Really poor impression of this canine training business from simply speaking to to the owner over the phone, obviously she doesn't need to make a good first impression to the inquiring public or be helpful about her programs because she doesn't need the business - according to her "her program is so awesome", funny, when I've asked for trainer recommendations from other dog owners this one never came up once.... Anyways, my issue is NOT with the fact that she is very strict with her age limits for the class (I am hardly offended by this by the way!) but in the way which I was poorly helped over the phone. This has been the most unhelpful conversation with a trainer I have had so far, and I have chatted with quite a few different schools now inquiring about different methods with different trainers. Either trainers are willing to chat more in depth with me or refer me to another trainer or class who could help me out for what me and my pup need. Basically, I was simply told that it was too late for my puppy and that she wouldn't fit in with the other pups in the classes. I want to enroll my puppy in a program with a down to earth trainer who can relate to the every day dog owner, not with someone who will simply brush me off with no assistance or advice whatsoever because I couldn't participate in their puppy class. I know personality fit with teachers and trainers are really important to a lot of people. First impressions are everything and it pays to treat even potential clients well even if what you have to offer is not suited to them. read more

Shannon is a great trainer and more importantly, she's your dog's best friend. Her training price is not cheap but is certainly worth every penny plus you are welcomed to join her group class for the rest of your dog's life. She's refreshingly informed about dog's behaviours (and misbehaviours,) More importantly, her approach is personalized and she's always ready with an answer just a phone or an email away. read more

We have a one-year old Rottweiler mix with some fear based aggression issues. After reading reviews, I decided to contact Shannon with the hopes of getting our dog into the Growl Class. Shannon responded to my email right away and we set up a private lesson in our home. The lesson was fantastic. She provided a lot of useful resources for us and showed us helpful training methods. She even spent longer than she had to with us. I was excited for the next lesson. Then my partner and I got busy with work. The Growl Classes are scheduled for Saturdays, so I emailed Shannon and asked what the consequences were if we weren't able to attend all the classes. She said that drop-ins aren't available for the Growl Class. However, it wasn't her, but someone named Jennifer, that was running the class. So she cc'd Jennifer in the email and said that she'll let her address my questions. So I waited. It's been over a month and I never got a response from Jennifer. I know I could have followed-up myself but I was disappointed by the lack of customer service. Who knows, maybe I misunderstood the email altogether and I was expected to email Jennifer directly instead of waiting for a response. Either way, I don't fault Shannon and I would recommend her to anyone looking for private training lessons. Unfortunately, I can't say anything about the classes. read more

This is a very informative learning experience and detailed outline of homework what you must educate yourself as dog parents. Very effective tools! You must ask for assistance if you need extra help at home. In class, Shannon circulates to see how everyone is doing with exercises and provides feed back . Excellent! read more

After trying many different techniques that we had learned online and anecdotally for our dog-reactive mastiff mix, we met with Shannon for help to strategize around this. We had a few private lessons and it was the best money that we ever spent. She is a wonderful teacher and really knows dogs. She is realistic about what your expectations should be for your dog and clear with her lessons. I am now confident to walk my large dog solo and don't feel panicked every time we encounter another dog. read more

I took my dog to a group class (not here) which I found was too generic and basic for my reactive and highly energetic dog. After being referred by a neighbour, I made a private appointment with Shannon and for that I will always be grateful. Since then we have done several private sessions (which I will probably continue to do until we feel we are ready for group classes!) Shannon is incredibly patient and takes the time to really understand the history of your dog. She doesn't simply offer generic training tools, but assesses your dog's personality as well as your comfort level as a trainer. She offers customized solutions that suits your dog's needs. She always takes the time to answer my questions (even if it means calling me in between her other clients!) and is an amazing resource for training. My dog has become very reactive over the last year and with the training and insights Shannon has provided, we are seeing progress. With her guidance, she has made me a much better handler and my confidence is slowly regaining. Thank you Shannon! read more

