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Ahimsa Dog Training
Categories: Pets Pet Services Pet Training Pets Pet Stores Pet Training, Pet Stores [Edit]
902 NW 49th St(between N 9th Ave & N 11th Ave)
Seattle, WA 98107
Neighborhood: Ballard
(206) 364-4072
- Hours:
Mon 10 am - 9 pm
Tue-Thu 5 pm - 9 pm
Sat 9 am - 6:30 pm
Sun 9:30 am - 6:30 pm
About This Business:
We offer: Obediene Classes Private In-home training Seminars We can also help you with the following problems: Housebreaking; Biting, barking, digging,… read more »
36 reviews for Ahimsa Dog Training
36 reviews in English
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Review from Kyle J.
Seattle, WA
3/10/2012
I could not be happier with our training experience at Ahimsa. Wynona is an AMAZING trainer and we adore her. Our labradoodle has excelled in her puppy kindergarten classes and we have so much fun in class!
Could not say enough good things! -
Review from SeattleMartzFamily L.
Queen Anne, Seattle, WA
Updated - 5/1/2012
I don't recommend for extremely reactive, large (35lbs or more), NOT FOOD MOTIVATED dogs. Group classes/clinics only has one trainer available to monitor each dog and maximum number of dogs allowed are 6.
May have general success with less reactive and smaller dogs or just a food motivated dog.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/10/2012
This is in regard to the customer service provided to potential customers. I wish they understand… Read more »
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Review from Roland A.
Seattle, WA
3/8/2012
We have been taking our French Bulldog puppy to Ahimsa for 5 months now, and feel qualified to write a review. Neither my wife nor I have any connection to Ahimsa other than being a client.
Our history with dogs. This is the first dog we have had together, and the first dog either of us has been fully responsible for raising. So while both of us have had dogs in our lives for years, we approached having a dog as beginners.
In short, our experience with Ahimsa has been an eye-opener. We have learned that there was so much we did not know about dogs - living with them, training them, training ourselves. All three trainers at Ahimsa we have worked with have been excellent - Wynona, Carly, and Rachel.
We have been in two classes - "kindergarten" and are just finishing "junior high". Both have been excellent. My only regret is not working harder outside of class to implement what we have been learning in class.
We have also participated in many puppy and small dog play times. They have been uniformly excellent experiences.
We plan on participating in further classes on agility and other more advanced training.
I recommend taking a new puppy, or a grown dog, to Ahimsa without reservation. We have recommended them to many people we've met as a result of having a dog in our lives.
Four thumbs up here! -
Review from Shanna G.
Seattle, WA
4/12/2012
Would not recommend. My husband & I took our rescue dog to a BAT class because she is leash reactive. The course came out to about $60 per hour long class. Altogether, we & our dog got about 20 minutes maximum of personal attention. That 20 minute guesstimate is generous: it was probably less. Not worth the money, really.
Most of the class was taken up with listening to other people detail how their week went. I really wasn't interested in hearing how Spot reacted to the 50 dogs it saw during the week, so listening to that from 5 different people was not great. Maybe putting a time limit on that would be helpful, like 1 minute per person. Anything additional & you could stay over after class or email for more personal attention
When we finally got to the hands on portion, we only got to bring our dog in twice. For the really one-on-one part where it was just our dog & one other, more than half of class was taken up by the aforementioned chatting. We were left with 15 minutes to actually work our dogs, & mine got about 5-10 minutes.
Afterwards, we were left with a dog who wasn't any better. The book was helpful, but there wasn't enough instruction on cues to read specific to my dog that indicated stress. Since reactivity is pretty specific to each dog, we needed more one-on-one for a class like this. I would give it one star, except - as my husband pointed out - the information was useful. The class wasn't, but hey, at least we got the book. -
Review from Adriana H.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 2/26/2012
The owner contacted me and apologized and explained the cause for the mix up. She was very prompt and I appreciate her prompt response and customer service to resolve the issue.
We were very happy with the training we received while we were able to attend, the classes are a different style as others have noted, but as long as you understand what you are signing up for it works out very well, especially for socialization.
