Hook’s K9 Training

I am genuinely surprised to see such negative reviews about Hooks K9 Training — I have only had GREAT experiences working with Nancy. She has been incredibly helpful with my rescue puppy. My dog has attended the general obedience class and boarded at Camp Hook, both of which I found very effective.
To address some of the concerns raised by other reviewers:
1) I was surprised to see that other reviewers did not find Nancy an effective dog trainer. I have worked with 3+ trainers with my puppy and Nancy has been by far the most knowledgeable and effective of them all. No, she did not teach my dog how to «roll-​over» and «shake,» but that’s not what I was looking for. Yes, she reinforces basic commands (sit, stay, wait), but in doing so she helps to build a positive relationship between owner and dog, which necessitates both respecting and understanding one another. I’ve found that — although my dog KNOWS all his commands before boarding at Camp Hook — he comes back actually LISTENING to them. I would also disagree with reviewers who say that she is not good at working with behavior problems — I actually think it’s quite the opposite. She knows how dogs think and is able to identify true behavior issues from owner-​induced behavior issues. So yes, I sent my dog to Camp Hook insisting he had a behavior issue and she told me a few days in that I was actually the problem. But you know what? She was right, and she helped me to adjust my behavior to help my dog. From what I understand, she is also a well-​respected Search and Rescue and cadaver dog trainer, which is no easy feat. Nancy has very clearly devoted her life to working with dogs.
2) Yes, Nancy suggested I use a prong collar on my dog — but not before she made me try it to see how it feels and make sure there were no sharp areas. At first, I was hesitant to use a prong collar, but then I realized that my dog actually liked it! I think the gentle pinch that dogs get from the prong collar is similar to that from their mother or a playmate. Therefore, my dog actually understood what it meant and corrected his behavior. On the contrary, «gentle leaders» and harnesses provided feedback that my dog couldn’t understand, thus causing him more distress. Dogs don’t have something pulling on their snouts or shoulders in the wild… I actually laid all three out in front of my dog before each walk and let him choose, and he consistently chose the prong collar. I would also object to anyone saying she uses inappropriate force with the dogs. In my experience, she uses the appropriate amount of force to keep the dogs safe. So yes, if your dog is pulling at the leash and barking at an unfriendly dog, she will pull him back and put him in his place, but its so that your dog doesn’t get bitten or attacked.
3) Yes, Nancy does make you turn around and come back at the designated pick up time if you come to Camp Hook early, so that you don’t distress the dogs. Every rule she has is for the good of the dogs. I’ve always found her very responsive to my questions and concerns. During class, she would stay after with me and help me with specific commands, etc. and when I’ve boarded my dog there, she has always addressed my questions both when dropping him off and picking him up. She may not take notes, but she knows each dog like the back of her hand. Yes, sometimes she is busy when you get there and the interaction is brief, but it’s not rude. She is direct and to the point, and often says more in 5 minutes than some people say in an hour. She is also incredibly responsive via email. I email her at least once a month and she always responds within 24 hours with thoughtful and helpful emails.
4) And finally, yes — my dog does come back dirty from Camp Hook, because he’s a dog… I would be surprised if he came back clean and not smelling like a dog after playing outside for a week. And yes, he may have a few scratches but no more than when I send him to the local doggy day care. (Actually far less than when I send him to doggy day care…). Both times I have picked my dog up from Camp Hook he has literally cried as we pulled out of the driveway. It’s really like a dog paradise (and it’s easy to forget that dogs and humans have very different ideas of paradise…). The dogs get to play outside all day long out in the country with chickens and horses walking around (fenced off of course!) — they love it!
The bottom line is that every pet parent needs to choose a trainer/​boarding facility that they feel comfortable with and I am happy that I found Hooks K9 Training. If Nancy isn’t your cup of tea, that’s okay — but she has worked very well for me and my dog. I trust her with my dog and appreciate all she has done to help him so far!

My dog learned nothing here except how to walk better on a leash. Definitely not worth the money. She literally listens to me less now (my dog). Do not bring your dog here! When I picked her up, she was horrendously filthy and smelly, she had an awful rash and had a cut on her tail (which Nancy did not seek treatment for) that resulted in her needing an emergency amputation and costing me over $ 1100 in vet visits on top of the $ 925 I paid Nancy. My dog may have learned how to function in a kennel/​farm environment but that surely didn’t transfer to my tiny house. She’s the same crazy dog she always has been. I’ll never send her away again though after my experience with Nancy Hook. I trusted her to take care of my baby and she certainly did not. She also took no responsibility for what happened to my baby. She refused to give me a refund or assist with my vet bills. Don’t trust this woman.

Nancy did great work with my dog. He was aggressive on-​leash toward other dogs and just overall anxious. Any time I had to take him somewhere to board for a day or couple nights he would be inconsolably anxious. He actually likes going and staying with her so she’s the only place I take him to board, and he always comes back updated on his training. The only reason I don’t give 5 stars is the cost of boot camp.

Don’t waste your time or your hard earned money a complete waste of time and money if this lady is a dog trainer I’m the captain of the uss enterprise!!! Buy a choke collar, hit your dog in the face with a closed hand and call it dog training that is this ladies idea of dog training!!! My dog was scared to death when I got him back!!! My assistant actually found this place and we took our dogs there she told me she read the reviews and they were good but little did I know she read the reviews and testimonials on her website of course they’re good the reviews here are the ones that count she’s not gonna put negative stuff on her on site so learn from mine and her dumb move and don’t waste your money use it to go on a cruise and board your dog for a week you’ll be way better off!!! Not to mention she’s the rudest person which don’t sway my review cause her being rude doesn’t matter much to me if she was good at what she does and she’s not at all good if you bad at something at least be nice right!!!

We do NOT recommend this place! Save your dog and yourself from a heartache!
We left our dog with Nancy Hook for 26 days. She gave up on training her after 6 days. She was very rude from day one. We had many RED flags, including one complaint against her– we unfortunately chose to ignore it. We arrived to discuss the training 5 minutes early (if that…) she got mad. The same thing happened when my husband went to pick up her up 15 minutes early and this time he was sent away to return at 11 AM as we had mentioned. (We live very far away and had just turned from a trip to Europe). She took absolutely no notes when we discussed the issues we had with our dog. Our dog was afraid of dogs and people. But, little by little we were working with her not to be afraid. When my husband picked up the dog– she didn’t even recognize him, and she was terrified of Nancy. It was extremely sad. We took her to the vet as she had bad diarrhea and a rash on her belly. She was given medication by the vet. We also noticed she had been bitten in two different places. Nothing was told to us of what went on. But, I can tell you it wasn’t pretty! It’s been a few days and she is starting to come around now. I would not trust your dog with Nancy Hook. Maybe she can teach them to sit & stay, stuff like that… But, she is not a trainer for behavioral problems. Our dog is extremely smart and she already knew all the commands. She also told my husband she thought her how to «stay back» and how not to be afraid of the lawnmower. Both, she already knew! So, she did nothing except traumatize our dog. My husband wishes he had not been in such shock when he picked her up, because he wishes he had taken a picture of the dog to post here. No words would have been necessary with a before and after picture.