what people are saying about us

I have a reactive dog that has gone to one on one visits with Jenn to help provide tools to help with his behavior. She has done wonders.

No more constant barking at any movement. We're able to go on walks again and able to enjoy life more. For our boy boötes and us as a family.

If you have a reactive dog I highly recommend their help.

They do have other programs for non reactive dogs that would be great for many dog families.

-Boots’ family

A Pleasant Dog took on a really difficult situation with compassion and dedication. I really appreciate their evidence-based approach to training.

The people at A Pleasant Dog (APD) care about dogs and humans alike. We were struggling with our reactive rescue dog and growing family. Their training is top notch and is only surpassed by their kindness and empathy.

The team at A Pleasant Dog have been incredible with our little Shiba. After spending eight years in a breeding mill — our dog was filled with constant anxiety, fear and reluctance. With the help of the APD team and a behavioral vet we now get the opportunity to witness our little dog interact, play and enjoy life.

A Pleasant Dog is just that, pleasant to work with. I felt Kaylee answered my questions and addressed any concerns I had with my dog. Emily, the office manager, is so much fun just to talk with.

The whole team is knowledgeable, obviously loves their work and the dogs they work with. I would recommend them highly.

We would be lost without APD and our Auntie Jenn. Our dog was quite anxious upon adoption and later showed some highly reactive and aroused behavior. We had consulted with other area trainers who were unsure how to help or suggested methods that made us uncomfortable. This left us feeling so sad and defeated. We found APD and have been successfully managing our sweetie using medication and positive reinforcement for several years now. We found the level of support we were looking for and both our dog and our confidence has grown tremendously. We just love you APD!

I cannot say enough good things about the staff at A Pleasant Dog - they are an absolute God send! They are helping me and my 4 year old Pomeranian, Banjo, with a plethora of skills and communication. They are extremely personable, patient, and kind, and tailor training to our specific needs. The staff has also been amazing about answering questions in a timely manner between appointments. I never feel alone, my relationship with Banjo has improved, and Banjo is happier and more confident. I would recommend them to anyone who loves their pets!

I love A Pleasant Dog and have been training with them for 5 years with my oldest dog who has learned agility, earned a TKN and a TKI (trick dog notice and trick dog intermediate titles) and was able to overcome his reactivity to earn his CGC (canine good citizen title). Most recently I've started scent work with my new puppy and have been attending the basic obedience classes with the puppy. The trainers are friendly and knowledgeable and the classes are fun. But, most importantly, we've seen great results and I truly have 2 pleasant dogs.

The staff and trainers here are some of the most caring, professional, animal lovers you will ever meet. Jenn helped to match us with two different dogs that needed new homes and then helped us to teach them to be incredible companions. We’ve worked through normal behavioral and obedience training as well as some problem behaviors with Jenn, both in classes and in private consultation in our home. Their approach is kind and respectful, not punitive or domineering.

I can’t say enough great things about them! A great local business!

I'm extremely grateful for APD! My service dog prospect experienced trauma at 10 months old, and has been dealing with really severe reactivity since then. I myself am working towards a bachelors in canine behavior science, and have plenty of experience with reactivity in dogs, but our case has so many added layers of difficulty to it. As someone who is already well-versed in dog behavior and training (but not yet at the certified professional level) I can say with certainty that Jenn knows what she's doing! She's given us fantastic advice on how to proceed from where we're at now, and I'm definitely feeling more hopeful for our future. 10/10 would recommend Jenn and her team to anyone looking for any sort of dog training or behavior modification!

Jenn is excellent at assessing dogs and applying humane, effective and well received training methods and behavioral modifications . Our veterinary hospital has worked with Jenn on many difficult behavior and training issues with excellent results. She has likely saved some dogs from euthanasia and has helped numerous people to better understand their canine companions. We highly recommend Jenn Gavin, A Pleasant Dog Training, to our clients and we appreciate Jenn's devotion to helping us with some of our most difficult training needs. Jenn is an excellent resource of dog knowledge for our boarding facility, doggie daycare and veterinary hospital. Jenn, thank you for teaching all us to better understand dogs so they can be a pleasant addition to our daily community.

A Pleasant Dog has been one of the absolute biggest blessings. We have two reactive Great Pyrenees Mix dogs, and we worked with APD to help better understand our dogs’ breed behavior and tendencies, as well as their anxiety to be able to have a very peaceful and happy household. We worked with them for puppy classes, reactive dog class, Adult 101, one on one training for one of our pups, and they came to our home to help us prepare the dogs for welcoming a child to the household. Our lives would not be the same without the expert dog and people training and help we received from APD. Our dogs’ lives dramatically increased and they are happier and more at ease thanks to Jenn and her amazing team. We cannot thank them enough or recommend them enough! APD is a safe haven for all who enter their doors, and they really do love your dogs like their own!

A Pleasant Dog is staffed with outstanding trainers who really do love your dogs. And just as important as their behavioral skills is their ability to train people. I had my first training session after my rescue dog of three years remained impossible to walk due to his incessant pulling & lunging at squirrels, cars & other dogs. Jenn (quite diplomatically) explained what was off in my timing, and how I needed to slow wayyyyyy down in exposing him to certain environments. Maybe 2 months later, I could finally walk him without injuring my shoulder. Now 15 months later, my beautiful dog is a joy to walk for everyone in my family, politely greets other dogs, sits nicely on the Starbucks patio while I enjoy my coffee, and looks at me instead of passing cars. I (and Finn) couldn’t be more grateful for what APD has taught us.
(virtual client)

Finding training for a reactive and anxious German Shepherd is very difficult, not to mention stressful, in and of itself. Especially for one who was once in a high stress environment and further robbed of socialization opportunities due to covid lockdown.

After one in person session, I can say the folks at A Pleasant Dog are excellent at what they do and know exactly how to work with very stressed and very anxious pups like mine. By the end of the first session, my dog was happily accepting tasty treats right next to the trainer, which is a huge change from when we first walked in the door of the training classroom.

I'll continue to take my dog to classes here; I’m absolutely certain the staff will get my dog where she needs to be--confident and curious about new things and new people, and not afraid of everything and everyone, and just getting to live and enjoy life as a regular dog, as she should be.