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| - Working with Bobby has been an absolute joy thus far! I signed Bauer up, my 8mth old black lab/border collie mix because I was having serious issues with separation anxiety, food scavenging, not listening to me when called, etc. My friend recommended SMS to me as a number of Dock Dog members and Las Vegas Lab Rescue people have used them before with fantastic results.
Bobby came over for our free consultation and explained the program, and offered 2 different options to us. Both training options require you to purchase the training collar. It is a shock collar, but in reality, it's more of a device designed to get your dog's attention, kind of like tapping you on the shoulder to get a human's attention. I physically felt the impulse the collar generated when the remote button is pushed to grab the attention and it's not harmful or strong at all on the settings they recommend.
After only one training session of teaching Bauer "Come" and "Sit", he is a much more attentive dog and calmer. My neighbors have even noticed the difference on our walks, he's not a wild man jumping, pulling me when he sees other dogs or people calling him anymore.
The biggest thing w/ doing this training and I think it's a popular misconception amongst those unhappy w/ the program, YOU have to work w/ your dog as well. SMS Training is not designed for a trainer to come in and train YOUR dog for you while you go out grocery shopping, or sit on the couch and watch. The program is designed to help your dog understand what you want it to do. It teaches YOU to be in command of your dog, so having a trainer come over and do the sessions and then not work on what you and your dog learned after he/she leaves, is not going to work. It's pointless to even sign up if this is what you envision.
We just had our second session this past Monday, and worked on the "Place" command. Bauer "got it" in 2 tries. All the things that we're learning with SMS helps with all the problems we have had in the past. When he wants to run or pull on the leash, I use the Place or Sit command to calm him down. If he's barking or nervous when someone is running by, or kids are screaming (which normally freaked him out before), I use the Sit command to get him to relax. All of the methods they use tie into things you can use to prevent bad habits. Even though you may want to discourage a bad habit immediately, what you're learning early on will help achieve that in the future. It's not an immediate stop to counter surfing, or jumping on people which your dog may have issues with.
The program itself, the two options they offer, include lifetime group sessions at local parks around the valley. I am excited for the group sessions when we're ready for them, and Bobby will let us know when we are. If we're not, he said he will come back for another lesson to ensure we're ready at no cost. They stand behind their product. At no point has Bobby been aggressive or physical with my dog which is what I was worried about. I didn't want Bauer to lose his personality either just because he may think he has to be ready for commands all day long. Bauer has kept his puppy playfulness when he knows it's ok to be playful. I didn't want him to be a demo dog, as I feel he's like my child.
Thank you SMS for all you've done and to Bobby personally for understanding my fears and concerns for Bauer. We're happy campers!
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