The Middle Paw is a trainer-first, results-driven dog training company proudly serving California.We specialize in immersive Board & Train programs that create real transformation for dogs and their families — whether you're raising a new puppy, struggling with reactivity, or just tired of repeating commands your dog ignores.Our mission is simple: provide honest, effective, and lasting dog training that prioritizes the wellbeing of both the dog and the owner. We combine balanced training methods with clear communication and a structured environment so that dogs learn how to behave confidently in the real world — not just the training yard.Every program includes one-on-one daily coaching, real-world exposure, owner education, and lifetime support. Whether your dog needs a reset or a full behavioral transformation, we tailor every experience to your goals and your dog’s personality.The Middle Paw was founded by a team of experienced trainers who came together after years of working in the industry — driven by a shared belief in doing things the right way. We're not here to sell hype. We're here to help dogs and their people build a better life together.
The Middle Paw (themiddlepaw.com) has 22 customer reviews on Consumer Courier, with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5.
Also known as
themiddlepaw.com
Website
themiddlepaw.com
Category
Cats & Dogs
Location
Long Beach
Listed on Consumer Courier
2026
About these reviews
Reviews are shown as their authors wrote them. The company can reply, but cannot edit them.
The score is the plain average of the published reviews on this page.
My shepherd walks perfectly, he stays and has more impulse control.
Christie sent us text on his progress, we are thankful he was in great care. She challenges his brain and held him accountable.
Response from The Middle Paw· Apr 15, 2026
Robin, thank you so much for the 5-star review! 🐾
We’re really happy to hear your shepherd is walking so well, holding his stay, and showing more impulse control — that’s a huge win. Kristi loved working with him, and it means a lot that you felt supported with the progress texts and knew he was in great care.
You’re exactly right: challenging their brain and holding them accountable is where real change happens. Keep up the consistency at home, and if you ever want a refresher or have questions, we’re always here for you. 🙌🐶
HA
Heather A.
Posted
I had such a great experience with the…
I had such a great experience with the middle paw. Before the training, my dog was very unruly and disobedient. A very hyper puppy that enjoyed jumping on people and things and not following any commands. After three weeks of boarding training, he is a well-behaved dog. He still forgets sometimes, but as his owner, I have to put in the work and remind him. I highly suggest this training company.
Response from The Middle Paw· Mar 28, 2026
Heather, thank you so much for the 5-star review and for trusting us with Nelson! 🐾💛
We’re really happy to hear you had a great experience and that you’re seeing such a big difference after the 3-week board & train. Nelson sounds like he had tons of energy and needed clear structure — and it’s awesome to hear he’s now much more well-behaved at home, especially with things like jumping and furniture manners.
And you’re exactly right: dogs are always a work in progress, and the owner follow-through is what keeps the results strong long-term. The fact that you’re reminding him and staying consistent is why he’s continuing to improve.
Thank you again for the kind words, Heather — please give Nelson a big cuddle from all of us, and reach out anytime if you want a refresher or support as he keeps growing! 🙌🐶
TE
Terri
Posted
The Middle Paw has really helped us!
I really needed help with my 2.5 year old doberman who has a sweet spirit but had no social graces or manners, especially with other dogs. He is a big, strong boy and I felt like I had very little control of him. I was so lucky to have been referred to Brieanna Lemon with the MIddle Paw who came highly recommended as someone who has amazing results with challenging dogs like mine.
While talking to Brieanna, I felt her passion and desire to help dogs and their families and I learned the Middle Paw boards and trains dogs in a home environment (crate training) and not a kennel. That felt like a safer and more loving place to send my boy. The teamwork and communication from the Middle Paw has been and continues to be amazing. During his stay, I received videos and regular updates so I could see his progress and the videos gave me instructions on my part in his training. I really enjoyed those videos! Brooks has been home 3 weeks now and The Middle Paw continues to check on him, encourages questions and asks me to send in videos so they can continue to help! Brooks and I train every day and I truly love that time with him and we are learning more together every day. I RECOMMEND THE MIDDLE PAW HIGHLY!
Response from The Middle Paw· Mar 23, 2026
Terri, thank you so much for this incredible 5-star review, and for trusting us with Brooks. 🐾💛
We know how challenging it can feel to handle a big, strong Doberman who has a sweet heart but needs guidance with manners and social skills, so it means a lot that you took the leap with us. Brieana will be especially grateful to hear you felt her passion right from the start and that our in-home board & train environment felt like the safest, most loving place for Brooks.
We’re also so happy you enjoyed the training videos and updates - we share those so you’re not just seeing progress, but you’re learning exactly how to maintain it at home. And honestly, the best part of your review is hearing that you and Brooks train every day and that you’ve come to love that time together. That consistency is what turns a strong foundation into real long-term change.
Thank you again for the recommendation, Terri. Please give Brooks a big hug from all of us - and keep the videos coming anytime you want feedback or support! 🙌🐶
SF
Sydney F.
Posted
Cannot recommend this place enough
Cannot recommend this place enough. Kristi did a phenomenal job with our dog Kama. His attitude is night and day difference, and she did a great job equipping us with the tools to continue his training!
Response from The Middle Paw· Mar 21, 2026
Sydney, thank you so much for the 5-star review! 🐾 We’re truly grateful you trusted us with Kama. Kristi loved working with him, and hearing that his attitude is a night-and-day difference means the world. We’re also really glad you feel equipped with the tools to keep building on that progress at home — that’s exactly the goal. Please give Kama some extra love from all of us, and reach out anytime if you ever want a refresher or guidance as he continues to grow!
DE
David E. C.
Posted
Great experience with Middle Paw
Great experience from the start to the finish! Brieanna was fantastic as Nora's trainer. Worth every penny!!
