04/23/2025
We're so excited to share our 150th Google Five-Star Review!
This is an incredible recommendation from my fantastic client, Jaime, who just finished their dog/human leash reactivity and e-collar off-leash recall training with their 2-year-old German Shepherd, Olivia. Their comments about how the training has made such a difference for them and their dog are why I love what I do and why my job is so gratifying.
"I can't recommend this trainer enough!! I would recommend his work to anyone with any breed or any behavioral issue, hands down. For context, I adopted a shepherd mix (Olivia) in October 2024, a couple of months after my heart dog passed. Olivia reminded me so much of my previous dog, who would have likely ended up in a shelter with behavioral issues if I hadn't adopted her as a puppy. She was also reactive, so I've had 12 years of experience handling reactivity, resource guarding, and loads and loads of training (I worked with two trainers in California).
But when I adopted Olivia, she came heavily medicated from the shelter (800mg of gabapentin and 300mg of trazodone daily). Even with that, her leash reactivity was off the charts. She went from a sweet little golden to an insane Cujo, and I wish I were exaggerating. It was scary, I seriously thought she was going to bite a dog and was starting to feel incredibly overwhelmed and fully in over my head. This felt more like aggression rather than just reactivity. I called at least 10 trainers, many quoting me various prices/promises and nothing sounded right.
When I called Stephen, he spent over 30 minutes with me, getting a full understanding of what was going on. She'd been found roaming the streets after an altercation with another dog, so that made things a little more complicated. But leaving the call I felt like this was different. He was kind, validating, and overall so supportive and humble. We scheduled a behavior modification course and started classes in January 2025.
When I say I saw differences after the FIRST class, I am 1000% serious. He gave us the tools to communicate and work on her basic obedience and teach her what behaviors were acceptable and what were not. After the first class, she went from reacting at every single dog she saw (lunging, growling, barking, snapping), even ones across the street, to maybe only ones that triggered her or startled her. At least an 80% decrease after just one hour.
She learned to make better choices as I learned her body language to prevent her from loading. By the end of the 4th class, Stephen said we were ready for group class, which honestly really sets him apart from every trainer I contacted. It was a safe and welcoming environment for dogs that were also reactive and helped expose them in a controlled setting. I was convinced it would be a disaster because she'd never been around so many dogs at once. And she did phenomenally. I was utterly mindblown.
After our 5th class and 2nd group class, Stephen said we were ready for the off leash final. My anxiety was through the roof but she was able to be a dog again. She encountered and played with at least 20 dogs of all sizes, breeds, and energy levels, with zero reactivity.
Stephen gave us our life back. I no longer walk the streets in utter fear; I can take her to the park and meet her needs in confidence. She went from what I was convinced was an aggressive dog I would have to move to the country for, to a sweetheart-neutral pup that loves to play and make new friends. I am beyond grateful for the work Stephen put in, the tools/communication he gave us, and the genuinely safe and kind environment he created for us. 15/10 recommend to everyone.
Oh, and Olivia LOVES him. She whined every time we ended classes and walked away, and she still looks for him at the park. We will be continuing group classes every month without question.
Please go to spot-onk9training.com for training info, and don't forget to "Like/Share" us on Facebook!
Stop Unwanted Behaviors & E-collar Off-Leash Training for Dogs & Their Parents. Positively Balanced Training â Results Starting From Day One. Your Dog Will Love You For It!ÂŽ
Spot-On K9 Trainingâs Exceptional Dog Training Company in Manhattan, NYC provides unparalleled Behavioral Modification Training for even the most challenging dogs. And, our highly acclaimed Off-leash E-collar Training takes place in Central Park, the ultimate test for mastering this skill, ensurin...
