Linda is a very experienced dog trainer. I love her technique of positive reinforcements to teach dogs. My Basenji has been attending UCLA Dog classes since he was a couple months old puppy. He now learned so much. Not only doing dozens of tricks, but listen well with our verbal demands. I highly recommend! read more

Love Linda and UCLA. Took our pup to in person 4 week basic obedience classes with her. Classes were small, well catered to the few pups needs, and Linda was awesome! She was patient, wise, and knew what she was doing. We learned a lot and are forever grateful in kick starting this journey with us! We recently moved or else we would haven taken her other classes as well, like basic obedience 2! read more

I have a chow chow puppy, Lucky. We started off at Ahimsa in Ballard, and quickly quit, they had a breed prejudice against chow chows. Ahimsa wouldn't allow me to socialize my puppy because of his "aggressive breed". Linda and Andrea have ZERO breed prejudice! Treating each pup equally and fairly. We have graduated pre-school and are now taking kindergarten classes. It's not just about training your pup. Linda teaches, us humans, how to read animal body language and animal psychology. Lucky has represented his breed at Seattle Kennel Clubs "Meet the Breed". My breeder is very pleased with his demeanor and behavior. A huge thank you to Linda!!! I highly recommend UCLA! read more

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Can I just say wow? When I first brought my dog in to puppy preschool, all he did was bark bark bark. I was utterly embarrassed because he would always disrupt class and cry. However Linda (the owner) helped me understand my dog and gave me tips to help settle him down. Throughout class she would always be attentive to each dog in class and answer any questions if owners had them. It didn't matter if class went over time because she made sure to answer any questions to the owners. What makes UCLA different from other dog training is that Linda really watches each dog and sees what triggers a dog, what the dog likes, dislikes, etc. She would inform the owners and as class progressed you can really see every dog improve. My dog is now the most obedient dog and is just my best friend today. Linda is the one I have to thank because without her, my dog would be the wild one in the pack. read more

My husband, our golden retriever puppy Ember, and I, absolutely loved attending Puppy Preschool with Linda! It was informative for us owners and had nice goals to work towards each week complete with a worksheet to cover what was discussed in class! We both felt she covered the material in a way that addressed the best learning style for everyone, including our pup! She was so friendly and easy to work with. We also attended Puppy Playgroup, and were sad to "age" out at 18 weeks, BUT we loved our time there too! Ember loved getting a little bit of her extra energy out and meeting new friends! We will definitely recommend UCLA to all of our friends and family! read more

University Canine Learning Academy - We loved Preschool with Linda! Small, interactive, and fun! Definitely recommend it! :-) - Pet Training Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We recently started a basic training class over Zoom, and we already know this is the best decision we have made yet for our little troublemaker. After just a couple of online classes we have learned so much about how to interpret our little guy's behavior and needs. It's very humbling to realize just how little we knew, but Linda is clearly an expert with a mountain of experience so we know we are on the right track. If you have any concerns about whether a Zoom dog training class can be effective, put that aside. It has been enormously helpful and educational. Such great value too! Thanks a lot Linda. read more

Linda is a great trainer, and she truly loves dogs. She taught our Jack Russell terrier Loki the basic obedience skills and many tricks. We are happy to have Linda! read more

UCLA Dogs Friday night drop in class saved me- they are the best over there! Linda and her staff have an extreme love for animals, and their techniques reflect their desire to train in a positive way. If you have any concerns or questions, I HIGHLY recommend their Friday drop in class. Its $25 for an hour of very personal, nearly 1:1 training, which will cost you a lot more anywhere else! Such a good deal for some priceless advice. The staff there knew exactly what I was going through and knew exactly what I needed to do to solve my issues. After a week of trying their methods I already see a massive improvement in my dogs behavior. I can't recommend this place enough!! Thank you UCLA Dogs!! read more

