Pasanita Obedience Club

This class was excellent. The combination of price and results cannot be beat. It was just as much a learning experience for me as the dog as a new dog owner.
I took the puppy class with my wife (who grew up with dogs), then I did the beginning novice class on my own so I could be more involved with my pup. The classes can get kind of big, so I can understand how the instructors can’t always be as personable as some would like. But these trainers care about the dogs and want them to have good training so they’ll be safe.
My puppy knows her stuff and I know how to maintain her training. That’s what’s important.

The trainers were very strict. They made one feel like a total failure if pup did not perform as required. While the park is a wonderful place to hold class, in the evenings the grass gets wet, which is not a problem, except Ridgebacks hate wet anything so trying to get them «down» just doesn’t happen. They insisted we physically force the pup down. The more you force a Ridgeback, the more they resist. Also we were told to whack the pup if didn’t do what we wanted. Took 3 days for pup to get over that and want to do Anything. I’m sure it’s good for some, but we decided to stop going before the end of the course, because while we know training takes repetition and time, we also didn’t like being made to feel as though we were idiots. No joy, no pleasure, no laughter at any puppy behavior. Maybe our pup at 7 – 8 months was just too young for this place. Maybe this class is for dogs with real behavior issues. But as a general training facility, no thanks.

Our strong, stubborn and nervous German Shepherd was in desperate need of some serious training. Although the class size is large — we never felt claustrophobic or concerned for our safety. I think the trainers are knowledgeable and attentive and were very patient carefully reviewing each command and the steps to each. Although there is no one-​on-​one instruction, I received very helpful tips throughout the class from the assistant trainers and stayed behind to have questions answered no problem. Our stubborn girl is doing very well with the exercises. I recommend the POC program.

I took my puppy at 8 months to Pasanita. He has already been through confirmation training and competed in shows and knew more than most pups his age. 1^st off the group was of about 50 dogs and their owners, way way too many, the instructor is actually on a PA system so everyone can hear. Think English 101 in the main lecture hall, now make it for dog training. There was very little individual training and when it was it was to tell you what they thought you were doing wrong. Because I show my dog, we did not want all the typical commands like sitting when we stop, because in a show that is bad, or the fact that I liked my dogs head high when we gating vs letting the dog have plenty of leash and let him wag his head wherever he wants. So the training was their way or now way. I went to 3 or 4 of the classes and then called it quits. I learned one or two things, but things that I could have learned on 5 minutes on YouTube. I’m sure some might get something out of the class, but it was not a good use of time or money for me. I would seek out and recommend a smaller more personal experience.

I have trained many of our dogs through Pasanita and have experienced a number of their levels of classes. I have also trained dogs with other organizations and I have been exposed to the overly aggressive and inexperienced tactics that seem to be pervasive at all of the Pet Super Stores. I can say without reservation that Pasanita provides an excellent dog training experience. In the case of one our most troubled rescue dogs, the wonderful ladies of Pasanita were pivotal in helping us truly «save» the animal.
The classes are conduced outside on a beautiful venue at the Roes Bowl, a setting I find very pleasant and helpful in terms of dog training. They offer a mixture of tried and true training methods, are open to new approaches and have an incredible library of alternatives for what seems like every special need. For example, they were able to give me tips for training a dog that is not food motivated, something that is a real challenge.
I have read some negative reviews and I can honestly saw that I have not experienced any of their issues. That is not to say that I am not surprised to hear that some people may not appreciate the Pasanita approach and experience. Anyone that has ever known a true «dog person» knows that they are an unique breed with their own and special eccentricities.
Pasanita treats dogs as dogs and people as people. While they have the highest respect for both, they do not confuse the two. First and foremost they provide a safe environment and work to help dogs to fit (safe and sane) into a human society.
My first and greatest leaning with Pasanita was that they were not in fact training the dog, they were in reality training me. I must admit I was for a time frustrated with some of their comments and approaches because of my miss impression that it was the dog that needed the work.
If you are willing to challenge yourself and work your dog, I can guarantee both a positive outcome and personal experience. All for a price that can not be beat.

