Happy Tails to You Dog Training - San Jose, California

Melissa N.

We recently welcomed a rescue tripod into our home - our first dog! She's anxious and her manners and social skills are limited due to her years as a street dog, so she needs some guidance to learn how to Dog. The Happy Tails beginner class was a terrific way for her to get some exposure to other dogs, as well as for us to learn how to relate to our newest family member. Dawna has a great approach: kind, understanding, and non-intimidating, but firm enough so the dogs understand what we want and aspire to make us happy. Our girl's comfort levels in class improved dramatically from the first day to the last, and she's got a solid 50 yard off-leash recall now too. We'd recommend Happy Tails to anyone, and have already referred friends with a new shy puppy for classes here as well. Thanks!

Olivia G.

We love Dawna and her training classes. These classes are affordable compared to others, and super informative. I was really nervous to take my almost 1 year old, 100 lb pitbull anywhere, due to his size, strength and stubborn personality, but it only took 1 and a half classes to settle him. We take King to Canine Corral for boarding, so thought this would be a comfortable. We were right. He knows and loves the staff, and so do we! It's well worth the time and investment, and I highly recommend it. I only wish we took him sooner!

Thomas J.

I cannot express enough gratitude for the outstanding dog training services provided by Dawna. Having worked with several trainers in the past, I can confidently say that Dawna's expertise and experience are second to none.

Dawna possesses a remarkable ability to understand and connect with dogs, making the training process not only effective but also enjoyable. Her knowledge of canine behavior is extensive, and her techniques are both innovative and practical. From basic commands to more complex behavioral challenges, Dawna's approach is consistently effective, yielding impressive results.

What truly sets Dawna apart is her genuine passion for dogs and their well-being. It's evident that she not only sees each dog as an individual but also tailors her training methods to suit their unique personalities and needs. This personalized approach creates a positive and nurturing environment, fostering a strong bond between dogs and their owners.

I wholeheartedly recommend Dawna's services to anyone in search of exceptional dog training. Whether you're a first-time dog owner or have been through training programs before, Dawna's expertise will undoubtedly exceed your expectations. Thank you, Dawna, for not only teaching valuable skills but also for fostering a deeper understanding and connection with our furry companions. Your dedication to your craft truly shines through!

MJ K.

We have an enthusiastic Golden Retriever puppy who is quickly becoming quite the gentleman, thanks to Dawna. She is truly training not only Finn, but even more the two of us. Even with various dog breeds, sizes and personalities, Dawna is competent and effective in guiding behavior, both in the dogs and their parents! She demonstrates every training technique multiple times and gives us opportunity to practice, with coaching. The weekly homework training sheets are magical! If we do our homework as prescribed, Finn is amazing! We're fully aware that his success completely depends on our follow-through. We've graduated from Puppy Kindergarten and are moving on to the Graduate class with great expectations. We plan to continue classes until Finn is a delight in every setting. We highly recommend Happy Tails to You!

Amber B.

I brought my 2.5 year old German Shepherd to the beginners dog training class because I just adopted her from the shelter and wanted to get her in a habit of good behavior and wanted her to socialize with other dogs. This class is in a small group setting and I felt I learned a lot in the 6 weeks.

Dawna is very energetic and knowledgeable about dog training. She knows how to explain the whys behind each command that we are learning so that the whole group understands! The higher the distraction, the higher the reward was the best tip I learned to keep my Lyla motivated to learn more!

Would recommend her classes to anyone who is looking training their dog! The staff is also great and patient with all the dogs there!

Jenn T.

Dawna and her staff at Happy Tails are wonderful! She and her team make training classes not only informative and fun for both those being trained (ie, the humans!) but also the dogs! I love the way she explains "the why" behind how to train for a certain behavior, but she also gives great examples. She shows the class how to teach the dog the desired behavior, then gives us time to practice that training technique while in class so that she and her team can provide feedback on what we are doing right, or how to make modifications specific for our dog. I especially love that Dawna and her staff have Kongs already stuffed and Bully Sticks ready to give out for those dogs who have a hard time keeping quiet in the excitement of being in a classroom setting! Such a great touch! I just finished the puppy class and will definitely be continuing with more classes. Highly recommended!!!

Jennifer C.

Our energetic 7month golden retriever can be overwhelming at times. Going through the puppy class was quite helpful, and most especially completing the weekly homework. We've learned consistency and patience is the key to getting our puppy to be obedient in all types of settings. Dawna is really helpful, and always has other suggestions when something isn't working. On to graduate class where we will go more in-depth with the simple
commands. Overall, we would definitely suggest Happy Tails to You for someone who wants a more obedient puppy/dog.

Pauline S.

We have three dogs and have taken all 3 through the classes given here. Dawna is a great trainer and is invested in helping you develop a solid relationship with your dog. I have also done a few private training sessions to help with our second dog's fear issues and the tools and training Dawna gave us have helped immensely.