Canine State of Mind

TL;DR: Canine State of Mind and Sasha is awesome (she's a miracle worker, honestly)-changed our relationship with our dog, our understanding of his needs, and by doing so, changed his behavior. Worth every penny, and he will be boarding with them again and again! Thank goodness for Sasha. Hookah says thank you as well, since he probably wouldn’t still be living with us had we not been referred to her by a friend whose dog had similar issues. Hookah started with us as a foster dog, and to say he was challenging might be an understatement. (I still have to get more than one door refinished, and I have had to say farewell to shoes, makeup brushes, aprons, and more.) My husband was ready to bring him back to the rescue organization, and in fact, we even emailed them about starting to find a new placement for him. Due to a serious shortage of fosters vs. a massive influx of abandoned dogs, plus his need for a home that could manage his energy, separation anxiety and general unwillingness to listen…it was going to take a minute. He was labeled a “behavioral dog” and we were given trazadone and solliquin to manage his energy and anxiety. Enter Sasha. After some back and forth, we decided to send him to Sasha’s farm for a 3 week board and train session. An expensive gamble, because I agreed with my husband that if we couldn’t find a way to manage his behaviors/train him, we couldn’t keep him. But I was also in love with the little monster, you know how that goes. 2 weeks before his departure, on Sasha’s recommendation, we weaned him off all medication related to behavior modification (eek! So stressful at the time!) Was it expensive? Yes, but so is any board and train program. Their rates definitely ran on the higher end compared to some of the others we looked into, but it was also the only program that did not absolutely require crate training, while offering an environment that honestly seems like cattle-dog paradise (Hookah is a border collie mix, and man, does he love to run!) The only thing I had to provide was his food, any medication, and proof of vaccinations. They took care of the rest. Fast forward to 3 weeks later, and it’s time for Hookah to come home. Normally, Sasha would bring your dog home and have your first training session in person at that time, but unfortunately due to extenuating circumstances, we had to meet virtually pre-homecoming to prepare. And while they were training and working with Hookah at the farm to both our benefits, this is where the training REALLY begins. Sasha’s training philosophy really goes deeply into the ways that the dog is responding to us, and so WE are the ones who need to be trained in how to communicate with him in the way that HE needs, not how a human needs. I know a lot of trainers talk about how they are training the owner, as opposed to the dog, Sasha’s approach feels more about communication and the bond you create through mutual respect as opposed to teaching your dog to respond to commands. All I can say is-trust the process. I type this as my once “crazy” dog lays, unmedicated, calmly napping at my feet. 10 months ago, he would have been scratching violently at my legs and arms for attention, bringing me toys non-stop, barking at every noise. He still does some of these things-we just know better how to handle it now, and more importantly, how WE are triggering some of those behaviors. One warning: if you want updates and pictures everyday, this will be a tough pill to swallow, but that’s not happening. Their focus is to be spending time with your dog and training and caring for your fur baby, not snapping pics and texting/emailing every single owner every day. No news is good news and they mean it. It was-correction, it IS the hardest part for me during his boarding sessions. But the proof is in the pudding, and Hookah’s successful transformation has led to a lot of love and joy in our house! So I can survive on the occasional photo/text update-I know, with absolute confidence, that he is in good hands!

This is what peace of mind looks like. It’s a photo of Murphy happy to be boarding with Sasha out in the country where he can play with his pals and enjoy being outside. We are happy he is not confined to a crate. That he is being cared for by people who understand dogs and what they need. We know he enjoys his stays at the farm because he cannot get into the van fast enough when Andrea comes to get him. Makes us chuckle to think he may be having more fun on vacation than we are. Peace of mind for us. Fun for Murph. So grateful we found Sasha and Canine State of Mind.

Sasha did a great job handling a TALL order! We had an older boy (7), a middle boy (2), and a new household member (12 weeks) who ALL needed some work. They did the board and train for a month and came back happy and relaxed. They're getting along beautifully, keeping themselves occupied instead of constantly vying for our attention, and just all around better dogs. I definitely recommend her approach