We worked with Sam for three months, and the experience was outstanding. His training style was clear, patient, and effective, and our dog Brewster excelled under his guidance. We saw real progress every week, and Sam always took the time to explain what we needed to do at home. We’re truly grateful for his expertise and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a dedicated and skilled trainer.

Jayde & Zayne - Brewster

I have been so thoroughly transfixed by the teaching prowess and intuitive dog-training skills of Sam Pickup. He has such an amazing communication style, his guidance is determined, firm, intuitive, and kind. It's as if he speaks a dog language that only they can understand and I have learned so much from him. Sam is on such an elite plane in terms of knowledge, intensity, and ability to captivate your dog's attention. He will change your life, so you can change your dog's. His skills are uncanny. It is like having a private seminar in changing your perspective on owning a dog - one that everyone who loves their pet should take. He has changed my life and he will change yours, don't miss out on meeting and working with him!

Randi - Harlow Blue

I was introduced to Sam by a friend, and as soon as Stella and I met him, we knew he was a perfect fit for us. Being a brand new dog mom, not only to a puppy, but to a large breed dog (Long-Haired German Shepherd), I not only needed guidance but also education. Sam, Stella and I began working together when Stella was just 12 weeks old and he has been by our side ever since. I call him "our" trainer because he has truly given us the confidence to build a life-long, trusting relationship. The feeling of being a proud, responsible dog owner is beyond satisfying. And we don't go a day without someone being amazed at Stella 🙂 Thank you Sam!

Blair - Stella

Sam will take and make of your dog magic, creating a path to the harmonious existence between pet and owner, allowing you to forge an even more meaningful bond with your best friend. You will be able to interact, communicate, and listen to each other on a deeper level. The contrast will be stark and change both your animal’s life as well as your own. Once he has trained them, you will be able to savor life together with your furry friend like never before, yet like it always should have been. Not only is he a master of his craft, but he’s a truly astounding soul. I am forever grateful for the difference he’s made in my pets’ lives and my own, and look forward to the impact he will continue to make on our world, one fuzzy creature at a time. Thank you infinitely, Sam

Leigh - Kosmo

Sam is truly an amazing dog trainer! Before our first session, our dog Canela would pull on her leash, have lots of anxiety, and could sometimes be reactive to other dogs. We had tried other training methods in the past, but nobody worked with Canela quite like Sam. After our first session, he was able to assess her needs and create a specialized plan for her. Sam deeply impressed us with his expertise. He explained everything to us so clearly and patiently answered all of our questions. In training, his methods are very balanced, incorporating both positive and negative reinforcements, which worked beautifully for Canela. She is like a completely different dog on and off leash! Sam's training was invaluable for us. Not only is she well behaved, but she also is less anxious and happier overall. Our bond with Canela was strengthened immensely as a result of the training. We cannot recommend Sam enough!

Marissa & Sam - Canella

I can't seem to find just the right words for my appreciation and gratitude to Sam. Working with him has been one of the best decisions we have ever made for Nala (fur child), and for me as a dog owner. His patience, knowledge, and genuine care for both dogs and people truly sets him apart from all other trainers I have both met and witnessed. Sam really took the time to understand Nala’s little baby brain. Her personality, needs, and challenges. The progress she has made is incredible. I get so excited when Nala completes a command. Because she's actually listening! And when others see her and compliment both her and myself, I feel like I just won the dog lottery. Sam is extremely patient with his clients. I felt constant reassurance and zero judgment. And there's no rush or getting frustrated/angry when Nala wasn't understanding something. If you find yourself having issues with your dog(s), as small or big as it may seem, you need a trainer, and you need Sam! I'm so grateful for everything.

Chloe - Nala

Sam is an exceptional dog trainer! If you're considering training your dog, look no further—Sam is the one you want! His patience, knowledge, and caring nature are truly remarkable. I have a large Rottweiler, and Sam handled him with ease, even though my dog can be challenging at times. I especially appreciated Sam's thorough explanations of each training step and the reasoning behind them, which made me feel confident and comfortable throughout the process. He's fantastic, and my dog Waffles absolutely adores him! Thank you, Sam, for your outstanding work.

