TMS K-9 Connections

If you are thinking about using TMS K-9 Connections training services, my advice is: Just do it! My 15-month old, 65-pound Bernedoodle puppy had me despondent. A life-long owner (I am 70+) of large, well-behaved family dogs that I had trained, I thought I knew just what to do with a puppy. (And, yes, I also took her to local puppy training classes and followed training guidelines from the breeder and respected book authors and exposed her to all the things they recommended.) This dog, however, had me stumped. She’d learned all the basic commands and tricks easily and was clearly smart, but her wildly enthusiastic jumping, barking and reactivity had me at my wit’s end. Her strength was amazing, and her leash pulling caused severe tendonitis in both my hands and discouraged me from taking her out in public. Accessibility to doggie daycare and boarding services was also problematic since she was so hyper and reactive. I wrestled with “crying uncle” and paying for professional help. But the prospect of not doing so and facing many future years’ worth of angst and frustration when all I had wanted was a sweet companion made it easy to justify. And now, after sending my pup to Stephanie’s 5-week on- and off-leash “training camp” and doing the required “homework” in the weeks afterward, I am ecstatic with the result! My monster has calmed down, she walks gently on and off-leash, she comes when called, she performs downs, stays, heels, and quiets on command. And she is far more affectionate and focused on me instead of all the distractions in the world. For the first time since acquiring her at 8 weeks, I am enjoying her instead of being exasperated! Our future together looks bright… and my husband comments on how much more I am smiling nowadays!

I had been having a very frustrating time with my almost two year old German Shepherd, who had previously done training at another facility. He does not have a mean bone in his body, but he was rambunctious and destructive. My daughter was frightened of him and his unpredictable behavior. Enter TMS K9 training programs! It is like night and day. We keep joking that he must have had a lobotomy because we have this disciplined, well-behaved dog now, except he still has his sweet and playful temperament. I was so appreciative of Stephanie’s flexibility for working with Kronk and I. Will definitely reach out for our boarding needs!

When we adopted a rescue Rottweiler in the fall of 2022, we thought we knew what to expect. We had the privilege of rescuing another Rotty several years ago, so we felt we were well prepared to go again. Unfortunately, we quickly realized that we were not at all prepared this time around. Our sweet girl taught us in countless ways that she needed more - from us, and from others - in order to transform into a trusting, loving, typical Rotty. Without TMS K-9 Connections we simply could not have made that happen. Is our baby perfect now? Hell no. Is she a completely different dog, with a strong understanding that all of us want to help (not hurt) her ... absolutely yes. We owe TMS so much gratitude - and our little girl probably owes them her life. We will be loyal customers forever.