Off Leash K9 Training Houston Reviews and Real Greater Houston Case Studies
Off Leash K9 Training Houston holds a 4.8-star rating from 299 Google reviews. 280 of those 299 are five stars. Below are fifteen of them published in full, each matched to the dog, the breed, the problem the owner arrived with, the exact programme they bought, what it cost and what changed. Every word inside every quotation mark is the customer's own.
Free evaluation · NW Houston (Willowbrook/Champions)
- 4.8Google rating
- 299Google reviews
- 280are five stars
- 15cases documented below
How to read these case studies
Every quote on this page is verbatim. Nothing has been reworded or shortened in a way that changes its meaning. Where a quote is an excerpt from a longer review, omitted passages are marked with […]. Reviewer names and dates appear exactly as Google publishes them.
You can check any of them yourself: open our Google Business Profile, sort by newest, and search the reviewer's name.
Every case below is from 2024 onward, under current ownership. Off Leash K9 Training Houston was bought by Justin Rie, who also owns the Dallas-Fort Worth location. We have deliberately left older reviews off this page, however good, because they describe a business under different management.
We have not shown only the easy dogs. You will find two dogs that fought each other, a rescue a previous facility had failed, an older dog with aggression, and owners who say plainly that their dog is still a work in progress. Those sentences stayed in.
All 15 cases at a glance
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Dog | Breed / age | Presenting problem | Programme | Price | Trainer | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koda | Bernedoodle, 8 months | Overstimulated, no recall, pulling, door-dashing | 2-Week Board and Train | $2,200 | Amanda | Immediate change; daily updates throughout |
| Not named | German Shorthaired Pointer, 19 months | Owner feared the dog's spirit would be broken | 2-Week Board and Train | $2,200 | Amanda | Same personality, reliable off leash |
| Mashed Potatoes | Not stated | Owner was nervous about e-collar use | 2-Week Board and Train | $2,200 | Amanda | Reliable off leash; training maintained months later |
| Two dogs | Not stated | Leash aggression in both; four weeks elsewhere had produced no improvement | 2-Week Board and Train, both dogs | $2,200 | Tahre | Two much-improved dogs; owners trained to maintain |
| Gunner | Springer Spaniel | Very high energy | Board and Train | from $2,200 | Brandon | Goes everywhere with the owner |
| Not named | Aussiedoodle, puppy | Jumping on people, pulling | Board and Train | from $1,700 | Amanda | No jumping, walks well, holds place |
| Dasher | 80 lb, breed not stated | Pulled horrendously, easily distracted, poor listening | Private Lessons | $650 | Justin Rie | Near-perfect heel; responds immediately |
| Gertie | French Bulldog / English Bulldog mix | Treat-dependent, selective obedience, easily distracted; daycare training had not worked | Basic then Advanced private lessons | $650 then $1,000 | Justin Rie | Holds place over 10 minutes with the owner out of the room |
| Not named | Siberian Husky | Owner believed nothing would change her | Basic Obedience Training | $650 | Justin Rie | Substantially improved |
| Two pups | Bully mixes, young | General obedience | Private lessons | $650 | Justin Rie and Desi | Large difference within a few lessons |
| Tim Duncan | Older dog, breed not stated | Anxiety and aggression; owners stressed and unsure | Aggression programme, about 8 weeks | $1,100 | Justin Rie | Owner describes a completely different dog |
| Two dogs | Stubborn breed, not stated | Fighting each other; prior board-and-train trauma elsewhere | 3 weeks | $4,000 | Justin Rie and Amanda | Boundaries established via place work; both out in public |
| Holly | German Shepherd mix, 50 lb, rescue | Jumpy, mouthy, constant leash pulling | Private lessons with e-collar conditioning | $650 | Amanda | Safely off leash and more confident |
| Not named | Not stated | Owner had no prior scent or tracking knowledge | Scent Work Starter Package | $300 | Justin Rie | Owner understood the method and progressed to obedience |
| Atlas | Male Akita | Breed-typical stubbornness | Basic Obedience plus several Board and Train sessions | $650 plus | Not stated | Regularly complimented in public |
Board and train
What if positive reinforcement alone has already failed with my dog?
Koda, an 8-month-old Bernedoodle, had already been through a training class where positive reinforcement alone could not hold his attention. After the 2-Week Board and Train with trainer Amanda at Off Leash K9 Training Houston, his owner reported an immediate change, with daily updates sent throughout the programme.
