to view more of our many clients, please see our gallery

I can’t express enough gratitude and praise for my experience with Seattle Dogworks. When I began looking for trainers for my rescued dog I was overwhelmed by choices. I was concerned that I make the right choice, so that Sofia, who’d been used as “target practice” prior to her adoption by me, suffer no additional psychological harm through training. I am grateful I received repeated word of mouth recommendations leading me to an organization committed to non-aversive canine training—the only workable solution for us. My dog and I were transformed into better communicators the instant we walked through the door.  She has evolved to a trusting and ever-ready student—willing to be guided eagerly, and I have learned how to get and keep her attention.  It is true transcendence to find trainers/mentors capable of reflecting what might be going on inside the head of a dog in a manner a human can internalize, and respond to in a positive, constructive way.  I know with the support of the trainers at Seattle Dogworks, there is no limit to what my brilliant, formally bullied Aussie Shepard mix can learn to do (not to mention what they can teach her master!).My emotionally broken canine still refuses to talk about her past, but she now has a solidly bright future that she awakens to every day—thanks to our training at Seattle Dogworks. Rose C. (Sofia, classes)

We cannot begin to tell you how much we look forward to class  each Saturday.  [Linda] You are a fantastic teacher, and your enthusiasm and love for the dogs is a joy to watch. Michael & Wes ((Rufus & Martha, classes)

---Our experience with the board and train with Cristine Dahl was EXCELLENT. In addition to feeling confident that he was being well cared for and given lots of love while we were away, Frodo came home a new dog. We too, were skeptical, that 3 weeks away would make a noticeable difference, but he truly is a new dog - relaxed, able to listen and obey his commands, stays off the sofa, co-exists with the baby on the floor, leaves the baby's toys alone (most of the time ;), and is generally a more polite dog. The best part is that Cristine works with you and your needs/lifestyle to come up with a plan that works for you, so you can manage your dog WITHIN your life...not have your dog manage your life. That was important to me, since I have a 7 month old baby who needs my attention, I cannot be a slave to my dog. Cristine has a great talent for assessing what your dog needs, and focusing on those issues. She is also able to explain it to us non-dog-experts so that we can understand the reasons behind the behaviors, and therefore prevent them, or deal with them appropriately. Kim and Brian W., board & train

---Having Roo stay with Cristine Dahl  was the best decision I have ever made with him.  Being a new puppy owner, I had no idea where to start to even get him potty trained. Most importantly I didn’t want a small dog that was territorial and barked all the time. Cristine understood exactly all of the challenges I was dealing with and created a program that was unique to our lifestyle and provided step by step directions to ensure success.  She has a unique approach to tackle different obstacles and I feel truly blessed that she took him into her home.  I was able to see immediate results when he returned home to me.  I rarely hear Roo bark for unnecessary reasons and he loves being around other dogs and people.   I feel like I have a very well behaved puppy and if I ever have any questions I know Cristine will be able to provide me with solutions that will work.  I would encourage anyone who is considering this program to move forward with it.  Not only is it great for your dog, but I found it very interesting and learned a lot! Emily P., puppy boot camp (board & train)

Linda McVay at Seattle Dogworks worked with me and my dog Stella. Stella's original owners abused and neglected her, so she needed special handling to ensure that she had a positive training experience. Linda was great! She was very patient with me and Stella--letting us find our rhythm and helping us understand how to communicate more clearly. I've worked with several trainers/behaviorists and read tons of books, but I often felt disappointed by the results. Going to Seattle Dogworks was the best decision I've ever made for me and Stella!   Kate G., student

We left our 12 week-old puppy, Polly, with Cristine while we went to Hawaii for a wedding.  Prior to our trip, our puppy had some diarrhea which we had attributed to new food but Cristine was concerned about it. With our permission, she brought Polly to the vet on the first day of her stay and found she had giardia.  Cristine was up all night with her several nights due to her terrible diarrhea which got all over her crate and bedding.  Cristine bathed her and took care of her and even moved temporarily to her parents' house with our puppy so her own dogs wouldn't be infected.  We felt terrible that our puppy was disrupting Cristine's life to such an extent but through it all, Cristine was cheerful and upbeat and seemed genuinely unconcerned with being inconvenienced and cared only about what was best for our puppy.  She went above and beyond in caring for her--as if our puppy were her own.  We are so grateful to Cristine for taking such amazing care of our baby and we would trust her again with any of our pets in a heartbeat.  Sarah A. & Rob N, student and overnight guest

