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Brendan did a wonderful job training our Golden Retriever Susan! Susan spent a few weeks with Brendan and returned with a host of new skills (e.g., come, place, off, drop). We missed her while she was away, but he was very communicative, sending videos and pics of her training and playing with other dogs. Definitely recommend!
We had an incredible experience working with Brendan for training our two doodles, June (an Aussiedoodle) and Tucker (a Goldendoodle).
Before training, June was constantly jumping on counters, had no recall, and would greet every guest by jumping on them. After just two weeks of board-and-train with Brendan, she now stays calmly in her bed when guests arrive and doesn’t move until we give the “break” command. Her recall has improved dramatically—we can now let her roam the backyard without any concern.
Tucker was even more of a handful going in—barking constantly, dealing with anxiety, pulling hard on the leash, and constantly counter surfing. But after two weeks with Brendan, Tucker is like a new dog. He calmly stays in place when guests arrive, hasn't barked, doesn’t counter surf anymore, and walks beautifully on a leash with perfect heel behavior.
The work Brendan did with both of our dogs is truly amazing. It’s such a joy to have them home, calm, and well-behaved.
Communication throughout the entire two weeks was fantastic—we received regular updates, photos, and videos showing their progress, which really gave us peace of mind while they were away.
We genuinely couldn’t recommend Brendan more highly. If you're looking for a skilled, caring, and effective dog trainer, he's the one!
Brendan at Adaptive Canine Training was fantastic to work with, I would highly recommend going to him for help with training your puppy or adult dog to be the best they can be. He does it all out of his home which helped our 2 yr old Vizsla in many real life situations. We did the 2 week board and train and could not be happier with the results and work he did with her. While she was there he sent us videos and updates of her progress. For reference, my Vizsla is very high energy and would mind half the time. She always pulled on a leash. Since training, I do not have any of those issues. From the moment I first called to the last day with pick up, he so kind and helpful and you could tell he really cares about your pet like it’s his own. Again I couldn’t recommend Brendan enough!
Reply from Adaptive Canine Training
2025.08.21
Thank you very much! It was pleasure working with you all and helping Ruby learn how to channel all that energy!!
My husband and I wholeheartedly agree that working with Brendan was one of the best investments we’ve made as a family. Before Brendan and Adaptive Canine Training, our 10 month old golden retriever puppy made it impossible for us to have anyone over, despite our best efforts and all of the online videos we could think of to watch. Our pup meant well, it seemed, but he jumped on everybody, pulled terribly while walking on a leash, practically ran over younger children, chewed up all of our dining room furniture, ate everything he could possibly reach off of the counter, and was frequently spotted on top of our dining room table! After two weeks with Brendan, our pup is still the same, loving, quirky dog, but he has not chewed anything in our house, he no longer jumps on the counters or the table, he walks right next to us and can even go off leash walking around SE Portland, he comes when he is called, he does not jump on people, and things just keep getting better. It’s like we finally learned how to communicate with him. Thank you so much, Brendan!!
We started working with Brendan to help walk our Bulldog, Bev. She likes to pull not walk! Two sessions with him and we were so happy with the results! We also boarded her last week with Brendan for 8 days! With the care and attention Brendan gives the dogs, I had zero anxiety about her well-being and activity. Brendan sent us videos and photos of Bev, playing, walking, and snoring! It was.a great trip for my family and Bev! I highly recommend Adaptive Canine for any of your training and boarding needs! Thank you Brendan for sharing your wisdom, patience, and love for dogs! ❤️🐾
It seems the only appropriate way to begin this review is to highlight the significant impact that Brendan has had on our family and more specifically, on mine and my dog's relationship.
We came to him after an unexpected move across the country to the PNW when our four year old GSD began to display some pretty serious reactionary behavior towards other dogs and people in public. The unplanned move was rather traumatic on all of us, and I had really undestimated the stress it had put on my dog. He had spent his entire life on a large homestead and suddenly was living in small Air B&Bs and rentals with a fraction of the indoor space and none of the range or work he'd had formally. Furthermore, while he was very used to meeting and welcoming new people into our home, he had no experience in suburban life.
I spent weeks researching, calling, and talking with various trainers - most recommended approaches that bordered on extreme while others simply refused to take him on. Brendan spent a great deal of time with me initially on the phone and provided a lot of guidance and support from the get-go. Knowing we were two hours away from him, he even offered to drive half way to meet us for a free consult. We scheduled with him about 2 1/2 months out and in the meantime, he helped me kennel train my dog via text with videos and encouragement!
When it was finally time for my dog's stay, Brendan regularly provided photos, videos, and updates on his progress. He was consistently professional, compassionate, and committed to our dog's training. He not only taught my dog how to better work through his stress and fears but with his regular videos that included informative commentary, he also taught me how to better understand my dog's unique body language.
