Freedom Through Training

We couldn’t be more thrilled with our experience at Blackpaw Dog Training! Our pup, Buckaroo, went through the Puppy Head Start Program and a two-week board & train, and he's truly a whole new dog – but still has the same sweet and goofy personality we adore. One of our biggest concerns going into training was that we might end up with a “robot dog” instead of a family dog. But Blackpaw struck the perfect balance – Buck listens when we need him to, yet he can still be his fun, goofy, puppy self. Buckaroo is just about 100lbs, so having control over him, especially with a young child at home, was very important to us. Thanks to Blackpaw, we now have the confidence that he’s well-behaved and safe, without losing his lovable nature. Our lives have completely changed, and Buck's world has expanded in so many ways. We highly recommend Blackpaw Dog Training to anyone looking for expert guidance and a team that really cares. We're looking forward to boarding Buckaroo with them in the future!

Wow! Bernadette Pflug is amazing. She transformed our spirited 95 pound, big dog into a gentleman on and off leash. We joke that our dog, Sully, should be named Sullivan because he's so well behaved now! Thank you for training our dog and helping us become better pet parents, Bernadette.

Bringing our young, sensitive doberman to BlackPaw dog training is one of the best decisions we could have made to set him up for success. Bernadette and her team helped create a solid foundation of training and appropriate behaviors which has been SO helpful as our pup hit his adolescent phase. With a senior dog and cat in the house, we have had the ability to manage his energy and make sure he treats them respectfully. We love to take him hiking, and the group walks with Bernadette help keep him well socialized. We also get to really enjoy time with him off leash because we trust his training. Bernadette has also gone above and beyond joining us on a neighborhood walk to help address some behaviors we were struggling with. She genuinely cares about making dogs good K-9 citizens and happy family pets.

When we found Bernadette through multiple friends sharing their amazing experience, we were at the end of our rope with our 10 month Bernese Mountain Dog puppy. Kima wasn’t listening to us at all & was puppy attacking our older dog and small children- at 85lbs, this was a huge problem. We were also having a very hard time keeping her out of the vet from eating things she shouldn’t. I literally cried in our meet and greet with Bernadette, feeling exhausted from the stress Kima was causing our entire family. When we met Bernadette, I was so impressed, we decided to send our 9-year old Golden Retriever with Kima because his water obsession while camping and constant barking in our home had been keeping us from doing things we loved to do long enough. Fast forward two weeks to getting our dogs back & the best way to explain it is like giving Santa a wish list & having all of your dreams granted. Weeks later I am beyond impressed with the final result in our perfectly trained pups. We enjoy Kima so much and she is so much happier with boundaries! We love camping with our Golden who is now perfect around water. We are even having people over regularly and are able to enjoy our guests! I could go on and on about how much our lives have changed for the better now that our dogs are so well- trained- theirs too! My husband and I say every day that training with Bernadette was THE BEST money we have ever spent!!

Our doggie wasn't really poorly behaved but had reactivity issues. He stayed with BlackPaw for 2 weeks. He came back a much calmer and well-behaved pet. We continued to have reactivity issues with 2 neighbor dogs. Bernadette came to our house about 2 months after his training ended and we engineered a meet up with one of the neighbor dogs and she walked us through how to calm down our dogs. The weekly walks have also helped socialize our dog.

Bernadette and her team at BlackPaw Dog Training are absolutely incredible! Before training with them, our 10-month-old chocolate lab, Willow, had a lot of behavioral issues. She would jump on people, bark incessantly, pull on the leash during walks, and even get nippy with other dogs. Her fear of everything made walks a challenge, and we were hesitant to take her out in public. Since working with Bernadette and her team, Willow has transformed into the dog we always dreamed of having. She now walks beautifully on a leash, heels obediently, and is calm and friendly with other dogs off leash. We can confidently take her to the park where she enjoys playing off leash, and she behaves impeccably in public settings. The difference in her behavior is truly night and day. Bernadette's approach to training is not only effective but also compassionate. She took the time to understand Willow's unique needs and tailored the training sessions accordingly. Her patience and expertise have made all the difference in Willow's progress, along with helping us understood Willow more! We are so grateful to Bernadette and the entire team at BlackPaw Dog Training for their dedication and skill in helping Willow become a well-behaved and happy dog. We highly recommend BlackPaw Dog Training to anyone looking to improve their dog's behavior and strengthen the bond with their furry companion.

