Below are just a few of the reviews we receive weekly
Dear Russell & Fun Paw Care,
I’m very pleased to announce the professional association of South Beach Animal Hospital with Russell and Fun Paw Care.
Our doctors, staff and hospital have chosen Russell for his training skills, compassion and professionalism when referring our patients for training or behavior issues. Whether it’s routine obedience, a severe anxiety issue or anything in between, we trust Russell‘s use of the most updated humane and positive training techniques that are the gold standard of the animal behavior community.
We’ve received only the most enthusiastic response from our clients that we’ve sent to Russell and the bottom line is that his most compassionate and positive training techniques are absolutely the most effective. He not only trains your pet, he’s great at teaching the pet owners how to be effective parents! I’ve not seen a trainer with his level of experience and ability in my almost 20 years of practice in South Florida!
For the people and pets that make up the VCA Animal Hospital family, there’s no one we trust more with training, care and behavior issues than Russell and Fun Paw Care.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mike Tenzer
VCA Animal Hospital
Dear Russell and Fun Paw Care,
You are a gifted trainer. Thank you for your dedication and compassion for training & helping homeless dogs…
Warmest regards,
Dr. Jane Goodall
Dear Russell,
Thank you for all of your help and the best dog training…Brilliant! Love & Light xo
Naomi Campbell and Vladislav Doronin, Milo & Winston
Thank you so much for your dog training and behavior services and we really appreciate your generous dog training Miami donation to our event and foundation.
Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Sasha (RIP) & Wade’s World Foundation
Russell is not only one of my dearest friends, but the guru of dog training, behavior and all things dog! I am very excited about partnering with Russ to advance the understanding of service animals and saving homeless dogs.
Love,
Steve Guttenberg
Dear Russell,
I have received some feedback from the board. I was informed that when Premier made the donation, and before they were owned by Pet Safe, the understanding was that the donation was to cover only the first printing of the documents. As a result, we no longer have an obligation to maintain their image in the pieces as I had erroneously thought when I first wrote back to you.
As a result, we will be removing the Premier Logo from the statements on the web site. Apparently, the printed copies had the logo removed but the older pdf versions were left on the website. We will be putting up more current versions.
The board, and myself, wanted to thank you for calling this to our attention and I am glad we can get it worked out to everyone’s satisfaction.
Take care,
Dr. John Ciribassi
President of (AVSAB) American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Dear Mr. Hartstein:
Thank you for collaborating with the AVMA to help educate the public on “How to Choose a Dog Trainer.” During their fall and early winter meetings, the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee and the AVMA Steering Committee on Human-Animal Interactions discussed your request for an AVMA policy addressing “How to Choose a Dog Trainer.” After reviewing related material from several sources, the unanimous conclusion of the members of those groups was that educational material produced by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (available here: http://avsabonline.org/uploads/position_statements/How_to_Choose_a_Trainer_%28AVSAB%29.pdf) fulfilled this need nicely. As such, these AVMA Committees suggested a link to this material be placed on the AVMA website.
We have done so and the AVSAB information is now linked to our website here:
https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Reference/AnimalWelfare/Pages/Animal-Welfare-related-links.aspx
As you may note, the AVMA has recently redone its website and additional enhancements are in progress. Among planned updates are a careful look at the animal welfare-related webpages. Because these updates cross multiple areas of concern with different needs, they will take some time to complete, but rest assured they are on our to-do list and we will get to them just as quickly as human and financial resources permit us to do so.
Thank you for your interest and concern. While we understand you were interested in a separate AVMA policy, we believe this solution provides needed information with a responsible use of resources.
Sincerely,
Gail C. Golab, PhD, DVM, MANZCVS (Animal Welfare), DACAW
Director, Animal Welfare Division
American Veterinary Medical Association
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Russell and Fun Paw Care
I am proud to present you with this Certificate of Recognition for your hard work and dedication to the Miami Beach Disability Access Committee and a Key to the City to Steve Guttenberg for his activism as well.
You do great things! Thank you!
Philip Levine, Mayor of Miami Beach
Dear Fun Paw Care,
As a veterinarian not only do I have a house full of crazy animals, I also have long work hours. Having known Russell for some years, I recently called on his services to help with behavior modification techniques for my overly anxious, hyperactive dog. She’s a handful, to say the least, and I was not expecting such dramatic results in just the initial visit, considering her anxiety level and history. However, his dedication, professionalism, depth of knowledge and passion for animals are evident. The techniques he utilizes and teaches are clear and effective, and they are already helping make my household more peaceful and calm. I am over the moon to have his help and will not hesitate to recommend Fun Paw Care to all my clients, family and friends.
Cheers,
Dr. Lori Walter
Thank you Russell for your help, and magic!
With gratitude,
Alan Faena and Ximena Caminos
Dear Russell,
What an amazing change you have made in our lives and the lives of our little Pekinese, Lulabelle!!
When we got her, she had been abused and abandoned and it showed in her actions. It was recommended to us that we have her put down because we would never be able to train or control her and for years, it looked like she would always be a beautiful but aggressive little puppy.
We had many trainers over the 3 years that we had her before meeting you. They came highly recommended by our vet, friends, and dog groomers but none of them were able to do anything with her and it was costing us a fortune in training bills – not to mention the stress and disappointments.
We consider it a miracle that we met you one day as you were bicycling down our street and I was trying to walk Lulabelle. You admired Lulabelle and I told you to keep back because she was not well trained. We started talking and you said that you could train her in one session. I decided to take a chance because we had nothing to lose and we set a date for the entire family to meet with you.
In one hour, you changed her from a dog that was running around in circles, barking and lunging when anyone approached to a docile, friendly, sweet, calm, little puppy. – and she stayed like this. We had to make a trip out of town and she had gotten along so well with you that we asked you if you would watch her while we were gone. When you came over, she walked away with you and never looked back at me. This was remarkable because she is VERY attached to me and wants me to carry her constantly. When I was around, she refused to be held by any other family member. You sent daily picture updates via the cell phone and she truly looked very happy. For the first time, she also went to the dog park (with you) and she was around other dogs.
Our friends cannot believe that it is the same dog and some of them have petted and held her for the first time in 3 years. She had made a remarkable, permanent, adjustment and it is all because of you.
Thank you so much as this has changed our lives and we can now enjoy her as well as love her. You are a miracle worker and really know how to handle dogs! We will always be grateful for what you have done for us.
All the best,
(In loving memory, RIP) Dr. Carol K., Leon & Lulabelle
We have met with Russ one time thus far and have been SO impressed with his knowledge and teaching techniques. My dog has already learned new nonverbal commands in LESS THAN A DAY and we look forward to working with Russ more!
Cami C. & Kona
Working with Russ is such a treat – he’s so kind, articulate, and patient. His love and understanding of dogs is palpable. I’m excited to continue working with and learning from him!
Annika & Fred H. & Cecil
We met Russ in Los Angeles about a year and a half ago while on a walk with our dog. Russ was walking one of his clients’ dogs who was young, had some anxiety issues, and often stayed with Russ for training. We were very impressed with how gentle, patient, and loving Russ was with that dog and how much the dog responded to him and loved him. We often had our dogs play together when his client’s dog visited him, and we observed Russ’s interaction with the dog and how he helped the dog’s confidence grow over time. Now we are considering getting a second dog and we called Russ to get his advice on a range of issues, including adoption versus breeder, whether our second dog should be another male or a female, when the dog should be spayed/neutered, and questions about training and socialization. He had no skin in the game, so to speak, but he still spent time discussing all these issues with us and giving us his informed opinion. We are thankful for his advice and feel confident making the decision about our new family member!
Dr. Ashlesha D.& Yogi
Our 3 month old English Cream Goldendoodle Goldie just got back from a week long puppy boot camp with Russ and we couldn’t be happier! We now call Russ, “Goldies Guru” and know we made the best choice choosing the most highly trained behaviorist in Los Angeles. From start to finish Russ was supper responsive and always went the extra mile in his communication with us. Throughout Goldies stay we got daily updates and photos / videos showing us her progress as well as instructions on what she was learning and how we should train her at home! Russ is the best of the best. Not only is he insanely educated on all matters dog-related, including how dogs nervous systems work, his disposition is also extremely grounding and loving which made it crystal clear how much he is devoted to dogs. He truly connected with Goldie and we could feel that! Goldie was so happy with him and she came back better than we could have imagined! She returned with a solid foundation that we know will set her up for the rest of her life! If you are considering dog training with Russ, we couldn’t recommend him more! Goldie is now much more secure, regulated, and most importantly we now have the resources and tools to be the best parents and teachers ourselves for Goldie thanks to Russ!
Zac, Codi & Goldie
Ultimately, all you need to know, Russell is the real deal. Our 11 month old Mini Australian Shephard puppy, Ollie, has exhibited fear and anxiety since the moment we got him, and over time these problems developed into aggressive behaviors. He constantly exhibits fear of men, uncontrollable barking indoors & outdoors, leash aggression, random aggression towards dogs, and separation anxiety. We tried our best to seek out the best positive reinforcement training programs with reputable companies & certified trainers, but nothing seemed to really stick or work in the long term. We came to the realization that we were wasting money on training sessions, and we needed a professional behaviorist to help us. Luckily, we came across Russell Hartstein at Fun Paw Care, and we were so excited & impressed to see all of his qualifications and success stories. We are so happy to report that we are now on the path towards becoming another one of Russell’s success stories! During our 2 hour session, Russ provided an incredible amount of useful information in such a short amount of time. He even followed up with a detailed 14 page report with helpful tips and resources geared specifically towards Ollie. He is very responsive, truly cares, and wants to help you create a happier, healthier dog. There is so much convoluted information out there from other trainers & on Google, YouTube, etc, but Russell goes straight to the root of the issues and helped us clearly understand what, why, & how we can do better. There is such a massive difference between Russell & the other trainers we’ve come across – he really understands everything there is to know about dogs, their behavior, and why/how they react to certain stimulating environments. The details we learned from him are truly unmatched! Russell has techniques and exercises that we haven’t found anywhere else, and because of him, we are now better equipped to battle Ollie’s fears & anxiety. We now have the tools to be better dog parents, and we feel more confident in managing Ollie’s behavior & identifying things that may trigger him before he’s triggered. It’s only been a week since we’ve incorporated our newfound knowledge and we’ve already noticed improvements with our little Ollie. His barking has subsided tremendously, he walks much better on a leash, and he’s focusing more on us when he’s faced with something that makes him uncomfortable. We still have a lot of work to do, but we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel thanks to Russ! Don’t waste your time or money on other resources like we did – go straight to Russell!
