Riverdog Canine Coaching

Riverdog is an amazing facility with incredible, caring and professional staff! We adopted our lab about a year ago after he was turned back twice to the breeder. Immediately, we researched training options and decided that Riverdog was the best program for us. He took both the Training Camp course and Radio Collar course. I get compliments everywhere I take him on what a well trained dog he is. We live on 5 unfenced acres and he can roam freely because of the Radio Collar course. He can also go hiking or anywhere else without a fence and we are confident that he will come back every time we call him. He's now attending Day C.A.M.P and is exhausted at the end of the day. I just wish that Riverdog provided boarding services for when we travel. 5-paws-up for Riverdog!!! more

We love Riverdog so much! We started out in their basic obedience class with our 6 month old siberian husky. The class was great! It was a fun group setting with lots of hands on demos and interactions. \r We currently take our pup there once a week for Day C.A.M.P and she loves it! She knows the word ""camp"" now and runs for the door when I say it! At the end of the day when I pick her up she comes to me with a little report card about her day. They also post pictures on their website daily of the dogs in C.A.M.P. I check every time she goes and I'm always excited to see her on the website! She is an ACTIVE 11 month old puppy and Riverdog Day C.A.M.P. tires her out for 24 hours! It's a GREAT place and I definitely recommend it!! :) more

We started taking Miller, our 7 year old Weimaraner, to Senior Day Camp after we had to put down our other dog. We wanted Miller to become more social and provide him with some other dogs to engage with- while he was overwhelmed at first, the people at Riverdog did a wonderful job of helping him to feel comfortable. We have discovered that he likes solving puzzles and he gets a great report card each time he goes... He also went through basic training here when he was a puppy and it was a great experience. I love everything they do at Riverdog and the options they offer. I don't have to worry about Miller when we drop him off. Great place!! more

Our dog Manny has been attending the Riverdog programs for a year and a half. We originally started with Training Camp, since Manny didn?t have the best manners. Manny loved Training Camp. He walks much better on a leash and knows basic commands. He even waits for his meals on his rug. After Manny graduated from Training Camp, he moved on to Day Camp. He plays with his friends all day and then is exhausted when we pick him up. We love reading his ?report cards? to see who he played with that day and how he behaved. We frequently have his nails trimmed while he is at Day Camp, which is really convenient.\r \r Our favorite part about Riverdog is the staff. They have gone out of their way to know my husband, Manny, and I. They are always helpful and have great suggestions. We would highly recommend Riverdog to anyone who is looking for dog training or a doggie daycare. more

I started taking Phoebe to Riverdog when she was just a puppy in 2009. We both love it. Phoebe goes to camp twice a week and is so excited when we turn on the street. She gets to hang with her BFFs and I even get a report card at the end of the day.\r We have also done several Obedience classes as well as an agility class. So fun! We might try Rally or Outdoor excursion next. I would highly reccomend taking your pup to Riverdog. You will both be very happy! more

I have been taking my two dogs to Riverdog's Doggy Daycare once a week for the past couple of year. They are well loved and come home with a personal report card about their behavior and who they played with. One of my dogs is a Mini Australian Shepard and I occasionally sign her up for a shampoo, nail trim and booty trim. The groomer does a fantastic job! more

We have been regular customers of Riverdog for over 5 years. We have taken many classes, and use doggie day care once a week. I am consistently impressed with the quality of care and attention that my dog receives at Riverdog. She is a sensitive dog, and she loves the personnel at Riverdog. She feels at home there and she's thrilled when we get to the parking lot!\r I would recommend the training classes to anyone who wants to be a better doggie parent. My husband and I have learned so much from the classes that we continue to take them to refresh our knowledge. Very well designed, structured learning environment which is safe for your dog and your family. more

We have been regular customers of Riverdog for over 5 years. Our dog really enjoys her visits to doggie day care once a week. I'm always impressed with how well she is treated there -- the staff is very caring and attentive. She feels at home with them.\r My husband and I have found the training classes very helpful. We have learned so much about being better dog owners. We have taken a variety of different classes and we would recommend them all. \r Take advantage of their free consultation if you're not sure of what you or your dog needs. more

My dog has been going there since 6months old. The staff is friendly and they love when he comes in. Great place for dogs to play and burn energy, I enjoy getting report card when I pick him to see what he has been up to all day. I always recommend Riverdog to friends and co-workers. more