Bernadette is amazing. My main request was that Thor be trained to perfect recall. Not only did she do that (he comes without fail every time I call hm), Bernadette trained him fully with a host of other commands. She's a genius and I'm so grateful!

Our dog, Murphy, was aggressive with other dogs and we were uncomfortable taking her on hikes or in public. Bernadette and her crew did a great job and now we love taking Murphy places with us. Everyone comments on what a good girl she is and that is so nice to hear. Thank you Black Paw.

Blackpaw was great for both me and my pup. We love walks and hanging out since his training!

Bernadette and her staff at Black Paw are amazing! I had a 6 month old GSD who was unruly and difficult and after their training program he is such a pleasure to be around. He actually wants to please me and listens when commands are given. What a huge difference their training has made for us both!

We highly recommend BlackPaw for dog training. Bernadette and her team provided comprehensive information for what to expect beforehand and the follow-ups after our dog’s board & train have all been just as thorough. They understand dogs well and provide clear guidance to maintain your dog’s learning at home. They’re lovely people and great to work with!! Cecilia, we appreciate your love & care for our Coop! Our pup Cooper is stubborn and we were looking for help with him being a better listener, returning to us when being called, and to curb barking. He achieved all these things during his time at BlackPaw and we now have the tools to reinforce it at home. It is a significant investment in your family’s and dog’s happiness and well-being; it’s absolutely worth it.

Bernadette and her team are the best! Our very small (10 lb) goldendoodle arrived to us as a good puppy and we wanted to ensure he was a great listener and member of our family for the long haul. He participated in puppy camp at 12 weeks old and completed the board/train program at 7 months. We are all SO happy with his results - he absolutely loved his time at Blackpaw and rec'd such great care and attention during his stay. At pick up, our entire family was given a very personalized lesson on how to 'cement' the training once back home. He has been a dream since coming home and we feel so fortunate to have Bernadette and her team as a part of our lives. They truly care deeply about helping you create the best dog. THANK YOU

I have always had rescue dogs… That is until, JP—a purebred, in-tact (long story) male Doberman. JP is now 10, but since he was a pup he’s always been a “sensitive” guy (something I love about him). While he has always been loving, willing, wanting and true to the “velcro dog” reputation of Dobermans, JP’s sensitivity combined with his lack of confidence (and a lack of consistency on our parts) often led to unwanted behaviors (barking in the Jeep, inability to be off leash, separation anxiety, etc.) This, of course, created anxiety for us, which in turn made the situation worse, and the cycle continued…. We were frustrated more often than not, JP was usually “in trouble” and all of this led to a limiting of JP’s life and our life with him. It was never a question of whether or not we loved JP. It was also not a question of whether or not JP “could do it” or whether or not “he wanted to.” There just needed to be clear communication and direction, with consistency, coming from us - so that JP knew what he was supposed to do. Because the reality is—he wanted to do it. This is where training with Bernadette over at BlackPaw came in. After many years of trying other, failed training methods, we decided to try BlackPaw and it’s literally been life changing. We were given clear, no-nonsense, guidance regarding how to communicate with JP in a language that he understands. We were given the tools to use to increase our confidence when in situations that would have otherwise caused anxiety in us and as a result in JP. The result? JP is now, truly living is “best life.” * He has the confidence he needs to make good decisions and to know when it’s not up to him—which allows him to more easily “go with the flow…” * He has more freedom than he’s ever had, acts liberated and free. * He has so much less stress. * And, overall, JP is much more present and connected. JP didn’t go thru the training until he was 9. Too much time wasted that didn’t need to be. Don’t wait. Live your best life with your best friend from pup-hood. BlackPaw is the way.

SERIOUSLY LIFE CHANGING!!! I went to Bernadette a few months ago with a very smart 1 year old Golden- a little bit too smart. I live in an apartment and couldn’t crate train him because we got noise complaints, I was going through bottles and bottles of no chew spray (to no help, he went through couch cushions, shoes, blankets, etc.) and it was even worse when new people were around, even if we were out running around/playing for hours that day. After working for 2 weeks with Bernadette, I went from constantly being stressed about noise complaints and stuff being destroyed to a perfect dog. He just hangs out in his place, can be taken anywhere and do great, I truly can’t think of enough good things to say about Bernadette and her Team!