Courtney & Bre B. & Ollie
Hi Russ,
First off, I wanted to say THANK YOU for our training session last week. I’m working with Mason almost on a daily basis, and it’s a lot of fun because he is so receptive to food. There aren’t enough hours in the day, however, it’s fun to see progress even though it’s in small increments.
We’ve been practicing counterconditioning over the last week. A few days ago I was able to “knock” on the door in several different ways/speeds and Mason wasn’t barking. I’m going to introduce a few more “triggering” sounds to him this week at a slow pace. I have also been practicing the “touch” cue with a nice chicken treat for him almost on a daily basis. I have been giving him kibbles at random times when he is laying in his place without me asking. He loves food and it makes the training a lot easier. He definitely understands the “hierarchy of treats”! 🙂 I would say at home he has gone from a great dog to an even better dog this week.
I also got one of the harnesses you recommended through your Amazon page, and it has made SUCH a difference!! He doesn’t pull now unless his anxiety is triggered. I have learned that I am still able to “communicate” with him when there is a dog on the other side of the street, and I am trying to keep him at distances from other dogs where I can still work with him.
Best,
Caroline Rosen & Mason
I can’t say enough positive things about my experience with Fun Paw Care. I had to have surgery and was stressed as to where I could send my 5-month old puppy, Coco (who struggles with separation anxiety) while I recovered. The moment I met Russ when he came to pick up Coco, I literally had tears of joy knowing he was going to be in the best hands possible and that I made the right choice. Russ’s calming demeanor, charisma and instant bond with my puppy alleviated all my stress of sending my fur baby away. I loved all the communication, photos, videos and report cards I received daily. When Russ returned Coco, I noticed an immediate change with Coco’s attentiveness and obedience. He now enjoys walking, which he never did and has shown less signs of anxiety when I’m not by his side. I also love Fun Paw Care holistic approach with the herbal remedies that were recommended. I highly recommend Fun Paw Care to anyone who is looking for the knowledgeable trainer or just looking for their pet to be in the best care while traveling/surgery 😉
Marci K & Coco
Dear Russell and parents,
We hired Russ to help us with our very reactive and anxious 10-month-old German/Swiss Shepherd mix. She has been fearful since the day we rescued her and has now started to be reactive toward the things that scare her which are strangers and other dogs. It was very obvious how knowledgeable Russ is when he came to our house to evaluate the situation. He was able to provide us with likely reasons for our girl’s fears and a detailed explanation of what needs to be done to help her gain her confidence. We have been implementing what Russ has suggested for a week and can already see improvement with our scared girl. Russ is also extremely responsive via email so his support doesn’t just end after your session with him. He is always there to answer any questions along the way. Our only regret is not hiring Russ sooner!
Ashley & John C. & Luna
I was looking of a dog behaviorist that would come to my home to help me with our new Boxer rescue Jojo. I had a terrible experience with a dog trainer in the past that used harsh training methods like using a shock collar. I was looking for someone who used positive reinforcement only. I found it in Russ at Fun Paws. Jojo took to him immediately and his gentle positive methods is just what I was looking for. I like that he is certified and not just someone who took a course and called themselves a professional trainer. Russ is a professional dog trainer In the Los Angeles area with 30 years experience. He is gentle and kind and super nice! I feel that after our session I have the tools to effectively deal with any issue that I have with Jojo now. I would recommend Fun Paws 200%
Tanny H. & Jojo
Russ is the man! Wonderful ability to explain perfectly what we as dog parents need to understand to raise our puppy. Isla our 4 month old instantly connected with him and Russ showed us how a clam and understanding temperament was vital to Islas learning. I can’t recommend Russ enough if you are looking for help with a new pet addition. THANKS AGAIN RUSS.
Nialle, Niki O. & Isla
My 10 year old pup Bubba has developed severe separation anxiety over the years and it has only gotten worse. I tried everything from medication to my own training techniques at home. Nothing has worked so I researched dog trainers/behaviorists in the area. I was lucky enough to come across Russ and Fun Paw Care. Russ was incredibly flexible with his time and was able to come see us almost immediately. We worked on two behaviors with Bubba: Separation Anxiety Disorder and a little bit of Fear Reactivity towards some dogs on leash. We walked through all the necessary steps it will take to minimize my dog’s fear, anxiety and stress when left alone at home and when on-leash walks around other unfamiliar dogs. As hard and as stressful as it has been with Bubba’s training and behavior modification, Russ has been able to make a difference while keeping me levelheaded. We still have a long way to go but I am forever grateful to have found him. Thank you Russ!
Rebecca P. & Bubba
Russell is an amazing, caring, thoughtful, and vital resource for all of your pet training needs. He has helped my wife and I become confident in our adventure of being first-time puppy owners. He has been patient with us through the entire process and we are very grateful for his wealth of knowledge that he seamlessly integrated into our puppies specific needs. Not only has he been wonderful in person but he is also extremely thorough with following up and reviewing important key concepts and notes through email. He responds very promptly and has a wonderful approach with all of his techniques. Russell has also been extremely helpful in helping our 3 year old cat become accustomed to our new puppy. With a detailed plan beginning from before their introduction all the way through being present for their first interaction, we are more confident that not only will our pets become comfortable with each other but also have a healthy relationship with each other and us. Thank you to Russell and the Fun Paw Care team! We can’t wait to continue working with you!
Dr. Zeeshan, Nausheen, Mala & Arya
Russ,
We couldn’t have asked for a better dog trainer than Russ. He was so professional and knowledgeable. He took time to answer all of our questions and we didn’t feel rush at all. He immediately showed us things we could do to help our dog with his behavior issues and we saw changes immediately. It was amazing. You can tell that he has so much experience. And has probably seen it all. We will be recommending him to anyone in Los Angeles in need for the best trainer.
Victor C. & Boomer
I’m grateful to have been introduced to Russ and Fun Paw Care. During our phone consultation he listened attentively as I shared the challenges I’ve been facing with my dog, Zizou. The primary reason I reached out to Russ was to learn how to get Zizou to stop barking when he hears people outside my apartment. Russ asked questions to gain a clear understanding of the issue, the environment and other possible contributing factors. With that understanding he gave me a number of tips and recommendations that I have begun implementing to help create an environment conducive to eliminating the barking. I also had a few questions regarding separation anxiety and traveling with my dog and Russ was awesome in addressing those issues as well. I’m very happy with the knowledge he shared with me and I highly recommend reaching out to Russ if you’re looking for proven and practical ways to improve your pet’s behavior.
Ahmed E. & Zizou
Dear Russ,
There are plenty of dog trainers who use positive reinforcement for dogs but whose training methods for human pet parents are less than satisfactory. Likewise, there are plenty of dog trainers who drill commands in class but leave dog guardians on their own to figure out how to apply these techniques in the chaotic world of the street, the dog park, the trail, etc. This is where Russell breaks the mold. He never loses sight of the fact that he is training you, the dog guardian, to be your dog’s coach. He is encouraging, gives useful feedback, and helps dog guardians figure out how to set dogs (and humans) up for success. His compassion for dogs extends to compassion for the humans who are trying to figure out how to create a good learning environment for their canine family members.
Russell is also a dog behaviorist whose knowledge of dogs is based in scientific research, not in flimsy theories about dog’s wild ancestors or in anecdotal evidence. Indeed, he provides a slew of resources after every session so dog parents can do their homework and take the knowledge forward. Between our last dog and our present one, we’ve worked with four Los Angeles dog trainers before Russell and we can confidently say he’s the best out there. He treated our dog, Rufus, with affection, kindness, and respect. He also treated *us* with respect for our intelligence and our prior dog experience. His positive reinforcement and behavior modification approach makes perfect sense and we saw its impact on our dog right away. Our dog, Rufus, came to us with a complex of physical and psychological issues. A sweet tempered Rottweiler, he was nonetheless a mess as he had never been outside, had never been on a leash, and had not been socialized with other dogs. He was friendly with humans but had been taught that it was OK to jump, mouth, and bark at people in play. He was also suffering from hypothyroidism, which made it hard for him to focus and made him fearful and inflammatory bowel disease, which made him picky about food and therefore hard to reward.
We are beyond grateful that Russell took the time to observe Rufus carefully and didn’t swoop in with proclamations about Rufus’ intelligence and that he didn’t mislabel him as stubborn or dominant. Russell taught us how to create lines of communication with Rufus by getting him to sit as a request. He showed us how to manage Rufus’ excitability around other dogs and moving vehicles with positive reinforcement and he worked with us to get Rufus to walk on a loose leash, something that has made a huge difference in our quality of life. We’ve only had two sessions with him so far but we will be back for more training, without a doubt. Look no further and seek out his services for your pet.
Jay, Tim & Rufus
Russ at Fun Paws has far exceeded my expectations with regards to dog behaviorists, and really, ANYTHING dog related. I have a sweet, old lab, Sergeant, who’s 13 and Russ has been exceptional at giving me honest and thoughtful recommendations when it comes to his food, meds, feeding schedule and generally just tips about how to keep him happy and comfortable throughout his aging process. Moreover, Russ has the most loving, gentle and kind demeanor and it’s so evident that all animals feel safe and cared for in his presence. I couldn’t recommend his services enough if you’re in the Los Angeles area, or even beyond! He is the most attentive and insightful dog behaviorist and I’m grateful for his expertise and experience during this time with my aging dog.
