2026-04-04T23:38:05.524Z

I’m so pleased that I found Kayla and her classes. My dog is very fearful and there’s definitely been a positive change in her since we started the classes. She’s calmer (no shaking anymore!) and more confident.Kayla’s classes are more relaxed which is what I was looking for. We leave each week and my girl has down what was learned. I need to practice more at home to reinforce. I’m getting there.I feel the classes are a great price. Great staff too!

2026-03-06T23:07:58.400Z

Kayla and Braden helped us so much with our rescue dog. I was a bit nervous to do a board and train but felt so supported the whole time. We met each week for training tips and connection time and in these instances we were training right alongside our dog. We also received frequent updates including pictures and videos. Kayla and Braden helped him overcome so much while still honoring fundamentally who he is. We loved how intuitive they both were with not only him, but also what we needed to be comfortable with the training methods and tools. They gave feedback that was incredibly supportive while still being direct enough that it was presented in a way that was easy to hear. We never had to guess at anything and although I have a lot of dog training experience Kayla and Braden found ways to tweak what I was already doing to make it even more customized for our dog's specific issues. We have now had numerous successful interactions with people that may have caused a negative reaction in his past. We feel like our dog now has strategies to think things through instead of just instinctively reacting. Kayla and Braden are caring, thoughtful, empathetic, knowledgeable, understanding and clearly animal lovers. Our dog was excited to work on training and is continuing loving showing off his new skills. Any dog is lucky if their guardian finds their way to Thunderbird. We have now completed our formal training but continue to take what we learned to help create even more peace, happiness and predictability. We are all around in a better place because of how we were guided. We are very grateful!!!

2026-03-04T19:05:07.661Z

Kayla is absolutely incredible. I came to her with three dogs who I genuinely thought were beyond help — chaotic, stubborn, and completely running the house. I felt overwhelmed and honestly a little hopeless.Not only did Kayla transform their behavior, she transformed our entire home. My three “lost causes” are now well-behaved, calm, and happy little babies. They reliably sit, stay, lay down, come when called, walk beautifully in a heel, and can even be trusted off leash — which I never thought would be possible. Walks are peaceful, guests can come over without stress, and I actually enjoy being out with my dogs instead of bracing for chaos.Kayla is patient, knowledgeable, and so intuitive with dogs. She doesn’t just train the dogs — she teaches you how to understand them and communicate clearly. Everything she showed us was practical, easy to implement, and incredibly effective. You can tell she genuinely cares about every dog she works with.If you’re on the fence, book her. She is worth every penny and then some. I truly can’t recommend her enough.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

2026-03-02T18:45:11.089Z

Back with another review for another pup that Kayla took under her wing!I can never say enough amazing things about Kayla and her depth of knowledge and expertise in professional dog training.She's helped two of our dogs so far-- each with their own specific needs for training-- and they've returned to us both times with exemplary development in their behavior and obedience compared to when they were sent to training. One was a GSD (I have another review for him posted here) that I had adopted from the e-list from MCACC 3/2025 and I very quickly realized he was much more than I could handle and I needed professional help for him. Our second dog we sent to training was my boyfriend's 1.5 year old GSD/Rottweiler that has very over-the-top and intense drive and energy, and we needed help with setting a baseline for his training before it reached a point that we weren't able to handle him.Kayla is such a godsend and it means so much to me that I can put all of my trust into her and her programs for the dogs because she has so much compassion for her line of work and truly helping both the dog and owner find balance.

2025-09-09T20:45:03.000Z

Kayla literally changed our life and I’m not being dramatic. She took our nervous pup on an adventure board and train and our pup come back completely different. She’s still a nervous pup but she can sit, place, down, heel, and come. We can take her with us everywhere now and it’s a game changer. We can take her on hikes off leash and don’t need to worry. Kayla is amazing and worth every penny and more. She literally gave us hope when there was none.

2025-06-17T18:41:28.396Z

Our strong wild beast of a dog was an absolute crazy train. He came to us at 8 months old with zero manners and followed zero commands. But he was good with children 🤪. Luckily we found Kayla.Drax attended her four week boarding program. At the end of four weeks his behavior was night and day. He did stay for an extra week so he could fine tune his manners. Kayla was so knowledgeable, patient, understanding, skilled, and intuitive while teaching us and Drax. She helped us know how to meet his needs.Drax does board with Kayla and it is a home away from home for him. He LOVES it there. When Drax stays with Kayla, I have peace of mind because I know he is with someone who knows how to handle him, and I know he is loved.

