Dan Perata Training and Boarding

Jennifer Pisansky

2024-01

The entire staff at DPT is incredible. I would recommend highly to anyone with a new dog.I adopted a 7 lb chihuahua mix around 4 months ago. When I brought him home he was scared of everything and couldn't walk on a leash or go up and down stairs. After about 24 hours I was convinced I had ruined my life and found DPT online. Natasha was on the phone with me as soon as I sent an email and she enrolled my dog in Dan Camp the same day.When I returned two weeks later I was amazed at the progress the trainer had made. My dog was walking (perfectly) on a leash and going up and down stairs like a pro. Now we walk 2.5 miles everyday and he LOVES to run up and down the stairs in my apartment. My once fearful dog happily joins us when we go out to eat, go shopping, or walk down Chestnut Street.After 5 weeks he completed camp and was sent home full time but started to develop separation anxiety (my partner and I live in a small apartment and WFH) and cried anytime he was in the crate during the day or left home alone. This behavior was disturbing to my neighbors, so once again I found myself reaching out to Natasha for help.They enrolled my dog in another week of camp (at no additional cost to me) and I received a personal phone call from Dan with advice on how to change my behavior and stop this issue. A couple of weeks later and it's like I have a new dog at home. Yesterday I was able to leave all afternoon and my dog didn't cry once.The team at DPT are experts in dog behavior and they really care about dogs and about their customers. I know 100% that when I drop my dog off for training or boarding he is in the best hands. This program is worth the investment and I am so grateful to Natasha, Dan, Bryn, Sidney, and all of the trainers and staff for their help. They truly go above and beyond and thanks to them my dog is now thriving :)

Annie Prasad Vadillo

2023-10

There aren't enough words to explain how great DPT (including Dan, Natasha, and all of the staff and trainers) are - do NOT miss training your dogs with them. We came to DPT with our Tibetan Mastiff Clifford (fearful, reactive out of fear, huge) and our corgi Jude (spoiled brat, everything on his own terms) back in Febraury 2022. It was extremely important to us to use a no-pain method of training, especially with a dog as big as Clifford (120 lbs) and DPT delivered. We enrolled in Dan Camp and Jude and Cliforrd came back completely different dogs - we've seen so much improvement in both of their behavior. The facilities are great (think large training spaces, a treadmill room to work on reactivity on walks, a separation anxiety exercise room etc.) and the trainers care deeply about the dogs. We also love that our dogs board at DPT and get extra training whenever we go out of town.Because dogs are dynamic and training is a process, DPT offers support throughout the dog's lifetime and we take advantage of it regularly. This has been a HUGE help to us, especially when new issues pop up, new life changes happen, etc.We love and could not recommend more highly DPT.

Stefani Wolff

2023-10

DPT is an amazing service, and Dan is a miracle worker for dogs. I had been to at least 5 other trainers/certified dog behaviorist before coming to Dan. I was at the point of thinking I needed to put my dog down for his aggressive behavior and my inability to control him. My dog was a birthday present to my then 10 yr old daughter. We got him as an 8 week old rescue. He was great until puberty and then he became reactive, aggressive, resource guarding and other scary behaviors.Dan and his team were the only ones not afraid of him and willing to help me do the hard work. My dog was so reactive he could not stay at the facility like they typically do, so Dan worked one on one with me for almost a year to get my dog to be a completely differently behaved pet. And Dan and his team are still a resource for me several years after our initial training.My dog is now considered sweet, well behaved, listens and gets along with our 2 cats and other dogs.Dan and team rescued my dog from being put down, saved my daughter from heartache and helped me feel in charge of my dog.They truly are an amazing group of people who I am still grateful to know

Logan Hedrich

2023-08

Dan Perata's training and boarding truly changed our lives. We had an aggressive pitbull who would never listen to any of our commands, but after doing extensive training with Dan and his team, we were able to curb and change her tendencies and behavior. Their boarding has also greatly helped us out because of their proximity to the airport and their constant willingness to cater to our needs. DP truly is the best dog trainer in the city, you will not be disappointed with the results if you buy into the program!

Sami Pearlman

2023-05

This review is very long overdue. We put our dog in Dan Camp for puppies in January 2019, and she is her best self as a result. She was a very shy rescue, and although she still has her timid personality sometimes, she impresses everyone she meets with her great behavior. Dan, Natasha, and the whole crew are so wonderful and care so much about the dogs. They gave us the confidence we needed to lead our dog! We've also been boarding our dog when we are out of town, and she's always thrilled to see team members and be dropped off. Truly can't recommend them enough!