Tracy & Sergeant
I was looking for a Los Angeles based dog trainer for my French Bulldog and came across the Fun Paw Care website. I carefully researched Russell Hartstein before booking him to help me train my dog, Sonny. Russell lived up to all of the expectations that I had based on his extremely positive reviews I read online. In just two hours time, we were able to teach my dog several commands, and Russ explained a lot of things that are overall beneficial to my dog’s health and well being. I look forward to working with him again to build on what we accomplished in just one session. Wish I connected with him sooner! He is well worth it if you wish to invest in your dog’s behavioral training.
JoAnna & Roman P. & Sonny
Russ After receiving an 8-week-old German Shepherd, little did I know what I was getting into. I wanted the best dog trainer/ behaviorist I could find to help me, so I reached out Russell Hartstein. I was overwelled when my new puppy Nika arrived and all the responsibilities. I consider Russ a life saver helping me to prepare and navigate the myriad of challenging issues that I have to deal with. Russ came over for our first training session and I witnessed amazing results immediately. He uses the power of positive reinforcement to train which proved to work beautifully. He is extremely patient with a caring personality which reflects in his successful techniques, makes all the difference in dealing with these new situations. After the second week with the new puppy, I realized that Nika needed more training, than I could do myself. I sent her to Russ’s Puppy Boot Camp where she learned more about socialization and behavior. I have so much yet to learn and work on; however, I now have had the confidence knowing that Russ is there behind me. I am hopeful to have a new and well-behaved best friend, as a result. I can’t speak highly enough of Russ’s expert knowledge, techniques, understanding and responsiveness of being the finest dog trainer and behaviorist in Los Angeles
Tom I. & Nika
Every new dog owner in Los Angeles should consider working with Russ – he really does understand what makes dogs tick! Our 5-month old puppy (Summer) was becoming quite a handful, biting at the leash and at shoelaces on walks, and was adding considerable stress to our home. After just one session with Russ, the change in energy (for us and for Summer) was palpable! Russ’s expertise as an animal behavioralist gave us a much better understanding on the things we needed to change to better owners, and walks are now a joy! We look forward to continuing working with Russ as we tackle our next puppy challenge; separation anxiety!
Christina H. & Summer
My rambunctious 10 month old English bulldog spent a month with who we now call, Uncle Russ. I signed Grandpaw up for Russ’s doggy boot camp not really knowing what we were getting into, a I knew is I didn’t want someone using E-collars or prong collars on my baby. Russel is ABA based with his training, purely one on one for the best results. First I loved Russ because he absolutely hates e collars and prong collars. Then, as Grandpaws stay continued and I received loads of videos and pictures I couldn’t believe my eyes. Grandpaw struggles with isolation distress and Russel taught him independence, he’s been home for 2 days now and I can’t believe this is my dog. I couldn’t recommend a trainer more, he has so much knowledge about his field and shows so much love and compassion to your baby(s). As I said, Russ has now turned into Uncle Russ and I can’t wait to continue with at home private trainings!
Christina F. & Grandpaw
To all doggie parents,
Russell is the BEST, most patient, most caring, and most successful dog trainer/ dog psychologist EVER! No exaggeration or hyperbole. Our two-year-old male Havanese, “Magic”, while handsome and “mostly” behaved had some bad habits. Such as, never listening, to anything! Well, Russell worked with him in our home in Miami, in his home in Miami, and then in NYC (a whole different set of problems- sidewalks, cabs, noises, other dogs in very close proximity) and Russell is a miracle worker.
My husband and I can’t recommend Russ high enough. He gave us back a (still handsome) but now a sweet mannered family member.
Thank you Russell. You really are wonderful, and we appreciate all your hard work.
Stephanie & Dr. Steven Richman & Magic ~ Fisher Island, FL ~ NYC
Wow, Russell is proof that you don’t need to have a heavy hand for dogs to learn quickly. You’re amazing, we’re converted! Thank you so much for your help!
Gabrielle Anwar & Shareef Malnik & Bijou
Dear Russell and Fun Paw Care,
I have been in the rescue business for a long time and have dealt with all sorts of trainers but Russell is by far the BEST, most knowledgeable, most professional and he has a real understanding of what dogs need, and think… Russell has helped me rescue 3 dogs that really needed help… Calvin and Hobbes were two brothers left in the Everglades to die until they were rescued and brought to a local animal hospital. Both seemed to have very little contact with humans, and if they did they were very disappointed with them… They had trust issues; among other things…They would sit in their crate together, with no emotion at all, very sad and just existing.
Russell began walking them and taking them around town to experience everyday life. Then he took them in and fostered and trained them and they became different dogs. Both had smiles on their faces, tails never stopped wagging, and the behavior of both of them and their transformation was truly unbelievable. So well trained and wonderful, that they both got wonderful loving homes and will live their lives with love, respect, and comfort…
Then there was Archie, picked up in a terrible neighborhood, he had never been in a house, he lived on the street with a pack of dogs, and had no manners as a domestic animal. A veterinarian said that he was “aggressive and should be put down”… I knew Archie needed a chance at a life just like Calvin and Hobbes, so I contacted Russell again and again, another successful story… Archie, like Calvin and Hobbes, would sit in his crate day after day, with a label on his crate “Aggressive…will bite””… So Russell hears his story and comes to meet Archie, takes him out, observes him and assesses his behavior. The first thing Russell said is “Archie is not aggressive, maybe a little timid and anxious, but these are things that we can work on and modify”… Since that first meeting with Russell, Archie is a happy pup, he goes to the dog park plays with all his buddies, goes on long walks, sleeps in a house on his bed, is no longer a crate, and will eventually find a forever home just like Calvin and Hobbes did. This I know is true, because without Russell we would never have had this success.
I would tell everyone I know, never to give up, go right to the source, Fun Paw Care, who can help. One last thing, Russell treats every dog as if it were his own and every dog that has had the chance to work with Russell has a special place in his heart. This I know is true!
Russell I can’t begin to thank you … Words just are not enough…
Susan Fracasso, Miami Beach
Calvin, Hobbes & Archie
www.myanimalsrock.org
Dear Fun Paw Care,
Our experience with Fun Paw Care is and has been extremely professional and most enjoyable. Russell’s kind manner and up to date training knowledge has made both our training sessions and boarding experiences productive, effective and most importantly our dog loves the time spent with Russell. The positive, humane methods Fun Paw Care employs as the basis of his training is brilliant, fun and entirely effective, eliciting amazing changes in behavior in a very short period of time.
We are typically very cautious of others taking care of our dogs, but we immediately felt total confidence in Fun Paw Care to both train and board our precious puppy. From the many photos and videos shared with us during our dog’s stay, it was very evident Russell and the Fun Paw Care team went above and beyond the normal care. Russell is the perfect choice for any dog care and we highly recommend his services.
Joanne and Earl Tushman, Trevor & Kali, the Portuguese Water Dogs
Russell is THE BEST dog trainer.
Dr. Fredric Brandt (RIP my friend, you are sorely missed)
“Russell is the Rolls Royce of dog training and pet services!”
Channing Rollo, Isabelle & Rozsa, Chicago & Miami
Russ is a kind soul who can think DOG and understand DOG body language to the highest level. I have a German Shepard who was not well behaved. I had to move into a condo with-Russ trained me to train my dog how to re-invent his behavior coming from a private home. Russ also explained how to increase my dog’s calmness.
I have watched Russ give us his time trying to get shelter dogs a home.
He is the best of the BEST!
Larry & Laura Colin & Dylan
We are so lucky to have found Russell to train our Vizsla puppy! As first-time dog owners, we did not know what to look for in a trainer. After a few sessions with our first trainer, we knew that an electric collar was not the way we wanted to achieve basic obedience for our highly intelligent, energetic, and sensitive Vizsla. After just one session with Russell, we were so relieved to learn about his approach to training and just the overall positive energy he brought into our home. We are amazed at the progress we have made with our now 7-month-old Vizsla and look forward to continue to channel his intelligence and energy in positive ways with guidance from Russell. He is the real deal. He LOVES what he does and it is reflected in every session
Matthew Larkin, Lindsey Knego & Cash
You are so impressive; I cannot believe how much you know about dogs and how fast the dogs are learning. Thank you for training our dogs and for helping us!
The Bee Gees, Barry Gibb and family
When you meet Russell, it doesn’t take long to realize that he’s an affable, peace loving & thoughtful person full of positive energy. Upon watching him interact with Sasha, my skittish 3 yr old Boxer, it was obvious that those qualities play a key role in his unprecedented ability to form an immediate bond with her. I was at my wits end up to that point, but felt that if anyone could help socialize Sasha, then that person would be Russell. I was rewarded when it became clear that after subscribing to his training methodology, the change in Sasha’s behavior patterns, interactions with strangers as well as other dogs, and overall level of happiness was remarkable. I am truly grateful.
David G.
Dear Russell,
I was fortunate to have met Russell two years ago walking down Lincoln Road and have the opportunity to adopt my dog Pacho from him. Russell rescued and fostered Pacho for several weeks caring for him until he was adopted. He did an amazing job of training Pacho and getting him ready for a new home. Pacho has become a kind and loving part of not only my life but also the lives of my parents who have come to love him as well. He is such a wonderful complement to our lives and we feel very lucky to have him. Russell’s knowledge of training and compassion for animals was very evident to me in the way that he cared for and trained Pacho getting him ready for a home considering that Pacho had spent almost the entire first year of his life living in the Everglades out in the wild. It was a selfless and caring act that I admire and respect. Thank you Russell for bringing Pacho and a great relationship into our lives. Your knowledge in the training and compassion for animals merit the recognition it deserves!
Richard O. & Jennifer F. & Pacho
Fun Paw Care with Russell has been great! In one week we saw drastic changes for the better and in two weeks our once nervous and anxious dog is back to her wonderful, pleasant and at ease pup that we always knew. He is highly trained, skilled, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. He has the magic touch!!!
Wendy & David Smith & Scarlett, La Gorce Island, Miami Beach
Fun Paw Care
Russell is the real deal!