2025-06-16T21:28:06.494Z

I wouldn’t trust anyone else to train and take care of our Teddy!Kayla is knowledgeable, devoted, extremely kind, and all dogs adore her!I highly recommend the two week immersion training!Our pup was a rescue with stranger anxiety and wasn’t housebroken.Kayla worked diligently with him on socializing with humans and potty training.We have a wonderful and well behaved family member, and our Teddy has a second lovely home.Highly recommend Thunderbird🤩⭐️

2025-05-31T22:44:52.219Z

We brought our special boy Camo over to Thunderbird Dog Training. He was an anxious boy. He tugged on the leash and went crazy if the doorbell ever rang. We’ve seen major changes in the month that he was in training. Highly recommend!

2025-05-06T00:28:08.434Z

Absolutely recommend Kayla 1000% She is so tuned into dogs and gave my dog, Daisy excellent training. She socializes the dogs with expertise and my pup loves going over for playdates 🐕Also, she does weekly boarding and took great care of our baby. Highly recommend 😊

2025-04-28T02:19:21.330Z

Where do I even start? A friend of mine recommended Kayla to me after I adopted a German Shepherd that was e-listed and I quickly realized I was biting off a lot more than I could chew at once, but I was determined to give this dog the chance I knew he deserved. Kento went to Kayla with absolutely zero training; he didn't know any obedience, he didn't know his name, and he didn't have any socialization. This would have been the trifecta for disaster if I had tried to manage this all on my own, but Kayla helped me save this dog's life. Kento spent 4 weeks with Kayla on a board and train and was lucky enough to even get to go with her and a couple other dogs on a trip to 4 other states! She communicated as much as a woman with a pack of dogs could understandably communicate, and she made it a point to update me as often as possible-- both the good and less good. We both laughed about how it was crazy to think he spent more time with her than I had prior to him being in her program, but after seeing Kento post-training I can honestly say that if I hadn't made the decision for him to be trained with Kayla, I would have failed him. Kayla is incredible with what she's able to do with these dogs, and I can't recommend her enough to anyone that was just like me and feels at a loss with what to do for their dog. Thank you Kayla 🖤

2025-03-29T02:38:12.105Z

Cannot say enough about Kayla! She was recommended to us by an employee at The Pitbull store who said she changed his life. We were struggling with a super confident male with recently developed resource guarding tendencies and a small female pit mix with extreme anxiety. There had been a couple of traumatic fights that left us feeling like we had to give up one of our babies because we had to keep them separate all the time and life was getting so out of control. Kayla was truly a blessing!!!! She completely understood our concerns and fears of not have control over two powerful dogs. She took the male for a month long board and train and he came back with incredible impulse control and the ability to calm himself in difficult situations. Taking him for walks in public were impossible and now we walk him multiple times a day! When she brought our male back to us she was instantly able to sense the issues/power dynamic between the two dogs and offered to take our female for a confidence boosting board and train that day! I am pleased to say our dogs are able to be in the same rooms with each other again and we have much better control over our household. Kayla provided us with life changing support, free of judgement and showed us nothing but respect and kindness. She truly made sure all of her training didn’t just fit the dog’s needs but what our needs were for the dog as well. She is such a special and caring person and I can honestly say has saved us from potentially having to give up a dog for safety reasons. Thank you again Kayla! I would recommend you to anyone who is looking for someone who is caring, compassionate, and truly loves the dogs she works with!!

2025-02-06T21:42:28.967Z

Kayla is the best! Both my dogs are 8 yrs. Old and we are introducing a 6mos puppy to them. My dogs are sisters and were agessive toward the puppy and jealous! It has been a real challenge however Kayla's expertise has proven that old dogs CAN learn. We will have a few sessions with Kayla so the dogs can live in harmony together. Thanks, Kayla!

