Dog Training by Bob Maida

All our previous dogs were gentle/friendly. In 2018 we adopted a “boxer mix” rescue, except he turned out to be a pit bull. He snarled at us (particularly me), exhibited other aggressive behavior we’d never experienced, I was afraid to be in our own house. Our first trainer quit and said we should give him back, but dogs aren’t sweaters you just return. We called another trainer, explained the situation, she also refused to work with us but referred us to Bob, explaining he was one of the few trainers in the area that will work with aggressive dogs (Bob had to drive an hour to our house for our appointments). Some review said Bob is “rude” - he’s a crusty, no-nonsense old guy, he’ll tell you directly if you’re doing something wrong, so if you need your dog trainer to make you feel warm and fuzzy, go somewhere else. But by golly he absolutely trained us how to be with our dog - key emphasis on training US, because we had to adapt in ways we never had to before with other dogs. We had to work multiple times a day for months; during the first week, we had to give our dog the “silent treatment” (rather than coo-cooing) to “reset” the dog’s expectations (to make him appreciate his need for attention and realize he needed to earn it - oh that was hard for me, as someone who wants to cuddle the dog whenever he’s nearby!) And for a long time afterwards, we would only give him praise for things he did correctly. We never gave him food treats except as behavior rewards or - very infrequently - in his food bowl. I mixed his dog food with my hands, Bob said this would help him associate his food with my scent, and long after it was probably no longer necessary, I kept doing it just because. Within a few weeks/months, the snarling was gone, and until he died a few months ago, he lived his best life with us, patrolling the outside grounds of the house multiple times a day with one of us accompanying him, vigilantly watching out the windows during the rest of the day for squirrels/Amazon deliveries, and cuddling on the couch with us at night. He never had the temperament of our other dogs - we would never dream of letting him run free in a dog park. He didn’t follow us from room to room. But he was remarkably well trained in ways we never experienced with other dogs - he never displayed interest in a plate of human food left on a coffee table, he never tried to run outside the Invisible Fence boundary, he would never sit and stare demanding to be given something (well, until we knew he was down to the last few months of his life and I started giving him treats regularly outside the bowl, and then he became a total stare monster). He and my husband were best friends, my husband says he was the best dog we ever had because of their bond and the time/effort we invested to save him. Bob made all that happen, he helped us to become the people our dog needed us to be, and we’ll forever be grateful to Bob!

As first-time dog owners, we were completely new to what it meant to raise/train a puppy—and it was overwhelming at first. Thankfully, we found Bob Maida, and he completely changed our experience for the better! From the moment we knew we would be adopting our puppy in February 2025, we connected with Bob. We called him to discuss what to look out for when adopting a puppy and he talked us through everything. We adopted our dog, Charlie, on a Saturday and Bob started with us the following Monday! From the first session, Bob came to our home and helped build a respectful and positive relationship between us and our new puppy, Charlie. Bob doesn’t just train dogs—he trains people, too. He took the time to explain our puppy’s body language and the different ways he was trying to communicate with us. Every session came with homework and actionable steps that helped us progress in a manageable and meaningful way. We were consistent with Charlie's obedience training and he stopped counter surfing and jumping on people when he met them with simple quick corrections. With Bob's help, Charlie is becoming friends with his cat brother! What really stood out was how Bob tailored the training to fit our specific family's needs. With two young daughters, he made sure to include practical things like walking the dog while pushing a stroller, setting boundaries (like no rough playing in the house), and keeping Charlie off the furniture. His approach was thoughtful and personalized every step of the way. Our regular training sessions helped us (and Charlie) tremendously. When we adopted Charlie, I was doubtful that we would ever be able to go out to eat somewhere and just have him relaxed next to us...and now we do it regularly. Now, our puppy is 11 months old and we constantly get compliments from strangers about how well-behaved he is. At over 70 lbs, he’s strong—but thanks to Bob’s guidance, we can trust our 6-year-old daughter to hold his leash when we’re walking together as a family. Charlie is very well socialized and non-reactive with other dogs. He walks beautifully on a leash, has solid obedience training (sit, stay, come, down), and remains in a down-stay for a very long time. We bring him with us everywhere we can, and he is well behaved in stores, at coffee shops, restaurants, and even at my 94 year-old grandpa's house! Even after our sessions ended, Bob stayed in touch. He still picks up the phone, and even calls just to check in. That kind of support is rare, and it shows how much he truly cares! We can’t recommend Bob enough. If you’re looking for someone who knows dogs, understands people, and brings out the best in both—you’ve found him!

I had the pleasure of working with Bob recently, and I must say, his training methodology exceeded all expectations. With his expert guidance, I found effective tools to train Daisy. Bob's approach is not only effective but also incredibly personalized. He took the time to understand Daisy's personality (as well as mine) and tailored techniques accordingly. From day one, I felt confident in his expertise and commitment to Daisy's progress. What sets Bob apart is his emphasis on practicality. He didn't just provide generic advice; instead, he offered actionable strategies that I could implement immediately. His hands-on approach made the training process both engaging and rewarding. Thanks to Bob, Daisy has made remarkable strides with needed commands and good dog behavior. His training tools have empowered me to foster a deeper bond with her while addressing any challenges along the way. Overall, I highly recommend Bob for anyone seeking professional pet training. His dedication, expertise, and effective methodology truly make him stand out in the field. Bob's guidance has not only transformed Daisy but has also enriched our relationship beyond measure.