I moved to Miami from RI for the winter and needed someone I could rely on for daily walks and to take care of my Mini Bull Terrier and Black Labrador when I was away overnight or for the weekend. I have also used Russell for dog training sessions to help get them used to being in the city, on a leash, and work on the “slobber-fest” which ensues when I have visitors. I have never enlisted the help of outsiders for the care of my four-legged children, so I was very discerning.
He has a command that is sweet and very effective when handling both very different dogs and I have seen amazing dog training and behavior results since their introduction. I would equate him to a loved Uncle that tirelessly continues to engage, teach and play when everyone else is at bay.
If you are looking for someone who has the utmost respect for your animal, is prompt and courteous, and values education and safety above all else, Fun Paw Care is the last place you need to look.
TED Talks Founders, Vanessa Faye Wurman, The Dude, Solomon & Family
We left our 2 Frenchies with Fun Paw Care to escape for a long weekend. Moving down from NYC we were concerned with them being left with someone they didn’t know, overheated or exhausted by other dogs in a large facility. Pro’s: 1) he is here on the beach as most other boarding and training places are off the island. 2) he is nice, intelligent, normal and has all his teeth (in comparison to others I had interviewed!!). 3) our dogs love him and still go nuts for him when we bump into him on Lincoln Rd., 4) he was quick to reply to text message updates from us regarding their status individualized attention so they get lots of love and attention…Recommend without reservation!
Dr. Marcy, Matt, and Elvis
My experience with Fun Paw Care is and has been extremely professional and most enjoyable. Russell’s kind manner and up-to-date training knowledge has made both our training sessions and boarding experiences productive, effective and most importantly our dog loves the time spent with Russell. The positive, humane methods Fun Paw Care employs as the basis of his training is brilliant, fun and entirely effective, eliciting amazing changes in behavior in a very short period of time.
I am typically very cautious of others taking care of our dogs, but we immediately felt total confidence in Fun Paw Care to both train and board our precious puppy. From the many photos and videos shared with us during our dog’s stay, it was very evident Russell and the Fun Paw Care team went above and beyond the normal dog training care. Russell is the perfect choice for any dog care and we highly recommend his services.
Jackie S.
I can’t speak enough of how happy I am about the results of using Fun Paw Care. From beginning to end Russ was great in setting up expectations and explaining all the processes that he undertakes in training a pup. Please be aware that it’s not a fix it all thing, that’s unrealistic. But he’s amazing in assessing each pup by breed, personality, traits and working with those specifics to each dog. Training a dog is a lifelong task, and he was also amazing in setting me up for success once the training was done. During the training process, I received daily emails with progress and report on status along with photos and videos. I never felt detached from my pup cause it was obvious that he was in great hands. Wish I would have gone to him sooner.
Olivia & Gordie D
Both Cali, my Frenchie and Sugar, my English Bulldog loved training with Russ. He loves what he does and is a great trainer. Very patient and loving with my pups!
I trust my dogs fully with him. Great job Russ, the pups miss you!
Best,
Mari Alarcon Grimalt & Rayne Rascon and Cali, Sugar, Charlie & Suki
Made my dog obedient!!! Provided excellent care! I would leave my beloved Chihuahua anytime!
Dr. Amy S.
I’ve never seen a more loving person w/an animal!! Russ is as good as it gets when it comes to a trainer. I have an English bulldog and watching how well Russ works with her and other dogs have given me a better understanding of the kind of parent I want to be w/ my dog and even a loving person to all animals. I’ve learned so much from him on how to parent Carmen, w/ love understanding and patience. He is truly a gifted trainer and I know that anyone who takes his services will not regret it and will be glad to have left their baby in his hands. Great job Russ and thanks again!!!
Analily N. & Carmen
Thank you Russell, you are the best dog trainer and a miracle worker!
Lisa & Danny Porush, Winston, Chelsea, Bridgette, & Louie
Russ was super helpful in answering my hundreds of questions about our new puppy and supplied us with a lot of great material to help us with care and training. He truly cares about the animals and the owners having a happy and positive experience!
Gail M.
Hi Russell,
I came across your name from Dr. Susan Friedman and her animal behavior courses, which led me to your website. I work at the Florida Keys SPCA in Key West and do behavior and adoption counseling, among my other duties. I am so pleased to see you offering your skills and knowledge to the dogs of Miami. It’s comforting to know you provide a positive alternative to some of the “traditional” trainers in the area. If the need arises for a trainer in your area, I will definitely be giving them your contact info.
Thank you,
Cathy Baier
FKSPCA
If you are searching for dog training, Los Angeles, look no further than Russell of Fun Paw Care! Parents are lucky to have such a wonderful teacher and dog behaviorist. He worked with me and my rescue dog Penny who had fear and leash reactivity towards other dogs. Russell’s knowledge of dog behavior, psychology and training are amazing! I learned so much from him! His teaching style was compassionate, thoughtful and helped me learn why my Boxer, American Pit Bull Terrier mix, Penny was reacting to other dogs and how to stop that from happening while teaching her other training behaviors. Russell is a wonderful dog behaviorist in LA and comes highly recommended!
Sarah L. & Penny
What amazing progress with Mila’s separation anxiety in just one session! I can’t believe the change. I was skeptical at first but I cannot believe how your training and methods have helped, OMG thank you!
Linda F. & Pila
WOW, Russ and his staff are incredible! Their training and walking services are top-notch. I would encourage anyone with a challenging dog in the family to engage their help and let Russ work his” magic” with them. It makes such perfect sense and leaves everyone calm and HAPPY!
Emily Budziak
Puppy Boot Camp with Russ was the way to go for me and Beau.
I got a new family member on January 11, 2021, an 8 week old puppy. He was a 4# bundle of joy, excitement, and surprises. I read a bit about having a puppy but nothing I read prepared me to be good at training my new little guy. After a week or two of Beau training me on whatever behavior he fancied I decided I needed a professional to get us started on the right paw.
I found Russ Hartstein and Fun Paw Care, from the Los Angeles area. His credentials are stellar, and so are his reviews. Russ first came to my place to meet Beau and me. Within that first session he had Beau responding to his hand commands. I saw that I had a great deal to learn. I enrolled Beau in the Fun Paw Care puppy boot camp immersion program.
Daily behavior reports, wonderful photographs, and video training sessions were delivered to me so I could watch and learn from Beau’s camp life experience. Beau was very happy with his time at camp, the field trips, playing in the snow, snuggled in by the fireplace and learning to be secure and well behaved. A great and enriching experience.
Beau came home yesterday. Did he get taller while he was away? He and I are practicing the lessons Russ taught us. Basically, I am the one who learned a lot and Beau appreciates that!! As Beau gets older we will seek a follow-up fun and enriching boot camp to round out his behavior and development.
Zoe R & Beau
Russell has been a tremendous asset to our many dogs and family. His canine knowledge and teaching style are unsurpassed. Highly recommend Fun Paw Care
Aldo M. (3 dogs & 2 cats)
I went to Russ for service dog training and I am so happy I did. He is not only a top notch trainer but an extremely knowledgeable behaviorist which is extremely valuable when training a service dog. He was able to identify and even modify certain behaviors. He provides excellent feedback, resources and totally sets you up for success. Training a service dog is a process and having Russ on the team is a valuable asset. After being with Russ she is so happy and eager to learn. She is so attentive and always “checking in”.She is way more polite and even her patience has gotten better. She is a young pup so we’ll be back 🙂 I can’t say enough positive things about this experience.
Cherokee L. & Pawla
Fun Paw Care is amazing! We are almost two weeks out from Copley’s weeklong boot camp with Russ and we are still seeing growth in our boy’s behavior. Russ helped us with learning and controlling Copley’s triggers and has given use the tools to help him with his anxiety. When Copley met Russ he did so with fear and aggression and by the time he was dropped off he and Russ were the best of friends. If you are looking for a dog trainer and behaviorist in the LA area you can’t do better than Russ!
Justin, Melissa & Copely
We just wrapped up our initial evaluation consultation with Russ and let me say, he IS the real deal. Our hour and a half felt like a masterclass. I learned so much during that time. After our consultation, he gave us a packet with an absolute wealth of information regarding topics we discussed during the call, our plan, and everything we need to do to improve our pup’s quality of life. He takes a very scientific approach and it’s clear how much he truly understands about animal behavior. If you are on the fence and are debating the cost let me say, it is 1000% worth it. I have spent many months reaching out to different trainers and let me say: Russ is world-class and it is absolutely worth investing in your dog to work with him (especially if you struggle with difficult behavioral challenges such as separation anxiety). I look forward to working with him more and can’t wait to see how my pup grows and improves!
Jennika, Ben & Sif
My partner and I were in a tight spot in LA, having come out to visit with our two dogs and our housing accommodations fallen through. Both dogs had had previous training but had issues with occasional aggressive behavior and separation anxiety. At the last minute we decided we could get ourselves some breathing room by sending them off for a training bootcamp. Russ was very responsive and got us a booking last minute. He was communicative the entire week, taking lots of videos and photos. He was also very thorough with writing up reports on the dogs’ problematic behavior and necessary interventions. Clearly this is a person who loves the animals and loves what he does. We still have a lot of work to do with the dogs but they are already more attentive to us than when they left. I would highly recommend Russ’s services.
Cale Bonderman, Sarah, Jake & Sugar
Russ is an intelligent, dedicated and caring dog trainer. He helps come up with a strategic and forward thinking plan to fully improve your little family members life. Without his help, we never would’ve known our year old pittie had such bad anxiety let alone how to navigate it.
Lacie M. & Layla
We left our 1 year old Bull Terrier, Marlo, with Russ for a 6 night boot camp and not only did she love it, but she came back with much improved behaviour! Russ is so good at communicating his methods and training techniques and really goes above and beyond to equip the pet owners with the tools they need to carry on the training after the boot camp. The sessions and work he did with Marlo was totally bespoke and we didn’t get a ‘one size fits all’ feeling from Russ at all. We could not recommend Russ highly enough!
