Lucy, my 12 year old spaniel mix, did the one week board and train with Akin at ABC Training Kennels. Lucy has always been a great dog, but did exhibit anxiety towards strangers and other dogs causing her to react with a rather aggressive bark. This made us hesitant to have her around other dogs, and sometimes people. She also was notorious for counter surfing for food and barking incessantly any time the doorbell rang.

After just one week with Akin, Lucy has come home with some amazing skills! She no long needs to be at the table waiting for food to drop or pawing at the table top to knock dishes down. We can even ring the doorbell non-stop, and she won’t make a peep. She knows her place and holds it until given the “okay.” The greatest pay off was realized today when she did not make a sound at any of the people surrounding us at school drop off. What used to be a very loud and chaotic thing has become calm and peaceful! All it took was one quiet “leave it” and she remained calm and just watched, even as people were right up next to her window.

Akin and his family treated Lucy as if she was their own. He really bonded with Lucy in the short time that he had her, and made an amazing impact with expanding her skillset. Not only is Lucy a senior doggo, but she is also missing a front leg - Akin was fantastic with tuning in to Lucy’s needs and capabilities to ensure she was comfortable and accommodated. Even though his focus was training and socialization, he still showed Lucy a great deal of love and affection for which I am so thankful. We will definitely use ABC Training Kennels again, and I encourage you to reach out. He is a wealth of knowledge and an amazingly compassionate trainer.

-Alison Kumbier