Acoma Training Center

Great place for all ages of dogs and owners to get a little fundamentals and continue through agility and advanced training.

I am so grateful to Trish and the loving staff at Acoma. I had rescued a 2y/o who had some stress related behaviors and was worried he would ultimately hurt someone seriously. With staff and training, the transformation was amazing. He eventually became a part of a loving family with other dogs and is a great helper dog. Thank you all so much and would recommend this facility for all.

It was the best place ever my little Nova did very well the people were awesome we will be back

Acoma was recommended by NM Animal Humane when we got our new dog, so we gave them a shot. Completely blown away! Trish is amazing! She really helped our shy, scared little puppy come out of her shell. Trish understands dogs and makes a point to get to know them to focus their training. We haven't done any advanced classes yet, which they offer, but Acoma is totally worth the investment for, if anything, the basic training.

Bummer! I was not told we would be training our dogs outside at night in the cold. It starts well after dark. it's 40 degrees now and getting colder by the week. There was a group of 30-40 & the instructor is doing it all through a" p.a. "System.also Its definitely "pain " based training with the spike collars. I'll be seeking a refund &looking for a better place for us to take our dog for training.

These folks are so helpful. They are the go-to resource for dog training in the ABQ area and beyond. I've met people in the park near our house, which is at least 12 minutes by car away from Acoma and they have told me, "Trish is as good as they come, " and "Say Hi to Trish from so and so (owner) of such and such (dog)." I really like how thorough she is and how if you have individual questions to ask her afterwards, she takes the time to help you.

We have a GSD puppy who has no issues per say (but is a puppy ) and a rescue dog, 1 year, who is full of quirks and issues. The rescue is a novice graduate and has made leaps and bounds since we got him. I feel like taking him to obedience training helped me reach the goal of helping him become a less fearful, confident and happier dog. The GSD puppy in soon to graduate Novice class, has been attacked when walking him along the arroyo (I used pepper spray on the other owner's dog and contacted animal humane), and he's getting better and better with training.

If these dogs aren't taught what to do, they can totally run amok. I appreciate that Trish uses a firm, but loving, disciplinary approach. She is super safety-conscious as well, and our dogs are thriving from going to classes there. Thank you Acoma for all of your help with training our dogs as "novices" ourselves!

I didn't want to take my dog there any longer due to the kind of training they do (she made my dog yelp a couple times because she yanked his collar too hard). The week prior, they gladly exchanged a collar I purchased from them for another that made them more money. They had no concern for Covid with that transaction, but when I tried to return another leash they made me purchase but didn't use, they told me they wouldn't refund my money because of Covid. I wonder how that works.

I trailed my dog about 30 years ago here. 8 weeks ago I went back with my new dog Coco and let me tell you he is something else. Love the training. Trish teaches you not your dog as how to train your dog and if you follow the steps you will love to walk with your dog enjoy him/her not pulling you, sit when you tell them stay when they are told to do and most importantly keep them safe.

Nothing good come without discipline, you have to have that for greater cause. Thank you Trish and team for what you all do for our animals. Your business wouldn't be around if people wouldn't see results.

The lady who works the front desk is VERY rude and disrespectful. Never called me back about rescheduling due to COVID and she was super rude about it when I called.

I started taking my chi to this place when she was 6 weeks old, she now 3 yo. We still take her there because the staff love her, she loves them and I like that they know us by name. I also had to put down my 24 year old chi (another pet) and they were the best during this time. We live this place, especially Ms. Januce who works in reception.

We went through an 8 week puppy training at Acoma with our last dog 9 years ago. We were extremely happy with Trish, her crew and the overall training experience and results. Trish is an incredible dog trainer who obviously loves her work. We now have a new puppy and just attended our first class at Acoma with this dog. We were glad to see Trish is still the hands on lead trainer.