Ashely - Waffles

We could not be happier with our results after training with Sam. I was nervous about “breaking” our pups spirit but Sam has proven that it’s possible to have a very well trained dog with a healthy and happy spirit well intact! Our furry son Mookie had zero interest in listening to his parents when asked to sit, stay come and drop. After stressful days of chewed stuffies and spending what seemed like hours trying to reign him in at the park we got Sam on the case. Today, Mookie is a well behaved dog who listens to all commands and can enjoy a leash free life thanks to Sam’s dedication, diligence and skill. And best of all- Mookie is still Sam’s biggest fan which is a testament to how Sam is able to love his furry students while also getting incredible results. We are so grateful for Sam’s generous spirit and would recommend him to anyone looking for a trainer who gets you results and is so easy to go on the journey with!

Amber & Cary - Mookie

Sam is remarkable. He changed my relationship with my dogs (and each other) for the better. I had a problem dog - she would bite - randomly and unpredictably, making our living situation potentially dangerous. We adopted her at 7 months so had no idea her history. Both of our dogs are cattle dog mixes – meaning highly intelligent, working dogs that demand a lot of attention. It was an investigative journey to identify her triggers, whether psychological, or physical. Sam dug very deep to solve the issue. He gives an incredible amount of attention really attuning himself to the dog’s cues. He’s strong, quick witted, and very fast-reacting – he challenges when its needed but also gives love and affection. He continually educates throughout his sessions, sharing observations, and providing support. His recommendations covered everything - from my own pet owner behavior to consultation with vets, to potential medications. This balanced approach ultimately really paid off in our dog. I now have not just one, but two dogs, that obey willingly and that I can trust in new situations. We are much safer, and even friends and neighbors have commented on how big a difference they are seeing in both of our dogs. We have a calmer, more trusting home thanks to Sam.

Karin - Penny

Working with Sam was a wonderful experience. From the moment we met him, we felt very comfortable inviting him into our home to train our 3 month old puppy, Snoopy. Sam was very communicative with us, worked around our schedule and made scheduling easy. Sam not only was able to train our puppy while he was with us but also provided us with the tools (verbal cues, instructions) to do our own homework with him in order to maintain consistency even when Sam was not with us. It is evident that Sam has a lot of experience with training dogs and absolutely loves what he does. I believe that because of this, Sam was able to make a true impact on Snoopy’s behavior. We are very grateful that we made the time and effort to work with Sam as it has proven to be well worth it. Before hiring Sam, we could not take Snoopy out without worrying about him barking at people and other dogs. Our puppy is fully trained now. He is much better at following directions, he no longer barks at everyone and we are able to take him out on enjoyable walks, restaurants and coffee shops and even places like dog parks where he will be around other dogs. I would highly recommend Sam for any dog training needs!

Jessica - Snoopy

I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about dogs and dog training, until my family and I adopted little Gary: a high strung toy poodle puppy with a bark so loud, it spiked my cortisol. A trusted friend sang Sam’s praises, so I gave him a call. Watching him work was fascinating. He was not just a dog trainer to Gary; he was his therapist, and at times, ours, too. He trained Gary as well as myself and my whole human family, and with his expert guidance, helped transform Gary from an anxious wild puppy to a confident, happy, and well-behaved young man. Sam is now “Uncle Sam” for life at this house and we are all so grateful for his help with our Gar-Gar!

