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January 2024 by Ron S.
My one year old mini-goldendoodle attended Boot Camp shortly before Christmas. Learning to correct Max's behavior using a pinch collar has been a game changer. We can take him for walks now without any pulling or jumping on other dogs or people. Hannah and Jana did a great job training him. Being able to correct him was a big help when company visited over the holidays.
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November 2023 by Pam H.
Our sweet rescue dog, Sophie (70 lbs), loves spending time at The Happy Retriever! She was 1-1/2 when we brought her home and we quickly realized that she lacked training, was not socialized with other people and dogs, and had anxiety. We had tried different places and methods of training over the 6 months since adopting her with some success, but it wasn't until we had her evaluated and the trainers began working with her during Bump-up days that we really began seeing a difference. Sophie responded to their love and care and practically bounds through the front door in the morning to greet the staff. To move her to the next level in her training, we enrolled her in a week-long board and train program and are extremely pleased with her growth. As I write this review, she is there now enjoying socializing with the trainers and other dogs and "Bumping up" her skills to the next level. Our girl has matured so much over the last few months. We both look forward to continuing our relationship with the trainers and staff at The Happy Retriever.
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August 2023 by Callie Petkauskos
I am here to give The Happy Retriever a wonderful review! We took our dog Finn to the two week resident program. We were having trouble with reactivity, aggression towards our other dog, and other behavior issues.We started out doing an initial evaluation and learned so much from just that. They took the time to really learn about and get to know our dog.Our trainer Hannah was absolutely amazing and extremely knowledgeable. She answered all of our questions without hesitation and was very professional. She did not sugar coat anything and told us exactly what we needed to work on. She had so many tricks up her sleeve and she had my bf and myself saying “I can’t believe we didn’t think of that!” When we picked our dog up we couldn’t believe how well he listened to her commands. She really did a great job with him! She also shows you exactly what to do when you bring your dog home so you don’t feel like you’re in the dark. For me that was a big concern of mine, but since we’ve been home I’ve been following her very specific instructions and Finn is continuing to listen and follow the commands like he did for her.We’ve tried other training before and none of them were as professional and knowledgeable as The Happy Retriever! We are very happy we decided to bring our dog there!
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August 2023 by Joyce Z.
We took our 4 month old puppy to The Happy Retriever's Puppy 101 class for her initial training. The instructor was very knowledgeable and gave clear instructions as well as handouts that we could follow for continued training at home. We then moved on to their Boot Camp I course since we felt our pup needed more structured and advanced training. In one week we had a different dog (shout out to Hannah!) They provide "bump up" days which are not just doggy daycare with dozens of dogs but individualized training sessions throughout the day with a trainer who works on learned commands and sends a report card at the end of the day so you can keep track of progress or issues. The staff have all been very professional in my experience and willing to help and follow up with any of our concerns.
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August 2023 by Carole Regele
Five stars! If there were six or seven, or MORE I would DEFINITELY be rating them all. Do NOT hesitate, we had SUCH an amazing experience. I was so hesitant to board my 4 year old rescue. I adopted her as a 4 mo. old "cautious" pup, and while she's come along way socially and emotionally, she was in dire need of probably private training, and lots of it. SO we spent a couple of weeks doing bump-up training and the progression was slooowww going. I came back from my trip to a completely well trained dog. What a joy !I cannot sing loud enough praises for Hazelyn, Hannah and Alexa. Thank you for all your care , attention from the bottom of my heart!!!There were daily report cards that were thorough, honest and insightful.
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June 2023 by Toni Hogan
We are beyond pleased with our 8 month old Golden Retriever's experience at The Happy Retriever! Riggins was a wild and crazy boy, who would eat anything that came his way including items that would result in surgical removal (ugh!) He was out of control on leash and had no manners despite our efforts at other training facilities. All of the staff and trainers at the Happy Retriever are knowledgeable, energetic and most importantly - friendly! They are quick to reply to all online requests and do not try to sell you on any service that is not going to benefit your dog. We will continue utilizing bump up days and over night boarding. We now have a certified good boy on our hands and have all the tools in our back pocket to continue training at home! Thank you Hannah and Staff!
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June 2023 by Chelsea Andrews
We started with Puppy 101, Puppy 101A, and weekly bump up days at the The Happy Retriever with our golden retriever puppy, Remy, starting when she was about 4 months old. My partner and I have found our training to be instrumental in both Remy and our development as Remy’s pawrents. Remy still goes to “school” for bump up days once per week and truly loves being at the facility with her trainers. As soon as we pull into the parking lot, she starts wiggling, and as far as we know, never stops. Remy is a very intelligent girl who struggles with focusing her attention. The time she spends at The Happy Retriever has allowed her to work on a personalized program AND as a bonus, through regular socialization with other humans and dogs, she has become a very well adjusted pup. The staff and trainers are phenomenal and most importantly show passion and love for what they do. We recently completely a week long pinch collar board and train program to continue working on Remy’s development. What a remarkable difference — she truly came home a different dog! Hannah worked with her during her stay and afterwards, patiently explained to us what Remy learned and what to work on at home. If you are looking for a great training and boarding facility, look no further - our family cannot recommend The Happy Retriever enough!