“My dog, Koda, an 8 month Bernedoodle, have been to training class before but I felt it wasn't effective. The positive reinforcement alone wasn't enough to keep his attention and I didn't know how to redirect his energy most of the time as he would often get overstimulated during our training sessions. Commands would be repeated to him but is often met with no response. His recall wasn't the best, he pulled the leash on walks, he would run out the door as soon as it was opened and it was even worse when there were distractions around. So we decided it would be best to enroll him in the 2 week board training program [...] Our trainer, Amanda, is so funny and such a joy to work with. She sent us updates everyday and I saw an immediate change in Koda.”
Khanh Dinh · Google review, 22 October 2025
What we would add: Balanced training is not a replacement for positive reinforcement; it adds a second channel of communication for dogs who stop responding to food alone.
Will two weeks of intensive training break my dog's personality?
A 19-month-old German Shorthaired Pointer completed the 2-Week Board and Train at Off Leash K9 Training Houston with trainer Amanda. The owner's stated fear was that intensive training would break the dog's spirit; she reported afterwards that he kept all his usual spunk while becoming reliable off leash.
“Amanda trained our 19mo German Shorthanded Pointer during the 2 week board and train program and our pup came home as an excellent, well-behaved baby! I was so impressed with the fact that our pup was simultaneously well behaved and also didn't lose his personality at all. I was worried that his spirit would be broken from such intense training and that wasn't the case at all. He still has all his usual spunk, but now listens and I no longer have to worry about his safety when off leash.”
Sydney Zuiker · Google review, 12 April 2024
What we would add: This is the most common fear owners bring to the evaluation. It is a fair question to ask any trainer, and you should ask us.
I am not comfortable with an e-collar. What changes someone's mind?
The owner of a dog called Mashed Potatoes was nervous about e-collar training before the 2-Week Board and Train at Off Leash K9 Training Houston. She asked to feel the collar herself, and afterwards described being comfortable with her dog off leash for the first time, with the training still holding months later.
“Amanda trained our pup, Mashed Potatoes, for the 2 week board and train and it made such the difference!!!! Not only did it make a difference when we got him home, but he's continued to maintain good habits and behavior (as long as we do). I was nervous about an e-collar at first, but after feeling it and seeing how well he responds and how he has maintained his training- those nerves were put to rest. [...] This is the first time I have a dog I feel comfortable with off leash knowing he will respond to my commands.”
Victoria Rutherford · Google review, 25 July 2024
What we would add: We put the collar on the owner's own hand at the evaluation, before any dog wears one. If you are not comfortable after that, we will say so and talk about the lesson programmes instead.
Can two dogs with leash aggression be boarded and trained together?
Two dogs with leash aggression completed a 2-Week Board and Train together at Off Leash K9 Training Houston after four weeks of day training elsewhere produced no improvement. Trainer Tahre took both, with the option to separate them, and the owner reported two markedly different dogs plus the handling skills to maintain it.
“We had a hard time believing anyone could work with our dogs, both of whom had a lot of leash aggression and were generally not well behaved, especially after they had each gone through 4 weeks of day training at Rover Oaks without any real improvement [...] We gave them a call, the owner answered, and he listened to our situation, asked some great questions, and quickly recommended Tahre [...] take both of the dogs together, since she could separate them if together they were too difficult. He also provided transparent pricing [...] The end result are two totally different, much improved dogs. Even better, Tahre gave us the skills and tools we needed to effectively communicate and work with our dogs.”
RJ Colwell · Google review, 5 April 2024
What we would add: Two dogs from one household can sometimes train together, which costs less than two separate programmes. Whether that is right for your dogs is decided at the evaluation, not on the phone.
What does a board and train look like for a high-energy sporting breed?
Gunner, a Springer Spaniel, trained with Brandon at Off Leash K9 Training Houston. His owner describes him as a very energetic pup who can now be taken everywhere, and credits daily updates plus hands-on teaching of the handler as the reason the training held.
“Brandon trained my springer spaniel Gunner & did absolutely amazing! I can take him everywhere with me. He sent daily updates and took the time to teach me how to work my very energetic pup. As for the company & Brandon they will not only take great care of your pup, but they will look after you and talk you through the program and what will best help you and pup.”
Laci Porter · Google review, 20 August 2026
What we would add: The most recent board-and-train review on our Google profile at the time of writing.
Does this work on doodles?
