See what our previous clients say about
Leaps N Bounds K9
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I could not be more over the moon and thankful for what Leads N Bounds K9 and Tom did for our dog. I had a 10 month Australian Shepherd who completely ran our lives. We had tried 5 different trainers, behavioralist vets, and even medication. None of their methods worked, and he was becoming increasingly aggressive with family members. It was advised at one point that we euthanize him, but we knew that wasn't the right option.
We found Tom through a family friend, and could not be more relieved. Immediately upon drop of, our dog looked at him and respected him. He has a special way with dogs. Upon getting our dog back after a 4 week board and train, it's like we have a "new" dog. He kept all of his goofy personality, but the anxiety, aggression, and general bad behavior has gone. We can now live our lives "normally", leave him in a crate when we run errands, and have total control of him. Today we went on a walk and past a screaming kid on a bike, and 3 reactive/lunging/barking dogs while he stayed in heel and remained under control.
The biggest thing to me is how "easy" the work is that we are putting in to maintain training. I was candidly nervous about using a balanced trainer, but the tools we now have are irreplaceable. Thank you Leaps N Bounds K9 and Tom! You (literally) changed our lives!
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I don’t think anyone has given Tom less than a 5 star review and there’s a reason for that! We have a 16 month old mini Aussie, Darcy, who was generally a very good dog but had some significant issues with reactivity around other dogs. If we encountered another dog on our walk, he would whine, bark, and pull on his leash. This behavior continued to escalate despite my best efforts. Previous trainers had told me repeatedly to try to get his attention on me by giving him high value treats when we would come near another dog. This did not work!!! Like other pet owners who have used Tom, I became anxious on our walks and yes, did the “hiding behind a car or tree trick”. It was also very embarrassing and I kept making excuses for my badly behaved dog, saying that he is still a puppy. I found Tom by doing research online and he has been a life saver. During the 3 weeks that Darcy spent with Tom, we received updates on Darcy’s progress via messages and videos. Since coming home, Darcy has been super calm, and I can take him on walks pretty much anywhere now. He also heels beautifully. I am more relaxed and enjoying our walks; I have people now regularly commenting on what a well behaved dog I have! Tom’s training was definitely worth the investment and we are very pleased with the results.
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This review is long overdue! Our dog, Kona (3.5 year old female pit mix), did Tom's four week board and train program in March 2023-- but that should tell you the longevity of his training methods and how he has transformed our dog and our lives! This review is long, but I hope it's helpful to anyone trying to find the right program for their dog.
Prior to training, Kona was reactive on leash -- barking/lunging at other dogs, unsure and anxious at dog parks, and had very little (zero) recall off leash. It was stressful to walk her, let alone try and introduce her to other dogs. In general, it was clear she didn't respect us or listen to us. Kona also had car anxiety, as a result from a fender bender months prior.
Before training: I was a nervous helicopter parent, unsure if I could be without my dog for four weeks. I was also afraid that my dog would lose her personality and come back a robot. To be honest, it felt like 'overkill' -- she was a good dog, and great with people. However, I knew she needed help to become the best version of herself. Tom was gracious and connected me to a former client who I spoke with for almost 30 minutes on the phone to understand her experience and heard her glowing recommendation. Tom also allowed my husband and I (with Kona!) to tour his home and see where she would be staying, walking us through in detail about his training methods and showing us where she would be crated alongside other dogs in training.
During training: Tom sent us updates via texts (pictures and videos) and always took the time to reply quickly if we had questions. Since Kona is low energy, Tom worked with her to ensure she stayed engaged and did not overdo the training sessions. About one week before the end of the program, we did an in-person 'train the trainer' session at Tom's house. She did great during the session and showed us her new tricks (place, down, walking in a heel). Tom also showed us how to use the prong collar and e-collar which were tools we had never used before and it was reassuring to be taught by a professional to ensure we were using them properly and safely for Kona.
