Wolfman’s Canines

I cannot say enough good things about Wolfman’s Canines!!

Walter’s knowledge, skill, and calm confidence are truly exceptional—particularly when it comes to fearful, reactive dogs. My foster fail, Sandy, is not an easy dog. She is typically very wary of people and does not warm up easily to anyone. Watching Walter work with her was nothing short of incredible. Within just the first two sessions, he was able to handle her safely, confidently, and respectfully—something I honestly didn’t think was possible so quickly.

What sets Walter apart is his deep understanding of canine behavior and his ability to read dogs in real time. He never pushes past a dog’s limits, yet he establishes trust and structure in a way that makes dogs feel secure and understood. Sandy trusted him, and that says everything.

I also want to give a huge shoutout to the online continuing education Wolfman’s Canines offers to their clients. Having access to educational resources on your own time is such a game-changer—it empowers owners and fosters to truly understand the why behind the training and continue the work at home with confidence.

While Wolfman’s Canines is outstanding with fearful and reactive dogs, they truly shine with all dogs—from puppies just starting out, to confident adult dogs, to those needing a behavioral reset. No matter your dog’s age, background, or challenges, Walter meets them where they are and brings out the very best in them.

If you’re looking for knowledgeable, ethical, and results-driven training, Wolfman’s Canines is an easy, wholehearted recommendation. 🐾

We worked with Walter for 6 one on one sessions in our home. We had an incredible experience! We started 6 sessions ago with an almost 2 year old dog that would bark for several minutes on end when someone came into our home. After working with Walter, she barks to let us know someone is at our door and then responds to the commands we have taught her to turn her bark off. She has made consistent and positive strides every single week. Walter was responsive, supportive, and so informative. He was always available to answer questions. Each week he gave me clear directions so I could do my homework as the owner. I left each session with a better understanding of my dog’s behavior and most importantly what I could do to support her. We are Wolfman’s customers for life!

Hands down best experience with a trainer ever. My 3 year old black mouth kur rescue had aweful anxiety. Was very reactive towards other dogs and people. We did the 2 week board and train and had a totally different dog after. We now have a dog that has the ability to be excited without being reactive or aggressive. The sessions after the board to follow up was great. We have also continued with private sessions, not as much for our pup but to help me recognize the ques he gives and how to maintain his training. We continue to use Wolfman for our boarding now when we travel.

tl;dr: Absolutely stellar training, Walter's work made a life-changing difference in working with our new dog. I cannot recommend him highly enough!

Our journey with Walter began early in 2025. We had acquired a stray dog from Gigi's named Iris. She was at least 5 years old, was stray for an indeterminate period of time, had been a mother at some point, and had to have 14 bad teeth removed! She spent a good hour with our alpha cat on a visit to the shelter, so we gave her a chance.

It quickly became obvious that although we had dogs in the past, managing Iris with her background and integrating her into our tribe of 7 cats was beyond our skill to handle. A comprehensive search led me to contact Walter and arrange a meeting to evaluate her.

Walter hails from the West Coast, and would easy blend into the crowd in Portland or Seattle. He is friendly, down-to-earth, honest, and doesn't BS you. He tells you exactly what you need to know, gives empathetic advice, and will train you for success. (Because the training is also for you.)

Needless to say, I was impressed with Walter from the start, and we signed up for a series of lessons.

Fast forward 8 months later…

Iris Papyrus is now fully integrated into the cat tribe. She has taken on cat traits like sleeping in our cat condos, and jumping around with her toys like a cat would. Also, our cats now show dog tendencies, like lying spread-eagled on their backs copying their dog sister Iris' favorite snoozing pose.

Iris responds almost instantly to commands (exception for some barky dogs and squirrels), will follow on the "invisible bungee cord," and mingles well with people – even strangers are greeted warmly now. She super-sits on ask, loves to go for drives in the car, and has learned to show and give affection appropriately (i.e. no jumping!). She's not perfect by any means, but her intelligence coupled with Dunbar Training techniques we've learned from Walter, have made a huge difference in all our lives.

Walter's training was key to this success, and without his guidance I honestly know we would be as far along with Iris.

I would give him 10 stars if I could. 🙂

I highly recommend Wolfman’s Canines training program! We brought our 4-month-old puppy, Winnie, to his 4-week board and train program with the goal of improving her crate training, loose leash walking fundamentals, and general puppy manners. From the start, Walter was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive to Winnie’s needs, and it was clear that he genuinely cares about the success of each dog he works with.

In addition to her training goals, Walter also helped Winnie with crucial socialization skills, both with other dogs and people. It was amazing to see her become more comfortable in new environments and with new faces.

Not only did Walter address all our specific goals, but he also took the time to teach us how to continue reinforcing these skills at home. The three follow-up sessions were invaluable, as they gave us the chance to see Winnie’s progress firsthand and learn how to maintain her training.

Winnie is now a much more confident, well-behaved pup, and we’re so grateful for Walter’s expertise. If you’re looking for a trainer who is patient, skilled, and truly cares about the dogs he works with, look no further!