Jackie & Ben - Gary

After working with three other trainers and seeing little to no progress with my dog, I was starting to lose hope, until I found Sam. He is truly extraordinary. Thanks to him, my dog now has amazing recall and walks beautifully on and off-leash, something I never thought possible! Sam also trained my younger puppy from an early age, and the results have been spectacular. His patience, consistency, and understanding of dogs are unmatched. I have absolutely no regrets and could not be happier with the outcome for both of my dogs. What really sets Sam apart is the care and dedication he shows beyond training. During the time my dogs were with him, there were wildfires nearby. He had a detailed evacuation plan in place if needed, he kept me informed, and constantly reassured me that they were safe and well cared for. He stayed in regular contact, sending me updates, photos, and videos so I could see their progress firsthand. It was important for me to know they were well taken care of and able to roam about and not confined to a kennel while not in training.The best part? My dogs absolutely adore him. Every time they see Sam, they light up with joy and that, to me, says everything about the kind of person and trainer he is.If you’re looking for someone who is truly passionate, skilled, and deeply caring, Sam is the one. I cannot recommend him enough!

Gina - Scout & Milo

Working with Sam has been absolutely life-changing! We used to feel embarrassed when guests came over because our dog, Dylan, would jump all over them. Now, he waits calmly on his bed until we tell him he can greet people! Sam also helped us see that Dylan was capable of so much more than we realized, which has been such a gift. Sam’s combination of useful insight and integrity made the entire experience incredibly rewarding.

David & Dougal - Dylan

We were referred to Sam after meeting two incredibly well-behaved dogs he had trained, and we were immediately impressed. Our own dog, Jackson, is 4.5 years old, and we were worried it might be too late to train him effectively. As he got older, he developed anxiety and signs of reactivity with other dogs. With a baby on the way, we knew we had to try. From the very first session, we saw a noticeable change. Jackson was eager to learn and thrived with the added stimulation. After just 10 sessions, it feels like we have a completely new dog. Sam not only delivered real results but also provided us with practical, easy-to-follow tools that we could use daily. We’ve been so impressed with Jackson’s progress that we’re signing up for another 10 sessions to continue investing in his development. We truly can’t recommend Sam enough. Beyond being professional, punctual, and efficient, he’s also a genuinely kind person, it’s been a pleasure working with him.

Francesca - Jackson

I have two very large, sweet dogs, however, I found that I got anxious taking them to the park because of their poor recall, and I hated walking them because they would pull and criss cross and overall make for a terrible experience. Sam came along and within 6 sessions, my dogs are walking in “heel” by my side, they come when I call them, and they are less reactive overall. I love walking them AND taking them to the park now! Sam seriously improved my life and the lives of my dogs.

Suzie & Mike - Marty & Henry

I cannot express enough how pleased I am for the amazing results I've seen in my puppy since starting training with Sam. From the very beginning, Sam was extremely communicative and friendly, making the entire process a breeze. My puppy, Larry King, absolutely adores him and is always excited for their training sessions. The effectiveness of their methods are truly impressive, and I have seen such a positive change in Larry King’s behavior in such a short amount of time. Their dedication to helping both me and my puppy succeed is evident in every interaction we have. Not only are they able to achieve amazing results, but they do so in a way that is fun and engaging for my puppy. I am so thankful for their expertise and the positive impact they have had on our lives. If you are looking for a dog trainer who is communicative, friendly, and incredibly effective, look no further than Sam. You will not be disappointed!

Patricia - Larry King

My name is Daniel, proud puppy daddy to Elvis and Milo. Milo the baby, is a high energy Toy Aussiedoodle that we discovered early on after adopting him is atleast 80% deaf. As we got him for a brother and companion for our 5 year old Morkypoo Elvis, it was a match made in heaven as Elvis is hyper vigilant and both their strengths and weaknesses where perfectly compatible. We knew that training would be a vital part of our journey to learn the skills to navigate this new terrain. We are so grateful to have been recommended to Sam, after meeting Sam we felt very comfortable following all his recommendations due to his extensive knowledge and experience! We opted for 3 weeks training and boarding for Milo and 2 weeks for Elvis. First off, we have never seen the dogs as happy and healthy after picking them up and the skills and knowledge that Sam gave us after picking Milo up especially was life changing. Now we can communicate with Milo with very easy hand gestures, and his eagerness to follow instructions and obey orders is mind blowing. I would highly recommend Sam to Any dog owner for training and obedience.