After training: At the end of the four weeks, Tom brought Kona home to do an in-home session with us to set us all up for success. Prior to this, he sent us links to some elevated dog beds to buy which we used to reinforce 'place' with Kona at home. Tom spent over an hour with us in our home, showing us how to keep up the training from everything about how to feed her, put her in place, correct her if she did not follow a command.
Now: almost one year later, Kona is our same lovable goofball, just with impeccable manners. Her recall is reliable, she listens to us, and we trust her on walks. We use the e-collar to let her roam off-leash at parks without worry. We had a great trip to the Oregon Coast over the summer and she loved running free on the beach. She stayed in a 'heel' and 'down' when horses walked past -- a huge accomplishment for us! She listens to us in the home, sleeps in her own bed, and is generally more relaxed. She is more confident outside of the house, and especially with car rides. She hops right in now, something that was a non-starter prior to training. She still does not love meeting new dogs, but she is much closer to neutral -- which was our goal. We learned that not all dogs need to be social butterflies, and we are better owners now that we know when to advocate for her in various situations!
I highly recommend Tom and the team at Leaps N Bounds and am so glad that we decided to do the program for Kona!
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Tom and Bailey were so great! I called around prior to choosing Leaps N Bounds and no one else seemed as knowledgeable. Our dog did the 4 week training program and came back a much better listener! We are continuing to put in the work with training and things are much calmer in our household than before the training. We are so grateful!
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Wow, I’m so grateful for Tom. I have a 6 year old adopted pup, whose leash aggression got significantly worse over the years despite working with different trainers. I lost hope in being able to fix her reactivity due to her age, and was told by a previous trainer I was too soft spoken to get my pup to listen to me. When I reached out to Tom, my anxiety was the highest it had been, as my days revolved around taking my reactive pup out for walks. I considered a board and train as my last option due to the price and uncertainty if it could work for my pup. But I wish I committed to it sooner! It is the best investment I’ve made.
When researching board and train programs, Tom’s stood out. I appreciate that he runs his own business so all communication is directly to him. Having a trainer that’s responsive and easy to reach was important as my experience with a previous trainer lacked those traits.
When I reached out to Tom, he called me right away and we discussed my situation and his training methods. He recommended a book that helped me understand a different perspective regarding obedience and reactivity. We exchanged countless emails before my pup’s training even began and he was so patient with addressing all my questions.
Fast forward to now, my pup finished Tom’s program 2 months ago and I cannot thank Tom enough!!! He’s made the most positive impact on our family—one that I did not think was possible. Our once reactive pup, is a well behaved pup in public settings and in the house. We look forward to taking her to busy parks, walking trails, coffee shops. Her adorable personality is still the same and it feels incredible to be able to bond with my pup even more—now that I’m no longer stressed and frustrated because of her uncontrollable leash reactivity (lunging, biting, pulling, barking).
Tom continues to check-in with us and is available anytime I have questions. He’s a great teacher and allowed our sessions to take as much time as we needed, and would make sure we left our training sessions with no unanswered questions. He also provides some written notes after the board and train which is helpful to look back on, since there’s a lot to remember. We are still enforcing the training at home, but with practice and time, it takes little effort—especially because our pup is used to our new routines and is just used to staying calm on walks!
I wish anyone with issues with their pup could have the opportunity to work with Tom. He’s truly wonderful and I’m so grateful for his expertise. Thanks Tom, I can’t thank you enough!!!
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After enduring our goldendoodle's reactivity to other dogs, people, children, strollers - anything and everything that looked out of place for 2 years, we signed Moose up for board & train at Leaps N Bounds K9.
We had already sought help from other trainers in the Seattle area, read and followed advice from numerous books and websites on reactivity. Despite all of our efforts, Moose's behavior continued to deteriorate.
Our family is finally able to enjoy our dog, after the 4 week B&T program, and clear instruction from Tom on how to interact with Moose.
