Smart Dogs Training and Lodging

Our 11 months old puppy spent 12 days in their house and came back to us with new spirits, skills, and manners. He just got back there again a week ago for 6 more days to learn to be a therapy dog. He was a good puppy to begin with but now he is so great that we are so proud of him. We are so grateful that Kristy and Ian take care our puppy Rupert with so much love. Rupert doesn t pull anymore when we walk, also he would sit still and stay until I say ok. He would sit and wait for his bowl of food until I put it down on his table and say ok. And if we say no, Rupert knows that we really mean no. We enjoy walking and bike ride now. Tired dog is a good dog, he is more calm now and no more of that figure 8 running in the house. We would recommend smart dogs training and lodging to everyone, they are the best and know what they are talking about! And they really treat the dogs like they were their own, so much care and love. We will definitely bring Rupert to them again to get his doctorate degree, he has his bachelor and master now. more

We have a 5½ year old plott hound rescue named Sophie. She had several issues, but she is such a loving dog that we wanted to see if we could do something for her anxiety, barking, and mild aggression. We were at our wits end. Sophie was the leader and I knew it was our fault we had to do something about it. Googling Dog Trainers brought us to Smart Dogs. I sent an email on a Saturday and Kristy called me back in just a few hours. After a few minutes of talking to Kristy on the phone I knew that we had found our answer to Sophie’s problems. Kristy came to our house and worked a bit with Sophie and our other dog Thunder and we made a list of Sophie’s issues so that Kristy and Ian knew what to work with her on during her 15 day stay at Smart Dogs. Kristy kept me posted on Sophie’s progress thru text messages, emails and phone calls. When we picked up Sophie after her stay she was like a completely new dog. She is so much calmer, doesn’t bark as much and we have not seen any aggression in the week that she has been home. We could not be happier with Kristy and Ian and the way they worked with Sophie. She learned to walk with other dogs, walk on a treadmill, and run with a bicycle. I bought a bicycle and Sophie and I will be hitting the streets. When we picked Sophie up Kristy and Ian went over everything we would need to know to keep up on her training and we have worked hard on it. We have never caged any of our dogs, but we bought Sophie a cage after Kristy suggested it and she seems happy in there at night. When Kristy comes to our house for the next training session I hope that she is happy with what we have done. Kristy and Ian treated Sophie as if she was their own. I highly, highly recommend Smart Dogs. The money is well worth it to have a happy well-adjusted dog. I have no regrets and would not hesitate to bring another dog to Smart Dogs. more

I can’t say enough about how helpful Smart Dogs Training has been to us with our Golden Doodle, Gordon. After only 20 minutes of instruction, they had Gordon walking right by my side rather than pulling so hard on his leash. One of our biggest concerns was when Gordon and our neighbors’ dogs would all be outside at the same time. Although we do have a fenced yard, Gordon would be running back and forth at the fence barking nonstop and we did not know how to get him in control. Kristy showed us how to use a remote control collar to correct Gordon. We have had the collar for over 2 months and I can honestly say we have only had to correct Gordon 3 or 4 times at the very lowest level. Now when he sees the neighbor dogs outside, he responds to my command of “Gordon no” and he comes running happily over to me for praise. It has been a true blessing and we are looking forward the spring and summer and being able to be spend time in the yard with Gordon being happy and calm. Smart Dogs also helped us to keep Gordon in control inside the house when the doorbell rings and someone comes in. He will sit in his spot waiting patiently until I tell him ok. It has made having company arrive at our home a pleasant situation and Gordon just seems like a happier dog! Kristy and Ian are truly pros! more

Being 130 pounds at 10 months old, my mastiff puppy Arnold could look pretty threatening. He would become very protective of the house when we had visitors, and would bark and growl at people when they were in the house. People didn’t want to come into our house because they were scared of Arnold. After he bit someone, I knew I needed help, so I called Smart Dogs. I have to say it was one of the best decisions I’ve made! I am now completely comfortable inviting people into my house. Instead of barking and growling at visitors, Arnold is very relaxed and comfortable, which makes everyone else relaxed and comfortable. Also, since he is so big, Arnold was hard to control on walks, but Ian gave us tips on how to walk him, and now he walks right by my side at all times. The training worked so fast, and I saw an improvement after just the first session. I highly recommend Smart Dogs! more

