The Hill Country Dog Trainer

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adam bonavida

I can’t recommend Matt at Hill Country Dog Trainer enough. My dog Yuri recently completed a board and train program with him, and the progress he made has been nothing short of incredible. Yuri struggled with several behavioral challenges before training—severe separation anxiety, leash reactivity, fearfulness around strangers and new environments, and occasional aggressive outbursts when overwhelmed. I was feeling overwhelmed myself and wasn’t sure how to help him work through it all. From the moment I met Matt, I felt confident that Yuri was in good hands. He took the time to understand Yuri’s specific issues and came up with a clear, structured plan tailored to his needs. Throughout the program, Matt stayed in communication with regular updates and videos, which gave me peace of mind and showed Yuri’s steady progress. By the end of the board and train, Yuri was like a new dog—more confident, calm, and manageable in everyday situations. His leash control improved dramatically, and he no longer pulls or reacts aggressively on walks. He can now handle time apart from me without the intense anxiety he used to show, and he’s far more trusting and responsive in social situations. Matt didn’t just train Yuri—he gave me the tools and confidence to maintain and build on everything Yuri learned. It’s clear that he genuinely cares about the dogs he works with and puts in the time and effort to make a real difference. If your dog is struggling with anxiety, aggression, or fear-based behaviors, Matt is the trainer you want. I’m so grateful for everything he’s done for Yuri and for us as a team.

Alison Satt

After reading reviews of different options, we chose to have our puppy trained by Matt through his 21-day board and train program—and we’re so glad we did! Even before we committed, Matt took the time to explain over the phone how to be more successful with housebreaking our new puppy. His simple, straightforward advice turned what felt like a chaotic situation into something manageable, which really solidified our decision to work with him. Matt is a kind, meticulous trainer who truly gets to know (and love) your dog. He not only teaches solid obedience but also thoughtfully addresses any troubling behaviors along the way. Throughout the training process, Matt kept us updated with texts and videos, which helped us feel connected and confident in how our pup was progressing. Now that our puppy is home, he seems calmer and more confident in his own skin. We’re so thankful for the foundation Matt helped lay—not just for our dog, but for us as new puppy owners too.

Mary Casanova

Odessa was wild before going to train with Matt. She jumped on me, the furniture, and counter surfed whenever she got the chance! Matt has trained her into a new dog! She now has her foundational commands and responds well to all. She is now able to integrate into the pulse of family life! THANK YOU Matt for all you do! I could not be happier -she is the dog I knew she wanted to be! 10 out of 10!

George S

Highly recommend Matt with Hill Country dog trainer. After talking to a handful of trainers who offered 10-12 session packages for >$1,500 I talked to Matt and expressed preference of having an intro to see what exactly my dog really needed. He's experienced and intuitive enough to recognize what my dog best responded to, and was able to teach me the most effective ways of working with my pup. With one session I was able to correct all the problematic behavior. Will definitely be back for more sessions.