No more avoiding high traffic areas of the city, elevators, and crossing the street to avoid triggers. We have a civilized and relaxed dog now.
It is with the highest praise and deep gratitude that my family recommends Leaps N Bounds K9.
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We got Baobao when she was around 5 months old. Before she was at the shelter for around 2 weeks she lived in the dumps, and had missed her critical socialization period. Despite our best efforts with introducing her to a large variety of people and working on training after a year she was becoming leash aggressive, and was territorial if she was in the same spot for more than 15 minutes. She had severe separation anxiety and would break out of her crate if we left her alone. We decided that we needed to make a change sooner rather than later, and contacted a number of trainers in the Seattle area. We decided to go with Tom due to the large number of incredibly positive testimonials.
After four weeks Baobao came back a much calmer, happier dog. Tom and Bailey worked absolute magic on her behavior. She's her same goofy self, but with a huge number of tools to help her behave and is extremely well behaved over all. Before we would get compliments about how pretty she was, but now people can't stop commenting on how well behaved she is and asking what we did. I cannot recommended leaps n bounds k9 enough, Tom clearly loves dogs and is a great source of knowledge whenever we need to text him to ask a quick question.
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Even our cat is benefiting from Obi's new skills. Thank you Tom
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We found Tom in a moment when we really needed help. We welcomed an Australian Shepard puppy to our house last year to join our now 5-year old Australian Shepard and 4 year old cat. Despite some leash aggression on walks, we thought our older dog was pretty well-behaved. When we brought Obi, our puppy home, we quickly realized we were wrong. The two dogs together would bark at noises, rush guests with licks, kisses and jumps, and together on walks they would both beginning barking, lunging and growling at other dogs. We found a trainer in our area when Obi was still 4 months old to help us get things under control but after five to six months, didn't see a lot of sustained improvement with positive reinforcement tactics. When Obi turned 11 months old, things got worse as she began demonstrating resource guarding around us and she and our older dog got into several fierce dog fights. That's when we knew we really needed help if we were going to keep our family together. After doing some searches on google, I found Tom's website. The reviews seemed too good to be true. I called late one night and left a voicemail after a particularly bad dog fight. I woke up the next morning, tears in my eyes and saw he'd sent me an email already and offered to speak with me that same day. He explained what we were experiencing wasn't unusual, but it was timely to correct these issues while Obi was young. He recommended a book to my husband and I that we downloaded right away. He explained his training philosophy to us, and we understood quickly that despite our best intentions to love our dogs, we'd never set expectations or boundaries. They didn't respect us or look at us for direction because we'd been so inconsistent. Resource gaurding was their way of saying they owned us. We liked Tom instantly and felt confident he could help us, so we signed Obi up to begin in 4-week board and train program the next month. WOW are we happy we made this investment. Within a week, Tom began sending us videos showing Obi's progress. She was actually listening and looking to him for direction! He offered to do a training session with us, Obi and our older dog so we could try modeling what Obi was learning. He gave us great pointers and made quick observations about some of the messages we'd been giving our dogs that was confusing them. While we'd found other trainers did this, sometimes make us feel embarrassed or ashamed that we didn't know better, Tom's approach was clear, direct and relatable. Our Obi girl came home last week. I can't even describe how immeasurably improved our life is. She can now sit in place for hours on end (versus running around the house with toys, chasing the cat, etc.). She's responsive to her new commands, and we can see how much she's eager to do the right thing. When we taking her walking she no longer lunges, and barks at bunnies, deer or other dogs and sits whenever we stop. Tom emphasized that this first month, is the hardest part and is encouraging us to be vigilant with our boundaries, to ensure our dogs understand we have expectations of them. He gave us the foundation we needed to feel more in control and confident. I can't recommend Tom and his services enough. This was an investment that was so well worth is as we now feel we can truly enjoy our dogs, trusting they have some basic skills and the foundation to be well-behaved. Thank you Tom!
