Train Pro Dogs

Our 2-year-old Maltipoo just got back from the t2-week Board & Train. We are absolutely thrilled with the results that his trainer, Marissa Darr, was able to get with our little pooch! He is a very smart, high-energy dog that was vying for the position of top dog in our home before going to Train Pro Dogs. Although he had previously been through group puppy classes and had two private dog trainers, he used to mind us when he felt like it, but ignore our commands and corrections when it suited him. He had trouble with impulse control. Some of his more problematic behaviors were jumping, pulling on the leash when he saw a dog or person he wanted to be with, and biting the groomers when they shaved his front legs. After the Board and Train, he politely heels, goes to & stays quietly his “place” (raised dog cot) when told after a knock at the door, comes when called, and can hold a sustained sit or down even while off leash around distractions out in public! He now can be groomed successfully without a muzzle. As a retired teacher, I believe the reason for the transformation is multi-faceted. It is largely due to our highly skilled & positive trainer Marissa who conditioned our dog to some new tools, gave him additional vocabulary, & did a superior job of teaching us how to work with him the same way she did. Also, he learned in a HOME, which is a real-life setting. Our dog lived with Marissa where she lives, full time. Our dog practiced how to behave while they cooked, answered the door when Amazon delivered, sat quietly in his “place” when people watched TV, etc. It was an immersion teaching situation. Marissa also took our dog on multiple field trips to places like Pet Supermarket, Sarasota Bay, Home Depot, & the park. He also got to practice his new skills around other dogs, including the 3 trainers’ personal pets, who provided the balanced pack model. The program was a chance us to re-set & start anew with better tools & thorough instruction. Marissa gave us 2 lessons during his stay at their facility. When she brought him to our home, she gave us a lesson in our living space to support the transition. Marissa came to our house again to follow up and work through any new questions. She will also meet with us once a week for the next 6 months/ Furthermore, Marissa, who grew up with parents who trained Service Dogs, has helped our dog activate his brain in a new way. When he is on the leash or following an off-leash command, he is now in WORKING MODE, similar to a Service Dog when their Service vest goes on. Our smart dog is actively thinking and making choices the whole time. He feels safe and knows that his owners are reliable and consistent with the commands. He gets lots of loving pets and praise when he complies and a consistent business-like correction when he has missed the mark and an opportunity to re-do. When his “session” is over, he is told, “Free!”, and he playfully goes about his free-choice time doing as he pleases within the house rules. He’s been stimulated, challenged, and engaged during the day and now relaxes calmly in our newly peaceful evening hours. Thankfully, our little “wild child” has kept his spunky, playful spirit & has now shifted into being a happy follower who defers to us. We are overjoyed and are looking forward to continuing to develop our dog’s and our own skills. Marissa is so very helpful with guiding us in becoming more effective pet parents who are now very comfortable taking our dog anywhere with us, knowing he will behave appropriately. We can now take our sweet dog so many places like Lowes, outdoor restaurants, dog beaches, parks, and even have him off leash in our unfenced yard area, as he respects the boundaries. He has so much more freedom and stimulation now. Our family is ever indebted to Marissa and Train Pro Dogs for transforming our dog, our dog parenting skills, and our relationship with our precious pooch. It was worth every penny! Thank you a million, Marissa!