Barb Levenson Dog Training Center

Barb Levenson Dog Training Center. I have taken my dog to this training center starting as a puppy and have learned so much. The classes are geared to set you and your dog up for success and to build an awesome relationship. Barb has been working with dogs and their owners for a few decades and is a natural at reading a dog. She has continued her own studies and is on the cutting edge in terms of dog behavior and training. The courses offered can take you from puppyhood all the way up through basic classes, canine good citizenship, fun agility, rally-o and formal obedience. I say 4 paws up!!!! more

"I have trained dogs with Barb Levenson. off and on for sixteen years. I have trained for competition obedience, agility,scent work, and therapy work. Barb's methods helped me develop the best relationship I've ever had with a dog. She is a consumate problem solver. All you need to supply is an open mind and a willingness to find time to work with your dog. She is always up to date with current research to apply to your training toolbag. She also brings in great seminars that allow you access to other points of view. I have tried other training centers since I currently live over an hour away from Barb, and have found its just worth the extra travel time to remain with her. Her puppy classes are head and shoulders above any I have seen. She is the real deal." more

GET THE DOG YOU ALWAYS WANTED I have been through all of Barbs classes with my dogs: Puppy, Basic Obedience, Advanced Basic/CGC, Beginner Rally, Competition Rally, and agility classes. Her methods are purely positive and constantly being updated with the latest knowlege gleaned from seminars and workshops by the top trainers in the country. Her instructors are very helpful and kind, willing to give extra attention where needed. Her prices are in line with the local market and she offers group classes and private lessons. If you follow her instructions and do your homework, you will be amazed at the progress in your dog. Like anything in life, you reap returns on your investment. Do the work and it shows. more

Our Dog Loves Barb! My boyfriend Dave and I have been taking our dog Jack here for years. He has taken quite a few of Barb's classes and now we do monthly private agility lessons with Barb. Our dog loves the environment there so much, he gets excited as soon as he realizes where we are going in the car. She ALWAYS has the dogs best interest in mind. more

" i admit that i was skeptical about only using barb's 'positive reinforcement' method for training my GSD puppy as i come from the 'old school' way of dog training... after only 3 weeks i am VERY pleased with the progress me and leo have made! i also have begun to use the methods with my older pit bull. the best thing about barb's methods vs corrections is that the dogs and myself have a lot more fun when training! i recommend this facility to anyone wanting to form a life long and 'positive' bond with their dogs!" more

Barb's school is a great place to train your dog of any age. Her positive reinforcement methods have been proven time and again. She teaches you how to train your dog and if you follow the program and practice daily, the sky is the limit. more

Barb, 12 years ago you made a promise to me. You told me that if I worked your program that I would have the best dog I have ever owned. Mollie is almost 13 years old now and you have delivered on your promise. She is the best competitive dog and the best companion dog I have ever owned. I would recommend your services to every new dog owner or anyone who is interested in competing with their dog. Even in her geriatric years, I can say "Mollie, do you want to go to work?" and she is ready to go. more

We took our dog to one of Barb's classes and it was a joke. She is VERY condescending, even to her helpers. I can understand her being upset with the people who repeatedly show up to class with the wrong items, but she's like this with everyone. She'll tell you it's OK to buy supplies elsewhere, but you can tell she doesn't like it. She specifies a 3' leash. You can't find a 3' leash in stores, but Barb has them for $35. I asked in one store in Monroeville for a 3' leash and they said "Oh, you're taking Barb's class, huh?" and they said she probably specifies that size because it's uncommon and she supplies them in her "store." One person in the class asked for advice on walking their dog. Barb said she doesn't believe in walking dogs. It puts the dog out in front of you, giving the dog control. If she doesn't believe in walking a dog, why is she charging $35 for a leash? Most people who have dogs, will walk them at some point. Most people who pay for obedience classes want info on leash training. Once classes are paid for, they're non-refundable. You will not find out her non-belief in walking until you've paid and you're in the class. During one class, there was a ton of snow on the roof. We'd had a huge snowstorm & a few classes had been canceled because of the weather. The roof kept making this loud creaking noise. Barb just kept saying how her landlord had assured her that it was OK. In the end, we quit going because the new commands were confusing our dog, she already knew what was being taught. Even though Barb had our money, she stopped emailing each week's lesson when we stopped going. She's not a good trainer, she likes to talk about herself & the "famous" people she's worked for. She likes to bark out orders to her helpers who duck their heads and run to her ever call. Zero stars wouldn't register. more