We love our rescue dog Lucy so much, but she was having a really difficult time adjusting to our house and her behavior was so inconsistent. She was cuddly and sweet, but then wouldn’t ever listen to anything we said. She was friendly to us, but would jump and bark at guests as soon as they walked in. We were told she could never be crated because she was older, so we never did and it resulted in her completing freaking out when we got home—barking, crying, jumping, and running around like crazy. We realized early she had some serious anxiety issues as well as fear and had no idea what we could do. To say the least, we were stressed out and thought maybe we weren’t able to meet her needs, but couldn’t imagine the thought of giving her back. A friend referred us to Kristy and Ian and I have never met such compassionate and caring people ever in terms of our welfare as well as Lucy’s. Lucy is a work in progress, but knowing that Kristy and Ian are there to ask questions and to share successes makes you feel like you have a support team on your side. We signed her up for the Lodge & Learn program. She’s been back for two weeks and is so much better. She is comfortable, she listens, and she is crate trained! She is amazing on walks, never pulling. When people come over she is calm, most of the time not even barking when the doorbell rings. Our life is so much easier now. She is happier and less nervous knowing that we are in charge and each day we see improvement. The skills that Kristy & Ian taught all of us has made Lucy’s transition into her forever home so much better because we know why she acts the way she does and how to react appropriately. I can’t imagine not seeking out SmartDogs. I know anywhere else wouldn’t have worked for her needs. They are so attentive and caring. They want to see success as much as you do! more

Smart Dogs Training is an amazing service! We have a young, yellow lab who desperately needed training in just about every area. Kristy trained AJ and we saw IMMEDIATE results. On the very first visit, she taught him how to walk on the leash without pulling. She taught him to stay off furniture and beds. She taught him to sit and stay when the door bell rings and to not jump on people. I could go on and on. I would recommend Smart Dogs Training to everyone. If they can train AJ, they can train your dog. You will be very pleased. We give them five stars!!! more

Our puppy, Lobo, is a very energetic Siberian husky that needed to learn some manners and obedience. Since we are in the military and travel quite often, we thought it would be a good opportunity to take advantage of the “Lodge and Learn” service while we were away for the weekend. We took Lobo to Smart Dogs and met up with Kristy and Ian and we immediately felt like our puppy was welcome into their home. Kristy explained what Lobo would be learning over the three days that he would be training with them from learning how to be on a treadmill, walking and running on a leash/ next to a bike, going to his place, sitting and staying, and no nipping. They made us feel very comfortable and we knew that we could trust them and leave him there. Over the weekend, Kristy maintained good communication and kept us updated on Lobo’s progress. When we picked Lobo up on Monday, Kristy taught us how to transition his training into our home and how to keep him going with the things that he has learned. Lobo is still energetic but he listens very well and now does what we say on command. He is so much more docile and we can take him to our family’s homes without feeling like he is going to make a mess. We are so pleased with the results thanks to Lobo’s training at Smart Dogs Training and Lodging with Kristy and Ian Dilworth! - Carolyne Garduno ( Maywood, IL) more

It was love at first sight when I first met Beau, a four year old American Staffordshire, Being a long time Cesar Millan fan, and never an alpha dog owner before, I knew that the breed can be determined , even though Beau first appears to be too submissive, and needs an assertive pack leader. I deliberately searched for a trainer who could help me be the kind of leader Beau needed, who had the same beliefs which I held, that dogs need exercise, discipline and a job as an important part of being a happy member of our pack. From the moment I met Ian, I knew Beau and I were in the right hands. Beau and I both are so excited to learn new behaviors, skills and new jobs that we have also been able to be examples of a happy pack with our friends and their dogs when we visit them, even calming their dogs just by going on a pack walk and letting Beau and me lead. Beau and I have also been able to change a couple of prejudiced minds about his breed, just by practicing our new skills confidently. Being a strong believer that nothing happens by chance, I am so grateful that Smart Dog Training was available to us. We re both are better beings because each other and Ian. (And Elizabeth and Kristy too) more

