We have a jewel right smack in the middle of Salinas. From The Heart Dog Training is a one of a kind facility. Barbara De Groodt, the owner and Animal Behaviorist is top of her field. Barbara's continuing education into the dog/human relationship is in itself quiet impressive. I have attended her classes for the last 19 years, I have worked three different dogs through this time. Each dog, with a different personality, what Barbara De Groodt taught me was "One set of training techniques does not fit all" !!! The Staff at From the Heart is also quite knowledgeable and are always there to help you. I can also highly recommend Doggie Daycare, it is the perfect place for your pup to learn to be part of a group. Read Less

Our Australian cattle dog Luna just loves going to daycare! The only thing is i wish that they had cameras for viewing during the day to see your dog. Nothing gives me more joy than my girl playing. Sometimes others send me pics and videos when they drop off their dogs. Read Less

This is a review for Barbara Degroot private training. Our rescue dog was and still is quite reactive to other dogs so we decided on the individual private training from Barbara since our vet recommended it. For $650 for 6 sessions here is my review. The good:She came into our home and met our pet. All the times and days we agreed on, she was very prompt and stayed the whole time. She explained what we can do to calm our dog down and how to not get her overly excited. She brought in tools we can utilize such as a head halter/gentle leader and a spray collar. The bad:It was difficult to get a hold of her to initiate the training. 90% of the training she just sat down in my kitchen explaining what I can do and telling me stories about other dogs - I feel I could have just been given a link for all this. She was forgetful of the tools she promised to bring, I had to continuously ask her. She said she had a training do g to introduce to our dog to try and get her be comfortable with it and she literally only used the training dog once for 5 min of one session. The whole training was just us talking instead of proactively training our dog.Our dog is still reactive to other dogs but she has calmed down on certain things like bicyclists/busses/ trucks but the one main thing we hired a trainer for was to help with the reactivity to other dogs. Overall, I give Barbara a 2-2.5/5. The things she talked about were useful and helped our pup but I was more shocked she wasn't very hands on for what we paid for. She's a nice lady, but I can't recommend her to privately train your dog if they are extremely reactive as mine since she'll just come to your house and tell stories :( that's $650 down the drain that we could have used for a more active and hands on trainer. Read Less

Perfect place for my dog, perhaps yours? I was SO happy to find this place, and am surprised no one has posted a comment. Wide open spaces, gracious caretakers, and lots of happy pets. My in-house dog-sitter moved away, and I was stuck trying to find a place to put a dog that needed attention from humans and as many other dogs as possible during my work day. My Mom found this place, and the moment I walked in I knew it was the place for my precious Lirio, a Siberian Husky who MUST be keep busy. As I write this is her first week there, and she is happy to see me at the end of the day, but exhausted from fun. Read Less

Although I don't have a pet, I wanted to leave a review expressing my gratitude for such an amazing gesture. I went to salad shoppe today for lunch, to find out it was graciously paid for by -"from the heart dog training" Thank you so much. I hope to someday meet you and return the beautiful act of kindness. Xo Read Less

Barbara is great. Highly recommend! She came and talked at my veterinary technology school and taught us so much about behavior. She is wonderful. If I ever have a pet with behavioral issues & needs training I wouldn't mind making the drive to From the Heart Dog Training to get the proper and excellent training needed :) Read Less

I love this place! I was taking my dog Betty there everyday until her brother joined our home. I have to say that I really miss seeing the warm and friendly smiles of the staff and all the awesome dogs that greeted us every morning! I'm excited to sign both Betty and William up for dog training because I trust the expertise of From The Heart Dog Training 100%! Thank you for being such a support to me and my family after we lost our apt for having Betty... You are a wonderful place for any dog! Read Less

Barbara is very knowledgable, patient (but firm when necessary, in a good way), caring and generous. We always adopt large, adult, shelter dogs that tend to come with issues, and three times with three separate dogs, Barbara helped guide us and these rescue pups to be well-behaved (or at least controlled) and part of a loving, active family. The staff is great too! We always recommend From the Heart training and Paws at Play doggie daycare. Read Less

I was blown away by your lecture on dog behavior today @ Carrington College! Everything you spoke to us about made so much sense and I liked how you spoke "from a dogs point of view" as well as humans! I really enjoyed it! I am definately interested on "sitting in" on one of your training classes as well! Thanks Barbara! Read Less