I found out about Pasanita Obedience Club through attending one of the pet fairs. The staffs manning at the booth were nice and friendly, and the price could not be beat for obedience training so I enrolled my dog in the advance obedience class.
He has had several obedience (beginning, immediate, and CGC) training at this point so I see no point in enrolling him in the beginner’s class.
When we arrived at the first class, which is at the park, my dog decided he wanted to sniff the grass that was beneath him (novel idea?). Immediately both trainer and pet-​owners alike were disapproving of his dog-​like behavior. The class has not yet begun! Shocked, I continued with the class, while being ridiculed for not knowing certain commands because they had called/​named it differently from what my dog knows! I was told to whack my dog with a wooden spatula if he doesn’t comply (he was being taught how to walk nicely beside me while holding a wooden spatula coated with peanut butter/​treat). That did it for me.
I had no idea this would be such a strict, competitive, unfriendly class as I was only looking for advance training for my dog in a relaxed and positive environment. We did not even complete the first class and would never come back. I agree with some of the reviewers about the way newcomers are treated.

The dog training part was acceptable but the gal teaching the class had no people skills. I wasn’t looking for a best friend but she only paid attention to the people she knew from other classes and was quite rude to the rest of us. Someone else described the trainers as” strict and grumpy” that is more polite than the way I would describe them, so I will stop here.

My GSD and I have taken two classes offered through the Pasanita Obedience Club — the Novice Obedience class, and the Introduction to Nosework class. The classes are very reasonably priced, the instructors are knowledgeable, patient, and helpful, and the venue — Brookside Park near the Bowl — is great.
The Novice Obedience class was fairly large — I’d say at least 30 «teams» of dogs and their handlers. However, there was plenty of space for everyone, and enough assistant instructors there to help with tips and corrections when needed.
The Nosework class was our favorite — there was only one other dog and handler other than us in the class, so we received plenty of individualized attention. In each class, my GSD was encouraged to search for treats hidden in a series of «puzzles» comprised of stacks of boxes, egg cartons, chairs, ladders, and various other objects. It has been really neat watching him progress from simple stacks of boxes to more advanced «puzzles», ending in a vehicle search. I am already looking forward to the next series of Nosework classes, and highly recommend the Pasanita Obedience Club for anyone wanting to find ways to learn something new with their dog — whether it be obedience or a more specific skill.

Is Fido out of control, does he/​she run YOUR house, A dog who excessively BARKS, jumps or lunges at people or other dogs when you walk him/​her? is he/​she in control of you… YOU owe it to YOUR dog to be the pack leader!
Pasanita Obedience Club is an AKC affiliated club with certified trainers «unlike places like Petsmart/​Petco» Come learn proper techniques from professional trainers with many years of experience in dog training and showing dogs. *Club membership is not necessary.
Does your dog know how to:
* Walk calmly at your side with or without a leash.
* Lie down and stay down on command.
* Sit and stay.
* Come promptly to you when called.
Both of you will benefit, BUT… Training your dog is necessary to accomplish this!
Pasanita Obedience Club Can «train you to train your dog»…
Beginning Novice, Advanced Novice /​Canine Good Citizen…
Each Ten week class ($ 100.00) involves one hour weekly group sessions. It doesn’t matter if you have a Chihuahua or a Rottweiler all dogs are welcome in the classes… The ten hours of class — PLUS HOME PRACTICE during the 10 week period, will result in your dog being a better companion and you will both enjoy the results for years to come.
In addition to its novice classes Pasanita conducts advanced classes… CD Preparation /​Novice Ring Run-​Through, Open, Utility, and Cavaletti Jumping Classes, RALLY CLASS and Conformation Handling Class for those who are interested in showing your dog!
Be a Good Citizen TRAIN YOUR DOG… My Dog passed the AKC CGC Test *(Canine Good Citizen) how about you?

