UB Haven: Dog Training & Behavior Modification -

Tara Loney

Without Don and UB Haven, our family's story would have had a very different ending. If I could rate more stars I would.

I worked with Don virtually and could not be anymore grateful for his thoroughness and guidance.

I am a super inexperienced dog owner and I decided to rescue a hound that came with a lot of trauma but also a lot of love.

Walks were a huge challenge. Leash pulling, high prey drive, zero recall and very little acknowledgement were constant. Art (bluetick hound) would escape to follow his nose and it would take us hours to get him back home. He would bark non stop to get attention. Everyone kept telling us to use an ecollar but we didn't want to go that route. To say we were struggling would have been an understatement.

Don and the UB Haven team were able to step in (virtually) and show us how to use science based training. They are the kindest, most patient and genuinely caring team. We met on a regular basis until we created a routine that worked for Art.

9 months later and Art is doing amazing. Walks (and hikes) are easy now, his recall is great, he has a routine and we never had to use an ecollar (or anything else that would have harmed Art).

Art's change has been amazing, and it's made such a difference in our home. He is well on his way to being the best dog ever and I wholeheartedly attribute this to what we learned with Don and his team.

If you're struggling with your pup and want to create an unbeatable bond, I'd highly recommend working with UB Haven - no matter your location! Thanks again for making things so easy for us!

Michelle F

We can’t say enough positive things about Don & UB Haven! He helped us create a stable and fun environment for our pup, cat and us to thrive! We are so grateful for Don’s expertise! We had a dog that didn’t know how to be a “family pet” after many years of overstimulation through a local dog daycare. We now have a smart, trained pup that loves structure, routine and is FUN to be with. The Behavior Modification program we completed with Don was worth every penny and minute of time spent. We look forward to a lifelong relationship with Don and his knowledge as he continues to make each of our lives better together.

Barry Ross Rinehart

Don Hoover and the entire UB Haven program are some of the best human trainers on the planet. Because of his teaching, wisdom, and gentle guidance we are much better behaved and seem to be able to communicate with our beloved fur daughter at a deeper level. It's without hesitation I recommend UB Haven to all those who want to be better dog roommates and human beings.

AnnLee Allen

I am absolutely thrilled with the training experience I had with Don at UB Haven. From day one, Don worked wonders with my golden retriever Archie, bringing out the best in him with patience, kindness, and expert guidance. Don took the time to understand Archie’s unique personality and challenges, crafting a personalized approach that made training fun and effective for both of us.

The results have been incredible—Archie is happier, more confident, and much more well behaved! I also learned so much as a pet parent, thanks to his clear instructions and positive reinforcement techniques. My bond with Archie has grown stronger, and we’re both so much more relaxed during walks and at home.

If you're looking for a compassionate and knowledgeable trainer who genuinely cares about your dog's success, look no further than Don. We’re so grateful for everything he did for us and would highly recommend him to anyone seeking quality training with heart!

Thank you, Don for giving us such a wonderful experience!

Betsy Hawley

Don is the best! We moved to St Petersburg last year and our dog Poppy was terrified to let anyone new into our house and because of this we couldn’t find anyone to walk or watch her when we went away. Don was so patient getting to know poppy and gain her trust. He gave us the tools to effectively introduce poppy to new people. He also taught us how to build her play drive. All of these things have made Poppy so much more confident. I am happy to say that Poppy has a dog walker that is now her best friend. We couldn’t have done this without Don and I would highly recommend him!

Ashley Roscoe

I can not say enough good things about UBHaven, Don, and Krissy. They were so patient with my pup Luna, as I had no idea what to do to help her with her fear of people and other dogs. They did not rush our private lesson sessions and waited until Luna was totally ready for group class to make that jump. Now she no issues in group class, passing other people and dogs on walks, and meeting new people. The time they took with her really was the game changer for me and would highly recommend to everyone. Luna’s journey might have taken longer than some, as we took weekly classes for almost a year before meeting her milestones, but attending class is one of her favorite things now! They have online resources that help with weekly homework that is easy to follow along and copy. UBHaven stuck with us and I can not thank them enough!

Emily Andon

Do you have a new puppy? Do you know how to integrate the puppy with your other dog(s)? Do you have adult dogs that are a bit out of hand and need some redirecting? Do you have a specific issue or are you completely lost on what to do? Whatever your current challenge(s) is, Don and Krissy have options for you. I grew up on a farm and have had animals all my life, and came to UBHaven in desperation as my new puppy was more of a handful with behaviors I didn't recognize and my own methods were failing miserably. I also have a senior dog who was struggling with transitioning to life with the new baby raptor. What I love most about Don and Krissy is their ability to actively listen to the baggage that comes along with being unequipped to properly train your dog - sometimes its guilt, sometimes its shame, sometimes its recognizing what you are doing that contributes to the situation - and they listen with compassion and are able to lay out pathways to success with you and your dog. I also like how their program is set up - there are different levels based on what you need, so it's tailored to you. For me and my puppy, we are going through their training program that includes one-on-one training sessions, and as we progress through those we can then join group classes. It is self paced with some structure to make sure we stay on track but they're really flexible to work around my life happenings and travel and what's been going on health wise with my puppy and my older dog and that's made the relationship with them one of trust and understanding. At the one-on-one training sessions, they collect the notes from the session and then send a follow up email as what happened and what the homework is for the next session, which is just a level of service that is unmatched in the market. They also have their training modules online, so when you get home and you think "oh I forgot how they did that exactly..." you can go into the video links and review it to make sure you're not missing something. In my crazy life I rarely get home and start practicing, it's a few days later and I need a little review, it's just great because the videos are high production value, they didn't cut corners at all there. I initially was hesitant to consult with UBHaven because of the upfront cost but I'm glad it didn't stop me because it's been the best experience from their approach to dog training, to their down to earth nature, good-people energy and absolute professionalism. I've referred friends to them and also purchased gift sessions for a friend because they are just, THAT GOOD.

cheryl hapke

Don is absolutely fantastic - both as an behavior modification specialist and a person! I was really struggling with the behavior of my rescue dog. I've had dogs my entire life and never encountered the types of things Jed was doing, including biting. I was very close to surrendering him, something I've never considered before. As a last resort, I hired Don and within a few sessions things started to turn for the best. His approach was to help me understand the behaviors through the eyes of my dog and help me adjust my responses for a more calming environment. I strongly recommend Don for help with behavior modification training. Not only is he a delight to work with but he provides throughtful feedback after every session and resources online that I can continue to use.