ inside our apartment. I googled 3 dog behaviorists in LA, and liked most how the Zen Dog answered my questions. Matt has five dogs, all rescues, all rehabilitated and happy! That's just what we wanted for Dug. We had a private session back in May and a socialization in August at the Zen Yard, and both were absolutely incredible and well worth the investment. Matt really helped us understand how to work with the root of Dug's and our problem, not just try to quick fix the surface aggression issues. He gave us simple and effective tools to strengthen our bond, mostly tweaking what we were already doing with Dug. With that said, it was nice to not have to completely change our lifestyle- all of Matt's advice just made sense. It was like light bulbs clicking on the whole time. His team (we met Caitlyn and Aubrey) is professional, polite, and quick to respond to email inquiries! We continue to use the tools Matt taught us, and (Zen) Dug is MUCH less reactive, more trusting of us, and seems a lot happier. Thank you, Zen Dog! read more

This review is for Dayplay. My dogs have a wonderful time at Dayplay. Although expensive ($50 dollars/dog/day), The Zen Dog has extremely flexible drop off and pick up times and they take such good care of my dogs. One of my dogs is really fearful of people and will snap (she is a rescue and was previously abused). The Zen Dog absolutely said "YES!" to her (whereas many places say no) and she behaves so well with them due to their excellent care. My one dog also just had surgery and they were willing to take her with her cone and one of the staff even hand fed her to make sure she ate. My dogs are both older so they enjoy the downtime in the crates mixed with the play in the yards. I'm so grateful to have found the Zen Dog for my two pups! read more

After leaving my last review, the owner of Zen Dog (Matt) immediately reached out to me to address my concerns. Matt was apologetic, responsive and spent time understanding what exactly went wrong in my initial training session so it would not happen again. He also offered a free private training session to make up for my initial one, during which I felt Matt really addressed the practical considerations and other concerns I didn't think were adequately addressed the first time around. I really appreciated Matt's candor and glad I gave them a second chance, thank you! read more

I had adopted my first puppy and wanted to implement a foundation and set of rules for her to abide by. She was very hyper (still is :) , she jumped on people, and would pull on walks. With just a couple hours with Matt, he ended up training US and giving us guidelines FOR our pup. After that one session she was a different dog: calmer, more respectful, and waited for our commands. I am eternally grateful to Matt and I'm so glad I called him. Will definitely be using him for boarding and overnights when we go out of town! Lucky Sadie says hello! :) read more

The Zen Dog - Lucky waiting patiently for her meal :) - Pet Training Near Me

I cannot say enough good things about Matt and his training. I have 2 boisterous pups that I manage with a busy schedule by myself. I have been struggling with walking my pups and with them slowly beginning to show their dominance over me. I had contacted several dog trainers who have offered an array of techniques that all came back to the same principals - give them a treat when they are good, punish them when they are bad. My boys are smart and energetic, these temporary fixes never went very far. From our first session Matt explained the house dynamics and left me with techniques and skills that empowered me to start truly leading my little pack. Matt took the time to calmly work with me, to listen to me without condescending or questioning what had been done so fa,r and has always been responsive on follow ups as we work through the changing behaviour in my boys. In two sessions I have seen a 180 in my dogs. Not only do I feel confident in running with my dogs again (something I haven't done in months because I was fearful of "leash aggression") and walking both pups together but my dogs are responsive, obedient and so much calmer and happier than they ever have been. From arriving home to barking and a torn up house, I come home to a pair of sleeping pups, or at most some wagging tails and nudges toward the leash for more walks. There will always be more things to learn and changes I will need to adapt to as my pups grow, knowing I have an amazing source on tap has been life-changing to me. read more

I hired Matt because my rescue, Kona, had nipped at a few people and was becoming uncontrollable when we encountered other dogs on our walks. For a year I tried everything possible, reading and watching Cesar Milan, online forums, youtube videos, etc. Finally I caved and found Matt. For our first meeting Matt came to my home and spent a few hours getting to know Kona, watching his behavior, and educating me as to what it all meant. I was blown away. The entire time I kept thinking this was the best $250 I've ever spent. All along I had thought my dog was wagging his tail happily when he was actually highly stressed out. Matt showed me how his pupils were dilated, how his breathing was erratic, and gave me detailed advice on how to help Kona be at ease around people coming into our home. For our second meeting I brought Kona to The Zen Yard to meet other dogs. This was another immensely important meeting where I learned what Kona's limitations were and seeing that he was capable of going on a walk without jumping all over me and other dogs. Since I've worked with Matt Kona's anxiety level has dramatically reduced. I feel so much more confident taking Kona out on walks in the neighborhood, and I know exactly what to do when we encounter situations that make Kona feel uncomfortable based on the information Matt has provided me. I can't recommend Matt and The Zen Dog highly enough. Kona will be staying at The Zen Yard any time I leave town. There's no one I would trust my dog with more than Matt. read more