VP Dog Training

VP Dog Training VP Dog Training is a full-service business. We offer group training classes, in-home consultations and in-home lessons and have been for 28 years.

We use positive reinforcement with structure. Give us a call to discuss your needs 949.650.6208

04/05/2025

Great demo

Meet my new “grand dog”. Such a cutie pie and quick learner. Tons of research went in to getting this pup. Had to be hyp...
04/02/2025

Meet my new “grand dog”. Such a cutie pie and quick learner. Tons of research went in to getting this pup. Had to be hypoallergenic (dad has allergies) and super temperament. Going to be a therapy dog of sorts.

Hard to tell who is happier…mom or daughter (actually G-ma too shhhhhhh)

He’s a standard size ultra Bernedoodle. Best of both worlds. Fantastic breeder that really takes her job seriously which is harder to find then you might think.

Yesterday was sort of sad on a personal note. Many have thought I was so silly to have an attachment to my old van (22 y...
03/06/2025

Yesterday was sort of sad on a personal note. Many have thought I was so silly to have an attachment to my old van (22 years old) but “she” has seen so much of my life over the years. This van carried all my 4 kids to countless parties and brought their friends along because there was always room. Birthdays, soccer, Girl Scouts, Blue Birds…..dance recitals and all their meetings and such. I went along on school trips and supervised many children because of this van.

Then there is the literally countless dogs she safely transported over the years. She would tower above other vehicles as a landmark “oh thats where we go cuz I see Patti’s van.

But it was time for me to downsize so she needed to find a new home. She went to a young couple, a firefighter and his wife, who had a similar van that didn’t last as long. They were excited to find her. It’s so silly but I literally couldn’t watch them drive her away. I know…..so silly but call me sentimental. Now my new car is one of thousands that all look alike. Goodbye old girl.

ATTITUDE MATTERSWhat do I mean by the above statement? Pretty much exactly what it says. Anyone that has ever attended ...
02/23/2025

ATTITUDE MATTERS

What do I mean by the above statement? Pretty much exactly what it says.
Anyone that has ever attended my group class, had at-home lessons, or even had a phone consultation (which I do many of) knows after a short time what my general philosophy of dog training is all about.

At this time there are trainers that will resort to any means to make sure the dogs of their clients are compliant. I also want to make sure that the dogs of my clients understand what is expected of them and are able to realistically comply with their owners’ commands. After all that’s why people choose to go with a particular trainer. However the danger lies with the trainers who promise the solving of serious aggression or fear issues or even shyness issues in two weeks. Not a problem so they say to their prospective client. And for frustrated and exhausted owners this sounds soooo tempting. Unfortunately it rarely turns out well or long lasting.

I will NOT make such promises but WILL demonstrate how to develop clear communication and motivation for their individual dog. I have long described myself as a positive reinforcement trainer with lots of structure.

Because of this way that I choose to train dogs it is overwhelmingly common that the dogs I work with not only enjoy training and are a willing partner. They don’t respond out of fear but do understand rules and yes even consequences although physical punishment is not used.

Some dogs start my classes wild and uncontrollable, sometimes dangerously so, but by the end they are truly a willing working partner. The dog looks forward to learning and mastering tasks and the owners develop a wonderful bond with their dog that should last for the lifetime of the dog.

I pull teaching strategies from so many master trainers I admire. I enjoy finding that special key that unlocks each dog’s potential.

I have held this philosophy of training for many years and although I continue to learn more everyday I haven’t felt the need to radically change my methods.

Call it training with fun, form, and function.

Hope to see you in class soon!

Patti

We have a new group class starting on Saturday, March 8 in Irvine. If you would like to join or have any questions conta...
02/21/2025

We have a new group class starting on Saturday, March 8 in Irvine. If you would like to join or have any questions contact me at 949.650.6208.

It’s also a great time to brush up on commands for your dog. Repeat students can attend with a hefty discount.

Patti

Still plenty of room to join the next group training class. It starts on January 4 in Irvine. Great way to start off the...
12/21/2024

Still plenty of room to join the next group training class. It starts on January 4 in Irvine. Great way to start off the new year with your dog. Let me know if you have questions or wish to join.

New group class starting January 4 in Irvine. Great time to refresh all our dogs have learned. It’s hard to find time du...
12/04/2024

New group class starting January 4 in Irvine. Great time to refresh all our dogs have learned. It’s hard to find time during the holidays so going to class is a great way to motivate us AND our dogs!

Great breakfast get together with my big brother. Always great to get some real FaceTime.
12/04/2024

Great breakfast get together with my big brother. Always great to get some real FaceTime.

Beautiful birthday cakeMade for me by my very talented girlhood friend!Thank you sooo much Michelle❤️
09/06/2024

Beautiful birthday cake
Made for me by my very talented girlhood friend!

Thank you sooo much Michelle❤️

NEW SATURDAY CLASS STARTS THIS SATURDAY in Irvine. It will be a small class so we should be able to work on some things ...
08/28/2024

NEW SATURDAY CLASS STARTS THIS SATURDAY in Irvine. It will be a small class so we should be able to work on some things we usually can’t.

Let me know if you have any questions or would like to join

New Saturday class starts 7/6 in IrvineLet me know if you have questions or would like to join.
07/01/2024

New Saturday class starts 7/6 in Irvine
Let me know if you have questions or would like to join.

07/01/2024

Our Saturday class graduated yesterday. All dogs demonstrated great improvement in their skills.

Some of the students stayed afterward to allow their dogs engage a bit.

