Smart Paws Academy

I would highly recommend starting your puppy in the puppy romper room. We did that at 10 weeks for Walter Baby (he went every week) and now our dog loves all humans and dogs! This class taught me how to encourage my dog to find learning fun… It also trained me so that I can be a good pet owner. Cheryl gave lots of detailed advice about socialization and I learned a lot.
Cheryl is very good at what she does… She can help any dog regardless of their personality. She answers emails and personal calls and is very helpful! I am so happy I found Smart Paws!
My puppy is now 6 months and we are in the Beginning Companion class. I love it! Everything is positive rewards (no punishment) and it is so exciting to see my stubborn little bulldog learn new things! I would highly recommend this class for any dog.

Cheryl was recommended to me when I acquired a Vizsla pup, and I could not have been more satisfied with the training WE received. She understands the psychology of humans, dogs, and how they relate to one another. She makes training sessions very informative, but most of all fun for everyone. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy my dog, what a deep relationship we have or how many compliments I continue to receive on her behavior, and I owe it all to Cheryl and Smart Paws Academy.

If I could rate higher I would. Cheryl’s love for dogs shows in the training and I will continue to recommend her to everyone who has a dog. She knows dogs and really can help you with bad behaviors.

I did not care for this trainer at all. 1) She teaches out of her home and will not tell you the location of her class until you sign-​up and pay your class fee. When you do sign-​up for the class, you will receive a packet of materials with her address. However, when you do receive her address and realize exactly how far outside of Oregon City proper she lives, it is too late because she has sent you the class packet of materials simultaneously. Once she sends you the class packet, she refuses to refund you any money. Essentially, she has you over a barrel because she won’t give you her address until she gives you the packet of materials, but by giving you the packet of materials you cannot receive a refund. 2) You will receive a DVD with your materials that you are asked to watch before attending the class ostensibly to save time in class. Yet, much of what she says in class is a verbatim repeat of what she does on the DVD and thus a waste of time. 3) She routinely began our class 20 – 25 minutes late which was rather annoying. 4) The class is taught in a barn which has a leaky roof and a dirt floor. When it rains, you will get filthy. Don’t just wear «old clothes,» plan on wearing gardening clothes as you will become a muddy, disgusting mess. 4) Last, I personally didn’t care for Cheryl’s attitude — it was a turn-​off. She was extremely bossy and very judgemental. Her stories of dogs who attack people because they didn’t go to training became tiresome. When I didn’t want to squirt my dog in the face with water when he barked, I was lectured on how lenient dog owners should expect to have have out-​of-​control dogs. I would not recommend her.

I have been training with Cheryl for almost a year and we’re still going strong. I have 2 dogs and have taken my german shepherd puppy through puppy class, basic obedience and agility; my lab mix has taken basic obedience and is waiting for a new agility class to open up. Cheryl’s classes are fun, informative and, most importantly, really focus on training the handler (NOT the dog).
Both of my dogs are nervous, and my GSD pup can come across as slightly reactive, at times. Cheryl has patiently helped us with any and all issues we have had, both in class and via email. She is kind of like having your own personal Cesar Milan. Thanks to her classes, we are now working towards our first agility trial — OFF leash! I can also walk both of my dogs on loose leashes at the same time.
I would recommend Smart Paws Academy to anyone who wishes to fix problem behaviors, or just have fun and strengthen the bond with their dog.

Not impressed. If you have a very intense, high drive dog or a dog with any kind of reactivity issues stay far away from this «trainer.» She will happily label dogs «aggressive» and refuse to train them. What kind of training philosophy is that?

My Aussie Jasper and I took agility from Cheryl Huffman several years ago, but she was fantastic with both the humans and the canines. I have great memories of working as a team with my dog, and I’m sure it helped make us as close as we were.

We have one class left, but I feel I can review the course now. Cheryl Huffman runs the Smart Paws Academy. She is the dog whisperer. She can make the very naughty Oola Fandango do anything within seconds. It’s magical. Better yet, she can train US to make Oola do anything. That is also magical. We haven’t had as much time as we would like to train because of holidays, work and family stuff happening, but I feel I have a solid foundation and we can be successful when we can truly devote the time. Oola is already better behaved and following more commands more reliably.
You get a DVD and workbook when you sign up for a course. The first lecture is just with the humans and Cheryl; you bring your dog to class after that. The teaching occurs in an unheated, no air conditioning barn on Cheryl’s property, so in the winter dress warm, in the summer bring water. All the dogs are trained at the same time but she is happy to give you a few moments of one on one time, she asks for praises and problems from each owner at the beginning of each session, and is available by phone or email with questions. And it’s cheap! Under 100 bucks for the series. She does obedience, agility, all sorts of stuff; we were in the beginning obedience class.
Granted it is in Oregon City, so it’s a hike for most people, but it is totally worth it. She has evening and weekend classes. Everything Cheryl does makes sense and she only uses positive training methods. There is no yelling, hitting, or pinch collars, and Cheryl is very clear that she expects you to treat your animal with respect and kindness.
So, in summary, Cheryl Huffman ROCKS the dog world. In a few short weeks we have Oola off the halter and only using a collar, walking better on leash, sometimes comes when called, can sit and lay down on command, and is learning to stay with some success. Her behavior overall is better and we are less stressed. There is more training to do and we have the tools and the workbook so we can continue to improve when the class is over.
Consider Smart Paws for dog training. You and your dog will be good canine citizens when you are finished.