I have been a 25+ Year in Northern, CA - Small Business Owner & Professional Dog Trainer Specializing in Puppies - Positive Reinforcement & Force Free Trainer offering Small Personalized Group Training Classes & Private Training. I started off as Cindy C. Smith Horse & Dog Training before The Right Steps. I became a NACSW Certified CNWI Instructor Feb. 2012 - Offering Group K9NW Classes, Private Training, and Work Shops.
I am very passionate about doing what I love & helping People, Families, Pet Professionals, & their Animals understand a common language and enjoy the time they have together to the maximum potential!
We moved to Florence MT & will be covering the Bitterroot Valley. Please see "About Us" on our website for detailed info.
Training & services
Training goals
Behavior consultationProgram details
Obedience trainingProgram details
Behavior support
Aggression trainingProgram details
DiggingProgram details
Reactivity trainingProgram details
Resource guardingProgram details
How training happens
Board and trainProgram details
Group classesProgram details
Private trainingProgram details
Dog age
Adolescent dogsProgram details
PuppiesProgram details
Training level
Advanced trainingProgram details
Beginner trainingProgram details
Support between sessions
Homework and practiceProgram details
Assistance and working dogs
Therapy dog trainingProgram details
Dog sports
AgilityProgram details
Scent workProgram details
Training approach
Force-free trainingProgram details
Positive reinforcementProgram details
Other listed services
View 25 additional details
Animal RescueProgram details
Dog AdoptionProgram details
Dog BiteProgram details
Dog CommunicationProgram details
Dog EquipmentProgram details
Dog LeashProgram details
Dog ParkProgram details
Dog S T A RProgram details
Dog SuppliesProgram details
Dog TricksProgram details
Dog WhispererProgram details
Fit PawsProgram details
New Dog ConsultationsProgram details
Personal TrainerProgram details
Pet FencesProgram details
Pet ShoppingProgram details
Pet TherapyProgram details
Phone ConsultationProgram details
Private ConsultationProgram details
Shock CollarsProgram details
Shy DogProgram details
Sports DogProgram details
Walk InsProgram details
Weekly ClassesProgram details
Working DogsProgram details
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
5/5Cindy is a very nice and knowledgeable trainer. I only had limited sessions because life got in the way, but the sessions I had were certainly worth it!
She also was very curious. I couldn't attend class as the doctor had discovered my puppy had Giardia first day of in-person cl…Read full reviewClose full review
Cindy is a very nice and knowledgeable trainer. I only had limited sessions because life got in the way, but the sessions I had were certainly worth it!
She also was very curious. I couldn't attend class as the doctor had discovered my puppy had Giardia first day of in-person classes. That left me without any classes to attend (he needs to heal first and then 2 weeks without it to be safe).
However, Cindy offered me to attend a later class where she had an opening for free!
Overall 5/5
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Mikayla K
1/5My puppy was diagnosed with Giardia after I had already purchased the class. She said I could come alone without my puppy. I went to one class and it was just her talking. I apologize but I need a trainer who is able to physically keep up with my dog. Since I was refused a refund…Read full reviewClose full review
My puppy was diagnosed with Giardia after I had already purchased the class. She said I could come alone without my puppy. I went to one class and it was just her talking. I apologize but I need a trainer who is able to physically keep up with my dog. Since I was refused a refund, she said I could attend the next class after my puppy was cleared with a clean bill of health but she never got back with me about which class to attend. Wasted over $200.
*edit in response to her comment on my review. I have email proof showing I responded back that my puppy was negative but never received a reply back confirming when the class was.
J
Jodi Keele
3/5
Very knowledgeable trainer. However, she was only willing to work with the dogs that were already nearly trained. She compiled huge amounts of information to give to us, but I think I would have been better served by buying a book. The first class was brutal. She talked the entire time and was unresponsive to questions. She also ran a half an hour over the scheduled time.
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Nicola Marchi
5/5Cindy's classes are amazing. We particularly appreciate how she can frame any issue so you can understand it from your pup's point of view. Her puppy class has worked wonders for our puppy and we look forward to taking more classes at The Right Steps in the future.
The only thin…Read full reviewClose full review
Cindy's classes are amazing. We particularly appreciate how she can frame any issue so you can understand it from your pup's point of view. Her puppy class has worked wonders for our puppy and we look forward to taking more classes at The Right Steps in the future.
The only thing to be aware of is that she generally only answers email on specific days. It's worked out well for us but if you need more immediate contact with your trainer you might have issues.
W
Watson Family
5/5
Great classes for my new puppy and I. Trainer was/is extremely knowledgeable.
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.