I was at wits end with my dog, Lego. He was running away every chance he had. I was really worried he would get run over by a car. I then came across an ad for Smart Dogs. I called and met with Kristy. She quickly realized that we had a stubborn dog on our hands! We enrolled him in her 10 day training in her home. When he came home, he was a new dog! He doesn't run away, he comes when called, and he is not jumping on people! You still have to reinforce what the dog has learned, and he is still learning we are the "alpha dogs", but he is doing great! Worth every penny! Kathy S. more

We have 9 month old Maltese puppy, Angel. I began working with Kristy individually and Angel made great progress with the basics. However, she has a stubborn puppy streak. She became out of control barking at everything and mouthing everyone with her teeth and I just could not seem to get this under control. Kristy mentioned the Lodge & Learn training and how this behavior could be worked on with some specific training in these areas. We decided this was the direction to take. Angel came back a completely different puppy. She is no longer barking and mouthing. In addition, Kristy and Ian taught her how to be a well behaved puppy. She is a pleasure to be around. I feel confident that I will be able to continue her new behavior. I have loved working with you both and Angel is nuts about you. This was one of the best decisions I have made. Our home is now peaceful and we are thrilled. She is a perfect little “angel”! Thank you Kristy and Ian!! more

I can’t say enough good things about Smart Dogs!!!!! I am a first time dog owner with a 1 ½ year old Westie (we have owned him for one year). He looks very cute, but did not act so cute, and trying to figure out how to care for this very “alpha” dog was adding a HUGE amount of stress to my life!!! I was on the edge, and was basically ready to give him to the westie shelter because I didn’t know what else to do. When we got him at 6 months old we immediately took the beginner and intermediate level classes at the local pet store. These classes were a small step, but they truly did nothing to help me understand how to lead and connect with my dog…which in my case makes ALL the difference. I read a LOT of books, which helped, but they only took me so far. Then I finally made an appointment with Smart Dogs, and within 24 hours after just the first visit with Kristy, I noticed dramatic improvements!!! (No exaggeration, the improvements started that quickly.) She helped everything fall into place for us, and now I am finally starting to enjoy having a dog! Now training him is NOT stressful. I am relaxed and he is responsive and it is AMAZING. All of the guilt I was carrying is gone. Kristy answers all our questions and is great at teaching our entire family about caring for our dog. The difference is now we are not trying to “get” our dog to do anything…we are now showing him how to behave and he follows our lead (he even listens to my 5 year old). He is so much more calm, and we actually have a great bond now (and this is after only two visits from Kristy). All I can say is… I wish I would have called them sooner!!! If it weren’t for Smart Dogs, I truly would not have been able to keep my dog. I spent money on many things, in the mean time, trying to figure out solutions on my own. My money would have been much better spent just starting with Smart Dogs. more

What a difference Smart Dogs has made in the behavior of our dog, Zoey! Seriously, after only one lesson our daily walk changed from a nerve wracking, dismal obligation to a relaxing, fun activity. I know it sounds impossible, but one lesson is all it took. We were so impressed that we are now addressing other behaviors. Ian is showing my husband and me how to train Zoey to be a happy and well behaved part of our family. And Zoey is much calmer now that she understands what is expected of her. I really sense that she is relieved to know that she is no longer the “boss” of the house. I am so happy that we came across the ad for Smart Dogs. Their knowledge is amazing and their training techniques make sense. I highly recommend Smart Dogs. You will not be disappointed. more

Our home was full of stress and chaos for months with our 2 pups, Lila and Petey. They are sweet dogs but they would jump on people coming in the door, potty in the house and taking them for a walk was a complete nightmare. Due to not being able to walk them, they would not get enough exercise which then caused them to chew and destroy everything in the house. Smart Dogs has completely changed our lives in just a few days. Our house is now an enjoyable place to live. Lila and Petey seem quiet and content because we can take them on walks outside or use the treadmill getting out their excess energy. We can’t thank Kristy and Ian enough for giving us back our sanity and a comfortable home to live in. Smart Dogs is absolutely AMAZING! more

