Our family is so blessed to have found Sarah and Andrew at Blue Dog Training and Behavior. Sarah trained our new puppy, Rookie, and has been extremely responsive, caring, and attentive. We were provided expert advise, personal videos, and most importantly a carefully-trained puppy who has learned several commands and is well adjusted to life around other dogs and people. We really couldnt have asked for a better outcome. It is clear that this business is operated with a love for animals and a willingness to go over and beyond to make sure all is right.

Blue Dog Training is the absolute best! Sarah and Andrew have been an absolute delight to work with and are incredibly knowledgeable.I decided to adopt a puppy from a shelter earlier this year and I honestly dont know if I would have been able to keep her if it werent for Sarahs expert advice. My puppy Maple used to bark at anyone that came through the door, but with one bit of advice from Sarah it completely stopped! She cares so much about seeing you and your pup succeed and goes above and beyond to make sure that that happens.I could not recommend Blue Dog Training enough, they are worth every penny. Please please please listen to every word Sarah has to say, theres a reason shes been doing this for over 10 years.

We have been blown away by the support, expertise and caring of the Blue Dog Training team. Sarah and Andrew have been incredible to work with and their passion for dogs is evident in every conversation. I love Sarahs honest yet helpful approach to guiding us as dog owners. It feels like talking to your best friend. She has been so unbelievably helpful with our situation and we would highly recommend her to ANYONE and EVERYONE! We will be using her again for all of our future canine needs.

So I got a puppy. I sort of didnt mean to, but Ive been a dog owner for a long time and thought it would be fine. But puppies are an entirely different thing than getting an adult dog and my household was a wreck. Blue Dog saved us-they kept our little guy for 2 weeks and he came back a model puppy. He has so much self control now, and he is able to obey multiple commands and do things like hang out on a mat while I work and be perfectly happy. Whenever I take him somewhere, people are amazed at his behavior-he is already better than many adult dogs (and truly, hes cute but not that smart! :)). Not only that, but Sarah and Andrew have trained us in how to train the dog. My teenager has learned dog training! Thats even more amazing than the trained puppy! I cannot recommend this program highly enough-its a great way to learn how to have a great relationship with your dog that will be lifelong. Completely worth it!

When we started to look for a new dog trainer for our Newfoundland puppy, Lando... We really werent sure what we were looking for. Theres so much disinformation. So many different trainers and approaches. Where to start?We decided we were looking for 3 things:1. Expertise2. Strong Communication3. ReliabilityIn Sarah, Andrew and Blue Dog Training - we got these by the bucket load.So, number 1: Sarahs approach to training is positive reinforcement, meaning no shock collars, choke collars or anything like that. Our puppy is a big guy and will end up being around 150lbs so its important that he is well trained. Blue Dog Training really helped in his formative weeks by grounding him in basic training as well as helping him learn how to train. We get so many comments on how well behaved our puppy is - and that wouldnt be the case without Blue Dog. Even more than that, Lando was sick and Sarah was able to communicate that with us based on her years of experience and we were able to get our boy to the vet where it turned out that Sarah had diagnosed every problem he had! We were able to get quick treatment and Lando is doing much better.Number 2: Sarah and Andrew are in constant communication about Lando - with updates, photos and videos. One of the best things is that Blue Dog dont just train your pup and send you on the way, but they send you videos of what they did which allow you to replicate at home! They have also reviewed video of us training at home and given pointers and tips. Training is continuous with a pup and we wouldnt be in the position to reinforce his training without Sarah and Andrews communication, guidance and patience. Sarah and Andrew have also been available at all hours of the day for any questions weve had. Which was fantastic following the aforementioned sickness.Number 3: Simple. Sarah and Andrew have *always* been available when weve needed them. Whether thats training tips, last minute boarding or anything else weve needed.Frankly, we couldnt recommend Blue Dog highly enough. If youre looking for a trainer in Madison, or even the wider midwest region, theres only one way to go. Thats Blue Dog Training. & Behavior.

Rachele Weisensel - ProducerI currently worked with Blue Dog Training & Behavior for a pet treat shoot. It was a two-day video/photography shoot. They offered a plethora of different varieties of dog breeds for this shoot. The clients decided on eight different dogs, four per day. The dogs were adorable and offered a lot of different variety for the shoot. They were also great at delegating how many assistance they would require each day. We ended up with a lot of adorable shots.

Sarah and Andrew are true professionals. From our first phone call with them, through board and train graduation, they have been present, responsive and SO knowledgeable. Our puppy is thriving and has learned so much from them as have we The love they showed my pup and their their own pups is exceptional. Not only do I have a dog training resource for life, I have made great new friends! Sarah is available day or night to answer my questions. I am so happy that Kirby has a place to stay when we travel that is in a loving and dog focused household. Thank you so much Blue Dog!

I am a first time puppy owner. I have always had dogs in my family but this time it is truly my own and I wanted to make sure that I do the best job possible training her. My dad had done some research on trainers in the Madison area and came across Blue Dog Training and I am so glad that he did. He passed along Sarah and Andrews information and I reached out to them right away. The Kalnajs are wonderful people and very easy to work with. Not only do they know their stuff about dogs but you enjoy your time when they share their knowledge with you and how to best interact, train, and communicate with your dog. They are super flexible and very COVID conscious. I had a puppy ABCs session with them first. We were social distanced the entire time and wore our masks. During the session they trained both my dog and me. As a person who is very detail-oriented and a hands-on learner this session was PERFECT. I was provided with handouts that went over what we covered during the session, watched how to do things and was then given the opportunity to try the things out myself to make sure I was doing it right and fully understood. In addition to the in person training session (that was about 2.5 hours long) I brought my puppy Scout over to their house for day training. It was a great chance for Scout to be supervised while I worked while also getting one on one training (also a good option for your dog/puppy to receive one on one training during covid and the limited size gathering mandate). After the day training session they provided me with a video that went over what they covered during their training so I was able to be in the loop and see how everything was done. I cannot recommend Blue Dog Training enough! I look forward to my future sessions with Sarah and Andrew!

