Kind To Canines

Kind To Canines offers multiple training formats: In-Home Training (1–1.5 hour sessions with daily 45–60 minute homework), Day Training (once weekly, full-day facility training with socialization and end-of-day owner lesson), and In-Kennel Boarding (intensive 1–3 week programs with 24/7 training and behavior modification). Puppy Training focuses on socialization and foundational behavior between 8–16 weeks. Behavior Modification addresses reactivity, fear, aggression, and separation anxiety. All programs include owner education and homework. Therapy Dog and Canine Good Citizenship preparation are structured programs with testing support.

Pricing Summary

Pricing is not publicly listed; services are customized based on individual needs and assessed during a free initial consultation. Packages are available for in-home, day, and board-and-train programs, with payment structures tailored to program length and intensity.

Policies

No explicit cancellation or rescheduling policies are stated on the website. However, clients are expected to commit to scheduled programs, and drop-off/pick-up times for boarding and day training are likely fixed based on facility operations. Consultations are free and required before program enrollment.

Kind To Canines is a dog training business founded in 1996 by Dan Atkinson, a former veterinarian with over two decades of experience in canine care and behavior. They offer a comprehensive range of services including in-home training, day training, in-kennel boarding with integrated training, puppy socialization, behavior modification, and grooming. Their facility in Newport Beach, CA, is designed to house up to 12 dogs overnight and 5 dogs per day for day training, featuring indoor/outdoor, temperature-controlled runs with solar-powered heating and cooling, and Easy Turf synthetic grass for joint-friendly play. Dan emphasizes positive, reward-based methods with minimal punishment, focusing on building trust and communication between dogs and their owners. They specialize in helping dogs transition into family life, preparing dogs for Therapy Dog Certification, and supporting families during major life changes like pregnancy or the arrival of a new baby. Their programs are tailored to individual needs, with hands-on owner involvement encouraged in in-home sessions and detailed follow-up instruction after facility-based training.

In addition to training, they offer pre-puppy home setups, canine good citizenship training, and training with children to ensure dogs respond to all family members. Their facility accommodates dogs from 2 to 200 pounds, and they provide case studies and alumni testimonials showcasing successful transformations in behavior, socialization, and obedience.

Clients appreciate the personalized attention, the facility’s clean and safe environment, and Dan’s compassionate, expert approach that treats each dog as part of the family.

Accomplishments

Dan Atkinson began working in veterinary kennels at age 18 and managed facilities while pursuing education at Long Beach State and the National Institute of Dog Training. He became an animal and orthopedic technician for canine hip replacement surgeries before founding Kind To Canines in 1996. The business has trained over 100 dogs annually for more than 25 years and is an accredited facility for Canine Good Citizenship testing. Many clients have relied on Dan for over 20 years, with multiple dogs from the same families returning for training.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients begin with a free initial consultation to discuss their dog’s needs, goals, and appropriate training program. This consultation helps determine whether in-home, day, or board-and-train services are best suited. After the consultation, clients schedule their chosen program with a start date.