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Your Best Companion

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Specific behaviors to address
About
I've dedicated my entire life to becoming the best family dog behaviorist and trainer you can hire. I have experience from when I was a pre-teen unofficially from being around my father. I have successfully rehabilitated many behavioral cases other trainers said were "unfixable" or had failed. Some of these cases were far worse than most people can imagine. This business has trained well over 14,000 dogs for people from all walks of life including a few big celebrities, however they are the exception not the norm. Most of my clients are everyday people that care deeply about their dog and want the best for them. To learn more about my educational background and training experience please visit my website. I train using love and the latest advanced electronics. My specialty is board and train programs where your dog lives with me for a short time. This is the best way to address behavioral and training problems and gives me complete control of your dogs environment while they are being trained. The basic commands to sit, stay, come, heel and lie down are taught as well as impulse control and general manners around people and other dogs. The goal is to return to you a calm, well balanced dog in the time frame you give me to do so. I also offer private lessons in Santa Clarita if you prefer to do the training yourself. For a 3 week board and train I give a discount to rescue dogs, people over 65, students, and military personnel. I also give 3% discount for all cash payments. I particularly love working with puppies to give them the best start possible. My experience uniquely qualifies me to rehabilitate rescued dogs that have serious issues with fear or aggression or both. I have a special ability to quickly zero in and address the needs of these dogs providing them with what they really need to heal beyond the love they are already receiving. I call it "behavior balancing". Currently, I work with multiple rescues in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. For board and train programs I have limited space so reservations are almost always required. If you are planning to have your dog's training coincide with being out of town call early to assure I have space available Thank you for taking time to read my profile. For tips to help with some common problems please visit my website where you'll find videos. I look forward to meeting you and helping you with your best companion. I generally return inquiries in the morning and evening so please be patient if I don't get back to you immediately.
Overview

Hired 127 times

Background checked

1 employee

49 years in business

Business hours

This pro hasn't listed their business hours.

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, Check, Credit card, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.

Social media

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Top Pro status

Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.

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2024

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2023

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2018

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2017

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2016

Services offered
Dog training package

Puppy training

Aggressive behavior modification

General obedience training

Dog size

Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs)

Small (16 - 25 lbs)

Medium (26 - 40 lbs)

Large (41 - 70 lbs)

Dog training type

Private lessons

Board and train

Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, responsiveness, and professionalism.

Excellent 4.9

79 reviews

5

97%

4

0%

3

3%

2

0%

1

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Read reviews that mention:


pro avatar
Hayley S.

Jun 23, 2024

Hired on Thumbtack

It was as an excellent experience for us knowing our pup was in good hands. We opted for the 2 week session of board and train and we are excited to report our girl is a new improved mannered walker and behaves so nicely. We would highly recommend Duane and will use him again when we go away. We have a sweet girl that needed a bit more structure and discipline and it was well worth the expense!! Thanks again Duane from the Stadt Family and Deliah🐾🐾

Details: 6 - 12 months old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Board and train at a facility • General obedience training • Leash pulling • Barking • Digging • Crate training • At the pro’s location

Your Best Companion's reply
Hayley, Thank you for the wonderful review and for trusting me with Delia's training. Let me know if you ever need anything else for her. Thanks, Duane
Dog Training
pro avatar
Lynn S.

Oct 29, 2015

Hired on Thumbtack

I found Duane's information & excellent reviews here on Thumbtack. He is worth every cent and it was the best decision we could have made for our dog & for us!! We adopted a year old Golden Doodle and were looking for a trainer. While our dog had a sweet personality, we knew nothing about his history, but he had not been socialized well, was either a bit stubborn, ignored us when we called him, gave us 'the look' when he didn't want to stay, just walked away... and was suffering from separation anxiety. We actually wondered if he had ever heard English at one point or might be deaf. Duane was a pleasure to work with - he quickly got in touch, told us approximately how long he thought it might take to get Eli on track, and explained his approach. He kept us updated via email, was very professional and personable. He's a lovely person, clearly with lots of professional experience with dogs and cares greatly about getting your pet to be the best companion for your family. You will feel comfortable with him & know your dog is in very good hands. When we picked up Eli he was a 'new dog', much calmer, listened to commands and socialized. He takes the dogs to places like Costco, dog parks, etc. He pointed out things to keep an eye out for with him - and told us he might do some 'testing'. Duane followed up with a house call and we also had an outing with him at the dog park, where we had no prior experience. He also was good at teaching US and pointed out things we could do to make commands/walking, etc. work. I can't tell you how pleased we are and how excited we are to have the new, happy, trained Eli back with us! Now, it's up to us to keep up Duane's good work, do call him!
Dog Training - Board and Train
pro avatar
Sue S.

Sep 1, 2015

Hired on Thumbtack

Worked with our newest rescue dog, as well as our two other dogs. We thought we needed help with the new one to integrate her and begin training but realized right away - that all three needed help. He is great at explaining dog training in new ways that make great sense and suddenly seem so easy and obvious. He had all three dogs behaving on leash, and taught them all to lie down before he left. He even got our littlest who is terrified of everyone to calm down and take treats from him (NEVER happens with strangers). We have booked three more sessions.
Dog Training
pro avatar
Tripp R.

Oct 18, 2015

Hired on Thumbtack

Duane was amazing! We had him come to train our puppy at 11 weeks and he gave us advice that will last a lifetime. He is calm, considerate, and was able to give us, as dog owners, the tools to have an obedient dog. We highly recommend bringing in Duane for whatever training you are looking for.
Dog Training
pro avatar
Mohan L.

Feb 7, 2016

Hired on Thumbtack

Duane was outstanding. He really knows his trade. I needed help with a very anxious and aggressive German Shepherd. With in one session he had My dog corrected and he was the sweetest dog ever met. By session 2 and three he dog was playing in the dog park with other dogs and socializing. By session 4 I was able to take them to the restaurant where dog owners were allowed to bring their pets ...and I was so proud of as he was best behaved dog there. I was in fact even complimented on how well behaved my dog was. This would not of been possible without a great trainer. I was a little reluctant initially because his rate seemed a bit higher than his counterparts. But then again you get what you pay for. When you break it down on the hourly perspective he's not that much more expensive. I got a "Bentley" as opposed to a "Toyota Tercel"...thanks Duane you're awesome and not a hyped up television dog trainer...Its the real deal.
Dog Training
Credentials
Background Check

Lindsay Overturf