Cervantes Dog Training & Rehabilitation

We recently worked with Francisco and Amia for help with our dog, and are so happy that we did. His excitement had become increasingly difficult to manage, especially on walks where leash pulling and distractions made things stressful. We found ourselves avoiding certain situations because they were challenging. We had tried other training in the past, but the results didn't carry over into real-world situations. After completing the program, the transformation has been incredible. Our dog is much calmer, more focused, and far more responsive to us both at home and out in public. Walks are now enjoyable instead of stressful, and we feel much more confident handling him in situations that were once difficult. Francisco and Amia provided clear guidance, support, and training that truly worked, and we're so grateful for the positive impact it has had.

we heard about cervantes training and rehabilitation from a friend and neighbor, We had tried another trainer without success and were very disappointed. We reached out to cervantes thru there google page and they contacted us promptly, They explained in detail the process and the options available to us for our training needs. The options were broken down very well and easy to understand we decided on a plan and started training at there location, I needed surgery during these sessions so we asked about changing plans to have our pet stay at there location for 2 weeks so the training could continue and expand the opportunity to receive more in-depth training. During that 2 weeks they kept us updated frequently with emails and text messages aslo photos of our pet during training sessions. After 2 weeks our pet returned home and our sessions resumed weekly at our home for the duration of the plan. We can not express our pleasure and the experience enough in words they became apart of our family and we will forever be grateful for the experience. our dog is now a functioning member of our family .

We sought out Francisco and Amia after struggling with our reactive two-year-old border collie. As a puppy she was very social and universally friendly, but as she matured, she developed leash reactivity, was increasingly anxious, and began having explosive reactions to any dog she encountered. She even started lunging or nipping at other humans on the street. Everyday outings became stressful, and we found ourselves constantly planning around her behavior, from timing hikes to avoid busy trails or rearranging work schedules because she could no longer be trusted in an office environment. We tried a few other training methods and while we did see some improvement it didn’t always hold up in real-world situations, and over time she regressed to the point where her behavior was actually worse. More than once, we were told we would simply have to learn to live with a reactive dog. But Francisco and Amia immediately identified the root issue as a lack of structure. Within just a couple of weeks of starting their program, and with some changes to her routine, our dog’s reactivity dramatically improved. It’s worth acknowledging that this program is a significant investment, but you really do get what you pay for, and for us, it has been well worth it for the many years we hope to enjoy with our dog. It’s also important to note that these training methods often are not easy–they require a change in lifestyle, routine, and, at least temporarily, the way you relate to and spend time with your dog. That adjustment can be a shock at first, but now she seems to trust us more, our relationship is closer, and our communication is better than before we started the program. We were initially hesitant about some of the tools and techniques, but Francisco and Amia took the time to educate us on their proper use, helped us recognize signs of stress in our dog, and reassured us along the way. Going into this, I would have been thrilled with even a 50% improvement, but I never expected the level of progress we achieved. She is no longer fearful, anxious, or reactive. Instead, she is calmer, more relaxed, more confident, and even more affectionate. Most importantly, we’re now able to enjoy our time with her in ways we couldn’t before. We can now walk through high-stimulation environments without reactions to triggers, and instead of apologizing for her behavior, we’re often receiving compliments from strangers.

It’s cliche but true: working with Francisco and Amia changed our life with our dog. We adopted our pup when she was four months old and tried doing everything right to train her: we read the books, took her to puppy classes, spent time socializing her, worked diligently on her recall. Somewhere along the way she developed reactive behaviors and selective listening habits that kept getting worse. We tried hard to address it: more classes, more books, more/higher value treats. A different trainer told us the only thing we could do is learn how to live with a reactive dog- avoid her triggers and limit where we took her. It got to the point where taking her out in public was nearly impossible. She reacted explosively to other dogs on leash, and might lunge and nip at strangers if they walked too close. We reached out to Francisco and Amia hoping for a way to at least manage her behavior. We saw progress after the first session. After a few weeks she was a new dog. She is happy and calm out in the world. We never specifically worked on recall, but her recall is now perfect, even in distracting environments. She settles more easily and is more affectionate. On our last day of training we went into town. Instead of avoiding her triggers, we sought them out, and she was unfazed. Francisco and Amia are amazing trainers- not only for dogs, but for human handlers. They are patient, understanding, and accessible. They understood the root of our dog’s behavior and knew what she needed. They taught us how to communicate with her. They fielded our questions and concerns and provided support through the whole process. They’re also great people who are fun and easy to work with. Our dog is now the dog we knew she was all along: smart, sweet, still spirited and spunky, but with the right behaviors to keep her and others safe. I highly recommend Cervantes training.

We reached out to Cervantes after our fun and exuberant four-year-old yellow lab completely and unexpectedly went after a dog being walked on a leash. Fortunately, no dogs or people were hurt, but I was really shaken and unsure how to safely move forward. What had caused this sudden and extreme momentary change in our dog's personality? More importantly, could we retrain her - get her back so that we could still enjoy fun activities with her, without having to worry about her being unpleasant or unsafe? From our very first conversation, Francisco and Amia at Cervantes were calm, professional, and incredibly reassuring. They took the time to understand what had happened, ask thoughtful questions, and explained what was likely driving our dog's behavior. Instead of judging her or us, they focused on solutions. They laid out a structured training plan tailored specifically to her needs and our preferences. It never felt like a one-size-fits-all program — they focused on teaching her (and us!) practical skills that focused on the relationship between the handler and the dog. The tools and training exercises were effective right from the start. We saw noticeable improvements following the first training session. Ultimately, we've been able to help our dog manage her over-excitement. Francisco and Amia were patient, explaining and teaching us as we progressed. This helped us be clear and confident with our dog. All of us feel so much calmer and in control, rather than helpless and worried. Our lab is still the same happy, goofy, loving dog we adore — but with much better manners, focus, and responsiveness to our cues. Walks feel safer and more controlled, and we now have concrete tools for preventing and managing difficult situations. We are incredibly grateful for the quality of training we received at Cervantes and the time they spent educating us as owners. I would absolutely recommend their training program to anyone dealing with behavior issues or looking to build a stronger, more confident, and loving relationship with their dog.