The Pet Mentor
Service area: Serves the Coachella Valley including Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Bermuda Dunes, and Indio.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Puppy Training
- Basic Obedience
- Leash Pulling
- Jumping on People
- Barking Excessively
- Separation Anxiety
- Potty Training
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- Group Classes
- In-Home
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
Types of Dogs
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Giant
- Doodles
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
- Senior (8+ years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
Equipment:
- ✓ Clickers
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Harnesses
- ✓ Flat Collars
Training programs include one-on-one in-home sessions and group classes for dogs of all ages. Programs cover puppy training, basic and advanced obedience, leash manners, tricks, Canine Good Citizen preparation, and behavior modification for issues like litter box problems in cats or reactivity in dogs. Sessions are customized to the dog’s needs and the owner’s goals, with an emphasis on positive reinforcement and hands-on guidance for the human partner.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Offers an introductory price for the first training session or behavioral consultation. Multiple-session training packages are available at discounted rates. Specific pricing requires contacting the business directly.
Testimonials
“Gary and I are amazed and so pleased with the difference in our dogs’ behaviors since Sara has been training ALL of us! Her positive, kind yet assertive approach to animal training is very effective. Lily, 3½ years and Diego, 4 months, both miniature schnauzers, are now quieter and calmer. And we all are having even more fun than ever together! They have learned sit, down, stay, to walk nicely on a leash and so much more in just 2 visits from Sara. We can’t wait for her next visit! Sara’s simple, gentle, successful techniques make so much more sense to us than those used in the books and videos of some celebrity trainers. Call Sara! We are certain you and your pets will not be disappointed!”
– Christine Schaefer & Gary Williams, Palm Desert, CA.
“Dear Sara, We are so glad that you came into our lives! Sadie, the reincarnation of Marley, was a very difficult puppy. Your classes always left us with new ideas on how to handle her. You motivated us to work with her so that Sadie would do better by the following week. What really helped the most however, were our one on one training sessions. We were ready to give up on the gentle leader and after only one meeting with you Sara, we saw definite improvement. It was remarkable. You showed us a different way of handling Sadie. You were firm but still gentle. She is really becoming a sweet dog. We’re so proud of her. Thanks for all your patience and guidance Sara. We recommend you to all our dog friends.”
– Ron, Angie and Sadie H.
“We found Sara’s gentle, nurturing demeanor as a trainer to be highly effective with our Cavaliers as they completed their Canine Good Citizen training and testing. So, when we started having behavioral problems with our pups in social situations, we asked Sara to help. She worked with the dogs in the exact settings we were encountering problems – at outdoor cafes and restaurants. Now we can take our pups with us without worrying about them disrupting other diners. Since we are both pilots, we travel extensively. It was impossible to find a trustworthy and reliable person to stay in our home and care for our dogs in our absence, so we were thrilled when we were able to have Sara care for them. Thanks Sara!”
– Denise & Rob W.
About the Trainer
The Pet Mentor is a dog training business founded by Sara McNutt, a professional with over 17 years of experience in animal training and care. Sara specializes in positive reinforcement methods to help dog owners improve their pets’ behavior through effective communication and relationship-building. Services include private and group training sessions for puppies and adult dogs, covering basic obedience, advanced commands, tricks, Canine Good Citizen preparation, and behavior modification for issues like leash pulling, jumping, barking, and separation anxiety. Sara also provides in-home consultations and pet sitting services, with a focus on creating a calm, trusting environment for both dogs and their humans. The business emphasizes science-based, reward-driven techniques and explicitly avoids fear, pain, or punishment in training.
In addition to dog training, The Pet Mentor offers similar services for cats, birds, reptiles, rodents, and horses, making it a comprehensive pet behavior and care resource. Sara is a certified evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizen program and holds full membership in the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and the Pet Professional Guild (PPG), reinforcing her commitment to ethical, force-free training practices.
Accomplishments
Sara McNutt has over 17 years of experience working with over 100 animal species, including tigers, eagles, and monkeys, at facilities like Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Living Desert. She has appeared on national TV shows including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Larry King Live. She is a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and a Full Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Pet Professional Guild.
How to Get Started!
Prospective clients are encouraged to contact The Pet Mentor to schedule an introductory training session or behavioral consultation. Pricing and package details are available upon inquiry.
Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Certifications
- Credentialed
Associations
- APDT
- PPG
Languages
- English
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Pet sitter
- Dog day care center
Location
49023 Mariposa Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260Listing Tools for Trainers
For The Pet Mentor Only
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