The puppy finished puppy pre-school here a few weeks ago and has recently started puppy kindergarten. The boyfriend and I have made a huge effort to train the puppy from the beginning, but we realized although we could get him to do the basic commands, we were hitting a wall with other things. Enter UCLA. Linda definitely knows what she's doing, and Andrea is amazingly helpful, supportive, and wonderful. I actually think the puppy is a little bit in love with Andrea since she's so amazing with him. She was able to help us minimize his "i'm so excited, i don't know what to do so I'm going to hump you!" instinct. It's not completely gone, and I doubt it ever will be, but it's a lot better now! The most amazing thing they do is puppy play on Sundays from 12:45-1:45. It's so much fun just to watch all of these cute puppies running around and jumping on each other. Love it! I wasn't sure how Cooper, the puppy, would take to these classes at first. But I have to say, every time we park and start heading towards UCLA, he turns and looks at me and breaks into his play face: a cute tongue wagging grin that just makes you laugh. He hasn't even seen the place yet, or any other puppy, he just knows where we're heading and his grin comes out and his tail starts wagging. I couldn't ask for a happier puppy. read more

Linda can do no wrong. I've wanted to write a review for a long time and finally felt compelled on account of going to another dog training studio this evening. The training at the other studio was included in my second dogs adoption fee. UCLA dog studio is warm inviting CLEAN, my little dog went in there like my scared little slave and came out my best buddy happy to perform any behavior that would earn my praise. The studio I went to this evening was cold, disorganized, there was 15 or so dogs (UCLA classes usually max out at about 6). I've learned a lot about dogs working with Linda and was alarmed by how old fashioned this other trainer was. Linda and staff are on the cutting edge of dog training, they are the best of the best and they are always seeking to further their knowledge through the latest science and studies. Do not risk ruining your dog in its formative years. UCLA is a sure bet, you'll be so happy you went! read more

Wow, if ever there was a candidate for 6 stars, this would be it. The knowledge and attention to detail of the owner is unparalleled--she can deduce your dog's strengths and weaknesses within minutes and tailor the training to get the best results. Strip mall-style parking out front is ample on weekends, but the place is easy to miss--it is off an alley, and signage is a bit lacking. GPS-ing it is a must for first-timers. Highly recommend. read more

My boyfriend and I took the Primary School class, which is a 5 week program, for his terrier mix. I can genuinely say I think UCLA is going to be one of the top training centers in the 206. I say this for a few reasons: 1. They use positive reinforcement style of training 2. The trainers are as qualified as you can be- considering animal behavior is a new field. 3. They help you speak your dogs language and show what will motivate him & what to communicate so he understands what you want 4. Their classes are set up in different stages like preschool, grade school, high school etc. which we really liked. Fred loved Linda and I'm sure they think he's an angel considering he was on ABSURDLY good behaviour for them. He would literally sit the minute he saw them. I've worked with Seattle dogworks and private trainers for my red heeler but I haven't had as much success as with UCLA and Fred. read more

UCLA is a remarkable place. The atmosphere is clean, inviting, and classy. After taking a class here, I would not take my puppy anywhere else. The trainer, Linda McVay, is phenomenal. Our puppy was very responsive to her positive and upbeat style, and she thought he was outstanding even when I was at the end of my patience with him. The best thing about UCLA is that in addition to showing you how to get the behaviors you want out of your dog, it gives you a brief "doggie psychology" background on why your dog does what it does. I highly recommend UCLA! read more

I am a first time Dog owner and I had literally 0 knowledge on training dogs . My husband enrolled my pet in this institute without even telling me and I was soo against it before coz I thot we can learn and teach everything by just reading . But I am glad to say I was so wrong. Linda and Andrea both do an amazing job running this academy . I learnt so much by attending the puppy pre classes . Linda and Andrea both are extremely friendly too and more than just instructors. Anyone can share any kind of problems with them and they would be so friendly. I also come for their puppy playgroup every monday and that has helped my puppy a lot too . My dog loves going to these classes. But this academy teaches not only to the dogs but also a lot to the owners . I definitely recommend University Canine Learning Academy to anyone who is looking to train their dogs or for behavior improvement , the small small tips which is taught in class is immensely valuable. Thank You Linda and Andrea , you both rock ! read more

