We just finished the "In Home" portion of our dog training from Sit Happens Dog Training in Port Coquitlam. We felt compelled to write this review to hopefully counter the two negative 1 star reviews provided.
From our experience, those reviews seem 100% contrary to everything we researched, the clients we spoke with, people we met at dog parks around the Tri-Cities and a variety of vets, dog service providers and miscellaneous others. As well, our own experience seems so far removed from the previous 1 Star reviews that it seems only fair to provide another review to provide context.
Reviews are valuable to both a business and to consumers and far too often these Yelp reviews paint a negative picture based on minimal criteria or vindictive motives.
We are new dog owners. Decided to go against all advice from a variety of people and get two pit pulls. Needless to say, they are a handful and have a ton of strength and endless amounts of energy. Part of our desire was to have a couple of dogs that, although big and with a somewhat negative reputation, could be shown to be lovable, sociable, friendly and well behaved.
In looking around at trainers a lot of local companies we spoke with refused outright to train our pups. They cited a bunch of reasons, too busy, work with small and non aggressive breeds so the dogs would be a challenge, etc.
We talked to Jeff from Sit Happens, told him we were new dog owners and that we had no practical experience and that both dogs were rescues with very different personalities and temperaments. He didn't hesitate, and suggested we book a FREE consultation so he could get a better idea of the dogs, as well as us as owners.
Jeff let us know, very clearly, that the dogs are rarely the problem and that if owners follow the training protocol then their dogs could be trained as well as his personal pets and the 200+ dogs that are showcased on his website (http://sithappensdogtraining.com)
Getting the free consultation and demonstration sealed the deal. It was at a public park with a variety of distractions; people walking, running, walking other dogs, geese walking and such around a lake, a large group of school children on a field trip who were loud, etc.
Jeff's dog was AMAZING and followed each and every comment at what I can only describe as flawless. Jeff's voice never rose over a typical speaking volume, even when the dog was 100 yards or so away. Verbal commands and a few hand signals were equally effective and the dog seemed as happy with himself as he/she was with Jeff. Happy, friendly, and professional are the only words that described both Jeff and his dog.
Reading the two negative one star reviews seems like some kind of alternative reality from our experience and the 40 or so people we've spoken to around Coquitlam.
What we noticed with other trainers was that their dogs are motivated by getting a treat when they follow commands. The longer you watch them, the less they seem to follow direction, and the more commands have to be repeated. When the dogs stop wanting the treats then stop doing as they are asked. Kind of like kids only behaving while shopping because they are promised an ice cream cone or something.
Regardless of anything written here, I encourage you to shop around and talk to a number of trainers. Before you make a decision about the local trainer you want to assist you with your family pet, I suggest you book a free consultation with Jeff from Sit Happens in Port Coquitlam. If that doesn't convince you that Sit Happens is the best then maybe choosing someone else and not getting the results you were hoping for will.
Highly recommended!! read more