Dan Perata Training

This review is very long overdue. We put our dog in Dan Camp for puppies in January 2019, and she is her best self as a result. She was a very shy rescue, and although she still has her timid personality sometimes, she impresses everyone she meets with her great behavior. Dan, Natasha, and the whole crew are so wonderful and care so much about the dogs. They gave us the confidence we needed to lead our dog! We've also been boarding our dog when we are out of town, and she's always thrilled to see team members and be dropped off. Truly can't recommend them enough!

Our shelter dog had been previously rehomed at least once and at 65 lbs. was basically unmanageable. She had no concept of appropriate dog behavior, and had put us both in the ER due to her...enthusiasm. We were really worried that we would have to relinquish her. After 3 other trainers, we found Dan. His program is amazing! Rosie is now two, and we have a happy, obedient, loving and goofy dog who we can take on long companionable walks, who sits at outdoor restaurants while we eat, and who is generally a delight. Dan's program works, because he truly "gets" what dogs need to feel safe. I can't recommend him highly enough, especially for dogs with behavior problems. Amazing!

Like many folks during COVID, my girlfriend and I decided to adopt a puppy. We've both had dogs before, so we knew what we wanted, and were willing to wait. Then, when a second puppy from the same litter was available at the last minute, I said, "Let's get two!". Enter twin Swiss Doodle puppies, Otis and Emma. Of course, we planned to do our own training (with YouTube and all sorts of resources, why not?). But after we got them home, we realized precisely how tough it was going to be to train two at once while holding down full-time jobs, even if we were working from home. So, we looked for professional help. That's when Marjorie identified Dan Perata Training. We enrolled them both in "Dan Camp" starting in July 2021. I have to say, it started a bit bumpy, at least in an emotional sense. We had to wait for two open slots, and by the time they opened up, we had become quite attached to our new puppies. Sending them away for most of the week was tough. But, we understood that dog training is as much for the owner as it is for the dog, so we toughed it out, doing all the Zoom meetings, in-person training sessions, and weekend homework. In the process, we got to know both Dan and his trainers pretty well--I accepted primary responsibility, so I was on-site for DPT for four hours every week (two hours per dog), plus an additional hour on Zoom. It's a commitment. The effect was almost immediate. After the first week, our whiny, needy, new puppies who got us out of bed out several times per night were suddenly comfortable in either kennel or crate without much complaint, after a single "hush". Although the on-site sessions were pretty monotonous, progress was noticeable week over week, particularly seeing the new puppies going through the process and realizing "Oh, yeah. I remember when they did that!" There are immediate rewards, too. I remember having trouble with Otis biting my hand hard enough to draw blood while playing--I brought this up to Dan, and he gave me immediate advice. The next time Otis tried to bite me was the last time he ever did! Magic. As we got to know Dan better, it became more apparent how effective his methods are. He's no "biscuit pusher" but instead provides concise instruction to both dog and owner through consistency and tone of voice without resorting to treats. He's not a "dog whisperer" either (more like a "dog barker"!), but his methods are way effective if you're willing to suspend disbelief for a week or two. I've seen a few reviews that question DPT's business practices. That's not been our experience at all. From Dan through his trainers to the office staff, we have seen but one conspicuous characteristic--They love dogs. Period. Not the fees, not the upsells, but the dogs they send out into the world. There's some understandable pride there in making the world just a little bit better through responsible companion animals, and I have to say that Marjorie and I are incredibly grateful. If you decide to take your pup to Dan, you need to go all-in, but you won't regret it. As a heads-up, it took us some time to appreciate Dan's sardonic sense of humor and occasionally non-PC commentary. You shouldn't expect a warm and cuddly sales guy. Dan is more of a Marine drill sergeant. He personifies "tough love" but with the emphasis on "love". As a final note, Emma and Otis are doing very well after graduation, with a minor regression on neutering. Dan takes pride in his dogs and has been regularly available for all sorts of dumb questions (dumb in retrospect, of course) even after the dynamic duo officially graduated from the program. I wish all the dogs were Dan Perata dogs! The world would be a better place if they were.

I found Dan, Natasha, and his staff 10 months ago after struggling to deal with a ridiculously rambunctious Labrador puppy. The puppy is now a year old and is well on her way to being a wonderful dog and companion. Through Dan's training methods and working with his knowledgable staff, it has been very easy to continue training and working with Gertie at home. Dan Camp and the subsequent training sessions have been fundamental to Gertie's great behavior at home. Dan and his staff really treat your dog like their own; I feel safe leaving Gertie with them. Not only has Dan continuously worked with Gertie, he and his staff work with you to ensure you are doing everything correctly. They have answered all of my questions and still continue to be an excellent resource on my journey raising Gertie. Dan and his staff have gone out of their way to set Gertie and I up for success. I highly recommend Dan Perata Training to any new (or seasoned) dog owner.