I get teary eyed as I write this review as we were considering rehoming our dog before finding BlackPaw. My husband and I adopted our dog Sammy about 9 years ago. He came from New Mexico and had some quirks - didn't like his head being touched, not great around kids, resource guarded his food... He loves other dogs, but was not good when there was food around and was very protective of his stuff. My husband and I now have a 15 month old daughter who is now flying around the house, and although Sam is friendly, if not disinterested, with her there were a handful of times we've turned our back and she's crawled over and patted him or reached for his tail while he is minding his own business. He shows his teeth and has been close to lashing out a few times. It got to the point we had to completely separate them in our house because it caused Sam and my husband and I so much anxiety. We absolutely adore Bernadette and Cecelia and can't thank them enough for how they changed Sammy. They were honest about how we can keep both our daughter and Sammy safe in the home. I really felt a connection as they both are parents and understood where we were coming from. With a bit of training and risk management we are able to manage our child and dog with ease at home. I was shocked at how much our dog has changed. He seriously seems much less anxious, he's great on a leash while we are pushing the stroller, can stay in his "place" while there is food out. BlackPaw, thank you for everything. HIGHLY recommend! Worth every penny.

BlackPaw is a fantastic facility run by thoughtful, intelligent, and mentally-present dog trainers. We have an aggressive husky/german mix who never listened to us when in a high-stress state. After 3 weeks with BlackPaw, our girl listens to us, comes to us immediately, *never* chases squirrels/bunnies, and is able to be off-leash. We now understand her boundaries and how to listen to her signals before an event with other dogs happens. Post training at BlackPaw, we rely on the trainers for consultation meetings, boarding, and Saturday walks with other well-trained dogs. Our new life with Maggie is a dream, we feel so much more relaxed and at peace going out and about in public with her. Highly recommend BlackPaw!

I am so glad that I put my two year old Aussie in training with BlackPaw. Prior to his board and train he started having reactions to dogs, people, my horse…after training he is so much better adjusted and I have tools to help in any situation. Before training, walking my pup was stressful. He was pulling on me so badly that it made walks stressful. Now, his heel and sit stay make walks so enjoyable! Thank you for helping Oslo and I. Life is just a little more enjoyable now after his board and train!

Blackpaw Dog training surpassed our expectations. They are professional, effective and lovely to work with. Our dog is beautifully trained and had a wonderful and loving experience while there. He still gets excited when we pull up for overnights. It was definitely worth the investment.

We had a great experience with BlackPaw! After making a long distance move and going from a fenced yard to a mountain setting it was clear we needed some help. Before the training I had to take him out on a leash and was always scared of him pulling away from me if we saw a deer. There were so many new things he had kind of decided he was taking me for a walk with the leash. He was also very unpredictable and on alert from all the changes. After our training with BlackPaw we now go out off leash all of the time wether it’s for a bathroom break or a hike on our property. It has been life changing for both of us. I still don’t let him get very far from me in the woods but at least he can run and I know he will come back to me if I call him. Some of our hikes I want him to stay right next to me and some I will let him explore. He loves the freedom the e collar gives him too, and comes running when I pick it up for us to go outside. Chance was 9 when he went through the training, so you can teach an older pup new tricks. We are so greatful for this change and would do it all over again.

You pull up to BlackPaw Ranch and you immediately see that when it comes to dog training, these folks mean business. The compound is amazing! It’s Harvard for dogs and Bernadette is the President and Lead Professor. She understands dogs; their strengths, weaknesses, good and bad habits, and how to train YOUR dog exactly the way that is needed. Bernadette’s style of training is no nonsense, and she makes that clear. The effort that Bernadette and her team put into our dog was stellar. Our dog, Pippi, was a wonderful puppy but as time went on, picked up bad habits such as jumping, barking, nipping at clothing, and ignoring basic commands. We went from “Wow! What great dog parents we are.” to “Oh, no! What do we do with this bad child?” So happy that BlackPaw was recommended to us. There is a lot of homework and discipline as dog parents but if you commit to the process and really do what Bernadette tells you, I guarantee you’ll have a great dog! It was a big investment, but we considered just how long we would have our beloved family member and to have her go from a good dog to a great dog was worth every penny and then some! We are so pleased that we found BlackPaw and recommend Bernadette highly!

