Pups Dog Obedience Training

PUPS Dog Obedience Training can't be beat! Karen really helped me see training from my dog's perspective and it makes total sense. Lots of personalized attention from Karen, Val and Kris. It's a great school. You won't be sorry. Such a big and positive difference it has made!

We met Karen to have our min pins evaluated and get started with some training. She was amazing and gave us some great advice. We are looking forward to our classes!

Just wrapped up the 8-week Basic Group Obedience class today at Pups. I found the class invaluable and it has made all the difference in the relationship my dog and I have. After interviewing and observing a few local trainers, I made the right choice to train my dog with Pups. I highly recommend Pups - especially to folks that own highly-reactive dogs.

A bit of background. I adopted a young rescue back in summer 2021 who was totally untrained and highly reactive to both people and other dogs. I am happy to say after completing the 8-week course, my dog listens to basic commands and his reactivity has decreased exponentially. By using a combination of a prong collar and eCollar, in conjunction with the 8-week obedience class, I can happily say my dog has done a total 180-degree change in terms of reactivity.

It is astounding. While initially I was VERY concerned about using a prong collar and eCollar on my dog (I had always perceived them as inhumane), I came to understand that these tools are vital. These tools ensures people and dogs, are safe. Prior to training my dog's reactivity in my car had been such a distraction I could barely focus on operating the car - now he is calm and we are good to go.

Best of all after using the tools and lessons learned, I have the peace of mind of knowing I am keeping my dog from harming others and risking having him put down (which is typically what occurs if a dog bites someone). I can now walk my dog in parks close to other dogs and have him in my car without him being so reactive it made driving unsafe. Karen Decker and her team are PHENOMENAL and are definitely one of the finest dog-trainers in the Baltimore-area. Thank you Pups!

Absolutely fantastic! Karen and Kristen bring the next level of professionalism, effectiveness, and kindness to their training. I have seen nothing but improvement in my dog since we started working with them. And they both are super responsive to text if I'm ever have an issue or question outside of normal hours! Their personal dogs are a testament to their skill level! Karen and Kristen truely invest their whole heart and soul into all areas of training including fixing bad behaviors, sport training, and companion dogs.

It is incredible to see all of the progress we have made and continue to make because of their guidance. The decades of training that this team has behind them clearly shows through in the amazing work they've done to help me and my family.

I got my dog for evaluation. She said (Kristen) we will schedule an appointment for next week. Then she texted saying she has no appointments available for the whole week. I gave her my available times for the following week which it were pretty flexible. I had no reply. I do not understand this behavior from a business. More importantly I stop looking for a dog trainer because I thought we already got one.

The weeks pass and the dog gets bigger quickly. Training is important specially for us that are first time dog owners. P.S. I know that we are in 2021 but I even felt that maybe she do not want to train my dog because I am black. Probably not. we are in Maryland. But if you do not want to work with a client isn't fair to say please find someone else?

I cannot recommend pups obedience enough. Our breeder recommended pups obedience for our GSD because she knew that Karen and Kristin would guide us through the journey of being first time GSD owners. We took advantage of their puppy training course and followed up with their basic obedience group training. They take pride in their role to accurately guide each owner on their specific breeds and needs. Karen and Kristin not only help you understand how to do each lesson but give you an understanding of why these lessons play an important role in the relationship between the dog and owner.

Overall great experience for our dog in the basic obedience course and Karen definitely has a streamline process for training even what seems like the most un-trainable dogs. Through the 8-week course, she explained the maneuvers very well and gave great instructions. We saw great results in our dog. A couple of things I wish were different was being able to have more time either in class or after class to ask questions/consult. Also wish the classes lasted the full hour since we were paying for that time. The sessions seemed rushed at times.

Karen has over 25 years of trainer experience and lives and breathes training. I could not understand why my golden puppy would not listen to me and Karen worked with me to the point I attended FOUR FULL sessions of training for the initial fee. So, I didn't have to pay to go back to class. Today, my golden puppy is almost 7 and while she's still very strong willed, she's a great dog and I owe that all to Karen and her training experience, techniques and patience. :) She also helped to advise me on my second dog which was another golden retriever.

We have a very happy, lively home with two wonderful best friends who know boundaries and we can actually enjoy day in and day out. Owning a pet is a long commitment, I plan on using Karen to make those years count. Hard work in the beginning pays off for 10-15 years (hopefully we get to have our dogs for that long!)

At first, I'll be honest, I was a bit unsure about how I felt. I'd never done group training with any of my dogs before and didn't know what to expect. Once I voiced my insecurities to Karen & Kristin one night after class, I was completely at ease. These ladies are fabulous and Finnley will be back very soon to finish his obedience class! Below are some pics of him when he first started his class!