Daniel - Milo & Elvis

We can’t say enough good things about our experience with Sam! When we started, Sunny struggled with reactivity, lacked confidence, and walks were a bit stressful. Now? He’s a totally different pup — confident, obedient, and happy! Thanks to the amazing training, we’ve even mastered off-leash recall. Our walks are now peaceful and enjoyable, and it feels like we’re truly in sync with Sunny. But what really sets Sam apart is that he didn’t just train our dog — he trained us as dog owners. We learned how to give clear, effective commands and better understand Sunny’s behavior and needs. That guidance was just as valuable as the hands-on training. We’re so grateful for the transformation. If you’re looking for a trainer who truly knows dogs and cares about both pets and their people, this is the one!

Sheila - Sunny

Life Changing! My partner and I combined houses last year moving our three dogs in together full time. It took a minute for things to settle down. Once everyone was adjusted we realized our dogs had packed up! Walking them together had turned into a total nightmare. They would bark and trigger each other to bark at any other dog, trucks, mail trucks, bicycles. Walking them was awful. We were constantly apologizing for our screaming dogs. Our neighbor had recently got a new puppy who would never bark back at our dogs. She was the most behaved 4 month old puppy I have ever seen. That is when we learned about Sam! We called him the next day and we started training with al three dogs immediately. We have an 11 year old dog, 6 year old, and 4 year old (still puppyish dog). Sam started by training them individually. We started seeing changes after one week! It was absolutely amazing! We also knew we had to follow through on our end and work with our dogs everyday in the way Sam was teaching us. Sam then started training the dogs together and with us. It has totally changed our home life. When we eat any meals they all go to their place and stay there until we finish eating. Walking our dogs has become something we look forward to now! All three dogs heel and walk in step with us. They sit automatically anytime we stop walking. They are not triggered anymore. They do not bark at other dogs or people even if dogs are barking at them. Its truly incredible! Even our 11 year old dog has responded to the training and is doing amazing!!! Sam is the best trainer we have ever worked with and our dogs are actually changed and doing great! Thank you Sam!

Sasha - Sony, Emmy & Siouxsie

My dog, Honey, used to be very reactive to other dogs and was poorly behaved on walks. I was feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to help her, but then a friend recommended Sam! From our very first sessions, it was clear that Sam is not only knowledgeable but also genuinely passionate about working with dogs. He took the time to understand Honey’s behavior and tailored the training to her specific needs as well as our lifestyle. His training approach made such a difference, and I could see Honey responding almost immediately. He was able to get Honey to master “Heel” and teach me how I can best keep the training up at home. Walks are now enjoyable instead of stressful, and her overall behavior has improved so much. I feel more confident as a dog owner, and I know Honey is happier and less anxious too. Sam is truly the best and Honey and I are both so grateful for everything he’s done!

Kelly - Honey

My wife and I had a big problem on our hands with our new puppy JoJo, who would make a b-line to the front door each time it opened. We caught her almost every time but twice she got out. JoJo was having the time of her life but she's really fast and wouldn't come to us as cars were bearing down. We had to stop the cars and we were fortunate they were very understanding. We knew we had to do something right away but we didn't know where to turn. We have had bad experiences with previous obedience trainings as it is a lot of work and results wouldn't happen for a while if at all and our issue was immediate. We found Sam Pickup, who was highly recommended. It was immediately clear that Sam is a master dog trainer. He has a unique but very effective way of communicating how dogs' minds work and recommended boarding JoJo for three weeks for maximum training sessions without concern of the dog escaping. Well... we missed JoJo terribly (Sam was great about sending vids) but after 3 weeks she came back to us fully trained! She had lost the instinct to run out the door and several other unwanted behaviours. We know we're not done as we need to work with her consistently for a few more weeks to really cement her training, but man, what a difference.Sam is very easy to work with and we thought reasonably priced for the level of training we received and certainly very competitive with other trainers. Also, he does individual sessions if boarding is not an option. We highly recommend Sam!!

