Dog Soul

Where do I begin to explain the great service and care of my Smokey at Dog Soul. I was referred to Susi by a few friends who have nothing but praise for her when it comes to her dog training skills. I went to Susi for help with Smokey and his «Marking his territory» problem. She went through all the steps with us on what to do and how to handle Smokey’s feelings. We followed her directions and sure enough our problem was solved! She was so kind and loving that our dog instantly took to her and her compassion for the work she does is clearly visible. I was extremely pleased with our experience and would go to Susi a million times over for all our pet training needs. Susi makes all the pets there at Dog Soul feel like family, and really isn’t that what good training is all about? They say dogs are a «Man’s Best Friend», but to these pets… Susi is «Their Best Friend»… Dog Soul is #1

Susi was great! Our dog is challenging, but Susi love and attention really helped her come out of her shell. She went into the class afraid of her shadow and came out eager to see and play with other dogs. We learned plenty about dogs and Star (our dog) learned a lot of basic commands. Star (our dog) got plenty of play time along with instruction, and she loved going to her class.

Susi has been amazing. I started taking my bulldog to her Thursday and Sunday classes at Pet Food Express in San Leandro when he was a puppy, and it has been an awesome experience both for my dog and I. In the first class, he was very nervous/​shy, so Susi separated the class by putting us in our own secluded area, and he was able to watch the other puppies. Once he became more comfortable, she let him come into the class and he loved it!
Her classes provide great social opportunities for the pups, and she has taught me a great deal on training, reading body language, and much more. Her knowledge has definitely helped me become a better doggy owner, and she’s always willing to help even if it’s not a doggy class day.
After having such a great experience, I’ll be brining in my pit bull rescue (about 3 ½ years old) to get some training since I’m confident that Susi will be able to help build her confidence as a dog (and mine as an owner).
I’d highly recommend Susi! She’ll help you learn, has experience with multiple dog breeds and personalities, and is very passionate!

My one year old catahoula has some fear issues that cause him to be aggressive towards other dogs. I enrolled him in Susi’s «Scary time! Oh My!» class and Oh My! what a difference! Susi kept all the dogs in the class well spaced and separated with fences, sheets over the fences when an additional barrier was necessary. Her goal was to make the dogs feel safe/​secure/​confident at all times. She never asked them to do anything outside their comfort zone and rained treats on the dogs whenever they did. well… anything. She reinforced all of their efforts from a sit to jumping into a pool of noisy plastic bottles. My boy still has some work to do, we still have to keep practicing — but thanks to Susi we now have a solid place to start! Each day he makes more improvement now that he understands just because a dog is in close proximity — it doesn’t mean certain death.
I highly recommend Susi Hankins and Dog Soul!

I’d like to yell a great big HOT DIGGITY DOG for Susi Hankins and Dog Soul Training. I am very active in rescue and yet there are so many times when training issues occurred and I need help. This was especially true when I adopted a rescue puppy and when was training my older dog to become a Certified Therapy Pet. (And all the little problems in between!) Susi has always been there for me! But the best part of Susi Hankins and Dog Soul is she keeps it REAL and adjusts the training to your dog’s personality. And… they are all different! Thank you Susi for all your help past, present and future!

We loved going to our Dog Soul classes! Susi was so great with my tiny dachshund, she read all her nervous signals and did not push her or scare her. She was very patient and addressed each dogs’ individual strengths and weaknesses when it came to training. We WILL be using Dog Soul in the future!

I have known Susi for many years, and can say that you couldn’t find a better or more dedicated trainer. Susi is one of the few people I know that that has an equal rapport with people and dogs (most are one or the other), but her soft spot is always with the dogs. You will find her approach gentle and educational, no pack leader stuff here. The discipline and good habits you foster in your fur baby will come from kindness and respect, not force and intimidation. If you’re taking the time to read these reviews, do yourself a favor and try one lesson. You will love the environment, you will love Susi, and you will be back here in no time to post your own 5 star review!

Conan became the dog everyone wanted to be around after he got his training from Susie! The way she handles our four legged babies is unique and truly a gift! I never understood the impact of positive training until I took my baby to this group!
One four legged baby down and now, I’ve rescued a pit bull who’s aggressive and been neglected. No dog gets turned away, he’s finally getting the chance at the led every dog deserves. With continued guidance from Dog Soul I know that Rolo will be rehabilitated and able to get a great home with a loving family! I’m so excited to see where my second time around takes me with this particular baby! Susie is the best and gave me tools that I will take with me for a lifetime! Thank you for giving my two dogs a second chance at life, since they got a «ruff» start!

