Bob Minchellas dog owner counseling

Highly recommend Bob for his basic obedience class. We had 2 VERY reactive German Shepherds and after his 5-week training classes, we’ve noticed significant improvement not just in their obedience to commands, but their overall reactivity and manner around other dogs. Now we can confidently take our dogs on walks and out in public without fear of how they will react.

I have done many classes with other trainers in the past with my dogs over many years. I was very happy with bob and all of his assistants. Just remember, it’s not just the class and then your dog is “trained”! You have to do the work at home with all your shown in class. You and your dog will get out of it what you put in. I really appreciate Bob’s laid-back personality but he has a incredible background and experience that clearly shows in each class. It follows very logical and progressive steps to deal with problematic behavior and he is never stuck in a “one way for every dog” way to handle what you’re dealing with. We are happily continuing our training with Bob and crew.

Unfortunately, we had a pretty lackluster experience with Bob. His wife Jodi, on the other hand, was amazing. We brought an 8-month old never-been-socialized wreck of a dog into our home, and of course wanted to start class right away with him. Our dog was TERRIFIED of people, just terrified - to the point where he would choke himself out trying to flee. We began Bobs basic obedience class more so as a socialization experience for him vs actual training, but of course he was just so scared, he would shut down at first. Id been continuing training with him at home and as the class went on we were able to see a longer period before shut down, and I found other things that helped him stay focused as well.My issue comes in when we were basically told by Bob to give up on the dog and that hell probably be like this forever.Coming from a background of endless dog behavior knowledge & training myself, I knew he was right only to a certain extent due to the severity and persistence of his fearfulness, but the way he phrased any of his conversations and how he interacted with us just irked me; he was basically telling us there was no hope for our dog when I knew he was wrong. What kind of dog trainer tells you to give up on your dog? Especially one that is supposedly well-versed in behavior-problem dogs.Bob would continue to stare down my dog, when it was obvious it scared him more, and maybe once or twice tried the throwing a treat from a distance, but then basically gave up himself on even trying to help and NEVER offered any suggestions. Any time I tried to approach Bob to discuss things, he would brush me off, start talking with someone else as soon as he got the chance, and just gave incredibly vague answers to any question I had, or just reiterated to me hes a hopeless case. And while Bob has a dry sense of humor that most dont get or find humerus (honestly, hes actually hilarious sometimes) - unfortunately he was being completely serious in his statements to me. What a lazy trainer. It seems as though he really only cares to work with dogs who will learn commands within 5 minutes and have zero behavioral issues. Its not even like he suggested private classes or anything - he just brushed us aside.The only positive was that Bobs wife, Jodi, was incredible - very willing to take it slow, be calm, and work with my dogs personality and not just lump us all into a group vs individual dogs.As soon as we finished Bobs class, I immediately began a fearful-dog specific class at Tails of Success, and continued to work with him on my own diligently, and have seen tremendous improvement. My dog now approaches people on his own accord, still shy of course and does still have a long way to go, but in general has made serious leaps and bounds of improvement. Its taken 8 months thus far of continuous, persistent training, but he is beyond what Bob apparently ever thought he could be. The staff at ToS are FAR more genuine and actually care and will take the time to work with your dog, even in a group setting.

We adopted a crazy Australian Shepherd 3 years ago. I had just recently had wrist surgery so training was done primarily with my fiance who never owned a dog before. After 2 sessions with Bob, Beemer walks almost perfectly on a leash and even off! Her recall is amazing as is her healing! We NEVER thought that would occur! Hats off to Bob for his dedication and perspective! My brother took their Husky pup to Bob as well! Thank you! Thank you! We will definitely bring our next pup to him!

I find Bob to have an real, true understanding of dogs and what makes them tick. He’s realistic and down to earth, period, end of story. I know sometimes people want to believe something to the contrary of what the real problem is with their own actions or their dog’s behavior with special problems, but if they would listen to him and give a try to what he recommends, I guarantee they would come out of the experience with a better understanding of their dog, of how they could do things differently to help their dog, and in the end a better trained dog. Working through problems is not always easy but he will work with you if you’re willing to take his suggestions. This is a leave your ego at the door training to do what’s best for your dog. We look forward to training- my dog loves it which is why I keep signing up for his classes even though she has the basics down and I’m becoming a better dog handler the more I learn from him. I wouldn’t suggest anyone else and over the 40 years that I’ve had dogs, believe me, I’ve gone to other trainers in the past. He gets it right for individual dogs and isn’t just following a menu of training a dog. He gets 5 stars from me any day of the week.