It was one of my more impulsive moves, adopting my dog Juniper from a shelter while on vacation. She was just so cute! But it didn't take long for me to realize I had bitten off more than I could chew: her anxiety made both of us insane. I struggled to leave her alone, as she resisted kenneling and got into garbage, compost, anything on my counter ... leading to ER visits. I hated walking her as she lunged at every human and dog we passed. She barked all day long at everyone on my sidewalk which was about 600 people a day, as I live across from a school -- interrupting every meeting and phone call I had. She vomited in my car every time I drove her anywhere. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to keep her. The investment in Black Paw was a big one, but Bernadette came recommended by a family member, and I felt like I owed Juniper one big chance. I didn't know what might be possible, but I had to try something. And wow! I learned and she learned, and now, our relationship is a delight. I work in a quiet house with her keeping me company, we go for lovely and calm walks and off-leash hikes. She is safe when I go out. The biggest change though: while she is still vigilant and very aware, as expected for a cattle dog mix, she no longer seems anxious. She is no longer disruptive. She is well behaved enough to go anywhere with me. Thank you Cecilia, Bernadette and Black Paw staff for helping Juniper become a full-fledged keeper and member of my family.

Bernadette and her staff (Cecilia we love you more than words can describe) are some of the best trainers I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. I HIGHLY recommend Black Paw for any and every kind of challenge you might have with your dog, whether it be basic training for a new puppy, or a reactive or aggressive dog (like mine). My Neo came to Bernadette and her team after being attacked as a puppy at a dog park and became very reactive on a leash. He’s a 100 pound dog which caused big challenges for us to take Neo in public. We’ve had other 1:1 training before, but I knew Neo had to be socialized again with other dogs to feel safe again. After just a couple of days at the center, I got videos of Neo running with the rest of the pack, without a muzzle. Black Paw provides the structure, safety, and routine that our difficult dog needed and I have highest praises for them. Another HUGE benefit is weekly pack walks that are free to anyone who’s gone through Black Paw training, as well as boarding them when you’re on vacation. You’ve changed our lives Cecilia and Bernadette, THANK YOU!

BlackPaw is fantastic! I have a really sweet but also very mischievous golden puppy -8 months. He went to BlackPaw for two weeks and I can’t be effusive enough about what he learned and how well he was cared for. The trainers are all fair and kind. They are committed to their process and best I can tell it works wonderfully. They also really pay attention and get to know your pups personality. Overall just a stellar experience.

This girl was afraid of the car and her leash but look at her now! Black Paw Training changed her life and now she’s the best little hiking companion and overall great pet, calm and confident. Thank you Bernadette!

With our highest regard and utmost praise, we cannot say enough how impressed we are with Bernadette and her staff. Our 8 month old Aussie arrived with Bernadette traumatized from a dog attack as a puppy, afraid of all dogs and new people. Following 3 weeks with their complete devotion and care, Hudson is now a happier and calmer guy. Our sincerest and greatest thanks!

I cannot be happier with the dog training at BlackPaw!! I have a new dog!! I've worked with 3 other dog trainers before and never received the results I was looking for. My vet said my dog needed anti anxiety meds, he did not. My dog was almost kicked out of day care which led me to Black Paw. My dog is a sweetheart but didn't have the leadership, from me, that he needed. BlackPaw makes it so easy and now I have the proper tools to use with my dog for a life together that I've been looking for! They also offer ongoing support through the weekly dog walks. I couldn't be happier with the folks at BlackPaw!! I highly recommend them for training any kind of dog or dog issue you have!! Thank you Bernadette, Cecelia and Team!! Janelle

Everyone at Black Paw dog training was incredible! I brought my dog in for fear aggression of animals and people. He was attacked when he was younger, so everywhere we went or anything we did was a challenge. After the training, he’s like a whole new dog! He is more comfortable around other dogs and people. And he is so well mannered! Thank you so much for helping!

Juneau is a large dog at 90 pounds and he was almost a year and a half when we decided that he needed more training. He was good in many ways and followed commands some of the time but not always. He still jumped on people, tugged a lot on his leash when he was excited, he didn’t come always (came dangerously close to a very busy street once), and in general had an independent streak that I was concerned about. I wanted to make sure that I could keep him safe and take him with me on hikes and other outings without needing to worry whether he would follow my commands. We are amazed with how well he is doing after training. He comes to us 100% of the time now and I feel very confident taking him off leash on hikes. He did encounter a coyote and was asked to come right away and did so! He no longer jumps on people and just needs a slight reminder at times when he gets excited. He is part German Shepherd, and some people were nervous around him but no longer because they can tell immediately that he is under control. Juneau seems happier and more confident now as well! We chose BlackPaw after meeting several people on our walk that had used them. They came highly recommended. Bernadette and the other trainers at BlackPaw are extremely good with animals and we have a great deal of confidence in them! I couldn’t recommend a better place for what our dog needed.