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June 2023 by Ransing Sheeba
I love this place. Its amazing. There are so many good things to say about this training centre.1. To begin with, they have well maintained facility with huge yard for dogs to zoom around. Indoor is very clean and hygine. I have observed staff cleaning and maitaining the place regularly.(This was the main criteria, that i was looking for)2. I want to credit the receiption staff, they are so welcoming, enthusiastic and always cheerful . I feel rest assured that i am leaving my Jaan (lab) in a safer hands.3. Trainers are excellent and very skilled , there is huge difference in my 90lb labrador before and after training, I can control him now and leash walk is super easy . His barking is reduced alot. (i can go on...)4. i left my lab for a month due to some emergency, looks like boarding staff took very good care of him. They were able to accomadate my last minute request and extend his boarding.5. Email communications are very prompt. they respond promptly and address all the concerns patiently.6. I like reading the progress report that they send at the end of the training day. They are very detailed.It feels like a family. I am glad i found this place and this will be surely a second home for my lab going forward.Thanks
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May 2023 by Phil Businger
Amazing! Our 75lb dog Zoë was pulling on her leash and making walks very difficult. She is a changed dog thanks to the Board and Train Pinch Collar and E-Collar programs at Happy Retriever. Hannah did an amazing job training Zoë who now comes, waits, and heels consistently! The E-Collar training especially allowed us to give Zoë some freedom while maintaining control, and has made walking her so much more fun! All of the staff were great to work with, and we could not be happier with the outcome!
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April 2023 by Sarah Glover
My experience with them has been great! When we went to our consultation I wasn’t sure how it would be personally to let our dog go somewhere for a week and have someone else train him. We tried so hard for 2 years to get our adopted pit mix to not pull us basically every time we went on a walk (believe it or not we still took him everywhere). After going through their program his trainer Hannah helped Savage understand things I couldn’t. She also taught me and my girlfriend how to control every single walk we go on + handle other issues. They are extremely engaged with you, very professional and serious about what they do. They’ve even checked up on us through email a few times since we’ve had him back! We look forward to continuing with them on the things we’re working on and even more!Just remember YOU need to put the work with your dog in too
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March 2023 by kleidiane torres
I have been using The Happy Retriever since I got Onyx. The staff is friendly and very responsive. Onyx just finished his one week's board/training program and his behavior has changed tremendously. I highly recommend them for obedience classes.
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February 2023 by Beth Crane
Our 2 year old Lab Dakota has been going to THR for almost a year. He had started with some bump days and just completed a program. He needed a lot of work with his commands and manners as he is a very high energy “puppy”. He has improved so much. His basic obedience skills are second nature to him and he listens more and has better manners. We learned a lot from the trainers on how to help Dakota become an even more amazing dog. All the trainers are great! He did his program week with Hannah and she was amazing. Highly recommend to anyone looking for dog training.
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November 2022 by Ben Steckler
My Aussiedoodle, Gordon, has been going to the Happy Retriever since he was a tiny pup. The staff is very friendly and the trainers do a great job with him. He was a super active and energetic puppy and the trainers knew how to handle him to get him into work mode. He also gets to have playtime after training which is nice because the staff ensures safety and a positive play environment. We've been progressing through the classes and programs as he's grown and he's had consistent improvement in his obedience and behavior. We've done the puppy package, pinch collar, and e-collar programs. He is almost perfectly obedient now which will allow him to do more fun things and have more freedom in the long run. It takes a lot of work at home as well, but the staff does a good job of guiding you and answering questions. Also, there are drop-in classes that you can sign up for where you handle your dog and you get trained on the correct way to do so at the same time that your dog gets training. Lastly, we've utilized the boarding here many times. I felt totally comfortable having him stay at THR because he loves being there and he gets additional training so he's active/engaged during his stay.
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November 2022 by Lesley Sullivan
I can't say enough good things about The Happy Retriever. My one year old Goldendoodle, Charlie, has been going here weekly for roughly seven months; we also did a two-week training session. He's still crazy with puppy energy, but he knows all of the basic commands and he's much easier to control (and live with!). The bump up days are great - he comes home super tired, and it's so much better than doggie daycare at other places where the dogs just run wild (and get hurt). He absolutely loves coming here and playing with the other pups, who they carefully pair him with based on personality traits. We're incredibly lucky that we live so close by, but I would honestly still go here even if we were further away. Shae, Alexa and team are wonderful with the dogs. Highly recommend!
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November 2022 by carole davis
Great place. Training has helped my dog. She loves to go. Staff friendly and kind