We were hesitant to sign up for a virtual puppy training class during COVID but Linda went well above and beyond to ensure we got to know our pup and learned all the key behaviors for safety and being a good new roommate. Linda is an amazing human that takes the time to ensure we fully understood why and how to train our dog and is so incredibly knowledgeable and caring. Seattle is lucky to have her and we fell more in love with our pup while our pup learned how to navigate the world and stay safe. Thank you, Linda! read more

Linda and everyone at University Canine Learning Academy are the absolute BEST! Several years ago, we took our previous pups to Ahimsa and were not pleased. We signed up for the age appropriate large breed puppy class and were singled out because our pups were mixed with a breed that has a reputation for aggression. We were shooed into a side room during the play sessions after the instructor pried their mouths open to see their teeth as if we were lying about how old they were. Seriously... there were tears on the drive home from class because we were so frustrated. A school that refuses to allow aggressive breed puppies to socialize will only further their aggression by not allowing them to interact with dogs in a controlled environment. This ensures that their aggressive tendencies are not addressed and will continue into adulthood. With that out of the way, after our first puppy preschool class with Linda at UCLA, we knew we had made the right choice this time around with our new puppy. Upon registering, UCLA sent us a lengthy PDF document to study up before the session began. We really appreciated that the first class was just for people (without our dogs) as the training is just as much about training us humans as it is dogs. Linda is so knowledgeable, professional, intuitive, attentive and was very generous with individual feedback. She critiques with kindness and if you come to class with an openness for instruction, you will be setting up your dog (and yourself) for success. The UCLA facility is spacious, clean, and welcoming. They have protocols and an inner gate for safe entrances and exits for the furry ones. We also attended the Tuesday night play class and the play facilitator does a great job of assigning dogs by group to appropriate levels of rambunctiousness. We just can't say enough good things about UCLA. If you're looking for modern, positive training methods, an expert instructor who is not only extremely knowledgeable but has a gift for teaching and is passionate about what she does, then you can't go wrong with UCLA. The transformation of the pups from our preschool class within the six week session was remarkable. read more

Seriously cannot give UCLA and Linda enough acclaim. This isn't where you go to get your dog trained, it's where you go to get trained on how to communicate with your dog, find the training tools that your dog responds to, avoid the human pitfalls that we do everyday that can undercut training goals, and more. There's no magic, no dog whispering, and no weird/debunked 'alpha/beta' principals. It's about you and your dog being happy with each other and being a family, keeping your dog safe and engaged and trusting of you. If it wouldn't be totally rude, I would tell strangers at the dog park to go here. Best money I've ever spent on my dog. Every dog deserves the kind of owners that UCLA produces. Check out @worfthepug on instagram to see what a happy dog UCLA has helped us raise. read more

Linda and UCLA helped my husband and I transition into new puppy parents seamlessly. UCLA classes were recommended to us by a coworker who had taken her golden through all four puppy courses. My husband said he wanted our Bernese mountain dog to learn from whatever school that dog went through. I immediately signed our Berner up for puppy preschool hopeful that she'd turn out half as happy and well behaved as the Golden. Not only was the class sign up easy and all information thorough with ample communication, but the classes themselves aim to empower the owner (as many as may be in the family) as well as the pup. Having only been through Pre School so far (though we are signed up for Kindergarten) I can say each class was well paced and individual attention was given. Linda noted progress for each pup and encouraged us in spite of frustrations. I believe almost all of my Berners graduating class signed up for puppy Kindergarten. We loved every minute of it. Side note - UCLA has great street parking and the facility is super cleanly and comfortable. We love love love UCLA!!! read more

Yep, I am a huge fan of this place. Our 1 year old Frenchie, Chloe started off her training here last August and hasn't stopped since. We've done all the 'school' classes; moved on to tricks and have started into a intro Rally Class. Linda has helped me understand my dog and grow patient. I always feel confident when I leave. I highly recommend this place. They love the dogs first but are super friendly to the owners. In addition, Chloe's been going to play group on a weekly basis since she was a pup and Andrea has really helped frame up our pooches socializing skills. These ladies are what i hope is the future of dog training! read more

