West Michigan K9

We have a 10 month old German Shepherd, North, that currently weighs 100 pounds and is expected to gain even more before he is done growing. Training him in the beginning wasn't hard until he became bigger than us! We reached a point where we realized that he was training us and we were no longer in control. We needed help! After researching different training facilities we landed on West Michigan K9, mainly because our two sons are Veterans and we were impressed with the online reviews. The staff at WM K9 were SO helpful on my initial call! We just knew that this was just what our GSD needed. We signed him up for the two week Stay & Train. While it was hard having him gone for two weeks, we could not be more pleased with the results! The staff regularly communicated with us on what North was learning by sending us report cards and videos demonstrating his latest skill. The staff worked patiently with us at the hand off to make sure we were comfortable using the markers North had learned. We now feel more in control taking him in public. We also understand more fully on why GSD are called working dogs and how to tap into that critical area of development. We highly recommend this training facility!

I believe I already had left a review, but I feel inclined to leave another one after we completed a few follow up visits! I cannot put into words how much appreciation and respect we have for this facility and their amazing team members! Our dog Oscar did a four week board and train for his reactivity issues, and we have since completed four follow up visits and I’m blown away. Nate (and ALL the west Michigan K9 staff) is so phenomenal to work with! He has created such a positive bond with Oscar. Before this, Oscar didn’t have a relationship with anyone except myself and my finance due to his trust and aggression issues. Seeing Oscar wag his tail and give kisses every time he sees Nate is a testimony in itself. They worked on building not only Oscars confidence, but our confidence as Oscar’s handlers/owners. We were able to take our dog into a public space yesterday and walk by total strangers (which was absolutely out of the question before this)! This training experience is completely changing our lives. I don’t worry that we will live isolated from the rest of the world anymore out of fear of Oscar hurting someone or himself, and that is absolutely priceless. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express enough gratitude and appreciation to Nate and all of the wonderful trainers at West Michigan K9 for this. And I know we still have a ways to go with Oscar’s training, but the life time support that this facility offers gives me the peace of mind that we will continue making big strides with his behavior and our quality of life. Thank you all so much, from the bottom of our hearts!

Our German Shepherd did the 2 week stay and train at West Michigan K9, and I couldn't be more impressed with the results, the training and the staff! This team worked with our dog, sent us regular videos and report cards, and helped teach us how to continue his training. I love what we have learned about our dog, Saber. I look forward to continuing with the West Michigan K9 method! Excellent team!!