Dog Squad - Salt Lake City / Sugar House

I cannot stress enough how appreciative I am for this company and Melanie and Ryan. I was one of those people who thought I just simply had a more difficult dog and that he couldn’t do what other dogs could, like meet new people, go places, etc. basically, I had to work my life around my dog and it was easier to keep him around people/places he knows rather than deal with the anxiety the both of us had if a new person or location had to be introduced. Melanie and Ryan showed me that even older dogs can learn new tricks and that we can work around his anxiety and reactivity, not be bound by it. Would recommend them to anyone with a dog, regardless of how anxious/reactive, etc the dog is. The peace of mind that I now have after he completed board and train and knowing I can always ask follow up questions is priceless.

If you have a reactive or aggressive dog, please reach out to the wonderful people who own and operate the Dog Squad. Melanie and Ryan have given me my life back. This not an exaggeration. Our 6 year old dog has ruled the roost at our home since he was a pup. We participated in multiple puppy training classes after he joined our family, but they never seemed to help much. Though I've had a lot of experience with various dogs through the years, Jacks' intensity and anxiety seemed unusually high. He was extremely reactive and barked constantly responding to cyclists, squirrels on the fence, people walking, strollers, even the sight of leaves falling from trees. We sought guidance from the great veterinarians at Mountain View Animal Hospital in Sandy trying one medication after the other over the years, but nothing ever really made a difference. Then his behavior worsened - by last fall, Jack was throwing himself into the front window trying to get to whatever triggered him outside and even more terrifying, I had to stop taking him for walks because he would jerk away and try to leap on top of moving cars. He began growling aggressively at neighbors and we all knew something had to be done. I felt I was being bullied in my own house by this dog that I loved fiercely. I was at my wits' end and fearful for what Jack might be capable of. Then my daughters' colleague told her about the Dog Squad. She said the Dog Squad, located in Sugar House in downtown SLC, is willing to take on the tough dogs; the dogs that some businesses don't want to deal with. We called the number and had a consultation appointment 2 days later at the Sugar House location. During this consult, we were standing outside the building and several young people walked by talking and laughing. Jack growled and prepared to lunge and Melanie swiftly took the leash from me, stood in front of him to block him and looked at him and shushed him. He sat down immediately and looked up at her and quieted. I was shocked. Ordinarily that would have been a major ordeal holding him back and trying to calm him down. Melanie did it simply by standing close to him and staring at him while making a sharp shushing sound. Needless to say, I signed him up for the 4 week board and train. We got to visit on weekends and had a lesson with him one evening per week where we got the opportunity to learn and practice tasks such as walking/leash tactics and ask questions. Melanie and Ryan are so patient and understanding and taught us how to identify certain cues and explained their philosophy which is that there are no bad dogs, just bad situations.Usually it's the adults who require the true training.Jack came home several days ago. He is so peaceful, calm and it's obvious he feels safe and loved. Melanie and Ryan came by to visit this evening and they will be available when needed. As far as I'm concerned, they are magicians and I will never be able to thank them enough.