Zen K-9 Academy

Top Pro

$4000

estimated price

Zip code

Dog training type

Dog training package

Specific behaviors to address

Responds in about 1 hour

Introduction: Hi. I’m Tammy. Thank you for checking out my profile. My career in the pet industry started in 1990 working at a local veterinary clinic and evolved into a lifelong journey with animals both in the physical and emotional health of the animals in my care. I’ve worked with a wide range of dog breeds, ages and temperaments. My expertise includes obedience, behavior shaping and modification, anxiety and aggression issues, and more. Additionally, my background as a Registered Veterinary Technician has given me a unique perspective on dog health and wellness, allowing me to provide comprehensive care for the dogs in my charge. Whether working with dogs in person or virtually, I prioritize positive reinforcement techniques that promote healthy, happy relationships between dogs and their human family members. My commitment to continuing education and staying up-to-date on the latest industry developments ensures that I always provide the best possible care for my clients and their dogs.

Overview

Current Top Pro

Hired 215 times

4 similar jobs done near you

Background checked

2 employees

25 years in business

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.

Social media

Instagram

Top Pro status

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

2023

2021

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2017

Featured Projects

45 photos

Specialties

Dog training type

Reviews

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

Great 4.8

95 reviews

90%

Read reviews that mention:

Rishabh R.

Oct 28, 2023

Hired on Thumbtack

We had an incredible experience using the Board and Train program for our dog, Archie. Tammy and Dave are fantastic dog trainers who took excellent care of Archie throughout the entire process. They keenly observed all the issues we were facing with Archie, such as resource guarding and anxiety, and generously extended the training without any extra charge to ensure everything was thoroughly covered. They even made house visits afterwards to help us continue the training and answer any questions we had. We highly recommend them to every dog owner.

Details: 0 - 6 months old • Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs) • Board and train at a facility • Puppy training • House training • Crate training • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.

Zen K-9 Academy's reply

Thank you, Rishabh! We love Archie. I’m so glad he’s doing so well. 💗🐾

Dog Training

Milena K.

Oct 2, 2023

Hired on Thumbtack

Tammy and her husband Dave were amazing with our 11 month old shepsky. From the moment we contacted Tammy to the day we picked up our pooch, we got thorough answers and advice. We deposited our dog a week after we got him from the shelter - he couldn’t be left alone and whimpered and howled in his crate. He chewed through everything in sight, could barely be controlled. Four weeks later he can do a whole range of basic commands, he doesn’t pull on the leash, he doesn’t barge in and out of doors, he no longer picks up everything in sight off the ground and actually listens when you say leave it. He even sat peacefully through a coffee and brunch for hours! The training is worth every penny and we’re looking forward to our follow up lessons.

Details: 6 - 12 months old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • I'm flexible • I'm flexible • House training • Biting • Chewing • Destructive behavior • Crate training • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.

Zen K-9 Academy's reply

Thank you, Milena! We’re happy we could help. 😊🐾

Dog Training

Cam K.

Aug 28, 2023

Hired on Thumbtack

I cannot begin to describe how amazing Tammy and her husband are! They took in my pitbull/german shepard puppy of 10 months, he had issues with leash etiquette and obedience. Tammy was absolutely amazing and communicated with me the whole time, updated me and sent videos of my boy. She even kept him for an extra week to continue working on his progress, and didn’t charge me more. He came back and his leash manners were unbelievable. He heeled and walked by our side every time we put that leash on him. He usually was a very bad puller and wouldn’t heel or come to his name. That all changed after this training. Her and her husband gave us a thorough training when dropping him off as well, showing us exactly what they have been working on. We had some issues getting him acclimated at home after being gone for 3 weeks, and tammy walked me through everything and called me every day and answered questions. She become my support system through dealing with his barking issues as well, which have now drastically decreased now that he’s been home and used to this environment again. I have bad sensory issues and the barking makes me very overstimulated sometimes, and tammy helped me so much with that. I never though i’d find a trainer who actually cares about working with the owners as well as the dog, and continues to do that after the training too. I wish i could give them more stars if i could.