We took our red heeler puppy to Zen dog for training and he was a natural nipper. Jennifer steered us in the wrong direction with how to handle our nipping dog, and it ended up turning him into a really aggressive dog. We were told to grab our dog by the scruff of the neck and yell at him when he bites, to be dramatic, and to sit on him to calm him down. When we asked Shannon (the owner of zen dog) for further help in training our dog, she gave us three choices, return him to the breeder, find a rescue facility that will take him, or euthanize him. Wish we would have never gone to Zen dog in the first place. read more

We had Shannon out to our house to help us with our new GSP puppy and we attended the Puppy class that she taught. Our little guy is very sweet, but has loads of energy. This is our third dog, but the training methods have changed since we our last dog was a puppy. The instruction was excellent and the information she gave us top notch. She provided us with loads of resources and advice. I liked that we talked about grooming in the class as well. We've just finished our class and our puppy is still an energetic little imp, but the classes definitely helped. We really appreciated the positive training methods used, we don't like the idea of rolling up a newspaper, so this fit in well with our beliefs. Our little guy is well loved and now, thanks to the class, better behaved. Time permitting, we'll take some of the advanced classes. read more

My new puppy Sahara and I had the pleasure of meeting Shannon for a private lesson two days ago. She was amazing with both Sahara and me. We learned so much in our private lesson and Sahara and I have REALLY benefited from the training techniques that she taught us. We live on a private island and don't have the opportunity to go to regular training classes and I was worried about not knowing how to communicate with Sahara. Shannon got us off to a great start! read more

Shannon is a fantastic trainer and they offer some really good classes. I've done private and group classes with Shannon and have thoroughly enjoyed both, as have my dogs. I live in Squamish now so don't get to come to her classes much anymore but whenever I need some training help or a client of mine needs help, Shannon is always my first choice. Watching her work with her own dog is impressive to say the least. read more

I first brought my reactive boxer rescue to Shannon 8 years ago on recommendation of my vet and we got so much wonderful help, to a point where I could trust my dog off leash with other dogs. Since then, I've taken two of my dogs from puppyhood to adult through all of their courses and cannot say enough about how much we LOVE the classes! Shannon really goes above and beyond to provide detailed homework and support. The puppy classes are amazing and each subsequent course level gives more challenges and learning. I recommend this training company to everyone I meet in the dog park! read more

We were recommended to Zen dog when we adopted our puppy. Sadie has never looked back. Shannon is an exceptional trainer and everything she taught us Sadie "gets". Truly the trainer can only be effective if the person being trained takes the training to heart. Shannon doesn't train the dog, she trains the handler/owner to train their dog. The dog is a reflection of the owner and only as trained as the owner makes them. We believe there are seldom bad dogs but more often than not bad owners. read more

Well I am glad to see that despite my terrible experience with Zen Dog Canine Training, some customers have nevertheless been helped. Unfortunately, I must admit that I have never felt more poorly treated or "ripped off" as I have with this company." I was seeking assistance for my dog's aggressive behaviour and my first hour with Shannon Malmberg, (owner of the company) consisted of meeting her in a parking lot, waiting 20 mins for her to lock her dogs up inside tiny crates in her SUV and then putting reflective covers all over her vehicle. She then "chatted" about herself and her expertise for another 30 mins or so. Finally, after meeting my dog briefly for approx 10 mins, she took my $100 for the hour and then said I should buy a shock collar for my dog and scheduled our second meeting. In subsequent sessions, she ignored questions and comments I had about my dog and it's behaviour, so my particular concerns and issues were never addressed nor answered. Ironically, I spoke with a friend recently (Al) who used the same service approx 2 years ago and he said it was "terrible." Like me, he was pressured into purchasing a shock collar that he never uses. In fact, a properly trained specialist who is a veterinarian, strongly advised that I NOT use the collar, especially for the type of dog I had. Gee, thanks Shannon!. I know we're only 2 people, but we feel this company is awful, and that Shannon is only interested in taking your money for minimal service. read more

