Houston DogWorks

I joined Houston DogWorks when my goblin border collie (if you know you know) was 12 weeks. Now at 14 months, we've done the Power Puppy Program, General Obedience, and the Advanced Obedience programs. I can confidently say this training has transformed our lives. DogWorks focuses is on true obedience (not basic tricks), where your dog follows commands because they want to—not because you're a vending machine of snacks. It does require a little more work, but you get lasting results, even in high-distraction environments. My dog now obeys off-leash, no matter what’s going on around us. The training is as much about you as it is about your dog. It’s a joint effort that requires commitment, consistency, and teamwork. The trainers equip you with the skills and tools to lead your dog effectively, and the process ends up forging a bond between you and your pup in ways I've personally never had before. Their programs are designed for long-term success, with each stage building on the last. From foundational skills to advanced polishing, the transformation has been incredible—not just in my dog’s behavior but in the trust and connection we now share.

If you are interesting in getting real results that last, I would highly recommend taking your dogs to Houston DogWorks. It takes time, commitment, and patience, but the results will come if you put in the work. Josh and Kennedy do everything possible to set you up for success. From the beginning, they set a clear standard and provide great instruction and feedback on how to practice meeting that standard. I saw incredible growth in my dog and myself as a trainer in our time at DogWorks. Cannot thank Josh, Kennedy, and the entire DogWorks community for their guidance and assistance over the past year.

I started training at the BEST dog training facility in Texas when my puppy was 8-weeks old. Not only have I found a new hobby and community of dog lovers, the phenomenal obedience training at Houston DogWorks equipped Malakai for life in the real world. Though I love winning obedience competitions and seeing new clients learn each week in group classes, the best part of the training here is that it’s reliable enough to save my dog’s life! One day a cat darted out from a bush by my doorstep. Malakai sprinted after it with no leash on, straight toward the street and right in front of a car. Two words (“Malakai, come!”) was all it took for him to turn on a dime and run back toward me. There’s no way to quantify the relief I felt in that moment. I’m immensely grateful to Josh & Kennedy for the bulletproof, amazing and foundational obedience training that saved Malakai’s life and allows me to enjoy my dog both inside and outside of my home.

There are simply no better trainers than Josh & his team. We tried many other training programs before finding Houston Dog Works and all other programs never seemed to work with our dog. So many other trainings were focused on treat based training methods which ended up with our dog just doing whatever he needed for the treat and us not fixing the long-term behavioral issues he experienced. However, at HDW, we have had nothing but success & long lasting, real results. Josh & his team provide true obedience training for you & your dog, focused on training methods that provide long term results, not just in the moment results. They don’t just teach you the skills you need as a dog owner but also the “why” behind all of their training methods. In addition to their traditional training programs, HDW continues to offer unique training sessions to further expand your dogs training skill set. What I love so much about HDW is that they are just as dedicated to the results & overall well-being of your dog as you are. With continued open session trainings & unique trainings outside of the "classroom", HDW ensures that they continue to assist you in whatever way possible. They do not operate as a "once & done" dog training - they are truly there to support you throughout the lifetime of your dog. While the training at HDW takes time, commitment & consistency, Josh & his team are with you every step of the way. They will provide you with the right tools & skills to ensure that you feel comfortable & operate as the best owner/handler of your dog. We have been dedicated to HDW for a few years now and we give it our absolute highest recommendation. Our dog (and us!) have grown so much over the years and watching our dog become more comfortable with himself & in various different environments has been incredible. We truly cannot thank Josh, Kennedy & Molly enough.

For those of you serious about training your dogs, this is the place! I am writing this review (and I don’t write many) 1.5 years into training with Houston Dog works and we absolutely love it. We started out with basic obedience training and have progressed to different programs. My wife and I have realized that consistent training and working with your dog can strengthen your relationship and bond with your pet. We just finished another great class and as always we are genuinely impressed with the professionalism and level of expertise that Josh, Kennedy and Molly have. The entire team is patient, knowledgable, and willing to put the time in that is needed to achieve your goals with your dog. But you must put the time in and you will see the results! Our dog is happier than ever training/working rather than running around with no purpose at a park. Not only do they offer all levels of training, including puppy work, they also offer board and train, regular boarding, structured daycare, and grooming. If you are on the fence, talk to Josh (owner) and he will answer all your questions.