The Hub by Pack Animals

We started going to The Hub in November of 2024. We adopted our dog, Willy, from the shelter when he was 5 years old and immediately became aware that he was very reactive to other animals, people, and loud sounds. We came to The Hub as new dog parents and, quite frankly, very afraid of judgment, scared they would turn us away. From the beginning, they put us at ease, explaining that Willy's case is something they have seen before. I remember crying to Andrea, our trainer, because I felt so much hope after being so scared that we could not help Willy and that he would remain a shut-in forever. We started with private lessons, and at first, it was challenging. Not only did our dog have to learn, but so did we—to be patient and consistent. Not once did I ever feel judged or shamed for having a reactive dog. We began to see improvement immediately, and eventually, we graduated from private classes to reactive group classes. It was scary at first, but every dog parent was so kind and understanding, along with the instructor. Eventually, we put Willy in daycare, and now he has other dog buddies, which I never could have imagined. Willy recently graduated from his reactive group classes to green level classes, and we are so grateful for everyone who has helped us along the way. Everyone has been so attentive to us every step of the way, and we are so grateful to have found The Hub.

I was fortunate to have found The Hub about a year ago. I was immediately intrigued and signed up for an evaluation. Some background-- I have two dogs and a cat. My young dog (now 2.5 years old American Bully) is very sensitive. She has been reactive most of her life. When I brought her in for her eval a year ago, she was wearing an e-collar and a prong collar -- tools recommended by a previous trainer. After meeting with Andrea and talking about my dog, our concerns, and goals, Andrea created a plan for us. It was very hard at first. Training, of any sort, is about replacing old habits with new ones. Considering we were using suppressive/ punitive methods when arriving at the hub, the adjustment to positive reinforcement took time. It should be stated that anything worth having takes time and effort. After a lot of practice, we came a long way and were able to transition into classes at The Hub. This was fun for my dog, Nola. Despite her reactive/ sensitive nature, she is brilliant and performed quite well in class. The trainers at the hub are also excellent at providing scaffolds to help pups feel more safe and secure. (Scaffolds meaning barriers, gates, anything that helps a pup feel better in an environment with other pups.) About six months after joining The Hub, we moved to Tracy. I obviously kept our membership active because although Tracy is not close to The Hub, there is no other Hub around. The Hub is a one of a kind facility. Anyway, my sweet Nola was getting too stressed to ride in the car. Andrea worked with us again, but this time virtually as Nola was not able to ride in the car for some time. Andrea helped create a plan and we checked in weekly regarding Nola's progress with car training and getting more comfortable with her new environment. We also have experimented with some medication which has helped us tremendously. If you have a reactive/ sensitive pup, it may be worth it to inquire about medication with your vet as well. A couple months later with plenty more time and effort, we got back in the car and made it back to class at The Hub! We are forever grateful for all the help and support we have received from The Hub. We have so many tools that we use everyday that are highly effective in helping Nola remain calm when upsets enter our environment. I am really happy with how far we've come. Additionally, my older pup, Ralphie (a 15 year old Chiweenie), joined The Hub. I honestly thought it wasn't for him because he's an old boy that likes to eat, sleep, and walk. His IQ has never seemed to be very high and I didn't think to bring him to the dog gym. Well, I changed my mind and brought him to The Hub. He surprises me with all the tricks he's learned. For the record, old dogs CAN learn new tricks!!! The only limitations we have our the ones we give ourselves.

My wife and I have been coming to The Hub for a few months now and it has quickly become a part of the wonderful dog community in our lives! Our 11 month border collie absolutely loves coming to the classes and play groups. They offer such a great variety of classes that help grow the bond we have with our pup as well as their confidence of navigating the world. The owners Andrea and Chris are super passionate about dogs and the roles they have in our lives. The trainers they have on staff are all amazing and each bring their own unique background expertise. They all use a positive reinforcement approach to training and ensure the dogs interact safely with each other. They take great care with teaching how to read yours and other dogs’ body language to safely navigate various encounters with both dogs and people. The facility is amazing! It is clean, organized, and and air conditioned. During the hot summer or rainy season this is a haven to be able to engage with your dog in a safe space outside of your home or park. Best of all, we get the opportunity to connect with other lovely dog people and watch their dogs grow and interact with our pup! This kind of setting is truly invaluable for socializing your dog as well as growing the bond you have with them.

The Hub has completely transformed life for me and my two Pomeranians. They are in such different stages—one is super social while the other struggles with fear and reactivity. We had tried so many trainers in the past, but no one seemed able to meet our fearful pup where she was. Honestly, I thought she’d never be able to enjoy the park or play with other dogs. At The Hub, we started with private classes, which gave us individualized tools and strategies to help her build confidence. From there, we were able to transition into small group sessions designed for more reactive dogs—such a thoughtful step that made all the difference. Now, she’s slowly participating in group classes, and every week we see her making progress with patience, kindness, and encouragement. Meanwhile, my social Pom is thriving in the regular group classes and community events. The mix of unlimited training, structured activities, and social opportunities makes this place truly one of a kind. They really think of everything—from helping shy dogs feel safe, to giving outgoing pups a place to burn energy and grow. The Hub isn’t just a dog gym—it’s a supportive community that has given me the confidence and tools to understand both of my dogs better. I cannot recommend them enough!

We've been going to The Hub with our dog Samson since last August. It is like night and day! Sammy came in with pretty severe leash reactivity, separation anxiety, and general struggles with impulse control. We saw huge improvements in his leash reactivity quickly after working with Andrea, and his separation anxiety and impulse control improved so much too (and continues to improve!). Andrea and Chris are also lovely humans who are a pleasure to work with. We're so glad they're here. We have also met Peyton, a new-to-us trainer who is just as caring and friendly. We have had many trainers make us feel confused, uncertain, or ashamed of how Sammy behaves in the past. We have never experienced that here and have felt empathized with and understood, while also being given consistent, supportive strategies for Sammy. Whether you/your dog is really struggling or you just need a refresher, The Hub is where you need to be!!