If our schedules line up we will definitely look at Ahimsa for more dog training.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/6/2012
So we got a new puppy and were excited to get our training on the way. We decided to come to Ahimsa… Read more »
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Review from Lindsey M.
Seattle, WA
9/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
When I got my puppy in January I enrolled in Puppy Kindergarten twice a week. This class enabled me to dedicate (a minimum) of 2 hours a week to train him basics, but the part that you can't put a price on is the puppy socialization in a safe setting. It was so fun to see his & his classmates progress. I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere & the opportunity to get advice from my trainers, Wynonna & Rachel, who were always full of insightful information on what my "issue of the week" was.
After Puppy Kindergarten I enrolled in Puppy Jr High with Rachel (& Carly) which was a more structured series class. We really had to work to keep up, but this class was invaluable for honing the basic commands & moving on to the harder stuff like stays with distractions.
Now that I have a graduate of both classes we continue to come to Ahimsa for weekly play sessions. My dog literally begins whimpering & whining when we pull up at Ahimsa because he is so excited to get in & see his friends. Thank you to Ahimsa for helping me mold my little puppy into such a wonderful canine companion. -
Review from Amy Z.
Seattle, WA
1/10/2012
Ahimsa utilizes positive training methods in their classes and I found their puppy kindergarten program to be extremely instrumental in the development of my Corgi puppy. I'd highly recommend bringing your dog here, either for behavioral issues or for their puppy program. The instructors are all very knowledgeable and trustworthy.
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Review from Chris T.
Seattle, WA
5/19/2011 12 Check-ins Here
My life generally involves work, school, reading, walks, eating at places with good Yelp reviews, and hanging out with friends. At the beginning of this year, I added a 4-month-old pug into the mix. Thanks to Ahimsa and the training that we've received here, my puppy's grown into a rather polite and very well socialized dog.
There are two types of classes at Ahimsa: ongoing classes and series classes. For both types, you're paying $169 for reserved spots in 6 one-hour long classes, with the option to drop in to as many other puppy classes (with built-in playtime) or adult dog classes as your heart and schedule desires. Ongoing classes will likely have different dogs attending from week to week and the topics covered are determined by voting. This is where Ahimsa loses a star because this means that you may cover the same topics over and over again instead of learning new things with each passing week. With series classes, you don't have this problem since the same dogs are in the same class each week.
The trainers who work at Ahimsa all seem to love dogs and working with them and they do a good job of teaching us the basics of positive reinforcement techniques while keeping the classes fun and focused on the dogs. Training classes should focus more on teaching the human to understand dogs and the way they think and that's exactly what Ahimsa does (instead of focusing on trying to make the dog behave a certain way). The positive reinforcement techniques (clicker training) used at Ahimsa not only helped my dog learn quickly but I also had a lot of fun in the process of training. -
Review from Lara O.
Seattle, WA
5/4/2011
I went to Ahimsa because they had a lot of great reviews on Yelp! I have to join in and say that Ahimsa is Awesome!
My husband and I took our then 4month old super cute boxer puppy, Carriza, to Ahimsa for Puppy Kindergarten. It seems like they even took some of the Feedback from their reviews into consideration because I noticed that each training session was set up to meet the needs of the puppy group for the day (they had gotten some mixed reviews on having specific training issues).
While our little pride and joy, Carriza, is still misbehaving at times, she has learned all the basics and can sit, walk on a leash, lay down, shake, and roll over. The not jumping on strangers skill is still a work in progress.
Ahimsa really gave us alot of key tools to continue our training at home. For instance, you learn how to say "Puppy Puppy Puppy" and "Come Here" :). You have to say it in a special voice, one that only puppys will understand, so it's best to sign up for the class and learn how to have puppy sit and roll over!
Lastly, Ms. Carriza was sick for a few weeks and the great staff members gladly put our membership on hold so we did not loose any money or classes. When she was all better, we resumed our classes and now Carriza is a proud Ahimsa graduate with a Puppy Kindergarten Diploma. Thanks Ahimsa for helping us teach our pup about the facts of life! -
Review from K. B.