Our male 1 yr old dog just completed a 2 week program at Blackpaw Dog Training. Before training at Blackpaw, we struggled with our dog pulling on his leash on walks, and not coming when we called him. After training, he is not pulling on his leash on walks, and he comes when we call him. Blackpaw has trained him beautifully, with a gentle but firm and effective approach. And they have done a great job of teaching us how to work with him to maintain his good behavior. We highly recommend Blackpaw Dog Training's program!

Our 5-year-old German Shepherd, Lily, was very leash reactive to the point we couldn’t take her on walks with us. When she was home she would go from window to window – guarding, barking crazily at anything that moved (cars, people, deer, bunnies, fox). Her world was shrinking and she was constantly in a state of stress. Her board and train at Black Paws has changed her and our lives. They gave us the tools to be able to confidently implement the training she had there. Lily is a different dog…relaxed at home and enjoying our walks together. I would highly recommend Black Paws. Thank you, Cecilia, Bernadette and the team at Black Paws.

Black paw took a dog with possession aggression and turned her around perfectly. I am over the top excited to not use the muzzle! 2 thumbs up for Bernadette!

We have had a great experience at BPT. Bernadette and her team are amazing and knowledgable. Our pup came home with exceptional training and it made a huge difference in the stress level we had had previously regarding his behavior. We felt as though we got a thorough checkout on what we needed to do to maintain his training, which is a critical step. Our education was as important in maintaining the desired responses from the pup as his experience at Black Paw. We are definitely planning on doing this again with our next addition to the family.

Bernadette and the trainers at Blackpaw transformed our German Shepherd. He was very reactive to other dogs and at times a whirlwind in the house. When he returned from Blackpaw he was able to calmly rest in place at home, at parks and out in public. We are able to hike with him off leash and interact with other dogs without incident. Life changing! We highly recommend Blackpaw Training and are so grateful for their time and dedication to us.

BlackPaw dog training is amazing for both training and boarding. Bernadette took our very unruly puppy and turned him into a well-behaved dog that we can take anywhere. Rudi loves boarding at BlackPaw and the staff there clearly loves him!

Bernadette and the team at Black Paw are an incredible resource. I booked my 4 year old Golden Retriever to their 2 week board + train program to address some behavioral issues like guarding and handling, as well as brush up on all the basics. This investment in his training has been such a game changer, and I have since referred 4 other dog friends to her programs (and they have also experienced incredible results). My pup continues to board with them and loves going to see his friends on the farm!

The team at BlackPaw is fantastic. The depth of skill, knowledge, and focus sets up dogs for success. The team built a wonderfully strong relationship with our German shorthaired pointer and their level of care for her was top notch. She participated in a two week board-and-train and we couldn't be happier with the results. Her recall with distractions is near 100%. Her separation anxiety is reduced a ton. And after two years of trying everything we could, she walks on a leash (or offleash) with a perfect heel. No more pulling. It's a massive credit to the team at BlackPaw who spent time getting to know us, getting to know our dog, and then spending time teaching us and reviewing how to maintain her new skills. The only advice I'd give is for people to book early because BlackPaw only takes a few dogs at a time and they get the attention, love, and training they need. I've already recommended BlackPaw to 3 other friends.

I can not say enough good about Bernadette and her team of dog trainers. We took our 19 mo old fearfully aggressive German shepherd to Bernadette for training and socialization at the end of last summer. After three weeks he came home with a new lease on life. It’s now been 5 months since we picked him up from her. He is still doing really well and making great progress. Because we were brand new to taking care of dogs, and because we had a German shepherd, we needed a lot of help ourselves. Bernadette was amazing in the way that she respectfully and ably worked with our large family to teach us. We’ve had a few setbacks here and there as we learn to be consistent trainers. Each time I reach out to Bernadette she helps me know what to do to correct what’s happening and we start seeing progress with Luke again. I am so thankful for Bernadette and the positive experience that we continue to have with our Luke. Just the other day I was in Murdoch’s with him, and someone told me, I had a very “well behaved,” “sweet” dog. 😊. That never would’ve happened without Bernadette. We are forever thankful!

Our dog Gidget attended the standard two-week training when she was seven months old. She was a good girl before and now she is great! We get comments on her behavior all of the time. We also continue to use Black Paw for boarding and love the staff. You can tell they really care about the dogs and love what they do. Gidget is happy every time we pull up!

