Guiding Canines

We had an incredible experience with Val and Caleb and their board and train program for our dog, River. River went to them at 6 months old, and to say he was a challenge is an understatement. He’s a stubborn Husky mix with anxiety and a very strong personality. From the very beginning, Val and Caleb saw him for who he was and met him exactly where he needed to be. What sets them apart is how deeply they care. They treated River like he was their own dog, not just another client. They use an e-collar, but what impressed me most was how much positive reinforcement, patience, and encouragement they incorporated into his training. It was never about forcing him, it was about helping him understand and succeed. While River was with them, we received so many pictures and updates, which gave us so much peace of mind and allowed us to see his progress in real time. One of the most valuable parts of this experience was everything Val taught us. She helped us understand River on a deeper level, why he reacts the way he does, how his mind works, and how we can continue supporting him at home. That knowledge has been invaluable. Since coming home, River is doing AMAZING. He is calmer, more confident, and doing so well with our three children. Our home feels more peaceful, and we feel more confident as his owners. The biggest testament to how much we trust them is that we’ve already booked River to stay with Val again for boarding while we go on vacation later this year and we feel completely at ease knowing he’ll be in the best hands. If you are considering board and train, I cannot recommend Val and Caleb enough. They are knowledgeable, dedicated, communicative, and truly passionate about what they do. River is better because of them, and we are so grateful.

Working with Val and Caleb was truly one of the best decisions we’ve ever made for our Gia! We came in with a very difficult dog and felt overwhelmed, frustrated, and honestly unsure if things would ever improve. From the very first session, it was clear we were in expert hands. They are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and compassionate. They didn’t just “train our dog”—they took the time to understand why our dog was struggling and gave us clear, realistic tools that actually worked, so basically helped train us too. Everything was explained in a way that made sense, and we never once felt judged for where we were starting. The transformation has been amazing. Our dog is calmer, more confident, and finally responsive in ways we never thought possible. Just as important, we feel empowered and confident as owners now. If you have a challenging dog and feel like you’ve tried everything, Guiding Canines is the real deal. This isn’t cookie-cutter training—it’s thoughtful, effective, and truly life-changing. We are beyond grateful and recommend them without hesitation

I sent my dog child Jolene to Guiding Canines for a board and train. After adopting her and her being my first puppy, I wanted to make sure I got her off to the best start as possible with training and socialization skills. She went off at 9 months and it was the best decision I made! I have had experience with dog trainers in the past and had adopted difficult dogs with behavior issues previously so I had a decent idea what I was looking for in a trainer. I was anxious to send Jolene off because I'm that kind of helicopter dog mom, but Val kept me updated constantly with pictures and I could tell she was being loved on by her and Caleb just as if she was at home. My grandfather was a veterinarian and I have worked with animals my whole life so I notice small behavioral/physical changes very quickly in my own pets. When Val brought up some of the small things that she noticed about Jolene I was beyond impressed, as my previous B&T experiences did not give me such personal and involved trainer interactions. I also loved the mini check in sessions in person so that I could see her and see where she was at in training. I am so thrilled with the foundation that Val and Caleb set for Jolene and the difference in how we are able to handle her is amazing. Before she would get very overstimulated on leash seeing other dogs and now she only looks their way and moves on. I have brought her to crowded downtown environments and she is so easy to handle. Whenever I have a question or concern I know I can reach out and get follow up help. I know I will send any future dogs I get to them for training as well. Thank you both!

Our 6-month puppy, Ralph, recently completed Val’s 4-week board-and-train program to work on a range of behavioral challenges and general obedience, and we couldn’t be happier with the results! Ralph adored Val, and we felt completely comfortable leaving Ralph in her good hands. We especially appreciated all of the socialization he received. Val took him to different places, introduced him to new environments, and he had regular exposure to the small group of other dogs she was training. Since coming home, Ralph’s recall has been excellent, his commands are solid, and he’s so much more confident out in the world. Throughout the entire program, Val kept us in the loop with regular photos and updates, and we loved the opportunities to meet with them and practice Ralph’s skills together. We can’t recommend Val enough- she significantly elevated Ralph’s foundation and set him up for continued success.