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Tom saved our puppy!! We truly didn't know where to begin. Obi was our second Australian Shepard and wow we were so far over our heads owning two dogs. Our older girl Camper and Obi would get into aggressive wrestling matches, lunging at other dogs and neither would leave us alone vying for constant attention. Our daily walks became a battle of who could pull the hardest, our leather leashes actually stretched out! We started to be prisoners in our own home, coming up elaborate ways to keep them separated and our cat basically lived in misery.
In stepped Tom! He did phone consultations with each of us and got to the heart of the problem, it was clear he had seen this all before and with his reassurance (and astounding reviews online) we were able to trust the process. He recommended a book my wife and I devoured and it set up the understanding of how he would work, the behaviors we could hope to solve and benefits of doing a board and train program with him. We were so in!
Tom took care of everything. We were a little uncertain leaving our dog for such a long time but Tom was awesome, he was super communicative, sending videos of progress and different skills he was working on. We honestly couldn't believe it was our same puppy! We kept joking he had switched out dogs on us. Tom was super generous with his time, he had us over for multiple sessions, at first just with our trainee (Obi) for us to also learn the new skills he was instilling in her. Later we brought our other dog and we did joint training, maximizing the new self control Obi was able to display.
We can't recommend Tom and his methods enough. We were honestly this close to finding a new home for our dog. We are so glad we didn't and we have Tom to thank.
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This review is long overdue! Our dog, Kona, did Tom's four week board and train program in March 2023-- but that should tell you the longevity of his training methods and how he has transformed our dog and our lives! This review is long, but I hope it's helpful to anyone looking to make the commitment of doing a board and train for their dog.
Our 3.5 year old 55lb rescue Pit Mix did the four week board and train at Tom's house and was able to work with Tom, Bailey, and a couple other trainers during her stay. Prior to training, Kona was reactive on leash -- barking/lunging at other dogs, unsure and anxious at dog parks, and had very little (zero) recall off leash. It was stressful to walk her, let alone try and introduce her to other dogs. In the house, she is a model citizen -- the calmest, cuddle bug -- loves people and to be a couch potato. She also had a bad habit (our fault) of sleeping in our bed and would not listen to us when we tried to get her off the bed. When we let her out into the backyard, she would never come when called and it turned into a game of chase to get her back in the house at times. In general, it was clear she didn't respect us or listen to us. Kona also had car anxiety, as a result from a fender bender months prior. She would plant and lay down in our driveway, refusing to get into the car. When she finally got into the car, she would pant and be anxious the whole car ride. It was clear her confidence was shaken.
Because she is low energy and more timid, my husband and I were not sure how she would cope with a board and train environment, especially with other dogs. We have never boarded her before (friends watch her when we travel) and she had only been to a doggy daycare once (and didn't do particularly well...).
Before training: I was a nervous helicopter parent, unsure if I could be without my dog for four weeks. I was also afraid that my dog would lose her personality and come back a robot. I researched several training programs in Seattle and was unsure if this was the right approach for Kona -- to be honest, it felt like 'overkill' -- she was a good dog, and great with people. However, I knew she needed help to become the best version of herself. Tom was gracious and connected me to a former client who I spoke with for almost 30 minutes on the phone to understand her experience and heard her glowing recommendation. Tom also allowed my husband and I (with Kona!) to tour his home and see where she would be staying, walking us through in detail about his training methods and showing us where she would be crated alongside other dogs in training. (Another thing I was worried about since we never did crate training). It was so comforting seeing his home and training space before we committed to any contracts.
During training: Tom sent us updates via texts (pictures and videos) and always took the time to reply quickly if we had questions. Since she is low energy, Tom worked with her to ensure she stayed engaged and did not overdo the training sessions. About one week before the end of the program, we did an in-person 'train the trainer' session at Tom's house. It was so good to see our Kona, but so hard to leave at the end. She did great during the session and showed us her new tricks (place, down, walking in a heel). Tom also showed us how to use the prong collar and e-collar which were tools we had never used before and it was reassuring to be taught by a professional to ensure we were using them properly and safely for Kona.
