LONG BEACH, Calif. – May 26, 2026 – The Middle Paw Dog Training, a Southern California-based board-and-train company, has been named the 2026 Best Dog Trainer in Long Beach by the Quality Business Awards.
The recognition highlights The Middle Paw’s growing role in helping families address common dog training challenges such as puppy chaos, leash pulling, jumping, poor manners, anxiety, reactivity, and inconsistent behavior at home.
The Middle Paw has earned more than 50 five-star reviews across Google, Trustpilot, and Bark. The company was founded by a core team that has worked together for more than four years and helped train more than 400 dogs through puppy foundations, obedience and manners training, and behavior-focused board-and-train programs.
Unlike kennel-style programs, The Middle Paw focuses on home-based board-and-train programs where dogs live with professional trainers in a structured home environment. This allows training to happen throughout the day, from wake-up routines and crate structure to leash work, confidence-building, manners, social exposure, and real-world behavior practice.
“For most families, the goal is not just having a dog that knows commands,” said Frank Ross, Co-Founder and Program Director of The Middle Paw. “They want peace at home, calmer walks, better communication, and confidence that they can maintain the progress after training. That is why our programs are built around structure, owner education, and long-term support.”
The Middle Paw offers three primary training programs: 2-Week Puppy Foundations, 3-Week Obedience and Manners, and 4-Week Behavioral Transformation. Each program is designed to meet dogs at their current stage of development and behavior, whether the family is raising a young puppy, working through adolescent manners, or dealing with more serious behavioral challenges.
The company’s trainer-forward approach is led by experienced trainers Kristi Mallett and Brieana Lemon. Kristi serves as Head Trainer and Co-Founder and brings more than two decades of hands-on dog training experience. Brieana, Trainer and Co-Founder, brings over a decade of board-and-train experience and is known for her calm, structured, and communicative approach with dogs and families.
The Middle Paw’s programs include daily structure, one-on-one training, video updates, personalized handover sessions, owner education, and ongoing support after the dog returns home. The goal is not only to train the dog, but to help the owner understand how to continue the progress in everyday life.
“Dogs do not become reliable through commands alone,” Ross said. “They need clarity, consistency, communication, and follow-through. Our job is to help translate what the dog needs and give families a system they can actually use at home.”
The 2026 Quality Business Awards recognition comes as more families across Southern California look for training options that feel personal, transparent, and focused on real-life results. The Middle Paw continues to serve families throughout Long Beach and surrounding Southern California communities with a limited number of board-and-train openings to protect program quality.
Families interested in learning which program may be the best fit for their dog can request a consultation through The Middle Paw’s website.
Media Contact
Company Name: The Middle Paw Dog Training
Contact Person: Frank Ross
Email: Send Email
State: California
Country: United States
Website: http://themiddlepaw.com
Press Release Distributed by ABNewswire.com
To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: The Middle Paw Named Best Dog Trainer in Long Beach for 2026
