Marv is a yellow Labrador Retriever that joined our family in the fall of 2020. We knew we needed to seek professional training for Marv since neither of us had any experience in raising a puppy but wanted our dog to be obedient, trustworthy, and well-socialized with other dogs.
We started Marv in Canine Academy’s Beginner program when he was just 13 weeks old and were so impressed with the progress he made in those four weeks. What surprised us even more was the progress we made! The program equipped us with the confidence and tools to reinforce Marv’s training every day at home. There were videos and printouts that we could reference back to whenever we wanted. Additionally, the staff had great suggestions for practicing different training exercises at home and were always available to answer questions.
Deciding to continue Marv’s training through the Intermediate program and Off Leash program was a no-brainer for us once we saw how far he’d come after completing the Beginner Program. With each week, we became better owners and Marv became a better dog. The consistency in messaging and training Marv received both at home and at Canine Academy really helped turn him into a GREAT dog …all while maintaining his silly and playful Labrador Retriever personality.
Since graduating from the Off Leash program, we regularly attend the Great Dog in Action Outings to reinforce all the things that both we and Marv learned, to keep Marv socialized with other dogs, and to get feedback from the trainers (and usually, most of that feedback is corrections for us…not Marv!). We love hearing people say “Wow, I can’t believe he’s only a year old. He’s so well behaved!.” We love taking Marv off-leash to an open field to play frisbee and having the comfort that he will always come back when called, no matter what type of distractions may be around. We love knowing we can leave him with a friend or family member when we travel and that they won’t have any problems controlling him.
The training programs at Canine Academy are an investment in your dog and your family’s future, and we think it’s one of the best investments and decisions we have made. We now spend time enjoying walks with Marv instead of him pulling and tugging on the leash. We can have guests enter our home without him jumping up on them. We can leave him in his crate to go run an errand and not have him constantly barking. Marv has brought so much joy to our lives, and the staff at Canine Academy has played an integral role in that by making him into a GREAT dog! Thank you, Lisa & staff!
Jeni & Tony