What our clients say
Why discerning dog owners choose
True Guard K9
From dogs who are calm, obedient, and confident in any setting, to clients who now enjoy the companionship and protection of a fully trained protection dog.
These stories reflect the pride, trust, and peace of mind that comes from having a dog you can truly rely on!
"We brought our dog, Rocket, to Tara for help with his behavior. He was barking at everything we passed while in the car and on walks, he would jump on everyone who came to the house, and he was in constant play mode. He is a 90 lb German Shepherd, and we needed to make sure he was well-behaved. He did the board and train program and was a completely different dog when we picked him up! With Tara, he learned how to relax and be calm at home. We can take him on walks and rides in the car with no reactivity toward bikes, cars, people, etc. We recently had 10 people come to our house for a celebration, and we were amazed at his good behavior. Even our guests commented on how well-behaved he was. I am so grateful for the reports and instructions that Tara provided, and for the training session she gave me to help keep Rocket on track at home. Tara has responded to every question I have had since we have been home from training, and Rocket has continued to do wonderfully. I would highly recommend True Guard K9, and if we ever get another dog, I will definitely be using Tara and Alex again for training."
-Chrissy S.
"I am so blessed to have found Tara and Alex! We purchased an already trained protection dog from them. Our boy is the perfect dog and I could not have hand picked a better dog. Tara and Alex both are amazing to work with. Even after the purchase of our boy, she has still kept in touch to make sure that everything has transitioned smoothly and has extended any guidance that has been needed. I know that in the future, they will be who I call for any other dog. I am just so thankful!"
-Kelsey M.
"I am beyond gratefull for the guidance, help and support provided by Tara. Charlie is my first dog and I worked with another trainor but I still couldn't get him to heel, be calm at home, stop barking or recall. I didn't know how I could make it through honnestly. She was patient with us, followed up on our progress and made sure I understood the logic behind the approach. I'm enjoying my time with Charlie now, he trusts me to guide and protect him. Thanks again Tara, really appreciate your professionalism and approach!"
-Wiem S.
"We cannot say enough good things about the work Tara and her team did for our crazy pup. Sending our high-drive German Shepherd, Axle, to their board-and-train program was one of the best decisions we’ve made for our family. We loved watching videos as he progressed, and now it’s a daily thing to watch and learn from what she is doing with the next dog.
Axle is an intense working-line dog and not an easy case, but the transformation has been incredible. He returned home with dramatically improved impulse control, boundary respect, and overall obedience. More importantly, Tara didn’t just train our dog, she trained us. The one-on-one sessions gave us the tools, knowledge, and confidence to maintain consistency and continue building on the foundation they created.
Axle has transitioned back into our home smoothly and is learning to blend into everyday family life while still retaining his drive and working ability. It’s clear he was cared for, challenged, and set up for long-term success.
If you are serious about training and want real results, especially with a high-drive or working dog, this is the place to go. We’re extremely grateful for the dedication, expertise, and genuine investment they showed in Axle’s progress. We highly recommend True Guard without hesitation and look forward to continuing to work with them as Axle matures."
- Joe K.
"Thanks to Tara’s expertise and support, our once highly reactive and anxious dog Luma has transformed into a calm, happy, well behaved little companion who is much more relaxed and trustworthy in her day to day life.
Tara guided us as responsible dog parents and helped us redefine boundaries and improve our relationship with Luma, even providing support and feedback in between sessions as needed. In a few short months it feels like we have a completely different dog which has been a huge quality of life improvement for both for Luma and her parents.
I wholeheartedly recommend Tara to anyone seeking assistance with dog training, and encourage you to place complete trust in her guidance, embrace the process, and the results will follow. Tara is a skilled, passionate and caring trainer, and we are truly grateful for the positive impact she has had on our lives."
-Nick H.
"Tara is an excellent dog trainer and i’m so happy I found her online. When I reached out to her for help with my 1 year old husky lab mix, who had a bunch of naughty behaviors like jumping, toe biting, counter surfing, demand barking, reactivity, and never settling down, she came to the rescue! She helped us with all those issues. Now, my dog, Pancho and I can chill out and go on long walks without any fear of encountering other dogs. Getting Tara’s help is seriously the best decision I've ever made!