An Aussiedoodle puppy her owner called a wild child trained with Amanda at Off Leash K9 Training Houston. The owner reports the dog no longer jumps on people, walks well on the leash and holds a place command, while still being recognisably a puppy.
“I have a AussieDoodle aka wild child! Amanda is a miracle worker! She got my dog on board and she's a completely different dog! I mean she still has her wild moments but she's just a puppy! Amanda went over the train with me and I have stuck to the plan. My dog is so much more enjoyable and safe. She doesn't jump on people, she walks great on the leash and she also places great!”
Brandy Carroll · Google review, 13 January 2024
What we would add: Doodle coats and doodle temperaments vary enormously between litters. Breed is not the variable that decides the programme; the dog in front of us is.
Private lessons
How much can four private lessons actually change an 80 lb dog that pulls?
Dasher, an 80 lb dog that pulled badly on walks, completed four private lessons with Justin Rie at Off Leash K9 Training Houston. His owner reports he now walks in a near-perfect heel, waits for the command and listens immediately. Four private lessons cost $650.
“Thanks to Justin, our lives have genuinely been changed and this has been the best investment we probably could have ever done for our dog, Dasher. In just 4 sessions, we went from having an 80 lb dog who pulled horrendously on walks, to one who walks in a nearly perfect heel, a dog who is easily distracted, to one who waits for us to give him the command, a dog who didn't listen well, to one who listens immediately.”
Meghan Nelson · Google review, 20 September 2025
What we would add: Private lessons train the owner as much as the dog. They work when the owner does the homework between sessions, and they are the wrong choice when nobody at home has time.
My dog is treat-focused and only obeys when she feels like it. Where do we start?
Gertie, a French Bulldog and English Bulldog mix, was treat-focused and selectively obedient after training at a doggy daycare did not take. Through Basic and then Advanced private lessons with Justin Rie at Off Leash K9 Training Houston, she now holds a place command for over ten minutes with her owner out of the room.
“Gertie is our first dog and a Frenchie/english bulldog mix - extra stubborn! We had previously tried some basic and advanced training at a doggy daycare, but it wasn't enough for her. She was treat focused, and selective on what commands to follow, and easily distracted. [...] Working with Justin was great. His understanding of dogs was quickly evident and he taught both Gertie, and us - the owner's - a ton. He explained reasoning behind some of her behaviors - which can be instinctual and which are personality which was SO helpful. Gertie now can do all these great commands, and she can do sit on place or down on place for more than 10 minutes - even if I leave the room or car or whatever.”
Christopher Koch · Google review, 6 August 2024
What we would add: Starting basic and stepping up to advanced is the normal path for a first-time owner. You do not have to buy the larger programme first.
Can you train a stubborn Husky?
A Siberian Husky described by her owner as very stubborn completed Basic Obedience Training with Justin Rie at Off Leash K9 Training Houston. The owner had believed nothing could change her and reported afterwards that the dog is substantially better, wishing only that they had started sooner.
“We took the basic obedience course with Justin for our very stubborn Husky. We thought nothing could change her but after this course, she is SO much better! We only wish we did this sooner!”
Adrienne Do · Google review, 31 May 2025
What we would add: Northern breeds have genuinely lower biddability than retrievers. That changes the method and the timeline, not the outcome.
Can you work with two young dogs at once?
Two young bully-mix puppies worked with Justin Rie and trainer Desi at Off Leash K9 Training Houston. Their owner reports a large difference after just a few lessons and describes the trainers as patient with the dogs and with the owners.
“Justin and Desi did an amazing job with our two younger bully mix pups. They go above and beyond, are super patient with the dogs (and us), and care so much about the fur babies. They are super knowledgeable and give great advice. Just a few lessons made a huge difference.”
Nathan Mitchell · Google review, 18 January 2025
Aggression, reactivity and anxiety
Can an older dog with anxiety and aggression be rehabilitated?
A dog called Tim Duncan came to Off Leash K9 Training Houston as an older pup with anxiety and aggression. Over roughly eight weeks on the aggression programme with Justin Rie, his owners report a complete transformation in the dog and, equally, in their own confidence handling him.
“Tim Duncan (our dog) was an older pup struggling with anxiety and aggression issues, and we were feeling stressed and unsure of how to handle things. But thanks to Justin, we saw a complete transformation through the aggressive dog program! [...] Justin took the time to understand Tim's unique personality and tailored the training to fit his needs. Over the course of ~8 weeks we saw changes in Tim, as he opened up to Justin, and changes in ourselves as we gained the skills to work with Tim more confidently. The progress we made was beyond expectations.”
