We feel incredibly lucky to have found Jacob with Step by Step Dog Training.
Hoho is our big, wonderful adopted Great Pyrenees/Old English Sheepdog mix. Because of her breed, she has strong livestock guardian instincts and is naturally independent. Our biggest challenge has been dog reactivity, and given her size, helping her feel comfortable and confident around other dogs, as well as with things like vet visits and grooming, is especially important to us.
In just a few sessions, Jacob has made such a difference for Hoho and for us. He has given us a world of information, knowledge, and practical tools, not just for the bigger things we're working on, like dog reactivity, but for the everyday interactions and routines that can help make Hoho's life happier and more expansive. We feel so much more confident in understanding what she needs and how we can help her successfully experience more of the world.
Jacob is calm, caring, patient, and deeply committed to this work. He really has a gift with dogs, and Hoho decided almost immediately that he was her new best friend. Watching the two of them together is pretty special.
One of the things we appreciate most about Jacob is his ability to recognize and celebrate the small wins while still keeping us focused on our larger goals. There's no expectation that progress has to happen all at once. Instead, he helps us understand what Hoho is communicating, build on what's working, and give her the skills and confidence to keep moving forward.
We absolutely adore this dog, and we want her world to be as big, happy, and comfortable as it can be. We're so grateful to have Jacob helping us get there. read more