We have been taking our dog, a yellow lab, to RiverDog for day CAMP since October 2007. We take her once a week. When she was a puppy we took her 2x per week. She LOVES it and does not even look back to say good bye to us when she arrives. They throw balls and play a lot of games with her all day. When we pick her she falls asleep in the car on the ride home. Riverdog Day CAMP is a wonderful way for your dog to play and socialize while you are at work. The people who work there are very friendly and caring. Once when our dog was sick and couldn't attend they sent her get well note. I highly recommend this place! more

My dog loves this place. She has been going since she was 12 weeks old. After almost 2.5 years, she's a veteran of all of their services. She learned her manners in Riverdog obedience classes and gets her pent up energy released 2X a week in DayCamp while we're at work. The operational hours are perfect (6:30-6:30) so I can drop her on the way to work and pick her up on the way home. The best part is the attention to cleanliness and safety. I've seen them send home a dog with kennel cough (thank goodness) and they let you know about potential outbreaks/accidental exposures. This place is a godsend for working folks that want to still have a dog. more

My husband and I adopted our dog Sunny from an animal shelter when he was about a year old. When we got him he had absolutely no manners ? he would pull like crazy on his leash, would run you down to get through doors and didn't know any commands. We adopted him on Friday evening and on Monday morning we brought him to Riverdog?s basic 3-week training C.A.M.P. After those three weeks we had a completely new dog! The trainers were absolutely wonderful and even helped us crate train and deal with his intense separation anxiety. \r \r Now Sunny attends Riverdog?s Day C.A.M.P. weekly and it is literally his favorite place in the world. The moment he realizes that we are leaving the house to go to Riverdog he starts crying and jumping up and down and doesn?t stop until he is able to bolt from the car to go play. (And the best part is he is exhausted and happy at the end of the day.) The staff members at Riverdog have been great to work with and I never have to worry about how he is do more

I have been taking my Coltriever to Riverdog since we got her a year and a half ago. I can't say enough good things about them! The staff is amazing and are all very well trained. As a brand new dog owner, I needed a lot of help. After 18 weeks of taking back to back Obedience and training classes, I felt a lot more confident and it was such a bonding experience for me and my dog. I can't say enough good things about the Outdoor Excursion class...it's just fun and a great way to work on skills you learned in Obedience. And for those who like to exercise with their dogs, you MUST try Furry Fit Club. Currently we are enrolled in Agility and Tricks and I love it so much I just purchased some agility equipment for home too! Doggy Day Camp is my back up when I have a hectic day and can't give my dog the time and exercise she needs. I know she is having a blast with other pups and also getting the utmost attention and care from the fantastic staff. If you are the lucky owner of a dog...please check out Riverdog...you will not be disappointed! more

I have been taking my dog Phoebe to RiverDog since she was a puppy. She started with Puppy KinderPlay and moved to Day Camp. We also have taken obedience classes and had lots of fun taking an agility class. RiverDog takes great care of the dogs and Phoebe is always excited to go. She also enjoys her spa days every couple of months. I would reccomend them highly. You will never worry about your dog if they are at RiverDog! more

So very pissed! Do not go to Riverdog. It is a walking Giardia, Kennel Cough, Injury giving, expensive nightmare!\r My dog might love it and the staff might be nice, but the bottom line is that he (my dog) does not know what's good for him, and the staff just seem to be walking machines for a higher power. \r First 3 months my dog goes there he ends up with a horrid case of kennel cough, the next year it's giardia, with some injuries in between. If you don't know what giardia is, I advise looking it up before you go.\r Good luck. more

We have put 2 dogs through Riverdog training (training camp, conformation, basic obedience, day camp) and have also trained at 2 other facilities. Riverdog stands out for their exceptional methods, communication to us, and the results we see. Our 2 dogs are of the same smart breed, but have opposite temperment. (One bold the other shy). Riverdog has worked with us to manage both of their personalities 100% better than any other training facility we've known to date. They love dogs and also host dog events. We are not affiliated with them in any way, just glad to know about them and grateful for their services. Jan 2011 more

