Our Testimonials
On this page, you will find dog training reviews from our many wonderful clients. All client reviews are from real people we worked with. Many will gladly provide references when asked. These client testimonials are a testament to the work and effort we put into helping every dog develop its full potential. We recently also started collecting dog training reviews on Google. You can find them on our Google My Business Profile.
From 2012-2017, we also connected with clients through Thumbtack. You can read 46 more reviews on Thumbtack. Some were cross-posted on our website.
Our Dog Training Reviews Cover Many Areas
My clients have written me many five-star reviews over the years. I think the breadth of these speaks for itself. These testimonials cover a broad range of dog training areas. They include basic and advanced obedience training, helping fearful dogs gain more confidence, getting aggressive behaviors under control, training for GRC Dog Sports, shadow programs, and many other behavioral areas.
Does a dog training review with any particular client dog resonate with you? Does a case sound similar to what is going on with your dog? I love helping people whenever possible and often can make progress where others fail. I have and continue to spend a significant amount of time and money every year to further my canine knowledge. My clients benefit.
If you are ready to get help with your own dog(s), please use our dog training contact form to schedule a free phone consultation.
Quick Links
I brought my dream puppy home in November 2022. I did not make the progress I had hoped for on my own. In January 2023 I had an accident that left me in the hospital for a little over 4 weeks and a long recovery from home. It would not have been safe for me to have my puppy at home. Luckily we found Ralf at Happy Dog Training. My crazy little puppy went through his program for 2 months while I was adjusting to being home. When he brought her home to me she was amazing, not the puppy that we took to him. She learned so many commands and mostly he trained her how to keep me safe. I was completely amazed at what he was able to teach her. When we visited her she was so happy and ready to show off her new “tricks”.
I was fearful that I would not be able to have her living with me as I had, and still have, a long road to recovery. Ralf asked what our goals were and what we thought the challenges that needed to be solved were. He listened and definitely delivered.
I highly recommend Ralf for intense training, or weekly sessions, or any other need you have for your puppy or even older dog. You will not be disappointed.
— Erin D.
Ralf is truly great with dogs! His long experience working with big and strong dogs and with service dogs was one of the reasons I chose him in the first place. I went to him because my dog Paris (pit bull) was exhibiting some serious aggression under certain circumstances. I was a bit skeptical initially because I had worked with other trainers unsuccessfully in the past, but the board and train program that Ralf offered and his extensive explanation of the process he was going to follow, convinced me to give it a try.
Ralf focuses on building a relationship with the dog based on play, fun, trust, and mutual respect. He then teaches the dog owner how to maintain all of the above. That’s exactly what happened with Paris and me. The dog I got back was definitely happier, more responsive, less stressed, and much easier to control, given his temper and strength. His aggression is now much more controlled and he gets better by the day. He is still young, so there is plenty of time to build on our relationship, and I truly believe that he is becoming a really fantastic dog. I am very proud of Paris and thankful to Ralf for laying the groundwork for me to enjoy a playful and easy time with my dog. Highly recommended!
— Iris A.
Ralf was a really kind and understanding trainer who was always willing to talk me through his logic and answer all of my questions. It’s clear that my dog loves him despite being pretty cautious at first, and I’m hopeful that the skills they worked on together will improve our ability to communicate effectively and create safe and positive spaces. In just the week since he’s been home, I’ve noticed my dog is calmer and generally less anxious, a trend I hope to build upon as we continue in the transition-to-home process. So far, I’ve been pleased will Ralf’s help and appreciate his continued guidance in the transition from board-and-train to training at home!
— Sofia G.
Ralf worked with our miniature schnauzer pup for two months to correct some naughty behaviors. We are so happy to report that Sunny is doing great and back home without the jumping, biting, and food aggression. He also taught us so much about our dog’s nature and what she needs not to act out. We have learned a lot and recommend his boarding training program to anyone who wants to make a true investment in their dog for a lifetime of happiness for everyone in the home. We will keep in touch with Ralf for support as needed with our pup. Thanks again, Ralf. We can’t recommend him enough! Investing in proper dog training is the best thing you can do for yourself and your pet.. pick someone who knows the right way and understands a dog’s nature/needs so you don’t have to keep repeating training and spending more. Do it the right way from the beginning! So happy to have our pup home and thankful for this training that will benefit us for many years to come.
— Annelise L.
Services and Area
We are located in Southern California and train dogs nationwide. Happy Dog Training currently offers local dog training services in the following counties. Riverside County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County, and San Diego County. In addition, we offer our board-and-train program nationwide and all virtual training services worldwide.