I had never done any dog training before and did some one on one training with my puppy with Shannon and was happy with what I was learning. I left my puppy with Shannon for a few days while I was away on business, and was really happy and grateful, thinking she might get some great extra training while I was away. My pup was bit in the face by a lab in a park, apparently. Puncture wounds through both top and bottom of her face. I had left my credit card and vet information with Shannon in case anything happened, and this was really clear when I left. My dog was not taken to our vet. She was taken to a friend, apparently, who is a nurse. I was told they attempted to put sutures in her muzzle and it didn't work. I do not know if any anesthetic was used. I was told about it via email and told not to worry, it was fine, and not to fly home early. I hesitantly stayed on my business trip. My dog was traumatized when I picked her up and has had fear aggression issues with other dogs ever since, no matter what reactive dog classes we have taken. No matter how much I have worked with her. It took years to forgive this, but I worked at it and decided to go back to Zen Dog classes with my new dog, thinking, mistakes happen. In dog's advanced obedience class at Zen Dog, in Shannon's class, my dog was badly attacked by another dog and bit so badly in his side that he required emergency surgery and a drain. I took a month off of work to sit with him and have taken many one on one classes with a different trainer for his rehabilitation in attempt to reduce any reactiveness from this event. I was encouraged, by Shannon, not to report that my dog had been badly bit in her class, but I reported it anyway. This was reported to Animal Control and they came to my place to assess my dog. The Animal Control officer was very surprised at how badly my dog had been bit. I also had to work at getting the owner to pay for my dogs vet costs, which took several emails. Thankfully she did end up paying for everything, which I am grateful for. I was told, by Shannon, that for some reason she has bad luck with my dogs, and "there must be a greater lesson here." For me, my lesson was to not take classes with Shannon or Zen Dog. My dog Easy still has issues from that attack and he is not the same happy friendly dog he was. And now I have two fear reactive dogs. When I tried to go to a Rally-O class somewhere else with my new youngest pup last year, I had to leave mid class because I had to throw up. I had flashbacks and so much anxiety that I couldn't do it and cancelled the classes. So we've all been traumatized. It's taken over three years to have the courage to post this review. Sorry Shannon, I can not recommend your company. read more

Worst trainer we ever worked with. Her attitude and demeanor throughout the training sessions were terrible. We were so disgusted that we skipped are last 2 sessions and started with a different trainer (with phenomenal success). She may be a "Master" trainer but she needs some work on her people skills. read more

We got our little pup started early with Shannon (10 weeks) and have reaped the benefits. When the dog got to it's "teenage moments" Shannon was there to help and guide us. Her weekly group classes are great excercise (mental and physical) for dogs and she is a master at motivating them and keeping them engaged. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Shannon to any dog owner of any breed. read more

I have never ever found another trainer to be of the caliber of Zen Dog. They changed my life and my dog Evies life forever. We have done group classes, private, dropin weekend group classes and packwalks and we love them all. I have had the fortunate opportunity to work with both Shannon and Jen, they are both such incredible women. They are the most experienced, dog savvy, enthusiastic, patient and caring trainers ever. They truly excel in their knowledge of dog behavior, communication and training, as well as nutrition, treats, gear, the list is endless! They are magnificent teachers both for people and the dogs. I was recommended to call zen dog from various dog owners around the city who raved about their skills and knowledge and experience. I have a challenging female dog that has reactivity and resource guarding issues, I'm not sure where either of us would be today without the help of ZenDog. They have helped me so much and with all they have taught me I continue to learn and grow and challenge myself to become the eperienced dog handler Evie needs and deserves. I have moved from Vancouver for now and one of the things I miss the most is to not be able to continue to work with Zendog. They have so many interesting, stimulating and challenging classes there is something for everyone!!!! I would be happy to ever talk in person or email for a personal referall. Zendog is the best!!!!! read more