I find it confusing that there are such mixed reviews for Riverdog. I adopted a dog from the Humane Society, and brought him in for a free consultation because he had never walked on a leash before and growled at other dogs in the park. Two Riverdog staff members spent over an hour with me and the dog, interacting with him and watching me with the dog as well. They told me exactly what to do in the park to avoid any issues, never tried to sell me anything, and were very friendly and professional. I asked about classes, but they felt that they weren't necessary since he really just had one issue that could be handled easily (their method worked like a charm and now he is great with all dogs). I adopted a puppy 10 months later, and would have brought him to Riverdog but ended up taking him to Petsmart (which was informative and helpful) because it was less expensive. However, I will be taking my second dog to agility classes at Riverdog this summer because I have heard so many posi more

Our dog Jack has been going to Riverdog since we first adopted him 6 years ago. Riverdog's unique approach to training involves dropping the pooch off 5 days a week for 3 weeks straight. The instructors work with your dog on basic behavior and obedience, as well as any special issues. They also help coach you the owner to establish and reinforce the behaviors you want from your dog. \r \r Doggie Day C.A.M.P. is like daycare for your furry best friend - you drop him off in the morning and pick him up after work. Jack is always tired and happy each time he goes to Riverdog. The report card is seemingly a cute novelty but is actually indicative of how well your dog is taken care of at Riverdog. It is obvious each time you drop your dog off and see how happy they are to see the ""counselors"" -- many of whom have been there for years. Jack has deep relationships with his favorite counselors Edie and Tim, and they know his moods and quirks.\r \r The staff at Riverdog are also very safety conscious. Dogs are interviewed prior to being accepted to camp, and each evening when you pick up your dog the counselors provide some details about your dog's day. A couple of times they pointed out small scratches that Jack might have gotten during play that day that I honestly wouldn't have even noticed, and one time when I picked Jack up the Riverdog staff reported that another dog had been bothering Jack that day resulting in Jack being a bit annoyed and nervous. Because Jack had a long history with Riverdog, and the other dog was a relatively new camper, they asked the other owner not to bring that dog in on Jack's day of the week. Riverdog gets my highest recommendation. Pros: Caring staff, safe environment, outstanding service, clean Cons: So popular sometimes you can't get your dog into camp more

Okay, I'm notoriously cheap, and I checked around and found that Riverdog was more expensive than some other dog training places, so we went somewhere else first. It was all about corrections. You say "heel", and leash pop, "no", leash pop, "no", leash pop, "no", until the dog figures out where you want him to be. Or you say "down", and pop the leash to force the dog to the floor, then the dog learns what "down" means. We were bored, most of the dogs were bored, and we felt we were getting little out of it, so we dropped out. We decided to give Riverdog a try after all, and we're very glad we did. They teach a whole different style, that's much more based on motivating your dog rather than lots of corrections. Obviously corrections will be necessary, but I like that they show you other methods as well. For example, you don't say a command, but you hold a treat in your hand, then put it by the dog's chest and move it down. When they lay down, you say "Good down!" and give them more

Okay, I'm notoriously cheap, and I checked around and found that Riverdog was more expensive than some other dog training places, so we went somewhere else first. It was all about corrections. You say ""heel"", and leash pop, ""no"", leash pop, ""no"", leash pop, ""no"", until the dog figures out where you want him to be. Or you say ""down"", and pop the leash to force the dog to the floor, then the dog learns what ""down"" means. We were bored, most of the dogs were bored, and we felt we were getting little out of it, so we dropped out. We decided to give Riverdog a try after all, and we're very glad we did. They teach a whole different style, that's much more based on motivating your dog rather than lots of corrections. Obviously corrections will be necessary, but I like that they show you other methods as well. For example, you don't say a command, but you hold a treat in your hand, then put it by the dog's chest and move it down. When they lay down, you say ""Good down!"" and give them the treat. Or you hold a treat in your hand by your hip, and when the dog tries to take it from your hand, you say ""Good heel!"", and maybe take a step or two forward while the dog is taking the treat out of your hand. You're starting from a position of success and building on it, instead of starting from failure and working towards success. If that's not the way you want to train your dog, there are other places in town, but I can say that our instructor Tatiana keeps the class fun, the pace of the class is good, all the dogs are having fun and are motivated to work, and I think everyone in the class would agree that we're seeing results in our dogs. Pros: They use a training style that's fun and very effective; worth the extra cost Cons: More expensive than other dog training schools in the area more