Do you want your new puppy trained right from the start? Are you looking for help for your fearful dog? Do you need to resolve a severe aggression problem? You came to the right place! We are experienced, professional dog trainers. Ralf has trained over 1500 dogs in over 18 years, and Sarah has trained over 1200 dogs in over 11 years. Consequently, we can help you with any dog training goal.
What We Offer
For many of our clients, we train their dogs from puppyhood, getting them off to a great start. However, we also have extensive experience training rescue dogs from all imaginable backgrounds and circumstances. Our Board-and-Train program is our most popular.
We can help you, regardless of your dog's challenges or training goals. Being a professional dog trainer means having experience, knowledge, and skill. Further, we developed a highly effective training program to specifically help fearful dogs gain more confidence and become the best possible version of themselves. Building Confidence is our second most popular training program.
Last but not least, we are experts in dealing with all types of aggression in dogs and are often the trainers of last resort after many other programs have failed. Most of our aggressive dog clients previously spent significant money on half-baked solutions without much improvement. This is different from us. We will give you an honest assessment of what goals are realistic for your dog. We will tell you what can be resolved reliably and what likely needs to be managed before we start.
Our flagship product is our board and train program. But our virtual dog training and coaching services have become quite popular over the last couple of years. Our setup enables us to deliver online dog training services from our indoor and outdoor training areas. This allows us to help clients worldwide.
Other Resources
Also, check out our Free Dog Training tips on Separation Anxiety in Dogs, Potty Training aka Housebreaking, and Leash Handling for expert solutions to common challenges.
Additional Services: Presentations and Q&As on Dogs | Professional Service Dog Training
Contact Us and Start Training
Finally, once you're ready to move forward, please use our dog training contact form to schedule a free phone consultation or book a paid, in-person consultation.
Terms, Conditions and Privacy Policy
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About Ralf and Sarah
Happy Dog Training is the pet dog training business of Ralf Weber and Sarah Gill. We are certified professional dog trainers in Southern California. We are specialized in advanced obedience training, all forms or behavioral challenges and service dog training. For behavioral training, we are known for our work with aggressive and fearful dogs. Our service dogs, through Total K9 Focus, have a nationwide reputation for their reliability, longevity and performance.
Ralf Weber, MS, TWC CPDT, IACP CDT, CDTA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer Ralf Weber is lead pet dog trainer of Happy Dog Training. Ralf is a long-time dog owner of German Shepherds. During his career, Ralf has worked with over a 1500 dogs of many different breeds. Moreover, Ralf has a thorough understanding of all aspects of canine training. This includes evolutionary psychology, ethology, and, most importantly, learning science. Ralf is specialized in resolving dog behavior challenges—especially fear and aggression. Apart from this, Ralf trains dogs in basic and advanced obedience, service dog tasks, and GRC Dog Sports. Ralf is further certified in a broad range of other canine training areas. Last but not least, Ralf is the author of the behavioral book If Your Dog Could Talk: Understand Your Dog Like Never Before.
Ralf loves helping people have a better relationship with their dogs. He is a certified professional dog trainer in the Training without Conflict™ methodology by Ivan Balabanov (TWC CPDT). Ralf is also a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and also holds their basic and advanced dog trainer certifications (IACP CDT, CDTA). In addition, Ralf is an AKC-approved evaluator for the AKC Puppy Star, CGC, and Advanced CGC programs and is also certified in canine first aid by the Red Cross.
Sarah Gill, Certified Professional Master Trainer
Sarah Gill, is a professional service dog trainer and handler. Sarah entered the world of professional service dog training after a car accident. As a result, she had to use a wheelchair for almost two years, trying to maneuver in a house not designed for it. No one expected Sarah would walk again. This opened her eyes and became a driving force behind pushing herself to defy the odds. When she regained some stability, Sarah attended a dog training school and learned how to train service dogs. Sarah completed her Master Trainer Certification and gained further experience by training new trainers. However, the school wasn’t accommodating to those with physical difficulties and PTSD. Hence, Sarah moved home to Dallas. In 2019, Sarah teamed up with Ralf and moved to California.
Sarah started this journey because she had a trained dog to mitigate her disabilities. But Sarah needed additional tasking for a new diagnosis. The only option she could find was getting a second dog for the new diagnosis. She knew there had to be a different way to address this. Sarah's passion is changing the ways of the service dog training industry.
