Piper's Place

Working with Helen at Piper’s Place has been LIFE CHANGING. She took our dog, Phoebe, who could bounce off the walls and ceiling with her energy & taught her (and US) incredibly useful tools to channel her focus and express her love for all people and dogs in a more tolerable way. What used to be a high-energy anxiety ridden puppy has become a great young dog who we can take anywhere (see pic for evidence, she stayed under my chair for an entire patio dinner which I never would have thought possible). We did the 4 week board and train and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

My dog, Jax, had an amazing time with Helen at Piper's Place! Jax is a rescue from a hoarding case, which left him incredibly scared and riddled with anxiety at all times. He could barely go outside without freaking out and going into flight mode. After 4 weeks at Piper's Place, he is far more confident, actually comes when called, listens to commands(which he never did in the past out of fear), and he finally is able to be around visitors without shaking out of fear. He also is able to enjoy himself on walks and is visibly more comfortable in public. This has been an incredible experience and I HIGHLY recommend Piper's Place Dog Training for owners of anxious and fearful dogs.

Helen and Piper's Place have changed our lives for the better. We rescued our little (big) guy Smoke around 4 weeks old from Wags and Walks and I started working with him immediately. I would consider myself an intermediate "pet" owner but by 6 months old, Smoke was running circles around my husband and I. He was incredibly sweet but UNRULY in the house (constant micromanagement), loud and reactive in public (announcing he had arrived, demand barking for pets, WIGGLES all over the place, pulling, choking, should I go on?). Worst of all, he suddenly became car reactive and at 55+lbs, that was NOT going to work and was a real threat to his (and our) safety. Our life had become "The Smoke Show" and we were lost and honestly, defeated. I was embarrassed to take him in public and felt like I had failed him. Even though he was a complete disaster before training, we had come to love him dearly so finding a trainer that held my morals and values was really important to me. It was important to me that Smoke wasn't "scared" into being good but that he actually WANTED to be a better boy for us and was taught how to control his anxiety and his feelings in a healthy way. I looked into a lot of options and really just felt called to move forward with Helen and Piper's Place after our first phone call. Helen was confident in her approach, helped me to feel confident in my abilities as a dog owner and gave me the peace of mind that everything was going to be ok. I felt safe and knew Smoke would be safe too. Post- 4 week training, Smoke (even at his young age) has transformed into a confident boy. He is able to control his big feelings, remain calm in the house, responsive to correction, is able to walk by a person or dog and not bark or lunge, ignores stimuli and is all around a JOY to our family. I've been trying to correctly articulate what Helen has done for our family and I think the best way to summarize it is that she saved Smoke's life. He is no longer car reactive, we can go on walks without fear that he will break off his leash and get run over, we can play in the park without him trying to lunge after every car that goes by. I can let him be a dog with a really good life and for that, we will be forever grateful to Helen and Piper's Place.

Five stars does not begin to describe how great Helen's 3 week board and train program is!! My 10 month old lab/pitt mix was anxious all the time and showed fearful leash reactivity. The reactivity was beyond anything I could control. First, Helen listened to my needs and desired outcomes. Second, she got to know and understand my pup. She tailored the program based on these factors, rather than offer a prescribed program. She routinely shared picture/video updates, gave thorough explanations about the training, and cared for my dog as if it was her own. I truly did not recognize my dog during the halfway and pick-up lessons. She was less reactive and way more confident. Helen also followed up after the program to check on Piper and offer trusted dog walking solutions in my area.

I couldn’t say enough good things about Helen and Piper’s Place! The facility is such an ideal space, I knew Nezzy would be safe and well cared for! The training program is detailed, well thought out, and easy to understand! It was so helpful to have a lesson mid-way through, and Helen is so generous with her time, energy, and resources! Nezzy absolutely loved her time during her 3 week on leash board and train, and I am AMAZED at how much she learned in that time (and me, too!!). Best place around for quality training, support, and care!