Garrett Stevens' Alpha and Omega Dog Training

Used Garrett many years ago. 2014 actually. Our German Shepherd loved play biting, jumping on people, pulling on the leash, and not listening, like all energetic puppies. Our dog turned out amazing. Doesn't do any of that, ever. Everyone always comments on how well behaved he is for a GSD. I guess lots of people meet badly behaved ones. Training is everything, and reinforcement is 100% necessary. Our pup is gentle and calm but still protective when he needs to be (when we want him to be) and listens really well. Smart dogs need good training and an animal behaviorist is a better option than standard puppy school that only teaches a few commands and responses.

We took our four year old Great Pyrenees rescue here for training. He was having issues with snatching up food and trash on our walks then getting defensive. With Garrett's training, walks are no longer an issue and after a few weeks, he completely stopped trying to take things. My dog weighs more than I do, but I now feel completely confident walking him. Garrett helped us become much more confident dog owners and our dog has become significantly more relaxed as a result.

Our dog, Mika is between 10-11 years old and for several years has had huge challenges dealing with people other than us and with other dogs. We had separated her from our older dog after several attacks over time. Years ago we worked with a trainer and tried various approaches and none of them seemed to result in a positive change. I was accustomed to keeping her away from other people and dogs, crossing the street while walking with her to avoid any interactions, and I thought that was just how it was going to have to be- giving her a home and food but with her not being a happy, calm dog. We recently took Mika for a two-week board/train at Alpha Omega Dog Training partly because we couldn't find anyone willing to board her or care for her at home because of aggression problems. I was amazed when Mika went with a staff member without incident when I dropped her off and amazed again two weeks later when I picked her up and saw her walking with another staff member and then walked with her, staff member and another dog without any problems. David of Alpha Omega showed me a way of dealing with Mika that is simple but very effective and involves me being calm and seeing myself as 'the one who deals with the stressful things in life' when Mika and I are together so she doesn't have to. I returned today for a follow up hour with Mika and David and reviewed a couple of the techniques I had been shown. Mika is much much calmer on walks (and so am I), walking by people and other dogs without me taking her across the street and without problems, and if a problem arises I believe I have been given solid, calm ways of dealing with it. I can't recommend Alpha/Omega board and train too highly and I believe that it must not ever be too late for a dog and owner to learn new things- I encourage anyone in a similar situation to work with Alpha Omega.