Neil - Jojo

I had the pleasure of trusting Sam training my boys’ reactivity and they are completely different dogs now! They’re happier and able to enjoy life without being so anxious and triggered by every little thing and every dog in sight. Not only was he able to teach them safety commands, he taught me how to be a better owner and leader for them. He goes above and beyond and this is truly an investment that is worth it for any dog lover. He’s personable and professional, and the results will stick especially if you follow through and put in the work! There’s a lot of partnership with being a dog owner and Sam really highlights that in his sessions. By the time my boys graduated, they were able to follow commands and enjoy being out in public, which was something I would’ve never imagined would happen! Thank you so much Sam!

Joisz - Doggie & Kai

Sam is an absolute British legend. Went above and beyond with our puppy, Chai. We brought Chai to Sam because she was a highly reactive dog and was practically impossible to take anywhere because she would pull on the leash so much and was just so excited and anxious to see other humans. By our fourth or fifth session with Sam, Chai was already pro at heel, and we were able to take her out on walks without it being a major pain. He also helped us with several other commands and overall obedience with Chai. The main way Sam really helped us though was teaching us how to teach Chai. Instead of just training Chai and leaving her with us, Sam "taught us how to fish instead of just giving us fish" so-to-speak. Now we feel confident in continuing our training with Chai knowing the principles of good training.

Parker - Chai

Sam has been a dream come true to my dog Quincy and I. I hadn’t been able to walk Quincy during the past year due to his intense anxiety and fear. This made it difficult for Quincy to learn basic commands. Insert Sam. On day one Sam partnered with Quincy and myself to create goals for the 3 week course of training. Sam was consistent, thoughtful, yet firm during the training period. After some hard work, Quincy is a new dog. We walk regularly. He is able to respond to commands. We are grateful for Sam’s passion and consistency and can’t thank him enough. Highly recommend him!

Steve - Quincy

I have a 2 year-old dog with very severe PTSD after being saved from a meat farm in South Korea. While he’s a gentle soul, he was not enjoying his new life to the fullest fearing everything that moves and that any human he encountered would hurt him. Then came Sam - the kindest, most insightful and highly skilled dog trainer. He very patiently worked through the extreme trust issues, inch by inch, explaining every strategy employed during each session -- and assuring me that it was going to work. In a very short time working with Sam, my dog is enjoying life like he never could before and our bond with him has grown so much stronger. Sam completely understood the dog psychology and laid out the steps needed for this very difficult problem. He made me understand how and why I needed to follow his specific instructions, which were sometimes hard to imagine could actually work - which led to success! He is a masterful trainer. I highly recommend him for ANY dog issues.

Meryl - Enzo

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to Sam the Dog Trainer. In one sentence: he is amazing. I have a little dog named Ranger with zero attention span. He used to choke himself trying to say hi to people and other dogs—barking and pulling so much that it stressed out my other two dogs. I could never walk them all together. The trainer at puppy school tried to work with Ranger and eventually said, “I’m sorry, some dogs are just untrainable.” Cut to sessions with Sam… and Ranger is now walking like a well-mannered young man. I’m walking all three dogs together for the first time ever. Sam works miracles—even with dogs others gave up on. Thank you, Sam. Ranger and I are forever grateful.