After training: At the end of the four weeks, Tom brought Kona home to do an in-home session with us to set us all up for success. Prior to this, he sent us links to some elevated dog beds to buy which we used to reinforce 'place' with Kona at home. Tom spent over an hour with us in our home, showing us how to keep up the training from everything about how to feed her, put her in place, correct her if she did not follow a command.
Now: almost one year later, Kona is our same lovable goofball, just with impeccable manners. Her recall is reliable, she listens to us, and we trust her on walks. We use the e-collar to let her roam off-leash at parks without worry. We had a great trip to the Oregon Coast over the summer and she loved running free on the beach. She stayed in a 'heel' and 'down' when horses walked past -- a huge accomplishment for us! She listens to us in the home, sleeps in her own bed, and is generally more relaxed. She is more confident outside of the house, and especially with car rides. She hops right in now, something that was a non-starter prior to training. She still does not love meeting new dogs, but she is much closer to neutral -- which was our goal. We learned that not all dogs need to be social butterflies, and we are better owners now that we know when to advocate for her in various situations!
I highly recommend Tom and the team at Leaps N Bounds and am so glad that we decided to do the program for Kona.
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Transformative Dog Training That Saved Our Holidays and Improved Our Lives!
Reflecting on the past six months since our dog Indy completed training with Tom, I am compelled to express our profound gratitude. The holiday season, often a challenging time with increased foot traffic and hosting duties, was remarkably different this year, thanks to Tom's exceptional training.
Tom's professionalism is evident in every aspect of his work. He responded quickly to all communications, whether it was an initial call, follow-up emails, or texts. His detailed approach in every interaction ensured clarity and built trust.
Indy, previously prone to lunging and barking, especially in our busy neighborhood, showed remarkable composure and obedience over the holidays. It was a significant relief and a testament to Tom's effective training methods.
What really stands out is Tom's compassionate and encouraging demeanor. He has a unique ability to alleviate concerns, providing reassurance and support throughout the training process. It felt like Indy developed a special bond with him, perhaps loving Tom as much as he loves us!
The impact of Tom's training extends beyond basic obedience. Where once short walks filled me with anxiety due to Indy's behavior, I now find joy and relaxation in our daily strolls, often exceeding an hour with excellent off-leash recall. Tom's influence has also improved Indy's ability to learn new tricks rapidly and remain calm during grooming and dental care.
For those struggling with dog reactivity, leash pulling, barking, or other behavioral challenges, Tom's training is invaluable. It has not only transformed Indy but also significantly enhanced our family's life, particularly during stressful periods like the holiday season. The changes in Indy have been life-changing, bringing tranquility and joy to our daily routines.
Booking a session with Tom isn't just about dog training; it's an investment in your family's peace of mind and happiness.
Key Points about Tom and Team --
* Exceptional Behavior Transformation: Witnessed remarkable changes in our dog's behavior, particularly during high-stress situations like the holiday season.
* Enhanced Quality of Life: Significant improvements in daily walks and interactions, transforming dreaded outings into enjoyable experiences. No barking and lunging.
* Rapid Skill Acquisition: Our dog learned new tricks quickly and responds better to grooming and dental care, thanks to Tom's training.
* Professional and Responsive: Tom's professionalism shines through in his prompt responses and detailed communication across all platforms.
* Personalized Care and Compassion: Tom's training approach is filled with compassion and understanding, tailored to suit individual dog needs.
* Stress and Anxiety Relief: Noticeable reduction in our own stress and anxiety levels, contributing to a more harmonious household.
* Off-Leash Confidence: Achieved incredible off-leash recall, allowing for more freedom and enjoyment during walks and trails.