Slip "choke" and prong collars are not required. Slip collars are very effective and not at all abusive for training more problematic dogs. A prong collar is a requirement when dealing with larger dogs that have potentially aggressive behavior. This is a matter of safety for the trainers and other dogs. Our dog is a family member that we always treat with loving dignity and respect.

I have had many dogs throughout my life. We feel in no way are Trish's training methods "outdated" or create aggressive tendencies as others have reviewed. This is just not true. Sternly correcting a dog when training is doing zero harm physically or emotionally to the dog. Quite the opposite it is an effective and efficient training tool that helps achieve the goal of a well disciplined dog and long term companion.

After reading some of the reviews, I felt compelled to share my AMAZING experience with this facility and with Trish. To be fair, our dog was decently trained but not consistent when we were recommended to Acoma by a local dog therapy group. I attended our first class with a well behaved but nervous family dog, and by the last Novice class my doodle was a well oiled machine. Trish trains the owner more than the animal I feel, which typically is 90% of any dog's behavior issues. Prong collars are NOT a requirement!

Only the more aggressive dogs 'earn' a prong collar to aid in control and safety of other participants and NEVER did I witness any abusive or corporal punishment of any animal. The more nervous puppies were given soft, gentle and ensuring treatment by Trish until they were more comfortable in the bigger class environment. The bigger class sizes prepare you and your dog for the real world environment, it will do an owner and pup no good to only know how to obey in a one on one situation.

I also have never seen a facility that has 4 return visits for refreshers and lifetime snakeproofing (love this) for your pet. The cost to return ratio is outstanding (90.00 for 8 weeks, a steal!). I recommend Trish & Acoma to everyone who needs a human and canine training!

I've been very impressed with my 8 weeks so far. I signed up for the puppy class because I had been struggling with what I felt like was a difficult puppy. They calmed my frustrations and my puppy and I began learning immediately. My puppy was put thru a lot of real life examples and I was taught how to overcome. Teacher Trish always opens the class for questions and you are welcome to stay after and ask more questions.

I have learned a lot and I really appreciate having a great set of Trainers in the middle of Albuquerque, We have signed up for the next class and I look forward to many years to come with this fabulous group of folks willing to help new-puppy-owners like me!

What a great place for dog training! Over the years I have probably trained five or six dogs here, and their quality has been consistent throughout this time. I've always had big dogs, and the training with prong collar's and immediate correction then re-ward has really worked for my dogs so they're loving pets and couch potatoes indoors and sensitive and pleasant companions when out doors on the leash. I really like Acoma's consistent emphasis on safety and having fun with your dog. Trish and Acoma training center will always be tops in my book!

I have been training my dogs at Acoma since 1992. Over the years I've had dogs that were able to achieve basic obedience all the way to agility. My current dog was badly abused. He became a therapy dog last summer after training with Trish for 6 months and gaining confidence. We continue to train with Acoma because of the depth and breadth of classes offered and, quite frankly, the mojo of Trish.

She is extremely good at knowing dogs and helping the people to understand them. I live far from the center so I did try a competitor in the NE Heights a couple of years ago but it was a disaster. My dog's feet were sweating and he was yawning and so anxious because there were three trainers for the class waving food around and contradicting each other for an hour while the dogs were waiting to work. The very first time I took my dog to an Acoma class, he was so happy to be working and left literally bouncing with confidence. That is the reason I train my dogs at Acoma!

This training program is great for most dogs. My dog did not respond well to negative reinforcement (choke collars and bitter apple spray) favored by the instructor. He had a severe allergy to metal collars and they weren't able to offer human alternatives. Additionally I felt singled out.

Attempted to attend an agility class last year. Waited for 45 minutes in the cold. Then class was cancelled and I was told to join another group. The teacher and participants spent the next 15-20 minutes discussing their show placings. Then all dogs were expected to do an advanced run. We were freezing, less experienced and not at all welcomed. We left with the directive to try again later. Won't be doing that.

