ACC (Applied Canine Concepts LLC), Palm City FL

We brought Ralph to a trainer and we were told when asked how he was doing “well you know he’s a bulldog “ meaning they are stubborn which I agree they are. But the training was a complete loss as their methods did nothing for us or him. We didn’t give up and we found ACC they were more than confident that they could help us and Ralph. Three weeks later it was night and day Ralph would listen to all the commands and more importantly they trained us on how to give the commands and continue training Ralph. Everyone at ACC were very friendly and patient with helping me and my wife with training and working with Ralph. I can’t say enough on how happy we are and how much more we are enjoying our English Bulldog Ralphie.
My only regret is I wish we would have found ACC the first time around.

Back in June of this year I went through pawaid An online broker to find a pedigree puppy, they referred me to someone in Homestead Florida, which was the closest to me because I wanted to see the dog in his environment when we went to pick up the dog we couldn’t even get the name of the breeder we found he was six months old. He looked like a homeless dog, but we had already paid for him and we couldn’t make any changes so we brought him home and hope for the best, when we saw his aggressive behavior, we called back poor aid, who said they are not responsible for the dogs attitude. They only guarantee them against physical ailments, so I put my energies into fixing him but I was at my wits end. I had a new puppy, who was very aggressive, and it was impossible for me to control him. My biggest concern was that The possibility of him hurting another dog, or maybe nipping at another person I found applied canine concepts As a last Resort Fabian and Gina were amazing I knew right away I was in the right place we picked up our dog Yesterday And I couldn’t believe how well-behaved how well trained and how totally he was disinterested in being aggressive in any way, shape or form we are following through on what we’ve been taught and I know we now have the perfect pet. I recommend them 100%. I would give them 10 stars if I could If not for this company, I don’t know if I would’ve been able to keep this dog that I had already bonded with. Be very careful when dealing With a broker online, you don’t know what you get, but if you use applied canine concepts to fix it, you will have a wonderful dog

Excellent communication, beautiful facilities, great care, and outstanding training!

I spoke with Gina on and off about my German Shepherd puppy since he was 10 weeks old. She was always willing to answer my questions, send me videos, and provide advice. As Seiko got older (8–9 months), I began to have a few concerns about behaviors that I knew could possibly turn into serious issues if I didn’t address them. They suggested I send him to their 3-week training program. I can’t tell you how hard that decision was for me to make. I kept putting it off until I finally knew I had to do it.

Gina and Fabian kept me in the loop with updates and videos, which made me not only feel at ease but also know I made the right decision. I also received training videos of other dogs I could watch that gave me a head start on what I needed to know when I picked him up. The videos were very helpful, and I highly suggest watching them.

When we picked Seiko up, we had a training class with Fabian. It was extremely helpful, and we learned quite a bit. Fabian spent a lot of time with us, ensuring we knew what was expected of us to keep Seiko on the right track. The training Seiko received was very impressive and worth every dime.

Now that we are home, no more drilling him with commands. Through the training techniques we learned and are still learning, he is able to do more with us and in different environments. Seiko is so much happier, and our relationship is growing. When we are outside, Seiko now wants to be with me wherever I go instead of being distracted.
Thank you, Fabian and Gina!

Absolutely the best trainers around. Hands down.

My wife and I had tried several different trainers and board and train facilities in the past for our malinois without much success. The approach and method employed by ACC is without a doubt superior to anything we had tried before. They truly understand dogs and behavior in a way others do not. Perhaps more importantly, they understand your relationship as a handler to your dog in a way others seemingly can't.

It is an incredibly professional operation. Always clear communication from Fabian, Gina, and the rest of the staff. Great boarding facilities. We always have complete peace of mind knowing our dog is being cared for by them.

Do not waste time or resources trying any place else. ACC is the gold standard to which other trainers should aspire to.

We are blessed to have been recommended Applied Canine Concepts for our pup Bindi! Gina and Fabian are amazing. Their training program is highly effective yet simple enough for our family to implement.

I am 50 yrs old. I have owned GSD since born through out their lives enjoying them and grieving them as well. I have always trained them by myself. Well at my parents they did the job and I did it for the two previos to this own in my own house. Meadow, the one I currently have, is my first reactive dog and I had the fortune to get Ginas and AAC details for help. Sending Meadow to them has completely changed my life as a dog owner for so much better. Even though always in love and connected with my dogs I had never felt this kind of connection and love. Pfff the most incredible feeling. She is now calm, friendly, secure, obedient and reads my mind and it is like she only cares about making us happy and enjoying her life. For SURE my next dog, reactive or not will go boarding at ACC to get the very best out of it as well. Thank you Gina and Fabian for letting me enjoy Meadow so much and also teaching me that I did not know all about dogs and that I was able to enjoy them even more.