Seattle, WA
2/23/2012
Ahimsa changed and continues to change my life, and my dogs lives. One has passes away but if not for Grisha and her techniques he would have continued to be a very fearful dog. And my current dog would not be able to be around other dogs at all. It takes dedication, patience, and practice to help one's pets. Humans tend to know very little about dog behavior and dog language at all. The positive only training/behavior modification is proven scientifically to be most effective, not to mention the only honorable way to train or change behavior (hey, not just with dogs, but with any pet, children, people in general). People who feel the need to punish really just feel out of control and want to fix the "problem", asap. Well, that's not how it works, folks. I encourage everyone to not only take positive classes, with a positive attitude, but to go to actually learn something you may not know! There are many great books in the Ahimsa store as well (or online, many places) where you can read in depth about dog behavior and body language. I have learned so much over the years, and changed my views a few times along the way. Long ingrained behaviors/fears/etc. take time to help the dog change. They are not able to have it explained to them or read a book (in most cases? ha!), so we have to show them how to change, so their lives will be better, easier and happier, not to mention OUR lives too! I love dogs so much and want to thank everyone who cares enough to help their dogs! (or cats, or kids...)
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Review from Robin E.
Seattle, WA
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good positive training. Our dog was really having issues when on leash with other dogs. We were able to work though the issue mostly with the help of the staff. They had lots of staff to lend a hand. Great class. We took the trouble teen class
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Review from Noella N.
Seattle, WA
9/19/2011
My AmStaff Bailey and I have taken two classes at Ahimsa: Growly Dog and NoseWorks, both with Mirielle. Mirielle handled both classes really well, making sure all dogs & owners were given equal attention. She also represented the BAT technique in an easy-to-understand way and showed great sensitivity to the different expressions of aggression we saw from our class' dogs.
NoseWorks is just super fun for everybody, and because it's a class for Reactive Dogs, Bailey and I are able to take part without it being a super stressful experience. My dog is happier and less barky at home now that we've brought Ahimsa into our lives. I think Ahimsa has helped deepen my relationship with my dog, and the trust he has in me.
We also had a private session with Grisha a year ago that helped me really understand my dog's behavior better. She helped me come to terms with the fact that my dog is not a good fit for the dog park. We also learned some fancy tricks like Touch! to help with his focus during walks.
We've gotten training at two other businesses in Seattle, and this is the best place by far. Easy to get to, lots of parking, friendly & knowledgeable staff, definitely worth the time and money. -
Review from Nick B.
7/25/2009
The problem with reviewing a place such as this is that it is highly specific to your dog's needs.
I don't dispute the validity of clicker training or the method that Ahimsa uses in general.
However, for my dog specifically, a 90 lb, German shepherd/pit bull mix, a much firmer hand is needed in training. Ahimsa is a great training facility for less dominant breeds and ESPECIALLY for dogs with anxiety problems, etc.
I felt that the commands were quite basic in general, and my biggest problem with the lessons themselves was the structure. Rather than the instructor setting out a plan and adding to it every week, it was majority rules. Each person would go up and place a magnet on a white-board next to the obedience training they wanted to engage in (sit, stay, etc.).
The problem with this is that I felt that we got stuck every week with the same training regime, rather than slowly incorporating more and more instructions, thereby creating a cumulative curriculum. -
Review from Beth W.
Seattle, WA
10/25/2011
I found the trainers at Ahimsa knowledgeable and kind. Both my dog and I are better off for having taken the class.
The only critic is of the rolling start date system. It means that it could be your 1st class and other peoples 5th. This made it hard to have any sort flow to what they are teaching. You could be trying to train your dog to stay before he knows how to sit or lay down. They do offer 1 class that does work like that and I wish I'd picked that one. -
Review from Juliann B.
Seattle, WA
3/27/2009
We enrolled our puppy in the puppy kindergarten class. I felt like this class was pretty unstructured and my dog didn't get too much out of it once he mastered the sit and leave it. The use of clickers seemed unnecessary (why not just say "good boy" as a marker) and the training offered no disciplinary techniques for barking or jumping. This class may be better for fearful dogs but if you feel like your dog needs a firmer hand with more structure I recommend Jeff Tinsley's training at Sound Dogs.
