Peace & Unity Pet Services

I cannot say enough good things about Peace & Unity Pet Services (PUPS in Maine)! I recently sent my two dogs, Biggie and Tupac, to them for training, Biggie stayed for two weeks and Tupac for three weeks, and the difference in both of them is night and day. Before training, these two were basically professional barkers. They barked at EVERYTHING; dogs, noises outside, noises inside the house, dogs barking on TV, and pretty much anything they thought deserved their attention. I literally had to run white noise 24/7 just to keep the barking at a minimum. They also both pulled terribly on the leash and had virtually no obedience because, admittedly, I had never really trained them. Sit was about the extent of what they knew (only because they like cookies). Tupac also had a completely different challenge: he was very fearful and easily startled. He was scared of people and certain situations, and if something unexpectedly made a loud noise in the house, he would become frightened and jump back. Since coming home from training, he is noticeably calmer and more confident. Unexpected noises that used to scare him don’t seem to affect him nearly as much anymore. The dogs who came home from training are completely different, yet they are the same sweet, funny boys. They now wait politely at the door for my command before going outside, or coming inside. They wait for instructions before doing things instead of just doing whatever they want. They will go to their place and stay there for 30 minutes to an hour until I release them. They even patiently allow my two senior dogs to go ahead of them inside or outside while they wait for their release. Their leash walking has improved tremendously; they actually walk with me now instead of dragging me around. They no longer bark at dogs on TV, noises outside, or inside. And if something does occasionally get their attention and they bark, I can tell them “no” and they immediately stop and listen. And honestly, THAT is the biggest difference for me: they actually listen to me now. Before training, I could tell them to do something or stop doing something and they essentially just did whatever they wanted. Now they understand that when I give them a command, they need to listen. One thing I especially appreciated about the program was that I wasn’t just dropping my dogs off and picking them up at the end. Halfway through each dog’s training, I went on site to meet with the trainers and my dog. We went over what they had learned, practiced the commands together, and, most importantly, discussed how I could incorporate their training into our everyday routines at home. Daily updates were also provided during the training sessions, with videos, photos, and a synopsis of what the dogs had learned that day, and how I can reinforce their training. We were also given homework after they came home, along with a follow-up session. I think this was incredibly important because consistency is key. The trainers did an amazing job giving my dogs the foundation and teaching them what I needed them to know, but the work doesn’t end when you pick your dog up. I have to continue reinforcing what they learned and incorporating those expectations into our daily life; and the trainers gave me the tools and guidance to actually do that successfully. I also really appreciate that the training didn’t just result in dogs who behave for the trainers. They came home knowing how to listen to ME, which is what I needed. I can communicate with them now, and they understand what I’m asking of them. Biggie and Tupac are happier, calmer, more confident, and much more manageable dogs, and our household is SO much more peaceful. The difference has been night and day. If you’re considering professional training for your dog, I highly recommend Peace & Unity Pet Services/PUPS in Maine. I am genuinely amazed at the transformation in my two boys and so grateful for the work they put into them.

Until he came home, we were unaware just how much Peaky’s behaviors were impacting our lives on a daily basis. Peaky is a 4-year-old Coton de Tuléar. He was extremely vocal, reactive towards children, animals (e.g. dogs, cats, squirrels, etc.), lunged towards vehicles, and was hyper aware of noises and sounds inside and outside of the home. Needless to say, walks were always a STRUGGLE. Peaky participated in the 3-week ‘Save Our Dog’ program, where Chelsea and Phelan provided a solid foundation to make a positive change. Throughout his training, Chelsea was great with communication; frequently sending pictures and videos of training techniques and progress. She was highly available, and her instructions were very descriptive. We had an in-person session at the halfway mark, and at the end of the program. During these sessions, an emphasis was placed on developing our understanding of how to implement the skills required for a successful carryover. This included time to ask questions, and practice on each other prior to interacting with Peaky. She placed a high priority on helping to support change in areas of our lives that we felt most affected by Peaky’s behaviors. She asked a lot of great questions, and tailored the experience to our concerns. Peaky has been home for 2 weeks, now, and the contrast is striking. Not only does he seem more comfortable and in-control of his emotions, we feel more confident and knowledgeable, too. Chelsea provided plenty of reference materials to help make sure we are as successful as possible. We are able to go on walks, and are comfortable taking Peaky with us when we go anywhere. Hands-down, we would strongly recommend PUPs to anyone looking to build a better relationship with their dog for any reason— especially if the dog is reactive or easily overstimulated. Chelsea and her program are both amazing, and we couldn’t be happier.

I had a fantastic experience with Peace & Unity Pet Services! I enrolled my 9-month-old Cockapoo in their two-week training program because our walks had become stressful. He pulled hard on the leash, lunged at every dog we passed, picked up everything off the ground, and had a hard time settling. The team did an amazing job working on all of these behaviors and kept me updated throughout his stay with regular photos, videos, and progress reports. When I picked him up, Chelsea spent time showing me exactly how to reinforce everything he had learned and gave me the tools and confidence to continue his training at home. The improvement has been incredible. Leo is so much more attentive, our walks are enjoyable, and I feel much more confident handling him. It’s clear that the entire team genuinely cares about the dogs they work with and is committed to setting both the dogs and their owners up for success. I highly recommend Peace & Unity Pet Services!