Proactive Dog Training, LLC

Javier and the whole training staff at Proactive are the best dog trainers in Raleigh. This is the place you have been searching for. I procrastinated writing this, and I’m glad I did. This review is 5 months after the board and train and the results have stuck. Proactive teaches you and your dog. The play-based approach has unlocked a new level of compliance and genuinely enhanced our relationship with our dog. Our dog was not an easy training case. We have a Shiba with aggression issues. Feeding was a nightmare, touch was a bite risk, and commands were met with full SpongeBob “I don’t feeeeel like it” energy. All this time later we have made a huge leap forward. Feeding is smooth and easy. Commands are listened to on the first ask. My little buddy comes over looking for pets. We could not be happier with our choice to work with Proactive.

• Price assessment: Great price
• Services: Dog boarding with training

This review is long overdue! I cannot say enough good things about Javier and his entire team. They are incredibly knowledgeable, talented, and genuinely caring trainers. They did a phenomenal job with Nieve, my high-energy Samoyed/Pit mix rescue. I finally have the skills and confidence I need to manage her training effectively.I was honestly blown away by how much Nieve grew during her stay. The communication was top-notch—I loved the frequent updates, the YouTube videos of her sessions, and the fact that I was encouraged to visit and participate in the training myself. Nieve came back from boarding full of energy, strong, muscular, socialized and looking happy, which says so much. I have boarded her elsewhere, and Javier and team are def. the few I would trust with my dogs, the care is there. I’ve used Proactive K9 for both Nieve’s board-and-train and private lessons for my new puppy, Myka. Thank you for everything, Javier! I think the smiles in these photos say it all. We can't wait for our next lesson!

• Services: Dog boarding with training, Dog training

Javier and his team have done such a great job with my puppy, Rowan. We started doing private lessons and then did the Ultimate Dog Package board and train program when I felt Rowan was ready for it. They really did a great job, Rowan is much better behaved than most dogs we encounter that are much older! Really appreciate all the love and dedication they put into training him. Will be recommending Proactive Dog Training to my friends/family!

• Price assessment: Great price
• Services: Dog boarding with training, Dog training

I couldn't recommend them more!!! Backstory: I was raising a terrific pup, who learned well and always received plenty of praise from neighbors and friends. Unfortunately, every time I picked up my pup from an area top-rated boarding facility, his behavior was worse. Despite my experience with animals and behavior, I was overwhelmed with all the regression and the uphill battle I was facing as a single-mom with medical conditions that can flare up causing pain. With two massive trips on the horizon, I decided to seek help. I researched a ton and ultimately found alignment with Javier and his training techniques/approach. My dog just finished "graduation" and I couldn't be more proud of his work and the level of ease we experience on a day-to-day basis. His quality of life is improved because he is meeting expectations consistently and able to be go more places without feeling insecure or hyper-vigilant. We are so grateful to Javier, Amy, Kat, Breanna, Cam, and the entire team at Proactive! Additionally, Blitz can board with them where he won't be rewarded for poor behaviors like jumping up on people, nor will he be socialized with dogs that are imbalanced and poorly mannered. Do yourself a huge favor and work with this team!

• Price assessment: Reasonable price
• Services: Dog boarding with training, Dog training

If you have an anxious or fearful dog, I can’t recommend Proactive Dog Training enough! I have a smaller dog with some pretty significant anxiety and behavioral challenges. At one point, I was even advised to consider medication—but I really wanted to explore training options first. That’s when I found Javier Mendoza and his team, and I’m so glad I did. The transformation has been incredible, especially in such a short amount of time. My dog went from being afraid to walk past even a single stranger on the sidewalk… to more confidently walking through a crowded airport. The difference is honestly amazing. I’ve also seen a huge improvement in how he responds to other dogs and people, and his loose leash walking has gone from a struggle to something we can actually enjoy. What really stood out to me was how knowledgeable and supportive Javier and his team are. They didn’t just train my dog—they took the time to explain the “why” behind everything, breaking down the science in a way that made sense and answering all of my questions along the way. Of course, I know training is an ongoing process, and I’ll need to keep reinforcing what we’ve learned (and probably come back for a few follow-ups). But the progress we’ve made so far has exceeded my expectations. If you’re dealing with an anxious, fearful, or reactive dog, do yourself a favor and check them out. Total game changer.

