Rocket Dog Academy — Local services in Mount Vernon

Thanks to Jen and her staff, I can co-exist w/my very stubborn English Bulldog, without continually telling her "no", "stop", "don't do that". I. know that Optimum Dog uses STEM collars but I wanted to try using positive reinforcement methods first. Going in for board & train, my EBD knew all of the commands but, in typical Bulldog fashion, she literally didn't give two $%#&@ about following those commands, unless it was her idea. Jen and her team were on board with starting with positive reinforcement methods, with the hope of not needing to move to STEM. My EBD came home, and was better at listening, but within a couple of weeks time she was back to giving ole mom the paw if she didn't want to do something. Additionally, we spend time at my fiancés house, on five acres, not fully fenced. I needed my furry little angel to come when called, not run out into the road because she was chasing a deer and to "leave it" when told to do so...because...being kissed by this love muffin, who just ate a pound of chicken *&^%, is not my idea of a good day. So back to Optimum Dog she went, this time for STEM training, and I wish I had done this from the beginning!! This was just the little push she needed to be a secure, well rounded, obedient and happy pup! STEM training, for her, looks something like this; she wears her collar, her STEM number is 6 (0-100), it is so mild that I cannot feel the STEM when I put the collar on my skin to test it out. It's just enough of a gentle tap to get attention, much less even than tugging on a leash/collar to redirect her. I reserve "vibrate" for "leave it". Vibrate gets an immediate reaction of "I'm not touching it mom, I promise"; who knew?! I always thought vibrate would be less annoying but turns out, with my pup, that isn't the case. Anyway, I am grateful that Jen and her team walked me through this training, utilizing the methods that I was comfortable with and then training me on how a STEM collar really works. It's not about "shocking" or "pain", which was the misconception that I had going into this initially.

If you are looking for a great trainer, Jen is one of the best! If you are looking for warm & fuzzy and a woman that is going to make excuses for being strong and independent, not going to find that here. Jen is a strong woman with strong opinions and ideas. She has a profitable, flourishing business, in an industry run by men. That alone, garners my respect!!

As a bonus: My brand new SUV broke down just outside of her parking lot. I text her that I was stuck and she came running....like literally, running. I was sitting in my car, blocking traffic and a driveway, cars speeding by giving me the "bird" and yelling at me; my anxiety at an all time high. Jen grabbed my keys, did some GM magic, popped the hood, messed with the battery, put gas in my car, because maybe the fuel sensor wasn't working...who knows...When OnStar didn't call/text or show up, after over an hour (ultimately they called SEVEN HOURS LATER...that's another review...I digress), Jen was on the phone with the tow company getting me a tow truck and on the phone with her husband getting me help and a ride home. She didn't have to do any of this, but...she did.

Shine theory!! When one woman shines, we all shine!!

I've read all of the reviews for this business, the good and bad. While I can understand the frustration in a couple, with not being contacted or missed appointments, there are some reviews that are simply pet owners not taking responsibility for their own issues. It's often easier to shrug the blame on to someone else, rather than to look in the mirror and ask "what part do I play in this situation". Take all reviews, mine included, with a grain of salt. Not every person or every business is going to be the right fit for everyone. But, if you are looking for a good trainer, in a clean, safe environment, I suggest reaching out for a tour and...

The reason for two stars instead of one are because the facility looked nice, and I’m hopeful that my experience was a one-off or due to someone having bad day.

I arrived 10 minutes early and waited patiently for my first session. There was no staff to greet, but there was a large area to comfortably sit.

I was checked in a few minutes after my appointment time by, I assume, our trainer. She did not introduce herself, and I still don’t know who it was. The check in was awkward and distant with no discussion. I was directed to join a session with another client that was running late and presumably wrapping up. There was no getting acquainted or orientation to the training. There was no effort to understand our current situation, prior training, concerns, or goals. After a few minutes of listening to information on leash work, I was criticized by the trainer for touching my puppy’s ear when she barked. I felt attacked and put on the spot. I reacted defensively and left the session immediately. There was no follow-up communication, but I later received a notice of cancellation and a partial refund. The whole things was just odd - my time and money were paid to a stranger who I went to for help, instead, make me feel uncomfortable and lesser.

It could be that my expectation was unreasonable. For a first session, I expected some sort of introduction and orientation, a tip or two to work on at home, and a plan for future training. Instead, I left confused and feeling like this person obviously wasn’t interested in working with a new client and didn’t care at all about the client experience or basic social niceties.

I work in a consultative client-facing profession. I know dealing with people is a lot harder than working with dogs. That being said, I believe that even on one’s worst work day, a professional should make some effort to help a new client feel welcome and comfortable. I definitely felt neither during this very unfortunate first and only encounter. In less than 20 minutes, I went from hopeful optimism of starting on a fun training journey with our puppy to feeling like I had inconvenienced the trainer...

Jenn literally saved Lu.

He was impossible and stubborn. I could not walk down the street without him panicking and jumping up and grabbing the leash. This is a dangerous situation in traffic. All of the positive training techniques I had learned at the Humane Society which worked well with my Pit Bull Mixes did not work at all with Lu. I could not even get him to sit. He would sit in the house for cheese but he would not mind any command outside.

Jenn taught me how to handle Lu and how to walk with him safely. I was ready to relinquish him--no one wanted him. Jenn explained to me that Lu was probably treated poorly by people and other dogs and that he had been untrained for so long he was not really interested in minding and preferred to operate under his own rules.

Optimum was recommended by Northwestern German Shepherd Rescue and they told me Jennifer has saved a lot of dogs.

Lu also wanted to chase cars and they explained that Lu was actually a hound and they are hard-wired to chase movement.

Also, Lu wanted to chase the cats.

He is a huge and dangerous issue as soon as ice on the street or a bag of groceries comes into the mix and he decides he wants to jump up and grab the leash. He is way too strong for the tug-of-war and it is way too dangerous in traffic.

Also, Lu is very stubborn and not food driven--the cheese in the house is an exception.

Jenn gave me the proper equipment, the proper prong collar, and told me how to use it.

There were not any trainers in Seattle that would work with me and I will be grateful to Jenn and her very knowledgeable staff and Optimum...