Leigh - Poser & Ranger

To say that Sam transformed our family dog would be an understatement. When we began working with Sam our then 10 month old Lab, Boomer, was utterly out of control. Barking incessantly, stealing food and items from the counter, and unable to be taken for a walk. Within just the first two weeks, we began noticing a change in his demeanor. He was eager to please and quickly learning his basic commands. By week four, Sam had him out walking in the neighborhood with minimal correction. By the end of our 8 week training plan, I was able to host Thanksgiving dinner for 14 people while Boomer obediently sat in his designated place not bothering a soul. Everyone was more impressed by him than the turkey!! Sam excels at explaining dog behavior in a way we can all understand. He breaks down the issues and offers easy simple every day use solutions. I would highly recommend him to anyone. Boomer is calmer, better behaved, and mostly importantly … happier now all thanks to Sam

Jill - Boomer

We worked with Sam over 10 sessions and came out with a new dog! Tux has always been sweet but had gotten use to everything on his time and way. Tux now listens and takes instructions and is calmer and obedient. Sam quickly built a great relationship with Tux and got results really fast! He was super patient showing me how to achieve the same results myself when handling Tux. Would highly recommend Sam!

Suzannah - Tux

We just finished a 10 session package with Sam and we can't say enough amazing things about him and his dedication to dogs, dog-owners and his training methods as a whole. Our doggy, Chica, is a two year old Australian Labradoodble who had had some dog training in the past and is pretty amazing for the most part but she still needed some help with heeling on walks and also counter surfing. Each time Sam worked with us he was extraordinarily thorough in his explanations and his methodology. He has extensive background in training and is incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to anything in relation to dogs and their behavior. His vast understanding for dog breeds and his true love for dogs is crystal clear from the moment you meet him. Chica absolutely loved working with him and would get so happy and excited at the mere mention of his name. Sam gave us practical and effective homework in between sessions that Chica enjoyed tremendously. She is a MUCH better listener now and le's us know that we're in charge of her and not the other way around. I'm particularly excited for her to show off her new "good girl" skills this Thanksgiving when we host and she listens in her STAY and doesn't try to eat everyone's food. If you're looking for an effective dog trainer who is easy to work with, highly knowledgeable, kind and fun look no further, SAM is amazing!

Amanda - Chica

Sam is an excellent dog trainer and all-around great guy. He started working with our rescue dog, Ellie, shortly after we adopted her, and I was amazed from the first sessions at how quickly she progressed. My timid dog gained confidence, and so did I! I feel good knowing that Ellie has basic obedience skills, and Sam left me well-prepared to continue her training solo. He is the consummate professional: knowledgeable and passionate about his work. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone who is ready to dedicate the time, money, and effort to train their dog. You will not be disappointed!

Carlynn - Ellie

I can't say enough PAWsitive things about Sam! My puppy, Farley is a rambunctious little guy, with lots of energy! Sam helped us to learn all the right commands to keep him safe and sound, while still allowing him to live his best puppy life. I never thought Farley would be able to learn so much so quickly, but with Sam's patience and expertise, Farely was sitting, staying, coming, and even HEELING like a pro! (Yes, my dog can HEEL!) As a very protective dog mom, I have a hard time with discipline and doing anything that could potentially cause my fur baby any momentary distress. But, Sam has the perfect mix of softeness with just a touch of the strictness needed when working with dogs (and soft humans!). He understands the true nature of dogs and could anticipate all of Farley's behaviors (and mine too lol!). I don't think I would have been able to work with anyone else with so much success! Farley is always jumping for joy whenever it's time for a Sam visit, a true testament to his character. Farely was always a good boy, but now he's the best behaved boy, all thanks to Sam! 🙂 Thank you Sam, we adore you!

Cara - Farley

Sam doesn’t just train dogs, he helps people understand them better. He gave us the tools and the confidence to be better companions for our dogs. More than teaching commands or correcting behavior, he taught us how to build trust, how to communicate, and how to invest in our dogs' emotional and mental well-being. Through his guidance, we’ve come to understand just how intelligent and sensitive our dogs truly are and how important it is to honor that. The changes we’ve seen in our home have been profound. Our dogs are happier, calmer, and more engaged. They feel safe, they feel understood, and they know they’re loved, and not just by us, but by Sam, too. His presence has become such a source of joy in their lives. And honestly, in ours as well. It’s rare to find someone who is not only talented and passionate about what they do but also so warm, kind, and thoughtful in how they treat others, both human and canine. Sam has become more than a trainer to us. He’s become a friend, someone we trust, someone we look forward to seeing, and someone we are endlessly grateful to have in our lives. There is something deeply human about the work Sam does. He brings out the best in our dogs, and in doing so, he’s brought out something better in us, too. We feel more connected, more in tune, and more equipped to give our dogs the full, happy lives they deserve. And for that, we will always be thankful. Sam, from the bottom of our hearts,

