After getting nowhere with another trainer and being on the brink of giving up, my Australian Shepherd Maverick entered the two week board and train training program with Omega Paws. Each evening, after spending the day working and training Maverick, Alexx would send me pictures and/or video updates, along with explanations of the things they were working on, and also what I needed to know to continue working with Maverick after he returned home. And each night I would watch the videos and cry happy tears. I couldn't believe that was my dog! Maverick responded so well with Alexx. And after two weeks, he was ready to come home. I couldn't believe it! And I was so afraid that I was going to mess something up and that my dog would never behave for me the way he had for Alexx. But I was wrong! From the day Maverick came home I could tell he was a different dog already. I paid close attention to the things that Alexx trained ME to know. And every day I continue to work with Maverick the way that we were taught. I was never fearful of the tools that Alexx employed while training Maverick. I knew that proper use of a prong collar would not hurt Maverick. And to the contrary, Maverick responded much better to that, than to having a slip lead noose around his neck. With a slip lead Maverick with pull himself so hard he could've done damage to his esophagus. But with the prong collar, he no longer pulled on his leash. I also was never afraid of using the E collar. From day one, Alexx showed me proper use of the E collar. And he even demonstrated it to me, having me hold it in my hand to feel the vibration. I know that the E collar does not harm Maverick in any way, it's simply a gentle reminder for him to make good decisions. And it works. Since Maverick came back home, I actually rarely need to even press the button to make the E collar vibrate. However, if Maverick needs a reminder, it is a tool that has proven to be extremely useful. Maverick no longer pulls when on leash. He walks next to me and heels very well. And when we encounter other dogs and he begins to bristle, as if he were going to react, all I have to do is remind him to heel. If I see that he is starting to forget, I hit the button for the E collar control. For Maverick I have it set at 15, which is pretty low, and usually one tap is all it takes to get him back on track! Sometimes all I have to do is touch the controller and he responds without me even pushing the button! It's like it's ingrained in him already. And it works! Maverick came home, such a better dog! And since then he and I have been able to bond in a way that we weren't able to in the months prior to him going to Omega Paws. Maverick now has a better understanding of what he needs to do, and he follows directions much better. He understands when I tell him to go to his place, and he stays there. He also understands when he is supposed to be in his crate, and he goes in without a fight. I love our walks because on leash he is amazing! And he has not reacted in the same manner towards another dog since returning from Omega Paws, so I no longer have that fear of being injured when he's on leash. He is much better mannered. And I have no doubt that within the year I will be able to get him certified to become a working Therapy Dog with me! And barely a year old he's still a puppy, and he's not perfect. But he is so much better than he was, and our relationship is so much better as well! And believe me when I say that my dog is much calmer, and he does not need a treadmill! He just needed to learn boundaries, and we needed to bond! That's something that we weren't able to do with the previous training.
We had such a good experience with Omega Paws, that once Maverick had come home and we saw the difference in him, we decided to have Alexx and his team train our two small dogs as well. They are both Chihuahua mixes, and or were foster fails. One is 10 years old and the other is eight years old, so they are pretty set in their ways! But we wanted to give them basically the same foundation that Maverick had so that they all had the same understanding. And while they are not quite as good as Maverick, they are definitely much improved. They definitely understand boundaries much better, and they behave better on leash!
I cannot say enough about Alexx and Luis, and all of Omega Paws. I was literally on the verge of giving up, and contemplating surrendering my dog because I knew that I could not go on the way that we were. And that's a terrible feeling to have when you love a dog! Omega Paws gave me back my dog, and also self-confidence. I am so grateful to them for all they've done for my family. And I can't wait to see what my future holds with Maverick by my side! A million thanks to you, Omega Paws! read more