NorCal Canine Academy

An absolute game-changer for my reactive dog! Before attending the 5-day boot camp at NorCal Canine Academy, managing my Border Collie, Atlas, around his people and dog reactivity felt incredibly overwhelming. Sam Lee and her team of trainers are phenomenal. What makes this program so incredible is that owners attend right alongside their dog. We went out into public places like local parks and restaurants, putting our new skills to the test in real-world environments. I saw immediate results from Atlas the moment there was clear communication between us. Sam and her team didn’t just train Atlas; they gave me the hands-on handling skills and confidence I needed to successfully manage his reactivity anywhere. If you are on the fence about making the investment, don't hesitate. It is worth every single penny!

I don’t often review, but I absolutely had to share my recent experience.Having spent far too much on a wide range of trainers and training facilities, this is the first program that demonstrated immediate change! Jazzy is - no WAS - extremely fear-reactive. She barked and lunged at anything that came close, barred her teeth, and struggled with recall. Within the one week, I saw an immediate change, the barking down to practically nothing, and her confidence growing. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who has been struggling like I have on how to get through to your dog, and feel at a loss as to what to do. The trainers are phenomenal, and while each dog has their unique characteristics, the team can quickly identify what’s will be most productive for each specific dog’s needs. I also appreciate that this is the start of Jazzy’s and my journey, knowing we have the support of NCCA for her lifetime. Definitely worth the time and money!

We drove 8 hours with our Golden Retriever, Kennedy, to attend Bootcamp at NorCal Canine Academy, and it was absolutely worth it. The Bootcamp experience was incredible. The immersion and hands-on practice were exactly what we needed. Sam and her team clearly know reactive dogs inside and out, you can tell their approach comes from real experience, not just theory. Sam, Kristin, and Tanner were amazing, and Elisha (who came all the way from England!) gave us the extra confidence to keep helping Kennedy work toward neutrality and enjoying her best life. Kennedy isn't "finished," and we don't expect her to be, but the progress she's made is incredible. If you have a reactive dog and don't know where to turn, we cannot recommend NorCal Canine Academy enough. They truly understand reactivity and genuinely care about helping dogs and their people succeed. 🐾❤️

I wish I had had the opportunity to experience this Boot Camp, and these trainers with their vast amount of acknowledge and support 30 years ago . I have always been adamant about having well-behaved dogs and spending time to train them. But the methods and consistency you learn with Norcal Canine Academy are simple, straightforward, and easy to learn. For those of you that may be worried about harsh tactics being used, you need not worry It was a great experience to take my one year-old pup to this one week Boot Camp. He learned how to remain calm under chaos, to be comfortable around many other dogs , people and real life activity. He is a ranch dog and doesn’t have the daily opportunities to be in a regular neighborhood, run into other people and dogs as much as I would like. This week he went parks off leash , had bikes zooming by him, people, jogging, etc. He handled it beautifully and best of all I am confident that I can maintain it as I continue to expose him and take him along on trips as much as possible. I am also beginning the training protocols with my older dog at home so that everyone will be on the same page. Samantha Lee is a phenomenal teacher / trainer and all the trainers that were there to support us Jacob, Kirky,Alicia, Tanner, Kristen, and a few guest trainers were so supportive and answered every question we had. I cannot thank all of you enough and I’m so grateful that I live close enough to the center that I can take Tater Tot and Moose to attend drop in classes on Saturday when they begin. For anyone who is considering NCCA for private training or Boot Camp, I would highly recommend doing so. You will not regret the investment of time or money.