You know, I have to change my rating for this place. It has been such a huge learning process trying to get this dog of mine trained.
Pasanita Obedience Club was so much better than Petsmart on the first day (after which is I wrote my initial review). We actually had a substitute teacher the first day and I prefer her over the woman teaching the course now (although they are both nice and very experienced).
Unfortunately, I joined the classes right before the Holidays. We had a Thanksgiving break and then the windstorm and then rain and then they can’t meet for several weeks surrounding New Years because the floats for the Rose Parade are being built.
All in all, I still am not even close to finishing the first set of classes at Pasanita and Petsmart’s class is long over. I noticed we’ve had some repeated information (worked on «stay» for two of the classes) at Pasanita and the class size has grown to almost double of what it was the first time I was there. The first class there was about 5, now there are about 10 dogs in attendance. They don’t know me or my dog personally and it has been difficult getting extended advice from the trainers (as there are so many dogs/​owners). The last session I stayed about 10 minutes after to ask the trainers a question and they were still busy with another person, so I just left. The trainers make sure they stop by and check out how every person is doing while you practice, but that can be a matter of a few seconds if things are going well and a minute or two if they aren’t.
During the gap between Petsmart and Pasanita’s holiday break, I started Puppy II classes at Petco on Arroyo. We started with the trainer Bailey, who runs the puppy playtime classes we’ve attended since Oso was little. We’ve been going for several weeks now and there are only two dogs in the class (Bailey says that is typical for her classes and what she tries to do). It is a little more money than Pasanita, but the session is personalized to our dogs. Had I known better, I would have skipped the others and gone straight to Petco.
My dog has been struggling with relaxing during Pasanita’s classes and already can do all the tricks very well for the puppy class. We skipped the last two weeks and although we still have 2 more will probably not go back.

Who hasn’t been exposed to, or heard about an ill-​mannered dog? A dog who licks, jumps, and lunges at you? Who hasn’t been terrorized or felt scared of an aggressive dog (even the little ones), or been annoyed by a dog that doesn’t behave? I know I have, and because of my experience I vowed to myself that, were I to become a dog owner, my dog would be well-​mannered.
Jump to 2011: I find myself adopting a beautiful little French Bulldog pup. One of the first questions I ask my dog’s breeder is for a dog training school — no, actually, I asked several dog breeders for their recommendation — and Pasanita Obedience Club was their answer.
Pasanita Obedience Club classes are held at Brookside Park, right next to the Rose Bowl — the open grass area with bright, illuminating lights. Since my puppy was just 4 months old when I got him, I entered him into their Puppy Class. It’s 6 weeks long, and by the end of it, my lil’ guy was exposed to commands such as «Sit,» «Stay,» «Come,» and «Leave It.» Was he focused or perfect at the commands? No way — but he definitely improved because the class trained me to train him! Training can never come too early for a dog. Plus he benefited from socializing with other puppies, which is just as important.
Tonight I attended the orientation to Pasanita’s Beginning Novice class. It’s a different feel from the Puppy Class, but one which I appreciate, because it’s all about training your dog to be a well-​mannered canine citizen. One which makes taking walks a pleasure (no dragging), greeting others socially acceptable (no jumping or humping), and your dog an outstanding member of your family («GOOD DOG!»). Manners seem to be undervalued in much of today’s society, but for the 20 dog parents attending tonight’s orientation, it clearly mattered to them. Personally, I feel I owe it to my puppy to train him — after all, I purchased and invited him into my life. And, in fact, it’s very rewarding to witness your dog do well (‘cuz he only wants to please you, after all!).
I’m really excited to learn and see where class takes my little Frenchie
. Who knows? He may be a contender someday!!! ;)