James Baumgartner · Google review, 10 March 2025
What we would add: Aggression work is scoped in weeks, not days, and always starts with an in-person evaluation. We will tell you at that evaluation if we do not think we are the right fit.
Our two dogs fight each other. Can both be trained at the same time?
Two dogs that fought each other, and who had previous traumatic experiences at other board-and-train facilities, spent three weeks with Justin Rie and Amanda at Off Leash K9 Training Houston. Their owner reports the dogs learned place work that gave each one space, and both now go out in public and listen.
“Our dogs have had traumatic experiences at previous board and train facilities. [...] It was very hard for me to consider leaving them in someone else's care but came across Justin. He and Amanda met me and the puppies and made me feel very comfortable. The dogs have been together from 6 weeks old but tend to fight. [...] Justin saw the stress all over me and assured me the pups are in good hands. They let me know my anxiety poured over into the dogs and they would feed off my nervous energy. The three weeks the dogs were with K9 off leash, they made leaps and bounds. [...] The other dog learned to place which helped out with keeping him away from the other dogs space. These pups are a very stubborn breed and they managed to get them out and about and listening.”
Black Passport · Google review, 20 April 2026
What we would add: Inter-dog conflict in one household is usually a resource and space problem before it is an obedience problem. Place work is the tool that buys both dogs room.
Can a rescue that pulls and mouths become safely off leash?
Holly, a 50 lb German Shepherd mix adopted from rescue, was jumpy, mouthy and pulled constantly. After work with trainer Amanda at Off Leash K9 Training Houston, her owner reports a dog that is safely and fully off leash, and notes she gained a more confident pet rather than simply a quieter one.
“When we first adopted/rescued Holly, she was very jumpy, mouthy, and pulled on the leash to no end. The system which we learned with Off Leash K9 and the e-collar revolutionized our relationship with our 50 lb German Shepherd mix. They have a very effective way of training us humans to communicate with our dogs. While I was just looking for a better behaved dog, I ended up with a more confident pet that can actually safely be fully off leash!”
Dani Roisman · Google review, 23 November 2024
What we would add: Confidence is the outcome owners least expect and mention most often. A dog that knows what is being asked stops guessing.
Scent work
I know nothing about scent work. Can I start from zero?
An owner with, in their words, zero knowledge of scent and tracking booked an introductory session with Justin Rie at Off Leash K9 Training Houston. The Scent Work Starter Package is five 30-minute sessions at $300, and this owner went on to add basic obedience afterwards.
“I met with Justin for an introductory lesson on scent/tracking training. Even though I had zero knowledge, Justin was patient and engaging, making sure my dog stayed focused and I understood how and why we were doing each step. [...] He even sent me some book recommendations to understand my dog better. I ended up doing basic obedience (which were still working on). [...] My dog seems to listen better to Justin than me because he really gets dogs, understands, and communicates with them easily.”
Sk Cruise · Google review, 20 March 2025
What we would add: Scent work is the one programme where the dog's nose does the work and the handler is the beginner. It suits dogs who need a job more than they need correction.
Does the training hold years later?
Atlas, a male Akita, has been through Basic Obedience and several board-and-train sessions at Off Leash K9 Training Houston over time. His owner reports he is out in public frequently and is regularly complimented by strangers on his behaviour.
“We own a Male Akita, which are known to be highly stubborn. Atlas has gone through the Basic Obedience Class as well as a few Board and Train sessions. Because of this, he's developed into a wonderfully behaved dog. When he's out in public, and he frequently is, it always makes proud to hear, 'Wow! He's a very well behaved dog!'”
Jay Rudd · Google review, 18 March 2025
What we would add: Obedience is a maintained skill, not a one-off purchase. Most of our board-and-train programmes include refresher support for exactly this reason.
Where else you can watch our work
Off Leash K9 Training Houston posts training footage, before-and-after clips and client dogs to the accounts below. These are our only official profiles.
How much does dog training cost in Houston?
Dog training at Off Leash K9 Training Houston costs between $100 and $5,800. A puppy consultation is $100, four private lessons are $650, the 2-Week Basic Board and Train is $2,200, the 2-Week Advanced is $3,000, and the Elite 4-Week Board and Train is $5,800. Aggression and anxiety programmes run from $1,100 for eight lessons to $4,000 for a three-week board and train. Scent work starts at $300.
