Reviews

It's difficult to express just how thankful my wife and I are for getting Jonathan's help with our new pup! If you're unsure about how to read your dog's behavior, how to be a responsible owner, or how to make adjustments in your own life to do right by your pup, Jonathan is 100% your guy for bay area dog training. When we adopted an 18-month-old Australian shepherd (Moose) who struggled with anxiety and didn't know how to interact with other dogs, we constantly worried about doing the wrong thing. With so much information available online, we weren't sure whether the advice from our friends and family was right. Jonathan provided us with a strong framework and mental model for understanding Moose's behavior, along with a concrete plan for training the right way, especially in the east bay area dog training context. As others have said, Jonathan is thorough, intentional, and incredibly structured in his approach. Beyond that, he is a wonderful listener who acknowledges the nuances that make dog ownership a tricky affair. Some examples include: - How should we interpret our dog's whining when we crate him? - How do we react when our dog lunges or barks at another dog on the street? - Can we let our dog off-leash? If not, how do we train our dog so that we can? - What situations should we avoid to ensure our dog is safe? - How do you reinforce training? How often? What situations tell you you're on the right or wrong track? Jonathan gives it to you straight when you need it, and puts your concerns to rest when you don't need to worry. If you're on the fence, I hope this testimonial helps in a small way because I would gladly recommend him without hesitation based on the progress we've seen with packleader dog training.

My partner and I were debating whether to invest in bay area dog training for Floki, our doberman. After extensive searches on Google and Yelp, we concluded that Jonathan seemed like a great fit due to his extensive experience with working dogs. Following our first session, we noticed a significant improvement in Floki's leash walking while using the prong collar, and we've even begun walking him in certain areas with just a flat collar. One of my main goals was to become more comfortable using the e-collar, and Jonathan expertly guided us on finding the correct setting. He emphasized the importance of timing when giving commands and using the e-collar stimulation, and he also taught us how to gradually phase Floki off of it. After 5 sessions of east bay area dog training, Floki’s attentiveness to our commands has dramatically improved, allowing us to mentally stimulate him, which keeps him calmer throughout the day. Additionally, we learned effective training methods that Floki responds well to! I highly recommend Jonathan for anyone looking for dog training in the east bay area. He was attentive, easy to schedule sessions with, and a joy to work alongside!

This is a long overdue review for Jonathan and Pack Leader Dog Training, a top choice for bay area dog training. I adopted my malamute, Mush, in early February thinking this would be an easy fit. Boy was I wrong. Mush has every single behavioral problem you can list: resource guarding, separation anxiety, hyperactivity, and he is super alpha to family members, all while lacking obedience training. He even bit me on the 3rd day because I was trying to take away a plastic bag he got from the garbage can. This is where Jonathan came in. After the initial consultation, we started seeing improvements thanks to his expertise in dog training in the east bay area. Jonathan provided us with the proper tools and techniques to correct Mush’s behavioral problems. By the end of the 5th training session, all of Mush's issues were resolved! Please note that Jonathan will equip you with the tools and techniques necessary for effective training, but YOU, the dog owner, must commit to following Jonathan's teachings to ensure success.

My dog is a pandemic puppy, and working from home (WFH) initially put me in a great position to train him during his prime developmental stage. However, with the transition back to in-person responsibilities, the consistency of our training lessened, leading to some behavioral issues. Our major concern was Pax's reactivity to other dogs in public. He'd lunge, get tunnel vision, bark, pull on the leash (basically taking me for a walk), and overall didn't know how to behave. I became desperate for help, fearing I had sabotaged nurturing a well-behaved dog as he transitioned into a young adult. I was wrong. After the initial 1-hour assessment with Jonathan from the Bay Area dog training program, my family and I realized that we were the ones who needed training to become effective leaders in our dog's life. Week by week, we focused on basic obedience and being intentional with our training outside of the sessions, under Jonathan's guidance. Throughout this journey, Jonathan has been a meaningful trainer who genuinely cares about the growth of both pet and parent! He is thoughtful, patient, and knowledgeable. We have already appreciated the significant behavior changes we've seen in Pax since starting this dog training in the East Bay area, and we are committed to instilling these positive qualities in our pup! Even after completing this program, I feel assured that the connection between my dog and Jonathan will continue, as he will remain a part of our support system in times of need, thanks to the packleader dog training approach.