Finding Confidence: A Puppy, a Program, and a Very Determined Dog Mom

When Geneviève brought Artie home, she made herself a promise: this time, she would raise a confident dog and become a confident owner. Her last pup, a rescue, had arrived with deep separation anxiety, and she unintentionally absorbed every ounce of it. Before long, the two of them had become a bundle of nerves, and she knew she didn’t want to repeat that pattern. So when she began researching training programs for Artie, she consumed everything: reviews, videos, and testimonials from every trainer in San Francisco. And after all of it, one program stood out, not because it was soft and fluffy, but because it was real, structured, and honest.

Walking into the Dan Perata Training facility for the first time felt like ripping off a Band-Aid. She wasn’t just dropping off a puppy; she was letting go of her own fears. She remembers asking questions like, “Will he forget me?” and “Who checks on him at night?” only to receive practical, straightforward answers. It wasn’t coddling; it was clarity. And while the program was designed for Artie, she quickly realized it was also a boot camp for her. From homework assignments to technique adjustments to in-person lessons, she was learning just as much as Artie.

The most surprising part was watching the transformation, not just in Artie, but in herself. Artie can now sit, stay, wait at crosswalks, ignore city chaos, and walk on a leash like a pro. His “stay” had become so solid that sometimes he’d just stare at her as if to say, I’m doing it, Mom. But even more meaningful was that she learned how to communicate with him. Geneviève learned that dogs don’t speak English, but they understand consistency. She learned that training isn’t a one-and-done moment; it’s a lifelong partnership. And she learned that giving a dog independence requires the owner to grow into theirs.

One of the sweetest surprises of the program was the community. During group classes, she watched all kinds of dogs, shy ones, wild ones, stubborn ones, learning right alongside their owners, many of whom were just as nervous as she had been. There was something both hilarious and heartwarming about a group of grown adults walking tiny puppies in large figure-eights with complete seriousness. It made the hard parts feel easier. It made the process feel shared.

Now, after five weeks of training (with one more “continuation school” week ahead), Artie is exactly what she hoped he’d be: smart, safe, curious, confident, and still very much a puppy. Geneviève no longer panics when leaving the apartment. She no longer obsessively checks cameras. She knows he has the foundation he needs, and she knows she has the tools she needs. Dan and the team didn’t just train her dog; they trained her to trust herself.

For anyone considering training but scared to take the leap, Geneviève highly recommends Dan Perata Training. Leaving a puppy anywhere feels wrong at first. But the truth is this: a trained dog isn’t just well-behaved. A trained dog is a safe dog. And a trained owner? That’s where the real magic happens.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and testimonials from our satisfied clients as we continue to provide exceptional dog training services in the Bay Area. Thank you for being part of our journey towards creating happy and harmonious relationships with our four-legged friends.