The Total Dog

We took our new dachshund puppy Winnie in for her first swim lesson at theTotal Dog on January 30, 2015, and we had the best time! Natalie and Heather greeted us with a warm, friendly welcome. This was Winnie’s first time in the water and Natalie treated Winnie with such love and patience. We all cheered Winnie on, especially Natalie, and before you knew it, Winnie had learned how to dog-​paddle across the indoor pool and was happily swimming all over the place. You cannot help but smile and laugh at how much fun Winnie had! Everyone had a wonderful time, and I highly recommend The Total Dog to everyone who loves their dog!

If you love your dog… then this is the place for you. Natalie and Heather treat our rescued GSD, Bogart, like he is part of their family, He looks forward to his weekly underwater treadmill sessions. Mind you, he is afraid of water but he patiently awaits with a big smile for the glass door to open. We are doing everything we can to avoid decompression surgery on his spine. We have seen such an improvement in the last three months and Bogart’s neurologist approves! It’s so nice to have a team of professionals working together to do what is best for your baby instead of what is best for their pocketbooks. We could not be more pleased! We highly recommend The Total Dog!

My dog Buddy has been coming here off and on for about three years. He is a very active yet clumsy dog so seems to always injure himself.
Natalie and Heather have been amazing getting him back up and running each time.
Natalie always listens to my concerns and helps in every way possible.
I can not recommend the Total Dog enough. Buddy loves going to see Natalie and flirt with Heather.
If your dog is having any issues after surgery or torn muscles, is old and needs low impact, etc, etc, etc GO TO THE TOTAL DOG!!!
You won’t regret it.

Our miniature poodle ruptured a cervical disc. To enhance his recovery, the neurologist recommended The Total Dog and we are glad she did! Natalie and Heather have been great. They really know how to motivate our doggie to keep going on the underwater treadmill. The therapy has absolutely speeded his recovery. I highly recommend The Total Dog!

I took my twelve year old rottie here as she is not as young as she used to be and terrified of the water. After one lesson, Natalie had her jumping off the platform with only moderate coaxing. Natalie and Heather are total dog whisperers and really care and enjoy what they do. Only thing I could mark them down for was there closed on Monday and Wednesday. My dog now loves to swim when we take her there and hates to leave. But when she does, she sleeps for hours and then acts like her younger self again and is much more active.

I wish I could give 100 stars! This place is the best! Natalie and Heather are SOOOO amazing with the doggies and their pet parents! I have never seen so much knowledge, compassion and expertise all in one place! I started swimming with my now 14 year old lab last November and it has made such a drastic improvement in her overall well-​being AND her arthritic pain level! She is happier, she is able to walk more steadily and more often and well, we have a really good time.
Great way to spend time with your special friend… and Natalie and Heather are fun to be around too. They have all the answers about all things canine and if they don’t…they will find them.
Love, love, love The Total Dog!!!

I’ve been worried about my Corgi growing older (she’s 6) and hurting her back. I found The Total Dog, and after just one visit, I now know where I’m going to take her once a week! She absolutely loved swimming there, and Heather was incredibly helpful and really seems to have a passion for what she does. I’ve already spread the word, and will continue to do so because this place is awesome!

My English Pointer just turned one year old and I really wanted to get him comfortable with swimming as I had only ever seen him swim briefly at the Huntington Beach dog beach and the waves there kinda freaked him out. Because his breed requires rigorous daily exercise, we are always looking for new activities that will keep him mentally and physically stimulated. I found The Total Dog on Unilocal and although my bf was skeptical, he and I drove down from Anaheim for a swim lesson. It totally exceeded our expectations and we are still talking about it days later! My dog had a blast and Heather impressed us with her calm, professional demeanor. It was so much fun to see my dog joyfully swimming around and retrieving toys in the pool. He didn’t want to leave!!! We will certainly be back. It is a tad pricy for us, but worth it for a special activity. We just wish there was a location closer to us. Thank you The Total Dog for an amazing day and we will refer our dog-​owner friends to you!

My orthopedically challenged English Bulldog just had his first session with Natalie, and he’s found a friend or life! The facility is incredible– a rehab and fitness water park heaven even for little guys like mine that aren’t natural swimmers. What I appreciate most is how apparent it is that Natalie cares so deeply for animals and makes every effort for them to feel as comfortable as possible, plus she’s full of experience and kisses my boy’s big head just like me :). Can’t wait for next time.

Cooper and Bentley have been coming here for exercise. The instructors work hard to keep my 85 lbs bottom-​heavy boxer afloat. My very wary shepherd/​husky has recently warmed up to them. They love coming here and are always pooped out after class.

Our border collie somehow got very frightened of the water at dog beach. We took him for his first swim in the pool this morning, and he went from «Get me outta here, Mom!» (see photo), to swimming laps by himself.
Our trainer was excellent and showed us how to make him comfortable and safe in the water. He bonded very quickly with her and trusted her.
We signed up for more sessions and plan to go on days when he needs a little extra exercise. You’d be surprised how well a dog sleeps after a session swimming in the pool.
Highly recommended for all dogs, and especially for those who are physically limited.

Great people, great place. They really care about helping the dogs feel comfortable in the water so they can enjoy their therapy.

My sweet Daisy girl is soooo happy to have found this place! She spent the first five years of her life never leaving the side of her tennis ball. Unfortunately, knee problems caused us to have to take away her ball. That is… until we found this pool! It brought me so much joy to see my girl so happy to be reunited with a tennis ball. We’ve only had one session so far, but I think swimming is going to be so good for her knees and hips and her spirit! Natalie is great! She did a fantastic job of making sure Daisy was comfortable in the water and showing Daisy her «safe place» in the pool. Also, Natalie is very knowledgeable when it comes to dogs and their joint issues. Daisy got a much needed knee and hip examination for free, both in and out of the water. Apparently there are some benefits to under water examinations. I just wish the water were a little warmer, but I’m kind of a wimp. Daisy didn’t seem to mind.

I took my doggers swimming today at The Total Dog Canine Swim and Fitness Center. #1 Cowboy has arthritis/​hip dysplasia and swimming is great low impact exercise. #2 It’s too hot to walk them on the street, too many snakes and critters in the fields. #3 They LOVE to swim.
This facility was so clean and dog friendly. A trainer came in and put life jackets on them, then helped me get them used to the pool and where their steps were. They played ball for 30 minutes and absolutely had the best time ever. Then they got treats and a bath!
You can feel the love these women have for our canines the moment you walk in the door. They greet your dogs, give treats and rubs and more.
Not only is this place super clean (a dog pool?), but they have caged off areas where you can fluff and dry (yes, blow dry), your pups with ease and no stress of them wandering off. They also provide towels and life jackets.
After the swim I signed up for prepaid visits and got a nice discount.
I would highly recommend this place to anyone who has a dog, let alone an Injury, overweight issues, or post surgical physical therapy. It’s a great place to have some fun with your best friend!

Am I the only one who looooooves the smell of wet dogs?
Apparently not, as I have just discovered a dogs-​only aqua spa and hydrotherapy center. The Total Dog Spa offers you and your dog (yes, you can swim with your dog!) a heated swimming pool, aqua-​exercise sessions, and canine massage. The also do pet/​owner training and education classes. At first it seems kind of silly to go to the spa with your dog, but after splashing around with a bunch of soaking wet and ridiculously happy pups, it all starts to make sense. If your dog loves water, come here to get wet!