I came across "Smart Dogs Training and Lodging" while searching the internet. I quickly realized they offered something different.... They train all breeds of dogs; not something every trainer does. They also offer two programs to meet people's needs and schedules: Training Sessions in YOUR home or Overnight Programs at THEIR home. I was told by other “experts” we had to wait until our English Mastiff was 6 months old before training him. By then, he was no longer little and weighed about 100 pounds. He was pushing his way around the house and over the people in it. I contacted Ian & Christy to inquire about in home sessions and to schedule our first meeting. At that meeting Kristy brought along fellow trainer Jody Whitaker. Within a few minutes, they were able to help us identify 10 different habits that needed adjustment. We didn’t even know many of these behaviors were acts of dominance thus leading us to struggle for control in our home. Not only did Jody help us identify these behavior issues, but he took the time to explain WHY they were considered acts of dominance and what they would potentially represent. It was great to have someone who could not only identify areas of change, but who could explain the impact of those behaviors and why they needed correction. Leonidas completed a 10 day lodge and learn program with great success. Manners were the focus of his time during his 10 days away with Jody and we were so proud to see that upon his completion of the program we received back quite a different dog. Our once very unsettled English Mastiff returned to us a very different dog. He was relaxed and not at all unsettled. He learned take his place and not push his way into doorways and rooms. Leonidas has made a 180 degree turnaround and our lives are better for it. The investment we made was FAR out-matched by Jody's commitment to see the dog succeed in our family. Even though he now weighs over 130 pounds, my 9 year old, 70 pound daughter can take him out for a stroll without fear or hesitattion. more

Anyone who has a dog that just won’t behave or doesn’t seem to listen, knows the frustration. Re-homing seems like a good option, but then again you picked him/her for a reason. I myself have been there. I first heard about Kristy and Ian, Smart Dogs, through a friend of mine. She had a GSD that was just wild, to say the least. She committed to the Lodge and Learn offered by Smart Dogs. The 10 day program turned that dog completely around. After some time, I ended up adopted an 8 week old Golden Retriever and already had a 1 year old Pekingese. I wanted to train them myself, but just couldn’t seem to get over the initial “hump” of them learning. I was frustrated. I ended up contacting Kristy and Ian for in home training mainly for my Golden. Kristy came out to the house and within an hour, she had made a difference. My 4 month old Golden was walking like a dream on a leash! Before my second session, Kristy called to offer me an opening in their 10 day Lodge and Learn for my Golden and for my Pekingese. I gladly accepted the offer; I need to have well behaved dogs. My Golden was jumping, “happy peeing”, would not sit and stay and just had a whole lot of energy. My Pekingese would not come when called and still was having housebreaking issues. When I got those dogs back…WOW! That sums it up best. My dogs are wonderful! Not only did they not have their “issues” anymore, they had learned other things I never even thought to teach them, fun things. They even learned to walk the treadmill! No more hikes out in the snow and rain, what a great thing that is. The continued training I have to do at home is nothing. It’s only reinforcement; it only takes a few minutes a day to keep their new found obedience. I couldn’t be happier with my dogs thanks to Kristy and Ian. I say to you, if you are at the end of your rope, or just want good dogs…call Smart Dogs. Best decision you’ll make for a long and enjoyable life with your fuzzy friend! more

My wife and I would like to thank the staff at Smart Dogs; most importantly Jody, for the help with our new Rottweiller puppy boy. At just over 12 weeks old at the time and only having been in our home for 3 days, he had a few issues that needed to be addressed. The education that Jody provided along with some simple easy to duplicate training lessons have allowed us to enjoy our little guy that much more since the visit. By sessions end, the little guy was doing the stairs on his own which he was extremely reluctant to even attempt prior to the visit. Our puppy has a very dominant personality, but with the help from Jody, my wife and I have learned to instill in our puppy that although he may be the alpha male with his playmates, his mom and dad are still the king and queen and has to listen to us. Believe it or not, he does. Since the visit, he has learned to sit and stay at every doorway and 95% of the time without even having to tell him. He will sit and stay and wait for us to tell him it’s time to eat his dinner and has no aggression towards us with our hands in his food and we can hand feed him with no problems as well. He will also let us know when he has to go potty and has been accident free in the home for well over a week now. He continues to learn daily and has become a Petsmart favorite among all the staff and customers when he visits. He is a very social puppy that enjoys attention from people and animals alike. We owe most of our success to Jody for teaching us patience and the understanding of how to communicate with our male Rottweiller more effectively. Thank you for the help Jody. You rock. We have you on speed dial just in case we need you. Best wishes in your future success that you shared with us. T & E more

