OMG Brenna and Mike have been AMAZING helping Echo get some better manners! I’d been struggling with Echo’s reactivity out and about and especially around guests at home.
I had been using positive reinforcement methods, and made some progress, but after 2 years of training was still struggling with basic things like having anybody in my home while Echo was there. I was a bit anxious about the e-collar being a negative experience, but it has been such an amazing additional tool for our training to help Echo refocus on me when food / toys / leash pressure just don’t cut it, and he really seems to appreciate the help (and is able to enjoy the food and play after refocusing)! I loved that they encouraged me to still use the food and toys as reinforcement (which many places that train with e-collars did not allow or encourage). After 4 private lessons, Echo was a champ on our 4-day camping trip in northern WI and the UP, and stayed chill and on his bed 90% of the time, which made the whole experience so much more enjoyable for us all!!! On top of that, I recently had a house guest for 10 days (which was a terrifying prospect, but also an excellent training opportunity!). At first, Echo was a crazy barking mess whenever my guest was anything besides sitting still. With Brenna’s help, by the end of the visit, Echo was snoozing on his bet while my guest made me dinner!!!
While Echo has made some amazing progress in the last month since we started with Sit Means Sit, there is still plenty of work to do, and I love the support that Sit Means Sit and Brenna are continuing to provide now that we’ve “graduated,” with continuing education classes and answering all my questions promptly and thoroughly while also cheering us on!
I would absolutely recommend Sit Means Sit for anyone struggling with their dog’s training or who want to take their training to the next level.
– Anu & Echo