James, Kat & Marlo
I went to Russ for service dog training and I am so happy I did. He is not only a top notch trainer but an extremely knowledgeable behaviorist which is extremely valuable when training a service dog. He was able to identify and even modify certain behaviors. He provides excellent feedback, resources and totally sets you up for success. Training a service dog is a process and having Russ on the team is a valuable asset. After being with Russ she is so happy and eager to learn. She is so attentive and always “checking in”.She is way more polite and even her patience has gotten better. She is a young pup so we’ll be back 🙂 I can’t say enough positive things about this experience.
Karma & Pawla
I reached out to Russ for help/guidance on dealing with my 2 y/o rescue’s recent/new reactive behaviors. Russ was extremely communicative and responsive and our first virtual meeting was incredibly insightful and helpful. He is obviously one of the first in class in this industry and was so knowledgeable, offering a lot of new ideas and insights throughout our conversation. I’ve dealt with many different training classes and trainers with my dog throughout the past two years and it was wonderful to talk to Russ and get his perspective and help. Following the meeting, he provided a thorough evaluation and analysis with even more tips and tricks and guidance. I’ve only started to implement a few of them but am excited to work through the evaluation he provided with my dog, Scout. Thank you so much, Russ!!!
Erin S. & Scout
I have worked with a few trainers before and no one has helped me make changes in my two reactive dogs’ behavior as quick or effective as Russ. After a consultation I was armed with the tools and knowledge to understand what I was doing incorrectly, how to create positive behavior changes, and the confidence that things will get better. It’s been only a few short weeks and I am already beginning to notice the effectiveness of his advice, and this has been a battle for almost 4 years now. I am excited to see where things are in 6 months and I am so glad I met Russ.
Jamie S. & Bobo & Tofu
I had a really tough case of the “puppy blues” before finding Russ. I felt like a failure of a dog mom! Now I see everything that Russ is able to accomplish with my little puppy, and I feel excited at the possibility of being able to give her the life she deserves! Russ has helped me learn how to train her, and he is giving her the foundation she needs to flourish in my life!! He is a fantastic dog trainer and behaviorist, and I am so grateful for his loving care he gives to my girl :)))
Olivia A. & Vienna
We are having a great experience working with Russ. We are training our 9 month old golden doodle to be a service dog for our special needs daughter. It can be a handful to take care of a special needs child, her 2 siblings, and everything else that comes up in life, but Russ made it very easy to carry forward all of his training at home. Particularly, it was tricky for us to ensure our dog Marty got consistency with all the adult and child handlers in the house. Russ made common sense recommendations that set everyone up for success. On a final note, I had difficulty finding a service dog trainer as responsive and professional as Russ. 5 solid stars!
Emily & John P. & Marty
We just wrapped up our initial evaluation consultation with Russ and let me say, he IS the real deal. Our hour and a half felt like a masterclass. I learned so much during that time. After our consultation, he gave us a packet with an absolute wealth of information regarding topics we discussed during the call, our plan, and everything we need to do to improve our pup’s quality of life. He takes a very scientific approach and it’s clear how much he truly understands about animal behavior. If you are on the fence and are debating the cost let me say, it is 1000% worth it. I have spent many months reaching out to different trainers and let me say: Russ is world-class and it is absolutely worth investing in your dog to work with him (especially if you struggle with difficult behavioral challenges such as separation anxiety). I look forward to working with him more and can’t wait to see how my pup grows and improves!
Jennika P. & Ben & Sif
After speaking with Russ for just our initial phone consultation, it was evident that when fishing in a sea of dog trainers in the LA area, Russ is the human you want on the other end of your line. Prior to connecting with Russ, I’d consulted with and even tried the services provided by various trainers to assist me with some challenges I’m facing in raising my puppy to become my service dog. The level of professionalism exhibited by Russ far surpassed that of anyone I’d engaged before. His depth and breadth of knowledge on canine behavior infused me with the confidence necessary to trust his guidance and direction for my relationship with my dog. His genuine kindness and passion warmed me to him, and lastly… his prompt follow through with a detailed report and initial training plan based on what we discussed was presented in a way which helped ease the complexity of navigating this most significant undertaking… creating a beautiful bond with my beloved service dog in training.
Amanda B. & Wish
Russ is wonderful – extremely responsive, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable. I wanted a Los Angeles based, accredited behaviorist to a) help manage and improve my dog’s separation anxiety b) clarify the information and obedience training I’d already received/done and c) prepare me and my dog for the goal of eventually becoming a therapy dog team. We walked away from our first session with a boatload of tips, information, and exercises to practice that I’m confident have already started improving my communication with my dog and will help him live a more fulfilled, independent life.
Aislinn D. & Hobbes
Fun Paw Care is such an amazing place to go for dog training in Los Angeles. Russ’s knowledge as a behaviorist really gave me the tools to help me be my best “dog trainer”. My dog is a rescue and deals with fear/anxiety and aggression towards men. It became a serious problem and after trying so many different training approaches, I just felt dejected. I did an online consultation and Russ made me feel empowered and knowledgeable on the different techniques he consulted me on. I learned how much the little things everyday can make a difference, and I also learned exercises I could do on walks or in stressful situations with my dog to help his reactivity. I feel like I’m already seeing more trust and confidence in my dog and I am just at the beginning! Russ was encouraging, provided so many resources, and also gave some amazing product recommendations to help increase a calm demeanor in my dog.
Lyndsay P & Theo
We sent our 2 year old rescue dog, Maia, to Russell Harstein’s “Fun Paw Care Boot Camp” for two weeks due to her fear-aggression towards strangers and heightened sense of fear/anxiety in general. Russ’ approach and training methods were based on fear/force-free positive reinforcement, which was perfect for our fearful pup. While Maia typically demonstrates extreme fear aggression towards men in particular, Russell’s caring and gentle demeanor put her at ease and allowed her to open up rather quickly. Russ sent us many adorable pictures and videos of her every day as well as detailed daily reports about her training and progress. In these reports and videos, we learned different techniques to help lessen her anxiety/fear around certain triggers. Russ made it very easy for us to understand her mindset and why she exhibits the behaviors she does, and how to correct/prevent certain behaviors. Maia really seemed to enjoy learning these new skills and always looked like she was having fun at the beautiful ranch! It was a pleasure working with such an experienced, knowledgeable, caring and exceptional dog trainer/behaviorist. Russ, we deeply appreciate everything you have done for Maia and for us!!!
Aya G & Maia
Fun Paw Care truly exceeded my expectations. We’re experiencing issues with our new rescue puppy’s difficulties on-leash and her tendency to want to eat everything on the ground. Russell with his expert behaviorist knowledge was able to explain the sources of these issues and provided us a wealth on information and resources to set us up for puppy-parent success. If anyone in Los Angeles is looking for a helpful and talented dog trainer, I highly recommend Russell and Fun Paw Care.
Natalie C. & Dakota
We hired Russ to help us with our very reactive and anxious 10 month old German/Swiss Shepherd mix. She has been fearful since the day we rescued her and has now started to be reactive toward the things that scare her which are strangers and other dogs. It was very obvious how knowledgeable Russ is when he came to our house to evaluate the situation. He was able to provide us with likely reasons for our girl’s fears and a detailed explanation of what needs to be done to help her gain her confidence. We have been implementing what Russ has suggested for a week and can already see improvement with our scared girl. Russ is also extremely responsive via email so his support doesn’t just end after your session with him. He is always there to answer any questions along the way. Our only regret is not hiring Russ sooner! We have now been following Russ’ training methods and suggestions on how to improve our life with our rescue girl for 3 months. Today we walked on a crowded green belt passing several people and other dogs on our walk. Our girl was able to handle the walk with confidence and was having a blast checking everything out. She did not react to any of the people or dogs and showed no signs of stress. This type of walk would not have been possible to do with her before working with Russ. We are living our best life thanks to Russ!
Ashleey C. & Luna
When i had a back operation and couldn’t continue training my rottie i knew i needed help. I checked with maybe half a dozen dog trainers in and around Los Angeles, but when i spoke to them they indicated they would only work with her 15-20 minutes a day. I thought that was ridiculous. But then they all had dozens of dogs being trained and more being boarded. Some of the comments indicated dogs being hurt or getting sick. I was about to give up when i came across russ’ website. I didn’t understand at first why his price was so much higher than anyone else’s but after talking to him and realizing that he worked with ONLY ONE dog at a time I understood the difference. Although he only had my girl for a week he started her on the right track and i can now pick up the slack and reinforce what he taught her. I wholeheartedly recommend fun paw dog training and russ for anyone who wants to invest in quality dog training.
Alex J. & Izzy
We adopted Max, who was a rescue, three months ago. While he was clearly a great dog, he had anxiety, which demonstrated itself in a crippling fear of the central air. He would shake and pant uncontrollably and would take water, treats or food. We also had some issues with his reactions to other dogs and people when on walks.
We did one session with Russ, who is worth EVERY PENNY, and Max made massive strives within just a few days of applying Russ’s instructions. Now, three weeks out, Max has no response to the central air, is getting soooo good on his walks, with little issues with other dogs — even when they bark first — and people.
It would take too long to go into all the specifics, but Russ taught us better ways to communicate to Max and ways to address and relieve his anxiety. We changed everything from the treats, the harness, the leash and more. The results were immediate and amazing. We still have a lot more training to do, but could not be happier because Max is happier.
Bottom line: Russ is the best and, I can’t emphasize this enough: he loves what he does and is excellent at it. Our dog trusted him immediately and so did we. Russ also excels at customer service – he responds quickly, is incredibly thoughtful in his follow ups, and is, quite simply, a pure delight to do business with. He was a bit of a stretch for our budget, but we have absolutely no regrets going with him. Again: he’s the best!
