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Ruff Tales

Top Pro

Specific behaviors to address

Responds in about 1 min

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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
A well behave pet is the best companion ever! I started training dogs about 9 years ago it is my passion to help our furry friends to be the best dogs they can be.
Overview

Current Top Pro

Hired 27 times

Serves Houston, TX

Background checked

9 employees

3 years in business

Business hours

SunClosedMon7:00 am - 7:00 pm

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, Credit card, Google Pay, PayPal, Samsung Pay, Square cash app, Venmo, and Zelle.

Top Pro status

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

Top Pro Icon

2025

Top Pro Icon

2024

Top Pro Icon

2023

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 professionalism, work quality, and responsiveness.

Exceptional 5.0

23 reviews

5

100%

4

0%

3

0%

2

0%

1

0%

Your trust means everything to us. Learn about our review guidelines.

Read reviews that mention:

pro avatar
Jimmi R.

Mar 27, 2026

•

Hired on Thumbtack

Our first visit was promising. Oscar established a rapport with my dog quickly; I’m looking forward to working with him and his staff! Updating after our 3 week board and train program. If the first 20 minutes with Oscar were amazing, our ‘graduation’ with the board and train program confirmed my first impressions and more! Daisy and I go for relaxed walks and she is a less anxious and happier! No more bolting out the door! Oscar is such a pleasure to work with, professional and thoughtful — he noticed that I’m not as steady a walker these days and taught us a new command so she can help me navigate curbs and support me. Amazing! I learned so much! Daisy was so well taken care of while she was there and everyone at Ruff Tales was friendly and caring. Thanks to everyone and especially to Oscar!

Details: 2 - 10 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • Leash pulling • Barking • Destructive behavior • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training
pro avatar
Chelsea W.

Oct 5, 2024

•

Hired on Thumbtack

I reached out to Oscar in a really tough situation. We found a puppy that someone dumped and our senior pup was not adapting well to having another dog in the house. She was being really aggressive with the puppy and we were considering whether or not we could keep the puppy because they couldn’t even be in the same room without a dog fight. Oscar came to our house on a Sunday and spent two hours working extensively with both of our pups and myself. By the end of the appointment the dogs drank out of the same water bowl at the same time without aggression. After the appointment he gave me a ton of resources to read and homework to continue acclimating the dogs. One week later and they are doing fantastic together and can now be in the same space and even play together with no signs of aggression. There’s no way we would have been able to keep our puppy without Oscar. Additionally he did so well that we’ve committed to sending our new puppy to a 3 week board and train to learn obedience. I cannot say enough positive things or recommend Oscar enough. He saved our house!

Details: Private lessons • Aggressive behavior modification • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training
pro avatar
Annette J.

Mar 23, 2024

•

Hired on Thumbtack

So we recently adopted a GSD, and having one that was a rescue and FULLY TRAINED, more importantly an unruly GSD with no training or socializing could go south and they are VERY SMART, STRONG and have you seen their k-9’s? Anyways, I found Ruff Tales online, as well as another training facility, sent em both messages and the response time was literally less than 5 minutes, a few minutes later we spoke on the phone, I made an appointment, and from the get-go with the response time, the phone call right down to meeting the staff n Oscar, Bama was EXCITED and happy to be there which sealed the deal for me, I’m olé school n I still believe in customer service, a smile and REAL people, willing to answer any questions or concerns, and not only do you get an answer, but you get a why or why not example, and shown, and THIS got me the most, in less than a minute he asked me about mom n dad n if if they were working dogs, I asked breeder n she confirmed that indeed both mom n dad did come from workin dogs, Oscar KNOWS his “dogs”, ha!! He then introduced me to his baby and the obedience, no the CONNECTION, LOYALTY and the fact that although there was strange people there his dog assessed the situation and never took his eyes off Oscar, not one time, they were communicating with their eyes, it was a “WOW dude, that’s frickin bad a€%” moment I’m STOKED!! I needed a good vet, knowledge on best, safe healthiest possible diet, toys, treats, etc. . He not only spelled everything out for me, but showed me pictures, and told me where I could find each product! Step aside Ceaser!

Details: 0 - 6 months old • Small (16 - 25 lbs) • I'm flexible • Puppy training • Biting • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training
pro avatar
Ivey J.

Jun 26, 2023

•

Hired on Thumbtack

Oscar has worked with our dog on two occasions and I can already see positive changes. He’s given us great advice and works with us to get the most out of training. I would definitely recommend Ruff Tales to anyone looking for training.

Details: 2 - 10 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Private lessons • Aggressive behavior modification • Barking • Leash pulling • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training
pro avatar
Cassie M.

May 18, 2023

•

Hired on Thumbtack

Oscar has been a huge blessing for our family. Our 50lb mixed breed girl needed intense training to learn how to interact with a new puppy we brought home. She stayed with Oscar for 3 weeks and it is a night and day difference. Her aggression is gone, her responsiveness to commands and ability to listen is so impressive. I would recommend Oscar to anyone that needs any sort of training. When we were missing her, Oscar sent us pictures and kept us updated with how training was going. He is WONDERFUL!

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

Dog Training
Credentials
Background Check

Oscar Alvarez

FAQs

  • What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

    Price range from $115.00 and can go up to about $4,500.00 depending on the training program you need.

  • What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

    We like to start with a conversation to see if we can meet your and your pets needs.

  • What types of customers have you worked with?

    I have worked with blind and deaf dogs and 3 legged friends too! it is difficult but not impossible.

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