On the plus side we did learn about 4 commands and the dog got some puppy playtime. -
Review from K T.
Seattle, WA
2/4/2012
I've been to Ahimsa for 2 of my dogs. One for basic training and one for private sessions for aggression. The private training was a horrible experience. Grisha was out of town and recommended another trainer. That trainer said she was available but she was very unresponsive to my emails and it took a few weeks and a lot of persistence for her to respond. That was a concern but Grisha recommended her so I figured I'd give her a shot. We didn't get much out of the training sessions and I was very disappointed after each one. We could have learned BAT on our own and saved $1,000. Putting the unresponsiveness and lack of effort/knowledge aside what really made the experience horrible was the trainer put my dog aggressive dog next to another dog aggressive dog and fed her a treat. Neither dog was ready to be in that type of situation. What she did was completely irresponsible. I was so upset that she put both dogs in danger. I already did not trust this trainer for many reasons including she told me during our sessions that she has not had any experience with dog fights. From what I've heard Grisha is a good trainer and I wish I would have waited until she returned.
The one other thing that I didn't like about Ahimsa is the way they structure their classes. During the basic classes we spent a lot of time getting organized and asking what everyone wanted to learn. I wish the classes had a set curriculum so that everyone would come in prepared and ready to train instead of wasting time talking about what the session should focus on. -
Review from Courtney H.
Seattle, WA
7/7/2009
Disclaimer: I have only trained one dog and I have only attended one school for training... this one.
My dog came from Taiwan, so English was super foreign to him. I realized pretty quickly that I could read and watch all the shows I wanted but I really need a puppy class. Specifically because I needed my boyfriend to learn the same thing I had already read.
Clickers are the best way to train. I've only trained my Dog but I wouldn't be surprised if I could start training kids with it. It's a unique sound that can be applied consistently between my boyfriend and I so there is no fights about "your not saying it right!" Pluto does what he is told (or just does something good without being told!) Click! Treat. Easy.
This school was awesome because it had rolling admission, so you could start as soon as you wanted. You also can drop into other classes which was really important because I wanted to get the biggest bang for my buck. I ended up only dropping into 2 because of my work schedule but I loved that I had that option.
The different trainers all use the same positive, clicker training method but they can definitely administer it differently so I recommend going to different trainers if you think your dog isn't getting enough out of it. I have never made it to Grisha, but I will try harder when I enroll Pluto in the next stage of training.
Things I like:
Clickers, Positive reinforcement, Free harness with class, Free clicker with class, Rolling admission, flexible schedule, drop ins okay ( I heard if it's full and you are turned away they will give you 5 bucks off puppy play time, nice consolation prize), TONS of people/ Puppy socialization and Puppy/Puppy socialization, questions answered in class.
Things I don't like: The first class I was late :( and I didn't feel very welcomed. I made sure to be really early after that but those first couple minutes made me feel awful. Then all was forgiven and now it's fine. The puppy classes are not always work friendly. I can't get home from work, pick up my dog and then take him to class for a majority of the sessions. I would have like another one offered on Friday or Thursday at 8:00.
Lastly if you are thinking about getting a puppy of a certain breed I would recommend calling and asking to audit a puppy class. I would have said Labs were my favorite before I got Pluto but now after seeing labs in the class I realize I would have died. They are 110% puppy. And you get to meet tons of different breeds. Pure breeds, rescues, shelter dogs. Everything.
Oh sorry one last thing. There are lots of BIG dogs. And they are trained using positive reinforcement and walked with harnesses. It's totally possible to train a big dog without using pinch collars automatically. I commend all the big dog owners that choose harnesses over pinch collars. -
Review from Trish R.
