DOG SPECIALTIES

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About

With over 45 years of experience in dog training, I focus on helping you and your dog work together as a team. In every session, I make the most of our time, showing you clear, practical steps you can use at home. My training style is fun, encouraging, and centered on building a balanced, respectful relationship between you and your dog. Watching a dog change unwanted behaviors and seeing the bond with their owner grow is the most rewarding part of my work. If you’re ready to improve communication, build confidence, and enjoy your dog more, I’d be happy to help you get started.

Overview

Hired 146 times

Background checked

46 years in business

Business hours

Sun1:00 pm - 7:00 pmMon12:00 pm - 7:00 pm

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

2017

2016

Services offered

Type of animal

Other animal type

Service type

Evaluate needs

Address nuisance behaviors

Address fears or anxieties

Teach basic commands

Location of training

At my facility

Projects and media

Reviews

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

Excellent 4.9

71 reviews

5

96%

4

2%

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1%

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Read reviews that mention:

Kena H.

May 11, 2026

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Hired on Thumbtack

If you want your dog trained email Cynthia you will be surprised at your dog when she gets done, I'm glad we found her, Cynthia is the one for you, if I had to go get another dog I'm going to her. They are awesome

Details: 2 - 10 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Board and train at a facility • Therapy or service dog training • Leash pulling • Barking • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training

Morgan R.

Nov 29, 2025

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Hired on Thumbtack

Cynthia and JD obviously care about dogs and have a lot of experience and patience with rambunctious ones. I’m impressed with how responsive my dog was to both trainers. The training was a great investment!!!

Details: 2 - 10 years old • Extra large (70+ lbs) • Board and train at a facility • General obedience training • Leash pulling • Barking • At the pro’s location

Dog Training

Kelly S.