We can’t say enough wonderful things about Sarah and Andrew and the services they have provided for our family. They were there for us every step of the way - prior to welcoming our puppy into our family and every week since. We feel so fortunate and grateful to have had the support and guidance from Sarah and Andrew as we navigated life with our puppy. Sarah is hands down the dog expert. She understands the language of dogs and is able to communicate her vast knowledge in a way that is easy to understand and follow. When we met with Sarah for a puppy head start session, we were immediately impressed with how she was able to read and respond to our puppy. We will never forget the most important take away from that first session – what puppies learn first, they learn best. Sarah covered all the basics with us and stressed repeatedly the importance of early socialization. Our puppy was so well adjusted, house trained and crate trained because Sarah gave us the tools for successful training. Although we were apprehensive about sending our puppy to their two week board and train program, those concerns quickly dissipated as it was obvious from the updates and videos we received that he was thriving in their care. Sarah and Andrew treated our puppy like their own and it was clear through their interactions with him that they have a very special bond. Sarah and Andrew are the best and we can’t thank them enough for everything!

We did the puppy head start/consult program with Sarah for our 9 week old mini Australian Shepherd. Sarah answered many of our questions both by email and phone before we even met in person. Having Sarah meet our puppy and us together was fantastic. Getting to hear her spot on assessment of our dog’s personality and recommendations of specific things to work on with her was exactly what we needed. She did a great job at explaining things I needed to know as a new dog parent without alientating my husband who has more experience with dogs than me. After meeting with her and applying what she taught us we were able to greatly reduce the nipping, herding, frapping, and kennel fear we had been experiencing with our pup as well as better motivate her during our training sessions. Sarah also followed up several times after our meeting and showed genuine care about us and our pup. We look forward to working with Sarah more in shaping our pup to be a model canine citizen as she really has the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to help us do that in a positive and enjoyable way.

Sarah and Andrew are so passionate about what they do and that comes across in the way they help their clients and how knowledgeable they are! My dog is older and has fear of strangers and guards resources from people and dogs. I’ve gone to other trainers and even other behaviorists that told me “he’s too old” to work with and that managing his behaviors instead of changing them were my only option. Sarah saw what I see: a dog that is so willing and able to learn and wants to be social but has a huge amount of fear that we need to work through. I am so grateful for her help and I have hope, now, that we can work through this and get him on the right path.

We were struggling with how to work with our blue heeler puppy and challenges of socializing during quarantine. Friends suggested Blue Dog Training for help. We signed up for a puppy assessment and Sarah and Andrew went above and beyond in helping us understand our puppy Luna, and discovered some potential behavior issues that were not just breed and puppy stuff that would likely emerge as aggression later. After their counsel and our own research we realized Luna was not a great fit for our urban setting and family dynamics, and made the decision to rehome her. Sarah helped us connect Luna with a better owner for her needs. It was SO hard, but we had their support the entire time. I’m grateful we were given information from Sarah and Andrew that we wouldn’t have gotten from a lesser experienced trainer. Now Luna is in a better situation (we’ve visited her and seen the progress) and we are better prepared for welcoming the right dog for our family when the time comes. I highly recommend Blue Dog Training!

You can’t go wrong with Blue Dog Training! Sarah and her husband went above and beyond with our puppy, Maggie, a challenging Australian Shepard/Border Collie mix. When we dropped Maggie off we were worried that she would be untrainable—but Sarah put out minds at ease by thoroughly explaining her training philosophies and through several demonstrations with some of her other dogs. We received regular updates/photos/videos throughout Maggie’s training, and then an excellent graduation video when we picked her up. Don’t waste your time with any other training provider, give Blue Dog a call today!

Our puppy, Mavis, went to Sarah and Andrew at Blue Dog Training when she was 2 1/2 months old for their board and train program. Mavis had several health conditions that were misdiagnosed and that caused her to have a very difficult time crate training. Sarah and Andrew were amazing. They were incredibly responsive to her needs. They were patient, loving, and kept us in the loop on what was happening day by day. They problem solved with us and went far beyond their job description to help us determine the best care for our pup.Sarah and Andrew cared for Mavis as if she was their own dog. During the time she was at Blue Dog, she was able to socialize with Sarah and Andrew’s dogs while learning not only to love her crate, but to learn many, many other skills. Sarah and Andrew are so incredibly knowledgeable about dog behaviors. They sent us video updates showing us different trainings and when we got Mavis back, they continued to check in and share many videos with us about how to continue her training at home. We could not have gotten through the first month of puppyhood without the support of Sarah and Andrew and we give them our highest praise and recommendation.

Sarah & Andrew are the best trainers we have ever worked with in our 32 years of having dogs! They are knowledgeable, flexible, caring, & committed to the highest possible out come for you & your dog. We are forever grateful for the amazing support we had from them when they trained our very challenging puppy. They went far above & beyond expectations. If you choose to work with them you will be rewarded with a great experience!

Highly highly recommend Blue Dog Training! We have four young kids and got a puppy for the kids for Christmas. Last time we had a puppy, we had no kids yet, so we were not prepared for how crazy it would be. Having a puppy is hard, but having a puppy with little kids running around is even harder. I was in need of major help if we were going to keep the puppy. Finding Blue Dog Training online was a lifeline for us. Sarah contacted me immediately, and I felt like there was a light at the end of the tunnel after talking with her. She gave me so much information over the phone before we even met that helped me survive with the puppy until our meeting. After meeting Sarah and Andrew, we decided to put our Vizsla puppy in their board and train program. Sarah and Andrew were amazing! They went above and beyond taking care of our dog and training him. I learned so much about him, including his personality. Sarah is a wealth of information and Andrew is wonderful to work with as well! I truly feel like they are family after how they cared for our dog. Really, they cared for our whole family in the process. Our oldest son loves animals and Sarah took extra time to engage him and help him understand how to work with the dog. Before we sent our dog to Blue Dog, we were tearing our hair out and losing sleep! After sending our dog to Blue Dog, we are happy again, enjoying our new family member, and our home is filled with order and peace instead of complete chaos thanks to Sarah and Andrew! I’m so glad I have them to call with questions as he continues to grow and look forward to boarding him with them in the future!

We are so happy to have found Sarah and Andrew at Blue Dog Training and Behavior! Sarah has taught us so much about how to help our anxious rescue dog. She has consistently given us support and guidance in an easily understandable manner. Their boarding services are also a life-saver; theres no place that we would feel as comfortable sending our dog while were away. It is such a relief to know that we have such a great resource to help us teach our pup to become a happier, more relaxed, member of our family!

