Specializing in canine behavior and functional movement
★★★★★on Google

Dog Training South Austin, TX

Venture is based in South Austin and trains here every week: Sunset Valley, Manchaca, Circle C, Zilker, Travis Heights, West Lake Hills and the neighborhoods in between. In-home, movement-based training built for the way South Austin dogs actually live.

Dog walking calmly with owner during in-home dog training in South Austin, TX
EXCELLENT
★★★★★
Rated 5.0 from 38 reviews on
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Yessika P
★★★★★

My dog Pedro and I had a great time working with Steven and Hannah. Steven helped my reactive pup calm down. My dog couldn't even look at a toy dog without going crazy for it. Now he can walk by dogs with little to no issues and I can tell my dog is happier. Steven knows his stuff and is great at working with dogs and people as well. There is so much kindness, patience, and education there that is very cool! The knowledge I gained on how to take care of Pedro and help him was also so helpful. I would totally recommend Steven to anyone who has a reactionary doggo that needs some help! Now my dog is able to go out beyond our little neighborhood and hangout with us!

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kaitlyn warren
★★★★★

Steven has been amazing to work with over the past 7 weeks. He didn’t just train my dogs—he taught me how to better understand them and build their confidence. Darci and Trout have both made so much progress, and I’m incredibly grateful for everything we’ve learned. I highly recommend him! Please consider him for any aged pups and don’t be surprised with how fast the progress happens! Services Dog training

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Jacquelyn Llamas
★★★★★

My sweet girl has always had trouble since I got her from the shelter. She struggled with recall, being outside of the house around dogs/small animals, sometimes men, and honestly just listening to me in general. I have noticed milestones that I never would imagine my dog would be able to. I feel like Steven has been so understanding and non judgmental. I was always worried to get into training because I felt like I had no idea how to control my own dog, but he has made this process so nice. It’s been an amazing experience overall and I recommend Steven 1000%!

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Megan Gross
★★★★★

Steven at Venture Dog Training has been an incredible mentor and played a huge role in my growth as a professional dog trainer. He helped me tremendously by deepening my understanding of behavior, structure, and clear communication — not just teaching techniques, but teaching the “why” behind them. His guidance and high standards pushed me to grow in both confidence and skill, and his mentorship contributed greatly to me earning my certification. I’m truly grateful for his leadership and highly recommend him to anyone looking for knowledgeable, structured, results-driven training. Thank you, Steven!!

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Juliana Kiener
★★★★★

We are so impressed with the progress our dog has made after just 8 sessions with Steven from Venture Dog Training! She learned how to sit, stay, lay down, take a breath, and leave it—and she absolutely loves Steven (and so do we)! Steven is not only super knowledgeable and professional, but also incredibly attentive. He’s even helped answer questions outside of our scheduled sessions—which we try not to take advantage of, haha! He’s truly passionate about what he does, and it shows. We especially love that Steven comes to our house, making training so convenient and personalized. He even joined us for a session at our favorite bar to help train our pup in a real-world setting, which was exactly what we needed. Steven is kind, trustworthy, and an all-around great guy. We couldn’t recommend him more!

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Charlie Hackenbruch
★★★★★

I really loved working with Steven! He was a kind, skilled and knowledgable teacher. I'm neurodivergent and can struggle with task switching between processing verbal in person instruction and actually training the dog, but I try to take in person classes as well as online ones because there's so many benefits to training in a controlled environment like a class. In spite of me having a generally harder time with in person instruction, Steven was very patient, encouraging and a joy to work with. He also was always very flexible if I wanted to do something a different way, and was even creative enough to come up with new solutions himself if I preferred training a skill in a different way, which I did not at all expect. I would not hesitate to take a class with Steven again.

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Jennifer Kuvlesky
★★★★★

I hired Steven to help get my corgi Chihuahua mix dog with self control since we are expecting a baby in the family and my daughter moved in with her 2 cats. My dog, Oliver, had selective listening skills prior to training and would hyperventilate and bark constantly around the cats. With Steven’s guidance and consistent training approach we were able to get Oliver to listen, and now he can hang out with the cats without barking at all. At first, it didn’t seem like it was going to work, but with consistent training over a three month period were able to be successful.

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Concelia Cappuccilli
★★★★★

Steven and his team are amazing! They are quick to get you in for a FREE telephone consult and respond to messages with speed. I went with the fitness and nutrition package shortly after my dog was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. My dog is fearful of new people, especially men, but Steven was able to develop a plan to help with her stance, gait, and rear end muscle building, and coach us entirely virtually! I have seen a massive decrease in her pain since working with him!! His nutritionist, Amanda, was also able to develop a diet to help with her IBD. She is extremely knowledgeable on all things dog nutrition! I’d recommend Steven and team to anyone who is looking for expert coaching and a trainer who cares so deeply for the animals in their care.

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D Duncan
★★★★★

"Working with Steven at Venture Dog Training was a fantastic experience. He was so patient and gave me the tools I needed to truly communicate with Marlo. If you're looking for an excellent trainer, look no further!" Services Dog training

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Nicole Vences
★★★★★

Steven is such a great trainer! He helped me learn techniques and tools to help manage my dog's reactivity. My dog loves working with Steven and I have become better equipped to handle my dogs reactivity. Services Dog training

Professional Certifications & Memberships

Steven Tallas, CBCC-KA, Dip.CBST, CSCC — certified in canine behavior consulting, behavior science & technology, and canine sports conditioning.

Why Professional Dog Training Matters in South Austin

Life in South Austin moves fast. Dogs weave through the energy of South Congress, navigate the trailheads at Barton Creek, settle under cafe tables on South Lamar and share sidewalks with scooters, joggers and weekend crowds. That is a lot of sensory load, and it is precisely where reactivity, leash pulling and over-arousal show up.