NEW WEDNESDAY CLASS STARTS TOMORROW It is another full class with a fantastic diversity of participants. Last class was ...
06/04/2024

NEW WEDNESDAY CLASS STARTS TOMORROW
It is another full class with a fantastic diversity of participants. Last class was full and had 100% perfect attendance which is impressive. Let’s see if this class can follow suit. That is of course largely up to me in that I have to encourage, challenge, meet the needs of each dog and owner so they can maximize their learning.

I’m looking forward to this journey in the next 8 weeks!

NEW SATURDAY CLASSWe have a new Saturday morning class starting on May 11th. Please contact me if you have any questions...
04/30/2024

NEW SATURDAY CLASS

We have a new Saturday morning class starting on May 11th. Please contact me if you have any questions or wish to be added to the roster.

SNAPSHOT into the real life of a dog trainer. This is one of my rescued dogs. Super smart, super high food drive, super ...
03/14/2024

SNAPSHOT into the real life of a dog trainer.

This is one of my rescued dogs. Super smart, super high food drive, super high prey drive and super high toy/ play drive. He also LOVES to train. These are all great qualities when managed well. He showed potential to do a bit of guarding as a pup so I worked hard on it using the most positive methods possible.

As he has become closer to “the guys” in the house there has been a bit of an imbalance of late. He has become more pushy for attention (24/7) and starting to steal food. I worked very hard to explain to the rest of the household that him being so pushy and demanding was NOT a good thing. But of course often am met with “oh but it is so cute” statement.

He has a dog bed that he loves to lay on and I made sure he did not become possessive of it. But last few weeks he has added a behavior that started to concern me (again it was thought of as cute by the guys). He loves to drag kitchen towels off of the counter and take them to his bed. He does not rip them up in any way. He also loves to steal toilet paper roll (only the new ones) and again take them to his bed. Again this was thought of as cute. I kinda saw the writing on the wall.

I have alway worked on a strong drop it command cuz I knew it was a must with him. Yes I can take things away but I rather he give it up willingly.

Then the other day he demonstrated the behavior I saw flags about. Had his towel and brand new toilet paper roll on his bed. Did it when I wasn’t looking. I walked up to take the toilet paper roll and he gave me a freeze and side eye. Next level “could” have been a snap. So I commanded him off his bed and removed objects. He knew he had messed up.

So I will be going back to training and reprimanding the guys for giving constant attention whenever he demands it. He essentially has gotten too big for his britches! After two days of sporadic training he is responding faster to all commands which is a good step. My challenge is not so much with him but how he is allowed to do whatever he wants and to whatever degree he wishes. Hopefully I can get a little more cooperation from the guys in the house.

These are things I run in to all the time with clients and I always have to laugh when they say “your dogs must be so well trained and little angels”. NOPE. I have to deal with the same things my clients do. I don’t hesitate to let them know that is the case.

We have a great Saturday class. So diverse. Many different temperaments. All are taking to this game called training! W...
03/09/2024

We have a great Saturday class. So diverse. Many different temperaments. All are taking to this game called training! We try to not only make training beneficial but an activity the dogs really look forward to. I can already see that spark in their eyes. And we ALSO celebrate with the owner when their dog finally masters something they were struggling with. We worked on beginning recall, sit-stay, down, off, side sit, and the dreaded loose leash walking. The owners were amazed how fast their dogs could improve if they broke the exercises down into small pieces.

AND our Frenchie that started far away from the class (due to extreme reactivity) is now calm and relaxed and really close to being fully integrated into the class. She has an angel for an owner as she has been patient and has stuck with our plan. It is really paying off. The dog now has a very bright future and the owner is thrilled and I feel rewarded myself. Doesn’t get better than that.

02/17/2024

We have a new class starting Saturday the 24th in Irvine. Class time is 9:30-10:30.

If you have any questions or would like to join feel free to contact me.

01/15/2024

Always looking for ways for my dogs to interact and have fun without going psycho. I’m liking this new game. Apparently the only rule is that you have to stay on the bed.

Address

Costa Mesa, CA
92627

Telephone

+19496506208

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when VP Dog Training posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to VP Dog Training:

Videos

Our Saturday class graduated yesterday. All dogs demonstrated great improvement in their skills. Some of the students stayed afterward to allow their dogs engage a bit.

Always looking for ways for my dogs to interact and have fun without going psycho. I’m liking this new game. Apparently the only rule is that you have to stay on the bed.

Another team practicing the walk by.

Another team doing walk by

I wanted to send a little video of all the dogs in class doing the walk by exercise then found out I can only add one video. But I can say all the dog were remarkable!

Two lessons away from graduation for our Wednesday class. So proud of ALL the students and dogs. They have come so far in such a short time. Here we were doing one of my favorite exercises and one than is hard for many dogs. The people in line have to keep their dog in a sit-stay while one by one each dog walks nicely in front of them. They have all done well mastering this.

Who says goldens and pitties can’t be besties. This pit is a rescue that loved and cuddled with all my goldens. He missed them since they have all passed. Now he is super happy again to have his two new goldens.

Other girl working on down-stay in kitchen. I’m adding my other dogs slowly and working toward them working together. Again I’m WAY behind in training but then I’m not racing toward anything.

Girls working on down-stays in kitchen while I’m cooking and doing dishes. I’m WAY behind on this kind of training.

Bobbi not quite getting the retrieve and go through tunnel. But Andi killed it!

Shortcuts

Share

Category