All programs—except for AKC tests—start with an evaluation. This helps us determine the best placement and program for your dog.

You can set up a free 30 min phone consultation by filling our website request form or via any of our points of contact found here.

From there, we’ll schedule a call, and determine if an additional in-person evaluation is needed.

In-person evaluations are required for:

• Walking clients, private

• Care support clients

• Highly reactive, aggressive or fearful dogs

• Dogs with a bite history

After the evaluation, we’ll send you an estimate for review and a liability waiver. Then you just have to accept, pay and we’ll reach out to schedule your first session!

We do not offer boarding services. Occasionally, we offer in-home dog sitting under our Support services. However, these service is not is limited to clients who are enrolled or graduated from one of our programs at this time.

We operate primarily in Alameda Countyt. However, we have clients all over the Bay Area for private 1-on-1 sessions. These farther clients may be subject to a small additional fee for travel time and fuel.

Daily walks are limited primarily to local Oakland and Piedmont neighborhoods near Lake Merrit, including Grandlake, Temescal, Adams Point, Mosswood, Trestle Glen, Westlake and Rockridge. If you don’t see your neighborhood listed, reach out and see if we can help!

“Reactivity” and “aggression” are used colloquially to describe different patterns of behavior in pet dogs. They are not official diagnoses or fixed categories.

Reactivity describes a tendency to display excessive outbursts in relation to certain triggers. When encountering triggers, you might observe barking, lunging, fleeing, freezing, leash pulling, cowering, and/or struggling to listen or calm down.

Aggression is used to describe a dog that escalates reactions to the point of becoming harmful or dangerous. This can include snapping, muzzle punching, tackling and pinning, and biting. While aggressive behavior is a normal response to some situations—for example, if an unknown intruder enters the home—we generally use this term to describe a dog that inappropriately escalates to violent behavior out of proportion to the situation.

Almost all of training can be done with a front clip and back clip harness, a treat bag, and a 6 foot leash. These items are included in cost of 4 or more training packages. Specialized training might include some gear like a long line, remote feeder, settle mat or flirt pole.

We DO NOT use coercive equipment including: choke chains, prong collars, e-collars or slip leads.

Obedience training typically focuses on getting a dog to reliably perform particular behaviors as a response to handler cues—e.g. sit, down, come, and heel.

Behavior work seeks to address patterns of maladaptive or otherwise undesirable behavior in dogs. This includes reactivity, fearfulness, aggression and/or over-excitability.

We believe in progressive, modern training methods that build the bond between dogs and their guardians. We believe lasting changes in behavior come from understanding and communication, not coercion or dominance.