In a world of so called trainers I am VERY pleased to have had ACC and Gina Pfeffer recommended to me. We live near Atlanta and there are literally dozens of trainers, “obedience schools” and such here as options, but most of them seemed to be reciting a canned sales pitch when I talked with them. I have a Dutch Shepherd we rescued who had an unknown history and unknown baggage accompany him when we brought him here and I needed to find someone who knows high drive working dogs (or is at least familiar with the breeds tendencies) and did not try to force a square peg ie.rigidly set program with no thought to the specific dogs temperament drive levels and possible baggage ability etc into a round hole (the dog). After speaking with a client of Gina’s that I know here I spoke with Gina by phone and was very pleased with the fact that she actually listened to what I had to say about my dog here and what had been done so far with him. No canned responses were heard and she was very candid about what I would like to do, what the possibilities were and how to go about it … no smoke blowing just to gain a paying client like I was use to getting here locally.

Due to the distance between ACC and my home we decided to go the remote training and support route with vid exchanges to see progress, phone calls and texts if and when necessary to see what I could do here when something came up that was not expected. Every trainer around here would tell me if there was a question about something that I needed to bring the dog in and for another amount of money and they would again “re-assess” my dog to see what can be done …if anything.

ACC truly cares about the dogs over strictly seeing them as a means to charge owners every and any which way they can to make another buck. An example of this was due to the distance between their facility and us here she referred us to a local trainer and handler to see what he thought about my dogs potential and give a general assessment at no financial gain to them. They truly want he clients to be happy and will go out of their way to accommodate a clients needs but will be honest and tell you what they think not what you want to hear, and that is something I can truly appreciate.

I was not expecting the service and responsiveness to questions that I received from ACC and Gina but for any of my future training needs and questions I may have they have it covered and I will be a continuing client. My dog has made tremendous progress with the help of ACC and continues to do so with their help.

I cannot recommend them enough they are courteous knowledgeable responsive and very professional.

6 stars would be awarded if it was possible.

I had been searching for a dog to add to my farm when I came across a dog Gina was sponsoring to a new home. She had trained him as a puppy and knew the ins and outs of this particular dog. Taro needed a unique situation, and after discussing with Gina, I decided to bring him to the farm. Gina was honest and forthright through the whole process, but was confident that Taro would do well in the right environment and the proper follow up to the training she had already instilled in him.
Fast-forward to now, and Taro is one of the best things ever to happen to me, and has been a wonderful addition to my farm. He is exactly as Gina described, and his training is superb. Gina checked in quite often the first few weeks to make sure everything was going okay, and to offer training advice if I had any questions. The level of commitment she has shown to dogs she has trained really shows. She is always a text or phone call away if a training situation arises. The support from her and Applied Canine Concepts has allowed me to develop a relationship with Taro that otherwise would not have been possible.

We took our 10 month old German Shepherd to ACC after only having him for 3 weeks.

He had not been properly socialized so we experienced high reactivity to other dogs, growling at strangers and mild prey drive with our cat. We knew that we needed professional guidance for such a strong and intelligent breed.

We dropped Duke off for a 3 week program which included on and off leash training. Staff was friendly and accommodating and Gina sent updates throughout the 3 weeks.

After 3 weeks we had an off boarding lesson for some hands on training with Duke which lasted a couple hours. Admittedly our heads were swimming because it was a ton of information but we knew it was going to be a process that WE were going to have to master through patience and practice.

It has now been 3 weeks since graduation and It has been a ton of hard work and required a ton of patience, follow up texts to Gina, refresher sessions with Fabian etc. However, they have stayed committed to us through this journey.

It took us 3 weeks post training to really understand what Fabian meant when he said you need to “spend more time being his boss and less time trying to be his friend”.

Duke does not pull at all on the leash anymore, does not chase our cat, and has no problem being around strangers on walks. We have almost completely eliminated his reactivity to other dogs through utilizing the training. We still get the occasional episode when a dog randomly comes out of a house and startles us but those are fewer and far between.

People should understand that it is up to the dog owner to utilize the training consistently. The training works if We consistently work it.

We appreciate Gina and Fabian and look forward to this continued journey.

Our rescue dog had major reactivity issues. In 2021 We found Gina and Fabian and after our Evaluation we immediately signed up. This was the best money we ever spent! It was a process getting US to understand that the training is the medicine for our particular type of dog due to his aggression issues. We now can take him anywhere with us with zero issues. Gina and Fabian are ALWAYS available to help us troubleshoot and we participate in group classes to advance our training. We have already started to work scenarios collar free. We are just amazed at the transformation in our dog who we were considering returning to the shelter We highly recommend ACC for all of your training needs

We came to Canine Concepts in dire need of some help with a 3 year old German Shepard. After our consultation we were very excited! They seemed very knowledgeable and were very well spoken. I should have asked more questions on their techniques before giving them $4000, but I didn’t. When we went to pick him up several weeks later, we discovered they use shock collars to train. To each their own, but I wouldn’t have chosen them if I had known. The training worked mediocrely for the first few months, but the collar started leaving pus filled welts on my dogs neck, and my conscience got the better of me. I think my dog is actually worse off than before I sent him there. They have many success stories, so I’m sure others have had better experiences, but i feel like I wasted my money and traumatized my dog.

