I can’t recommend Robert and California Dog Training highly enough. We have three large male Rhodesian Ridgebacks (all rescues with challenging histories), aged 3,5, and 7, who each have unique personalities. Before we found Robert, we struggled to walk them, and their understan…Read full reviewClose full review
I can’t recommend Robert and California Dog Training highly enough. We have three large male Rhodesian Ridgebacks (all rescues with challenging histories), aged 3,5, and 7, who each have unique personalities. Before we found Robert, we struggled to walk them, and their understanding of basic commands was non-existent. After we saw the transformation Robert made with another Ridgeback we do pack walks with, we knew he was the right trainer to help us. There’s an old wives tale that Ridgebacks don’t do well in residential training programs because they are too sensitive, but we saw the clear results: a happy, well-adjusted and well behaved Ridgeback who thrived in a healthy and structured environment. We took all three boys for an evaluation as soon as we could, and Robert recommended the residential training for our youngest two. He provided us a handbook to read and learn from while the boys were in training, and helped us make changes at home for their return. He provided updates and pictures of their progress, and although we missed them terribly, we knew they were exactly where they needed to be. Robert worked miracles on our strong willed boys, and the transformation after their residential training was simply astounding. They were still our goofy, playful boys, just with manners and discipline! Our boys are now able to walk perfectly without pulling; can do extended sit and down-stays, follow commands, and are crate trained (they actually LOVE being in their crates which is so crucial in an emergency situation.) It’s been a few months since the boys came home, and everyday we are able to build upon the strong foundation Robert built for them, with the tools he taught us. We understand our own culpability in perpetuating poor behavior now, and have made strides to be better pack leaders. Our boys are the heart of our family, and Robert truly helped them become respectful and disciplined, which removed a tremendous amount of our own anxiety regarding their behavior. We had used another trainer in the past but NO ONE compares to Robert, and his love and passion for animals is apparent. We were able to watch our boys interact with Robert without them knowing, and it was clear they had come to love, trust and respect him as well. We’ve taken all the boys back for boarding, and plan to do so indefinitely, as they thrive in the happy, structured environment Robert provides. If I had one regret- it’s that I didn’t get the boys to Robert earlier. ALL of our lives are better with well-behaved pups in them. Don’t make my mistake- call them to schedule an evaluation now. Robert will give you an honest assessment, and provide realistic expectations for what he can accomplish. (That being said- he worked a miracle with our boys, and far exceeded our expectations!)