B is unparalleled in terms of training. There is no one I would trust more with my dogs.

What's better than a dog whisperer? A BlackPaw Dog Trainer! They have amazed me! Bernadette has such intuitive brilliance and many years of fixing seemingly hopeless K9 problems.

We wanted to adopt a pitty mix but before we committed, we had the dog evaluated by Bernadette. He got a thumbs up and has been such a beautiful addition to out family. Bernadette has trained three of our dogs each with different personalities and needs. All are perfect citizens! Thanks B

We had our 9 month old female Boxer trained at BlackPaw Dog Training. The professionalism and knowledge held by this group of trainers is unmatched! Both Bernadette and Cecelia spent countless hours working intently with our puppy during her Board and Train program. It is immediately obvious that these ladies care deeply about each individual animal within their care. The moment I stepped inside their clean, well-organized training center, I knew our family had made the right decision in picking a trainer. The center was warm and every possible training scenario had been thought out perfectly (a trainer riding a bicycle, a pretend door bell, etc.). The in-take interview process was thorough and individualized. Their training methods are NOT “one size fits all”, but instead are geared towards each specific dog. BlackPaw Dog Training helps owners to understand their individual dog’s temperament and what the root causes are for their behaviors. This is very helpful information in becoming a partner to your canine companion! Our puppy is shy and they helped us to understand how to help her feel safe out in the world so that she does not display reactive behaviors. The in-training progress communication and post training follow-up are excellent- you will be abreast of how and what your dog is doing while they are at BlackPaw. Bernadette has followed-up numerous times to ensure we are finding success with our puppy at home. Even providing exceptional follow-up instruction when we had questions on how to handle the puppy’s transition back to our home with our other adult dog. They even went the extra mile and purchased our puppy a sweater/coat due to dropping January temperatures (we could not get her to wear one prior to training). The E-collar and leather lead that are provided to the owners are top-notch quality. We see this training as an investment in the life of our dog and our family for the next decade and beyond. We highly recommend BlackPaw Dog Training! A real 10 out of 10 experience!!

Amazing training!!! Thank you so much, total night and day difference.

Very impressed: not only does the owner know her stuff, she has genuine passion as well. Black Paw is a must for dog lovers in the Boulder area. Would give six stars if allowed.

I have used BlackPaw for training and boarding my dog, Clarence. He loves going there and it gives me such incredible peace of mind knowing that Bernadette and her excellent crew are taking care of him. What I love the most is the one-on-one attention he receives and the fact that he's not just thrown into a small yard with dozens of dogs on top of one another, like most other places I've tried. Those kinds of places really stress Clarence (and me) out. BlackPaw is the opposite--a dog's paradise, really--a farm with plenty of room for my high energy pooch to run and play in a stress-free and loving environment.

I will be forever grateful to Bernadette and her team for the training and support she provides for my pups! They both went to the 2 week board and train program and it was one of the best investments I could have made for their start in my family. If you are willing to put in the work and continue training your pups and follow Bernadette’s advice you will have balanced pups who trust you and respect boundaries. Bernadette and team do so much work specifically to what your pup needs but it is definitely a training for humans too. If you are willing to do the work after training I highly highly recommend Black Paw!

The training is incredible and like magic. Our dog, Vasco, is now his best self!

Never seen anything like it. It is amazing

has shared a lot of knowledge and done a great job with my dog.

When dealing with dogs and behavioral issues, it’s best to get help from a professional. Once you understand why they’re doing it you can better help them. Hands down the best decision I ever made with my dog BombShell! Bernadette is a true gem and her knowledge and expertise is unmatched. I appreciate her love of dogs and her dedicated work ethic to making their lives better. The large field socialization helped Bomb so much with her confidence. I will forever be grateful for everything I learned along with the guidance I received and the friendships I forged at BlackPaw.