Details: 6 - 12 months old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • I'm flexible • General obedience training • Leash pulling • Barking • Destructive behavior • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.

Zen K-9 Academy's reply

Thank you, Cam. Cobain is a great dog and we’re so happy to have helped. 💗🐾

Dog Training

Vani R.

Jul 30, 2023

Hired on Thumbtack

Tammy was genuinely God-sent for me. I used her service to board and train for three weeks. My dog Winnie is a rescue and gets anxious in a new setup and with new people. I was trying out several arrangements for him to get him acclimated before going on a vacation (including an at-home dog sitter, boarding facilities, etc.). However, nothing was working out, unfortunately for him. When I first talked to Tammy, the first thing that struck me was her listening, asking the right question, and giving me confidence with a sense of calmness that she knew what she was talking about. When I took Winnie to her, he was already calm with her (The confidence and composure of humans often translate in the dog). Though several dogs were in her home, Winnie could still focus on her. During the training period, she continued to give me updates. She also trained him with specific commands that helped him with impulse control and focus. She continues to train me to help pull through the journey with him. The testament to her genuine love for the dogs was evident when she recently visited my place, and Winnie welcomed her and her husband as though he had met a long-lost friend. Thank you, Tammy for your fantastic service!

Details: 2 - 10 years old • Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs) • Board and train at a facility • Aggressive behavior modification • Leash pulling • Barking • Biting • At the pro’s location

Zen K-9 Academy's reply

Thank you, Vani! We love Winnie and really enjoy seeing him flourish. You’re doing a great job with him. 💗🐾

Dog Training

Joanne P.

Jul 8, 2023

Hired on Thumbtack

Tammy and her husband Dave are very compassionate in working with dogs. We entrusted them with our four-year-old Dogo Mastiff mix who is very reactive to other dogs. He was with them for 3 months and when he came home we were very pleased and saw positive behavior and obedience. He's easy to walk now and doesn't pull anymore when we walk him, he's crate trained when needed. He's very well-behaved and listens very well and response to commands. One out of 10 with one being the lowest and 10 being the highest when we sent our dog Bruno to Tammy and her husband Dave I would say he was out of four when he came back to us I would now say he's at a nine and still improving. We are very pleased and would recommend them no matter what breed no matter how small or how big no matter what the issues are that you were having with your dog trust me when he comes back to you he will be a completely different dog. We are very pleased. Thank you Tammy and Dave job well done. They've done such a good job that I send updates and if needed they will come to the home and help correct any problems that Bruno is having. Also if I need to go out of town I have somewhere to board him. Great job well done. Tom, Joanne, Joseph and Bruno Paletta

Details: 2 - 10 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Board and train at a facility • Aggressive behavior modification • Leash pulling • Barking • At the pro’s location

Dog Training

Credentials

Background Check

Tammy Caston

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My fees are based on how much time I think it will take to train the dog and the humans.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I like to start with an evaluation and/or phone consultation. This gives me an opportunity to assess the training needs of both the dog and human family members.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I started working in the veterinary field in 1990 and was licensed as an Animal Health Technician (AHT) in 1993. AHT has since been changed to RVT, Registered Veterinary Technician. I've spent most of my veterinary career doing Emergency and ICU work and started studying animal behavior as a hobby. In 1999, I graduated from United States K-9 Academy, after which I started Alpha K-9 Academy. After graduation, I continued to work with my teachers for additional training and still continue my education regularly. My veterinary and behavior careers have proven to be very complementary to each other. When there was a behavior issue at the veterinary clinic, I was consulted. When there is a health question or issue with a dog that I'm training, my veterinary experience comes in handy. I’m no longer active in my veterinary career, but still maintain close relationships with my veterinary colleagues.