HappyGentle Dogs

Stella was a shy dog who had issues with lack of structure, discipline, barking, didn't know how to play and other less than desirable behaviors. Since her training with Happy Gentle Dog, she is more confident, happily lives in a home routine, barks much less, and is starting to act playful. The training also taught us how to interact with her to continue encouraging positive behaviors. Happy Gentle Dog is still supportive of us long after the traing is done.

Our experience with Happy Gentle Dogs began with a German Shepherd named Pharoah. My spouse and I had no experience with the breed. We were actually just helping someone out and they changed their mind about taking him. We decided not to return him to the shelter. Pharaoh was reactive, under socialized, and obviously not at all cognitive. He failed his first German Shepherd Dog adoption event. However, at that event, we were referred to Dale Donaldson and his truly amazing team at Happy Gentle Dogs. After speaking with Dale and hearing about his philosophy on training canines with any specific behavioral issues, we decided to give Pharoah a chance at learning new behaviors Our boy just graduated from his second and more advanced program of training, and he is a different dog. In addition, I feel that my spouse and I are different as well in regards to the things we have learned and we are still learning with our boy, Pharoah. We cannot say enough positive things about Dale, his wife Tracy, and his entire team. Dale, Tracy, Danielle, Matthew, Roman, Gabriela and Madi. Madi and Gabriela were amazing trainers. We thank you so much for everything. Our Pharoah thanks you as well.

HGD is a great team and facility. Madi is one of the best and most loving trainer I have ever met. They took my reactive rescue and helped us all create an environment he could thrive in and be comfortable and thoughtful. They trained me how to communicate effectively with him! Because of their great work, I now have a family dog! If you want a better life with your puppy, then this is the best investment and way I found to insure that! This is the place of loving teaching and kindness!

We rescued Getta, a young female German Shepherd found as stray in East Dallas, and she has been an absolute joy — incredibly loving, amazing with our kids, and well-mannered at home. But we quickly discovered she had some dog reactivity and dog aggression we needed to address. We tried a board and train program initially, but it didn’t quite meet her needs, and honestly, we didn’t fully understand the extent of what she required at the time. Happy Gentle Dogs came highly recommended by a local GSD rescue specifically for the breed and these types of behavioral challenges — and that referral could not have been more spot on. Dale and his team are exceptional. Getta spent several weeks with them, and what made the experience truly stand out was that we worked with her multiple times during her stay. That hands-on involvement gave us a real understanding of their training style and, most importantly, how to carry it forward at home consistently. True to their name, their approach is entirely positive — gentle, reward-based, and rooted in building confidence rather than correction. It’s a method that clearly works, and one that makes both the dog and the owner feel good about the process. The difference in Getta is already light years beyond where we started. We are so confident in Dale and his team that we’ve already booked her summer board and train sessions while we’re on vacation — and plan to continue doing so as she keeps progressing and maturing. We are so excited to watch her grow into the magnificent dog she already is becoming. Whether you have a reactive dog, a working breed with complex needs, aggression, or anything in between, I cannot recommend Happy Gentle Dogs Training enough. They truly get it — the dogs and the owners. 🫶🐾🪄