Mar 12, 2021

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Hired on Thumbtack

First off, I don’t usually write reviews. But after our interactions and involvement with Cynthia at Dog Specialties, I really wanted to share our experience with others looking to find their puppy/dog a trusted trainer. A little bit about our specific situation is that We have a puppy we named Olive, who is going on 5 months old. She is an adorable pure breed black German Shephard. We have had no prior experience with this specific breed, although i have always had dogs in the past. I feel like we were grossly unprepared for how different it is raising a German Shephard puppy, compared to having a smaller, older dog. Which is what my previous experiences with dogs was coming from. Everything was wonderful until our darling little bundle of fur started growing by leaps and bounds. Never having a larger size breed before it quickly became apparent that she didn’t know her own strength in regards to play biting and pulling us on the leash. Since Olive is just a puppy, she loved to do the puppy thing which included play biting (still hurt pretty bad, sharp little teeth), chasing our cats, being rowdy when around other people, etc. we especially needed to stop olive from “talking back” to us when we’d ask her to follow our commands. Honestly we were failing miserably at providing the basics needed to raise a happy, healthy and well mannered puppy. With Olive being on the bigger size already I felt the problem would only get worse with each passing day that she went without professional training. I knew that I needed to find a good trainer and quickly. So I started asking around and looking online for places that could help us. I of course found the regular puppy training programs, that is only for a couple hours a day generally at a rate starting around $150/hr and goes up from that price. But what I really wanted was a place that Olive could go to that she could be in a puppy boot camp of sorts. We had already instilled some bad habits with her behavior unknowingly and those needed to be corrected before they became part of her personality. Although the thought of giving someone we didn’t know our cute puppy for an extended amount of time made me very nervous to say the least. I worried that she wouldn’t be cared for the same way that she had been accustomed to being babied by us. Ultimately, I knew that Olive would best benefit from a one on one type of training program but I was having a really hard time finding one that fit in our budget. More importantly finding a place that didn’t use shock collars as the main tool of training. The thought of Olive being put in a shock collar made me feel sick. Especially since she is so young and the behaviors she had been doing that I found needed to be corrected, I didn’t feel warranted the use of a shock collar. I’m not opposed to people who use them because they definitely have the right time, place and dog that that is the only means with which to train a dog. But not a very young puppy who had displayed no aggression or an unwillingness to take direction. At that point I had contacted 4, yes 4 different places that all had good reviews, but NONE of them were willing to use other methods-just the shock collar! Besides that, the cheapest one I found was a 2 week stay, for get this $3,200! I about fell over every time I’d be quoted some crazy high price. It just wasn’t in our means to afford the cost of these other places. I’m not sure why I decided to look at thumbtack but I had recalled using the thumbtack app in a previous project we needed done and it was a positive experience. So I thought I’d check to see if by some small chance there would be anyone able to help us on that app. I truly believe now that it was divine intervention, not to be dramatic about it, but my level of desperation was high and I hadn’t had any luck finding a place for Olive to go to that fit my requirements of the cost & humane training practices. That’s when I found Cynthias business, Dog Specialties. I looked through and read every single review and knew that based off of her reviews she was the perfect fit for what we needed. More importantly, what Olive needed. I reached out to her and shared what our situation was with Olive. We arranged for Olive to spend 2-2 1/2 weeks with her at her home. Not only was her price quote extremely fair and very reasonably priced but she never recommended the use of a shock collar for Olive. When we dropped Olive off at her house I must admit I was worried that Olive would be confused and that she wouldn’t be taken care of the way she had become used to being babied. Wow was I completely off by having those irrational fears! Let’s just say that by the time we came back to pick olive up it was abundantly clear that not only was olive very well cared for but olive didn’t really want to leave lol! Not only did we get almost daily updates about Olives progress and videos to show her improvements but Cynthia also helped figure out how to calm Olives anxieties with separation issues. She helped with Olives skin problems and her always itching. I cannot say just how grateful we are to both Cynthia and her son J.D. for how they made Olive a part of their family while Olive was in their care. So much so that when we came to pick Olive up she was very excited to see us of course. But soon as Cynthias son, J.D. walked past us Olive stopped being concerned about greeting us and followed J.D.! It was kind of heart breaking at first that Olive wasn’t entirely excited to see us, but at the same time I knew that they had formed a special bond. One that wouldn’t of happened if she had been mistreated or not completely made to feel like she was part of their family. In fact, I wouldn’t of wanted Olive to have behaved any differently because I know that Olive will always be taken care of, like she was one of their own dogs. Not just some dog who is there for training. We received a lesson when we picked Olive up and are eager to come back to get more lessons and to have Olive get more training. But overall I’d say that if you are looking for someone who will love and care for your dog the way you do then look no further. Cynthia and her son JD are the most knowledgeable trainers who will teach with love, compassion and a firm hand to get the results that you are looking for. Olive is a much better puppy for the time she spent there and we will be forever grateful for the time they both devoted to Olives training. I’d also like to add that Cynthia has been extremely accommodating with my text messages and questions after we came home with Olive. I don’t know of any other place that would return text messages and be so kind and patient with previous customers as she has been. It is just another thing that goes to show how passionate and devoted she is to the dogs that have been in her care. To sum everything up I highly recommend anyone needing any type of training for their furry friends to get ahold of Cynthia and JD. You will be more then impressed with the results and overall experience both you and your dog have working with them. Thank you for ALL that you’ve done for our family and for Olive. We can’t thank you enough for the time, energy, kindness and compassion you’ve shown our family!!

Details: 0 - 6 months old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Board and train at a facility • Puppy training • Crate training • Leash pulling • Biting • At the pro’s location

Dog Training

Amanda B.

Mar 5, 2024

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Hired on Thumbtack

I used to dread taking my dog Benny on walks because she was reactive to a lot of things men, anything on wheels, trying to get to dogs she couldn’t see but could hear. It was absolutely anxiety inducing and I really didn’t know what to do. We have had three sessions with Cynthia so far and it has been a game changer. I can now take Benny on walks and not be terrified something could happen. She walks with me now and does not pull me over trying to get to things. She is much better with men and even lets Cynthia’s son handle her. Cynthia and her son are so knowledgeable and patient and I am so happy with the progress Benny has made. We still have a lot to work on but I am so happy we BOTH can enjoy walks now.

Details: 6 - 12 months old • Medium (26 - 40 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • Leash pulling • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training

Kristin W.

May 18, 2016

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Hired on Thumbtack

Dog Training

Credentials

Background Check

Cynthia Thompson

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Board and train is 550.00 a week with a two week minimum Some, puppies I suggest 3 weeks
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Meeting them and their pet discussing their home , work situation and time for pet. Exploring any issues that need correction and lessons for the owner on how to work with their dog
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been showing breeding and training German Shepherds and training clients pets for over 30 years

DOG SPECIALTIES

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