Peter E. & Max
Russ truly saves the lives of dogs. We adopted a dog from a shelter that turned out to be too big and strong and reactive to comfortably walk and socialize him. We sent him to boot camp with Russ and it’s the best thing we could have done. Russ only uses positive reinforcement and no-fear training. He worked with Dean and sent progress notes, pictures and videos daily. He took Dean everywhere he went and they became fast friends. The transition back home was very smooth and we have stayed in touch with Russ. Working with Dean is a daily adventure, but because of Russ, he is a much calmer and more confident dog.
Judith G. & Dean
I can’t speak enough of how happy I am about the results of using Fun Paw Care. From beginning to end Russ was great in setting up expectations and explaining all the processes that he undertakes in training a pup. Please be aware that it’s not a fix it all thing, that’s unrealistic. But he’s amazing in assessing each pup by breed, personality, traits and working with those specifics to each dog. Training a dog is a life long task, and he was also amazing in setting me up for success once the training was done.
During the training process I received daily emails with progress and report on status along with photos and videos. I never felt detached from my pup cause it was obvious that he was in great hands.
Wish I would have gone to him sooner.
Olivia D. Gordie
Russ was incredible with our very sweet, but insecure, Komondor. We kept our sweet six-year-old large breed with Russ for just over a week, for a boarding “boot-camp” training type of situation. I was surprised (pleasantly) to receive weekly reports and photos of our dog from Russ, who shared his thoughts and training tips, which all were clearly specific to our dog. Russ, in one week, was able to identify our dog’s good and bad habits – it was remarkable because Russ clearly engaged with our dog enough to get to the core of his issues and explain to us potential causes and suggested tips for coping with certain less-wanted behaviors. Russ is a wonderful behaviorist in Los Angeles – we are so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him, and our dog is very lucky to have had the chance to stay at Russ’s five-star resort-ranch for dogs.
Veronica, Les & Hudson
Russell has been an AWESOME trainer for my puppy! He’s thorough, he has genuine love for the pets he works with and most importantly he knows his stuff! He was so easy to work with, super informative, and really made a difference in my pup’s behavior. It’s by no means a magic fix, but he gives you the tools to help you understand your dog’s behavior and how to modify it. He’s just an all around great guy, excellent trainer, and I would recommend him to anyone who’s looking for personal one-on-one help with their dog. And not only did I love him, but so did my pup. Russell and Fun Paw Care are top-notch.
Lyndsey B. Bogey
What a joy. My mini Aussie and I fell for Russ from minute one. He came to us with his heart and arms wide open, and his head full of knowledge. He is gentle with his approach and made the daunting process of service training feel manageable and fun. He clearly understands the relationship between a human and their dog and wants training to serve that relationship so that it can grow and flourish. I am very excited to keep working with Russ, and know that the future with my dog will be brighter as a direct result of his help. Five stars, highly recommend!
Lauren P. & Jenny
Russell has been an AMAZING trainer already! Tara, our pup, has benefited just from one training, and we’re excited to keep working with Russell throughout. Our family are first time dog-owners, and we have a lot to learn – after having a difficult experience with another trainer, Russell was a breath of fresh air, and adjusted his training to Tara’s needs in a way that was compassionate and positive.
Can’t recommend Russell enough! Such a pleasure to work with, and it’s such a piece of mind to know that Tara is in such capable hands. Thanks Russell!
Naomi S. & Tara
Working with Russel was an absolute pleasure!
My boyfriend and I began to train our dog as my service dog a few months ago with the intention of working with a trainer when we had exhausted most of the internet resources . So we first met Russel with quite a few specific questions that we couldn’t find reliable answers to.
Russel answered all of our questions and since we have began to implement his suggestions, training has become so much fun and Frida is already making much more progress.
Working with Russel helped us get un-stuck in our training process and has taken away a ton of the stress. It was very clear that Russel is not only quite talented as a trainer, but truly cares about the well-being of the animals he is working with. Additionally, Russel was incredibly kind and Frida immediately loved him and responded eagerly to him.
We only had one session but are looking forward to continuing to work with Russel in the months to come!
Antonia C. & Frida
Puppy Boot Camp with Russ was the way to go for me and Beau.
I got a new family member on January 11, 2021, an 8 week old puppy. He was a 4# bundle of joy, excitement, and surprises. I read a bit about having a puppy but nothing I read prepared me to be good at training my new little guy. After a week or two of Beau training me on whatever behavior he fancied I decided I needed a professional to get us started on the right paw.
I found Russ Hartstein and Fun Paw Care, from the Los Angeles area. His credentials are stellar, and so are his reviews. Russ first came to my place to meet Beau and me. Within that first session he had Beau responding to his hand commands. I saw that I had a great deal to learn. I enrolled Beau in the Fun Paw Care puppy boot camp immersion program.
Daily behavior reports, wonderful photographs, and video training sessions were delivered to me so I could watch and learn from Beau’s camp life experience. Beau was very happy with his time at camp, the field trips, playing in the snow, snuggled in by the fireplace and learning to be secure and well behaved. A great and enriching experience.
Beau came home yesterday. Did he get taller while he was away? He and I are practicing the lessons Russ taught us. Basically, I am the one who learned a lot and Beau appreciates that!! As Beau gets older we will seek a follow-up fun and enriching boot camp to round out his behavior and development.
Zoe R. & Beau
Russell is amazing. I wish I found him earlier but I will never go to any other dog trainer in Los Angeles. He really took the time to learn about my dog, Lucy, and his philosophy on how to treat dogs is eye opening and very effective. His holistic approach is refreshing and it is how all dog training should be done. My dog’s issues were psychological and were missed by my vet who prescribed her with pain medicine. Russell is an excellent dog behavioralist and I look forward to learning more from him!
Michael F. & Lucy
My daughter rescued her dog Ollie a little over a year ago and recently started looking for psychiatric service dog training in the Los Angeles area. We were very impressed when she found Fun Paw Care Dog Training and even more impressed after meeting Russ. He is a very knowledgeable behaviorist and we learned so much in our first 2 hour session with him. He explained that we want to build a solid foundation of basic training and how that will make the specialized training easier. We talked about how Ollie will sometimes become very submissive again for no apparent reason and Russ told us what to do to help build his confidence as we train him. I love that all his training uses positive reinforcement. We really felt like we had a good foundation to work with when he left. Russ followed up later that night with an email and evaluation of Ollie. I can’t get over how much more information he shared there.
Quite honestly, I was expecting to be hit with an expensive and extensive training plan, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. He told us we can contact him to schedule additional in person sessions whenever we feel we need it. He asked that we let him know how things are going in a week or two and to contact him if we have any questions. I’ve learned so much from him already and I’m confident that with Russ’s help, Ollie is going to be the perfect service dog for my daughter.
Cheryl, Tami & Ollie
Over many years, Russ has given advice and been of service, all of which has been wonderfully helpful in my dog’s training and happiness! His knowledge of dog behavior is extraordinary, a true Dog Whisperer now based out of Los Angeles. Or perhaps Dog Shrink is the better word… Highly recommended, he’s also an all around really nice guy.
Ben B. & Zino
Fun Paw Care surpassed all of our expectations. We contacted Fun Paw Care after an incident occured with our boxer/ shepard mix. Russ was polite, reliable, professional and extremely knowledgeable. Russ was gentle and loving toward our baby. One can definitely see the passion Russ has for dogs. As a family, we had tons of questions and Russ was there to answer every single one of them. At the conclusion of our two hour session, we all noticed a difference in Blaze’s behavior. I would recommend Russ and Fun Paw Care with my eyes closed. Truly amazing experience.
Vee R. & Blaze
In addition to being one of the kindest and gentlest of spirit, Russ is unequivocally the most knowledgeable cat behaviorist and dog trainer around. Our family benefitted tremendously from his support and guidance as our cat Zeek has never been happier or more well adjusted since our consults with Russ. Attentive, direct and a gift teacher, you will without doubt leave a session with Russ having learned much about the nature of your animal. Highly recommend his services for your family!
Candice, Jim W. cat Zeek & dog Pepper
Working with Russell has been an absolute pleasure! Not only has he helped with my 8 month old boxer pup Dobby with his dog training and behavioral issue (specifically separation anxiety), but his expertise has allowed me to grow as a dog trainer. While I had worked with Dobby myself on his separation anxiety as a young pup, we recently had a change of residence that triggered severe separation anxiety. Given my time constraints, urgency of the situation, and need for expert advice, I decided to work with Russell and was not disappointed. Russell was able to quickly recognize Dobby’s signs of anxiety and effectively implement a behavior modification plan. Dobby took to his sessions well especially because of Russell’s calm and gentle energy. It is easily recognized that this is his passion. Within just a few weeks of behavior modification, I noticed a drastic difference in Dobby’s behavior and his overall confidence level. I am happy to say Dobby and I are living harmoniously together without the disruptions of separation anxiety. Above all, he is no longer afraid of being alone and loves his new neighborhood! What I’ve learned from Russell has been invaluable and I can’t wait to help other dogs myself. Thank you!
Tina P & Dobby
We are so lucky to have found Russell to train our Vizsla puppy! As first time dog owners we did not know what to look for in a trainer. After a few sessions with our first trainer we knew that an electric collar was not the way we wanted to achieve basic obedience for our highly intelligent, energetic, and sensitive Vizsla. After just one session with Russell we were so relieved to learn about his approach to training and just the overall positive energy he brought into our home. We are amazed with the progress we have made with our now 7 month old Vizsla and look forward to continue to channel his intelligence and energy in positive ways with guidance from Russell. He is the real deal. He LOVES what he does and it is reflected in every session.
Matthew L and Puppy
We have struggled immensely with our 1-year-old terrier mix. He was exhibiting fear-based aggression and severe separation anxiety. After one meeting with Russ, we can already see the change. We are changing our entire approach to training, and with Russ’s help, we are so excited to already be seeing positive changes in Finley. We will absolutely continue to use his services as needed. Russ knows exactly what he is talking about and is clearly a knowledgeable behaviorist– and we learned a lot from just one session with him.