2025-02-05T20:40:09.928Z

TL/DR: Thunderbird Dog Training is absolutely THE BEST, Kayla is a skilled and talented professional who definitely delivers and keeps expectations *both for you and your dog(s)* realistic and goal oriented. After using her board and train program for 3 weeks our boys *and us* are all very well trained, well mannered individuals. We can actually take our boys out in public and regularly receive compliments from others about how well behaved and trained they are. Kayla came highly recommended from a friend and without her board & train program, we would have had to separate and rehome both of our boys. She was our last hope and we are so glad we chose to trust her and her program!For those who have time:Meet Winston & Wilder "The Boys." Two aussie shepherd/GSP (mix) brothers from the same litter. As puppies they were adorable, cuddly, playful, and everything puppies should be (including mildly destructive). As they grew they became not only bigger in size, but more destructive, chewing everything from patio support beams, couches, shoes, clothing, even baseboards, not to mention all of the counter surfing. We tried treats and treat boards, chew toys, bones, walks around the neighborhood, training at home using the same training techniques we'd use previously with other dogs... all without success. We tried Zoom Room but they had such terrible separation anxiety that even being across the room from each other was too much for them to process and we were told they were "too wild and distracting to the other dogs" for group sessions. After trying individual sessions through Zoom Room we still saw no progress and began considering other options.Whenever we went to work (we work long hours) we left the boys unattended together in an indoor/outdoor kennel system. One night, while at work, the boys got into a fight. When we got home we rushed both of them to the vet for care. Initially the vet believed it was a fight over a toy or food and separation anxiety played a role. We got rid of the food and toys in the kennel overnight and started them on fluoxetine. This went well for about 2 weeks until the next fight, worse than the last. The vet believed that the boys were exhibiting a behavioral issue called Littermate Syndrome. The vet's solution this time: rehome one or both of the boys to separate homes.We were crushed. By now they were almost 1.5 years old. How would we "pick" which one to rehome? What if their destructive behaviors or constant crying when separated were too much for the next owner to handle and they ended up being abandoned or surrendered? We couldn't bear the thought of separating or rehoming either of our boys.While we researched dog training programs we paid for someone to house/pet sit everytime we went to work to keep them safe. However this was never a long term solution.I had discussed our latest struggles with our boys with a trusted friend/coworker who recommended Kayla and Thunderbird Dog Training to us. We reached out and got a response the next day. After discussing over the phone our struggles with Kayla, she explained to us her program, what she thought she could do for us, and answered all of our questions. She was extremely knowledgeable and understanding.We dropped the boys off with Kayla and visited once a week for training sessions. After just a week they were so much more behaved, walked well on a leash, and could be separated in crates without crying incessantly. Week after week we saw progress and by the end of the program they were so well mannered that we could take them out in public, the dog park, etc. and they actually listened to us.To this day we still keep them separated while we are gone to work or away for any length of time to prevent any future fights. However, we can keep them separated and they no longer cry incessantly.We reached out to Kayla for a follow-up session almost 1 year later. She came out and gave us other training tips to get the boys back in shape after we had faltered with their training. She's absolutely the best!

2025-02-05T03:07:26.288Z

I can’t recommend Kayla enough! My dog, Rugo, has had a difficult past, and I was nervous about sending him for a two-week training program. But Kayla was incredibly kind, patient, and understanding throughout the entire process. She kept me updated with photos and progress reports, which made me feel so much more at ease. Rugo came back more confident and well-behaved, and I can see such a positive change in him. I’m so grateful for Kayla’s expertise and care—she truly goes above and beyond!

2025-01-07T19:31:13.592Z

I reached out to Kayla for help with my dog's tendency to nip people who come to my house. If my dog still struggles with this, it is because of my failings as an owner, definitely not lack of effort on Kayla's part. She has been incredibly supportive and encouraging through all of our sessions, and the behavioral work she gave us to practice is accessible and useful. She has worked hard to accommodate both my dog's needs as well as mine and I couldn't ask for a better experience. We worked via videocall and she was effective and professional. I recommend her enthusiastically to anyone.

2025-01-06T17:54:22.813Z

My rescue Dachshund had some major issues with aggression and reactivity. I have tried other online training programs with little luck in getting any results so I finally decided to invest in a board and train for him and the results are insane! Kayla did an amazing job working with him to overcome his reactivity and aggression towards strangers and other dogs. He has so much more emotional control in situations where he would have lost it before and I have so much more confidence in being able to handle any situation with him!!

2025-01-03T20:30:59.682Z

We needed to board our daughters dog who is very close to her. We had to help her get through it. When Kayla started to send pictures and videos, it was just the ticket. It helped her very much to see her dear little friend so happy. Kayla is a true dog whisperer.

