Smart Dogs Training Academy

I brought Bronte, my 2 year-old, half Dalmatian and half Husky, to Smarty Dogs when I was at my wits’ end. Bronte is the most energetic dog I have ever had. and I didn’t know how to deal with her! She would pull my arm off on walks (so much so that my arm hurt) and she would freak out when seeing another dog on leash. I was about to give her up and revoke her, but then I saw Jeff and Jay working with some dogs at Hazeltine Park m, and the dogs were SO well behaved. I decided to go with the 4 week boarding and training program. It was a bit pricy but worth every penny! She came back so well behaved! The only problem was that Jeff had to then train ME in how to keep it up! It took me a couple of weeks to fully implement the proper training techniques but after that, I got it! Now Bronte and I walk happily. She seems like a completely different dog. Walks so well now and not dog reactive the way she was. I am so grateful for Jeff and Jay for the work they have put into Bronte. The work that we have done has made Bronte happier and strengthened our relationship. I couldn’t be happier and can’t recommend SMART DOGS highly enough!!

Jeff is a miracle worker, he quite literally changed the quality of both mine and my dog Rocco’s life. I can’t express my gratitude enough for this man! We walk peacefully with no pulling, no reactions, and no fear now. I have my well behaved, happy, sweet boy back, and I was starting to lose hope that I never would. Rocco is my 6 year old Pitbull who I love more than anything. All of the sudden (at 6) he started to become reactive to other dogs on leash, hit and miss, sometimes he would lose it and sometimes he had no reaction so I never knew when it was coming. I had been to two other dog trainers and thought I really had tried everything. Walking Rocco had become so incredibly stressful because he is very strong and would pull me so hard, I’m a small person so I started to fear that he would over power me. Jeff quite literally completely solved the problem, I don’t mean made it slightly better, I mean SOLVED the problem and FIXED the issue completely, by giving me the proper tools to calmly lead Rocco. I didn’t believe it could be that simple and happen so quickly, like I said I had been to multiple trainers. Rocco’s behavior was corrected after just 2 weeks of practicing the square method on my own that Jeff taught us, with proper leash handling! My mind is blown. Also Jeff did not try to upcharge me or sell me on a bunch of unnecessary classes that Rocco didn’t need like others have. I’m so thankful. He got right down to business and attacked the problem at hand, saving me so much time and money, I truely hit the jackpot with finding Jeff, the best dog trainer you will ever find. Thank you Jeff!

Back in April, I adopted a 9 month old terrier-dachshund mix who was very docile and quiet at first. Within a few months, however, he started to bark at everyone who came "close" to us, including people, dogs, cars, trucks…even planes. I tried to train him with YouTube videos and apps but it wasn’t working, so I brought him to Smart Dogs. Jeff helped us get to the root of the issue: I was inadvertently making some mistakes that were leaving my dog to feel like he had to protect me or be the boss. There were some adjustments that had to be made with me: the tone of my voice, how I handled the leash, the way I made (or didn't make) corrections, and also my physicality with the dog. This is feedback I couldn’t get from videos or apps, plus it was great to be accountable and consistent. After six weeks of working with Jeff and Jalen, my dog learned: sit, stay, come, place and off. And I learned how to handle him better so the barking issue is much improved. It’s a whole new experience to effectively communicate with my pup and I'm so grateful I got help from Jeff and his team!