Weve boarded our dogs with Blue Dog for a few years and have had a great experience working with Sarah and Andrew. Blue Dog also trained our challenging potcake pup from the Caribbean. Hes intrinsically shy and fearful, and theyve done a wonderful job bonding with him, teaching him good manners, and helping him adjust to a new world, etc. They send us pics and videos of our 4 dogs when we travel and treat them to turkey on Thanksgiving, which is very sweet. Best of all, Sarah and Andrew treat our precious pets like their own. They love and understand dogs. And we love that our dogs are in a cozy home environment with a seasoned, highly trained professional, rather than at a kennel.

Best time and money spent on our dog thus far! We took our adolescent pup there for a consult, as we were unsure how to handle some new behaviors and didnt want to make things worse. We had raised two other pups over the years and been to training classes, but Sarahs insight into our particular dogs personality, coupled with her experience and knowledge on behavior and training, was invaluable! She was focused on us and our dog for a long session, was a great teacher, very approachable, and so helpful! Her advice on our follow up calls has already been much appreciated.

Sarah has been incredible! She gave us a ton of insight on how to raise a puppy the right way and the best ways to obedience train with positive reinforcement. She’s also very accommodating and even helped with crate training at 3am! I highly suggest setting up some training sessions if you are looking for even pointers on puppy training or anything you could use some guidance on!

I have had a wonderful experience with Sarah. She helped me manage a challenging situation with a difficult rescue dog and has been phenomenal in helping us become accustomed to our new puppy. Sarah is passionate about what she does. She will support you in any way you need and ensure that you and your dog are well trained!! Sarah will go well beyond the call of duty and takes on the most challenging situations because she loves dogs and wants the best for the dogs and their people. Her positive reinforcement methodology is incredibly effective. After a couple of weeks of board and train, our puppy had shed early guarding behavior and had learned many training cues. I would highly recommend Sarah to anyone wanting to ensure a positive outcome for their dog/family relationship.

My family and I adore Sarah and Andrew at Blue Dog Training and Behavior! We adopted a Border Collie puppy who was very intense on herding and other negative behaviors. After two weeks with Sarah and Andrew our puppy came home well trained. They have been available for help and consultation whenever we have needed. I would recommend Blue Dog to everyone.

Sarah and Andrew at Blue Dog are FABULOUS. They helped me through a very difficult situation with a dog with problem behaviors, going above and beyond every step of the way. The prices are reasonable, and their efforts went WAY BEYOND anything I would have expected. They truly care about dogs and their clients. Go to them and you wont be disappointed!!

Sara And Andrew are wonderful trainers. They took extra special care of my precious bulldog Josie. Always keeping me up to date on her progress and sent lots of videos so I could see my baby while she was away. Even going the extra mile to find another bulldog for her to play with while staying with them. I would recommend them to anyone looking for training and dog sitting.

Sarah and Andrew did a great job training our 10 wk old Aussiedoodle! We chose the 2 week board and train as we were struggling to find the time needed to properly train our puppy ourselves.In these 2 weeks, they took time to understand her personality as well as the environment she will be coming home to and tailored a program that fit.Not only did our puppy come home knowing many everyday commands but they also taught us a lot about her behavior (it’s life changing to understand your dogs behaviors!)The 2 week program is well worth the money! We have a well- trained dog and a much better relationship with her. We will definitely use them in the future and would recommend for anyone looking for a little extra help!

Sarah was great. We were having problems with our puppy being very bitey. We had tried another trainer and it didnt go well. They said they couldnt deal with him and thought he could need medication. One visit with sarah and she evaluated him and gave us tons of training tips. He has improved greatly. Also dont be turned off by the little higher than normal price. Its well worth it. She has easily given us 30+ hours of her time between phone calls texts emails the training sessions and written up training plans.

After having one in-person appointment so far and several phone conversations, I am so impressed with Blue Dog Training! Sarah helped us to prepare for our dogs arrival before we got her, and she has been SO responsive with questions and information. I truly feel like we have a partner in making sure we are the best pet parents we can be!

We have been so impressed with the exceptional quality of training that Sarah provides at Blue Dog Training. As a seasoned behaviorist and trainer, Sarah brings her expertise and passion for helping humans understand their dogs and fostering a companionship that brings lifelong satisfaction. From initially helping us find our dog, to providing board and training, we have felt so supported in learning how to help create the relational bonds and behaviors that make for a very well adjusted dog! We love her emphasis on positive reinforcement behavioral training rather that some of the fear based training out there such as the use of shock collars or aggressive methods. Sarah has taken her passion for dogs beyond her doors, having been a consultant for dog shelters, a nationwide public speaker and producer of the Language of Dogs Dvd. Our dog loves to spend time at Sarah and Andrews while we travel. We cant think of anyone more qualified to provide great dog training services!

Sarah and Andrew of Blue Dog Training and Behavior went above and beyond to try to help us when our dog bit us shortly before we had to leave for a vacation. We were trying to find a good place to leave our pup while we were gone that would be safe for all. Sarah had just undergone major surgery a couple weeks prior and yet she was on the phone with me late at night, texting, emailing... trying to find the best solution. She offered up a lot of her time and resources. It was much appreciated during our time of crisis, and it was service provided during what should have been her post-op healing time off! Many thanks for the big hearts that these people have!

I couldnt be more happy with the training and care provided by Sarah. My little Gracie was only 4 months old when we brought her to Sarah for training so leaving her was hard for me as a new puppy parent, but after seeing how incredibly happy and excited she was in the daily updates and videos, I knew she was in the best care possible. Gracie not only gained a strong training foundation as a young puppy, but also developed a LOVE for learning. Sarah provided us with so much valuable information pre-/post-training and has been the first person we go to for advice on ALL things dog related. Nothing is more comforting than knowing I have someone I can wholeheartedly trust with my little Gracie.

Sarah and Andrew are amazing!! They totally went above and beyond to save the day with my dog who had some serious separation anxiety. They are complete pros and incredibly kind and understanding. I am so grateful for their help!!

