We could not be happier with our 6 week board & train program. Our 2 year-old rescue had…read moreescalating fear-based reactivity, and though we had been seeing another trainer 1-2x a week for nearly 5 months, we weren't progressing as much as we would have liked. Even the trainer we had been seeing could not safely approach us when she was in our hands, despite having worked with her for months. Through Yelp and social media, I found another dog trainer who referred us to Courtney due to her experience owning and competing in French Ring with Belgian Malinois (if you don't know what French Ring is, look it up - it requires incredible skill and discipline).
Honestly, I wish we had found her sooner! We would have saved ourselves a lot of time, money, and stress/anxiety about social situations. Courtney is an amazing trainer, and so incredibly patient. Our 1:1 lessons throughout the program were beyond helpful, and Courtney never once rushed us or made us feel silly for asking a million questions. The video updates we received throughout were also super useful to reference in order to transfer the skills and subtleties of movement and positioning to our own handling. Plus, she offers boarding services to program graduates, and hosts monthly group classes and group walks to help you maintain everything she's taught.
Our maligator came back a completely different dog. We learned that her reactive behaviors were an expression of her insecurity that made her feel strong and powerful in uncomfortable situations, but that deep down, she's actually a very respectful dog - she just needed clearer communication and shown how to behave appropriately in uncomfortable scenarios. Handling her is so much easier and a lot more fun now, and on our group walk along the river, we were so impressed with how well she handled the crowded sidewalks and distractions! We also now have the peace of mind that she has a safe space for boarding where she won't lose her skills should we need to travel.
I get it - dog training is expensive. But I believe every dog owner should either be committed to investing in quality dog training, or dedicating substantial time and effort to train their dog. You wouldn't have kids without sending them to school right? The same applies to dogs. And, like kids, you need to practice everyday to continually enforce the good habits and skills so that they become second nature. Of course, it's reassuring to know that Courtney is there every step of the way, and lifelong, for guidance!
Owning a dog is an investment, and training is 100% worth it to establish the foundation for a fun, healthy, lifelong relationship. We cannot thank Courtney enough for helping us develop that bond with our pup. I would absolutely recommend her and Alyssa to anyone looking for quality dog training!