I feel so lucky to have found this place on Yelp and to then graduate the Dog Walking Academy taught by co-owners Linda and Andrea. It was a 4 day intensive that truly changed the way I think about dogs and a secure future working with them. The studio has much to offer in terms of classes, play groups and daycare and so many ways to learn how to create a more balanced and cooperative relationship with your dogs. What I love most about the women who run UCLA is their commitment to ethical and proven methods without putting on judgement on students or owners. They are so knowledgeable and more than willing to share this knowledge for the betterment of all. It is a welcoming and intimate space. They are a breath of fresh air. read more

I am confident that you will not find better dog trainers than Andrea and Linda at UCLA! They care about every dog that comes through their door and it shows. I cannot thank them enough for the help and advice they have given me for both of my dogs. read more

I had read all the great reviews, so was very disappointed by the reaction when I took my puppy to the drop-in (Under the title Drop-in Classes and Play), that described it as follows "Come socialize your puppy and make him a canine super-star!" And what to bring: "Your puppy and an interest in learning!" So we were unsure but hoped there might be some instruction, e.g., sit, stay, as it related to calming down puppies or other scenarios while they were also playing. The person behind the counter was sarcastic, as if we were idiots. "Of COURSE it's just puppies playing, no training." They may be terrific with the canines, but there's a long way to go in being super-stars with humans. read more

I adopted a wonderful pound puppy, Phinney, back in May. And by "wonderful" I mean super-adorable-and-exuberant-yet-socially-awkward-and-stubborn-with-a-3-second-attention-span. Phinney's smart (I think) but she only does things if they make her happy (not me) and it's impossible to get her attention because the things she loves more than me are: 1. other people 2. other dogs In the presence of (1) and/or (2), I cannot get her to do anything! If you ever see me in puppy class, you'd think: 1. I'm slacker who doesn't do her homework 2. I'm retarded 3. My puppy is retarded However, Linda is very encouraging and she seems to genuinely believe that my puppy is salvageable. Her confidence has given me confidence to train Phinney (and really, half the point of dog training is to train the human). I've never had my very own dog before and it was reassuring to know that my puppy is absolutely normal. With purebred dogs, you kinda know what you're going to get but with certifiable mutts like Phinney, you're getting Forrest Gump's box of chocolates. Linda's puppy classes are small (6 dogs) and she gives us all individual attention during class. She gives us alternate methods of training when the general methods don't work. I like how her classes utilize rewards-based training as I've never been comfortable correcting my dog. The idea is to get your dog to "want" to do things because it's in her best interests! I was a regular at puppy playgroup on Monday evenings until Phinney aged out (puppy play is only for puppies 8-18 weeks). Andrea runs the playgroups and she never once criticized or judged us even when Phinney got 13 timeouts over an hour for being the overly-enthusiastic-puppy-who-doesn't-know-her-manners. One lady felt her puppy was being so tormented by my little terror that she requested her puppy be moved to a different playgroup (they separate the dogs into "shy" and "outgoing" pups). Though I felt that other dog owners may have been judging my pet parenting skills, I never once felt that Andrea thought I had a weird little dog or that I was a bad owner. She did suggest that I take my dog to play with "older female dogs" who would teach her some manners. I took this advice pretty seriously and enrolled Phinney at an awesome daycare (The Dog Spot up in Everett) the very same week that she got 13 timeouts in play. After one week in daycare, Phinney learned how to play way more nicely with other dogs. When she returned to UCLA's puppy play, I was so happy that I almost cried when she only received an average number of timeouts. Phinney and I are still figuring out how to live together in harmony. I'm still figuring out how to make her listen and obey me, but Linda's philosophies and training methods have helped me. Though Phinney has yet to graduate from preschool, I've already signed her up for kindergarten as I think I will need more guidance as Phinney goes through adolescence! read more

