Your dog,
finally “understood.”
I teach you to be your dog's trainer. We work wherever real life happens — your home, a park, the mall, even a baseball field — anywhere in Orange County. Calm dog, confident owner, both of you on the same page.
“Perfecting dogs by correcting people.”
I'm Tommy Stark, The Dog Director. Here's the part most trainers skip: I teach you to be your dog's trainer. Roughly 90% of my work is coaching the human — because you're the one with your dog every day, long after I leave. We train wherever real life happens: your home, a park, the mall, a baseball field — anywhere in my service area. Puppies to aggression, manners to nutrition, I'll show you how to read your dog and lead them.
— Tommy Stark
Read the full story →What's going on with your dog?
Tap what fits. I'll shape it into a starting point — then we dial it in together at your first session.
Training shaped around your dog — and your life.
Private Training (I come to you)
One-on-one with you and your dog — at home, a park, the mall, wherever the trouble shows up. I teach you the how. Any issue, breed, or age.
$250 / session · one flat rateRegister →
Behavior & Aggression
Leash reactivity, fear, aggression, resource guarding. I help you understand the why and lead your dog through it — same rate as any session.
$250 / sessionTalk to me →
Group Classes
Beginner & Intermediate at Dee Dog Park — a 20-year curriculum that builds focus around real distractions.
First class freeSee curriculum →
Also offered: AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluations · service-dog task training · dog sports & show handling · nutrition guidance · help choosing a breeder or the right puppy. Just ask.
Private or group — here's the easy answer.
First, what kind of trainer am I? A behaviorist — I read your dog's instincts, drive, health and nutrition to fix the root cause, not just drill commands. My approach is balanced and relationship-based: reward the good, redirect the rest, with no e-collars or shock for basic obedience. And I coach you, so the results last long after I'm gone.
Private Training
One-on-one, at your home or wherever the trouble shows up. Any issue, any age — puppies to aggression. The fastest, most personalized path, at one flat rate.
Explore Private Training →Group Classes
Best for socialization, manners, and focus around other dogs. A proven 5-week curriculum at Dee Dog Park — a great next step, or a budget-friendly place to begin.
See Group Classes →Still unsure? Use the planner above, or just text me at 949-343-0000 — I'll point you the right way.
A whole world for your dog.
Dee Dog Park
A private park in San Juan Capistrano, named for my mom, Diana “Dee” Stark.
Apply →
The iSpeakDog! App
Training help wherever you and your dog go. On the App Store.
Download →
Real dogs, real places, real progress.
90 seconds with The Dog Director.
Two decades of dogs, packs, and the work behind the calm — in a quick mash-up. Then come see it in person at a pack walk or your first session.
Start your plan →Three steps. No long contracts.
My scheduling is a little different — and that's on purpose. It keeps things flexible and gets me to you fast.
Register once
A quick form so I know you and your dog. You only ever do this one time.
Send your availability
Each Saturday I send the Weekly Woof — reply with your open times before Sunday 6pm.
I come to you
Sunday evening you get a calendar invite — then we train wherever it counts: home, a park, the mall, the field.
Expert witness in canine behavioral cases — GA · FL · CA · Champion Rottweiler producer, breeder & handler · AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Orange County trusts The Dog Director.
Tommy helped us with our Miniature Australian Shepherd puppy when no one else would! He came to our house at 11 weeks and got us off on the right foot — he trained my husband and me as well as our puppy.
Tommy came for our first private session and it went better than I imagined. He's very relatable, with a unique way of teaching that's enjoyable and actually entertaining.
Tommy not only speaks dog but understands the complex owner relationship as well. We have two Giant Schnauzer rescues — he can help you!
All of South Orange County — I come to you.
From Newport Beach to San Clemente, inland to Irvine and Rancho Santa Margarita.
Good questions, straight answers.
Where do you train?
Wherever your dog actually struggles — your home, a park, the mall, even a baseball field — anywhere in my South Orange County service area, from Newport Beach to San Clemente.
Do you train the dog or the owner?
Both, but the focus is you. About 90% of my work is coaching the human — because you're the one with your dog every day. I teach you to be your dog's trainer so the results actually last.
How much does dog training cost?
Private sessions are $250 — one flat rate no matter the issue, whether it's a puppy or serious aggression. Multi-session packages are available, and the first group class is always free.
Do you work with aggressive or reactive dogs?
Yes — any age, breed, or issue, from puppy basics to leash reactivity, fear, and aggression. Same flat rate as any session.
How does scheduling work?
Each Saturday I send the Weekly Woof newsletter. Reply with your availability by Sunday 6pm and I'll send a calendar invite for your session that week.
What areas of Orange County do you serve?
All of South Orange County — Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Corona del Mar, Irvine, Lake Forest, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and more.
10.9K dog people and counting.
Daily training tips, pack-walk highlights, and real client wins. Come say hi.
Ready to actually enjoy your dog again?
Register once, send your availability, and I'll come to you. That's it.