I was so excited to start this class because she was the only person around who would work with a puppy as young as mine. As soon as I got there Barb forced me to shell out more money for her "training kit" which a bag of treats, a treat bag, two leashes, and toys. The class was a waste. I wanted help with my puppy's play biting and chewing on furniture. When I asked her about it she said I'll learn it another class. Well, my puppy was making me bleed because he didn't know how rough he was playing so I don't think that was an appropriate response. I got advice from someone else in the class. She doesn't do refunds, she'll only exchange for merchandise but when you request the merchandise she stops talking to you. more

Training, with Barb as the instructor, at her dingy facility was the worst experience ever. I attended every class (Puppy, Basic & CGC... yes I'm ashamed to say that I allowed her to bully me into the second two). I paid good money to be harassed, humiliated, and abused. I went to another facility with my second dog. It that was clean, the trainer was just as educated as Barb purports herself to be, it was less expensive, and it was a POSITIVE bonding experience! I'm retaking CGC with my first dog and our new trainer! I can honestly say I CAN'T WAIT for every class. With Barb - I dreaded class day. Better trainers are out there. Find one who practices what they preach. Barb - you are training the humans not their dogs. If you expect THEM to practice positive reinforcement YOU should too. more

I called Barb after my dog had attacked the neighbors dog. I was very shaken up and needed help badly. I called her and she was so rude to me. Accused me of having my dog off of a leash which I didnt, my dog was in the house and the neighbors dog ran on the porch. My dog jumped through the screen and attacked the neighbors dog. I know that this is my fault and I will admit that, but dont accuse me of things and talk down to me. In the end, Barb told me my dog cannot be rehabilated and needs to be put to sleep...remember, this was only the first time I talked to her and it was over the phone! She has never even seen my dog! So, I am looking for someone else. more

I will admit that Barb can be a little pushy with getting you to spend money and sign up for her classes. She tells it how it is, but I would never say that she puts people down. She follows through with what she says. I have taken 3 classes with Barb from puppy kindergarten to rally, and now have an amazingly well behaved dog. What people don't understand is that when you sign up for these classes, you are signing up to learn how to train your dog, not for Barb to do all the work while you do nothing. I believe all the negative reviews are from people who are not commited to their dogs training and are just looking for a quick fix, or they live in a delusional planet where there dog is an angel and the rest of the world is out to get them. If you are really interested in properly training your dog this is the place to go. more

Barb has done wonders for our dog Jack. He absolutely loves going there! more

I have taken five dogs to Barb Levenson’s Dog Training Center over the course of the past ten to twelve years. Currently, I have two dogs taking classes in this center. Barb is very knowledgeable about dog training and she has been very helpful in helping me learn how train my dogs. Barb clearly loves her dogs and her dogs are clearly well-trained and happy. Barb's goal is to train each of her students on how to train their dog. She provides weekly homework and routinely provides articles about specific training issues or general information on caring for your dog. The training is positive and my dogs love going to class and they respond well to the training techniques provided. Barb does have expectations of her students-that is, that each of us need put the time and effort into training if we want the training to be effective. She is a committed trainer and recognizes success when you achieve it with your dog. If you are serious about training your dog, I highly recommend Barb Levenson’s Dog Training Center. more

I have taken my dog, a mutt, to Barb's facility and classes for a couple of years now. Originally, my dog hated other dogs, and was very difficult to handle in classes, now he has regular pup friends and gets excited when we turn down the street for the facility. He is a much happier dog now because of Barb. I high recommend taking some classes here and really taking in all that Barb has to offer! more

I was enrolled in one of Barb Levenson’s dog training courses. Couldn’t wait for it to be over. This woman couldn’t train a dog to chase a ball. She is only interested in getting your money. She has an anti-bark citronella collar on her dog but says she doesn’t believe in any negative reinforcement. Keeps her dog in a kennel constantly and jams treats down its throat all day. She will have you sign papers which allow her to keep your credit card number on file and when she pressures you into signing up for additional classes she will not refund your money if you decide not to attend. Wanted to give 0 stars but this was not an option. more

There are women out there who have nothing better to do than spit their venom on the world. Anyone who wants to visit the training facility will see how dogs and people are treated are welcome. Satisfied people will tell the real tale. But many people expect to get dog trained without any work. At the end of the day they take home the dog THEY train. more

No other way to say it, Barb is an awful person, and after taking a class i believe her dogs do not like her either. They are only scared of her. Also this lady is a hustler, everything is extra.....whatever you do, never schedule a 1-1 visit with her she is full of crap, and a shiteous dog trainer. Barb do us all a favor and go out of business already you evil lonely old woman more

As I read through these reviews I see that Barb is up to her old tricks - behaving poorly and treating people and their pets worse. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE! more

Good: Barb levenson' methods are effective and are so far resulting in a perfect puppy. Her primary concern is your dog, and that's the way it should be.. Other: I believe the negative reviews are from people unable to take constructive criticism, unwilling to be patient in training their dogs, and got upset because they were told the truth.. more