Spirit Ranch Dog Training at Grand Lake

“I have been through it all with my GSD .. I took a very loving and gentle pup to a local trainer for a 6 week live in training session .. the trainer used the choke and shock collar .. my dog returned to me very reactive .. Not knowing what to expect – we followed his instructions and I trained daily .. My dog continued to be aggressive and reactive – the shock collar only made things worse .. I just didn’t know what was going on .. She is 2 years old know and is nervous and unpredictable .. I found Spirit Ranch, Amy and her wonderful trainers she has employed .. They love dogs and it is evident the minute you walk into their ‘very cool and hip’ business .. We did a first meeting with Amy and ditched the choke and shock! Not really that difficult to do – it wasn’t working anyway – just making her untrainable .. I wanted a friend – not a police dog! Amy changed my equipment around (not going to lie – I was super nervous), but it is working – we are in 2 weeks and my GSD is a different dog .. Not barking, lunging, snarling at every dog in our area .. I walk my dog 3-6 miles daily (which used to be a nightmare) .. my daughter runs her in the evening (she loves the activity – she is a dog that needs a lot of attention) .. she is doing well running at Riverside .. My neighbors have noticed a big difference in her behavior .. They are actually shocked (I live in a gated community – so the homes are close) .. We still have a way to go .. training is not dropping your dog at a facility and picking up 4-6 weeks later – AND you magically have a ‘trained’ dog .. it takes the owner to continue the work of the trainer .. My GSD is now wagging her tail and is so much more loving – now that she is not being shocked all the time .. Learn from me – there is a kinder and gentler way to train a family pet .. Thank you Spirit Ranch”
– Charlene Lusk

“My Great Dane, Auggie, is the sweetest, goofiest, most lovable, tiny-dog-in-a-big-dog-body that I have ever had the pleasure of sharing my life with. I absolutely adore him! Auggie is from a rescue and got a rough start. From early on, he exhibited issues with anxiety and, after some online searching, I found Spirit Ranch. We did some private training with Amy and Megan and he made so much progress! He also completed several of the Spirit Ranch training classes and he is seriously the most well-trained, obedient, eager-to-please dog. Well, like everyone, our lives got busy and we didn’t keep up our practice of socializing Auggie as much as we should. To top it off, we adopted another rescue, who came with her own set of issues (chiefly anxiety) that ultimately seem to feed Auggie’s insecurities. Due to us not doing the work, the new dogs’ anxiety, added to my own added worries about him, Auggie’s issues have gotten progressively worse. When he is outside of his comfort zone he is shy, unsure of himself, anxious and displays aggressive, predatory behavior, especially towards women, children, and small dogs. It had gotten to the point that I just kept him at home or at his daycare (the one other place he seems to feel at home) and never had people over to the house. Of course, that just made things even worse. It was past time to call Amy. We went in for a consult and immediately agreed to begin an intensive boot camp. Auggie spent 4 weeks in boot camp at Amy’s house and with the Spirit Ranch family. He came home a changed dog!!! Before he left, I had a dog that nipped at a woman for saying something to him as he walked by, growled and nipped at my female friends, exhibited predatory behavior towards dogs and women, and absolutely went berserk around children. He has been home for about a week now and I have take him to Woofstock, the car wash waiting room, Home Depot, Southern Ag, and all around busy shopping center sidewalks. Not one single growl at anyone. He seems happy and confident while he’s out – a huge change for him. While he was gone, Amy sent lots of amazing photos and updates about Auggie and I really felt like she made him part of her family. He ADORES Amy and that is high praise as he doesn’t give his heart to just anyone. She took him absolutely everywhere to socialize him and he spent tons of time around Amy’s amazingly patient daughter so he could get used to being around kids. I felt like he was in great hands and, although I missed him terribly, I didn’t worry about him. I am so excited that Auggie can go out and about now and enjoy himself. I don’t kid myself that we need to keep up the work in the future but I am beyond happy with his time at the Spirit Ranch boot camp. People who know me know that my dogs are a big priority to me. I put a lot of time and research into decisions I make for them and I did not take the decision to send him to boot camp lightly. In the past, I have completed dog training at many places in Tulsa but Spirit Ranch is by far the best, in my opinion. I really appreciate the fact that training focuses on positive reinforcement and the only training tools, besides praise and treats, we ever use are water bottles and scent collars. No shock collars or negative experiences that I feel would be a setback for a shy butterfly like my Augs. If you are looking for any type of training – from puppy kindergarten to advanced courses – look no further than Spirit Ranch. If you are experiencing behavioral issues with your dog the absolute best decision you can make for you and your dog is to take him/her into a consult with Amy. You will not regret it.”
– Kerry McQuarrie

“I highly recommend Spirit Ranch Dog Training! I am extremely chronically ill and this limits my mobility and quality of life significantly. We rescued my dog Charlie 4 years ago and took him to Spirit Ranch for a Service Dog temperament evaluation. We felt that the owner Amy was very honest with us about her initial impression of his strengths AND his weaknesses. We love Amy’s honesty and insight with dogs. Spirit Ranch trains dogs AND their owners – sometimes the best thing we can do for our dogs is learn how to communicate with them, recognize their needs, understand their behavior and know how to respond. Charlie trained with Spirit Ranch for basic training classes, in-home privates, boot camp with Amy, his canine good citizen certification and became my mobility assistance service dog. I am forever thankful for Spirit Ranch! Charlie flies on planes with me, stays in the hospital with me, goes to all my doctors’ appointments, helps me walk with stability, picks up items for me, and keeps me safe. He watches me closely when I’m feeling bad and reminds me of my limits when he knows I need to rest. He’s been with me to weddings, funerals, hotels, restaurants, church, and his favorite place – the movies. He even stood by my side on stage at the LuLaRoe national convention where I was a speaker. Spirit Ranch trained Charlie AND me. They truly helped us to be the best team we can be. Charlie has 100% changed my life. He’s given me independence, comfort, companionship, safety and so much more. Charlie is about to do a second boot camp stay with Amy to add some additional tasks so he can help me even more. I love that there’s always more we can learn from Spirit Ranch. I trust Amy and Spirit Ranch with my best friend and you can, too !”
– Alyssa Layman