Ahimsa Dog Training

12/05/08

Very helpful

by 206chick at Citysearch

We were very happy with the basic manners class. Our dog was a rescue and needed extra help and that was not a problem with Ahimsa. I love the humane traing methods!!

04/07/08

Puppy Love!

by ToToBoy at Citysearch

We have a bulldog that I took through several classes at Ahimsa as a puppy and we are so glad we did. He started class at 10 weeks old. We met up with his litter mates at 6 months old and again last week for their birthday and he listens so much better than his sibs. We continue to be so happy that we went through classes Ahimsa. I just wish they had a big dog play time there!

• Pros: Great education, know bulldogs, treated us well
• Cons: no big dog play time!

09/17/07

An underwhelming experience. Some dogs are not going to be magic clicker monkeys.

by cowboymonkey at Citysearch

The online manual and movies are very good quality information. Definitely the best part of the program.

Unfortunately, my dog just wasn't that compelled by clickery. He picked up the basic moves, but not any faster or more thoroughly than new behaviors I have taught him with praise and no click-and-treat. I also was never able to successfully walk my dog with anything less than a prong collar, which I was ashamed to bring to class, making all walking class exercises much more difficult for both me and my dog. We bought a halter system from the instructor but it caused serious chafing, and seemed to turn our mutt into a "sled dog" albeit one who goes in circles due to the front-cinching of the harness. The actual class instruction part of the program was the least helpful. The first day the dog was too keyed up by seeing so many other dogs in one place he had no hope of concentrating (shelter flashbacks, perhaps?) The rest of the classes didn't follow the lesson plan provided on the homework. We jumped ahead on some things and skipped others completely. After three classes we decided that hour of our busy lives could be better spent with our dog alone, than in a room of other misbehaving dogs, with a distracted instructor who didn't seem in touch with our training at all. "Maybe you need smellier treats" is not the kind of tip I expected to get for the money and reputation this program has.

In the future, I would probably spend the same amount of money for an hour with a private trainer rather than take a group class again. And I think you would be well served to go buy a clicker and charge it up with your dog and see if he is responsive to the method or not, there are books in the library.

I don't normally review much but there were so many glowing reviews on this school, I thought another viewpoint might be of service to the community.

• Pros: instruction manual and videos are very good. The founder is obviously a good instructor
• Cons: Not all other instructors are up to par, may not remember you, your dog, your issues, or give useful feedback.

07/21/07

Best place for ALL dogs

by jaygeezee at Citysearch

I've taken my small dog to a weekly small dog play group with Grisha for about two years. It has been a wonderful experience for socializing my three and a half year old shih tzu. Grisha always takes time to explain animal behavior to all involved. She has a real intuition about what dogs need and makes the environment fun and safe. Today there were nine small dogs of varying breeds who romped and played for an hour in Grisha's Ballard space. It is by far the best $10 I spend every week.

• Pros: Great atmosphere, very accomodating

06/11/07

not so great with puppies

by seattlehearts at Citysearch

I have two friends whose puppies were kicked out of basic manners classes for "rough play" and "aggression" (one just happens happens to be a pitbull mix). I thought basic manners classes were supposed to work with that sort of thing and teach puppies how to play appropriately. They were not refunded their money and were sent to another organization who, for one dog, was told he was not aggressive at all. They decided to get a second opinion and that trainer ALSO said the dog was not aggressive at all.

Puppies need guidance not fearful trainers who are not willing to work with a difficult dog. Seems like they are not willing to work with "scary" breeds or excitable puppies.

• Pros: nice website
• Cons: not enough experience

02/24/07

Basic Manners with Jennifer was awesome!

by mtgirl92 at Citysearch

We love this place! We just completed the Basic Manners course with Jennifer and can't say enough good things about her. We have a very energetic/aggressive Border collie and Lab mix. We weren't sure she was even behaved enough to take the Basic Manners course because of the close proximity to other dogs, but Jennifer set up a special part of the classroom with a curtain just for us and modified the drills so that we could practice in our own area. Every week she would come in with a new strategy for us to try to help our dog be less aggressive on walks. And the course progressed at a great pace. We are already signed up for our next class with Ahimsa. Jennifer is a great trainer and we highly recommend any course that she is teaching.

• Pros: Great teachers, broad course selection
• Cons: Limited weeknight or weekend class times

Editorial Review by Citysearch Editors

by Contributor at Citysearch

Certified pet dog trainer uses a non-violent clicker-based approach; semi-private and group sessions and behavior problems including aggression.

09/29/06

Wonderful trainer of humans and dogs

by nixiegirl at Citysearch

I recommend Grisha to everyone! She is a caring and patient person who is knows her stuff. I was a newbie to dog ownership, and she was a great find. She patiently answered all my questions and worries. I am now the proud owner of a well behaved teenage Golden Retriever- that says something! All her training is positive, and it works. I have a well-mannered, good on a leash, well socialized dog that follows commands to prove it.

• Pros: It works! Caring, Nice facility

05/18/06

Best Dog Training Center in Seattle

by regan76 at Citysearch

Ahimsa has greatly helped to socialize and train our excitable puppy. Grisha's "dog-friendly" training helped Murphy learn all his basic commands and her puppy play sessions and off-site field trips have helped teach him how to behave around people and other dogs. After six weeks of puppy socialization, Murphy has now graduated to "Better Manners" class. I would highly recommend Ahimsa to all dog owners.

05/17/06

AHIMSA HAS BIG HEART!

by chaz2005 at Citysearch

Grisha knows her stuff and more than that she exudes love for dogs through every fiber of her being! It shoots out everywhere! She is a loving and gentle soul and it's a joy to be at her facility. Great energy...

• Pros: Highly Skilled, Loving/Compassionate, Good facility/prking