Dogs lovers all over we know our babies are not always easy to understand. If you have any questions this is the place to call. Susi is knowledgeable, authentic and passionate about ALL dogs because they are all her babies.

Susie is Sensational!!! I will be bringing all future dogs here! I love seeing how she interacts, understands and teaches dogs, you can definitely tell she was meant to work with dogs.
The other important part is working with owners, Susie is very patient and kind. You can tell she takes pride in her passion, helping with any issue that may arise.
I love the environment… definitely highly recommend!

Susi is my «go-​to» trainer when needing some great advice when it comes to my babies. Susi is genuinely a caring trainer and is always out for the best interest of my babies. Potty training has been the biggest challenge since we adopted our puppy. It was a frustrating process but with the advice of Susi, sure enough we over came it. Thank you Susi for always providing your support and advice. You truly are great a trainer and your passion shows it all!

I took my baby Chihuahua Chanel to train with Susi and our experience was fantastic!
I was extremely anxious as Chanel was a little bully, and spoiled. What I loved the most about Dog Soul’s experience was how she truly gave each dog the experience they needed during the training. For example: she kept my chihuahua separated at first to calm her anxiety. Although several dogs were training at once, she ensured each dog had the experience they needed based on the level of comfort the baby and the parent had. The other piece I felt was crucial was that she also trained us. You see, I think half the battle wasn’t my chihuahua, it was us as parents and some of our behaviors and Susi was able to help us understand this and learn how to manage our little baby.
The classes are fun, educational, professional and Susi is wonderful and her experience as well as love for dogs makes it worth every penny!

My husband and I have been doing drop-​ins with our pup to see Susi in the Pet Food Express in San Leandro. Susi was been really great working with Korra and with us. She has been good with balancing lecturing us with active training during her sessions, and she gave us some great handouts for homework. I love that her sessions are drop-​in because it’s hard with our schedules to be able to commit for a long-​term basis. We will continue doing drop-​in training with Susi through the tough adolescent pup period we’re expecting just around the corner… :)

After several searches for the perfect training for my family… and awesome teenage puppy… We found Susi and Dog Soul. She has been the best thing that’s happened to our super, hyper, bomb sniffing, drug sniffing, rescue humans from rubble, dog without a job. Lucky has become the best super, polite, bomb sniffing, drug sniffing, rescue humans from rubble dog EVER. Susi figured him out in just a few lessons and we will be with her until we’re old and gray! This breed «Belgian Melanios» is very smart and only the humans need to be trained. Susi makes it easy. Gentle voice, practice and LOVE… no harsh words, punishments or yanking of the leash! Who knew? Susi knew! I love Dog Soul and would recommend you give your family a great lesson and try it! You’ll like it!

So, you may think that all dog schools and dog trainers are the same. They all teach the same things, right? Sit, stay, come and maybe heel. But Dog Soul and trainer Susi Hankins are totally different. Susi is focused on helping your dog be more confident, social and well adjusted. And she is instrumental in helping you be the best dog parent possible! My dog, an American Pit Bull Terrier, and I highly recommend the positive environment, personalized instruction and dedicated support of Susi and Dog Soul!

This isa fantastic place for dogs and their people! I have three rescues and one of them has some fear-​based aggression. Susi helped me understand what this is all about and how I can do better with them. I went to classes with her and have seen such a great improvement. Life is better for both of us. I can take her places with me and know what to watch for, my dog trusts me to «listen» to her. Now I’m ready to work on my other rescues with her! If you love your dog, you need to get connected to this school.

Susi is wonderful! She is very patient and calm with the dogs along with their owners! I would take any future puppies I have to her in a heartbeat!

There is one word to describe Susi. AWESOME! My little Nana girl had a huge problem with barking and jumping, one session with Susi and she is the best behaved little girl! I love how Susi only uses positive reinforcement techniques and she truly bonds with the pets.

The Dog Soul is a great place to take your dog for basic training and socializing. Susi is great with the dogs and takes the time to get to know your dog. My husband and I rescued a dog from the shelter about three months ago. Our dog suffered from severe separation anxiety and afraid of other dogs. By working with Susi she helped us to have a better understanding of separation anxiety and how we could help our dog with her anxiety. Even though our dog is afraid of other dogs she did well in the class and Susi made sure that we were comfortable and helped us learn and understand our dog’s body langue. It is a great place to to learn and get support with your four legged friend!