Nathan Olberding
Dec. 30, 2025
Dog Training Elite West Michigan has been one of the most worthwhile investments we’ve ever made—not just in our dog, but in our relationship with him. From the very first session, it was clear this program is about far more than obedience commands. Our experience has been shaped almost entirely by our trainer, Carrie, whose communication, insight, and intentionality set the standard for what dog training should be. Carrie’s communication is exceptional. She explains concepts clearly and patiently, always making sure we understood not just what to do, but why it mattered. She consistently adjusted her coaching to fit both our learning style and Ash’s temperament, and her ability to read dogs in real time is impressive. Ash is an Australian Shepherd—intelligent, sensitive, driven, and prone to taking control when he doesn’t trust the handler to lead. We were very intentional in choosing a trainer who could work well with the breed, and Carrie immediately recognized what Ash needed. Nothing about the training felt generic. She didn’t just train Ash; she trained us. She showed us how to communicate clearly, stay consistent, and project calm leadership so Ash no longer felt the need to take situations into his own hands. After watching her work with a high-drive dog like Ash, I’m confident she’s equipped to work with any breed. The progress Ash has made in just 6 of our 8 private sessions is remarkable. His reactivity has decreased dramatically, door manners are calm and controlled, off-leash recall is reliable even with real-world distractions, and his ability to heel and settle in public still feels surreal. During an off-leash hike, Ash chased after a dog running a squirrel over 100 yards away—and recalled immediately and with urgency. Moments like that build real trust. One of the most meaningful changes is Ash’s mindset. He now looks to us for direction instead of reacting on his own. Training feels collaborative rather than corrective. Carrie helped us turn structure into something Ash genuinely enjoys—he’s excited to go to work, engaged, focused, and clearly having fun. It’s important to be realistic: no dog is perfect after 8 sessions, and training is a lifelong commitment. What Dog Training Elite provides is a massive catapult in the right direction. Carrie laid a foundation that completely changed our trajectory and gave us confidence as handlers. If you truly value building a deep, soul-dog level relationship rooted in trust, communication, and mutual respect, this investment is absolutely worth it. We are incredibly grateful for Carrie and highly recommend Dog Training Elite West Michigan.