Shannon & Ryan W & Finley
I met Russ at my business (Play-In) some time ago. We are both in the field of behavior analysis, he with animals, and me with children. I knew our paths would cross again, and when I needed someone to spend time with my Lakshmi while I traveled, I called him. I did not think it would be possible given his busy schedule, but he fit me in, and has become Tio Russ to Lakshmi. He comes to my house, plays with her, spends time with her, gives her love, sends me a myriad of pictures, and it is priceless to know that she is in great hands. So while Russ is known for his work with dogs, he is also incredible with cats, and my Lakshmi loves him! Thank you Russ for what you do everyday with our little furry loves.
Nina G and Lakshmi
Russ and Fun Paw Care provide an amazing service to our community — the pets and the people! Our standard poodle, Bella, really looks forward to her daily walks … THANK YOU FPC : )
Tomo O.
I contacted Fun Paw Care for their dog training Los Angeles classes for my puppy. Russell and Fun Paw Care far surpassed my expectations and desires for a professional, caring knowledgeable and loving dog trainer for my dog Cocoa. He helped us with obedience dog training and behavior modification. He is a consummate professional and extremely knowledgeable. He helped our entire family tremendously. The education Cocoa and my family received were a great investment and an incredible value. We shopped around quite a bit before we decided on Russell and Fun Paw Care. He came highly recommended to us from our veterinarian and I would recommend his dog training services to anyone who loves their dog and won’t settle for anyone but the best.
Karen J.
Fun Paw Care surpassed all of our expectations. We contacted Fun Paw Care after a biting incident occurred with our boxer/ shepherd mix. Russ was polite, reliable, professional and extremely knowledgeable. Russ was gentle and loving toward us and our baby. One can definitely see the passion Russ has for dogs. As a family, we had tons of questions and Russ was there to answer every single one of them. At the conclusion of our two-hour session, we all noticed a difference in Blaze’s behavior. I would recommend Russ and Fun Paw Care with my eyes closed. Russ was Blaze’s savior! Truly amazing experience.
Vianna, Blaze & Family (RIP Blaze)
Dear Fun Paw Care,
Russell and his team have been a HUGE help with our now, 6-month-old boxer, Elsie.
I heard about Fun Paw Care from my veterinarian Dr.Tenzer. My husband and I were in a pinch & needed a pet sitter. We were a little apprehensive to use a service. When Russell came to our home to meet Elsie & become familiar with the house, I knew it would be a perfect fit. They did an absolutely outstanding job. We were in constant communication and received pictures & reports daily. We were happily at ease knowing she was in such great care.
Elsie was so happy when we got home, we just had to utilize Fun Paw Care’s other services. Being a growing, and very hyper boxer, Elsie needs all the exercise she can get. We have her walked 4 times a week, 2 regular 30 min walks & 2 exercise walks. Elsie lights up the moment they come to pick her up at our office.
Not only is Fun Paw Care extremely punctual & just all around polite. Russell and his team are
over the top accommodating with pet sitting & at home walks. Always answer emails in a
very timely fashion, which is wonderful if there are any last-minute changes. They’ve been in Elsie’s life since she was 3 months, and about 4 lbs. Now at 6 months & almost 25 lbs, I can’t imagine not having them around. I highly recommend them to anyone who loves their pet & seeks a loving caretaker.
Mari, Robert, and Elsie 🙂
Russ is just the best! He trained my pup for a week while I was away on business and even in that short period, I noticed a huge improvement in her behavior. I couldn’t recommend him enough. Worth every penny.
Natalie & Zuri
Dear Fun Paw Care,
Our Rottweiler was unruly. We could not stop him from barking or control him on the leash. It was getting to the point where we were scared he was going to hurt someone. Russell came highly recommended from our veterinarian and a friend of ours whose rescue pit-bull was also pretty poorly behaved and very aggressive.
After training rocky for an hour a day for 2 weeks he was the most well-behaved boy on the block. We could not believe the transformation. Russell helped us understand and view Rocky through a new light and in fact really trained us!
He has an amazing way with animals, it’s like they speak the same language. We can’t thank him enough and highly recommend him for training.
Steven, Michelle, and Rocky Wilson
Russell is the BEST! I contacted him to help my wife and I train our 9-week old puppy, Sydney. We had 12 in-home sessions with him and our little girl is now sitting, laying down, coming when called, and walking obediently beside us on her leash every time. Although Russell is a dog trainer, we really felt he trained US, as owners, most of all. He made us understand dog language, and how even subtle changes in our voices and behavior can affect our dog’s reactions. Every session was a learning experience for us – not just for Sydney!
Not to mention that Sydney absolutely LOVES Russell. She literally cannot contain her excitement when she sees him. It’s so cute. He is sweet and patient with her and we completely trust Russell’s care. If we ever need a boarder/sitter in the future – we’re calling him for sure.
Austin V, Family and Sydney
Dear Fun Paw Care,
Russell has trumped me in my dog’s world of favorite people. I suspected that my spunky 13-year-old black lab was getting some really good treatment from Russell while I was gone, because he was so calm and relaxed on the days Russell cared for him. Usually, he is at the door pouncing and ready to go out when I put my key in the door any time of the day. But after the Royal Russ treatment, I come home and my dog just stays lounging on the couch. “Hey, mom, I’m good. If you need me, just holler.” I clearly saw my drop down the totem pole when Russ stopped by one evening to pick up a spare set of keys. I had not seen my dog all day, and when we walked in, I bent down to hug my dog and he ran past me and straight to Russ with his tail flying. He did not even acknowledge me! I think it’s great, too, that Onion is not too old to learn new tricks — like how to get more focused on dog walks (and stop lingering at every tree and poop pile) thanks to a little food in the pocket. Needless to say, Fun Paw Care is wonderful for their pet sitting services, SUPER reliable, and my dog loves me more for giving him his “Fun Paw Care days.”
R.I.P. sweet onion, you will be missed by all.
Lisa & Onion
Hello
I would like to thank Russell for his loyal, compassionate, trustworthy demeanor. Henry adores his training sessions and spending time with Russ and has the time of his life with the adventures that Russell plans for him on a daily basis. Henry has spent a lot of time with Russell and I have been more than at peace, knowing that he is in the best care EVER .
Victoria and Henry xoxo
Dear Fun Paw Care,
Our dog Molly was saved by Russell from “death row” at Miami Dade Animal Services. When we met Russell and Molly she was very well behaved. Russell was very informative about proper training techniques, the dog’s health, and how to positively interact with her. He was always easily available and to this day is still very much a part of our dog’s life. He checks on her and us to see how her move went and how she is growing. It’s very good to know that if I need advice or help in any way that he is willing and more than able. There’s no one out there that is more professional, knowledgeable, and patient with dogs. I was highly impressed with his knowledge and recommend everyone to seek his help with your dog.
Amanda, Jacob & Molly
Russell was a HUGE help in potty training my puppy. Recently, I adopted a pup, which was my first pet. In terms of what to do, I was at a loss. Russell was able to walk me through the potty training process with such ease & simplicty. He was a big help! I’m happy to say, we’ve had fewer accidents and we’re on the road to potty training success! Thank you Russ!!!
Shana Saka & Nugget
Fun Paw Care isn’t like any other service. I have been living in the area for a while with my seven-year-old Cockapoo, Cocoa. As my days got longer at work, I had to put dog walking and training into someone else’s hands, something I wasn’t too comfortable doing since she is the love of my life.
I started using a cheaper service but after a month neither Cocoa, nor I were very pleased. I found Russell from my veterinarian behaviorist and things instantly clicked! He won over Cocoa’s heart and is now helping with some of her fear and anxiety issues. I used to fight with her to go out, but when Fun Paw Care comes over she acts like a puppy again! I know I can trust Fun Paw Care in my home and with my dog. They even send me photos and texts of how she’s doing which makes me feel so good. I’d never thought I’d be so content with a trainer and dog walking service. I recommend Russell & Fun Paw Care to anyone who loves their pet like one of the family!
I can’t thank you enough.
Jane and Cocoa
Good day
I’d like to share my very good experience with Russell, who has given exceptional care to my kitten, Tata.
Recently, I had to travel out of the country for almost two weeks and I was naturally extremely worried about leaving Tata (3 months old) for so long.
Russell was referred to me by my Vet’s office as an extraordinary professional and now I that I’ve experienced the high quality of the service he has rendered I feel very comfortable in writing this review.
I’ve constantly received detailed updates on how things were going and pictures showing how happy and how well cared for Tata was.
Most important, when I finally get back I found her healthy, happy and full of energy with her usual wonderful temperament.
Attached is a picture of Tata and Fun Paw Care playing. I highly recommend this service.
Ciao,
Riccardo & Tata
Dear Russell and Fun Paw Care,
The Fun Paw Care team is professional, punctual, friendly and experienced. Everything you’d look for in a company. My Havanese is 10 and I’ve never trusted anyone to walk him until I met Russell and his team. My dog is always happy to see them which is a great sign. 5 out of 5 stars!
Matthew, Ross & Jackie Yasgur
Fun Paw Care was referred to us by our old trainer when we were in a pinch almost two years ago. We were going out of town at the last minute, and our 70-pound, 100% full energy American Bulldog is not the easiest dog to care for. Any apprehensions about leaving Maeby went out the window as soon as we met Russell. Only a minute after we met him, Russ was already on the ground with her, playing and letting her lick his face (the sign of an instant friend!). We’ve been relying on Fun Paw Care ever since then, and never have to worry for a second about who’s going to look after the dog or whether they can handle her. Fun Paw Care is always available for us, never has a problem with scheduling and even texts us pictures of the pup throughout our vacation. We wouldn’t know what to do without them!
Thanks Russell,
Caroline, Steve, and Maeby
My experience:
My little dog (Old English Bulldog) Killian is part of my family. He makes me happy every day and his welfare is a high priority for me. Finding someone to help me take care of my new puppy took me quite a while – the dog walking “services” seemed so impersonal. Then a friend put me in contact with Russell who not only helped me with daily walks when Killian was a new puppy but also with questions I had about training.
