John Soares K9 Training

To say John Soares is amazing would be an understatement. I have worked with many trainers and he is by far the most effective at communicating with BOTH animals and humans. With him, it's not just about executing the skill or learning the task; he delves into true understanding of animal cues, behavior, and body language in a way that is easily digestible by the owner. His resume is beyond impressive, but more importantly, it is evident that he truly has a passion for dogs and very much cares for their well being. I have a Golden Retriever named Goose, who is just a little over a year old. If I'm being honest, we were probably not in the best spot to get a puppy when we did (at the time, my son was only a year old and I also have a husband with a very demanding job). After attempting both group classes and individual sessions with various trainers, it became evident that I was burning the candle at both ends and needed more intervention. We decided to go the board and train route, knowing that while we didn't have the time to teach the skills, we are absolutely in a position to reinforce and expand on skills that have already been taught. I didn't take this decision lightly; sending your dog off for 30 days can be a very scary concept! I wanted to make sure Goose would be in good hands, so I did extremely thorough research on all trainers within a 3 hour drive from my home. After getting good vibes from his website and reviews, I gave John a call. I got good energy from him on the phone and that same great aura remained when I met him in person. I don't know how to explain it, but for someone who is high anxiety like me, John instills a real sense of calm. Goose was transported by John from Ringwood down to South Jersey for his board and train. I got frequent videos of his progress and was so impressed each time. At the end of the 30 days, I drove down to the facility to get MY first training session. I felt so good driving off with my dog and that feeling has not left. He has the same wonderful and goofy personality (this was something I was worried about; I wanted him trained, but not changed) but now he is also disciplined. I went from being nervous about him jumping, pulling, etc. to bringing him everywhere with me and feeling completely relaxed about having guests. After your dog comes home, John requires that you complete four training sessions within a two week period. Goose and I just finished the last of those, but we are definitely not done with John; we will continue working with him for at least the next few years (I'd like to have Goose eventually become a therapy dog) and perhaps even for the rest of Goose's life! I cannot recommend John Soares enough; dog owners are truly lucky to have a gem like this in our world. A giant thank you to his board and train staff as well; I wish I had thought to get the name of each, but please know that your dog will be in good hands with all of them.

My husband and I have a black Belgian Malinois named Kaya, and we knew from the start that we’d need the right kind of support to raise her well—especially while living in NYC. We're both fairly active—martial artists and hikers—so we wanted a dog who could keep up with us but also be calm and well-mannered in daily life. Finding a trainer with real experience in working breeds like the Malinois was harder than expected. Most NYC trainers cater to average pet dogs, while the ones who understood working dogs often focused on military or police work—not exactly what we were looking for. When we found John Soares and read through all his reviews, it felt like striking gold. He truly offers the best of both worlds: deep experience with high-drive breeds and a grounded, thoughtful approach to helping them become great family dogs. At first, I was hesitant to do a month-long board and train—friends had warned me about bad experiences elsewhere. But the more we learned about the breed and what Kaya needed, the more we realized that this kind of immersive structure would serve her best. Before training, we were dealing with all the classic Malinois puppy stuff: intense leash pulling, constant mouthing, and a drive to chase anything that moved—birds, bikes, leaves, you name it. With her prey drive so high and our lack of tools, walks were exhausting—sometimes I’d be wrestling with her on the sidewalk! After meeting John, we immediately felt confident we were in good hands. He has incredible intuition—not just about dogs, but about people too. He reads both the dog and the handler, and his decades of experience show in every insight and piece of advice he offers. When Kaya came home after her month away, we were amazed by the transformation. She was calmer, more regulated, and far more responsive. Training didn’t just “fix” behaviors—it gave us a shared language to communicate with her. It’s by far the best investment we’ve made in her future. John’s approach to training is clear, efficient, and deeply intentional. The results speak for themselves—and we’re especially grateful to his staff and to Kimiko for all the care and consistency they gave Kaya during her time away. It’s obvious she was in good hands every step of the way. Of course, the training doesn’t end when your dog comes home—you have to keep doing the work. But now we feel equipped and supported to continue, and we’re genuinely excited to work with John and his team for off-leash and protection training. We’re incredibly grateful to have found someone we trust to help us bring out the best in Kaya and give her the life—and purpose—she deserves. She's already on her way to becoming the ninja dog we dreamed of!