Linda is an amazing dog(/people) trainer. We brought our 7 month old golden retriever here because she seemed to be getting crazier by the day. She threw my wife's back out from pulling on walks, was barking at her, jumping on visitors, etc. We learned so much from Linda in just the 6 classes, I wish I knew about her and UCLA dog training much earlier. With the things we learned in class, the pulling is better, she's a lot less crazy, and she's learning not to jump on people. After just a few times practicing her emergency recall technique, she is coming back immediately every time we use it. We will definitely be continuing here with the puppy middle school classes. read more

Linda and her team have an amazing way with dogs and their owners. I knew that training a beagle would be difficult, but the UCLA team made it easy and fun. Individual advice is provided for dealing with doggie behavioral issues.The facility is welcoming and clean. read more

I have been taking Rally-O class with Linda and love it! Even when I am getting frustrated with my own poor handling, Linda remains upbeat and everyone leaves class with a smile. She has a keen eye and always gives good suggestions. I am a dog trainer myself, and have known & worked with Linda for 3 years now, and STILL take new insight and skills away from taking her classes. read more

The puppy preschool was very valuable! We found it so useful that we signed up for kindergarten:) Great way for your puppy to meet other puppies and learn the proper way to train your puppy positively into a well mannered adult. read more

Linda and team are amazing. They live and breath dogs. They are up to the challenge of any situation and can start anyone off on the right foot with their pup. Not only do the dogs learn but I know I learned a tremendous amount about dog behavior. I highly recommend that you take your pup here. Wether for puppy classes or a touch up to previous training. You will walk away totally satisfied. read more

My boyfriend, myself, and our newly adopted Jack Russell mix absolutely love UCLA and Linda! I was nervous about dog training because my 2yo rescue pup, Grover, is reactive to other dogs and has been known to bark without pause for extended periods of time at other dogs who are just passing by on a walk. Linda more than accommodated Grover's behaviors, she gave me plenty of recommendations and feedback for ways to help Grover become more comfortable and relaxed around other dogs. She only had positive things to say about all dogs (no matter the breed, size, or personality). She has a great training philosophies that not only encouraged my dog to relax and stay focused on me, but also to help me stay focused on my dog (and mentally separate myself from other human's expectations and judgements of my dog). Linda can also read my dog's behaviors and her insights have been so helpful in recalibrating my brain from "my dog is being difficult" to "my dog feels anxious and I can do something to help him feel better". I cannot say enough about UCLA and we are only 3 weeks into the primary class! I leave each class feeling inspired to train more and feeling proud of myself and Grover for what we have learned in only a few weeks! Thank you, Linda! read more

Called several times, no one ever answers. Sent email, no response. I even stopped by and they were closed on a Sunday afternoon. I guess they don't need my money. read more

My husky pup recently finished puppy preschool and puppy kindergarden. I am very satisfied with the classes and the outcome of my puppy's behavior. He definetly gets extremely excited everytime we go to classes and he loves Linda and Andrea. They are very helpful and resourceful if you encounter any behavioral problems with your dog. They give you tips as to how it can be fixed. But you have to be aware that training and tips given by them are not instant fixes, it's something you and the pup have to work at together in order for it to work. So if you're looking for some classes for your pup, definetly check them out! And remember to bring a lot of good treats (and a variety of it too, they get bored of the same thing) or your dog will going towards other owners with treats better than yours! read more

I'm finally getting around to writing a review of UCLA. I find myself recommending them to every dog owner I meet. We had just finished an underwhelming program at a different training center and went to UCLA with fingers crossed. The lovely ladies at UCLA impressed us from the second we walked in the door. They are upbeat, friendly, and have no problem answering stupid questions from anal owners. Their wealth of knowledge and GENUINE DESIRE FOR YOUR DOG TO ACHIEVE show in every single class. My girlfriend and I left each session saying, "wow, these chicks are nuts! sooooo much better than that other place". I use the word "nuts" in the best possible way. UCLA is a superb example of what dog training should be. They train the trainer and do it very, very well. "Here's how we teach this." "This method is known as blank and is useful for teaching your dog behaviors like blank and blank." "Oh, that method's not working well? Try this, and this, and what about this..." University Canine Learning Academy is just plain excellent. You'll leave a happy dog trainer with the right knowledge and practice. Money well spent. My little spaniel, Dixie, (and her humans) are eager to get back for another class. read more