5/8/2009
I took our Seattle Animal Shelter foster dog to Ahimsa's Dream Dog training in April. When registering for courses, new clients reserve spots online for their four Dream Dog classes. For $119 clients not only receive their four hours of training but can also pop into unlimited classes during their four-week registration period, provided the classes are not full. For those with scheduling flexibility and who live nearby, this is a GREAT deal. One-week trials cost $49 and allow for one reserved session and unlimited drop-ins during that week.
There are a variety of Dream Dog classes from which to choose: Super Start (the basics), Come Here, Walking, Kids & Dogs, Jumping Up, Barky Dog, Self-Control, Rally Obedience, Skill Sharpener, Tricks, and others. We attended Come Here, Jumping Up, Self-Control and Tricks. Ahimsa's facility has the essentials to help dogs and their owners during the learning process: stations around the room equipped with leashes attached to a wall (so owners can work with dogs without also having to hold onto them), whiteboards to write dogs' names during class, foldable "walls" for dogs easily distracted by other pups/stimuli, extra treats when owners run out, and a toy box for occasional rewards.
We attended four classes, taught by three different instructors. While each instructor had her own teaching style, all three were consistent in emphasizing positive reinforcement as the preferred training method for canines. All three were very professional and patient.
Grisha, owner of Ahimsa, is serious about maintaining a productive, service-oriented business for those wanting to help their four-legged family members. Assessment/evaluation is requested via email at the end of the training period.
All of Ahimsa's written materials are available via its website after registration is arranged, and off-site communication was solely via email, so those who prefer face-to-face or voice-to-ear (phone) interaction should be forewarned. The only minor issues I experienced were from other clients who did not control their dogs very well. Reminding myself dog training is also for the humans, I kept my crabbiness in check. -
Review from Joel H.
San Jose, CA
10/17/2006
We've attended two training classes with Little Miss Zoe here at Ahimsa, and you should believe the hype. Grisha is a fantastic trainer, and all of the dogs love her. In fact, she gets Zoe to do stuff that we have despaired of getting her to do -- like listen when she's distracted.
I must admit, when I first started with Ahimsa, and heard about the "positive" training, I was doubtful -- I mean, don't dogs just understand praise and pain and that's how you deal with them? But truthfully, Grisha's methods work wonders. I'm a full believer now.
If you're a proponent of Cesar Milan's methods, you probably will have to reset yourself to take on the positive training methods taught here, but they work and work well! Take your little pupperoni to Ahimsa Dog Training and be a responsible owner! Train your dog, love your dog! -
Review from Katy W.
Seattle, WA
4/11/2010
My rescue pup was extremely shy and under-socialized with people and dogs when I got her. While I have lots of experience working with dog she was my first shy dog and my usual technique did not work with her. Ahimsa help me learn how to help my dog become happy and balanced.
My dog started off going to the teen dog playtime. She learned how to interact with other dogs and and as her confidence grew she was would play with the more energetic dogs. The instructor was great at managing the excitement levels of the dogs and placing them in play groups that would work best for all the dogs. It took a few months but eventually my pup was in there playing with even the largest and most exuberant dogs. Usually the teen dog playtime is for 5-9 month old dogs but Ahimsa allowed our pup to continue to go to puppy playtime until she was 12 months old so she could still get the regular puppy interaction she needed.
My dog was also enrolled in Puppy Jr. High and Dream Dog. Both classes have helped with her general obedience and she picked up some cool tricks! -
Review from Randi P.
Lake Tapps, WA
10/19/2006
It was great and very helpful. What I wonder is if I really got a bang for my buck here though?
My puppy was ready and willing to learn more, she's an overacheiver ;) -
Review from Melanie B.
Seattle, WA
10/3/2010
My new pup, Lexi, is a rambunctious Labrador Retriever. Expecting to face puppy behavior for up to three years with a lab, according to the experts, I have sought every opportunity to train and socialize my puppy so that she is happy, healthy, and well-balanced.
We live in Federal Way and go to puppy kindergarten at It's a Dog's World Training & Agility Center in Sumner. Her training class provides an excellent opportunity for her to learn obedience through positive reinforcement, but she wasn't getting the socialization that a young pup needed. My Internet search for puppy play groups led me to Ahimsa.