We couldnt be happier with our experience with Sarah, Andrew, and Blue Dog Training & Behavior.A few years ago, Sarah helped us understand what was going on with the 2 year old champion show dog that we adopted who was not acclimating well to our home. She went WAY above and beyond in understanding what his behaviors were and gave us the information we needed to move forward with him.Then more recently, she has been helping us find a Westie puppy. She literally scoured the internet for 9 months for us! When a lead didnt work out, she remained positive and encouraged and kept up the search.When we found the right litter, we decided to get two! Sarah helped us to understand the unique issues litter mates can have that we previously had no idea about. She did a board and train service for each puppy separately.I cannot rave enough about how she trained and helped these puppies. The little boy came back at only 15 weeks old knowing not only about 15 commands, but also walking EXTREMELY well on a leash. The little girl is even smarter and knows more commands plus even some tricks! And lets not forget potty training -- she was able to get them potty trained even with the unique challenges each dog presented.At the end of their board and train, she very thoroughly recorded videos of each dog to demonstrate the commands and what we should continue to work on with them. Even my young children have been able to watch these videos and train the dogs.The dogs are now both home with us and Sarah continues to gladly guide us when we have questions or new issues crop up.But what I love the most is that they do not use any shock, fear, or intimidation to train the dogs. Sarah understands learning theory and animal behavior so incredibly well that all of that is completely unnecessary. Our dogs are happy, healthy, and WANT to do the right thing because of how theyve been trained. Even our vet was very impressed by how well trained they are!Other local dog training services may be slightly less expensive but they dont compare in the least to what Blue Dog offers. Its like comparing apples and oranges. Client satisfaction is of utmost importance to them and it shows.To me, the cost of this training was some of the best money we could ever spend. Its an investment in our family and quality of life with dogs as pets. Did I mention we drive all the way from Milwaukee to work with her? Highly highly recommend.

Sarah and Andrew are absolutely fantastic! We couldnt be happier with the work they did with our dog. They were both incredibly kind & really went the extra mile to teach our pup (and us) all sorts of good behaviors.We did the board and train and it was %100 worth the price. Our dog came back from boarding school, without any of the aggressive behaviors we were struggling with & having learned a ton. Sarah and Andrew sent videos and sweet pictures regularly throughout the time he was there, and gave us special training videos featuring our dog to help us continue the work at home.We are thrilled to have found such a knowledgeable & kind business.

Sarah saved us. My daughter had moved to Wisconsin with her boyfriend & her dog. After a severe dog fight between her dog & a newly adopted puppy in which my daughter & both dogs were injured, we were in desperate straits. I flew into town to assist, but didn’t know how best to ensure either our own or the dogs’ safety. We were at a complete loss. The veterinarian caring for the dogs recommended that we seek the assistance of an animal behaviorist. Sarah was kind enough to immediately reply to my desperate phone message pleading for help, on a weekend no less. She guided us thru how to safely care for the dogs in the first few days after the accident without creating a dangerous situation for them or ourselves. She advised us on how & when to try safely reintroducing the dogs. She was a kind & sympathetic ear proffering relevant & knowledgeable advice as we made the difficult decision to rehome the puppy. She advised us on how to reintegrate our older dog back into my household with my other dogs while my daughter recovered from her injuries. She even suggested behaviorists back home that might be able to continue helping us. She made every possible effort to help us (& to help us keep the puppy, which we truly wanted to do) AND she did it all while being severely ill herself at the time. I cannot recommend Sarah’s services or Sarah herself highly enough. She was wonderful & we are forever indebted to her. Thank you, Sarah! (Sorry it took us so long to say it.)

Sarah and Andrew are the best. I wouldnt use anyone but them for help with our problem dogs we get into rescue. I have attended several of her seminars and have her very helpful DVDs.

Blue Dog training has helped us understand what our puppy needs to be his best! Sarah has given us her undivided attention, and truly cares about the wellbeing of our dog and helping through some tough behavior issues. Her prices are extremely fair for what you get out of the sessions! Highly recommended!

I took a 2 day seminar presented by Sarah. She was very knowledgeable about the subject matter (dog behavior). She included numerous examples of case studies that very clearly showed with owner follow through, great results are achievable.I have no doubt that Sarah is a competent, experienced and successful behavior professional.

Sarah and Andrew are wonderful! We decided on the two week board & train for our 10 week old Australian Labradoodle after much research and referrals from friends who had great experiences with Blue Dog. But, then we brought home our little puppy from the breeder and wondered if we were making the right decision... it was so hard to imagine dropping her off for two weeks. We are so happy we did! Sarah and Andrew gave her so much love, on top of wonderful training. Our puppy learned so much and gained so much valuable socialization by interacting with Sarahs other dogs. As a first time dog owner, I found Sarahs advice and counsel INVALUABLE -- from supplies to get before we brought her home, to how to handle the first couple of days, to how to read our puppys behaviors. Sarah really took the time to get to know Zuzus unique personality and adapted the training to both her and our family. My 15 year old daughter has a big interest in dog training. Sarah was so kind to spend extra time teaching her some of training techniques. We loved all of the personalized training videos that we can refer to at any time. The two weeks go by fast - our puppy came back to us still bonded and loving to our family, yet more relaxed and so well behaved. Training with Blue Dog is worth it and wonderful!

So wise and kind and caring! Sarah was amazing with our family and our rescue puppy taking extra care to teach our kids everything we needed to know to commit to having a happy and obedient dog. It can be tough to get an appointment with Blue Dog, but it is worth it. A puppy class (which we also took) was a waste of time and money in comparison. With Sarah you learn EXACTLY what you need to do and not do. And in working with Sarah and Andrew, you always have a shoulder to lean on. I have texted, sent photos, uploaded movies of our dogs behavior even, and in every case gotten immediate advice and assistance. She is truly a gifted dog whisperer!

Sarah has supported and saved our family during a very difficult time with our new puppy. She called us back within a business day and talked with us, providing support and strategies on that Friday evening for nearly 2 hours. The same day, she dropped off super helpful training videos, emailed training information to get us started, and was responsive in text and by phone all weekend until we could see her the following week.Sarah was able to schedule at times that worked best for our family, took our puppy in and kept him during a difficult time of transition, and provided honest, critical information from her analysis. She helped us determine options in moving forward and supported our family in many ways during a very stressful and disappointing time.Sarah is incredibly responsive and compassionate to the impacts on our whole family. She has helped us create a plan moving forward and is supporting us greatly in finding our forever puppy. I really dont know how we would have gotten through this without her. Her vast knowledge is critical when a dog is aggressive and while she is an expert in the technical and training aspects, she also deeply understand and supports the emotional impacts on a family.My kids and I truly see her as a hero and feel so lucky we found her!

