If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
We are Veteran Owned business. With over 17 years experience as a certified canine training and behavior specialist.
Enjoying that we get to work in multiple locations and help people create the bonds that last forever.
Graduated from school as a canine training behavioral specialist in 2007.
Have been training dogs full time since May 2009.
Experience in:
Pet dogs
Schutzhund
French Ring
Bed Bug Detection - over 10,000 live searches
Behavioral training
Service dogs for soldiers with PTSD
Agility Training
Multiple seminars
9 years in a veterinarian unit for the military
I try to keeps costs down and ask that if you pick a professional, please reply as it costs us money. Which makes rates go up for everyone and yourself. This is not meant to be rude, it is to keep rates down so others can achieve their goals at a reasonable price range.
Overview
Hired 81 times
1 similar job done near you
Background checked
1 employee
8 years in business
Business hours
Sun8:00 am - 8:00 pmMon8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2024
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
Board and train
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for responsiveness, work quality, and professionalism.
Very good 4.6
44 reviews
5
84%
4
7%
3
2%
2
0%
1
7%
Your trust means everything to us. Learn about our review guidelines.
Read reviews that mention:
Anna w.
Feb 13, 2018
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Hired on Thumbtack
Tom took his time with us, and explained what we should do for Athena, and gave us things we are supposed to implement, when we see him again, Tom is really a good person, and trainer.
Details: 1 dog • 2 - 10 years old • Small (16 - 25 lbs) • General obedience training • Leash pulling • House training • Private dog training lessons • The dog trainer travels to me
Dog Training
Sylwia j.
Dec 5, 2020
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Hired on Thumbtack
He is an amazing trainer. He took my dog and taught him his basic commands and house training. I would recommend him to any of my friends or family. He is very thorough and explains everything in detail. He is the best trainer I could have asked for .
Details: 1 - 2 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Board and train at a facility • General obedience training • Leash pulling • House training • At the pro’s location
Dog Training
Janet U.
Dec 14, 2020
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Hired on Thumbtack
Tom was very informative on the process. It is actually only the first week of training with one dog who is scheduled for 2 weeks due to her aggression issues. Then he is going to take another dog for a week for his tendency to counter surf and get into trash cans at night. It is still early in the process and we don't know for sure what success he will have, but we were very impressed by the interactions we had with him so are optimistic on a good outcome.
Details: 2 - 10 years old • Medium (26 - 40 lbs) • Board and train at a facility • Aggressive behavior modification • Destructive behavior • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Vaishali v.
Dec 28, 2018
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Hired on Thumbtack
My pup Joy is a 7 year old lab and he had never been trained. When he moved to the US, I just could not get him to walk on leash. He would lunge and bark at every dog he saw, it was impossible for me to control him, and every walk with him was an enormous task. I couldn’t take him on a walk without apologizing to a 100 people on the way.
Then...I contacted Tom. I explained the situation, we discussed the timings and Tom was over for Joy’s first lesson. Tom definitely has a lot of knowledge about dogs and their temperament. We did a few walks together with Joy and I realized that more than the dog, it’s the owner who needs training. 2 sessions later, Joy was walking on the streets like the most perfect dog ever. The small tricks and tips which I received from Tom proved to be super helpful!
Tom is overall a great guy, very punctual, and understands dogs very well. I wouldn’t call him a dog lover, but he is definitely a perfect dog psychologist.
The biggest challenge which I faced and many owners might face is getting out of habit of babying your dog and letting them be stubborn. I believe that was a major game changer.
I was initially apprehensive about using a prong collar on Joy and I would suggest all owners to get professional help from individuals like Tom before trying to use any corrective methods on your dog. If used properly, they can correct your dogs behavior. I am now in process of transitioning from the prong collar to a normal one.
Thanks Tom for all your help
Details: 1 dog • 2 - 10 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Private dog training lessons • Aggressive behavior modification • Leash pulling • Barking • The dog trainer travels to me
Dog Training
Beth W.
Dec 2, 2018
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Hired on Thumbtack
I’m only half way through my board and train program but I adore Tom and his method of training. Super approachable and easily explained practice. I’m confident my Boxer will come home with many more manners/etiquette!
Details: 1 dog • 1 - 2 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Board and train programs at a facility • Aggressive behavior modification • I travel to the dog trainer • The dog trainer travels to me
Dog Training
Credentials
Background Check
Tom Mcmurchie
FAQs
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Certified Canine Behavior and Training Specialist since 2007
Competed in Dog Sport
Trained Police and Military K9’s
Worked as handler and head trainer doing bedbug detection with k9’s
Trained service dogs for soldiers with PTSD
How did you get started doing this type of work?
In the military, went to school to train dogs at the largest dog training facility in the United States.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Ask to talk to customers not just those they give for referrals. I encourage everyone to go on the Facebook page and talk to people there. Since I don’t have control that way over who they are talking to.