Response from The Middle Paw· Feb 24, 2026
Hi David — thank you for the kind words! We’re really happy you had a great experience from start to finish, and we’ll make sure Brieana sees this. Nora was a pleasure to work with, and we truly appreciate you trusting The Middle Paw. If you ever need anything down the road — tune-ups, questions, or support — we’re here for you. 🐾
JW
Jeny W.
Posted
Kristie has my heart along with my Marshmello
Kristie has my heart. She gave me the best gift I could ever have. A well trained, well behaved little bulldog that has literally kept me from jumping off a cliff. He is my service animal because i have chronic pain due to a friends dog in Colorado that was NOT trained and bit me in the face 3 times. I am permanently injured. It just goes to show you how important proper training for dogs is. Not able to have kids, so hes all I have. Having my pup and having him be so gentle and kind towards me is the best hooman i could ever as for (he thinks hes a hooman lol) Hes gone to all my doctors appointments for the last 6 years. I go to treatment once a week and he goes with me. My neurologist at Hoag keeps treats in his drawer for him. My pup knows when im at my worst and comes over and sits on me and licks my tears. He swims too! We have a pool and he has his own doggie floatie. Thats his favorite thing to do. Lol anyway.....I cant thank Kristi enough for giving me my gentle loving well behaved pup. 🩵 🐕 🐶 🩵
Response from The Middle Paw· Feb 24, 2026
Hi Jeny — thank you so much for taking the time to write this. Your words genuinely mean a lot to us.
Kristi will be deeply touched reading this, because what you described is exactly why we do what we do: helping create a dog who isn’t just obedient, but gentle, steady, and emotionally safe to live with. The bond you and Marshmello have is beautiful, and it’s clear he’s not just a companion — he’s family.
We’re so grateful you trusted us with him, and we’re proud of the calm manners, softness, and reliability he’s developed with you. It says a lot about Marshmello… and it says a lot about you, too, because that kind of connection is built over time with love, consistency, and care.
Please give him a big hug from all of us (and extra love for being the best little “hooman” 😄). If you ever need anything — a tune-up, a question answered, or just support as life changes — we’re here for you. 🩵🐾
CC
Claudia C.
Posted
Charlie the 72 lb dog!
From the beginning before Charlie, our German Shephard-Husky mix , was picked up the experience was amazing Frank and Kristi were very informative of what would happen during the 4 week stay. Charlie was very hyper dog often jumping on us mind you he is a 72 lb dog or rushing and pulling when we even attempted to put in the leash for a walk. When he came back he was still joyful but was able to differentiate the appropriate time to play vs putting his all to listening! He rarely jumps on us and when we put on the leash he does not attempt to pull and listens to not just commands but to our movements. Although he needs a lot of practice to now going fed you can definitely tell the difference in his behavior. Kristi was very communicative while we were away often sending us videos of what she was working on and giving us tips of reactions he may have and how to correct them. We had had a kennel outside since we got him but he rarely used it often dragging out all the blankets and cushion now he voluntary goes in it and leaves everything alone. He responds quickly when we ask him to leave other neighborhood animals alone specifically the cats and when lunging. This was a much needed training for Charlie and Can not thank the middle paw enough!
Response from The Middle Paw· Feb 16, 2026
Hi Claudia — thank you so much for trusting us with Charlie. We loved working with him. Seeing a big, joyful dog learn to switch from “play mode” to “listening mode” is exactly the goal, and I’m really happy you’re feeling the difference at home—especially with leash manners, jumping, kennel habits, and impulse control around neighborhood animals.
Kristi will be thrilled to hear the updates meant a lot and helped you feel confident continuing the work. Keep practicing the routines, and if anything pops up as Charlie keeps settling in, reach out anytime — we’re here for you. 🙏
BR
Brian
Posted
German Shepard Puppy Training
We sent our 13-week-old male German Shepherd puppy to Brieana’s three-week training program, and the experience was excellent from start to finish. We received consistent updates—almost daily—including detailed videos demonstrating each new skill and clear instructions on how to reinforce them at home.
During the handoff, Brieana walked us through commands like sit, stay, loose-leash walking, and come, providing direct feedback that made a big difference. Her approach helped us understand not just what to do, but why—teaching us how to build a respectful and trusting relationship with our puppy (now 17 weeks old).
Only two days after coming home, our puppy walked calmly through the yard, ignored distractions, and followed sit and stay commands without correction. That kind of progress speaks volumes about the program’s effectiveness.
Brieana also took the time to educate us about the German Shepherd breed and how to communicate and bond effectively. It’s clear she has a deep understanding of dog psychology—and the ability to teach it in a way owners can apply in everyday life.
I highly recommend this program to anyone committed to long-term success. Just remember: training doesn’t stop when your puppy comes home. The foundation Brieana builds is incredible, but it’s up to you to stay consistent and keep reinforcing those skills.
Response from The Middle Paw· Jan 13, 2026
Brian, thank you so much for the 5-star review and for trusting us with your German Shepherd puppy at such an important age. 🐾
We’re thrilled you felt supported from start to finish — the consistent video updates and clear at-home steps are a big part of how we set families up for real, lasting success.
Brieana was especially grateful to hear how much the handoff helped you understand not just the commands, but the why behind them — building that respectful, trusting relationship is the real goal. And hearing that only two days after coming home he was calmly walking through the yard, ignoring distractions, and holding sit/stay without correction… that’s exactly the kind of foundation we aim for.
Thank you also for highlighting the most important part: the program creates the foundation, and your consistency is what turns it into a lifestyle. We’re proud to be part of your journey and we’re here for you long-term as he grows. 🙌