We attend the puppy play group on Sundays run by Carly. It is everything my furry baby needs. Carly does an amazing job of managing all of the puppy personalities and she is incredibly patient and knowledgeable about how to encourage positive play and discourage aggressive and dominant behavior. It's a large group on Sunday, versus the very small Saturday group, and Carly divides the room up and groups the dogs together based on their play style and personalities.
Lexi is a very high-energy, anxious dog and can be jumping up in the face of a larger dog one moment and cowering in the corner when a smaller dog is getting too playful the next. I love the way Carly monitors and manages the puppies behavior and works with each dog to make sure that he/she has a great time with all the other pups! -
Review from Michael B.
Seattle, WA
12/18/2011
We recently took our small dog to small dog play and this was our first time at Ahimsa. The staff monitoring the play seemed very knowledgeable and did a great job of managing all the different dog personalities and play styles. But I have to say that I was surprised at the level of clutter, and grossed out by the level of dirt and fur in the studio. I definitely would not want to take a class in that space.
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Review from Erica A.
Seattle, WA
8/3/2011
Just have to join all the great reviews about Ahimsa!
Being a veterinarian and having worked at the behavior center in vet school, I know there are many options for dog training out there. There are just as many techniques, as well. I really enjoy and support their approach to training owners and puppies.
We got a new puppy a month ago, and I wanted to find a place that was progressive and fit with my approach to working with dogs. Their positive approach to training is not fluffy or lenient. They realize puppies just want to play, be stimulated and eat treats. They make training include all these aspects. It's fun and understandable for both dogs and owners.
The various trainers are consistent in their approach and don't give mixed messages to anyone. It is also evident the trainers enjoy working with the dogs and people (which is a plus).
I would refer any of my clients or friends to Ahimsa for dog training. The only drawback is that they're located out in Ballard. Hopefully soon they will open a new facility in the Capitol Hill area! -
Review from Cayla S.
Seattle, WA
3/4/2010
Ahimsa is the best.
I'll admit I have never used another trainer or trailing facility but I do know that my puppy is happy and I'm ecstatic.
I have a little male corgi pup and he is a serious handful. He is smart as a whip but because of that he gets bored and destructive very easily. I was at a loss before we started puppy kindergarten.
There he had time to socialize, play out some energy, and learn - which is what really makes him happy. In just a few weeks we learned sit, down, stay, come, and a few tricks. The most value however is in the socializing. We got to meet some great people and some great puppies.
The facility is clean and comfortable, they seem to have thought of everything you might need or want. The staff is awesome, they are willing to stay after class to help you with specific problems or questions you might have about your puppy, and they all seem to have an answer.
Ahimsa advertises itself as a reward bases training facility, hence the name Ahimsa meaning "compassion" and "non-violence". And nothing is truer. I think it would hurt the trainers more then it would hurt the dogs to use negative reinforcement to teach a behavior. The staffs is absolutely dedicated to these animals, and have a real passion for them. They want you and your dog to succeed. They understand that real success is a happy dog and owner. -
Review from Jim H.
Seattle, WA
3/5/2012
Ahisma has been a terrific support for our family! My husband and I have taken two classes at Ahisma with our energetic lab puppy. We very much appreciate how knowledgable our trainers were and how well they work with all the dogs. It is evident that the trainers are highly experiences and qualified. What people need to understand is that the trainers are there to help the owners learn how to be the most effective owners/trainers to their dogs at home. It's a great method and makes great sense! I also really appreciate the positive behavior technique that Ahisma promotes. Why would anyone want to provide painful punishment to an animal? As a professional behaviorist myself, I very much appreciate and understand the validity of a positive teaching approach and also the adverse consequences of using more heavy-handed punishment procedures. Ahisma teaches you to teach your dog in an effective, supportive, and positive manner - that works. We had a blast each week and our dog LOVED the classes too! Thank you Ahisma for helping our little doggie develop into such a well-mannered and talented dog and for giving us (the owners) life-long skills for how to support and train our current fuzzy friend and any we decide to adopt in the future.