2025-01-03T15:26:03.907Z

We boarded Kodiak here for 11 days and were extremely pleased to see him loving his experience with Kayla and the other dogs. I feel very comfortable leaving Kodiak at Thunderbird, knowing he is happy and loved.

2024-12-29T21:12:31.979Z

I was so lucky to find Kayla to solve the issue of panic attacks with my 10 month old Silken Windhound. If not treated properly it could have become a very serious issue resulting in my having to give up my “LOKI”. She had 10 days with him and it was amazing how quickly he gained confidence and the potential of any more panic attacks is resolved. Her lessons with me and his younger puppy brother “THOR” were so well communicated that I am able to report both of them are amazing as to following through on what they learned. I was referred to her by another dog trainer (retired) that felt she was the best. My Loki was a dog with special needs and he is needs were met by a special dog trainer….. Kayla!!

2024-12-29T03:20:43.607Z

Kayla is so amazing at what she does. Zeus did her 4 week board and train. At first I did not think he was going to learn what was required of him. On our first check in at Home Depot I could already tell it was working. At the end of the 4 weeks he is a completely different dog thanks to thunderbird dog training. I wouldn’t hesitate to hire Kayla again and neither should you.

2024-12-27T15:25:51.422Z

Kayla is so kind, knowledgeable, and patient! I was feeling very overwhelmed with the new puppy, and she took her time in helping us understand so much and I would highly recommend her to anyone!

2024-11-13T15:56:09.741Z

I am amazed, impressed, grateful and excited to see how good my little guy is doing after only 1 week with Kayla. I thought there was no hope for him but she is proving me wrong, and I'm so very happy about that. She is a life saver!

2024-10-19T21:15:48.764Z

I thought my Max was in trouble until we met this amazing dog whisperer Kayla. Kayla as weird as it sounds understood EXACTLY what Max needed and addressed every little concern I had. I couldn't be happier with the results when my Max came home. After Max came home Kayla has done some in home training which has helped me further understand his ongoing needs. I can't thank Kayla enough for saving Max and helping me understand Max. You are so appreciated and I thank you for helping us out.

2024-09-10T19:42:20.932Z

I can’t say enough amazing things about Kayla. I was almost jealous my dog got a wonderful “vacation” while I was at home 😂 Not only was Kayla excellent at providing a safe and positive environment for my reactive rescue, she ensured to take care of every need possible while she provided training that will last a lifetime! Kayla also kept me constantly updated about how he was doing and his progress, then helped my daughter and I learn how to communicate with him, and also provided a follow up lesson in public to further help me understand how to manage my German Shepherd’s anxiety (and honestly, mine too!) My pup and I now speak the same language, which has made our entire family safer and happier. I couldn’t recommend her enough, well worth the money and then some!!!

2024-09-04T19:45:44.032Z

Kayla is so patient and knowledgeable about dogs and how to help them feel confident! I was hesitant to do a training session, but she was amazingly understanding and non judgemental. The tips she shared are bite sized and actionable and while they all make sense, it's not something I would have known to do without help. Thank you Kayla for helping me and my pup succeed!

2024-08-04T12:41:30.520Z

I have worked with Kayla and must say she is an excellent dog trainer. Kayla is a very compassionate, kind and caring soul. She is amazing with the dogs.Pete MarcolinaFreedom K-9

2024-08-01T23:39:53.096Z

Only pleasant experiences here. Responsible caregiver, knows what she’s doing, reliable, and talented

2024-07-21T06:14:49.267Z

I adore Kayla! She was very knowledgeable and patient in training our dog and me!

2024-07-18T18:15:16.353Z

We have 3 dogs with *drastically* different personalities and motivation styles. Kayla worked with all three on a little doggy-treadmill and it was really fun and fascinating to see each interaction. Kayla was calm and patient and encouraging and any fears or apprehensions *I* had, dissolved when watching her interact with each of them. She's truly in her element when working with our four-legged fur-babies! I wouldn't hesitate even once to take any of our dogs to her again for training, boarding, or even just a little workout sesh. Highly highly recommend!! (videos feature Kitty, Honey, and Ginger... please ignore my obnoxious mom voice!)

2024-07-18T16:33:47.121Z

Kayla with Thunderbird is seriously a dog whisperer! She has such a way with the fur babies, caring for them as if they were her own. She somehow manages to give them the one-on-one time they need for behavioral training while also giving them an environment that makes them feel like they’re on vacation! Love love LOVE her and cannot recommend her enough!