The Uncommon Canine

I have taken six dogs to almost every class offered at The Uncommon Canine since 2001. In this group were over the top puppies and a fearful rescue, of many different breeds/​mixes. I always leave class very happy with what we are learning, how the classes are run/​taught, and above all, that Joella, Lisa, and Cris always keep the classes safe for all dogs and people.
I love that all of the training is positive, and that Joella and her crew have such a wealth of problem solving experience. It is much more than teaching what is on the class agenda, especially with the puppy and basic classes. They have so many tools and so much advice to offer for helping people solve problems that they are having with their dogs. Not just obedience-​wise, but just about ANY behavior that is keeping the dog from being an ideal member of the family.
I cannot say enough about how much our family has enjoyed The Uncommon Canine.

Three Woofs for The Uncommon Canine! Joella, Cris and Lisa are Uncommon trainers and remarkable ladies. LuLu and I started Puppy Kindergarten at 5 months. We have taken almost all of Joella’s class. Because of The Uncommon Ladies, LuLu has completed in Obedience and Rally and earned her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Community Canine (CGCA). We got our start in Agility at the UCK9. LuLu has boarded with Joella as well. This is the place! Thank you, Joella, Cris and Lisa!

I have really mixed feelings about The Uncommon Canine and Joella. Our first experience, about 2 years ago, was good and I would have given somewhere between 4 and 5 stars. I love her positive training methods and obvious love and respect for dogs. Her price is lower than many, which is a plus for us. It was certainly good enough that we went back without a second thought when we got our second dog. This time though, there were several things we didn’t like and we had an overall very different experience.
Some of the difference was the new dog has some clear challenges that she didn’t seem interested in helping with, just controlling during class time. Which I understand, but she shouldn’t advertise that she can work with «dogs in need of space» (she calls them DINOS) when she clearly doesn’t want to. That’s her choice, but please don’t tell me one thing and do another. Be honest about it.
There were also several issues that had nothing to do with our particular dog’s lack of fit. Joella and her assistant spend a fair amount of time training their own dogs during class time, including rather distracting clicker training. She spent a fair amount of time complaining about the heat, not wanting to teach because «it was too hot», or hosing down her dog because he was hot (which was great care of her dog, but not what I was paying for). Almost every class started 10 – 15 minutes late while we waited for late-​comers. OK, I understand not wanting to teach new material twice. But surely those of us who were on time deserved her attention and either teaching little things (a trick maybe?) or review and individual critique of prior materials. Between all of the above, I fell like we got maybe ½ of the time we paid for. And the facility she uses reeks of dog urine. While this isn’t her space and not something she can control, she really should either work with the business owners to replace or find a different facility.
So, overall, probably a good option if you have a small dog or a calmer large dog and you have the patience for late starts and distractions. If those things aren’t true, probably not a good fit.

Our dog did not fit into this class.
But I’m giving the Uncommon Canine 4 stars because the trainer gave us plenty of one-​on-​one time and attention. In the end she gave us a refund and a list of places that better suited our dog. This made me feel the trainer cared about dogs and our dogs success. I would recommend to all dog owners.

Just started taking my Great Dane Murphy to Joella’s «Rally Obedience» classes. He already has his Novice Title but I wanted more individual attention than I was getting with the Obedience Club of San Diego (I still love them, btw).
I decided to go back to the basics and start with beginner Rally-​O to see if there was anything I had «missed» with my dog as far as training techniques go. So far he’s doing great and enjoys the classes. I am hoping to rejuvinate his energy for Rally-​O so we can go on to get our Advanced title… which is all off-​leash and that makes me a little nervous!
Joella gives great direction & suggestions on how to get your dog to perform a command. She’s also a positive trainer, which is a big plus in my books.
Hopefully after these 6 weeks are over I will feel more confident about competing at the Advanced level! Will keep you posted!

We learned a lot and had fun in Joella’s class. Flexibility is offered as the well lit turf training ring worked for those seeking after work classes as well as Saturday classes for those wanting a day class for the family. Her Puppy Socialization class was helpful. We never would have had exposure to so many breeds in our neighborhood. We learned basic obedience. My favorite class was Rally Obedience. The dog seemed to have more fun (saw some prancing through the stations) than in a traditional obedience class. The associates were helpful also.

Great training techniques.
Helps you understand your pet.
Convenient classes.

Joella is a great trainer! She encourages a positive approach to getting your pets to obey you. Her approach is to really teach the owners how to train their dogs at home. And her classes are fairly inexpensive. Would recommend!

I took my hyperactive poodle in for obedience training. Joella clearly loves dogs and had a never ending supply of patience for my dog and I. My dog grew to love the classes and we continued with some agility training as well.

joella and lisa at uncommon canine are great trainers. i had my yorkie in their puppy kindergarten class and they gave us lots of personal attention and tips. they helped me to understand dog psychology, which was a huge step in helping me embody my role as pack leader. not to mention that the course was a at a nice facility and a good price. but most importantly, joella is hysterical. the class was fun for my pup and me!

There are a lot of «dog trainers» out there, and some of them are better than others. Some of them will come to your home, some of them hold classes and tell you what you need to do to get your puppy in line. But, if you love your dog, and your dog is a part of your family, you need to have an approach to training your dog that is a little «different» than most «dog trainers».
Enter the Uncommon Canine.
No this is not an Ad, not the owners family or a paid actor. This is coming from a client, a client of over 7 years and two dogs. Two very strong willed dogs that were «trained» to the level of CGC and eventually Service Dogs with the Uncommon Canine.
The level of professionalism and realism (Joella will tell it to you straight) exceeds that of most «dog trainers».
If you need to train your dog, learn not only what you need to do but Why, and get educated on canine behavior from mouthing and jumping up to Safety on your weekend hike during rattlesnake season.
Want your dog to be exceptional?
Make him an Uncommon Canine.

This is exactly what I wanted from dog training… they have many levels (starting with puppy preschool) that you can start almost right away when you bring your puppy home.
The «kindergarten» class basically teaches your dog to be a polite member of society… behaving, tolerating strangers, etc.
And classes go all the way up to advanced obedience and things like «rally» and «agility» (I don’t completely understand what those are yet, since my dog is still a baby – but they really sound fun!)
We just finished the 6 week kindergarten class. Everything that Joella and Lisa teach is through positive reinforcement, but still establishing clearly who is in charge. They listen to whatever issues you might be having with you dog at the time, and help you work on those.
They also give you lots of good tips for things you wouldn’t have thought of, but save you TONS of frustration and irritation with your dog.
If you have ever read books by Ian Dunbar, and you like his philosophy, you will love these classes. They take his ideas and put them into practical, real world application with your dog.
They don’t just deal with puppies! You can call them if you have adopted an older dog from a shelter, etc. and they will help you make the dog a member of your family. Or, if you already have a dog, and just want to work on some things with him/her…call the Uncommon Canine. They are great.
Also – their prices are very reasonable!