We have been bringing dogs to Bob for years.He continues to train us to understand and work with our dogs instincts, creating a long lasting bond between us and our dogs. Bob is entertaining and an excellent instructor, whenever asked I recommend Bob and his team without hesitation.

I have an 8 yo German Shepherd rescue, Archer, who is extremely dog aggressive. Archer and I have only been to two classes so far but Bob and his staff had made amazing improvements in Archer’s behavior. Previously, I had seen trainers that wanted to shock archer into obedience or keep him in private lessons... Bob put archer right into a group lesson, and no shock collar advised. After one week in the “private room” archer was out today in the “general public” with the other dogs. He never made an aggressive attempt and was a joy to work with the entire class. So far, archer loves going to class, and I have seen a world of improvement in his behavior. Where he would previously lunge and bark at other dogs on walk he had been able to walk past with little sway - a nearly impossible task prior to our training with Bob. We are very thankful for everyone at Bob Minchella’s dog owner counseling and will be taking Archer to as many classes as we can in the future. They’ve really taught me how to work with my best friend, and I am forever greateful :)

Bob knows exactly how a dog thinks and acts! Dont expect to just go to the classes and your dog will be perfectly behaved. You need to work with your dog between classes. Hes worked with probably all breeds and temperaments and knows how train them all. Hes low key and gives you all the information to successfully train your dog.

We first started using Bob when we brought home a a deaf white boxer puppy eleven years ago. Frankie completed Basic and Advanced Obedience and even went on to do Agility. We have continued to use Bob for each of the following dogs we adopted. Our latest adoption just completed Basic Obedience and we are now on our way to Advanced Obedience. We continue to appreciate Bobs no nonsense approach to dog/owner training and his sense of humor.

I came to Bob 17 yrs ago . I had shep/lab. I had no clue how to train a dog. And we were both good after his class. Now , 18 yrs later, back with Great Dane mix. We will both be good again . Thanks to Bob!

Not recommended. I called to inquire about dog behavior training. I spoke to Bob and explained the situation. He began speaking in circles and not making much sense, while laughing through the conversation. He was not addressing my concerns, instead speaking of my dog barking at the neighbors, which was NOT the concern I first spoke of. When I tried to tell him that I was trying to understand what he was suggesting, he told me that he was going to hang up on me because he did not have time for this nonsense. I asked, Are you serious? and then he hung up me.

Best dog trainer in the area. He trained my rottweiler and then 9 years later trained my boerboel. Leave your feelings at the door and listen to what he is telling you. If you do, you will see the results.

Do not recommend if you have a special case dog. I have a 1 year old Aussie Doodle that I rescued. He is afraid of men. Bob basically told me fat the first class to give up on my dog and drug him.mind you I prepaid for the training up front. Bob would throw treats from a distance at my dog to act like he wanted to work with him. He could care less and carry on with the dogs that caught on to his commands quickly. I was more of trying to get my baby used to being around people and other dogs.I was 20 minutes late for our 3rd class, my baby chewed his harness off before we left for class so I had to stop and buy a new one on the way. I walk into class and Bob says “you’re late, go over in the corner and I will be with you shortly, you missed everything”. He tone and attitude was extremely unprofessional. I felt like a toddler being punished for being late. Not that he even asked why we were late. He has no patience for a special case dog. I walked out of class and never went back. Zero refund, zero contact. Nothing to show he really cares about all of his customers.We are now with Eastside dog training and my dog is doing amazing! Highly recommend. Side note, haven’t had to drug my dog BOB. Maybe its time to hang up the leash Bob, you seem tapped out.

If your serious about training yourself and your dog then this is where you should be. Bob understands dogs and helps their owners to understand their dog. Dont know where I would have been with my Terrier without him.Thanks Bob

Brought a somewhat aggressive purebred German Shepherd to Bob. It was like night and day. This dog is magnificent obedient and trustworthy. I credit that to Bob and Jodi. Be prepared to do the work. Bob is exceptional.

Ive used three different trainers for three different dogs over the years, avoiding Bob because I had heard he was hard on the owners. I ran into an issue with my current dogs (one new to me and one 8 year old) attacking another dog which completely traumatized me. I was, once again, advised to go to Bob which I finally did. Honestly, its been the best experience because he holds the owners accountable for doing the work and keeps things incredibly simple. Plus, there were just the right number of dogs and people (8 dogs) to create enough chaos to make the training worthwhile, while giving us enough time with Bob and Jodi to reinforce our process. Im taking my dog on to the advanced class which I never would have considered that in the past because Bob and Jodi.