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If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
I am a holistically minded canine behavioral expert specializing in training therapy dogs and all matters of basic obedience, including aggression, canine communication, separation anxiety, boundaries and rehabilitation. I have reasonable rates, and I get results! I don't just address the symptoms, I get to the root of the problem, which is where true healing begins. I have a gift of understanding dogs that I will share with you.
It is my purpose in living to help the fractured relationship that we currently have with our animals.
Overview
Hired 320 times
15 similar jobs done near you
Background checked
20 years in business
Business hours
This pro hasn't listed their business hours.
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, and PayPal.
Top Pro status
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2018
Services offered
Dog training package
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.
Great 4.8
209 reviews
5
90%
4
6%
3
1%
2
1%
1
2%
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Read reviews that mention:
Evelin C.
May 19, 2026
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Karen is such an amazing dogtrainer! Within just 3 sessions, she completely transformed my dog Theo. Her patience, knowledge, and training techniques made such a huge difference in his behavior and confidence. You can truly tell she has so much experience and genuinely cares about the dogs she works with.
Theo has learned so much already, and I’m honestly so impressed with the progress in such a short amount of time. I highly recommend Karen to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, caring, and effective dogtrainer! 🐶✨
Details: 0 - 6 months old • Medium (26 - 40 lbs) • Private lessons • Therapy or service dog training • Leash pulling • House training • Digging • Biting • Chewing • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
The Bow Wow Method of Dog Training's reply
Ni Evelin, thank you for the great review! You are truly lucky to have a dog with such an easy temperament as Theo does. What he needed from you is for you to be a loving authority figure so he would feel safe, respect you and live within the loving boundaries that you have successfully placed for him. You accomplished a lot in a short perid of time because you are commited to having the kind of dog you have always dreamed of. Keep up the good work and let me know if you ever need anything else from me. Karen "The Bow Wow Woman"
Dog Training
Laurel A.
May 8, 2026
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Very thorough. Her methods are gradually working with our stubborn boy as we continue to practice them. Very receptive to questions. Always clear answers and direction.
Details: 1 - 2 years old • Extra large (70+ lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • My home, venue, etc.
The Bow Wow Method of Dog Training's reply
Hi Laurel, thank you for the great review. Remember, Buddy may appear as if he is acting stubbornly, but if a dog seems to be stubborn or willful, the truth is, it is a survival mechanism in them. What some dogs are really doing is, they are challenging or testing you. You see, every one in the household needs to be prepared to follow through with any commands you give them, if not they may not feel safe and will "act out". Their instincts are telling them that if you are not strong enough to be consistant with them and can't or don't follow through with a command, how are you going to follow through and eventually protect them from any known or unknown threat that lurks behind the door. They ultimately see you as weak. They desperately need you to be constant, follow through an mean what you say. Please let me know if I can do anything else for you. I would love to get an update on how Buddy is doing. Karen "The Bow Wow Women"
Dog Training
GAYLE I.
Sep 27, 2026
First of all, Karen's services come at a very reasonable price, compared with other trainers I have come across (she explains that she doesn't really do this for the money - it's just what she was put on Earth to do!).
Karen explains the rationale for all of the instructions she gives you, based on studies of dog behavior and MRI findings of dogs' brains. Some of the advice may sound strange (and difficult) to those of us who have made the mistake of letting our dogs have too much say in how they behave, but I honestly found that they adapted quickly to the changes Karen had me make, without much ado!
One thing I particularly appreciate is that her approach does NOT require giving dogs treats to reward them for desired behaviors (a practice I always found difficult to be consistent with, not to mention the potentially negative effect on a small dog's weight!). We are still in our "training period," but I am extremely pleased with the progress I am seeing. It has been a great experience!
Although we are finished with our 4 in-person sessions, Karen assures me that I can call her any time to get further advice, at no additional cost.
The Bow Wow Method of Dog Training's reply
Hi Gayle,
Thank you for the great review! I enjoyed working with you. Yeah, my methods are a little different than most, but we get results. The reason is that I dont just address the issues, I get to the root cause of the problems, which is where true healing begins. ...;) Most people give their dogs too much freedom and attention without loving guideline's of behavior which can be very overwhelming and confusing for most dogs. I am so happy things are better for you, Elmo and Baxter! Please let me know if you ever need anything else from me, including boarding and play dates.
Karen "The Bow Wow Woman".
Mike L.
2 weeks ago
We’ve had a great experience working with Karen! She helped both our dogs with basic training, separation anxiety, and barking, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. She’s patient, knowledgeable, and really takes the time to understand our dogs and their individual needs. She also gives us practical tools and techniques that we can use at home to reinforce what we’re learning. We really appreciate her guidance, professionalism, and genuine care for our dogs. If you’re looking for a dogtrainer who is experienced, compassionate, and easy to work with, I would absolutely recommend her!
Jessica P.
Sep 3, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
She was amazing! Really helped us out. I was looking to train my reactive dog, but we have 3 dogs and she help us with some of their issues at no extra cost. I can now walk my dog comfortably and take her to the dog park with confidence, something I was afraid to do before because I thought she was extremely aggressive.
Details: 2 - 10 years old • Medium (26 - 40 lbs) • I'm flexible • Aggressive behavior modification • Leash pulling • Barking • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Credentials
Background Check
Karen Mangini
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My fee is $95 an hour. It usually takes about 3 sessions, depending on your needs and your dogs issues. We spread the sessions out over a 2 to 3 week period. When YOU change, your dog will change, so the first session is the longest. I will be educating you so you can train you're own dog. The next sessions take only 1 to 2 hours. That is all you need to have the kind of dog you have always dreamt of having! But remember, I am extremely flexible and I work around your schedule and your budget.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
If you begin to implement the techniques with your dog that I walk you through step-by-step in the first session, you will see changes in your dog right away, which will give you the incentive to be consistent, follow through and mean it, until your dog relaxes, feels safe and respects you. Once a dog feels safe and respects you can get them to do what ever you want.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have an deep, innate understanding of dogs and all of their behavior that I will share with you. I have a background in psychology. My formal dog training was with "efils god training" which involved all matters of dog obedience, boundaries and how to communicate with dogs. Dogs communicate from their hearts and they need someone to respect. I will show you how to do that! I call it "No more somethin' for nothin'" and how to embody the "Pack Leader Mentality" (with a mothers' touch). I derive a lot of my methods for my mother, she was a child psychologist.
