BlackPaw Dog Training - Lafayette, Colorado

Nirete L.

I am in such deep gratitude to Bernadette and the entire team at BlackPaw Dog Training! Our pup struggled with reactivity towards people, and it was a constant source of stress for both him and us. Thanks to their guidance and training, it’s truly amazing to see how much more comfortable and confident he is now. When people come over, he remains calm and can relax in his place—something we never thought possible before.

Not only has his anxiety lowered, but so has ours! The training has transformed our daily lives, and we can’t recommend BlackPaw enough for anyone looking for compassionate, effective training. Thank you, Bernadette and team, for helping us build a more peaceful, trusting relationship with our pup!

Renee J.

We got a husky puppy who despite diligent attempts at training was barking excessively, jumping on people, counters, and furniture, using his teeth when we tried contact and most concerning guarding his food and treats and biting aggressively if we got too close. He was unpredictable on walks and around other dogs. We tried a trainer who tried to help but we didn’t see any improvements. We were blessed to come across BlackPaw and they didn’t hesitate to help us. We did the 1 week day training at 4 months and then the 2 week boarding school when our puppy was 6 months old. I am still amazed, grateful, impressed, and relieved at the results Bernadette and her staff achieved. We now have an obedient, sweet, non-threatening, dog who follows commands and behaves in EVERY way. They also trained our dog to be social with other dogs and people. We do dog walks through BlackPaw with other graduates of the program and our dog loves seeing Bernadette and her staff. He displays so much happiness when he see them. That speaks volumes to the bond they create with the dogs. I want anyone who is facing the challenges we faced to know about BlackPaw. BlackPaw truly transformed our situation from having a dog with concerning, worrisome behaviors to having a sweet, loving, obedient companion. I highly recommend BlackPaw.

Liz S.

Bernadette and her team at BlackPaw Dog Training are absolutely incredible! Before training with them, our 10-month-old chocolate lab, Willow, had a lot of behavioral issues. She would jump on people, bark incessantly, pull on the leash during walks, and even get nippy with other dogs. Her fear of everything made walks a challenge, and we were hesitant to take her out in public.

Since working with Bernadette and her team, Willow has transformed into the dog we always dreamed of having. She now walks beautifully on a leash, heels obediently, and is calm and friendly with other dogs off leash. We can confidently take her to the park where she enjoys playing off leash, and she behaves impeccably in public settings. The difference in her behavior is truly night and day.

Bernadette's approach to training is not only effective but also compassionate. She took the time to understand Willow's unique needs and tailored the training sessions accordingly. Her patience and expertise have made all the difference in Willow's progress, along with helping us understood Willow more!

We are so grateful to Bernadette and the entire team at BlackPaw Dog Training for their dedication and skill in helping Willow become a well-behaved and happy dog. We highly recommend BlackPaw Dog Training to anyone looking to improve their dog's behavior and strengthen the bond with their furry companion.

Sarah C.

When we found Bernadette through multiple friends sharing their amazing experience, we were at the end of our rope with our 10 month Bernese Mountain Dog puppy. Kima wasn’t listening to us at all & was puppy attacking our older dog and small children- at 85lbs, this was a huge problem. We were also having a very hard time keeping her out of the vet from eating things she shouldn’t. I literally cried in our meet and greet with Bernadette, feeling exhausted from the stress Kima was causing our entire family. When we met Bernadette, I was so impressed, we decided to send our 9-year old Golden Retriever with Kima because his water obsession while camping and constant barking in our home had been keeping us from doing things we loved to do long enough. Fast forward two weeks to getting our dogs back & the best way to explain it is like giving Santa a wish list & having all of your dreams granted. Weeks later I am beyond impressed with the final result in our perfectly trained pups. We enjoy Kima so much and she is so much happier with boundaries! We love camping with our Golden who is now perfect around water. We are even having people over regularly and are able to enjoy our guests! I could go on and on about how much our lives have changed for the better now that our dogs are so well- trained- theirs too! My husband and I say every day that training with Bernadette was THE BEST money we have ever spent!!

Diana C.

We highly recommend BlackPaw for dog training.

Bernadette and her team provided comprehensive information for what to expect beforehand and the follow-ups after our dog’s board & train have all been just as thorough. They understand dogs well and provide clear guidance to maintain your dog’s learning at home. They’re lovely people and great to work with!! Cecilia, we appreciate your love & care for our Coop!

Our pup Cooper is stubborn and we were looking for help with him being a better listener, returning to us when being called, and to curb barking. He achieved all these things during his time at BlackPaw and we now have the tools to reinforce it at home.

It is a significant investment in your family’s and dog’s happiness and well-being; it’s absolutely worth it.

Anne K.

Bernadette and the entire Blackpaw Dog Training team are incredible! We started our puppy in the head start training program, and we are so thankful we did. He came home after only 1 week of training with an understanding of the basic commands which made home life so easy and exciting with only a 16 week old puppy. After his 2 week training session at 6 months old, he can walk in heel, and the ability to take him off lead is incredible. I never thought our puppy would be this well behaved and we have Bernadette and the Blackpaw Dog Training team to thank for that! They are truly amazing!

Jessica W.

Bernadette & her team are incredible. Nearly 8 years ago my one year old GSP starting exhibiting aggressive behavior toward other dogs. What was once a rich, full life became really small for the both of us. Bernadette gave us the tools and confidence to navigate a world filled with other dogs. We both got our lives back. We were back to hiking, mountain biking, and camping without being in constant fear of running into an unruly off leash dog. And if we did run into another dog? We now had the tools and trust in one another to handle it safely. Because of Bernadette we’ve been able to safely integrate multiple puppies (that B also helped train) into our home. And while we only ever expected peaceful coexistence, he is now comfortable enough to play and snuggle with them at night. We can hike with friends and their dogs. We can camp and have him peacefully coexist with friend’s dogs around a campsite. We can rip down trails on our mountain bikes with him in a heel and know that he will pass other dogs without issue. We can take him to any public setting (a patio, brewery, Home Depot, parades, etc) and know that he will be perfectly mannered. It wasn’t an easy journey but the best things that come out of life often aren’t. Oaken is 9 now and will never be a dog park dog (we’ve learned most aren’t), but I can confidently say he is living his best life & it is because of Bernadette. THANK YOU a thousand times over.

Becky P.

I have used BlackPaw for training and boarding my dog, Clarence. He loves going there and it gives me such incredible peace of mind knowing that Bernadette and her excellent crew are taking care of him. What I love the most is the one-on-one attention he receives and the fact that he's not just thrown into a small yard with dozens of dogs on top of one another, like most other places I've tried. Those kinds of places really stress Clarence (and me) out. BlackPaw is the opposite--a dog's paradise, really--a farm with plenty of room for my high energy pooch to run and play in a stress-free and loving environment.