When I started to travel for my job I was crazed thinking about leaving town for days without my dog. The first time was very difficult but Fun Paw Care sent me little updates and pictures that made my separation anxiety more tolerable!! Russell and Killian have been friends for over a year now – Killian hasn’t needed a dog walker in a long while but I can’t deny him his Fun Paw Care time. Fun Paw Care takes Killian on roller blades, plays at the park and hang out with other dog friends – they have a special relationship. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found someone who loves my dog as much as I do.
Thank you,
Maya and Killian
To anyone that has a dog:
I met Russell years ago while attempting to walk my American Bulldog “Bones”. Russ was so friendly we got to chatting, shared some jokes, and gushed over our shared love for dogs. Russ could see that Bones was running the show and suggested a few techniques and tips on how to love my pet through positive reinforcement and discipline. Over the next few months, I put his suggestions into action and they worked!
I had to leave town for work and needed someone to watch Bones, and I knew Fun Paw Care was the only service that I would trust. I am an admitted overprotective pet owner and they really listened to my needs and made me feel comfortable. Bones loves exercise and long walks and they did not disappoint. When I came back it was hard getting Bones away from his caretaker, he had so much fun!
For years now I have recommended Russell to everyone I know, for pet sitting dog walking and training. Fun Paw Care’s team is reliable, trustworthy, and truly loves dogs. They care for your dog and any dog in their care as diligently as any loving pet owner would. They train, walk, play, feed and hug every puppy like their own.
Regards,
Cindy and Bones
Dear Russell,
I have had other dog walkers before, but no one like Fun Paw Care!!! They don’t just take my dogs out to potty… They run, jog, bike, rollerblade and go to the dog park. And I can tell the difference when I come home from work they are relaxed and not all wound up with pent up energy! And when I go out of town I can rest easy knowing that they are with caring professionals, not crated, not caged and definitely not bored! Plus, I think my boxer may have lost a pound or two cause of all the exercise!
Thanks Russell!!!!
Merceydes, Bruce & Abbey
Hi Russell,
Madeleine is a two-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She is the most adorable little dog in the world and a love sponge. However – she was also a misbehaved little devil and developed a dominance problem with me. She would pee all over my apartment, my bed, and anyone else’s bed. She would pull on her leash when we were on walks, she would purposely stall on walks and avoid going to the bathroom to prolong the walk, and she would growl and bark at me when I was studying or sleeping if she wanted to play. She also insisted on sleeping on my head every night. When I would administer her flea solution, she would become so anxious she’d roll around the carpet and be quite destructive.
Russell diagnosed the problem right away: Madeleine had absolutely no formal training, rules of the house and did not know what I expected of her. After only one session and with Russell’s instructions, Madeleine ceased relieving herself in the apartment, walks beautifully on a leash, and only comes on beds and couches when invited to do so. She is no longer permitted to sleep on my head and is aware what she is and is not allowed to do. I haven’t heard a single yip in protest when I’ve sat down to study or take a nap, and she even looks for my permission before she enters a room. She’s turned over a new paw in life! I would wholeheartedly recommend Russell’s training services to anyone if they are looking to reform their doggie!
Best,
Monica and Madeleine
Dear Russ & Fun Paw Care,
Leaving on a long vacation is exciting – but also stressful. What do you do with your baby girl? Your best friend and loyal companion – your dog. Leaving her in good company makes all the difference in the world. Leaving Gracie with a trusted professional, focused on meeting her needs while also keeping us well informed, was imperative. While we were busy traveling the world, we knew that our Gracie was enjoying her own vacation with a trusted pet professional. Thanks Russ for allowing us both to have a stress free, peace of mind, vacation abroad.
Sincerely,
Shed, Jose, and Gracie
Dear Russell,
Russell is the type of man you would trust with your kids or your dogs. He is kind, gentle and patient but, most of all, he knows dogs very well. I have a rescue terrier, Lucky, who has ‘fear fighting’ and other developmental issues. After one hour with Russ he was calm and focused, didn’t rush the door or play his alpha role. Naturally, Lucky still tests our boundaries but slowly he is becoming more confident and relaxed.
Also, I appreciate knowing that Russell will do his best to accommodate. At the last minute, I called him to dog sit both of my dogs on a Friday and he was there to help. He even re-arranged his schedule to fit them in. Hard to find that in this city!
Sincerely,
Patricia, Nancy, Myrtle & Lucky
Dear Russell,
Cleo, my 2-year-old Havanese spent a week with Russell, during one of my trips. Cleo possesses the sweetest disposition, but she is very timid. She is also not accustomed to staying outside of her home environment. I was thus a little nervous as to how she would react to pet sitting. I made arrangements with Russell for some visitations at our home that she would get to know him. It was evident from the first moments that Russell has a special way of connecting with dogs. He was gentle and friendly in a way that helped Cleo feel comfortable with him very quickly.
After I returned from my trip, it was clear that Cleo had enjoyed herself and felt safe and secure: She did not have any stomach issues that typically follows high-stress situations. That was a telling sign. However, the most convincing evidence that Russell had cared for her well and shown her love and affection, came a few weeks later, when we ran into him on the street, one Sunday: Cleo was as excited to see him as she is with very few people, only those she knows well and feels attached to. She showered him with kisses and I had a hard time getting her to walk away from him.
I know that if I need pet sitting again, she will gladly stay with Fun Paw Care.
George Cozonis & Cleo, Queen of Denial
Dear Russell,
My family recently moved from Dallas. We had an awesome pet sitter in Dallas that I had used for over ten years so I was quite nervous about finding someone to watch Buddy, my 2-year-old Golden Retriever.
Luckily, my former sitter helped me find Fun Paw Care. They have been a blessing to my family. The first time Buddy met Russell was the day we arrived here. Buddy bonded with Russell immediately! There was no separation anxiety for either of us. Russell kept me up to date on Buddy’s activities through emails and pictures. Buddy had a blast and seemed quite at home with Russell.
Buddy has pet sitting several times. Each time he has had some new adventures. He is SO happy and so well behaved after Russell sees him.
Thank you Fun Paw Care for all you do for Buddy. I can’t imagine trusting Buddy with anyone else!
Warmest regards
Judy, Bernd, Abby, and Buddy
Dear Russell,
I now have a better sense of communication with my dog “Harley” because of our training sessions with you. Understanding and special training tips and positive reinforcement methods he has taught me have made it much more fun for my dog Harley and our family! Harley is definitely becoming a real “gentleman” as a result of our obedience training and will take the Canine Good Citizen test soon!
Fran and Mel Harris & Harley
Hi Russell,
Once upon a time, I found myself with two lovely labs, Sunny- our four-year-old and our new puppy Max who is one.
Initially, we thought we were in desperate need of help with Max’s (our puppies) behavior (jumping, chewing, running)…etc To make matters worse, Sunny began to copy Max’s poor behavior.
Our Veterinarian recommended Russell at Fun Paw Care, to help us to train and discipline Max and keep Sunny on the same track. On our first session, I felt as if I was being trained by him as well as the pups! His soft tone of voice, his relaxed body language and his firm direction help me tremendously to understand my dog’s behavior. In two sessions Max changed his crazy behavior and then we began focusing on Sunny.
Sunny was “in charge” and as an 80 pound, all muscle, high energy lab, she made me feel that she was in control and not I. She dragged and pulled me on walks so hard that she sprained my fingers! Russell made some changes in me and right after Sunny changed as well.
My goal was to enjoy Sunny and Max with my 9-year-old daughter Andrea, take them on a car ride, take them to the park and feel comfortable with them well behaved with myself, daughter, other dogs, and people. Guess what??? It is happening!!
Our life has changed because I feel more comfortable and confident around them and I now trust my dogs as I hadn’t before. I now understand “why” they act the way they do and how I can make permanent long-lasting changes in their behavior.
Bravo Russell !!!
Soribe, Charles, Andrea, Sunny, and Max
Dear Russell,
I feel the quality of service being offered, and given, by Fun Paw Care is outstanding.
A few areas I was concerned with was dependability and follow through, this was done. Russell followed up and kept to the schedule we had agreed upon, they showed up when he said they would for feeding and walks. I was sent emails twice a day on what was happening along with an average of six to eight pictures of Zoe daily. Russell had Zoe’s welfare and safety as his utmost concern, Fun Paw Care walked and played with her and she played with her playmates. I know they had bonded and she looks forward to next time.
I’m sure you will be very pleased with their service.
Chuck Nosal & Zoe
Dear Russell,
Thank you for helping me with Brooke’s separation anxiety. By teaching me a few simple cues and procedures, Brooke’s separation anxiety was immediately reduced. The logic and cues made perfect sense and she responded immediately. With time, I think she will be happy to be home left alone.
Thanks for all your help.
Todd Davis & Brooke
I am new to Miami and really don’t have a network of friends. I have 2 cats and prior to moving here while I did use a service, I was always a bit nervous that they did not take the well-being of my cats as seriously as I did.
I needed to find someone in Miami and I read a # of reviews etc. and decided to try Fun Paw Care. I think it is the first time I traveled where I did NOT have some anxiety about the cats. Russ & Fun Paw Care are terrific, they text and email pictures every visit, etc to keep you posted. It was easy to tell that they had spent time with them because when I came back they clearly understood the different ‘personalities’ of each cat. Peace of Mind when I am gone knowing that the cats are OK is priceless to me. Using Fun Paw Care I had complete peace of mind that everything was fine.
Robin, IKE and Popeye
Dear Russ & Fun Paw Care,
We have a 7-year-old Doberman called Roxy. She is a great dog but requires a lot of exercise to keep her balanced. Fortunately, we discovered Fun Paw Care. We have had Roxy on regular weekly walks and also a regular weekly run. The people at FPC are great! They are 100% reliable and trustworthy. They love dogs and have shown Roxy lots of love and care. Our walker is a wonderful person who loves all animals. She leaves notes about how the dog performed after ever walk/run, which we really appreciate. FPC is a very professionally run business by people who really know and understand dogs. We have no hesitation in recommending FPC to anyone looking for care for their beloved dog.
Mike Cvetanovic, Val & Roxy