FirstBark
This family owned business run by Shanda and Trey is phenomenal! They trained our dog when he was younger. He left a rambunctious hot mess and came back much more well mannered and obedient than he'd ever been. They routinely sent pictures during his stay of him sitting on his l…Read full reviewClose full review
This family owned business run by Shanda and Trey is phenomenal! They trained our dog when he was younger. He left a rambunctious hot mess and came back much more well mannered and obedient than he'd ever been. They routinely sent pictures during his stay of him sitting on his leash halfway across stores, in parks, etc., just like he always had done that. They required we humans be trained with him when we picked him up and told us then they offered a "lifetime guarantee" and we could bring him back free of charge anytime needed in the future. I see so many "guarantees" these days I felt it was a good sales pitch but didn't honestly know what to expect if the need arose. What would the catch be? A few minutes with him if needed? Maybe a few hours? He'd stayed with them 2 full weeks the first time and surely they wouldn't put *that* much effort back into him later. Wouldn't they blame the humans for not sticking to it? Fast forward a couple of years and I reached out, half embarrassed, that I'd slowly but surely let our little guy start to rule more of the roost than he should. *He* was happy but *we* were not and it was creating strain in our house. Trey responded and then called. He was 100% friendly, nonjudgmental, and offered without any hesitation to let Jasper rejoin them for training. I was braced for "well, did you follow everything we taught you?" or "there is a small fee for....". Not at all! In fact he said more than once without any uncertainty there was no charge. Perhaps a hope of a good review if they did good, but that was it. I was shocked. I asked how long--and was told they'd just wait and see, maybe a few days, maybe a week or more. Today I again picked Jasper up after spending 4-5 days with them. I again did my required training to do so. Jasper had worked primarily with Shanda during his time who sent pictures and videos and friendly texts talking about each day's events. Jasper had quickly regained anything lost and Shanda and Trey helped me remember things I'd forgotten. They encouraged me to ask as many questions as I wanted and take as much time as I wanted. We walked around their property testing Jasper's heeling and distraction plus each of his trained behaviors. He's like a much improved dog yet again! I know the cost of initial training is a lot of money for many. But, as in so many things, you get what you pay for. Trey told me today how many folks he picks up from former costly training attempts by other trainers that were failures. These folks are wonderful people who are kind and helpful and want the best for your dog's relationship with you. They are the real deal! We left again with promises to call them or text them and they'd invite him back or come visit him at our home, etc. Hopefully we won't need this, especially if this human does *his* part, :-). Pictures are from his training with them.