Word of Mouth Dog Training

​I cannot recommend Word of Mouth enough! I enrolled my four-year-old dog in their 16-day Doggy Boot Camp, and the results are above expectations. ​My dog now knows all the basic commands and is better socialized and less reactive on the leash. The owners and staff are the perfect blend of professional and patient, always being loving, but firm. They are punctual and genuinely care. ​Whether you need serious training or just safe dog boarding, your precious cargo will be in the best hands at their excellent one-acre facility. Thank you, Word of Mouth, for the wonderful transformation!

My only regret about Word of Mouth dog training is not engaging them sooner. We enrolled our dog in Jose's 14 day program to deal with some specific behaviors that were causing us stress, and not only were these addressed, but every single thing I put on my wish list has noticeably improved! Our dog was good to start with, but he had a lot of anxiety that revealed itself in some strange behaviors. Jose's program gave our dog confidence in a way that his anxiety has virtually disappeared. He is now a perfect gentleman and I can't wait to take him on all of the adventures and trips that were so difficult and stressful before. It has been several weeks since our dog came back home, and the results have stuck. I can not recommend Jose more highly!

I have to say Jose is one of the greatest dog trainers I’ve ever met. I was having a lot of trouble with my eight month old puppy named Buzz . We had our first one hour meeting with Jose yesterday, the dog is now able to stay in his kennel for the most part without barking, which was a big problem for me. He also knows how to heal after the one hour session. Also, he can sit and stay and stay. My mind was actually blown. For anybody looking for a trainer in the golden area or surrounding areas I highly recommend. Jose and word-of-mouth dog training. I looked so forward to having a good dog now. Thank you again Jose.

I sent my Shiba Inu, Sakura, to Word of Mouth for a two-week board and train, and the transformation has been incredible. Before, she was a decently behaved dog at home, but she definitely had challenges when it came to obedience. Shibas are very smart, loyal, and capable — but their reputation as a difficult breed to train is well deserved. They are famously independent and opinionated, willing to listen only if they decide it’s worth their while, and simply insisting on obedience can spark all sorts of drama if it wasn’t their idea. I had never really pushed the idea with her that “obedience isn’t optional,” and I knew I’d need help. On top of that, Sakura had developed reactive fear aggression toward other dogs. This was my biggest concern that led me to find a trainer. Whether walking around my apartment complex, out in public or on trails, dog encounters are inevitable. It used to be more manageable back when I had my elderly dog who handled greetings while I kept Sakura in check, but without her buddy, dog encounters became a bigger concern. I needed Sakura to learn patience and to let me handle situations instead of reacting, but her fuse with other dogs was VERY short, and it wasn’t something I felt I could safely socialize out of her on my own. Jose understood that dynamic immediately and built a structure that made obedience make sense to her, and worked on the dog socialization in a controlled , safe manner. She gave him and his team plenty of challenges (apparently she was a menace for a while!), but they guided her through the resistance and helped her respond with a level of consistency and respect I honestly wasn’t sure I’d ever see. Now she’s even jovial about training, like she’s proud to show off what she knows. The results have been incredible. Sakura now has a rock-solid sit and down, a perfect stay, reliable recall, an easy heel, and overall very polite etiquette. She stays engaged and focused in a variety of settings, and she understands that listening isn’t just on her terms anymore. I also appreciate that their training doesn’t rely on constant bribes like treats. Before WOM, Sakura would follow a few commands transactionally if I had a cool toy or high-value snack — but as soon as she lost interest, that was it. Jose’s approach taught her to listen anywhere, not just conditionally. Most importantly, her reactivity has transformed. She can now pass by other dogs calmly and unbothered — a huge shift from where she started. For safety, I still don’t encourage direct greetings and am still watchful with her, but she now walks past other dogs in hallways or on hikes, doesn’t escalate if a dog looks her way or gets closer, and can coexist in dog-filled spaces like patios and breweries with calm confidence. I feel less nervous about “what if another dog approaches us” and feel more comfortable that she will handle it better than she used to. She’s gone from a dog I had to carefully manage in public to one I can simply enjoy life with. At WOM they take the time to understand each dog and their needs individually. If you have an independent, stubborn breed where training feels like a constant negotiation, you know how hard it can be to break through that “I’ll do it if I feel like it” wall. Jose and his team know how to work with those personalities and get through to them, giving dogs the boundaries and structure they need to thrive while still being themselves. Sakura is still her quirky, spirited, independent self, but now she has the focus, reliability, and calmness that make her a truly easygoing companion. She came back even more confident than before, but in a way that’s agreeable instead of stubborn. Word of Mouth Dog Training gave me the partnership with my dog I was hoping for, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Also the facility itself is fantastic. Clean, secure, comfortable spaces, plenty of enrichment, and a relaxed environment where I felt good leaving her.