5/5
We bonded with our Brittany puppy, for one week and then entrusted the sweet boy to Melissa for a week of day training. It was the best investment we ever made in one of our dogs' long-term happiness and success. In five quick days she cured him of his fear of riding in the car, got him to stay, respect doors, come well, and do so much more that made his integration into our home the easiest of any dog we've had. She is so kind and has such a bond with the dogs that he looked forward to going every day (and didn't always want to leave). We were able to follow each day's progress through the videos she shared. She even let him keep a stuffed animal he got comfort from when riding in the car.
Fast forward to his eight-month-old, adolescent-hunting-breed phase. His prey drive was making things at home rough, but they were no match for Melissa. We took him back for another week of day training. It was a game changer, and we had our sweet, happy little boy back again. The leash was loose once more on walks, squirrels were items of interest and not cues to lunge, and he even stared heeling well.
The icing on the cake was one of his field trips, which, again, she films. She took him to Lowe's and walked the aisles with him happily heeling. She even had him sit in place right in front of the highly distracting Halloween display where the workers were triggering skeletons and other distractions. He sat there for close to five minutes with an employee turning around at one point and marveling at him.
I wish Paws Embark had been around when our other dogs had been young (or older). It could have saved us a lot of frustration at each phase of their development.
Thanks, Melissa!