Alpha Dog K9 Training in Hempstead, NY, holds a 4.9-star rating from 148 reviews, with the owner responding to 99% of feedback. Clients frequently praise the trainers for their patience, clear communication, and non-treat methods that address issues like leash reactivity, aggression, and basic obedience. The service includes in-home sessions where owners learn to manage their dogs' behavior in real-life situations. A recurring criticism in low-star reviews is that the cost is considered too high compared to free online resources.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 148 reviews (99% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 148 Google reviews (146 with written comments, 54 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 99% of reviews.
Most recent review: November 6, 2026.
Service: Dog Trainer serving Hempstead, New York.
Data from Google, last updated November 11, 2026.
Star ratings
148 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars14699%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star21%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 146 written reviews
97%praise
Praise25597%
Complaints73%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Would recommend8332%
Staff & attitude7227%
Speed & response3313%
Quality & results2811%
Communication228%
Honesty & trust197%
Price & value52%
What customers talk about
We read 146 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“If you're struggling with a reactive dog, look no further.”
“Janine and Nick are incredible dog trainers, and I cannot recommend them enough!”
“My biggest concern was keeping his friendly temperament despite his size and energy level.”
“My rottie pop was a little over 6 months when training started and he was immediately responsive to the methods used.”
“Janine and Nick go above and beyond to make sure owners see success and address every single issue thoroughly.”
“…ncerns and Janine was amazing at repeating my concerns back to me and communicating it with Nick throughout the course.…”
“I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without their help.”
“If you do that, you’ll see results like I did, and the money will absolutely be worth it.”
People customers mention
Nick97 reviews
Janine79 reviews
Nicks3 reviews
Shepherd3 reviews
Charlie3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
We failed with another dog training a year ago despite spending a lot of money and time. I believe the NO TREAT method that Nick and Jenine use is so important. If you are smart enough to choose Nick and Jenine, listen to them and follow what they teach you and you’ll be thrilled. We are so happy, after ten weeks with older dogs who formerly ran the house, we now feel more confident and don’t have to stress walks and the dogs not knowing their place. We will continue with their advice, training ourselves to continue training and making sure we follow the guidance given. It’s really exactly what we needed. If you think your dogs are too old don’t despair, call and ask for a consultation. They truly care. Wish we had discovered them years ago.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Dog training
Response from the owner · 5 days ago
Sandy, Joe, and Quinn, thank you so much for this beautiful review! It truly means the world to Nick and me. We absolutely loved working with your family and, of course, Mack and Riley! Watching the progress you've all made together has been so rewarding. Your dedication, consistency, and willingness to put in the work are what made that progress possible. Thank you for trusting us and allowing us to be part of your journey. We're so grateful to have your family as part of the Alpha Dog family!
Mitch2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Mitch has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Janine and Nick were amazing. My rottie pop was a little over 6 months when training started and he was immediately responsive to the methods used. My biggest concern was keeping his friendly temperament despite his size and energy level. Janine and Nick maintained that by not using overly aggressive training methods.
They took their time to ask questions and concerns and Janine was amazing at repeating my concerns back to me and communicating it with Nick throughout the course. They emphasized the importance of maintaining his training methods during the week, which resulted in major progress. Classes were personalized to his needs until we gradually moved to group sessions.
I'm now able to walk him on his leash around groups of people and animals, and can maintain him on a long leash/even off-leash at times. One of the best parts of the training that it also taught me the proper methods of training him so that I could maintain what we learned each week. This translation allowed me to feel comfortable with nonverbal cues of what I need to do to communicate with my pup.
I would 100% recommend.
Thank you
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Dog training
Response from the owner · 5 days ago
Mitch, thank you so much for such a thoughtful and heartfelt review! It truly means a lot to both Nick and me. Watching Bane grow and seeing the progress you’ve made together has been so rewarding. Bane is such a wonderful boy, and we loved working with both of you! You deserve so much credit for your dedication and consistency throughout the training. That's what makes all the difference! We're so happy you now have the confidence and tools to continue building on everything you've learned. Thank you for trusting us with Bane and for being part of the Alpha Dog family!
