Client Testimonials
We are proud to share testimonials from clients whose dogs and families have benefited from training with Optimal Dog Training. Past clients who would like to share their experience are warmly invited to reach out—we would love to hear from you!
"Working with Molly has truly transformed our relationship with our Rottweiler, Coco. Her training methods are positive, practical, and centered around rewarding good behavior by "catching them when they're being good." The training isn't just about teaching your dog—it empowers you as an owner with the knowledge and confidence to succeed together.
I first contacted Molly because we were dealing with some specific and concerning behaviors, particularly Coco's reactivity in unfamiliar environments, like outdoor restaurant patios. Thanks to Molly's positive reinforcement techniques, Coco has made incredible progress. We continue to practice the skills Molly taught us every day, and the results have been amazing. We now enjoy taking Coco on more adventures and have seen firsthand how effective positive reinforcement can be, all while allowing her to simply be a dog and enjoy a well-rounded, happy life.
Molly has also helped us refine everyday behaviors, like teaching Coco to settle calmly when we have guests over for dinner. Our friends often ask, "Where's Coco?" because she's so quietly absent from the dining room. Without fail, she's happily relaxing on her bed, and our guests always comment on how well-behaved she is.
I can't say enough wonderful things about our experience with Molly—and Coco absolutely adores her. We plan to continue working with Molly as needed and wholeheartedly recommend Optimal Dog Training to anyone looking for an effective, compassionate trainer. She takes the time to understand your unique situation and provides customized techniques that work for both you and your one-of-a-kind dog."
- D.S., Rottweiler
" We first contacted Optimal Dog Training in the summer of 2024 because our pandemic dog, Mochi, was showing increasing anxiety and reactive behavior both inside and outside our home. On walks, Mochi was reactive to other dogs, bikers, joggers, and even school buses and garbage trucks! At home, Mochi had also become aggressive, having nipped me and other family members several times, and the final biting incident resulted in puncture wounds. At that point, we realized the problem had become serious and that we needed professional help.
During our consultation, Molly reassured us that Mochi was not an aggressive dog. She explained that his reactive behaviors stemmed from our lack of leadership and our failure to recognize and respect his boundaries. Molly took a detailed behavioral history and completed an in-depth assessment to identify Mochi’s triggers. From there, she created a behavior modification program tailored specifically to Mochi and to our family’s lifestyle. Molly also taught our family how to establish calm, consistent leadership in a household with two dogs. Her guidance helped us understand what Mochi needed from us and how we could support him more effectively. Once we began following the program, we noticed an immediate improvement in Mochi’s behavior.
After our first private training session, we continued working with Molly through group training sessions. Mochi and our other dog, Koda, have since passed the Canine Good Citizen test and have been attending Therapy Dog training classes. Mochi and Koda love Molly and are always excited to be greeted by her. Today, we feel much more confident handling our dogs on walks and taking them to dog-friendly places and restaurants. We have become the calm, consistent leaders Mochi and Koda need. Our dogs now feel safer, more respected, and better supported. Thanks to Molly, Mochi and Koda have become calmer, happier, and more confident dogs."
- R.B., Doodles x2
"Molly Krutkramelis at Optimal Dog Training is Incredible! We are beyond thrilled with our experience working with Molly Krutkramelis at Optimal Dog Training! Molly's expertise, patience, and genuine love for dogs transformed not only our pups Riley and Harley, she also transformed us as dog owners. Molly crafted approaches that catered to Riley and Harley's unique personalities. Molly's ability to foster Riley's potential was outstanding. Thanks to Molly's thoughtful and consistent training, Riley is now a certified therapy dog!
Harley had a different set of needs, and Molly adapted her training methods perfectly to meet them. The behavior transformation on walks, socializing with other dogs, and in everyday situations is incredible. What truly sets Molly apart is not just her skill with dogs, her ability to empower owners. She diligently educated and supported us, and she made training something we genuinely looked forward to. We always felt like we had a partner who truly cares. Due to Molly's expertise and guidance, we continue to attend her training classes and private sessions. If you're looking for a trainer who blends professionalism with warmth and achieves successful results, we highly recommend Molly Krutkramelis at Optimal Dog Training. We're so grateful to Molly and so proud of Riley and Harley's progress!"
- J.M., Golden Doodle x2
"When we first contacted Molly, we were incredibly worried about our dog, Koa. Koa is an anxious dog with strong herding instincts, and after he attempted to herd one of our children's friends and nipped at him, we feared his anxiety had turned into aggression. We wanted to address the behavior immediately before it became a bigger problem.
From the moment Molly came to our home for our first one-on-one session, she immediately put our minds at ease. She carefully evaluated Koa's behavior and explained that he was not an aggressive dog. Instead, she helped us understand that his actions were rooted in anxiety and instinct, and more importantly, she gave us the tools to help him succeed.
Molly's knowledge, patience, and ability to explain both canine behavior and effective training techniques were truly remarkable. Through her personalized training sessions, Koa learned how to stay calmer and more confident, even in our busy home filled with children and activity. Just as importantly, Molly taught us how to communicate with Koa in a way that built trust and consistency.
Our success didn't stop with the in-home sessions. We continued training with Molly by enrolling in her beginning level class and Canine Good Citizen class, where Koa continued to thrive. Thanks to Molly's guidance, Koa successfully passed the Canine Good Citizen test—a milestone we never would have imagined when we first reached out to her.
We are so grateful for Molly. She not only transformed Koa's behavior but also gave our family the confidence and understanding to help him be the best dog he can be. We wholeheartedly recommend Molly to anyone looking for a trainer who is knowledgeable, compassionate, and truly dedicated to helping both dogs and their families succeed."
- R.M., Shepherd Mix
"We used Optimal Dog Training multiple times. First, we worked on regulating some of our golden retriever’s reactive behaviors when interacting with strangers. Molly was extremely helpful & gave us guidance along the way on how to maintain our pup’s improved behavior.
On a second occasion she worked with us to train both our pups on replacement behaviors to stay calm when someone knocked or rang our doorbell. Molly has an amazing rapport with both of our dogs & is always responsive & extremely professional. We have referred multiple families to Optimal Dog Training & would highly recommend their services!"
- M.O., Golden Retriever & Cocker Spaniel