iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%92+54Reliability 26%83+21.7Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 91Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.91SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#15 of 32 pet trainersiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 55%
4.9★★★★★132 Google reviews · 24 photos
98%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
3.4%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate the business 4.9 out of 5 based on 132 reviews, with the owner responding to all feedback. Clients frequently describe the trainer as punctual, professional, and knowledgeable, noting that sessions are tailored to individual goals using positive reinforcement. Many appreciate the clear communication and reasonable pricing for at-home puppy and rescue dog training. However, a small number of one-star reviews criticize the staff for rude phone interactions and unprofessional attitudes, suggesting inconsistent customer service experiences.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 132 reviews (98% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 132 Google reviews (118 with written comments, 26 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 100% of reviews.
Most recent review: September 27, 2026.
Service: Pet Trainer serving Richmond, Texas.
Data from Google, last updated October 26, 2026.
Score profile vs other pet trainers
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: craft & service and value; weakest: reliability.
Smarty Paws Dog TrainingPet Trainers median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Smarty Paws Dog Training: 92/100 on this factor. Category median: 93.A
92
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Smarty Paws Dog Training: 83/100 on this factor. Category median: 89.A
83
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Smarty Paws Dog Training: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Smarty Paws Dog Training: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
100
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Smarty Paws Dog Training: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 73.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
132 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars13098%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star22%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 118 written reviews
95%praise
Praise17595%
Complaints95%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
100%fair
Great price323%
Reasonable1077%
Overpriced00%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Would recommend6033%
Staff & attitude5731%
Speed & response2111%
Quality & results1810%
Communication116%
Price & value95%
Honesty & trust84%
What customers talk about
We read 118 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“I would certainly recommend her services for SW Houston area folks!”
“We can't recommend Smarty Paws Dog Training enough!”
“Her prices are reasonable and she is super professional.”
“unprofessional with an attitude and terrible prices - risk it for the biscuit at your own expense 😂”
“She was quick in our initial inquiry, worked with my busy work schedule, and helped me learn how to teach my puppy important skills to keep him safe a…”
“We thoroughly enjoyed working with Valerie to train our Sylvie.”
“She took the time to explain everything clearly and gave us the tools and confidence to continue training at home.”
“Smarty Paws’ prices are extremely reasonable and they come to your home so you can train in your dog’s environment and deal with their triggers real time.”
“We highly recommend Smarty Paws for anyone looking for a patient, skilled, and genuinely caring trainer!”
People customers mention
Valerie47 reviews
Program3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Smarty Paws Dog Training for 1 kind of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
Elena10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 weeks ago★★★★★
Valerie is the best! We are very thankful for all the work she is doing with our dog. She helped us so much to understand our dog’s behavior and how to train him. Her prices are reasonable and she is super professional. Strongly recommend to any dog owner. Our family (including our pooch) love her!
Great priceDog training
Claudia7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Valerie was instrumental in showing our little fella the fundamentals in being a good boy. He is a work in progress and Valerie gave us the tools to help him become a better-integrated member of our pack. We loved her patience with him and with us as well! She uses positive reinforcement, which is exactly what…
Reasonable priceDog training
Mark1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
We had a fantastic experience with Valerie!! She understood our new puppy completely and taught us some very valuable skills to use with him!! I would certainly recommend her services for SW Houston area folks!!
Reasonable priceDog training
Gisela10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
We absolutely enjoyed working with Valerie. She is amazing! She got my doggie doing tricks in minutes. I appreciate very much her support and dedication.
Reasonable priceDog training
Trena12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
It was such a pleasure to work with Valerie, and her training with our furbaby Gracie, (Cavapoo) was amazing! Thank you SO MUCH Valerie!!
Reasonable priceDog training
HollyLocal Guide · 12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
Valerie helped us train our new rescue, Posey, at around 1.5 years old. Valerie was informative and friendly both during the consultation and the actual trainings. We never felt rushed during our sessions. She was easy to schedule with, and she always tailored the sessions to our goals with Posey. Her instructions…
Valerie is the best! We are very thankful for all the work she is doing with our dog. She helped us so much to understand our dog’s behavior and how to train him. Her prices are reasonable and she is super professional. Strongly recommend to any dog owner. Our family (including our pooch) love her!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Dog training
Response from the owner · 4 weeks ago
Aww thank you! I have enjoyed working with you guys.
Claudia Bryan7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Claudia has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Valerie was instrumental in showing our little fella the fundamentals in being a good boy. He is a work in progress and Valerie gave us the tools to help him become a better-integrated member of our pack. We loved her patience with him and with us as well! She uses positive reinforcement, which is exactly what Oliver responds to. She also helped our 12-year old daughter have more confidence in being more assertive with him, which helped their dynamic and she’s no longer his chew toy. We highly recommend Valerie!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Dog training
Response from the owner · 4 weeks ago
Thank you! You guys were awesome in following through with instructions on training. Keep up the work with Oliver. 🐾
Mark Stephens1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Mark has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We had a fantastic experience with Valerie!! She understood our new puppy completely and taught us some very valuable skills to use with him!! I would certainly recommend her services for SW Houston area folks!!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Dog training
Response from the owner · 4 weeks ago
Thank you Mark! Enjoyed working with you and your mom in helping Mike.
Gisela Azimi10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Gisela has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We absolutely enjoyed working with Valerie. She is amazing! She got my doggie doing tricks in minutes. I appreciate very much her support and dedication.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Dog training
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Thank you! I enjoyed working with you and Rumi. Such a smart little boy.
Trena Campbell12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Trena has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Valerie helped us train our new rescue, Posey, at around 1.5 years old. Valerie was informative and friendly both during the consultation and the actual trainings. We never felt rushed during our sessions. She was easy to schedule with, and she always tailored the sessions to our goals with Posey. Her instructions were easy to follow, which made practicing during the week easy. We've been so impressed with the results. Posey is no longer barking at other dogs on walks and is working to master all the basic commands. We appreciated that it was a system based on reward and positive reinforcement. We can't recommend Smarty Paws Dog Training enough!
Services: Dog training
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Wow, thank you so much for the wonderful review. Enjoyed working with you and Posey. Keep up the good work!
Sade Anding4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Sade has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
She was amazing! From the very beginning, she was patient, knowledgeable, and truly cared about helping my dog succeed. She took the time to explain everything clearly and gave us the tools and confidence to continue training at home. I saw a huge improvement in my dog’s behavior, listening skills, and overall confidence. Her positive approach made the experience enjoyable for my family and our dog. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a professional, caring, and effective dog trainer! 🐾💕
Response from the owner · 4 months ago
Thank you sooo much!!! You and your girls were a joy to work with. Keep up the good work!!
Jay 7d10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jay has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Valerie was great with my puppy! She was super knowledgeable and explained all the commands to us. Our pup learned so quickly too! Our puppy loves her; she was so sweet to my girl. We plan on using her again for future trainings. 10/10 recommend!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Dog training
Response from the owner · 5 months ago
Thank you, enjoyed working with Canela and you. She is one smart puppy!
Emily Hubbell2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Emily has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My mini schnauzer mix loves Valerie and so do I. She’s a great listener and always had practical advice whenever I shared a problem I was having my puppy. She helped me with his leash training and learning commands (sit, down, paw, touch, leave it). I highly recommend her and her at-home program for puppies and hope I can continue training Robin with her help even now that he has graduated from puppy preschool! I say “with her” because this was truly as beneficial for me as it was for my puppy.
Response from the owner · 7 months ago
Thank you Emily, it was great to work with you and Robin. He is one smart little guy. Keep up the good work. 🐾