I just wanted to say thanks again for the fantastic Puppy 2 session!  We think you guys do GREAT things there at Seattle Dogworks. Rain is well on her way to becoming a good canine citizen and we feel like we really learned a LOT!!!  See you at the dog park! Scott & Jenny, Students

Linda McVay is an excellent trainer, and a terrific teacher. I have taken several obedience classes, and Basic Training with Linda is the first one that I did not dread attending. It's also the first class where both my Basenji and I were NOT bored to tears. Linda is patient, clear, funny, and has a excellent rapport with the dogs and her students. She has a knack for explaining complex concepts in terms a non-scientific, non-professional animal trainer can understand. I've never managed to replicate what another  trainer did the way I could from the first hour in Linda's class.  Linda's class is also the very first one that I left feeling confident that I could do this when away from class, that I had actually--finally--learned how to work with my dog. After every other class I've taken, I kept up with maybe one or two commands, but almost two weeks after the one I took from Linda, I'm still working with my dog and we're forming a greater bond and communicating better every day. 

There isn't another school I'll be recommending to anyone, and since Linda is the first teacher who didn't make me feel totally inept, awkward, and dim-witted--and insane for living with Basenjis--I'll be urging others to sign up for her classes.  Thank you. (and Moku thanks you too!) ~Maripat W., Student

--- Hi, my name is Lucky. I am a 5-month old Golden Retriever. My parents, Carol and Earl, made me leave them after only staying with them for one week to spend three weeks with a lady named Cristine. Cristine had a very nice house, with a husband and two great dogs. They took me in and made me feel right at home. But I wasn't at home, I was at school. I learned how to play nice with other dogs. How to approach strangers and not be scared. I learned that going potty inside the house was not what my parents wanted. I learned that when I do the right things, it makes life way better for me AND my parents. Sometimes we still see Cristine to help me remember all of the right things to do, like how to walk correctly on my leash and what my parents mean when they say "down." She always seems to make my parents happy. If you are having trouble with your parents, I would strongly suggest that you get them to see Cristine, she works wonders with people!!!  EJ & Carol S., puppy boot camp (board & train)

---Cristine is like a Fairy Godmother for puppy owners. She has a very unique talent for zeroing in on the cause of misbehaviors and correcting them immediately and without force. My puppy Henry went to Cristine's board and train for 14 days because he was nipping and because I needed him house-trained. He returned with much better manners and with a written plan and the tools to continue his training. Henry doesn't bite and the accidents he has in the house are only because I've strayed from Cristine's plan. One of the best things during board and train is that Cristine is very accessible: I was allowed to visit Henry and I was sent pictures and email updates every few days. I still follow Cristine's training plan and Henry is progressing very, very well.  Heidi H., puppy boot camp (board & train)

---My dog Birdie was a shivering, undersocialized mess when I turned her over to Cristine. 28 days later I got back a sassy pooch with a plan. She rings a bell to potty and 'says hi' to everyone we walk by .I looked at tons of boarding programs, even out of state, and none but Cristine's offers a board and train program tailored to your dog that lasts all day in a real-life family dog environment. My dog ends the day by watching Letterman on Cristine's couch. Talk about feeling at home! Cristine wants you to get what you want out of your dog. She is available for questions and emails you what your dog is learning while they are with her. She wants you to have a dog you love to live with. Cristine gave me the information I needed to understand and train my dog further. She didn't keep me in the dark, she let me know what works. She is like Nanny 911 for doggies.  Anne B., puppy boot camp (board & train)

I have to tell you that I'm so excited about the improvement I'm having with the leash walking!!!  Ted E picked it up in a couple days and only needs to be reminded occasionally.  What a pleasure to walk a dog that is not constantly pulling.  And what a gentle way to teach him instead of yanking on his chain all the time.  Whoo-hooo  To think that I put him and me through the other methods.....Jennie F., student

Class graduates have said:

"It was a great class! Instructor has great energy & her love of dogs is obvious." 

"Simple, clear, instruction that was fun and practical to apply."

"The ideas and approach work!" 

"Friendly, non-judging, relaxed atmosphere." 

"Solid behavioral training that was backed up by science & knowledgeable staff." 

"This class kicked butt!"

"Smart, smart, smart. My dog thanks you! Finally a dog expert who knows her stuff! "

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This page is always under construction. If you do have a testimonial for Seattle Dogworks, which you would like to have added to this page, please send it to:

testimonials@Seattledogs.com

Thanks!