Jenny Catron2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jenny has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My 4yr old dog Jack was getting aggressive with family and walking me on the Leash. I’m so grateful to Nick and Janine because from the first Lesson I immediately saw a difference in him. They’re so knowledgeable when it comes to dogs and extremely kind and patient . The first lesson Jack was growling and Nick got him calm in less than two minutes. I was amazed. Janine helped me understand how to communicate with him and understand his behaviors. He’s doing so much better now no pulling or growling at my family. They gave me the tools and taught both me and Jack. We continue to practice and get better everyday! I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without their help. I’m extremely appreciative of Nick and Janine for both their help.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Dog training
Response from the owner · a week ago
Thank you so much Jenny ! We’re so happy to hear how well Jack is doing! It’s been a pleasure working with both of you, and you deserve a lot of credit for putting in the time and practicing with him. Nick and I are so proud of the progress you’ve made together. Keep up the great work, and thank you again for trusting us with Jack!
Andrew Neglia1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Andrew has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Janine and Nick are absolutely amazing. I thought I could train our family dog on my own. They helped me so much understanding my dog’s needs and behavior. My children didn’t care for the puppy nipping. They helped me and my family train and control our puppy. Their tips and assistance with training made such a difference as soon as the first week.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Dog training
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Andrew. We are thrilled Janine and Nick were able to help your family understand your puppy and that you saw a difference in the first week. It is great to hear the whole family, including the kids, are feeling more confident with the training. We appreciate you trusting us with your dog and sharing your experience.
Christian GiannottiLocal Guide · 13 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Christian has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Our rescue pup has always had psychological issues from the past, and it got to a point where he was attacking us in our home. It got to a dire situation but we never wanted to give him away. Nick and Janine were the solution m. They understood the reasons for his current behavior and understood how to course correct to get him back to his normal loving self. We couldn’t be more grateful
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
Christian, thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. We know how difficult things had become with Cooper, and we're so grateful you trusted us to help your family through such a challenging situation.
We're incredibly proud of how much work you put into Cooper's training. Your dedication and consistency truly show in the progress he's made. Seeing Cooper become the loving, happy dog you always knew he could be is exactly why we love what we do.
Thank you again for your kind words and for allowing us to be part of Cooper's journey!
James Eck7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews James has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
"We cannot recommend Alpha Dog K9 Training enough! Our 100-pound black lab, Barry, was severely reactive—barking in the car for hours, growling at our granddaughter, chasing squirrels, and making walks a dangerous and embarrassing ordeal. He was so large and hard to hold back that we had resorted to changing directions, walking out into the street to pass people, and even waking up extra early just to avoid other dogs and people altogether.
Miraculously, within the very first session, Barry was better with everything. Janine and Nick go above and beyond to make sure owners see success and address every single issue thoroughly. Barry loves them both so much—we even joke that they should offer vacation stays with Nick! If you're struggling with a reactive dog, look no further."
Response from the owner · a month ago
Jamie and Krista, thank you so much for such a beautiful review! It truly means the world to us. Barry holds a special place in our hearts, and seeing how far he's come has been so rewarding. You both deserve so much credit for the time, effort, and love you've put into helping him succeed. That's what makes all the difference! We absolutely love Barry, and it's been such a pleasure working with all of you. Thank you again for trusting us with your big, lovable boy!
Priscila Goncalves13 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Priscila has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I would have NEVER thought that I would be one of “those people” with well behaved dogs! Janine and Nick trained ME how to communicate with my dogs and my dogs are so well behaved now! Janine and Nick love what they do and it shows. I highly recommend them- and my dogs (Pato and Pancake) too!
Response from the owner · a month ago
Priscilla, thank you so much for such a beautiful review! We absolutely loved working with you, Pato, and Pancake. ❤️
One of the things we loved most was seeing how committed you were to learning and putting in the work between our lessons. It was so obvious how much you love your dogs, and all of that effort truly showed in the progress you made together.
