About John Van Olden

I began my career in 1988 as a Military Police dog handler and trainer, having received my certification from the Department of Defense Dog Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. This is an intense course that is widely recognized as one of the best training schools in the world.

I was stationed in Germany near the former East German border as a Dog Handler, and it was there that I began to receive referrals from veterinarians with clients whose dogs needed training. I enjoyed working with pets and their families and did this work in my spare time while still in the military.

In 1989 during the chaotic fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification, I was contacted by a German friend who had obtained several former East German Military guard dogs that were to be euthanized because they could not be handled safely. I was able to work with these dogs and their new owners and all of them were able to live out their lives as family pets.

I left the Army in 1991 with the intent of going to Law School but began receiving referrals from local veterinarians in the San Francisco Bay Area to help their clients with basic obedience training and behavior problem solving. I quickly established a reputation as a reliable, patient trainer willing to go the extra mile to make sure my clients were successful and armed with the knowledge of how to communicate effectively with their pets, ensuring a life-long enjoyable relationship. Needless to say, I never looked back.

In the following years, I started the first dog training franchise in the United States, perfecting a model that is being followed by several companies today. I was also the President of the largest dog training company in California and have personally trained over 40 professional dog trainers. Today most of these trainers are recognized as the most successful trainers in their communities. I have also served on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Canine Professionals, one of the most prestigious organizations of its type in the world, with an extremely high standard of membership. I've written articles on training for several trade publications and have appeared on a national radio program taking calls from listeners on their dog's behavior problems. I am also working on my first book.

I have always believed in continuing to learn and grow in my chosen profession and attend conferences and classes in places like Tufts University Veterinary School, The Veterinary School in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and conferences given by professional associations such as The Association of Pet Dog Trainers, The Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers, and the International Association of Canine Professionals. I have learned from, and established friendships with some of the most recognized and respected names in the world of canine behavior and training.

Today, I provide all levels of obedience and behavior training to families throughout Northern California and am one of the most experienced and successful trainers in the State. Often, I successfully work with dogs that other trainers have given up on and labeled hopeless.

Please call me today at 800.649.7297 to schedule an in-home consultation with you and your dog(s).