Pasanita was recommended to me by several people. The first being the resident dog expert at work who shows german shepherds. She told me since this is a AKC club that all the trainers are certified (unlike the Petsmart/​Petco training classes). There were other rave reviews from fellow dog owners in my neighborhood. Several people I know who did the Petsmart classes told me they stopped after three classes.
All that aside, my puppy loves the class, why? TREATS! and other puppies. The training she tolerates and honestly think she doesn’t get much from class, but I certainly do.
This is the warning, YOU (not the puppy) will be the one doing most of the work. You get what you put into it. The first class, my puppy did nothing b/​c she was so excited about the other puppies. But she is slowly starting to get used to the distractions and pay attention. To really get the most from the class, you need to do he homework during the other six days of the week.
First class, bring puppy, collar, leash, treats, blanket/​towel for you to sit on, health certificate, and $ 75. It meets in Brookside Park just south of the Rose Bowl. Following the signs for the Kidspace Museum is best. Park in section I closest to the Rose Bowl. The first night I parked by the aquatics center and had a walk to class. Show up early and go to the hut, show your health record, fill out paper work and hand over your check.
Class starts with you sitting on the ground (this is why you bring a blanket) with your dog in your lap for bonding and desensitizing time. They go over some of the key concepts that you should know about having a puppy: i.e. aggression, grooming, etc. Than the various exercises are done: sit, stay, down, etc. The last exercise is the recall, to help get the puppy to learn to come to you. Everything is done with positive reinforcement (aka treats). I started feeding my puppy a little less for dinner the night of class, so she would be more motivated by the food.
After class, you pick up the lesson/​homework sheet.
The class is rolling admission, so no set start/​end to the six weeks. I thought this was funny at first, but I appreciate it now. Puppies meet new puppies each week. The puppies are learning at difference paces, so it’s nice having new puppies each week. I know several owners that went elsewhere and gave up b/​c after three weeks they felt they were falling behind.
They have a confidence course set up 30 minutes before class and for a while after class. Go early and let the puppy play for a bit.

It’s Okay.
The price is pretty much unbeatable. I’m only giving it 3 stars because I think the trainers are too strict/​grumpy…
I have 2 dogs, and was told to split them apart during lessons (I took one, the wife took the other). Unfortunately my dogs cry a bit when split apart. I kept getting death stares from the trainers (all the other people there seemed oblivious though, so it’s not like we were being distracting). Eventually I got sick of the trainers’ stares, so we just gave up within a few weeks.
So during the few weeks that I attended, my dogs learned to stay (they could already sit). They couldn’t master the «down» though.

Thanks to the wonderful powers of Yep (and Sam V’s first review) we stumbled in to Pasanita Obedience Club and LOVE it.
My dear Fido… how I love thee. How I love thee more after you’ve been through the classes at Pasanita.
We enrolled Fido into the «Puppy Class.» The puppy classes are every Thursday and are continuous. Meaning you can start at any week. I believe that the class is $ 70…but don’t hold me to it. The class is 6 weeks long and as Sam mentioned, start out with you holding your puppy and rubbing their paws, checking their ears, yanking on their tails. You learn/​practice basic commands such as sit, down, and come. They have agility «stuff» for your pup to play on… tunnels to run through, things to jump over, and of course, there are other dogs to socialize with. Puppy Class – Thursdays at 7pm.
After Fido graduated from Puppy Class, he proudly enrolled in the Beginning Novice Class. Wednesdays at 7pm (and Saturdays at 9am). I can’t say enough good things about this class. The trainers at Pasanita do a GREAT job getting 50 dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds to all work together. 10 weeks, $ 100. This class works on sit, stay, come, lay down, stand, heel, stand for exam, and other skills.
After the second week with your dogs, they manage to have control over ALL the dogs (and the humans) and there is no barking, and everyone gets along. It’s amazing to see 50 dogs and humans walk in a pack. When they say «right turn» everyone (and every paw) turns right. Left turn… same thing.
Thanks to classes at Pasanita, Fido can now sit, stay for 5 minutes while I walk away, lay down (and stay for 5 minutes), come when called – even at the dog park, he heels on his leash and is all together showing off his puppy manners very well.
We’re taking the Beginning Novice class again because Fido is young and we want to make sure that he knows the commands before we start the Advanced class, but our goal is to become a Canine Good Citizen and Pasanita will help us get there.
If you are looking for some dog training, I really recommend that you give Pasanita a shot. For 10 weeks and $ 100, you really can’t go wrong. Petsmart & Petco charge ~$ 110 for only 6 weeks. So you’re getting more bang for your buck here. And, you’re taking lessons from people that really know what they are doing.
Training at Brookside park is great. There are lots of distractions and if your dog can’t do something while distracted, then can they really do it at all? Sure, asking your dog to sit in your living room is one thing, but doing it in a park next to a MUCH bigger dog (or smaller dog) with a soccer ball being kicked around by kids on the other side of a fence really shows that Fido knows what he’s doing. The training happens at the park, just south of the baseball field, north of the Kidspace Children’s Museum. Training occurs in the grassy area where the lights are. (Parking Lot I – i as in ice)
All of the trainers here have dogs that they show and compete with. They are training dogs every day. They can also train you for advanced skills such as conformance, agility, etc. If you are curious, come check out the park M-​Thurs nights and Saturday mornings. Good chance there’s a dog class of some kind going on and you can see what wonderful stuff they do.
Note about Mai’s review… sorry you couldn’t get ahold of them. The phone line that they have goes to their «hut» at Brookside park and isn’t monitored at all times. They are hit and miss with emails. Best way to answer your questions? Go down and see them. All of the trainers are volunteers to the club… I don’t think that they get paid for this stuff. The training that they do is secondary to their club goals… albeit that’s probably how they are best known around town – training.
Hope to see you at Pasanita. Remember, a good dog is a well behaved dog and Pasanita can definitely help you achieve it.

