Dogs With Ties is a dog training business in Morgan Hill, California offering Group Classes, Private Lessons, and Virtual Training, with published programs from $70.
Morgan Hill • CA • Mobile / travels to you • 5.0 ★ (4 Google reviews)
Last verified: Sep 5, 2026
68 / 100
Moderately transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
What they say about themselves
Tessa Carter, the trainer behind Dogs With Ties, built her skills through an unconventional path—starting at Petco, then moving to Sundowners Kennels where she worked with board-and-train dogs being prepared for showing, sport, hunting, and search-and-rescue. According to her site, that background in specialized training shapes her current work with pet owners in the Morgan Hill area.
Carter is a certified AKC Evaluator, which means she can administer tests for Puppy S.T.A.R., Canine Good Citizen, and Trick Dog titles directly. Her site describes hosting dedicated testing days every couple of months where dogs can work toward multiple AKC titles in a single session. She maintains a network of her own trained dogs and advanced client dogs that serve as demo and distraction animals during lessons and testing—a practical resource for owners working on focus and calm behavior around other dogs.
The training approach, as she describes it, centers on two-way communication between dog and owner, with positive reinforcement emphasized for behavioral work like reactivity or resource guarding. There's no dedicated facility; sessions happen in clients' homes, local parks, pet-friendly stores, or at weekly group meetups at Mirasol Park. Carter also notes she's currently training five dogs toward therapy work, including one she co-owns, and is working toward becoming a Pet Partners evaluator.
Consultations and evaluations before you commit to a program.
This is a dedicated testing session where a dog can attempt CGC, CGCA, CGCU, or Trick Dog titles, with the trainer's own dog serving as a distraction or demo dog. Testing days occur periodically in place of a regular group session.
Best for: Dogs ready to attempt AKC title testing.
Focus: Advanced obedience
A dedicated testing session for CGC, CGCA, CGCU, or Trick Dog titles, using the trainer's own dog as a distraction or demo dog.
Best for: Dogs ready to attempt AKC title testing.
Focus: Advanced obedience
Private lessons cover puppies through adult dogs with behavioral challenges, including aggression, resource guarding, and leash reactivity. Dogs With Ties also runs weekly group sessions focused on socialization and basic obedience, plus virtual training for those who prefer remote support. Puppies must be under six months to start the puppy package, and a free consultation is required before joining group classes.
Group sessions run $10 each or $140 for a 16-session package. Private lessons range from $70 per session for puppies to $100 for behavioral work, with package discounts bringing the per-session cost down (a 10-session behavioral package is $900). Online training is $25 per session or $115 for five.
This program guides new puppy owners through potty training, teething and biting, socialization, and manners, aiming to go beyond basic obedience. Sessions can be held at the client's home, a park, or a pet-friendly store, and AKC Puppy S.T.A.R. testing is included.
One-on-one hourly sessions take place at a location of the owner's choosing.
Best for: Puppies under or around 6 months old, ideally started before the puppy comes home.
Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience
These sessions target leash walking, working around distractions, greeting manners, helping new rescues settle in, and refining existing obedience. Training takes place at the owner's home or another location of their choosing.
One-on-one hourly sessions are held in-home or at a chosen public location.
Best for: Adult dogs working toward good citizen manners, including new rescue or shelter dogs adjusting to a home.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training, Advanced obedience
These sessions build management plans for behavioral issues like severe dog reactivity, resource guarding, and human reactivity, including muzzle conditioning and creating consistent routines. The approach emphasizes realistic goals and positive reinforcement.
One-on-one hourly sessions focus on management strategies and behavior modification with the owner present.
Best for: Dogs with significant behavioral concerns such as reactivity or resource guarding.
Focus: Aggression, Leash reactivity, Resource guarding
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Training | $70 per session | — |
| Adult Training | $80 per session | — |
| Behavioral Training | $100 per session | — |
Weekly half-hour group sessions held at Mirasol Park focus on down stays, heeling, and calm behavior, plus occasional outings like walking downtown or hanging near a dog park. Sessions also work on desensitization around distractions like kids and horses, and dogs of any skill level can join.
Owners bring their dogs to a public park or downtown area and work them individually with trainer guidance alongside other dog-owner pairs.
Best for: Any level of dog, from those learning basic relaxation to those doing advanced obedience games.
Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization, Leash reactivity, Fear & anxiety
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Group Sessions | $10 per session | — |
Remote sessions help new or prospective dog owners choose the right breed, plan routines and home setup, and teach basic commands over video, useful for anyone unable to meet in person.
Sessions are conducted remotely over video call.
Best for: New dog owners further away, prospective owners, or anyone wanting to train from home.
Focus: Basic obedience, Puppy training
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Online Training | $25 per session | — |
The site doesn't name specific training techniques or tools, though they do accept dogs with aggression issues. APDT membership suggests exposure to positive training principles, but the actual methods used aren't detailed.
Method: Method unclear
Their website describes their approach in general terms without specifying which methods or tools they use.
Certifications: APDT
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
APDT membership is listed, but insurance, guarantees, and years in business aren't mentioned on the site. This is a mobile-only operation, so training happens at your location rather than a facility.
Facility: Mobile / travels to you
Owner visits: not specified on their website.
Video updates: not specified on their website.
Overnight staffing: not specified on their website.
Insurance: not specified on their website.
Guarantee: not specified on their website.
Waitlist: not specified on their website.
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: not specified on their website.
Price: Dogs With Ties does not publish board & train pricing. Across Morgan Hill, 8 programs publish prices from about $60 to $850.
Reviews: Dogs With Ties shows 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews among 4 published Morgan Hill programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 68 out of 100 (price 100%, program clarity 50%). 1 of 4 Morgan Hill listings show certifications; this business lists APDT.
Training is mobile, meaning sessions take place at your home or another agreed location in the Morgan Hill area. The listed address appears to be an office or home base rather than a training facility.
18075 Shadowbrook Way, Morgan Hill, CA
Friday: 8AM-9PM
Monday: 8AM-5PM
Sunday: Closed
Tuesday: 8AM-9PM
Saturday: 8AM-9PM
Thursday: 8AM-9PM
Wednesday: 8AM-5PM
Reach out directly or send a quote request through Dogs With Ties.
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