Blue Dog Training & Behavior

When we started to look for a new dog trainer for our Newfoundland puppy, Lando... We really weren't sure what we were looking for. There's so much disinformation. So many different trainers and approaches. Where to start? We decided we were looking for 3 things: 1. Expertise 2. Strong Communication 3. Reliability In Sarah, Andrew and Blue Dog Training - we got these by the bucket load. So, number 1: Sarah's approach to training is positive reinforcement, meaning no shock collars, choke collars or anything like that. Our puppy is a big guy and will end up being around 150lbs so it's important that he is well trained. Blue Dog Training really helped in his formative weeks by grounding him in basic training as well as helping him learn 'how to train'. We get so many comments on how well behaved our puppy is - and that wouldn't be the case without Blue Dog. Even more than that, Lando was sick and Sarah was able to communicate that with us based on her years of experience and we were able to get our boy to the vet where it turned out that Sarah had diagnosed every problem he had! We were able to get quick treatment and Lando is doing much better. Number 2: Sarah and Andrew are in constant communication about Lando - with updates, photos and videos. One of the best things is that Blue Dog don't just train your pup and send you on the way, but they send you videos of what they did which allow you to replicate at home! They have also reviewed video of us training at home and given pointers and tips. Training is continuous with a pup and we wouldn't be in the position to reinforce his training without Sarah and Andrew's communication, guidance and patience. Sarah and Andrew have also been available at all hours of the day for any questions we've had. Which was fantastic following the aforementioned sickness. Number 3: Simple. Sarah and Andrew have *always* been available when we've needed them. Whether that's training tips, last minute boarding or anything else we've needed. Frankly, we couldn't recommend Blue Dog highly enough. If you're looking for a trainer in Madison, or even the wider midwest region, there's only one way to go. That's Blue Dog Training. & Behavior.

We have been blown away by the support, expertise and caring of the Blue Dog Training team. Sarah and Andrew have been incredible to work with and their passion for dogs is evident in every conversation. I love Sarah's honest yet helpful approach to guiding us as dog owners. It feels like talking to your best friend. She has been so unbelievably helpful with our situation and we would highly recommend her to ANYONE and EVERYONE! We will be using her again for all of our future canine needs.

I am a first time puppy owner. I have always had dogs in my family but this time it is truly my own and I wanted to make sure that I do the best job possible training her. My dad had done some research on trainers in the Madison area and came across Blue Dog Training and I am so glad that he did. He passed along Sarah and Andrew's information and I reached out to them right away. The Kalnajs' are wonderful people and very easy to work with. Not only do they know their stuff about dogs but you enjoy your time when they share their knowledge with you and how to best interact, train, and communicate with your dog. They are super flexible and very COVID conscious. I had a puppy ABC's session with them first. We were social distanced the entire time and wore our masks. During the session they trained both my dog and me. As a person who is very detail-oriented and a hands-on learner this session was PERFECT. I was provided with handouts that went over what we covered during the session, watched how to do things and was then given the opportunity to try the things out myself to make sure I was doing it right and fully understood. In addition to the in person training session (that was about 2.5 hours long) I brought my puppy Scout over to their house for day training. It was a great chance for Scout to be supervised while I worked while also getting one on one training (also a good option for your dog/puppy to receive one on one training during covid and the limited size gathering mandate). After the day training session they provided me with a video that went over what they covered during their training so I was able to be in the loop and see how everything was done. I cannot recommend Blue Dog Training enough! I look forward to my future sessions with Sarah and Andrew!

so I got a puppy. I sort of didn't mean to, but I've been a dog owner for a long time and thought it would be fine. But puppies are an entirely different thing than getting an adult dog and my household was a wreck. Blue Dog saved us-they kept our little guy for 2 weeks and he came back a model puppy. He has so much self control now, and he is able to obey multiple commands and do things like hang out on a mat while I work and be perfectly happy. Whenever I take him somewhere, people are amazed at his behavior-he is already better than many adult dogs (and truly, he's cute but not that smart! :)). Not only that, but Sarah and Andrew have trained us in how to train the dog. My teenager has learned dog training! That's even more amazing than the trained puppy! I cannot recommend this program highly enough-it's a great way to learn how to have a great relationship with your dog that will be lifelong. Completely worth it!

We did the puppy head start/consult program with Sarah for our 9 week old mini Australian Shepherd. Sarah answered many of our questions both by email and phone before we even met in person. Having Sarah meet our puppy and us together was fantastic. Getting to hear her spot on assessment of our dog’s personality and recommendations of specific things to work on with her was exactly what we needed. She did a great job at explaining things I needed to know as a new dog parent without alientating my husband who has more experience with dogs than me. After meeting with her and applying what she taught us we were able to greatly reduce the nipping, herding, frapping, and kennel fear we had been experiencing with our pup as well as better motivate her during our training sessions. Sarah also followed up several times after our meeting and showed genuine care about us and our pup. We look forward to working with Sarah more in shaping our pup to be a model canine citizen as she really has the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to help us do that in a positive and enjoyable way.