To say that Maggie changed my life and my dog's life is an understatement!…read more
I'm a new resident of Florida, and I recently relocated to a one-bedroom apartment in West Palm Beach with my 60-pound dog. He had never lived in an apartment before, and I knew that adjusting to a new environment, smaller space, and all the activity that comes with apartment living would be a big transition for both of us. I was especially nervous because he could get overstimulated when people or other dogs were nearby. In an apartment building where you constantly encounter people and dogs in hallways, elevators, and other shared spaces, I felt very unsure of how to navigate those situations with him.
When we first moved in, I was extremely cautious and used extra safety measures every time we went outside because I wanted to make sure I was prepared for any situation while he adjusted to his new surroundings.
As soon as we arrived, I knew it was time to invest in training. My mother immediately started searching for the best dog trainers in the West Palm Beach area and found Maggie. Thanks to my Nana, I was able to make that investment, and it has been completely life-changing.
Maggie genuinely transformed my dog. She taught both of us skills that gave me better control and helped me understand how to confidently navigate situations that previously made me nervous. For example, my dog used to become overstimulated when runners or bikers passed by. Maggie taught me how to recognize those situations before they happened, how to redirect his attention, and how to stay calm and confident throughout the process.
She also helped strengthen my relationship with my dog. He trusts me so much more now, and Maggie helped me build confidence in myself as well. That confidence has affected not only how I interact with my dog, but also how I live my life. Dogs pick up on our emotions, and when you feel unsure of yourself, it can be difficult to communicate clearly with your dog. Maggie helped me understand just how important confidence and consistency are.
One thing I especially appreciated was that Maggie always explained the "why" behind everything she taught me. She explained the psychology behind a dog's actions and the different things that can influence their behavior. That was so valuable because we don't always understand why dogs behave in certain ways, especially when those behaviors are simply their way of communicating or responding to their environment.
During our hands-on training, Maggie would first demonstrate each exercise so I could clearly see how it should be done. Then, when it was my turn, she truly helped me master it by telling me what I was doing well and where I could improve. She even videotaped the exercises so I could review them step-by-step afterward.
Maggie also went the extra mile by bringing her son to one of our training sessions after I explained that I wanted more practice navigating passing people in the hallway and entering the elevator. Having someone there to practice with made such a difference and helped me feel much more prepared for everyday situations.
Whenever I have an issue, I know I can call Maggie, and she will give me real-time advice on what I could have done differently or better. She also recommended equipment that has made a world of difference.
This experience has truly been life-changing. I no longer feel a wave of anxiety every time I need to walk my dog -- I actually look forward to it! I have even taken him to public places, including the beach, and I feel so much more confident doing things with him that I once thought would be difficult.
He is genuinely such a happy, well-behaved dog, and I never thought I would be able to say that a few months ago. I cannot thank Maggie Marshall enough for everything she has done for both of us. She didn't just train my dog -- she taught me how to better understand him, communicate with him, and enjoy our life together.
10/10 recommend Maggie as both a trainer and a person!