I have a large pure bread European Doberman Pinscher that comes from a working line. He is very high energy and needs alot of exercise. He is more my sons dog then mine, my son is 14 and we got our puppy 3 years ago after loosing our out of control doberman to cancer. My previous dobermam came to us later in his life and had no training. He was a wonderful dog and I enjoyed every moment with him, but this breed absolutely needs training and direction (or should i say ALL breeds need training!) so decided to get help with my new puppy at the time so he didnt try to dominate our home. I can't thank Gina and Fabian enough for teaching my son and I how to work him and play with him so he doesn't get mentally bored. They taught both my son and I how important this is for our pets. They have taught us how when we as owners follow there directions in handling our pets the relationship and trust cannot be broken from animal to owner. My son and his dog are the real deal of a boy and his dog being the very best of friends. The work they have done to help us is hands down worth it everyday. I still have moments where i have questions and they are ready and willing to help. Our puppy Riot is exactly that a big riot of a fun trusting lovable fur friend because of Applied Cacine concept.

I purchased an Akita male puppy, knowing the breeds propensity to be aloof, aggressive and dominate. After several months his aggression started showing so I sought training. In our online searches, ACC stood out, so I made the appointment and glad I did. Our pup did the full boarding/training and upon graduation, was a completely different dog. Confident, listened to commands and more composed than pre training. I continue the training, daily, per ACC's instruction and the result is a dog that trusts us and that we trust and has allowed for a happy, balanced home where this large dog is a treasured part of the family and not a pet we need to "worry about". The training was worth every penny because we followed through with ACC's instructions post-graduation and work with our dog every day. There is no magic wand. ACC did their part, and once back home the owner must follow through and do theirs. I highly recommend ACC to anyone who wants a well-balanced, confidently trained dog. We are proud to show our dog in public, knowing he is well behaved and respectful to other people. This was done with the expertise of Fabian and Gina. Thank you, ACC!

We adopted 1 year old Finn in February after the passing of our ‘soul dog’ at just 5 years old. We struggled for 7 months with Finn’s hyperness- he is very friendly, but every stimuli turns him into a maniac. I like to joke that if the breeze blows too hard, Finn wants to chase it. Some of our biggest concerns revolved around his distraction level; pulling our arm off when he saw a squirrel, or a dog, and mainly, our cat. He knew all his commands, but we couldn’t get him to listen when the least bit stimulated. Finn never showed aggression towards the cat, even playing with him once or twice, but the second the cat walked away, Finn would chase him faster than he could get his legs underneath him. We consulted a couple of trainers about his behavior issues, but everyone suggested treat training, basic obedience, or even getting ‘rid’ of him for the safety of our cat. We knew he wasn’t a threat to the cat- his chasing behavior was just unwanted. I did a ton of research, read every review, and then I called Gina at ACC.

She was the first person to tell me these behaviors could be totally corrected and spent time on the phone with me answering questions. ACC is also the only trainer we spoke to whose goal is to get your dog OFF the e-collar. It was really appealing to me for Finn not to have to wear it the rest of his life to ensure good behavior. They explained how they teach Finn to think for himself and determine what is good and bad behavior. It was very difficult for us to drop him off and we struggled during the 2 weeks away due to some lingering trauma from having to leave our last boy at the veterinary hospital. It felt like giving a lot of trust to someone we didn’t know that well, so if anyone else is hesitating due to the time spent apart, I feel you! But it’s so worth it. We felt better after our consultation (which I highly recommend! Ask your questions!) and the pictures and video Gina sent helped put us at ease. Finn was smiling in every picture while he was away.

Finn has been home almost 2 weeks, and what a difference ACC made. We now have the tools to correct his behavior, and more importantly, he knows what we expect of him. Gina, Fabian, and their staff lay the foundation for good behavior. I love their approach- they tell you over and over that they want your dog to be a dog, not a robot. Finn is still himself and a total goofball, but now he has an internal switch to go back and forth into ‘work mode. ’ I also can’t believe how much support we are receiving after going home. We spent an hour and a half in our lesson with Fabian on pick up day, during which he gave us his insight into our particular dog and what he feels is going to work for him. They highly encourage you to send videos working commands, and Gina ALWAYS responds and gives helpful tips and constructive critique, often sending a video of them training whatever scenario we are discussing (eg- walking past another dog appropriately.) I talk to her almost daily, and she never makes me feel like a bother. She takes time to discuss every scenario and has an answer for every question. It is truly a team effort and we’re so thankful we took that leap of faith.