Devon Davey

2023-05

Dan saved my aggressive dog and he taught me how to be a dog owner to a high needs dog, I am SO grateful. My 80lb german shepherd rescue did Dan camp in 2018 and she learned her basic obedience, where as I went to weekly training sessions for almost 2 years! It was amazing they let me come that long but we needed it. I was able to socialize my dog, enforce the 5 basic commands and add on new ones and teach her to be a city dog where we could actually take dog walks without her going after another dog. Dan was firm but kind in his approach with me, encouraging me to stay consistent. They also were her boarders for years until I moved out of the city as I didn't and still don't trust many other people with my dog. If you need help figuring out how to be a dog owner/person for a high needs / active dog, definitely go to Dan! Also, years later with moves and a baby he has provided such helpful advice, thanks Dan!

alessandro piazza

2023-05

The only place where your dog will be treated with respect and without ANY for of violence.No prong collars here as the case should be!No frills and no beating around bushes either.The staff is prepared and they all take great care of the dogs.Dan, his wife and Team can all be trusted blindly for they really do what’s best for your beloved pet.Just trust the system and hep them help you,And your dog will show you the results for the rest of his life.

Patrick MacCartee

2023-05

Dan is amazing. He very quickly identifies dog and owner behaviors, what works, what doesn’t, and gets a plan in place to correct it. He had our dogs going through the paces in minutes as well as us owners. :-) I highly recommend him.

Michael Berman

2022-05

I found Dan, Natasha, and his staff 10 months ago after struggling to deal with a ridiculously rambunctious Labrador puppy. The puppy is now a year old and is well on her way to being a wonderful dog and companion. Through Dan's training methods and working with his knowledgable staff, it has been very easy to continue training and working with Gertie at home. Dan Camp and the subsequent training sessions have been fundamental to Gertie's great behavior at home. Dan and his staff really treat your dog like their own; I feel safe leaving Gertie with them. Not only has Dan continuously worked with Gertie, he and his staff work with you to ensure you are doing everything correctly. They have answered all of my questions and still continue to be an excellent resource on my journey raising Gertie. Dan and his staff have gone out of their way to set Gertie and I up for success. I highly recommend Dan Perata Training to any new (or seasoned) dog owner.

Sinclair Crockett

2022-05

Our shelter dog had been previously rehomed at least once and at 65 lbs. was basically unmanageable. She had no concept of appropriate dog behavior, and had put us both in the ER due to her...enthusiasm. We were really worried that we would have to relinquish her. After 3 other trainers, we found Dan. His program is amazing! Rosie is now two, and we have a happy, obedient, loving and goofy dog who we can take on long companionable walks, who sits at outdoor restaurants while we eat, and who is generally a delight. Dan's program works, because he truly "gets" what dogs need to feel safe. I can't recommend him highly enough, especially for dogs with behavior problems. Amazing!

Jonathan Burbaum

2022-05

Like many folks during COVID, my girlfriend and I decided to adopt a puppy. We've both had dogs before, so we knew what we wanted, and were willing to wait. Then, when a second puppy from the same litter was available at the last minute, I said, "Let's get two!". Enter twin Swiss Doodle puppies, Otis and Emma. Of course, we planned to do our own training (with YouTube and all sorts of resources, why not?). But after we got them home, we realized precisely how tough it was going to be to train two at once while holding down full-time jobs, even if we were working from home. So, we looked for professional help. That's when Marjorie identified Dan Perata Training. We enrolled them both in "Dan Camp" starting in July 2021.I have to say, it started a bit bumpy, at least in an emotional sense. We had to wait for two open slots, and by the time they opened up, we had become quite attached to our new puppies. Sending them away for most of the week was tough. But, we understood that dog training is as much for the owner as it is for the dog, so we toughed it out, doing all the Zoom meetings, in-person training sessions, and weekend homework. In the process, we got to know both Dan and his trainers pretty well--I accepted primary responsibility, so I was on-site for DPT for four hours every week (two hours per dog), plus an additional hour on Zoom. It's a commitment.The effect was almost immediate. After the first week, our whiny, needy, new puppies who got us out of bed out several times per night were suddenly comfortable in either kennel or crate without much complaint, after a single "hush". Although the on-site sessions were pretty monotonous, progress was noticeable week over week, particularly seeing the new puppies going through the process and realizing "Oh, yeah. I remember when they did that!" There are immediate rewards, too. I remember having trouble with Otis biting my hand hard enough to draw blood while playing--I brought this up to Dan, and he gave me immediate advice. The next time Otis tried to bite me was the last time he ever did! Magic.As we got to know Dan better, it became more apparent how effective his methods are. He's no "biscuit pusher" but instead provides concise instruction to both dog and owner through consistency and tone of voice without resorting to treats. He's not a "dog whisperer" either (more like a "dog barker"!), but his methods are way effective if you're willing to suspend disbelief for a week or two.I've seen a few reviews that question DPT's business practices. That's not been our experience at all. From Dan through his trainers to the office staff, we have seen but one conspicuous characteristic--They love dogs. Period. Not the fees, not the upsells, but the dogs they send out into the world. There's some understandable pride there in making the world just a little bit better through responsible companion animals, and I have to say that Marjorie and I are incredibly grateful.If you decide to take your pup to Dan, you need to go all-in, but you won't regret it. As a heads-up, it took us some time to appreciate Dan's sardonic sense of humor and occasionally non-PC commentary. You shouldn't expect a warm and cuddly sales guy. Dan is more of a Marine drill sergeant. He personifies "tough love" but with the emphasis on "love".As a final note, Emma and Otis are doing very well after graduation, with a minor regression on neutering. Dan takes pride in his dogs and has been regularly available for all sorts of dumb questions (dumb in retrospect, of course) even after the dynamic duo officially graduated from the program. I wish all the dogs were Dan Perata dogs! The world would be a better place if they were.