I wanted to enroll my dog in their obedience class. I have emailed them and called them (as thats their only way of contact) but no response. I also saw them at one of the pet event booths and asked them about the class and no one seem to be able to answer me. I believe my questions were simple and pretty easy to answer. I thought this would be a good obedience club for my dog but I was wrong. I found another obedience club who are extremely helpful and would not make me feel like crap for even asking them a question.

Who doesn’t love puppies? That puppy breath!!! To me, it’s as intoxicating as new car smell. If they could bottle that, I would sprinkle it on my dog every day.
This is my 100^th review and I’ve had some trepidation regarding what to pick as my 100^th subject. Ive actually been holding back, I have several things bookmarked to review but I thought of my own dear K-​9 companion and chose Pasanita Obedience Club to be my 100^th review.
My dear puppy went through his four months of isolation while we waited for his puppy vaccinations to kick in and for him to be ready for the big dog world. For a cute puppy to turn into a good dog, it takes a lot of training.
Pasanita has an on-​going puppy class which you can join any week. Bring your proof of vaccinations, a solid leash and a good collar. Quality collars and leashes (and treats) are sold there. Classes are held in Brookside Park, South of the Rosebowl Stadium and noth of the Rosebowl Aquatic Center and Tennis Courts. The Unilocal map will not be correct as it shows the P.O. Box location. Go to the Pasanita website for map, classes, and times.
Our first night the teacher told us to sit on the ground and hold our «puppies» in our laps. For me, this was like embracing a forty pound water balloon. As soon as I got a grip on one end the other end would slip away, then he would fling his head back and we would both topple over. There was a lot of wiggle time but by the time we finished the class, 8 weeks later, my then 50 pound labrador had become a good lap-​rador. The lap time (5 minutes a day) is to prep them for grooming, vet visits and medication. During that time you check paws, smell ears, rub teeth, and check tummies. In puppy class we learned how to teach the basic commands, sit, stay, come, leave it. and did group walking.
After puppy class we did Beginning Novice and Advanced Novice classes. My pup (He Who Shall Not Be Named) got his Canine Good Citizen rating. We worked with various trainers and learned from all of them. Some of the things we learned by seeing or hearing. Did you know you can stop a dog from wheezing by pinching it’s nostrils? This creates a reverse sneeze. Did you know you’re supposed to position yourself so dog can be in your shade?
One of the teachers, Cathy Jahelka,
a licensed trainer even came to my home to work with my dog. (There’s an extra fee for this).
The tone of this class is loving but strict. If you stayed with the classes your dog would be ready to compete in dog show obedience contests.