I love the large class size because it really challenges a dog to focus with distractions. That being said, the training methods are outdated. Fear and punishment are not what animal behavior science recommends when training a dog. It is generally not too harmful if the dog has a very stable temperament; however, if you are dealing with a dog that is fearful, aggressive, insecure or anything else that's even remotely unstable, this type of training is a recipe for disaster! Don't believe me? Ask any animal behaviorist.

Very disappointed in Acoma Training Center. The training is done with fear and intimidation. I attended three classes where I saw Trish, the instructor, yank and pull on dogs to the point that they cried out. Even if the dog was not actually hurt, they were certainly afraid. Not what I want for my dogs. This is an extremely outdated method of training. I never returned after the third class. Additionally, their classes are extremely large -25-30 people. Acoma is not a training center I would ever recommend.

Wow, my youngster and I had a super private lesson and class on Thursday! Head Trainer/ owner, Trish is amazing in her dog training skills. Her rapport and patience with the dogs are outstanding. Dogs of mine have been through obedience, agility and conformation classes since 1980. They have garnered many titles and loved participating in the classes as well as the parties.

Training styles are very indidualized, fitting the variety of temperaments each dog possesses. I love this about Trish. Her diversity.working with therapy dogs, service dogs, abused dogs, dogs of all ages, challenged dogs (deaf, blind, three legs, etc.) make this woman a true professional all around. One cannot find a more caring individual.

The owner Trish, comes from a family of dog trainers, having inherited the business from her parents. The have an indoor training space for obedience and conformation and a large outside space for agility. Not being in agility I don't know about that part of their business. I went there because Trish has been affiliated in the past with our German Shepherd Dog Club and it is the "go to" place for our club members needed conformation training.

Since I have a 9 month puppy who is destined for the show ring I have chosen to use the center although it is on the opposite side of the world from where I live in RR. The negative comments posted here are obviously from people who are there for obedience and not having been there for obedience, I can't say if they are on the mark or not. I have attended a lot of obedience classes in the past with other dogs in another state but have no way of knowing if these people are rookies and are not familiar with normal obedience training techniques or if they are knowledgeable and there poor ratings can be strongly considered.

Many people who get into obedience freak out when their little darling gets spoken to with a loud, correcting voice or are given some stern corrections. There are instances when one stern correction is better than repetitive small, meaningless and ignored corrections. The one reviewer mentioned there dog was aggressive. From my experience they are already dealing with a too little, too late scenario and so more drastic measures would be needed. I suspect their dog wasn't properly socialized and corrected properly when it had exhibited poor doggy manners.

I took a dog through their training classes quite a while ago, and I was hoping that they would have changed their outdated methods considering that positive reinforcement training is the big thing right now, but sadly, they have not. They still require prong collars for the dogs in the class (which are DANGEROUS no matter how skilled you are at handling your dog), the classes are overfilled, and the dogs never get the chance to actually socialize and/or do off-leash training exercises.

A lot of people go here because they think this is the only place that offers agility training with a full course, but if you are interested in that check out Sandia Dog Obedience instead. They have a course and do not have the same restrictions nor punishment-based methods that this facility does. I ended up taking my fear aggressive dog through one of PetSmart's training courses and he wound up doing lovely.

There were several other people in the class with fear aggressive dogs who had previously been at Acoma and they feel that the training methods used at Acoma were what really caused the aggression in their animals. With today's new tools and gadgets for positive training methods, there is NO NEED for this type of training anymore. Instead of a prong or choke collar, go for the Gentle Leaders or Easy Walk Harnesses.

My dogs responded SO much better to these items and I only wish I had them for the first dog that went through Acoma, but alas I did not know there was an alternative training method to Acoma's program at the time.

Outdated, punishment-based methods. My dog didn't learn much here and came away more aggressive than when we started. I'd avoid, and seek out trainers who practice positive reinforcement (and not physically forceful) techniques instead.