Testimonials
I take pride in transforming the lives of dogs and their owners. My clients consistently share their positive experiences, showcasing the effectiveness of my training methods and the strong bonds I’ve helped foster.
From overcoming behavioral challenges to mastering basic commands, my tailored approach ensures each dog receives the attention and training they need. Explore these heartfelt testimonials to see how I’ve made a difference in the lives of countless families. Join my community of satisfied clients and discover how I can help your dog thrive!
“I have practiced animal behavior and training for over thirty years, in addition to training and showing my own dogs in obedience. I have NEVER recommended anyone but Mike. When I was still practicing but no longer teaching classes, I referred my dog clients to Mike for classes when he was teaching at Petco. I have always believed that classes are an important part of a dog’s education. Since I retired, I have been active in helping out with various rescue groups. When I cannot solve the problem over the phone, I refer everyone to Mike. He has always been the only one I have trusted as much as myself!”
“In December, Mount Vernon Animal Rescue (MVAR) in Alexandria, VA brought up 15 dogs from a high-kill shelter in Georgia and placed them with fosters. Although not aggressive, several of the dogs were not particularly well socialized and were difficult to control. They had issues ranging from separation anxiety to not being leash trained and pulling extremely hard. A couple of the dogs were so excitable when in proximity to other dogs and lunged so hard, they pulled their fosters down. I contracted with Mike to work with these dogs. Mike only uses positive reinforcement techniques, often used in combination with games that teach focus and impulse control. Mike is excellent at assessing a dog’s personality, needs and motivations. All of the dogs Mike has worked with have responded positively to the training he has provided and I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking any type of training for their pet or foster.”
“My dogs and I have been working with Mike since early 2018. My lab mix is high energy and very impulsive, but because of Mike’s guidance I was able to get her to focus, learn tricks, and pass her Canine Good Citizen certification. My younger dog and pandemic pup is very reactive. His training helped me learn and harness techniques to help her not be as afraid of city surroundings including other dogs, bikes, scooters, and large groups of people. Mike is an amazing trainer for all types of dogs and has definitely helped my pups and me learn how to live in a city environment. And my dogs have excellent recall away from home when we are on my family farm thanks to his training. He’s a great trainer for all types of dogs, their temperaments, and owner experiences.”
“We loved Mike Tomai’s style of training from the very first interview we had with him, and Furry Face Dog Training LLC. We have since had almost a dozen training sessions with him and we look forward to many more as Mike just understands dogs’ behavior and minds.
A huge difference we found in Mike’s training style is that he doesn’t use harsh or aggressive corrections or create a relationship with the dog where they do right out of fear. He helps us to understand that dogs look to us when they experience a new situation, and he shows us how to respond to our dog to give them the guidance they need in that instance, so that our dog will know how to handle the situation. He teaches us to look for the signs that our dog needs information from us, and how to give them the information they need so that they are successful.
Our dog has never been happier and more comfortable just taking a walk down the street now that we know how to give her what she needs to handle the situations she encounters in life. Her behavior has improved so much and the bond she seems to have with us has never been stronger. We can’t recommend Mike Tomai, and Furry Face Dog Training enough to anyone looking to have a happy, well-trained dog, with whom you can share a positive and mutually beneficial relationship.”
“I am thrilled to share my experience working with Mike as my dog trainer. When I was first referred to him by a Vet at Hayfield Animal Hospital for his positive training style and expertise in canine behavior I was a bit worried as I’d used trainers in the past with no success. Little did I know that choosing to work with him would be one of the best decisions I made for my furry friend Benny.
From the moment we started our training sessions, I was impressed by his professionalism, patience, and genuine passion for helping dogs and their owners. His clear communication and tailored training approach made a significant impact on our training journey.
We faced so many challenges as Benny was a 12 month old feral puppy we had just adopted who didn’t know anything about humans, how to be in our world or trust them. We ran the gamut of training needs from indoor potty training, to recall, learning his name, recognizing us as his new pack, how to over come his fears and identify them to make this new world less scary and stressful to all of us. His guidance and effective training techniques not only helped address these issues but also improved our overall bond with our beloved little Benny. I appreciated how he took the time to understand our dog’s unique needs and provided us with practical tools to continue training at home or on a walk.
Since working with Mike, I have noticed a remarkable transformation in our dog’s behavior. The improvements in obedience, confidence, and overall demeanor are a testament to your expertise as a dog trainer. Our walks are now more enjoyable, and our relationship with Benny has grown stronger thanks to his guidance.
I wholeheartedly recommend Mike’s services to anyone in search of a dedicated and knowledgeable dog trainer. His commitment to helping dogs and their owners achieve training success is truly commendable.”
“Having worked with Mike for over a year now, I can confidently say that his dog training service has been an absolute game-changer for Pepper. From being a spirited pup to a focused service dog adept at scent detection, the progress has been remarkable.
What sets Mike apart is his commitment to evidence-based methods backed by research and insights from professionals in the animal training industry. His approach is grounded in proven techniques, ensuring Pepper receives the highest quality training possible.
Mike’s patience and understanding shine through in every session, creating a nurturing environment where Pepper feels safe and motivated to learn. His calm demeanor and genuine love for animals foster a deep bond of trust between him and Pepper.
Under Mike’s guidance, Pepper has not only improved her behavior skills but has also developed a newfound confidence in her role as a service dog. Pepper’s impressive progress stands as a testament to Mike’s expertise and unwavering dedication.
If you’re searching for a dog trainer who gets results while treating your furry friend with kindness and respect, look no further than Mike Tomai.”
“Mike has been training our 5 dogs since 2012. We’d highly recommend working with Mike. His passion for dogs and upbeat nature makes training engaging and enjoyable. He has a tremendous depth of knowledge with extensive experience in a wide range of training and behavioral situations. He teaches so much more than just sit and stay and educates owners about dogs and proper dog ownership.“
“Mike is the best trainer of dogs and dog parents. Using positive reinforcement, he was able to work with Dulce on all the basics plus areas where I was having difficulty such as “leave it” and “drop it” . What is such a benefit for me is that I have been learning how to replicate the training because he provides videos, explanations, and handouts. I take an active role in the practical exercises so that I can learn and be successful in raising a happy pup.”
“We really appreciated the practical and actionable training tips that Mike shared with us. He brings a real depth of experience and understanding tailored to the breed he’s training—a Beagle, in our case. He was particularly great helping our daughters (under 10) understand their role in training Ziggy and behaviors they should and should not do. I’d highly recommend his training services. “
“Mike came highly recommended by a friend and I reached out to him as soon as I found out we were getting a puppy. We already had an eight year old Weimaraner (Odin) who we needed help with, especially with leash walking. Mike began working with Vale, also a Weimaraner, when he was nine weeks old. Every session Mike came prepared with a plan and worked with each dog individually, as well as each one us. We have two teen daughters who Mike engaged in every dog training activity and made sure they were just as invested in our pups’ success as we were.
Mike also had us record all the exercises so we could go back to them long after Mike was done training the dogs. Every day as I walk our dogs, I mentally thank Mike for making these walks something I look forward to instead of dread. Now Odin rarely reacts to other dogs and never pulls his leash. Vale, who just turned nine months old, is growing up to be a confident and polite boy. I highly recommend Mike and without a doubt will be calling him next time we decide to get another dog.”
Furry Face Dog Training 