Solid 5 stars for the work Catherine and her team does but had to knock down a star for…read morecommunication. The initial contact was easy but subsequent communication for questions and meetings/training sessions would some times take a day or two (sometimes with a follow-up text) for a response. That being said, despite the difficulties with the communication, the work Catherine and her team does is nothing more than amazing. My little guy was with her for a total of 7 weeks for service dog board and train. When he entered her program, he was a 7 month old puppy with all the puppy attitude and energy.
My Journey: I initially contacted Devil Dog Training in October to inquire about their service dog program. After a meet and greet, where Catherine fully explained her program and training philosophy/method, I decided this was the best fit for my guy and me. My original start date was going to be early November for a couple of weeks then a longer session in January; Catherine believed my guy was too young for a full SDiT program (which I agreed). However, my guy caught a cold so this was postponed to January. Since I met Catherine in mid-October, until I dropped off my guy in January, we met on multiple occasions to do training session where we learned the marker system (good, yes, and no). Using Catherine's techniques, I could already see marketed improvement in my little guy's obedience.
Drop off was an OK process. I feel that it could have been better prepared for/smoother, but given everything that was going on at the time, I'm willing to give a little slack. During the 7 weeks my guy was with Devil Dog Training, I received a few progress updates, pictures, and video's (wish there was more). I did not see my guy during the 7 week stay.
Upon pick-up, my guy had a solid understanding of sit, down, heel, place, leave it, and public access and was beginning to learn his task. Post pick-up, we still meet with Catherine and her team to work on his tasks and brush up on his heel.
As a couple of the other reviewers mentioned, Devil Dog Training does use an e-Collar when training. This was fully disclosed when we met and posted on their IG. The use of the e-collar aligned with my approach to training so I had no issues with my guy on it nor using it.
All-in-all, I say, let their work/result speak for them. I think Devil Dog Training does an amazing job in training responsible owners and well mannered doggos. Despite the difficulties in communication, I think Devil Dog Training is worth every penny.
Full disclosure: I was asked to write a review for Devil Dog Training, but everything I said is my own opinion and uninfluenced by anyone.