We specialize in Service Dog & Skills Training, but we’ve made our bones stopping doggy lawlessness through Behavioral Training.

We teach dogs to understand behaviors that are not wanted, and behaviors that are wanted. We train to accomplish new habits and reactions on the part of both human and canine. Rather than being solely prescriptive, we look for feedback from our students – you and your dog – so that lesson plans remain relevant as progress is made.

We use rewards-based training methods, and can show you how to go beyond throwing treats at problems. Skilled Mutts is a practitioner of L.I.M.A. training, which is supported by the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants) and the APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers). For more on this, visit IAABC’s/APDT’s position statement online.

From the very large, to the very small.

From seniors to pups. And everyone in between. We’ve trained them all.

“Waffles”

Labradoodle pup, 9 weeks old

About the Trainer

Andrea Woo is a certified dog trainer (ABCDT) through Animal Behavior College and a professional member of the APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers.) She first fostered and trained service dogs for the deaf and hard of hearing. From there, she broadened her skill set to include mobility task training, often traveling out of state to advance her proficiency. Andrea has taught well over 100 pet dogs and owners needing assistance with behavioral training. She continues to attend professional dog training conferences to keep up to date with the latest in scientific theories and training methods.

Andrea resides in the Bay Area with her mighty dogs, Iris and Mason.

“After too many years of herding cats in the corporate world, it’s time to work with dogs.”

Life is rarely made up of straight lines. Andrea first graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in psychology. She promptly began her career in R&D Engineering, then later jumped to the field of Program Management where she led project teams in the world of high tech and enjoyed formulating method from madness. She also earned her MBA degree and worked in a variety of fields such as computer hardware, consumer marketing, medical/pharmaceutical software development, consumer media/entertainment, and business to business operations. Navigating ranchlands of “cats” was a typical day at the office; until she embarked on yet another transformation and became a professional dog trainer, honing her craft to teach dogs how to help people.