Puppy preschool was great! We learned a lot of great tips for raising a well behaved puppy and our pup got in great socialization and learned some basic skills. Love love the Monday night puppy play sessions and highly recommend to anyone with a new puppy at home! Your puppy gets an hour of play and staff teach you what to look for with good dog play. Their time out system worked really well with our lab puppy when he needed to chill out. read more

While on holidays, my dog basenji was fortunate to be able to spend the afternoon at UCLA's doggy daycare. Of course when we entered we were greeted by numerous barks from the group - to be expected as my dog had not ever met any of the dogs there. Within seconds, Andrea new which dogs out of the group could immediately meet my boy, and which ones needed to study him for a little longer. Within minutes, all of the dogs were playing together, totally respectful of Andrea's commands and the guidance she was giving them. The problem? That we don't live close enough to have our dog spend more time with Andrea! I can only imagine what training essentials and tips we could work on with her help. Thank you Andrea, and your playgroup, for an afternoon to remember! read more

Linda is the best! Small class sizes and lots of attention for each dog. The classes are just as much training for owners to understand how to communicate with your dog with positive reinforcements. We lived in Ballard and went to a couple other places nearby, but we were not satisfied with the classes. We finally checked out UCLA and they were amazing! Totally worth the drive for these classes! read more

You ROCK Linda! Thanks so much for the help you gave me on the phone the other day. I know it was loud but you took the time to help me out when my dog needed it! Not easy to answer a bunch of questions when your walking in a crowd downtown. LOL Sorry about that! She is doing so much better and so am I. :) read more

Linda is the best! She worked with me and my dog Stella to overcome some behavioral issues. Stella came from a very sad situation where she was very shy and had been abused. Linda is great at helping you understand the causes of behavioral issues and how you can help your dog become a more relaxed, happy pooch. She helps you build the confidence that you need to be a good pet parent. read more

I'm a pretty experienced dog owner and so do not give away 5 star ratings easily. The training advice and experienced and knowledge of the trainers does to get much better than this. So far I've done the puppy play class and Puppy Preschool. Juno loves the classes and they are great in incorporating kids into the training program. read more

First, let me say that you cannot go wrong by enrolling in classes, or going to playgroup at University Canine Learning Academy. You will learn so much, and those skills will help to foster an amazing relationship with your dog. I signed my dog up for puppy pre-school because I thought it would be good for her to be exposed to other puppies in a structured environment. I actually thought I already knew what I needed to know to train the "commands", but figured the class would be a helpful socialization experience. It turned out to be so much more. From the first meeting, a really helpful and informative orientation, I was hooked on all of the information Linda had to share. UCLA bases their training methods on proven scientific concepts, and methods, and breaks the information down so that you know how to work your dog in a way that makes sense - not just to you, but to your dog too! By the time we started classes, my puppy was becoming a handful. At the first class with our dogs, I was the one with the dog who was barking and lunging, and not paying attention to anything I was doing whatsoever. She was a wreck, and I was too. By the end of the six weeks though, we won the graduation competition, and were getting compliments on her behavior everywhere we went. I loved working with her, and she loved working with me. We eagerly signed up for more, and have continued to improve. Linda and Andrea really know their stuff. They understand dogs at a very fundamental level, and they share that information in class in a way that is very easy to understand. They help you have the best relationship with your dog that you can. They are truly invested in your success (and your dog's success too!). It shows in every interaction I have ever had with either of them. I cannot recommend UCLA highly enough. Go to class, open your mind, put the steps into practice, and you will have success- and an awesome, happy dog. read more

UCLA dogs is a great place to educate yourself and train you dogs. Linda has been a pleasure to work with and is a very skilled trainer. She has also worked extensively with me to accommodate my schedule. I have two five month old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies that have benefitted greatly from our experience at UCLA . I highly recommend them! read more