Unleashed Dog Training & Behavior Center

Unleashed is as good as it gets with dog training and daycare. Julie has been looking after our dogs for over 10 years and we followed her to Unleashed when she started here. The staff at Unleashed will care for your dog as much as you do and we have an awesomely trained puppy to show for it.
For what it is worth, I witnessed the Sandy L. situation first-​hand and her kid was awful to the puppy. I agreed with the re-​homing idea and was impressed that Charlie stood up for the dog because that kid has no business being around animals if only to abuse them. Charlie’s suggestion was in the best interest of the family and animal and something needed to be said. The behavioral problems were created by poor treatment at home. Unleashed didn’t fail you — you failed the animal and continue to do so. Period. It is extremely sad…

I have only been to a couple classes due to my busy schedule, but I can’t begin to explain how awesome this place is! Especially with their recent move into the bigger building, Unleashed has really wow’ed me! Even for the couple of classes I went to, I learned so much to help me and my dog out.
The levels that your dog must pass are extremely well organized, and there is no time limit on how long a dog needs to pass a level. It’s a very casual atmosphere, and they don’t make you feel bad if you dog is insane (like my pitty mix, haha!).
Charlie makes your dog feel special, and is extremely knowledgable in what she does. I highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking to train dogs of any age!

Charlie tried to get me to re-​home my dog. Each class I attended that’s what she told me, repeatedly. He was a puppy, I took him to to be trained, and they failed. Instead of training my dog I was told to re-​home him. I didn’t re-​home him, continued to attend behavior training classes here, hoping to get issues with my dog worked out. Issues I noticed began around the time I started bringing him to Unleashed. I took him here for at least 6 months. I decided to purchase one of their packages for $ 300. Shortly after I purchased the package one of the trainers Julie, screamed at my dog during a session and did something physically to him that caused him to Unilocal over and over like he was in pain. I didn’t see what happened, I just heard and saw after how my dog was acting. I had never seen him like that before, and haven’t since. Not feeling comfortable enough to continue training with Julie, I spoke with Charlie and asked for a refund since I wasn’t going to use the whole package I purchased. She said she would refund me the money. She didn’t believe me that Julie yelled and possibly hurt my dog, but would refund me for the amount of the package I purchased and wouldn’t use. That was ages ago. I have e-​mailed, called, even seen her in person and she has yet to refund me anything. This business is as shady as it gets. They don’t know how to train animals, and they do not conduct business properly. Ignoring and lying to me, their client, has led me to write this review and I will tell anyone I can about the shady business practice that is Unleashed Dog Training.

I take my puppy to Unleashed for both training and their daycare (Muttasori). The trainers are very knowledgeable and the dogs all seem happy. I have more then the average experience with dogs and dog training and am very pleased with my experiences.
First, the training: The classes are set up similar to classes I used to take with my late dog at Marin Humane society. The classes are structured and done in a way that each dog/​owner gets some individual attention during group class. The training is positive but they aren’t afraid to try something creative or get their hands dirty when you really need some help training your pup. Prices are fair and enjoyable for both my puppy and for me. I had tried some other training classes at some other businesses in Petaluma and Unleashed is by far my favorite.
Daycare: My puppy (Bowie) is currently 15 weeks old and goes to Muttasori for just a few hours a week until I go back to work when he’ll go for longer. Bowie LOVES Muttasori!!! He can be pushy with his play with other dogs and the trainers at Unleashed have worked with him on appropriate play (also shout out to the other dogs at the daycare who help Bowie put him in his place when he needs it). All playtime is very supervised and the dogs all look happy to be there. This was important to me as I took Bowie to some free puppy play classes at other businesses in the area and I was constantly having to break up play with both my dog and other dogs because the «trainers» failed to read the body language of the dogs. Bowie always comes home a little bit dirty, happy, and tired (but not too tired as they make sure he gets his naps).

We went here because of the great reviews. It’s yucky. Our puppy had diarrhea (sorry) the whole next day. Charlie knows her stuff but I felt she’s a bit checked out. Over it. They are hard to reach on the phone – don’t return calls. Nope. Better options in town.

