San Lorenzo Dog Training Club

Started 4 weeks ago and I've learned so much already. I take my Doberman. I love the classes! UPDATE: My Dobie completed the class. I always got a lot of help and support from the staff. My dog and I have bonded on a new level. Early on in training our instructor talked about a cgc test at the end of the series. I didn't pay attention cause I didn't think my pooch could do it. But my pooch passed the test! I am forever grateful. 2ND UPDATE: I've been taking my Dobermans every Friday for Novice training. I haven't missed a day in over a year. My dogs love the place and we learn a lot! 3RD UPDATE! We started our 3rd year in Mary's beginner Novice training Fri evenings. I never thought I'd get this far. Mary encouraged me to show my older Dobie so I did. The 2nd time we participated in beginner novice event my Dobie got 1st place! We went from sitting in the corner 90% of the class (my younger Dobie was super reactive) to participating in dog trials. I am forever grateful for Mary's support. She also does everything possible to protect us and our dogs, even if it means removing a dog from class.

I have taken classes at this AKC obedience dog training club and others in the Bay area. I have been impressed with Denise Laberee and would highly recommend her class, but the other instructor, Mary Bayley, is unfortunately not ready to teach. Denise has forgotten more about dogs than most of us will ever know. She watches each handler and dog carefully during class and has a suggestion or demonstration that helps each team progress a little with every session. The structure of each class is similar but varies with the successes and struggles going on that night. I always left feeling like I had an idea what to practice at home. However Mary, who may be a very good trainer for her own dogs, has a set routine of specific AKC exercises which she runs in the same order. She offers no advice when handlers aren't able to get their dogs to perform the exercises--the class just moves onto the next thing on the program. She also seems unprepared to make recommendations about managing typical dog misbehavior. Of course typical dog misbehavior is exactly the reason many dog owners are seeking out obedience classes in the first place! Unfortunately I have also seen her resort to ridicule and sarcasm, which have no place in a learning environment. I would highly recommend taking classes at this nice facility, right off 880, if you're sure Denise is going to be the instructor.