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Review from sara r.
Seattle, WA
6/23/2007
I used to instruct dog training classes elsewhere so I am pretty picky about who I let boss me and my pup pup around.
I heard great things about ahimsa so I decided to check it out. I looked at the website and decided to enroll... but it took me until my dog began having agression problems to actually get in a class.
When b hit a little over one year old she began having some onleash aggression issues. She was born deaf and I did all of her basic training myself because I hadnt really found a trainer that had much experience with deaf dogs so I figured I could do just as well on my own. I needed some extra help when she started getting growly though so I enrolled in Grisha's growly dog class in ballard.
I liked grisha's class because 1) she encourages the use of logical positive re-enforcement techniques. I liked the idea of reconditioning my dogs unease around other dogs and replacing it with a relaxed and excited manner. 2) I felt very comfortable in the class. There were a lot of different types of students (and parents!) so ididnt feel weird to be the tattooed girl with the pitbull. A very queer, veggie, and tattoo friendly environment. 3) I have a lot of dog experience and my boyfriend has none and she was able to address both of our needs in a helpfull way. 4) Dealing with dogs who can be aggressive to other dogs and to people can be unsafe and scary but grisha had everything under control and I never felt worried that anything would go wrong.
It can be hard to go for help with aggression when you have a breed that is stereotypicaly considered "dangerous". I felt like grisha didnt judge my sweet girl for being born a pitbull, but at the same time was very knowledgable and forward with the extra safety measures bully owners need to take to make sure their dog is a good representitive of the breed.
Please take your dog here. I had a great experience.Listed in: most favorite of favorites
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Review from Faith H.
Seattle, WA
6/10/2007
What can I say that hasn't already been said before? Well, believe the reviews Grisha's training methods do work. Actually, positive training methods have been around for a little while - so Grisha didn't invent them - but she does choose to incorporate them into her training Zoe was a hyperactive puppy at 6 months and she managed to complete two different obediance classes with Ahimsa and praised as a star pupil.
This weekend Zoe and I returned to Ahimsa for an Agility workshop with Pritamo (http://funquestdogspor...). While I may not have thought Zoe was ready for agility training, I did want to see what it was all about. Pritamo is a brilliant instructor who has 4 dogs that participate in Agility and just watching them run through their sets showed me that this woman really does know what she is doing. The workshop lasted for 2 hours and although I have been working diligently with Zoe and distractions (squirrels, cats, people, dogs) I thought 2 hours may be a bit much for her - and for me. Well, I have to say we did more than survive and Zoe was the most well behaved dog in the class, admittedly there were only 3 dogs participating but she was amazing. She sat patiently when she was waiting to use the equipment and when she had her chance she excelled on all of the equipment (tunnels, ramps, platforms, stepping tubes and jumps). I also like how Pritamo ignored the dogs so they got the message that the class wasn't a social event, but that we were there to learn new skills. Pritamo's aim is to teach your dog to excel and have a positive experience while doing so. Both Zoe and I had a great time and we will definitely be returning for the upcoming Agility classes.Listed in: Doggy Central
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Review from Tyesha S.
Portland, OR
9/11/2007
remember dog training is really for the humans. me and the hubby learned so much from our six week class and have been using those skills ever since. our pup is really close to being off leash all the time, he has a magic bag full of tricks that never fail to impress and he gets a long with all other dogs.
now Rudi is a natural but Ahimsa helped us find the best ways to encourage and straighten this natural behavior.
Namaste pups -
Review from Jill R.
Seattle, WA
9/24/2009
We've got our little rescued lab/hound mix enrolled in the puppy kindergarten class.
Before enrolling, I read everything I could on dog training, and came to the realization that positive training techniques were the way to go. I also believe that clicker training helps dogs figure out what it is you expect of them.
So, with that in mind, I set about to find a like-minded training school. Ahimsa came solidly recommended, and seemed to be in alignment with how I want to raise my pup.
They are as great as the reviews lead you to believe. Yay!