Got my base level training done with our German Shepherd. Easy to learn from

Bernadette is honest and reliable

Bernadette & her team are incredible. Nearly 8 years ago my one year old GSP starting exhibiting aggressive behavior toward other dogs. What was once a rich, full life became really small for the both of us. Bernadette gave us the tools and confidence to navigate a world filled with other dogs. We both got our lives back. We were back to hiking, mountain biking, and camping without being in constant fear of running into an unruly off leash dog. And if we did run into another dog? We now had the tools and trust in one another to handle it safely. Because of Bernadette we’ve been able to safely integrate multiple puppies (that B also helped train) into our home. And while we only ever expected peaceful coexistence, he is now comfortable enough to play and snuggle with them at night. We can hike with friends and their dogs. We can camp and have him peacefully coexist with friend’s dogs around a campsite. We can rip down trails on our mountain bikes with him in a heel and know that he will pass other dogs without issue. We can take him to any public setting (a patio, brewery, Home Depot, parades, etc) and know that he will be perfectly mannered. It wasn’t an easy journey but the best things that come out of life often aren’t. Oaken is 9 now and will never be a dog park dog (we’ve learned most aren’t), but I can confidently say he is living his best life & it is because of Bernadette. THANK YOU a thousand times over.

BlackPaw Dog Training took my dog under their wing for a two week training program. During those two weeks, I received updates about my dog and how he was doing —which was very important to me as I had never been away from my dog for more than a few days. After the two week training was over, I went to BlackPaw to pick up my dog. On the day of pick up, I was completely floored and amazed in my dogs behavior and commands. BlackPaw Training was extremely supportive and helpful, and because of them —my dog lives his best life. I could not be more thankful for BlackPaw Training and will recommend them to everyone!

I was desperate to find a solution for having two reactive dogs. When I talked with Bernadette, owner/trainer of BlackPaw training, I felt that she had a good understanding of my situation and also she was confident the dogs behaviors could change. During training Bernadette would send pictures of the dogs as they progressed. I remember crying tears of joy when I saw one of the dogs walking in a shopping mall. Pick up day was exciting and the staff was excellent at instructing me on how to use the new training tools. The two week follow up was also very helpful with additions tips to improve my training technique. The most valuable part for me was the connection with Bernadette when she immediately responded to a question that I had. She met me and once again gave me tips on my technique. Our quality of life, dogs and humans has improved since working with BlackPaw training. We are very thankful to Bernadette and the staff at BlackPaw

Bernadette is simply the best! Over the past 9 years, Bernadette has trained three of our dogs, two with dog aggression issues, and one puppy needing to learn the basics. Our first dog went to Bernadette after exhibiting anxiety and aggression. He was a tough one, but Bernadette was the perfect trainer for him, and she gave us the tools we needed. Tigger, our second dog to go to training became aggressive later in life after being attacked by two other dogs. After his time with Bernadette, he is now able to interact with other dogs and is no longer reactive when walking on leash. We are now confident walking him in public and interacting with other dogs. After having two dogs already trained by Bernadette, I don’t know what took us so long to send our most recent puppy, Luna. She is a 1 year old French/English bulldog with a big personality and so much energy. As much as we tried to work with her, she could not walk politely on a leash, jumped on everyone, bolted out the door, and was simply out of control. She came back from training walking polity on leash, is off leash reliable (no more bolting!) and stays on place, creating much more calm our home—which is especially appreciated by our 10 year old bulldog. We wish we had sent Luna sooner! Tigger and Luna can now walk politely on leash together. We spend a lot of time camping and taking our dogs out in public. These outings are now much more enjoyable for everyone. Bernadette’s communication is clear and direct. We love the manual she provides to reference as we have questions and remind us of the correct commands. With the go home and follow up lessons, you leave feeling confident to manage your dog in all situations. Bernadette is quick to respond when we have had questions and always happy to help. We cannot thank Bernadette enough for all of her work with our dogs. She has given us the most wonderful gift of well behaved dogs, and teaching us how to maintain that for their life time. All of our dogs will always be trained by Bernadette!

The most wonderful place to board and train. My dog is perfect. I have tried other places and Black Paw outshines them. Training is positive and they love your dog as much as you do. Training is all inclusive and follow up and access after training is so wonderful. I totally recommend them!

I can’t say enough good things about Black Paw Dog Training. Bernadette and her wonderful staff have trained all 3 of our dogs and our daughter’s dog. Having 4 large dogs, it is so nice that they are so well trained and happy. I am grateful for the time that they spent with us when we picked each dog up so that we learned their new skills and how to continue with their training. We have been able to take are dogs with us on all sorts of adventures, from fly fishing to driving cross country and staying at nice hotels, to most recently flying on an airplane and they have been so well mannered. I highly recommend Black Paw Dog Training!!