FTH offers doggie daycare! That's what I came here for originally and as it turns out, they offer so much more! When we can we like to bring our dogs to fun-gility. Barb sets up an obstacle course for the dogs and everyone gets three runs through the course. No pressure and no experience necessary. Our dogs love it, too. I think it really gave them a confidence boost to tackle the obstacles. Unlike at the vet's office, the dogs can't wait to get inside! That should give you an idea of the atmosphere.Barb also offers a variety of classes to keep your dog stimulated like scent class and obedience. Of course, she also does consultations if you need something specific.Most people know Barb for her love of Rottweilers. Her dogs are well behaved and loving towards her. If you know anything about dogs, you know that they are honest about relationships. Her dogs love her. Our dogs ADORE her. You couldn't be in better hands. Take it from the dogs. Read Less

We have trained four dogs with Barbara DeGroodt at From the Heart. I can't imagine a better place to train your dog or a better trainer to work with. There's a reason she was selected as national Dog Trainer of the Year in 2011 -- she's simply the best. She understands dogs and how humans can build communication and trust with their dogs -- and that is the basis of good dog training. She has taught us so much and made us better dog owners. She really works hard to get at the nut of an issue and I've yet to see a problem she can't work through with a dog. Sometimes the humans don't want to hear what's necessary, but she's always straightforward and caring. I can't imagine taking my dogs anywhere else. She's just the best. If you work with Barbara, and you work it with your dog, you'll have a great do and a great resource in Barbara and From the Heart. Read Less

We started taking our dog to From the Heart three years ago for puppy obedience training.  We had such a positive result, we continue to utilize their daycare feature on a regular basis.The staff is well- trained and professional.  The owner Barbara was selected as Dog Trainer of the Year by the national kennel club last year (congratulations!), and she is certainly deserving of this recognition.We heartily recommend their services.Mark W.Salinas, Ca Read Less

Love Love Love From the heart! My boxer puppy needed to socialize with other doggies, so I learned of this facility.. Me being a worried mom took Poma for his first visit to stay a few hours at the Doggy Daycare...First impression was awesome! Clean, big facility! Evaluating my dog was a comforting feeling, and watching over him as he entered the 'pack' made me feel very comfortable leaving him:)..He will be going back again, and I will sign him up for puppy classes as well! Its great knowing Salinas has this great facility! Read Less

Eight months ago, I adopted 60 pounds of bouncy, wild and untrained labrador named Buddy who proceded to eat my sofa, my laptop transformer and countless pairs of shoes.  Then I brought him to "From The Heart" where he went to dog training and attends doggie day care.  Three days a week, Buddy bounces joyfully into the big, airy, clean room to play with his friends.  Ten hours later, he falls happy and tired into my car.  He LOVES it.  He's no longer wild and untrained, but bouncy and happy.  Shoes and laptops are safe.Buddy and I are happy, thanks to Barbara and her great staff. Read Less

From the Heart is a great name for both the service and the guidance that we received from Barbara DeGroodt.After rescuing Axel, our new addition to our family, we were at a loss on how to resolve some major behavioral problems.  With Babara's one-on-one training in our home, we are now on our way to better understanding how to resolve these problems and she has given us some great tools.  Axel will still need continued training by us, but I know that From the Heart is the only place that I will go for this wonderful insight and support.I look forward to a continuing relationship with Barbara and her staff and I have already recommended her services to a neighbor with some of the same "rescue" problems.Thanks Barbara and Axel says thanks for the balls! Read Less

When you first walk in, my first impression was WHAT GREAT KARMA! It's so big and clean. What a happy training area.  The staff is super & caring. The hole room is matted & double gated for the dog's safety. To top it all off It has one of the most knowledgable, 38 yrs. experienced training director,  BARBARA DeGROODT, who is also hot on behavior modification, which comes in handy when you are training.. All the training classes & seminars I have attended have been well organized & informative. There is a mini shop with UNBEATABLE prices for toys,healthy treats, collars, leashes,supplies and frozen RAW & high quality dry food. During the weekdays, there is well supervised doggy day care. You can even have your buddy groomed during his stay. In the back, there ia a gigantic swim spa if tour K-9 needs hydro-physical therapy.There is ample parking, even for motor homes.This is a well kept secret for bay area K-9 events.& fund raisers.This is a must see for yourself. . .so stop in if you are int he area. Read Less

This is a very large dog training facility that also serves as a daycare.We took our dog here for puppy training classes. Our instructor, John, was outstanding. Barbara, the owner, is also very friendly and extremely knowledgeable.There are a variety of classes, private lessons, daycare, activity courses and much more. The facility is very well suited to dog training.I would highly recommend for anybody looking for a quality training facility. Read Less