A New Leash on Life: How Campbell K9s Transformed Charlie and Sandra
At Campbell K9s, we believe that every dog deserves to have fun by feeling safe and confident in any environment. Our mission is to provide the kind of training and care that creates a deep, reliable bond between a dog and its human: psychological structure, even where there isn’t physical structure like a fenced yard. We recently spoke with Sandra, a longtime client, about her experience with her energetic Golden Doodle, Charlie, and how our services changed their lives.
From Exhausted to Enjoyable: Life with Charlie
Sandra's journey with Charlie, a high-spirited and strong-minded Golden Doodle, wasn't always easy. She had a wonderful relationship with a previous, easily-trained Lab, but Charlie presented a new kind of challenge.
"I had a lab that was just the easiest thing to train...not [Charlie]" Sandra confessed. Charlie’s intensity left her feeling overwhelmed. "I thought I was gonna have to re-home him," she admitted, explaining that pulling on his leash had become a major safety concern. Her walks, instead of being relaxing, were fraught with "tension. I'd come back from a walking...near tears in my heart because I did so much work..."
The Power of the Boot Camp
Desperate for a solution, Sandra enrolled Charlie in Campbell K9 Bootcamp, our one-week intensive training program, and the results were immediate and profound. "We gave him to Matt and he was a different dog when he came back. Very different," Sandra said. "That week training was everything."
This transformation wasn't just about obedience; it was about giving Charlie the mental framework to handle the world, which in turn gave Sandra peace of mind. She highlights how our training provided the crucial psychological structure:
"I'm not as nervous to take him in a situation where either I or him will be injured...[if] there's another dog coming the other way, I can manage that where I couldn't before."
Now, because of this reliable structure, she can walk him by other dogs, managing the interaction with simple keywords, which "Matt taught me how to let him interact but not have a situation." The once "crazy" experience of encountering other people and dogs in public is now manageable.
More Than Walks: The Campbell K9s Difference
The foundation of trust built through training extends to all of our services, including our adventure hikes and overnight care with Matt and Mary. For Sandra, the difference between Campbell K9s and other options is clear.
"Never the same experience," she says when comparing Charlie's days with us to other care. When Charlie returns from a hike, Sandra notices a distinct change: "He just seems so happy and fulfilled... he just plops, relaxed... I can just tell it's a better day when he goes with Matt and Mary."
For overnight stays, this trust is invaluable. Knowing Charlie is with "extended family" gives Sandra peace of mind—a far cry from feeling bad about boarding him alone in a kennel. She trusts our whole team, stating, "I trust their decisions and opinions," thanks to seeing the genuine, attentive interaction in the videos and live streams we share across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
If she had to sum up her experience? Sandra called it "the ultimate experience for [a] dog. I think they just do it all."
The Best Investment You Can Make
When asked how she would advise someone who is hesitant about the investment in professional training, Sandra didn't hold back. She sees it as entirely worthwhile:
"I would highly recommend it... it's a little bit of an investment, but trust me. It's well worth it. The best investment I made."
The change was profound. "I mean, now it's enjoyable. Before it was work, now it's enjoyable."
At Campbell K9s, we are committed to making life with your dog freeing and enjoyable by empowering both of you with the skills to be safe and confident together. It’s what our psychological structure is all about.
Ready to transform your relationship with your dog? Explore our one- and two-week Bootcamp programs today!