We met Sarah and Andrew in some very trying circumstances. We had lost a dog, Luna, who we were taking care of, and we were in pursuit of her when we ran into them. They almost were able to get Luna to come to them, but a well-intentioned man with food ran towards her, scaring her off further. My wife was also injured in a bike accident while in pursuit of Luna, and Sarah and Andrew offered to help find her by continuing the search and posting on a variety of websites and apps that they knew about (which we werent aware of). Ultimately they got a hit on one of the apps and took it upon themselves to go and find Luna and help her to calm down. I can say with certainty that only somebody with Sarahs skill set could have gotten to Luna and gotten a leash on her, once we located her in a nearby backyard. Sarah and Andrew didnt stop there- While I went and picked up my wife from the hospital they took Luna home and helped to take care of her and help her calm down from the scary situation. We picked up Luna later that night and she was clearly in much better shape than I had seen her just 30 minutes before. Sarah and Andrew are incredible, and I would recommend anybody to leave their dogs with them, no matter what type of issues that dog may have. They have the love, skill, and knowledge to give your dog exactly what they need!

Always wishing for my dog to have the very best life possible, I wanted to contact a behaviorist to get advice regarding several issues we were having. I had made contact with another person calling themselves a behaviorist, and had scheduled an appointment. I mentioned this to our trainer, and she immediately said You really want to get in touch with Sarah Kalnajs and make an appointment with her. This trainer had taken seminars with Sarah and had really admired her compassion and the manner in which she had interacted with dogs. Loving our trainer and so respecting her opinion, I immediately cancelled with the other behaviorist and contacted Blue Dog Training and Sarah and Andrew. I have since found out that anyone can call themselves a behaviorist- just as they can call themselves a dog trainer. Sarah is a Certified Behaviorist, which to me is just as important as knowing that the person who is calling themselves a veterinarian does, in fact, have the training and expertise to have the title of Doctor. I have loved dogs my entire life, and I consider myself pretty good with all dogs- but is that the qualification to make me a behaviorist? Not hardly.Sarah and Andrew have been so very kind and helpful in all ways as we work to get my pup to her full potential. Sarah has given me insight to think as my dog does, and in doing so, has given me a new understanding of why she does the things she does. Sarahs ability to read animals is brilliant. The DVD, The Language of Dogs, is absolutely an eye opener, and has helped me to see things in other dogs that I should be alert to. There are many key elements that should be part of every childs education to grow up safely around dogs- both their family pets and dogs they meet outside their home.I look forward to a long relationship with Sarah and Blue Dog Training. She has much to teach, and I have so much to learn.Before you make the decision as to who should be the one to help you with your beloved 4 legged family member, maybe the first question you should ask is Are you a Certified Behaviorist and Trainer?

Sarah & Blue Dog Training came very highly recommended, and after we did a two-week Board & Train with our 10 week old Australian Labradoodle, I can say they far exceeded those expectations! Lots of folks were telling us he was too young, etc. But as first time puppy owners we were struggling with training, especially mouthing and other bad behaviors and decided to give it a try. I could not be more pleased... not only did Sarah & Andrew do a wonderful job with basic training - using only positive reinforcement techniques - they provided videos and tutorials of them working with your puppy, showing and teaching you how to do the techniques - a blessing for first time owners like us. Their love for dogs is obvious, and they cared for ours as if he were their own. Sunny came home with many of the basic commands mastered, and we now have the tools to continue his training at home. I strongly encourage any new puppy owners, and especially first time owners, to give Blue Dog Training a try, you will not regret it.

I learned so much about my timid, fear aggressive golden retriever by meeting with Sarah. She knows how dogs think and she knows what the signs are of stress/arousal. She gave me lots of tools to use to help Gracie deal with her high stress levels.Additionally, she encouraged me to call or email with any and all questions and asked me to check back with her on how Gracie was doing.I really enjoyed meeting with Sarah, she loves dogs and loves what she does - compassionate, non punishment based solutions for behavior issues. Highly recommend!

Sarah goes above and beyond for her clients. She has been invaluable in addressing our dogs behavior issues. She truly cares about her human and canine client.

Working with Blue Dog Board & Train was a terrific decision for me and my energetic puppy. Both Sarah and Andrew clearly have a deep love for dogs and the concept of positive (humane) animal training. Hobbes (my Wirehaired Pointing Griffon) came back from his 2 week board and train session happy, alert and incredibly responsive to the training techniques Sarah used and passed along to me. Friends, neighbors and even strangers at the dog park regularly come up to me to praise Hobbes on his obedience. I would encourage anyone to bring their dog (young or old) to Blue Dog for training work with these two caring professionals. The results are totally worth it.

Sarah saved us! We adopted a puppy from a shelter in Kentucky. The puppy showed signs of severe aggression early on. We are experienced dog owners but not experts in dealing with the scary aggression shown by a 10 week old puppy. We talked to our vet who gave us a list of behaviorists. After doing some research and getting recommendations from neighbor friends, it became clear that Blue Dog Training was the group we needed to work with. Sarah took a lot of time to talk to me over the phone in detail about the background on us, the puppy, and the behavior. She was extremely professional and reassured me that she would be able to help us. She understood the urgent nature of our situation (we have children in our house) and worked to quickly fit us into her schedule. She is an expert behaviorist and noticed all sorts of subtle cues about our puppys behavior that gave her red flags. Unfortunately, our gut instinct was confirmed - we were not able to keep the puppy in our house. Sarah went ABOVE and BEYOND calling all sorts of rescue groups and working with our vet to help us find a place that could take the puppy and provide the extensive behavior rehabilitation she will need. It was an incredibly stressful, upsetting experience to go through b/c we wanted to have this puppy be a member of our family. Sarah helped us every step of the way. She took video of the entire assessment so we could share it with the rescue group and our vet. She reassured us that we had done everything right and personally did everything she could to help us. Shes going to help guide us with finding rescue groups to work with so that we can find the right puppy for our family! We cant say enough positive things about Sarah and highly recommend her.