* Long-Term Behavioral Benefits: The positive effects of Tom's training continue to be evident months later, proving its lasting impact.
* Life-Changing Experience: Beyond just training our dog, Tom's methods have significantly improved our overall lifestyle and mental well-being.
* Highly Recommended for Challenging Behaviors: Ideal for dog owners facing issues with reactivity, leash pulling, barking, or biting.
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I am so glad I found Leaps N Bounds by total accident on Yelp. When I initially spoke to Tom, my anxiety was at an all time high, we had 2 yo twins, an 11 yo beagle and a 5yo corgi.
Our corgi, Pumpkin, is super sweet but was reactive on walks and barked at everything inside and outside of the house. Walking her became extremely stressful as we had to be extra vigilant and hide behind cars, trees, etc to keep her from reacting to other dogs. Furthermore, the barking was a major problem for us because she would occasionally wake up the babies (thank goodness for white noise). If a package was delivered at the door, she would bark, if a dog barked in the distance, she would bark, if we were coming up the stairs, she would bark, you get it, she barked all the time.
I have a professional background in behavior and always assumed I could help Pumpkin without much assistance. We worked with a few trainers in the past, but we were always told "she has an impulse control issue" but never received guidance on how to help her. I was tired of managing the undesirable behaviors instead of working on them. Thankfully, I found Tom.
Tom worked with Pumpkin for a total of five weeks. I cannot believe we didn't do this years before. Pumpkin came back to us as herself, but without the unwanted behaviors. We continue to work with her at home but at this point we're just generalizing and maintaining what she learned with Tom. Walking her is so enjoyable now with zero reactivity. I sometimes have to look down to make sure she is still at my side and I'm not just holding a leash because there is no pulling -- It's a great feeling. Additionally, not a peep since she's been back, unless it's a little vocalization during play, which I am totally okay with. It warms my heart to see how much more relaxed and happy she seems now.
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Tom helped us and our dog Desa, a stubborn 1.5 year mutt who did what she wanted when she wanted to do it - even when we felt like we were "disciplining" her. Discipline and rules meant something different to us than they did to Tom. Tom established and reinforced with us the foundations and basics that are critical to ensure Desa could go anywhere with us under control, and we both enjoy ourselves.
Be ready to ask lots of questions, and be ready to change the relationship, old habits, and behaviors you have with your dog - because it will change.
I appreciate Tom's training approach and communication, and met one of his trainers who worked with Desa and he was great too. Overall super happy and enjoy practicing with Desa since she's been with us when we got her back about a month ago.
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About 4 weeks ago, our dog completed the 4-week board and train program with Tom and his staff, and I could not recommend them highly enough.
Our dog, Stella, is a 2 year old rescue with an incredibly sweet, but often stubborn, personality. Over our first 9 months with her, she developed pretty severe leash reactivity toward other dogs, squirrels, rabbits, etc. She was also consistently anxious in our apartment, reacting to and barking at any noise from outside or our neighbors. We worked with a positive reinforcement trainer for several months but despite everyone's best efforts, these behaviors continued to escalate and get worse.
I kind of considered a board and train program as our last-resort option, but honestly I wish I had called Tom sooner. During our intro call, Tom was incredibly helpful and generous with answering all of my questions, including around my hesitations using any negative reinforcement techniques. Throughout Stella's stay, Tom kept me updated with her progress and was really great about making us feel like there were no silly questions, and that no question was too small to ask. He also seemed to really understand the emotional side to training for owners with reactive dogs and made us feel heard and comfortable with the difficult parts of the process.
Stella has now been home with us for almost a month, and I can't believe her transformation -- I didn't think this progress was possible. She is now able to walk in busy parks and on narrow hiking trails with me without lunging at other dogs. She can lay down in a park and ignore the squirrels and geese nearby. She is so much calmer and more relaxed in our apartment and in general -- she really seems more happy and less stressed. She still pushes us from time to time and she's not perfect; we've worked hard to keep up on her training and it has taken time and diligence, but it's easy with the foundation Tom and his staff laid with her, and with the training they did for us on how to work with her.