Cheryl Dickinson

2019-05

Dan Perata is an amazing trainer and an awesone staff and facility. He worked Miracles with my rescued stray dog who had some serious issues. He also taught me a lot about dogs in the process. I highly recommend the investment in training with Dan, you will have a wonderfully behaved dog, learn a lot and enjoy your years with your behaved dog and knew skills.

Dogs Love To Walk Kjolby

2023-05

Great Facility! Spacious Staff are wonderful! Dan Perata is professional. I was an employee my experiences were quite different. No more grudges. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.

Terrence Reedy

2019-05

Dan Perata and his entire staff/family is phenomenal. I rescued a beautiful black lab pit mix with an abusive and negeleted past. She was completely shutdown and fearful of everything. They will train your dog and they will train you. They will tell you they are in it for the long haul with you. They mean it. We did "Dan Camp" which is slotted for 4-6 weeks. Dan and his staff worked with us far past the 6 week mark for no additional charge. Additionally, outside having a great training regimen and great staff, these are high quality people. I encountered a challenging living situatuon where I could not have my dog in the apartment and needed to move immediately. I called Dan at 9:45pm on a Friday. He and his wife called me right back, we worked out a plan and they took my dog for an additional two weeks while I figured out my living situation.I went from having a nonresponsive, emotional wreck of a dog, to a happy, healthy dog I can walk off leash and get compliments on everywhere I go. If you sign up with Dan, buy into his program, and do what they tell you to do, you will see great results. I would give more than 5 stars if I could.

Diana Kruze

2021-05

This is a horrible business. 1) our dog and other dogs got sick at Dan’s facility; 2) the owner tried to cover that up; 3) the owner then tried to blame our for an outbreak at his facility when he earlier told us no other dogs were sick; 4) DPT made our young daughter cry; and 5) our dog left untrained. When we complained, the owner verbally attacked and bullied us. These guys have a lot of bad reviews for a reason. They work through fear and intimidation, which is counter-productive for many dogs. If you don't see results, the owner will blame you. Just think - for $3000, you too could have a sick, untrained dog, and a business who thinks it's a good idea to personally attack people’s kids! Don't support a business that treats people and dogs this way. There are many other great options for dog trainers who actually support and care for dogs and their owners.

Grey Skold

2020-05

Dan cares about dogs. There's no way around it. Him and Aaron have an established "tough love" approach that's helped my dachshund go from yappy annoyance to confident wonder-wiener.No shock collars, no physical harm on the dogs; just simple stern dog-parenting, lead leashes, and water pistols.Yes the place smells like dog pee, it's a warehouse refitted for doggy boot camp and for a reasonable price at that! (Compared to other dog training facilities)When we have our next puppy we will 100% take them here for puppy school. I can't recommend this place enough for dog training.

Amy Lockwood

2018-05

I feel so lucky to have been introduced to Dan, Natasha, and the team at DPT. My dog had severe separation anxiety when I started working with them and they’ve trained her (and I) through it. If you are willing to put in the work, these folks can help you and your dog with most any issue.

Sydney Mccamant

2022-05

I was taking my dog for his first training session and I brought my daughter who’s 13. During the session Dan made fun of my daughter and sprayed her with his spray bottle used for dogs, she was very upset and instead of apologizing Dan said our dog would have sprayed my daughter if he could. I will not be going there again and wouldn’t recommend this place to my worst enemy.

Jim L

2021-05

These trainers are pros. They also work with you by boarding your fur baby all week and teaching you skills to practice all weekend. They are training the owners as well as the pups.

Andrew Work

2023-12

Our dog loves Dan and his staff!

Adam Glazier

2017-05

One week at Dan's and I'm already seeing huge progress. I previously, tried positive reinforcement training for months without good results. Go Dan!

Antonia Townsend

2018-05

Amazing work with all sorts of dogs. We tried 5 other trainers, Dan was the only one that helped.

Anaperla Aureoles

2023-05

Just questioned the environment and we were never shown the facilities. The training area.much too far for me.

Thomas Hulse

2020-05

The quality of the people who work here and there service,,,,excellent !!I would definitely trust my best friend with these people.....

Ana Sophia Dunham

2018-05

Take my dog there every day! Best trainers ever!

Ryan Brown

2021-05

Best Dog Trainer in the Bay Area.

JohnH

2019-05

Expensive at $3,000 plus for about 20 days

Melissa Dresner

2018-05

Miracle workers! Can't say enough good things.

Jean Carroll

2018-05

Very professional and amiable personnel

Randolph Crutchfield

2019-05

Quite expensive at $3,000 plus.