We have nothing but the highest regard for Sarah, Andrew and their incredibly approachable training tactics. We have a highly fearful dog who we worried would have to leave our family immediately. But Sarah taught us many different ways of managing her fears in a way that made us comfortable (i.e. WITHOUT any punishment based or e collar training). Sarah is INCREDIBLY intelligent and connected to dogs; it is an amazing thing to see. I wish I could give them 100 stars.I MUST EDIT TO INCLUDE....Last night I had an emergency with our dog. She was in severe distress and I was overwhelmed with fear and concern. Sarah and Andrew were on the phone with me in minutes, making a plan to help. They came to my home to help me assess my incredibly fearful dog who was in excruciating pain, and get her to the emergency care clinic, where Sarah helped the veterinarian with her work on my dog. As if that wasnt enough...both Sarah and Andrew stayed with me for THREE HOURS to support us in what could only be described as high anxiety sadness and pain. Sarah is more than a dog behavior specialist and trainer (though, she is the BEST in the business at that too); Sarah cares in ways that only a best friend or spouse might, and figuratively AND literally SHOWS UP even when at the most scary and vulnerable place imaginable.I had written a 5 star review before. I would like to magnify that rating to the power of 100....her unparalleled integrity, love and commitment COULD NOT be found anywhere else. I am so grateful for her support and emotional just recounting the experience. Thank you Blue Dog!

When I adopted my pup, I didnt know many people in town with puppies (or dogs for that matter), and I knew I would need help. I reached out to Sarah after seeing great reviews of Blue Dog online, and our first phone conversation lasted almost an hour! I had not even adopted my pup yet, and she provided loads of advice on what to do before he came and in the hours-days after bringing him home! In the ensuing days, after bringing my pup home (to an apartment with thin walls) I had some issues with his noise level while in his crate. I had never seen a dog get so upset in a crate, and I was worried! Sarah listened to videos I sent her of his crying and barking, and offered advice on solutions! She even provided treats and training tools! (I had not even hired Blue Dog Training yet!)I went to meet Sarah to decide if I wanted to board my pup with her for a Board and train session. I was impressed with how quickly he was comfortable in her house (he was very fearful in almost every new environment) and I thought it was a great fit!While my pup was with her, I got daily updates, photos (frame-worthy!) and videos. It was clear that he got plenty of love and attention!During his stay he met kids, puppies, and other dogs in lots of different environments, and he learned basic commands of sit, down, and touch.Thanks to Blue Dog, I know that as my pup goes through his phases/growing pains (aka teething! yikes) he has a solid foundation that I can build on, and I know that me and my pup have gained a lifelong friend, and lifeline!

Sarah has been extremely helpful with our 3 year old shitzu/poodle mix. Sarah is very quick to respond if you have any follow up questions after your first consult and will work with you to solve anything that may be causing behavioral issues.

Sarah is very knowledgeable in dog behavior. She is very capable in assessing whats going on with the dog and is willing to help the owner implement her treatment plans to insure success.

My wife and I interviewed 6 trainers when we decided to utilize a board and train service for our puppy. We are SO glad that we chose Sarah!Our dog had numerous behavioral issues when we dropped her off. Sarah managed to eliminate those issues in our puppy in two weeks!She sent us videos during her training so we could see her progress. Everyone in our family loved watching the videos and couldnt believe our puppys progress!! She contacted us numerous times by phone as well. Sarah will love your dog and I guarantee your dog will love her as well!! When we picked Reagan up, Sarah spent 4 hours reviewing the process with us. When we left we felt confident in our ability to follow through with Sarahs work. We were also given video footage of her training and a write-up to assist us in following through with her training. I have texted and called Sarah numerous times and she has made herself available to help. She genuinely wants your experience with her to be a great one!!If you are looking for a board and train instructor for your dog, I guarantee that you will be very happy with Sarah. She will treat your dog with love and will train using positive reinforcement! I cant say enough about her.Her husband Andrew invented a hands free leash that youll definitely want as well.Thank you Sarah and Andrew!!!!+-.*.*.*.*...

Sarah from Blue Dog has been working with me and my moderately reactive, fearful two year old female Chihuahua since December of 2015. I got her from a shelter and didnt see signs of this behavior until I got her home. Sarah has given me suggestions to keep her calm and busy since it is winter and we cannot exercise outside. I have watched her video The Language of Dogs which has taught me to understand Brittas subtle signals of fear and potential negative reactions. She has also given me tips for potty training and incessant begging. Although my dog has improved, I am hopeful once nicer weather arrives we can be outdoors more and practice.Thanks Sarah and Andrew!

I should preface by saying that I have one pretty stubborn dog. She likes to bark, chew on things, jump on people, and even bite sometimes. Despite the training my dog had as a puppy, this behavior has been relentless. I have contacted and consulted with Sarah Kalnajs at Blue Dog Training & Behavior about these issues, and I am immensely impressed with the great care she has taken in helping me. She did everything from finding the right treats for reinforcing my dogs good behavior to making special videos to demonstrate her approach. She is incredibly professional, smart, and always provides really useful, detailed advise that truly works. While other trainers have immediately recommended that I resort to punishment (foul sprays, restrictive leashes, even force - all of which only made my dog more nervous and angry), Sarah uses positive reinforcement methods, which function by simultaneously eliminating problematic issues and developing the human-pup relationship. She loves dogs and evidently loves helping people. Without a doubt, Sarah is the best-qualified trainer I have encountered, who is well-prepared to improve even the most problematic canine behavior.

I met Sarah by pure chance while she was on holiday in my home state. she was putting her boat in the water when I approached her to meet her 2 dogs that were with her . We quickly got to talking dogs and I mentioned the new addition to our family, a 2yo sheltie that we got from the spca after they had rescued her from an awful abuse case. she Is suffering from ptsd and having a hard time, Sarah took the time to answer any and all questions I threw at her, she gladly gave me advice and has stayed in touch with me and given me resources in order to help our girl adjust. I was a total stranger and she took the time out of her day (as she was literally ready to step into her boat) to help a dog family in obvious need. Her kindness, compassion and the wealth of knowledge she has and shares so willingly Is priceless. I could not be more disappointed that we live so far apart!!