We enrolled in 2 guaranteed spots per week, and have dropped in (for free!) to several other sessions. So far we've only seen 2 trainers, but both of them are patient with dogs and humans alike. Anytime I have a question or need clarification as to how best deal with a problem, they stop and ensure that both my pup and I are figuring it out.
The only constructive criticism I would add is that I would like to see a little more structure with regards to session learning objectives.
We've now covered "leave it" in every session because the mob rules.
Perhaps they could do something along the lines of weeks 1 - 6 all have different learning objectives, and just get repeated every 6 weeks. For example, if it is week 1, you get sit and down. Week 4 gets leave it, and then so on until you get back to Week 1, sit and down. That way you could do more drop-ins during the week that you had those particular issues, and you know that each week will be different.
Other than that, we are a big fan and plan on continuing our little ones education (and ours) at Ahimsa throughout her puppyhood and into adolescence and adulthood.Comment from Grisha S. of Ahimsa Dog Training 12/14/2009
Thanks for the tip! We have a new way of teaching the puppy… More » -
Review from Lynn L.
Seattle, WA
9/22/2011
Wow, I am kind of astounded at all of the great reviews, because that was not my experience at all. My dog did get socialization, but that was about it. Every one of the 6 weeks, the class consisted of whatever the people who were there voted on. And because there was no specific starting or stopping date that was common for everyone, we seemed to go no further than the basic "sit" and "touch". My dog learned those things in the first week, and then we just reviewed 5 more times. For the price, I was underwhelmed.
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Review from Zarkle B.
Seattle, WA
2/7/2008
We just finished puppy kindergarten here and Doobee has learned a lot. I recommend going to the classes taught by Grisha (she is the owner after all). Their rolling enrollment is great because you can go to any of their classes during your 6-week session. This is a great safe environment to socialize your puppy while he is still young and getting his shots. It's also a good environment to train your puppy with distractions as opposed to just alone in your home. Grisha even brought in a skateboard to class once and we practiced with target sticks another time. I have a few videos of play times on YouTube; search for Doobee or Ahimsa tags.
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Review from Teaessa C.
WA
7/6/2010
After reading all the great reviews, and exploring the website I was disappointed when I called Ahimsa's dog training. I called to ask about how many puppies per class and basic training covered. I explained we were waiting to give Kokua 2 weeks to adjust to being in our home, the person I spoke with said she would not wait. (Which is fine, I respect all opinions) however I explained this was consistent with what I had read, recommend by our vet, the breeder, and the puppy was coming from Atlanta, her response was a rude "and that has to do with what?" I politely responded thank you for your time and the person hung up on me.
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Review from Kui S.
Seattle, WA
2/17/2009
I can't really add anything to what others have already said about Ahimsa. Grisha and her class were a real life saver for us and our ferocious little rescue boston. Two paws up! Waaay up!!
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Review from Clive P.
3/28/2011
We have the world's greatest dog, and quite frankly Grisha is one of the number one reasons. The positive reinforcement training goes a long way in building trust with your dog as well. The repetition that we did and is mentioned as a negative in some of these reviews as well as the basic dog handling, develops your dogs understanding of what's expected of them. The touching the ears, mouth, handling the paws, go along way to not ever needing to have your dog groomed. We tell our dog to go in the tub, she goes in the tub. I have friends who did not take their dogs through any training, their dogs are a pain in their asses, and when I'm at their place, their dogs are a pain in my ass. Do y ou really want a dog that is a pain in your friend's ass? I don't think you do. Again, our dog is incredibly well behaved and has a lot of restraint. I really credit the training we did at Ahimsa for that.
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Review from Tyler U.
King, WA
1/17/2011
I agree that clicker training works, and Ahimsa is a great place to socialize your pup, but there is very little structure to how the training is implemented. Their classes are on continuous enrollment, so it is easy to start up at any time, but the training for each class is picked by majority rules. You put a magnet on a board in the category you would like to work on. Every class we only worked on sit, come, stay, and leave it. Their method does not build on things learned earlier, and becomes extremely redundant. We will not be taking our next dog to Ahimsa. I would take them there for Ahimsa's puppy play dates though.
