The Dog Wizard - Dog & Puppy Obedience Training Fort Myers

I have a 6 lb Pomeranian who thinks she is the boss and I am her pet! As many Poms are, she is very intelligent but equally stubborn which makes training a challenge. I paid for training with 3 other trainers/programs before I finally found The Dog Wizard. Nothing else worked so I didn't have much hope that this would be any different. I was so happily surprised! My Pom, Hazel, had serious resource guarding issues. If anyone came near her when she had a bone or chew treat, she would snap and snarl and actually bite your hand. Nothing I did worked. She also guarded me so if someone walked too close to me, she would bark and snap and jump on them to drive them away. She never bit anyone but I was fearful she would eventually. The other main issue was separation anxiety. She would scream when I left her alone and I live in a condo so my neighbors could all hear her. They say she would bark and cry non stop for hours. I was at my wits end with what to do to stop this behavior. I was very hesitant to leave Hazel for their in house "board and train" program but Bri explained it was the best option to address separation anxiety, as well as her guarding and other basic trainings. Hazel was there for 2 weeks and she did great! Her trainer, Patrick, was great with her and I felt like I had a new dog! Her resource guarding was much better and her separation anxiety was slowly lessening. However, after we were home for a while, she started reverting back to some old behaviors. Patrick came to my home to observe me with Hazel and explained that I was not being consistent and he helped train me so I could train her! That is what I was lacking in my previous training as well. No one told me how to train her properly or how to respond to her if she does not respond to me. This made all the difference. As I became more confident in training her, she trusted me more and responded much better. She is doing so well that my neighbors have commented on it! Patrick was awesome! I can't recommend him enough. He was patient with Hazel and with me. Everyone at The Dog Wizard was absolutely the best. I highly recommend them, especially if your dog has some problem behaviors that other trainers haven't been able to fix.

I cannot say enough good things about The Dog Wizard Fort Myers. I brought my 4 year old Jack Russell, Cracker, in for an evaluation because he had become reactive, aggressive, and stubborn, especially around other dogs and cats. My corrections at home were not helping and honestly seemed to make things worse. I had a real fear in the back of my mind that if anything ever happened to me, Cracker’s behavior could put him at risk of being put down, and I could not bear that thought. They got me in for an evaluation quickly. Bri was incredible with Cracker from the start. She explained his behavior in detail and walked me through exactly what the program would involve. I left with zero unanswered questions and signed him up for the Freedom Jumpstart camp on the spot. That is when I was connected with Patrick, Cracker’s trainer. I actually watched Patrick working with another dog while I waited for my evaluation, long before I knew he would be the one training Cracker, and I was impressed before I even had a name to put with it. Patrick is exceptional, not just with the dogs but with me as Cracker’s owner. Throughout the two weeks Cracker was in house, Patrick sent updates and photos so I could follow his progress. The very first photo showed how anxious Cracker was. Each set after that showed a dog who was calmer, more relaxed, and more himself. It was emotional watching that transformation happen in real time. When Cracker came home, Patrick worked with me directly on commands, corrections, and how to stay consistent, which has made all the difference. I am not juggling a chaotic schedule anymore, rotating dogs and keeping doors shut to manage him. Cracker gets to be part of the family again. His siblings enjoy him, and I get to enjoy him instead of constantly correcting or isolating him. This experience has been life changing for Cracker and for our whole household. The Dog Wizard gave me my dog back, and gave Cracker the chance at the good, fulfilled life he deserves. I recommend them without hesitation.