When I got my dog Buffy a few months ago after years of cat ownership, I knew that the memories of family dogs from growing up wouldn’t be enough to train her well and keep her engaged and and happy. There’s so much conflicting advice out there, and I didn’t want to inadvertently teach her bad behaviors. When I started looking around I found Sarah Kalnajs and Blue Dog Training, and I’m so, so happy I did. Here are just a few reasons why:1: The support Sarah will provide goes far, far beyond the flat fee of the session you choose. There can be a lot of information overload in a training or assessment session, and no session can cover every scenario. Whenever Buffy is doing something I need an answer about quickly, or something comes up I didn’t expect, I know I can shoot a text Sarah’s way and she’ll reply promptly and thoroughly. She even lent me one of her dog behavior books on resource guarding. She is so generous with her time and wants and *expects* follow-up questions.2: She uses positive reinforcement training methods. Sarah addresses reducing unwanted behaviors, of course, but a lot of the approach involves rewarding good behaviors when they occur. It makes training fun because it’s focused on what Buffy’s doing right, not what needs to be corrected. And when using Blue Dog Training for a midday walk or pet-sitting, I know they will interact with Buffy in the same calm, positive manner that I am learning to work with her.3: She uses and teaches good communication that’s grounded in a deep understanding of dog behavior and body language. Even though I’m new to being the primary dog owner, I grew up around dogs and generally feel pretty comfortable with them. But the way Sarah explains dog behaviors—both in person and in her DVDs—taught me a lot about what to look for. I’m so much more astute about when Buffy is feeling excited or stressed.It took a little back and forth to arrange my first appointment, but it was definitely worth it. It’s such a good feeling to have a reliable professional to reach out to when I have a question or I need help with Buffy. I would not hesitate at all to recommend Blue Dog Training.

Very pleasant atmosphere your doing well

We purchased a toy poodle recently without as much research and planning as we should have done, and after almost three months of attending puppy kindergarten and consulting two behaviorists and a trainer, we had to come to the decision to return the puppy to its breeder due to behavioral issues which could have potentially become serious. We chose the behaviorists/trainers from vet recommendations and online searches where I often passed by Blue Dog Training because of Sarah’s seemingly high cost, despite her informative website and her excellent credentials. Before making a final decision to re-home, however, I put a call into Sarah as our choice was heart-wrenching and I needed some expertise, which is exactly what I got! She called me back within hours with questions, insights, advice and welcome sympathy, and offered to see the puppy to do a quick evaluation as the decision was imminent. However, as I continued to talk, the decision became clear. We would have saved a lot of money had we gone to Blue Dog Training first and gotten advice from Sarah on how to choose a dog for our needs and how to bring and train that dog to become a beloved family pet. Blue Dog Training is now at the front of the line for any future advice!

Sarah and Andrew are great! They have really helped with a challenging puppy.

I rescued a mini doxen and was having a variety of problems with him. I found Sara on the internet and shes been AMAZING! From help with potty problems to behavior issues, she has been very helpful. Thank you Sara for being so great at what you do and your continued follow-up with us.

We recently started using Sarah when our 11 week old puppy was just under 8 weeks. We are a busy family with 4 children and wanted a well trained dog but didnt have the time to do it the right way on our own. Before we bought our pup I searched for in-home dog training and thankfully found Sarah at Blue Dog. Right from our first phone call I could tell that I found the right person. She knew her stuff and is more than willing to share it whenever needed. We opted to go for a full puppy program that started with helping us get ready for our new puppy (showed us her favorite products, what to do when we first brought her home, etc.). After bonding with our puppy over a weekend Sarah did a 5 day (plus threw in an extra day free) board & train. After being woken up in the middle of the night to let the puppy out for a few nights we were happy to put her in Sarahs hands for awhile and were happy when she came back already having learned some things and sleeping through the night. After having her back home Sarah came to our house to do Puppy ABCs with us going over a ton of information on training our new puppy. This really helped our confidence in dealing with the new puppy as we were afraid that she would un-learn what she had learned with Sarah. She effectively taught my husband and I and our children so much during that time that we have been able to use with our dog since. We still have a two week board and train where our puppy will go stay with Sarah for more intensive training as well as more in-home training coming up. I have no doubt that our puppy will be a super-star dog when she is done. We were so happy that we opted to have Sarah take our puppy for weekly socialization outings for 6 weeks too because we knew how critical all of those experiences would be to her as a puppy and we just dont have the time to do it. Throughout this time we have also received emails with information, training videos (with Sarah training our puppy as examples!!!), and fun pictures and videos of our puppy from Sarah and her husband, Andrew. I have to mention, too, that we have always had dogs and this is the first time that I feel that we are doing it right. Buying all of these services is a bit of a splurge but I consider it a long term investment that will really pay off for the life of our dog. It is so worth it when I see our puppy really thriving and happy and fitting in wonderfully with our family and when I text Sarah dozens and dozens of questions and know I will get thorough answers back. She really goes above and beyond and we are so happy we found her!

We chose Blue Dog Training and Behavior for our new puppy, Sherwood, based on amazing recommendations from our family members that had Sarah train their dogs in the past. We reached out to Sarah on the way to pick up our new puppy (7 hours away) and she spent a considerable amount of time talking to us about what to look for in our puppy, questions to ask the breeder, etc. All of her recommendations proved to be invaluable in choosing our perfect little guy! Upon our return, we met Sarah at a puppy playgroup session she hosted. This brief encounter getting to know her and watch her interact with Sherwood and all the other dogs convinced us that she would be the perfect fit for us, Sherwood and our family.We met with Sarah for a 2 hour Puppy Head Start with our family which helped get us started training Sherwood using positive reinforcement and consistency. We began using all of Sarahs recommendations and methods immediately. We purchased the recommended food, treats, toys, books, and began exposing Sherwood to as many people, animals, and experiences as possible. The strategies we learned made all the difference in getting Sherwood on a pee/poop/eat/sleep regimen that made potty training incredibly manageable.Because we both work nearly full time and have a very active household, we decided to do the two week Board and Train with Sarah to reinforce the concepts she originally taught us and to introduce new behaviors. Having Sherwood with Sarah for two straight weeks allowed him to get an incredible learning foundation that we can easily continue at home. The best part is that everything we do is positive, fun, encouraging and enjoyable. Our friends, family and strangers alike are amazed by his confident demeanor and training abilities. Then, they find out he is only 4 months old and they are stunned!Going above and beyond is just the norm for Sarah, as we quickly found out. She has been there for phone calls, impromptu questions, etc. We felt the fee that we were charged for her services was reasonable and fair. Some things are just priceless and this is one of them!For us, realizing the importance of positive reinforcement on the long term personality and health of our dog has been eye-opening. And, remarkably, using positive reinforcement when training specific behaviors allows the behaviors to be learned quicker and reinforced easier. And better yet, we feel better about ourselves and our puppy!!Thank you Sarah! And we look forward to many more positive interactions with Sarah in the years to come for our stellar little learner!