I recently sent my 2 year Boxer Casey to Smart Dogs – He was sent because he wouldn’t come to me when he was outside. I do not have a fence and nor do I want to get a fence. Casey ran to the road on more than one occasion. After a very close call of almost getting hit – I made the ever so important call to Smart Dogs. Casey spent 2 weeks in the home with Kristy and Ian. Casey learned so much!! He learned how to walk along with a bike – now I take both my Boxers for bike rides (see the picture on FaceBook), he learned how to jog on the treadmill, and MOST importantly he learned the COME COMMAND! The training paid off when Casey and Zoey (my 1 year Boxer) wander from the back yard towards the road. I called Casey once and he trotted right back to me with Zoey close behind!! The training truly paid off!! I also take Casey on walks with the leash dragging on the ground and Casey walks right beside me. I could not be happier with the work they have done! Kristy now comes to my house to work with Zoey and she too is making great strides in learning the boundaries of the yard and the COME command. This training was an investment in a healthy, happy relationship with key members of our family! I would HIGHLY recommend Smart Dogs Training for anyone who wants a WELL trained, Happy, Obedient K-9! more

Having Smart Dogs come work with my dog was, hands down, the best thing I could’ve done for King, my family, and our house. Being a first time dog owner who adopted a 1year old ridgeback lab mix, I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. Within 3 months I was at my wits end when I finally stumbled upon Smart Dogs. Ian listened to all the problems we had and worked to help the root of the issues (walking, chewing/picking things up, deal with strangers, treadmill for extra energy which lead to plenty of destruction, just to name a few) both inside and outside the house. I couldn’t have asked for a more professional, helpful, and kind group of people to come to the rescue. The schedule flexibility and diverse range of services made them a perfect fit for King and I. And the best part is you can tell they only want the BEST for you and your dog and give them as much love and attention as if they were their own. We’ve used up our 4 training sessions but I wouldn’t hesitate to call them again and highly recommend to ANYONE looking for help! Thanks Ian and Kristy!! more

Kristy and Ian, Thank you, thank you, thank you! When we brought Sophie and Rex to you for a Lodge and Learn we were really desperate. Our dogs behavior was causing so much stress in our household! I could not believe they were the same dogs when we picked them up. Your expertise in modifying dog behavior truly is amazing and we are forever thankful to both of you for all the hard work you put into Sophie and Rex. We have implemented the things that you taught them (and us) into our daily routine and they are changed dogs. A neighbor was over the other day and commented on how well behaved they were – that’s a first! Thanks Smart Dog! Susan and Mike Coulson more

Within a few days of our first phone conversation, Smart Dogs took Sadie on for 2 weeks of board and train. When Sadie 'graduated' and came home the day before Thanksgiving, I was greeted by a different dog. To my amazement, Sadie looked at me when I spoke and she listened to me. She sat. She stayed. She lay down. And walking her no longer felt like a marathon! During her time with the Kristi and Ian, Sadie learned how to run on a treadmill and next to a bicycle in addition to her basic manners. These skills seem to have translated well for her to learn how to best adapt to the movements of my chair when we are out and about since I have Cerebral Palsy and use a wheelchair all the time. Sadie still needs me to guide her in some cases but I trust her behavior enough to take her on her first airplane flight a couple of weeks back….something I could not have done pre Smart Dogs. She was an excellent passenger who diligently listened to me the whole flight. She sat or lay politely while people of all ages asked to pet her in the terminal. Even with all those strangers, she never barked or jumped and I was able to keep slack in the leash. Without the things that this experience taught both Sadie and I, I'm not sure I could have handled her long term. Even though we are back in Texas these days, Kristi and Ian are always a phone call away, ready and willing to give me advice as we conquer new scenarios together. My life will never be easy, and that's ok with me most of the time. I anticipated that having a dog would change my routine, but I had no idea how life changing sharing my life with Sadie would be. Ian and Kristi never questioned my desire or ability to care for Sadie and gave me the confidence I needed to be a good owner. We are probably the happiest pair you'd every meet…two kindred spirits I'm sure were meant for each other….but none of this bliss would've been possible without Smart Dogs. Go as quickly as you can to them more