We LOVE Unleashed! We trained, boarded, and Muttassori’d here and my dog could not have loved them more. The training is excellent and the staff are all great! They really go out of their way to make sure you’re getting the help you need.
Charlie and Virginia, thank you so much for helping me find trainers in our new home! I would have been overwhelmed without your help. Julie, thanks for always being so awesome with my boy! Comox loved you and I can’t imagine he’ll bond to another trainer the way he did with you!
We miss you all!

Charlie is great trainer! I had a 90-​minute session with her and she changed my expectations about my dog’s behavior. Now I can walk my dog off-​leash and not worrry about her straying too far.

Charlie, Virginia and Julie are the best. They go out of their way to make classes and behavior consults, fun and engaging for your dog while in a safe environment, but also highly educational for you. I know my dogs are truly loved and valued there, and this means the world to me, since I have a fearful/​shy dog that has benefitted immensely from taking their outdoor Levels class every Sunday. They patiently answer every question, no matter how silly, and they have taught me how to have so much fun with my dogs, it has made our bond stronger. I love them and highly recommend them.

The trainers at Unleashed! have changed the life of our 5 year our Lab so much for the better. Despite appropriately raising Ernie and socializing him to other dogs, taking him to puppy classes, etc. he is afraid of new dogs. Charlie and Virginia enrolled Ernie in their AMP Program. AMP is a wonderfully intensive course that transformed Ernie, and me. Within a matter of weeks, Ernie went from barking and lunging at dogs A BLOCK AWAY, to being enrolled in a group class at Unleashed! and calmly participating.
For AMP, each dog is assessed individually, as each has its own set of issues and strengths. No cookie cutter one size fits all program here! Let me say, not all dogs at Unleashed! have issues, not at all. But if you have concerns, this is the place to go.
Also, to address the Jan. ’13 review about the puppy. Unleashed! clearly and repeatedly states in all its information that all clients must first attend an Orientation Meeting. This is standard protocol for any training center. I am so sorry that the puppy owner was put off and decided not to attend the meeting. Lot’s of important information if offered. I find the trainers quite respectful of the clients.
Our family is so grateful to have worked with Unleashed! Ernie continues to attend classes, lucky boy!

I arrived at Unleashed after driving my puppy for 45 minutes only to be turned away at the door because I have to take a 2 hour class before my puppy is allowed to cross the threshold of their doorway!
I had hoped to realize the wonderful experiences, expertise, and education Unleashed had to offer but I was turned away at the door… pretty much «sorry you are out of luck. May as well not bother. We don’t have time. Your puppy is cute and good luck». I get it that there are procedures and that every participant «MUST AND IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED to take a 2 hour class that is ONLY offered 2 times per month. DON’T BOTHER TO DRIVE HERE UNLESS YOU HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THIS CLASS THAT WE ONLY SCHEDULE TWO TIMES PER MONTH. AND DON’T EXPECT A RETURN CALL ON WEEKENDS IF YOU WANT INFORMATION ABOUT ANYTHING. «. Don’t you think that should be in bold somewhere besides my entry in Unilocal?
Needless to say, my puppy and I will NOT be going back to the sidewalk area in front of Unleashed business premises again. Militant is an understatement.

My husband and I decided to take a puppy class at Unleashed after getting a Lab/​Boxer mix with LOTS of energy.
We signed up for a 6 week course for $ 140. Our instructor was Charlie Reinhart. She is a great teacher, and was amazing with all of the dogs!
Week one consisted of an orientation where we were given a great handbook on all the skills that would be taught in class, including some helpful hints and bonus exercises to do at home. It included demonstrations with her own dogs, and we were given homework to start before our first class.
Each class began with the dogs relaxing on bedding which they provide, and a question and answer time for owners. Usually the skills given for homework the previous week are then worked on, with each dog and owner getting a lot of personal attention from either Charlie or her assistants. New skills are then introduced, and homework is given out.
The classes are kept small. We had 7 dogs in our class, with one trainer and 2 assistants. We were really surprised at how much one on one attention we got in a group class!
The final week is graduation, where an obstacle course including all the skills learned are included. The dogs were also surprised with very nice graduation gifts!
The price of this class is a real bargain for everything you get! Besides training in a fun, positive environment, you will learn about which kind of collars or other equipment work best for your dog, nutrition and exercise, and socialization.
Unleashed also offers private training at your home, which we took advantage of.
If you have a new puppy, or even an older dog I would highly recommend taking a class at Unleashed. No choke chains, just positive reinforcement and a lot of fun!