I brought Miles, my 6mo old vizsla puppy, to Bernadette and her team at Black Paw Dog training and could not be more pleased! They read my comments on his registration and were aware of my preferences and goals with him (as a strong running companion) when I arrived for the overview meeting. While he was at the farm I received updates with photos on his progress. And while you can't expect perfection with an animal, especially a high energy puppy, at the end of two weeks Miles was had learned so many essentials of good behavior and come so far in his self control. Bernadette and her team had given him (and me) the tools with a solid foundation for a happy, well behaved dog. To top it all off, after some time back at home I was questioning a couple of commands as I wasn't getting the response from Miles I expected, Bernadette scheduled some time with me to help with commands and praise, getting me back on track. (I needed the dog training, not Miles!) It was difficult to be separated for two weeks from my pup, but it was so well worth it. Miles came home the same goofy, happy puppy with a dramatically improved ability to listen and behave well. I absolutely recommend BlackPaw Dog Training for every dog!

Bernadette and her staff are fantastic! We have taken both our dogs to Blackpaw for Board and Train, and we don't have enough positive things to say about them. The cost may seem high, but it is absolutely worth it! We had already done one board and train at a different facility with our newest puppy due to cost and the fact that I wasn't sure our pup needed an e-collar. However, she returned home pretty much no different than when we brought her in. So we returned to Blackpaw with our tails between our legs, and are absolutely thrilled with the results. Our pup listens to us, is so much better with our children, and is loving life now that we can actually take her out! Additionally, we continue to receive compliments on a weekly basis on our other dog, who did training with Bernadette 2 years ago. We cannot recommend Blackpaw enough!

Bernadette is simply amazing! We have taken both of our dogs to her over the years! She worked her magic and transformed our two big boys into such well behaved gentle patient dogs. We struggled with them pulling on their leashes , one of them counter surfing, and over all obedience/listening especially during distracting/exciting situations. Although both dogs are super sweet and people pleasing they have entirely different personalities! One stubborn and one very sensitive. She managed to transform our two and speak to their needs. I love how she uses positive reinforcement and body language and clues from each dog to help guide her training which is so important to me. We will always use her for our future dogs, which will likely be a LOT, being a veterinarian. THANK YOU BERNADETTE FOR THE AMAZING WORK! Ryker , our blue pitty , has been traveling by plane with me for 2 years now. He is such a hit and people never realize I even have him at my feet because he is sooo well behaved! Our next goal is to get Benelli certified through ADA testing as well so he can do the same.

Zoey has been transformed thanks to Bernadette and her amazing dog trainers at BlackPaw. If you are on the fence regarding whether you should invest in training please take this amazing opportunity to understand your furry friend. We could not be happier with the results! Thank you all for your continued support. What an amazing gift you give to pets as well as their owners. We love you all!

BlackPaw trained our 10 month old border collie pup, Indy. We are very happy with the results. Our goals were to be able to take Indy hiking, trail running, camping, etc with him being reliable off leash. Indy has been doing awesome since training both in the house and out on adventures! Bernadette has also been very responsive to all of our questions post training. We would definitely recommend BlackPaw Trianing!

The wonderful trainers at BlackPaw succeeded beyond my expectations! My dog, Jake, returned from his two week training camp happy, calm and very well behaved. I confidently ordered a voice and sight tag for Jake and I'm so excited that I'll be able to hike with him on off-leash trails in Boulder. I would highly recommend BlackPaw Dog Training to anyone!

Bernadette is fantastic. Our two puppies, a rescue and a doodle, spent 2 weeks at BlackPaw learning the basics and much more. They are now well behaved, listen, don’t pull on the leash, and are happy at home.

We can't say enough good things about Bernadette and her team at BlackPaw. Our dog, Charlie, is high-anxiety and crate-resistant. We tried positive reinforcement training, and, while obedient, she still struggled on numerous dimensions. We did the board-and-train and it gave us a way of communicating more effectively with Charlie. We honestly went from trying to figure out how Charlie could be a part of our family to having her be happily a part of the pack. We continue to go back for boarding and are so grateful they are here!

We have had a wonderful experience with Black Paw Dog Training for our young Australian Shepherd. We opted for the two week training when our dog was about 7 months old and we couldn’t be happier with the result. Bernadette laid a strong foundation so we can enjoy our dog for many years to come. I’m so glad we did this and I highly recommend the training program for anyone, especially if you have a younger dog and you won’t have the time to train thoroughly on your own.

Our boy, Max is a new man. He was six years old and still intact when we got him. He was out of control and escaped several times. He is still the happiest dog, but now he follows commands and is in full control on the leash. This will allow him to live his best life ever with his two sisters in his forever home. Bernadette and her crew are the best.