Bigfork Dog Training

Bigfork Dog Training is exceptional. Tara is an incredibly skilled trainer with a deep understanding of working breeds and what they truly need—mentally, emotionally, and physically. Her approach is calm, confident, and grounded in respect for the dog, not gimmicks or shortcuts. What really stands out is her ability to read dogs and adapt her training to who they are, not force them into a one-size-fits-all program. She builds trust first, then structure, which makes the results last. Watching her work with multiple dogs at once—while maintaining control, clarity, and balance—is impressive. If you have a high-drive, intelligent, or working-line dog and want thoughtful, effective training from someone who truly understands them, Bigfork Dog Training is the gold standard. Highly recommend.

We had the best experience with Tara! We were looking for a place for our 1 yo border Collie to go while we went on a trip - but I am very picky with who are dogs go to. Additionally we are still training him (and struggling). A friend recommended Tara and I'm so glad they did! She was professional, friendly, and made me feel very comfortable leaving our dog with her. Never once did I feel worried about how he was doing. She sent pictures, videos, and updates throughout the 2 weeks she had him. Upon pickup I wasn't sure what to expect. I was happy to see that even though our dog was so excited to see us, he was also excited to play and interact with Tara. It was clear he was comfortable and being loved while we were gone - which is what I wanted! My husband wasn't sure if a two week b

I tried everything, and I mean EVERYTHING to help my working line GSD with her reactivity. She was a terror on a walk. I worked with other local trainers, even worked with another out-of-state trainer looking for solutions. Within four sessions with Tara my dog Isolde was (amazingly!) able to pass dogs along the trail today without reacting! And Tara's dog Lightening was so good and patient with her. Everything Tara taught me was clearly explained and easy to follow. All I had to do was stick with the program and do the necessary work. And it worked beautifully! I have so much confidence going out in public now, I feel like I can take my girl with me anywhere. Thanks goodness I found Tara! Don't hesitate, call her today.

Tara’s 5-week Adult Dog Basic Obedience class was fantastic! My 7 year old Irish Goldendoodle has overcome bad habits I didn’t think she could. I was surprised by how quickly Tara’s methods worked. I highly recommend Bigfork Dog Training!

Amazing Experience with Bigfork Dog Training! If you are looking for a transformative experience for your furry friend, I highly recommend Bigfork Dog Training. Our beloved Hungarian Vizsla, Lazslo, spent three weeks in their care to address his anxiety, stress, and behavior management issues. Lazslo had difficulties with meeting other dogs and new people, displaying aggression and heightened anxiety in unfamiliar situations. From the get-go, Tara’s expertise and dedication shone through. She successfully calmed Lazslo's behaviors and equipped him with the tools to handle new situations with ease. Recognizing that he needed additional attention, we opted to extend his training for an extra week. This decision proved to be invaluable. Tara's communication was impeccable. She provided dai