Anthony - Henry, Jax & Scout

Working with Sam has been such a wonderful experience for us :). We reached out to him for help with our dog’s reactivity and anxiety, and what we got was so much more than training advice. From our very first session it was clear how knowledgeable he is and how much he cares about our furry friends. Sam has a calm, clear and very thoughtful way of explaining things that made both our dog and me feel more at ease. He really took the time to understand what was going on and offered us practical and compassionate guidance every session. I always felt supported and encouraged, and it was clear that our dog felt safe and understood around him too. By the end of our sessions our dog absolutely loved him! And so did we :D. The progress we made was amazing! Not only has our dog become more confident, but I’ve also gained so much more confidence and understanding on how to communicate with my four legged best friend. Sam is a truly kind, honest, and talented trainer. We’re so grateful we got to work with him. Highly, highly recommend! 100%!!

Andrea - Rocket

Sam doesn’t just train dogs, he helps people understand them better. He gave us the tools and the confidence to be better companions for our dogs. More than teaching commands or correcting behavior, he taught us how to build trust, how to communicate, and how to invest in our dogs' emotional and mental well-being. Through his guidance, we’ve come to understand just how intelligent and sensitive our dogs truly are and how important it is to honor that. The changes we’ve seen in our home have been profound. Our dogs are happier, calmer, and more engaged. They feel safe, they feel understood, and they know they’re loved, and not just by us, but by Sam, too. His presence has become such a source of joy in their lives. And honestly, in ours as well. It’s rare to find someone who is not only talented and passionate about what they do but also so warm, kind, and thoughtful in how they treat others, both human and canine. Sam has become more than a trainer to us. He’s become a friend, someone we trust, someone we look forward to seeing, and someone we are endlessly grateful to have in our lives. There is something deeply human about the work Sam does. He brings out the best in our dogs, and in doing so, he’s brought out something better in us, too. We feel more connected, more in tune, and more equipped to give our dogs the full, happy lives they deserve. And for that, we will always be thankful. Sam, from the bottom of our hearts,

Anthony - Henry, Jax & Scout

Stavroula - Hercules

Sam has literally transformed my relationship with my chihuahua Hercules. Before, Hercules was very anxious & scared which caused him to be reactive. This made it difficult for me to take him out to socialize and left me feeling guilty and helpless. Sam was so patient while training me and Hercules. He is kind, direct, and extremely friendly. Now Hercules trusts me, listens to commands, and is such a good boy whenever we go out that people take notice! I highly recommend Sam’s training. He transformed my life and my relationship with Hercules that I will cherish forever.

Allegra - Slim

Working with Sam has been the best dog training experience I’ve ever had. I must admit that I’m a crazy dog mom – so I appreciate it when I meet someone who understands, but also loves my dog as much as me. And Sam is that person. So yes, he loves dogs. He understands dogs. But he’s an amazing person trainer too. I didn’t want to work with a trainer who “trained” by dog, then left me to figure it out. Sam spends the time with the dog, in my case my boy Slim, and with the person, me, to see what works best for a relationship where you learn to trust your dog. He makes it so you can take your dog anywhere with you – which is really the point, isn’t it? Even on a walk in the neighborhood, or out on a hike, you want a relationship with your dog that doesn’t leave you anxious. And Sam can show you how to have that relationship. He makes training so accessible – I can now walk my dog with such confidence. Sam doesn’t make it seem like some big secret…like only a few blessed people can train dogs, he makes it so I can work with my dog…every day…to have the most perfectly trained animal out there. Sam is truly…the best dog trainer that I could have ever dreamed up. Slim loves him so much and we both (Slim and myself) have so much fun when we get to train with Sam. We look forward to our sessions – because we both get so much from it. How lucky is that!?