Since he has been back, my dog and I are learning every singly day and gaining more and more confidence in each other. While we already had an incredibly powerful bond, that is now reaching a whole new level I didn't even know was possible. Yesterday, for the first time ever, I got to watch him literally gallop in absolute bliss off leash through an orchard past a field of dogs losing their minds. Not only was he responding to recalls, he was regularly looking to me for guidance, and checking on his own. While we’ve certainly worked hard to get here in the two weeks since he’s been home, there’s no way we could have made this progress without Brendan’s commitment and compassion towards a dog who most other people were too terrified to even touch, let alone take into their home!
Thank you so much Brendan and to your family for taking a member of our family in like one of your own and for the exponential kindness you showed us during a really difficult time.
Highly recommend Brendan with Adaptive Canine Training for your dog training needs! My 5-year old blue heeler had become extremely reactive around other dogs, to the point that she unable to walk through a shared hallway in our apartment building without freaking out at the sight of another dog. I'll admit that I was initially skeptical that the basic foundation package I signed up for, which includes 3 sessions covering 3 basic commands (come/sit, place, and heel) would work. My dog knew these basic commands already, I thought. But at our first consultation with Brendan, he showed me that there were gaps in her ability to obey these commands in a variety of different situations. After completing the 3 sessions, I saw definite improvement in my dog's ability to heed commands, even around other dogs. Of course, the success of the training depends on how much time you're able to devote to practicing the commands outside of your sessions, but I found Brendan to be patient and quick to point out improvements that I'd failed to recognize. Brendan was also very understanding about scheduling and working with my dog's chronic shoulder injury. Great communication throughout the whole process. If you're in Portland and need a dog trainer, definitely give Adaptive Canine Training a try!
I was looking for trainers in the area that seemed credible and genuine, which is when I stumbled across Adaptive Canine! Brendan is so easy to work with and listened to all of my concerns. I sent my golden doodle, Sunny, to train with him and he came back so well-behaved! I mean, it’s a night and day difference! Thanks Brendan!!!
Reply from Adaptive Canine Training
2024.03.17
Thank you Shivani! We had a ton of fun working with Sunny and helping to refine him into the pup we knew he could be!!
Brendan was great! I contacted him for help with leash reactivity and barking. Our puppy responded well to Brendan's training style and we appreciated Brendan's calm, flexible and patient personality. We chose to do the private lessons and would not hesitate to recommend Adaptive Canine Training to our friends!
Reply from Adaptive Canine Training
2023.08.30
Thank you Gail! So glad to have been able to help your puppy overcome those fears. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience!
I cannot speak highly enough of the care and attentiveness Brendan brought to helping us with our extremely reactive and fearful pup. He was patient and flexible and we saw almost immediately improvements. I told him to be me at the top of his references list.
Came to us, worked with our dog in our house and neighborhood. Correctly determined reactive triggers, the causes and best responses. His training improved the quality of our life together.
Reply from Adaptive Canine Training
2023.08.30
Thank you Mark! It's a joy to be able to provide tools for you and your dog to live together more harmoniously. Appreciate you leaving this review!
Brendan is amazing! My five month old Chihuahua mix puppy would not do ANYTHING for me, pulled on the lease, ran away from me, had accidents all over the house. I thought I would never have fun with him. After two weeks in the loving home atmosphere of Adaptive Canine Training, he is a joy! Heels, sits, places, totally trained (no accidents). I can have guests over to my house again and enjoy my puppy and know he is safe, and can reach out to Brendan when I need a pep talk. Brendan uses an easy method that makes so much sense. Thank you Brendan!
Susan
Reply from Adaptive Canine Training
2023.08.30
Thank you for this review! We're so glad we could help make your relationship with your pup more enjoyable and we're always here if you need a little extra assistance!
Our two year old rescue Brindle (Frosty) was having a very hard time being out in public, due to fear of others and a protective instinct. We tried other trainer's and were not successful. We hired Adaptive Canine Training and in literally two weeks, we have a completely new dog! While most of the training is for the human's, what Brendan was able to do with our dog is amazing. We can now go on walks in public and Frost behaves wonderfully, as long as we stick with the program and commands. We could not be more thankful!
I have an incredibly anxious dog. Brendan made sure that we had the best trainer with her (which, of course, was him!) and he was very honest from the beginning about what her training would look like and what was realistic for her. The daily videos and pictures were SO helpful. We couldn’t believe the change that we saw in her. He was quick to schedule follow ups with us and we couldn’t be more excited for our dogs’ new path.