That is where we step in: to help your dog stay grounded and responsive amid the swirl of South Austin life, to address behavior challenges at their source by building emotional regulation and confidence, and to give you the clarity and tools to guide your dog through any environment, from a Zilker Park picnic to a busy weekend stroll.

Venture Dog Training is based right here, on the south side. We provide in-home dog training across South Austin, including Sunset Valley, Manchaca, West Lake Hills, Rollingwood and surrounding neighborhoods, specializing in behavior modification, obedience, puppy development and canine fitness, all tailored to the lifestyle of South Austin families.

Trainer and dog practicing calm leash walking in South Austin, TX

Our Dog Training Services in South Austin

1. Behavior Consulting & Modification

Behavior challenges are usually rooted in stress, fear or miscommunication. We uncover the cause and coach you and your dog through lasting change: reactivity toward people, dogs or triggers; anxiety, fearfulness and overexcitement; aggression or resource guarding; excessive barking, jumping or destructive behavior. Every plan starts with a thorough assessment and is practiced in real-life South Austin scenarios.

2. Obedience & Manners (Cityside Obedience)

South Austin is known for its active social atmosphere. Cityside Obedience teaches dogs to remain calm, polite and responsive amid distractions: reliable sit, stay, come, down, leave-it and heel; focus around other dogs and people; calm confidence in real-world settings; and a stronger bond through clear communication.

3. Puppy Development (The Puppy Journey)

Early learning sets the foundation for your dog's whole life. Socialization strategies that build resilience, solutions for potty training, nipping, chewing and crate anxiety, positive introductions to cues and leash manners, and family-wide alignment so everyone uses the same techniques as your puppy grows into adolescence.

4. Canine Fitness

Physical health and mental clarity go hand in hand. Breed- and age-appropriate fitness routines, weight management and conditioning plans, and enrichment that combines physical and mental stimulation. It is the foundation behind every behavior result we get.

5. Guided Adventures, Group Classes & Workshops

Real-world practice is essential for lasting results. Controlled exposure to new places, sounds and situations on South Austin trails and patios, strengthened recall and leash skills in public, and practical coaching for you as the handler.

6. Aggression & Guarding

For growling, snapping, resource guarding and bite history, led personally by a CBCC-KA certified behavior consultant, the credential the industry recommends for exactly these cases. Safety and management first, then structured change.

Our Training Philosophy

At Venture Dog Training we are committed to methods that are positive and reward-based, building trust instead of fear; evidence-backed, using modern behavior science; individualized, tailored to each dog's temperament, history and goals; and family-focused, empowering owners to be consistent leaders and compassionate partners.

What sets the Venture experience apart in South Austin is integration. Behavior, obedience, fitness and enrichment are built into every plan, because a dog whose body is regulated learns faster and holds calm longer. We practice where your dog lives, walks and plays. Every session coaches you, not just your dog. And we focus on progressive, lasting change, never quick fixes.

We believe in developing not just obedient dogs, but emotionally balanced, adaptable companions who thrive at home and out in the world. We treat your dog's journey as a partnership between our trainers, you and your dog.

Dog owner rewarding his dog during a training session in South Austin

What Your South Austin Neighbors Are Saying

“ABSOLUTE SUCCESS!!! Working with Steven has been life changing!! I was so discouraged by the challenges presented by my very shy, fearful rescue dog. Steven gave us a plan, the patience to follow it, and the confidence to see it through. She is a different dog, and honestly, I am a different owner.”

Lindsay H., South Austin

Service Areas in South Austin

We provide professional, in-home dog training and behavior coaching across South Austin and surrounding communities, including:

Sunset ValleyManchacaCircle COak HillWest Lake HillsRollingwoodSouth LamarBouldin CreekZilkerTravis HeightsDowntown AustinBudaKyleSan Marcos

Training on the north side? See Dog Training in North Austin.

South Austin Dog Training Questions

Do you offer in-home dog training in South Austin, or do we meet at a facility?

We bring the training to you. Private, in-home sessions run throughout South Austin, including Circle C, Oak Hill, Manchaca, Sunset Valley and West Lake Hills, and we also meet at parks, trails and dog-friendly patios once your dog is ready for real-world practice. Group clinics and workshops use partner facilities such as South Austin Dog Center.

How do I know if my dog needs behavior modification or standard obedience?

If your dog lunges, barks, freezes or panics around other dogs, strangers or traffic, start with our behavior program. If your dog is friendly but pulls, jumps, ignores you outside or lacks basic manners, obedience is the right starting point. Not sure? That is exactly what the free consultation sorts out.

Which South Austin neighborhoods are your core service area?

South and Central Austin are our core, with the most flexible scheduling: 78748, 78745, 78749, 78704 and 78746 in practice. San Marcos, Buda and Kyle are close enough that we regularly serve them too.

What does training in South Austin cost?

Structured six-session programs run $980 to $1,260 depending on the program, with weekly check-ins and full phone and email support included. Single assessments start at $100 for group placement and $250 for an in-home movement assessment. Every program begins with a free consultation.

Can you help a reactive dog handle South Congress or Zilker?

Yes, and that is the point of training where you live. We start below your dog's threshold at home and in quiet streets, then build toward the busier places you actually want to go: patios on South Lamar, the Barton Creek trailheads, Zilker on a Saturday. Skills that only work in a quiet room are not skills yet.

Ready to Transform Your Dog?

Book a free consultation and tell us what you and your dog are struggling with. We’ll map the fastest route to calm.