Every programme begins with a free in-person evaluation, and Affirm financing is available over 3, 6, 12 or 24 months. The full list is below, and each price matches a case study above so you can see what that money actually bought.
Who is the best dog trainer in Houston?
We are not going to tell you it is us, because that is not a question a business can answer about itself honestly. What we can tell you is what is verifiable: Off Leash K9 Training Houston has 299 Google reviews at 4.8 stars, which is more reviews than any other dog trainer currently ranking in the Houston map pack. We have been operating since 2010 and the business is owned by a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
We are also not the right fit for everyone. We train with a balanced method that includes modern e-collar conditioning. If you want a trainer who works without any aversive tool at all, say so and we will tell you at the free evaluation rather than take your money. Several reviews on this page are from owners who were sceptical about the e-collar; two of them describe exactly what changed their mind, and one is from an owner who is still working on part of the problem.
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Programme | Price | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Training Consultation | $100 | consultation |
| Basic Obedience Training | $650 | 4 private lessons |
| Basic and Advanced Training | $1,000 | 8 private lessons |
| Basic and Marker Mastery | $500 | 4 sessions |
| Puppy Board and Train | $1,700 | 2 weeks, 10 to 20 wks |
| 2-Week Basic Board and Train | $2,200 | 2 weeks immersive |
| 2-Week Advanced Board and Train | $3,000 | 2 weeks immersive |
| Elite 4-Week Board and Train | $5,800 | 4 weeks immersive |
| Aggression Dog Basic and Advanced | $1,100 | 8 lessons |
| Aggression / Anxiety Board and Train | $3,500 | 2 weeks immersive |
| 3-Week Aggression Board and Train | $4,000 | 3 weeks immersive |
| Therapy Dog Development | $1,000 | 8-lesson course |
| Scent Work Starter Package | $300 | 5 x 30-min sessions |
| Scent Work Proficient Package | $500 | 10 x 30-min sessions |
| Scent Work Board and Train | $2,600 | 2 weeks immersive |
Questions about these reviews
Are these Off Leash K9 Training Houston reviews real?
Yes. All fifteen are published Google reviews on the Off Leash K9 Training Houston business profile, quoted word for word with the reviewer's name and the date Google shows. Open our Google profile, sort by newest, and you can find any of them.
How many Google reviews does Off Leash K9 Training Houston have?
299 Google reviews at a 4.8-star average, of which 280 are five stars. That is the most reviews of any dog trainer currently ranking in the Houston map pack.
Why are there no reviews on this page from before 2024?
Because the business changed hands. Justin Rie bought Off Leash K9 Training Houston and the earlier reviews describe a business under different management. The former owner is no longer associated with the business in any way and is not authorised to accept payments, book training, or act on its behalf. We would rather show you fifteen recent cases than pad the page with older ones.
Does every dog get the results shown on this page?
No, and you should be wary of any trainer who says otherwise. Results depend on the dog, the problem, the programme length and what the owner does after the dog comes home. Several owners above say their dog is still a work in progress. Every dog starts with a free in-person evaluation so we can tell you honestly what we think is achievable.
How long does dog training take at Off Leash K9 Training Houston?
Four private lessons for basic obedience, two weeks for most board-and-train programmes, three weeks for serious aggression work, and roughly eight weeks for the advanced and aggression lesson courses. The case studies above show all of those lengths with the outcome each one produced.
Where does the training happen?
At our facility. Private lessons and board and train both take place at our NW Houston facility. Off Leash K9 Training Houston is based at 12115 Fawnview Dr, Houston, TX 77070, in the Willowbrook and Champions area of north-west Houston, and serves Katy, Cypress, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Memorial, the Heights, Pearland, Spring, Baytown, Fulshear and Richmond.
Will training change my dog's personality?
It should not, and the reviews above are the evidence. One owner writes that she was worried her dog's spirit would be broken and that it was not the case at all, and that he still has all his usual spunk. Obedience removes the behaviours that limit a dog's life; it does not remove the dog.
What happens after my dog comes home?
You get a handover session covering everything your dog has learned and how to maintain it. Most board-and-train programmes include refresher support, and several owners on this page describe texting their trainer for advice weeks and even years afterwards.
Tell us about your dog
Every dog on this page started with a free in-person evaluation. If you want a straight answer about what is realistic for your dog, that is where it starts.
Off Leash K9 Training Houston · 12115 Fawnview Dr, Houston, TX 77070 · Veteran-owned since 2010
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