• Price assessment: Reasonable price
• Services: Dog boarding with training

I signed up my strong-willed pup for the 3-week boot camp, not knowing what to expect—but Proactive Dog Training exceeded my expectations at every turn! I love how they train both in practical outdoor spaces and at home. I already had a trip planned, so the extended board-and-train option was a perfect fit. When I picked up my dog, the transformation was incredible. I also loved receiving videos of her progress along the way—it made the experience even more reassuring and exciting! What truly surprised and impressed me were the continued benefits after the program— It truly feels like the gift that keeps on giving! I continue to board my pup there overnight and use their daycare for additional socialization and training, which speaks volumes about the trust I have in their fantastic trainers! Paws up for the BEST dog care I’ve experienced in the Triangle by far.

• Services: Other pet boarding, Dog boarding with training, Dog walking, Dog grooming, Other pet daycare, Dog boarding, Dog training

We sent our goldendoodle Sadie to 3 weeks at Proactive and would highly recommend it. We were blown away by the personalized touches, the daily videos, and the true care that the trainers take with the dogs. Sadie went in as a wild child that we had a hard time with as we couldn’t get her to perform basic commands such as stay, she would pull horribly on the leash during walks, etc. Sadie came home a changed dog that we can enjoy and integrate much better into our lives as she now listens much better when needed. She is much happier as are we as we all understand each other better. We now can confidently bring her in public such as our sons’ sporting events as in this included picture without fear of her acting “wild”. We are sending our puppy for training in a few months and would recommend Proactive to anyone looking!!!

The Proactive staff is amazing…not just in working with my reactive dog, but also in helping me to be more comfortable as his handler. They are knowledgeable, professional, and flexible in delivering their services. We can tell such a difference in our dog since he has been working with them. I highly recommend their training, boarding and daycare.

I have a rescue chihuahua whose aggression and bad behavior was getting progressively worse over the three years we had him. We had done training with other trainers and always hit a wall of progress. We could manage him, but it was a lot of time and energy, and he was unpredictable so we were exhausted. I found Javier online and contacted him after reading a review about two mini aussies who he helped, specifically that when there were still issues after training he took them back in to figure it out. Dobby is a really challenging case and he needed more individual attention than a standard training program. We did two individual sessions with Javier initially, and I felt like he understood Dobby better than any other trainer - Dobby wasn't actually scared, he was actually just kind of a jerk used to biting to get his own way, and our handling (or not handling) of him over the years kept enforcing that behavior. Everything started to make sense. We then decided to go with the Ultimate Dog Program for board and train, which was 21 days with behavior guarantees (given appropriate owner behavior and follow up of course). They ended up keeping him for another week (no extra cost) as Javier did not think he was ready to go home yet. Throughout the training, they posted video updates on Youtube, and I was able to join some of the sessions in later weeks - from both of those experiences it was clear that all of the trainers loved Dobby and had built great relationships with him. He's been home for two weeks now, and we've gone slow with re-integrating him with our other dogs, but it's been smooth sailing so far. Instead of whining incessantly when he is crated, he will happily go in and relax. I can handle him for putting on his collar, leash, etc, with no fear of biting, and the best part is that he is now a cuddle bug! He used to growl or snap after a few seconds of petting (that he actively initiated) due to a conflict of interest in his brain, and now he is all over me asking for attention, to be held, petted, and he loves every second for real. He doesn't chase our cats, he can stay in place for a long time when necessary, and he is doing a great job on leash where he used to pull and sniff at EVERYTHING and not listen an ounce. He is still his weird, goofy self, and he is always going to need some management, but now we have the tools! The e-collar training has been a godsend - it has done wonders for flipping a switch in his brain when he's overaroused, allowing him to turn that off and move on. He really needed the structure that the training provided for him to be his best self, and our household is so much calmer. We now also plan to take him to Proactive for boarding when we travel! He can be a challenge with petsitters, so knowing we have a place where he's already known and loved and comfortable gives us so much more peace of mind. We boarded him for the first time post-training last weekend and he came home happy and tired. Javier makes it clear that the end of formal training is just the beginning of the new relationship and encourages owners to reach out at any point in the future. The Proactive staff truly cares abut the dogs in their care and stands by their work more than any other trainers we've encountered, and after putting Dobby through this program I feel like we have both amazing results and also continuing support as needed. Javier also writes great newsletters, so go sign up for them!

• Price assessment: Reasonable price
• Services: Dog boarding with training, Dog boarding

Can’t say enough great things about the Proactive Dog training team. They have worked wonders with our baby girl Smith. I love the daily videos and most importantly I love that I feel completely confident that she is being treated with the utmost of care!!

• Price assessment: Reasonable price
• Services: Dog boarding with training, Dog training