Damien - Fox

Bringing Sam on to work with Fox was a game changer. He was incredibly thorough but also tailored the lessons to my knowledge level (which was not a whole lot) - he would use analogies throughout our lessons that really helped paint a picture of how dogs - these complex non-verbal creatures - really think and process information. Sam understands that there is not necessarily a 'one-size-fits-all' method to training dogs into incredibly obedient and well behaved pets; he takes the time to really know the dog he's working with and then tailors his methods to best serve the pet he's working with. I found Fox on the street - he was abandoned by his previous owner (the owner eventually emailed me Fox's records after the chip company notified him multiple times that we found his dog). He was 1.5 years old and was a wild one, but was very responsive to the training. Now, after 10 sessions with Sam, Fox never ever pulls on his leash, he always heels on the same side (right side) during walks, and his stay command and recall is so on point. It's extremely impressive. 11/10 recommend Sam if you are looking for a trainer. I plan to bring Sam back into the fold to better train my gf's dog, who is a bit older, but I know Sam has the skills advanced enough to teach even older dogs new tricks.

Christine & Coco

Sam is an excellent trainer. From the first day he started working with my 3 year old, she started improving. He helped me understand the psychology of dogs and how they behave. Half the battle was training me as the human. I am much more confident in handling my dog thanks to Sam and she's like a brand new dog. Wonderful experience and so grateful we got to work with Sam.

Gaby - Cali

Here's a pic that wouldn't have been possible without you. Cali and I both appreciate everything you taught us and if I could do it all over again I 100% would! You taught Cali discipline while also caring for her and being affectionate. I love how close Cali got to your dog Ghost.

Tracy - Dax

Sam is truly a gem—and now, a part of our family. I’ve had many dogs over my lifetime, and I’m no stranger to training. I’ve worked with other trainers before and generally consider myself pretty good with dogs. But Dax? Dax is in a category all his own. As Sam gently put it, “he’s special”—and possibly even on the spectrum. I’ve never had a dog quite like him. What impressed me most about Sam was how he met Dax exactly where he was—firm when needed, but always loving and attuned. We tried everything: training leashes, a spike collar, even an e-collar (which I was hesitant about). But through it all, Dax’s tail never stopped wagging. He trusted Sam—and so did I. Sam’s corrections were never harsh. They were rooted in a deep understanding of behavior, timing, and emotional connection. Dax absolutely lights up when Sam walks through the door, and that says it all. If you’re lucky enough to work with Sam, you’ll understand—he’s not just a trainer, he’s a dog whisperer. He brought out the best in Dax, and his calm, grounded presence brought peace into our home. I’m beyond grateful.

Kim - Kit

Without a doubt, Sam Pickup is not only a fabulous and gifted canine trainer, he is a wonderful and engaging man. Sam trained our Fox Red Lab to a tee; explaining every step he used to get the result that every dog owner needs. Sam is perhaps the most interesting man in the world.

Paige - Winston

Working with Sam was such a lovely experience! In just four sessions we noticed major strides and confidence in Winston. Thanks, Sam!

Joy - Moose

We both wanted to say a huge “thank you” for training sessions and the miracle you worked for me over the past few weeks. I am so much happier knowing I am in charge on my walks and my whole family cannot believe the change they have seen in Moose since you came into my life!

Marilyn - Chance

I highly recommend Sam. I was having trouble walking my 11 month old Doodle on the leash. Chance was pulling and jumping. After three sessions I now have a well-behaved pup and enjoyable walks. Sam is an excellent trainer and I am truly grateful.