I'm finally able to bring my pup on adventures with me that I always wanted to, but didn't think were possible. She feels much more integrated into our lives, and being out and about with her is so much more pleasant and fun. I can't thank Tom and his team enough!
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Wow, I'm so grateful for Tom. I have a 6 year old adopted pup, whose leash aggression got significantly worse over the years despite working with different trainers. I lost hope in being able to fix her reactivity due to her age, and was told by a previous trainer I was too soft spoken to get my pup to listen to me. When I reached out to Tom, my anxiety was the highest it had been, as my days revolved around taking my reactive pup out for walks. I considered a board and train as my last option due to the price and uncertainty if it could work for my pup. But I wish I committed to it sooner! It is the best investment I've made.
When researching board and train programs, Tom's stood out. I appreciate that he runs his own business so all communication is directly to him. Having a trainer that's responsive and easy to reach was important as my experience with a previous trainer lacked those traits.
When I reached out to Tom, he called me right away and we discussed my situation and his training methods. He recommended a book that helped me understand a different perspective regarding obedience and reactivity. We exchanged countless emails before my pup's training even began and he was so patient with addressing all my questions.
Fast forward to now, my pup finished Tom's program 2 months ago and I cannot thank Tom enough!!! He's made the most positive impact on our family--one that I did not think was possible. Our once reactive pup, is now the most well behaved pup in public settings and in the house. We look forward to taking her to busy parks, walking trails, coffee shops. Her adorable personality is still the same, and it feels incredible to be able to bond with my pup even more--now that I'm no longer stressed and frustrated at her because of her uncontrollable leash reactivity (lunging, biting, pulling, barking).
Tom continues to check-in with us and is available anytime I have questions. He's a great teacher and allowed our sessions to take as much time as we needed, and would make sure we left our training sessions with no unanswered questions. He also provides some written notes after the board and train which is helpful to look back on, since there's a lot to remember. We are still enforcing the training at home, but with practice and time, it takes little effort--especially because our pup is used to our new routines and is just used to staying calm on walks!
I wish anyone with issues with their pup could have the opportunity to work with Tom. He's truly wonderful and I'm so grateful for his expertise. Thanks Tom, I can't thank you enough!!!
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My wife and I welcomed our first baby boy back in October... and then immediately realized that our spunky little Corgi was going to need some (read: a lot of) work to learn to co-exist with her new baby brother.
Sully is 5 years old and had some pretty stubborn, well-established behavioral issues that were heightened by the arrival of the baby... she barked at the TV, other dogs, the baby crying, and was pretty leash aggressive with other dogs when we were out and about. She also had a history of resource guarding which worried us with the kiddo. She has always been the most loving and affectionate little pup, but she definitely needed to learn some new skills and understand who is in charge.
After a panicked search to find a trainer in the weeks after our sons birth I had a nice chat with Tom. He recommended the four week program as she was a little older and it might take longer for her to unlearn her old habits and learn new ones. We dropped her off and four weeks later picked up a new dog. She's the same loving, derpy dog, but she doesn't bark at anything (like ever), coexists with our baby perfectly, is a fantastic walker, doesn't care about other dogs when we are out, and is just generally easier to be around. We took her and the baby to a brewery on Sunday and she just sat there, surrounded by other dogs without making a peep. Just content hanging with mom and dad.
We can't recommend Tom enough--both the skills he taught our dog, and the hands on teaching of how to manage our dogs' anxiety has created a new, healthier relationship for us all. I wish we'd done this 4 years ago!