We are so proud of how far all three of you came! Thank you for trusting us and for allowing us to be part of your journey with Pato and Pancake. Give them both a big hug from us! 🐾❤️
Nelida Naula2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Nelida has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Dear Janine & Nick,
It’s me Bobby! I haven’t forgot about you both. Thank you for working with my mom & I. For teaching me all that stuff mom wants me to do. Letting you know things have improved but we still working hard to be better. Not only did you guys help me BUT you have helped my mom to be more firm with me and set boundaries. I’m not too happy about that but I love my mom and I’m going to keep on trying my very best to be better. Thank you again Janine & Nick - Bobby
P.S- Thank you Janine and Nick for everything. I can’t say enough positive things about you both. From the moment I reached out I knew I could trust you. Thank you for being kind and patient with Bobby and I. For answering every question or concern I had. I was amazed with the different strategies you came up with to help us. You guys never gave up on us and Im truly thankful. As a pet parent I needed help on how I could help my fur baby and you guys exceeded my expectations. Because of you both I’ve learned how to communicate with Bobby. As he is verrry stubborn. Today I set rules at home and I’m still working on it because I realized this training was not only for my Bobby. It was for ME TOO!!!! Thank you Janine & Nick. I appreciate you both!!!
- Bobby’s Mom
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
Dear Bobby,
We’re very happy to hear from you! 😂 We know you’re probably not thrilled that Mom learned how to set rules and boundaries, but unfortunately for you… she was a very good student! You definitely kept us on our toes, but underneath all that big personality , we always knew there was a great boy in there. Keep working hard and try not to give Mom too much of a hard time. We’re very proud of you! ❤️
Nelida, thank you so much for such a beautiful review. It truly means a lot to both of us. We know this wasn’t always easy, and some of the things we asked you to do took patience, consistency, and a lot of work. But we also knew how important Bobby was to you and how determined you were to make things better.
You put the work in, even on the hard days, and you should be really proud of yourself. And you are absolutely right — so much of dog training is about teaching the humans too! 😂 Watching your confidence grow along with Bobby’s progress was one of our favorite parts.
Thank you for trusting us with your spirited little guy. We’re so proud of both of you, and please give Bobby a big hug from us! ❤️
Janine & Nick
Sara LaLa3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Sara has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Janine and Nick were very helpful training our maltipoo, Coco. Coco was quick to react when the doorbell rang and pull during walks. This improved dramatically after our training sessions. We especially like that Janine’s method is not treat focused. We highly recommend this technique. Sarah & Jason
Services: Dog training
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
Thank you so much, Sarah and Jason! We loved working with you and Coco. It was so nice to see the progress she made, especially with the doorbell and on her walks. You both did such a great job following through with everything we worked on, and that makes such a difference. Thank you for trusting us with Coco and for taking the time to share your experience. We really appreciate it! ❤️
Seth Consigli1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Seth has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We contacted Alpha K 9 Dog Training (Janine and Nick) because we just got a Yorkie puppy, and hadn’t trained a puppy in almost 20 years. Their training techniques, kindness, and professionalism was just what we needed. They guided us through potty training, loose leash walking, front door reactivity, and us being able to eat without disruption, within a very short period of time of time. Our pup is a little over 4 months old, and is on his way to being a good dog citizen!
Both Janine and Nick are professional, kind, and once you meet them, you feel like you have known them forever!
A big thank you, as you have made new puppy ownership so much easier.
Seth and Judi
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
Thank you so much, Seth and Judi! We had so much fun working with you guys and little Winston. He has come such a long way in such a short time, and it was so much fun watching him learn and grow each week. You both did such a great job following through with everything we worked on, and it really shows.
We’re so happy we could make the puppy stage a little easier for you. Winston is well on his way to becoming an amazing little gentleman! ❤️ Thank you again for trusting us with him.