Tara is not only super knowledgeable and informative about different training techniques, but she can also explain why certain techniques work better than others. The best part is, she's so intuitive with different dogs. She adapts the training based on their behavior and personality, which was incredibly helpful for Pancho. I've seen such a positive change in him! He's not only better behaved, but he's also more comfortable in his own environment now. He can even settle down on his own when guests are around, which is a game-changer because now he can be included a lot more in our lives.
I highly recommend Tara! She's truly such a gem and has made such a difference in our lives. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without her and we can’t thank her enough for all her help!"
-Vanessa J.
"Tara was recommended to us by a friend and we are so so grateful. Our 2 year old Mini Australian Shepherd Captain was struggling with dog and human reactivity. Before meeting Tara, we dreaded walks and would often go at ridiculously odd hours to avoid triggers. With Tara’s guidance and support, Captain has transformed from a shy nervous dog to a more confident, calm and relaxed boy. Tara was super supportive and always available to help with any questions. We are now able to go for walks in so many new places at any time of the day. To see Captain’s goofy smiley face as we explore new areas means the world to us. He’s able to ignore or disengage from triggers and even play fetch in busy areas! On top of that we even manage to squeeze in some great recall and door boundary sessions too. All of this I never dreamed possible in the first place because of his reactivity, but we managed to do so in just 8 weeks! Thank you Tara for drastically improving our quality of life and allowing this sweet and goofy boy to live his very best life!"
-Sheen Y.
"Before Tara MacNeil helped us to become responsible dog owner, we were struggling to handle our stubborn, yet undeniably lovable Chow Chow. But thanks to Tara's Balanced Training Method, our beloved pet has undergone an extraordinary transformation.
Tara's approach is a unique blend of her keen understanding of canine behaviour, patient guidance, and consistent reinforcement. With these, she unlocks a harmonious relationship between my dog and my family. Our Chow Chow has become not just a pet, but a well-behaved, obedient, and cherished family companion.
One aspect we particularly appreciated was Tara's individualized approach. She understood our Chow Chow's specific needs and tailored her training program accordingly. The change wasn't immediate, but Tara's method was never about quick fixes. She focused on instilling long-term behaviour changes and ensuring that our Chow Chow fully comprehended the new expectations.
Tara's method includes a balance of positive rewards and corrections, ensuring dogs understand not only what is encouraged but also what is discouraged. This has empowered us with tools and techniques to keep up the training beyond our sessions with her.
Our Chow Chow is now remarkably well-behaved and adaptable, no matter the situation. Gone are the days of anxiety over unexpected people, and animals or worrying about how our dog would handle new environments. Tara's training has given our Chow Chow the tools to be confident, relaxed, and in control. The positive changes in our dog's behavior have been absolutely remarkable.
Above all, we've seen our Chow Chow develop a newfound happiness and freedom through Tara's balanced training. With this newfound understanding and communication, it's clear our dog feels more secure and content. This has led to a deeper bond between us and our canine companion.
If you're searching for a comprehensive, effective, and caring dog trainer, look no further than Tara MacNeil. With her Balanced Training Method, Tara will not only train your dog but will also transform your relationship with your pet. We couldn't be more grateful for the positive change she has brought to our lives. Tara truly embodies the spirit of her balanced approach to dog training."
-John S.
"My dog Suuki did the 6 week board and train with Tara. His behaviour has been so amazing since he came back home! Tara took him and cared for him as her own dog which gave me an ease of mind through the 6 weeks.
He used to be very impulsive and wouldn't listen but now he's the opposite! I would recommend 100%!
If you are looking for a sign, this is your sign! Haha"
-Theresa E.
"Tara kept my dog (black lab, 1 year old) for boarding while she trained her for 5 weeks. It was all one-on-one and specific behaviors were targeted and I quickly saw huge improvement!
I received weekly in-depth reviews, Tara spent 2 hours with me after the 5 weeks so I would be able to continue the same behavior at home and there was a 1 hour tune-up session afterwards.
My dog is always very happy to see Tara and I know she was always treated well! Before the training my dog was difficult to control, pulled strongly on her leash, tripped people and jumped up. Now she heels, never pulls and can be let off leash and returns when called. It has truly made a huge difference. I can't be happier."
-Kasey S.