Sarah Kalnajs of Blue Dog Training has unique qualifications that sets her apart from other trainers and behaviorists in Madison. She has transformed the way I communicate and interact with my dogs, bringing some much-needed serenity into my home.I adopted a young White Shepherd that started to exhibit fear aggression. After countless books and DVDs, I wasn’t getting very far. Pinch collars, shock collars (never again!), positive reinforcement, negative punishment, you name it. I was stressed, resented my dog, couldn’t rehome him, and feared he’d end up euthanized.Sarah invited me, my roommate, and both my dogs to her location for an assessment. Despite my dog’s fear aggression, I felt safe and confident while there. She was even willing to introduce her dogs to mine in a safe manner, which really helped illustrate his issues.I was given an impressively comprehensive rehabilitation plan, addressing the problem from all angles: training programs, medication recommendations, potential medical issues, behavior modification tools, and new ways to interact with my dogs that stimulate their minds.One of the most useful parts of the rehabilitation plan was MY education. I thought I understood dog body language pretty well, but Sarah’s “Language of Dogs” DVD corrected many misconceptions I had. With a newfound ability to interpret my dogs’ body language, I quickly realized the things I thought they loved actually gave them significant anxiety.The Blue Dog hands-free leash is worth every penny. Nothing raised my stress more than having my dog jerk my arms around when his arousal was increasing. The hands-free system allows me to remain safe and calm when taking my dogs outside, preventing me from sending “bad vibes” through the leash.Sarah has remained committed to my dog’s rehabilitation and has shown genuine concern for him. She is happy to answer questions as they come up and will periodically ask how everything is going. Try getting that level of attention at a typical dog training facility!I have been seeing more and more trainers popping up telling people to slap shock collars on their dogs and assert their dominance. Run far away from these people! Sarah is, hands-down, the most qualified person to help you modify your dog’s undesirable behavior. She has dedicated her life to understanding animal behavior, and is the only Certified Dog Behavior Consultant in the Madison area. There really is no other choice, in my book.

Although Ive known about Sarahs work for some time, I recently met Sarah through Facebook on several trainer groups that we both frequent. Ive always found her to be compassionate and unpretentious, more than willing to share knowledge, and a terrific sounding board for other trainers.

I have owned dogs all my life and have attended training classes over the years with all of them so I always felt that I was somewhat familiar with dogs and training them. Then about 4 years or so ago we added a dog to our family that was not your typical dog and we realized that we needed help. He was afraid of everything and it seemed like he was really very much insane with his over the top reactions to everything! We had tried working with another local trainer before calling Sarah and that other trainer was a huge waste of time and our money! A friend recommended that we contact Sarah for an evaluation and for help. That was the best thing we have ever done for our dogs! Sarah came to our house to meet our little “freak dog” in his environment and do an evaluation of him and his behavior. She was very thorough and was able to provide us with very specific ideas on how to address his issues and needs. Since we also had to retrain ourselves in the process on how to correctly deal with him we had a LOT of questions along the way and Sarah was always available to answer our questions and help us every step of the way. Any question that came up we knew Sarah was always there for us and only a phone call or email away. We are happy to report that our dog has made great improvements over the last 4 years and has turned out to be a very wonderful family member thanks to Sarah’s help! His problems have a genetic basis and we recently learned that three of his litter mates were returned to their breeder for similar behavioral problems – it’s too bad those families did not find the help that we had with Sarah! If they had, they could have managed the issues and had wonderful dogs too!Since working with Sarah we have also used Sarah to help us choose the correct dog to add to our family when it was time to add another dog. Her advice has been priceless! Her ability to evaluate their behavior and know which dog would be a perfect fit is positively amazing! We will never, ever add another dog without consulting with Sarah first. She is incredible at knowing which personalities will do well together and helping with a smooth introduction to your home and family.Even though I am not a dog professional, just an owner, I’ve also attended one of Sarah’s seminars. If you ever have the opportunity you must attend one of these! The information that she shares in her seminars (and when you are working with her in person too) will really help you improve your relationship with your canine buddy. As I said, I had owned dogs all my life but what I’ve learned from Sarah about dog body language and communication has really been an eye opener! If you do nothing else, at least buy her “Language of Dogs” DVD. You will be totally amazed at what you will learn about dogs!One more thing I wanted to add, we also LOVE her hands free leash system that she sells. I highly recommend that leash for anyone. We will never be without one and we even use it to walk multiple dogs. No more leash pulling, yay!!!Seriously, if you are considering calling someone for help with your dog, call Sarah. If your dog can be helped, she will know how to help you succeed and not only will you solve your issues, you will have an incredible relationship with your dog when you’re done.

I was hesitant to reach out to Sarah initially, believing the internet to be a useful enough tool when learning how to train my ACD puppy. After an in-depth phone conversation with Sarah, I was sold.I still had not paid her yet.Throughout the next few weeks, Sarah went out of her way to reach out to breeders and rescues, inquiring as to whether or not they were reputable. She spent countless hours on the phone, guiding me through the puppys transition into the household and kept me from making several mistakes that the internet recommended.I still had not paid her yet.Our appointment was scheduled for a week and a half after I received the puppy, and during that time she continued giving advice and made herself available at all time. She stepped out of family functions to call me, to walk me through certain steps.I still had not paid her yet.Finally, I had the appointment. She was able to derive my puppys personality, and curtailed the training and socialization to him perfectly. His behavior before and after the consultation is night and day. He is an independent, head-strong puppy, who challenged me daily. Already, he has learned how to behave in the house-hold and if not for Sarah, it is very likely that I would have ingrained many poor behaviors into him and would have had my hands full for the next 15 years.I absolutely recommend hiring Sarah. When you compare the costs to both yours, and your dogs, quality of life over the next 10-15 years, youll come to realize that it really isnt all that hard of a decision. She truly cares about the dog, and you, and will strive to make sure that you both have the best possible life together.

Sarah knows dogs & her methods work!