09/07/2026
🐾 MEET THE MEMBER | Get Real Dog Training
At Get Real Dog Training, it’s about training dogs, and their humans, to be better together; and preparing them for the real world, not just a classroom or backyard.
Owner and trainer , Erin Hyden, has been fascinated by dog training since she was a kid, pouring over books from the library and later volunteering with shelter dogs. After deciding a career in broadcast journalism wasn’t her cup of tea, she started working as a dog walker in San Francisco and eventually made dog training her career.
Wanting a more rigorous, hands-on education, she attended the Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers, studying everything from puppy foundations and applied learning theory to working canines. That experience helped shape her approach today: training programs designed for the individual dog rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.
THAT is where the name Get Real Dog Training comes from. She trains dogs for the real world, helping them become stable in a variety of environments so they can enjoy more adventures alongside their humans.
One thing she especially appreciates about Hastings is our dog-friendly business community. Having welcoming places to practice is incredibly valuable, particularly for shy or reactive dogs.
“It really does take a village to train a dog.”
Coming this fall: Get Real is bringing back Pack Walks for current and previous clients to practice and maintain their training. They’re also launching a Therapy Dog Club for current therapy dog teams and those interested in becoming certified.
Her favorite parts of the job? Watching young puppies, "little land sharks" 🦈🐶, have their first light-bulb moments. She also appreciated getting referrals from clients who trust her enough to send their friends and family her way.
Even better is getting pictures and cards from family get-togethers and seeing dogs in the same group together, when they weren’t able to do that before training. For Erin, it’s pretty special to see the ripple effect of what a trained dog and human can do together. As she puts it, it’s pretty great “to see the ripple effect of what a trained dog and human can do together.” 🐾