Paw and Hand K9

We took our dog Stanley (AKA “Stan the Man”) to Hand and Paw for 6 weeks of training and we could not be more pleased. Stanley is a puppy that is a maniac when we signed him up, but the progress was amazing. They really are best in class when it comes to training and caring for dogs and the investment was well beyond well placed in their care. The difference between a well trained dog and one that does not get this level of training is astounding and it will make your life and the life of your dog so much richer.

I’m in Heaven. When I look down at the sweet bundle of love napping next to me, it’s hard to believe he’s the same dog we brought to Hands and Paws K9 for help this summer. The bundle’s name is Bob, and he’s our sweet, entertaining and fascinating Boston Terrier. We got him as a puppy, and because I’ve done a lot of puppy training, I figured it would be a breeze. Oh my, it was not. He quickly earned the nickname “Boston Terrorist.” From the get-go, my training commands were met with a level of obstinance that left me speechless. He became very reactive, and when he got excited, his energy would spin out of control. And a LOT of things got him excited. He seemed convinced that everyone who approached us was an axe murderer, and only he could stop it. He once got so frantic over a delivery person, his barking morphed into hissing. Bob became obsessed with everything that moved or made a sound outside -- from rabbits, squirrels, and cats to people and dogs. He went off over the sights and sounds of animals on TV. He lost it at the vet’s office when he saw animal-themed cartoon posters in the waiting room. Our little guy was a nipper, and everyone was fair game. There were bruises, there was blood. But the icing on the cake was the day his angelic dog walker quit after he jumped straight up in the air and bit her butt for not paying enough attention to him. Oh my, it was NOT going well. When a local trainer suggested bringing him to Paws and Hand K9 in Salem, my heart sank. I knew she was right, but it seemed so drastic. I vowed to succeed at home and doubled down on the intensity of Bob’s training, but it didn’t help him, and it left me frustrated and burned out. I finally admitted we needed help and called Paws and Hand. We brought him in for training, and went home and crossed our fingers. - My biggest worry was that he’d feel abandoned. Surprise…he loved it there! When Merissa sent photos a couple of days later, I knew he was happy because his ears were perky instead of back. Nope, not unhappy at all. When we arrived for our first visit/training, he was so calm, it almost hurt my feelings. - I didn’t like the idea of using an e-collar. It seemed like an unkind, easy shortcut for success at the expense of his comfort. But the reality is that it’s a sensation that clearly gets his attention. It doesn’t hurt; it’s always at the lowest setting needed. - And perhaps most importantly, I didn’t want to be a quitter. I was raised to never give up, so in my mind, bringing him to a board and train was a cop out. I felt that I would be walking away from my responsibility. I see it now as subcontracting when you can't do it all yourself. THE BEST PART? During his six-week program, Bob morphed from a frightened, overstimulated little guy to one that’s comfortable in his own skin. We manage his energy. He's been home for a month now, and we couldn't be happier. The chaos is gone. Everyone is calm and happy. Yup, I’m in heaven.