Annie & Lois
"Though it may sound trite, there are no words to express how grateful I am to Victoria & her incredible work with our pup, Lois. Victoria came into our lives at a very stressful time - our first child had just been born a few months earlier & we knew that Lois needed some training & support during the transition. Additionally, it had always been my goal to have Lois pass her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test in order to come to work with me at school.
Lois was slow to warm up to other trainers, but with Victoria, she was quick to trust. Victoria went above & beyond for Lois & our family, suggesting & coordinating additional services within our budget. Victoria worked Lois through separation anxiety & gave her so much confidence. Throughout, it was clear that Lois loved Victoria & was thriving under her care. Seeing Lois's progress was incredible! After her training period was over, my husband & I couldn't believe how much calmer Lois was in public settings. She now even showed a willingness to let strangers make physical contact with her. Her basic commands were also very strong. While Lois did not pass her test the first time, Victoria continued to work with us on the final item - supervised separation - providing clear & helpful training suggestions. Victoria gave us both the confidence that she could pass her CGC test & soon enough she did!
Now, Lois is a school dog & loves her job. Without Victoria, I know we wouldn't have met this goal. I recommend her to everyone I know who needs dog training. She is truly worth her weight in gold. Her positive approach with all dogs is the way to go (whether your dog is reactive or not). You won't find a better trainer who will love your dog just as much as you do. Not to mention, if I even say Victoria's name, Lois lights up. Our whole family is so grateful to her!"
Anna & Helga
"My dog Helga is a small, senior, rescue pup from the island of Puerto Rico. She runs around the house without any ID because collars harm her skin & coat. She's delicate but a fighter when scared & suspicious of other beings.
Victoria's kind & careful demeanor around my pup has earned Helga's trust in a way that few others do. I, in turn, wouldn't trust anyone else with Helga's care & training.
Helga believes with her whole stomach that Victoria has the best treats (freeze-dried, single-ingredient, soft & crunchy). In a dog's eyes, what could be better than a huge treat pouch & an even bigger heart?"
Laurie,
Lily & Frankie
"Victoria is an outstanding dog trainer & I highly recommend her services! She trained my two Golden Retrievers, neither of whom had been socialized - both were skittish, anxious & afraid of the world.
I got Lily from a breeder when she was 16 weeks old. She was crated trained & about 90% potty trained but petrified of everything - walking on pavement & wood floors, car rides & the garage door, the mail truck & worst of all, my grandchildren. She was uncomfortable on a leash & pulled so hard I was concerned I would fall. She was also a counter surfer. Once we started working with Victoria, Lily began making great progress. Victoria spent time earning Lily’s trust, frequently encouraging & rewarding her. Lily slowly conquered her fears of the world. She learned to walk with a K9 Lifeline (no-pull leash). She settled in the car. She learned to swim in the ocean.
Soon after, we had the opportunity to adopt Frankie, another Golden who came from the same breeder. Like Lily, he had not been socialized & many of his issues were the same. He was also terrified of vet & groomer trips. Victoria helped us do “happy visits,” where we would hang out in waiting rooms & staff members would come over to Frankie with lots of love & treats. Now, Frankie’s fan club greets him upon arrival. Victoria also taught him to walk on a Lifeline, which makes it possible for me to walk both dogs together.
As an owner, I have learned so much from Victoria! I also appreciated her adjusting the trainings to address both my & my dogs' specific needs. Even now, I enjoy following the progress of all the dogs that she trains."
Charlene
& Chaz
"In October 2023, we began working with Victoria following the introduction of Chaz - a timid but sweet pup - to our family. Victoria not only provided training for him but also guided our family on how to support the development of his confidence. As a result, Chaz has made significant strides in confidence, mastered leash walking & exhibited remarkable growth."
Kris
& Bella
"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Victoria for the past three years, ever since Bella was a puppy. Victoria has been incredible in helping Bella develop essential skills, from basic training while attending doggie daycare to completing an intensive leash training program. In addition, she’s taken Bella on weekly hikes, allowing Bella to grow in confidence & behavior. What stands out most about Victoria is her unwavering integrity - she is honest, straightforward, & consistently follows through on everything she promises. We trust her completely & are so grateful for the positive impact she’s had on Bella’s life."
Ashley
& Ginnie
"Ginnie absolutely adores Victoria! It has been hard to provide Ginnie with stimulating enrichment & play in the winter, but Victoria's classes have helped Ginnie so much! Ginnie always bounds out of class with a huge smile on her face.
I am also especially grateful for Victoria's extensive knowledge of & care with canine nutrition, given Ginnie's allergies. I fully trust her with my pup's needs. Victoria is one of a kind!"
Alison
& Ace
"It is with great pleasure that I would recommend Victoria Mason to anyone that has a dog! I first met Victoria in February of 2024 when she came into my home to help me with my dog Ace. At the time, Ace was extremely anxious & would not even willingly come out of his crate. Slowly, & then all at once, he was coming up to people on the streets & people in our home. He seemed so much happier. Now, a year later, he is a completely different dog & I really feel like I owe it to Victoria. She knew exactly how to handle him & what to do. They still have such a beautiful relationship.
In addition, Victoria has helped with one of our foster dogs who was terrifeid of people. She worked her magic to make it so he was comfortable enough to be adopted into a loving home. The way she interacts with dogs is so natural & it is so obvious that she loves them so much, too. Victoria has a true passion for helping & loving dogs at all stages. She is honest, reliable, & such a wonderful human!"
Taylor, Mike,
& Skylar
"We have been really happy with the progress our anxious 4-year-old Australian Shepherd has made, thanks to Victoria’s training. From day one, Victoria has been a patient, kind, & incredibly knowledgeable, working with our dog to help him become more confident & comfortable around people. It's great to see how well our dog responds to her positive reinforcement methods - he has even frequented our local dog-friendly establishments (Home Depot, the mall, etc.) to test out his skills with her.
Victoria’s communication throughout the entire process has been appreciated as well. She has always kept us updated with pictures & notes during each walk or hike session, which has made us feel very involved & reassured. It’s clear she truly loves working with dogs & is passionate about helping them thrive. We can’t recommend Victoria enough. We feel fortunate to have had her support on this journey with our dog for the last few years. Her approach is not only effective but also tailored to our dog’s specific needs."