Traction Dog Training Club

I have never left a negative google review, but I feel it’s important to share my experience for other owners considering Traction, particularly those seeking help for behavioral issues like reactivity. I initially contacted Traction because I wanted their homeschool program. My dog’s primary issue was significant leash reactivity, and I felt that working with her consistently in her normal environment made the most sense. Instead, I was strongly encouraged to choose the three-week board-and-train program as the better option for addressing her behavior. I trusted their professional recommendation and made the significantly larger financial and emotional investment of sending my dog away for three weeks. Unfortunately, she came home with very little noticeable improvement in the behavior I had sought help for, along with several physical issues that developed during her stay. I also felt communication throughout the program was lacking, and many of my concerns only began being addressed after I raised them toward the end of the three weeks. After the program, I sent a detailed account of my concerns directly to Mara, the owner of Traction. Management responded on behalf of the company and offered an evaluation with another trainer, Mia. Mia was lovely, professional, and helpful. During our walk together, my dog immediately had multiple significant reactions, making it very clear that the behavior I had paid to address still required substantial work. Mia spent about an hour working with us and offered to remain available for questions, which I genuinely appreciated. What has been most disappointing is what happened afterward: nothing. I received no follow-up from Traction acknowledging what their own trainer observed, no discussion of why my dog continued to struggle so significantly after three weeks of intensive training, and no further attempt to address my concerns. Despite originally directing my concerns to the owner, I never received any response from her personally. I chose Traction in large part because of its overwhelmingly positive reviews. In hindsight, I wish I had questioned more why a business with so many reviews appeared to have virtually no critical feedback. If you’re researching trainers and something about a perfect review history gives you pause, trust your gut. Ask who specifically will be training your dog, what their experience is with your dog’s particular behavioral issue, how progress will be measured, what the day-to-day training actually looks like, and how frequently you will receive updates. I can only speak to my own experience, but I trusted Traction’s recommendation over my own instinct about which program was best for my dog. For the amount of money and trust involved in sending her away for three weeks, I expected substantially more progress, communication, and accountability than I received. UPDATE following the owner’s response: I do not intend to go back and forth with the business through Google reviews, but I do want to correct one factual statement in their response. Mia did not offer me additional in-home training sessions. At the end of our evaluation, she told me I was welcome to text her at any time with questions or to workshop situations as they came up. There was no discussion of scheduling additional sessions, and I did not decline or choose not to pursue an offer of further in-home training. Beyond that clarification, I stand by my review and do not feel that a public point-by-point rebuttal would be productive. I have retained the communications, dates, photos, report cards, and other documentation related to my experience. If another dog owner is considering Traction and would like to better understand my experience while researching the best training option for their dog, I am happy to share that documentation privately.

We had an excellent experience with Mia and Traction the homeschool program. What we really what I liked about it was that there was consistency and that she led the majority of the work. We saw some really great results in continuing to improve our puppies' manners, continued off-leash work, and patio etiquette. Our neighbors just love how patiently and cutely he lies down in the elevator.

• Price assessment: Reasonable price
• Services: Dog training

Mia has been such a wonderful help to Gracie and me. I initially reached out hoping to refine some of Gracie’s leash-walking skills and manners, but our work together has given us so much more than that. Mia helped us with everything from calmer, more enjoyable walks to staying in place and creating simple boundaries and routines that make everyday life together easier. She has a wonderful way of explaining not only what to do, but why it works, which helped me understand Gracie better and become more confident and consistent with her. What I appreciate most is that Mia’s approach never felt rigid or overly focused on “training.” It felt like learning how to communicate with Gracie more clearly while still honoring the loving, joyful relationship we already have. The changes have been practical, noticeable, and have genuinely made our time together even more enjoyable. Gracie and I are both happier for having worked with Mia, and I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for thoughtful, effective, compassionate guidance with their dog

• Price assessment: Reasonable price
• Services: Dog walking

Had a last minute with them for 2 months with a dog with high food, allergies ended up needing to go to the vet and the staff was the nicest they could’ve been and even took her home for a night so she’d be less stressed out thank you guys

• Services: Dog boarding with training

Scott is awesome and super knowledgeable!

• Services: Dog training

Mia was exactly what Apollo needed! She addressed all of our concerns, worked with us to design ideal training plans, and was very flexible when schedules changed at the last minute. Now, my boy is happier, more confident, and more self-assured when someone knocks on the door. He's doing so great, and it's all thanks to Mia! We have plans to get a second dog in the future. If Buttons the golden retriever with two brain cells needs some training, I know exactly who'd I'd want on my team!

Mia did an amazing job training our German Shepherd, especially with walking. The improvement has been great, and he's becoming more confident every day. She was clear and patient with her instructions, and she gave us the knowledge and tools we needed to continue reinforcing the training after our sessions ended. We really appreciated that she focused on helping us succeed long-term, not just during the training itself. Mia was kind, professional, and genuinely cared about our dog's progress. She worked with us to create a plan that was specifically tailored to our dog. We couldn't be happier with the results, and we would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and caring dog trainer.

Our pup Luna is 2-weeks post-board-and-train with KT, and for the past 3 days we've said each evening, "Wow, Luna had a really great day!" KT helped Luna and us as owners reset a lot of habits that had built up and kept escalating in terms of Luna's people and dog reactivity. We'd been trying positive-only training, but felt like Luna's reactivity was on a downward projection over time. While a 3 week board-and-train won't magically fix everything for good, it ended up being the best way to get us back on a good foot (many steps forward) and provide Luna with really consistent patterns and training in a hyper focused way we weren't knowledgeable enough nor had enough time to commit. KT was one of the few people in 4 months that on first meeting, Luna didn't immediately react to and mostly ignored besides a foot sniff. This gave us so much reassurance that Luna isn't unable to be around other people (she was more social when we first adopted her), and put us at ease that she could actually live with KT for 3 weeks. We'll be continuing some one-off training mainly to keep training us, the humans, as we try to solidify Luna's new habits and confidence over the next 3 months, and then hope to continue working with KT and Traction on some sports and brain activities for Luna! She's a sporty girl, and we're new to that, but were encouraged by both KT and Traction's head trainer Mara that Luna can be both neutral to people + dogs and a fun girl with a lot of opportunities to continue enriching her for years to come! We can't thank y'all enough for helping us and our Miss Luna Lemons 😊

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

We booked the homeschool program for our two dogs, 8yr old Benji and our puppy Bruin. Our trainer Mia was amazing, very knowledgeable and listened to all of our concerns! Our biggest issues with both dogs were leash pulling, constant barking at other dogs and just basic obedience. In just 3 weeks, Mia completely transformed our lives. She gave us some great tips and we are now able to go on relaxing walks without any issues! She still even reaches out to us to check in on the pups. Truly a great trainer and we’re glad we chose Traction dog training club.

• Price assessment: Reasonable price
• Services: Dog training

Had the greatest experience with Traction Dog Training and Mia our instructor! In only 3 weeks, she was able to completely train my 84 lb 2 year old German Shepherd ! My dog was so reactive with any dogs that came near us or squirrels she would yank the leash so hard I would almost fall over. And always pulled so hard on walks too. Mia stopped that immediately and got her trained to heel, walk next to me without pulling, sitting and laying down with very gentle training techniques. I was so impressed! I live in downtown Austin and we’re surrounded by other dogs and constant noise and traffic. Now I really enjoy walking my dog and I highly recommend them to anyone needing their dog trained!

• Price assessment: Great price