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Wow, I’m so grateful for Tom. I have a 6 year old adopted pup, whose leash aggression got significantly worse over the years despite working with different trainers with various training methods. I lost hope in being able to fix her reactivity due to her age, and was told by a previous trainer I was too soft spoken to get my pup to listen to me. When I reached out to Tom, my anxiety was the highest it had been, as my days revolved around taking my reactive pup out for walks. I considered a board and train as my last option due to the price and uncertainty if it could work for my pup. But I wish I committed to it sooner! It is the best investment I’ve made.
When researching board and train programs, Tom’s stood out. I appreciate that he runs his own business so all communication is directly to him. Having a trainer that’s responsive and easy to reach was important as my experience with a previous trainer lacked those traits.
When I reached out to Tom, he called me right away and we discussed my situation and his training methods. He recommended a book that helped me understand a different perspective regarding obedience and reactivity. We exchanged countless emails before my pup’s training even began and he was so patient with addressing all my questions.
Fast forward to now, my pup finished Tom’s program 2 months ago and I cannot thank Tom enough!!! He’s made the most positive impact on our family—one that I did not think was possible. Our once reactive pup, is now the most well behaved pup in public settings and in the house. We look forward to taking her to busy parks, walking trails, coffee shops. Her adorable personality is still the same, and it feels incredible to be able to bond with my pup even more—now that I’m no longer stressed and frustrated at her because of her uncontrollable leash reactivity (lunging, biting, pulling, barking).
Tom continues to check-in with us and is available anytime I have questions. He’s a great teacher and allowed our sessions to take as much time as we needed, and would make sure we left our training sessions with no unanswered questions. He also provides some written notes after the board and train which is helpful to look back on, since there’s a lot to remember. We are still enforcing the training at home, but with practice and time, it takes little effort—especially because our pup is used to our new routines and is just used to staying calm on walks!
I wish anyone with issues with their pup could have the opportunity to work with Tom. He’s truly wonderful and I’m so grateful for his expertise. Thanks Tom, I can’t thank you enough!!!
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Tom did a great job training our German Shepard collie mix. He was able get him to heel within just a few days of the board and train. Our dog was completely changed in the 3 weeks that Tom was training him and he doesn’t jump on people, pull or bite on the leash. When we tell him to sit it down he does until he is released. Tom is always available to answer any questions we may have. You can tell Tom has a passion for training dogs and loves what he does. We have recommended Tom to others who have taken their dog and got great results as well.
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Absolutely amazing trainer and experience. I'd highly recommend Tom and his team to train your pup!
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Thank you Tom for taking my cute, lovable, sweet, and BRATTY Lily to a cute, lovable, sweet well-behaved dog. I am finally the Alpha of my pack.
Lily is an 18 month old Australian labradoodle. Thinking she would be under 30 pounds, she morphed into a 45 pound dog with non-stop uncontrolled energy. I enrolled Lily in numerous group training sessions as well as private in-home lessons. But things were progressing at glacial speed. When walking her one day, she pulled me down. Luckily I was not hurt but at that moment, I knew I had to do something different with her training before I was really injured.
Tom was the only trainer who called me to discuss Lily and his philosophy of dog training. He was the only trainer to suggest a book to read which I purchased and it was helpful.
After three weeks under Tom’s instruction, Lily sits immediately when I stop walking, heels beautifully, comes when called (not when she feels interested) , stays down until I release her. And I don’t have to buy stock in a dog treat company to motivate her! When I say NO, she stops the bad behavior, like taking socks out of the dryer! And when she is on “break," she is still the playful, loving puppy she was before she went to Tom, but now follows my instructions! I can now have friends over without worrying Lily will knock them down. Lily and I can go out together to socialize with friends. Heaven!
Tom was thoughtful in sending me videos of Lily’s progress (I missed her). I did a lesson at his home which was helpful before she came back and I did not feel rushed. When he returned Lily, he stayed and explained the training, equipment use, as well as further guidance that might be helpful. And he continues to be available with additional questions even though the formal training at his home is over.
Tom is a natural dog lover. I highly recommend Leaps and Bounds K9 for your dog training needs.