We found out about Brendan when we passed another family on the street whose dog was amazingly calm, confident, and in synch with his owners. From the first call with Brendan through the entire process, we were blown away by his skills, work ethic, connection with our dog, and his flexibility. Adaptive is the perfect word! He stayed extra time with us during our home visit to show us a few pointers on walking manners, answered every text leading up to our board and train dates and even stopped by my house to take my payment to make things easier for me! His wait list is understandably long, but hear me on this - don't let that deter you! The service you and your dog will receive is well worth the wait and worth every penny. Before her time with Brendan and his family, our lab Dolly was visibly afraid of most new things, had zero recall, and could not be reliably walked on a leash. After her training, she understands what we need from her and has confidence we never thought possible. She is also not robotic - she's just the best version of her same goofy self! We walked her off leash this weekend in Multnomah Village and visited two dog friendly patios! With Adaptive Canine Training, you'll not only get a well trained pup but the life you always wanted with your pup as well. It is so freeing! My husband and I agree it's the best purchase we ever made. Don't hesitate to choose Brendan and go for it!
Brendan, with Adaptive Canine Training, worked miracles with my dog Gracie! At 2 1/2 yrs old she couldn't be trusted off leash. After the 2 week board and train with his sweet family, Gracie was able to walk past a feral rabbit off leash, without breaking her heal! Gracie definitely saw the rabbit but didn't waver. Gracie also needed to improve her recall for safety. She now loves the "come" command and thinks it's a really fun game. Brendan worked on many other commands with her and she's so much better mannered. Brendan's daily updates with photos and videos gave piece of mind on how she was doing during training. Post training, Brendan has been very helpful as I learn and refine my skills working with Gracie. I whole heartedly give a "Highly Recommend"!
Reply from Adaptive Canine Training
2022.08.24
Thanks Carol for such a wonderful review! Gracie was such a sweet dog to work with and thank you for entrusting me with her.
Brendon did an exceptional job with our timid dog. He's our 3rd trainer that we have tried & he was the most successful at reading our dog & our needs. The journey not only involves The dog but the owners. Brendon was able to break the barriers. Since our dogs training he has been totally transformed from a naughty dog to an attentive dog. We would highly recommend Adaptive Canine Training.
Jade and Brendan changed my nervous wreck pup into a more active engaged pup. Im also learning how to become a better dog mom because of them. They are incredibly professional and very informative. They always return Biscuit a better version than before especially with her nails trimmed and her coat fluffy. Thank you guys!
Reply from Adaptive Canine Training
2022.05.24
Thank you so much Joy! We loved working with Biscuit and showing her that the world isn’t a scary place! She’s able to handle anything that’s thrown her way with much more confidence and we couldn’t be more proud of all the progress she’s made!
Goji has returned from his two week training with Brendan with so much more impulse control. He was frenetic on a leash before this training, always pulling and dashing. He had become intolerant of younger dogs, lunging and barking very aggressively. We were unable to have him around any dog in case he would “attack” (he never bit or drew blood). Brendan worked on socializing Goji and helping him feel safe and secure around other dogs of all ages. We felt like he was becoming a very anxious dog and now he seems so much more comfortable in his own skin and in his environment.
Brendan sent updates and videos daily. And since having Goji home, Brendan has been a phone call away, gladly answering all my questions. We are happy to have him home and happy that we all have new tools to make all our lives more manageable and easier.
Reply from Adaptive Canine Training
2022.05.02
Thank you so much Jessica! We had so much fun working with Goji and watching him grow and learn. Now Goji has an outlet for all his energy and has clear expectations for what is asked of him. My favorite part of our time together was helping Goji get more confident and not have such an intense reaction whenever he was scared by other dogs.
I wasn't sure but needed my lil' buddy to get trained quickly so after a lot of screening, I chose Adaptive Canine Training 🥰Best decision I have made in a long time!!! Ruger went for the 2 week board and train with Brendan and his family as a goofy wild lil' pup, but he came back a well behaved, happy young pup. I got updates, pics and videos every night, watching his progress from the first day was amazing and wonderfully reassuring. Wether you know how to train a dog or know nothing about training Adaptive Canine Training is the people to help not only your fur-baby but yourself as well. My pup really loved Brendan and was looking for his as he and his fur-baby Hila walked away. I wish there were more than 5 stars 🤩 I'd give them a million. Thank you Brendan and family for having my best friend in your home and giving me piece of mind and enjoyment when I'm out with my fur-baby. We went on 7 walks today already 🐕💖 we had so much fun 😊!!!
Reply from Adaptive Canine Training
2022.02.13
Thank you so much Alicia!!! I really appreciate you trusting us with him. I had such a great time watching him learn and grow. Being able to help Ruger work through his various fears is one of my favorite things about my job!