New England K-9 School for Dogs

Pam Duffy

2023-12

I apologize for not updating my review 3 yrs ago. We saw this dog trainer Sal twice. He had us leave a review in order to get a lower price before our 2nd appointment. After we paid him the $500 fee, which had to be in cash, he started the training. We had our choke collar, which he had us get for our 12 pound gentle puppy. We were not being harsh enough in his estimation and he showed us how to do it "right". He yanked on the chain so hard, yelling at the dog, that he spun our dog airborne. The dog was so shaken, he reminded shaking for the rest of the appointment. We clearly felt that we did not need such aggressive harsh treatment of our dog, as he was teaching us to do to show the dog who is the boss. He wanted us to walk the dog, yanking on that choke collar hard. We never went back and feel we wasted $500.If you have an aggressive dog, maybe he is for you, but not for sweet gentle dogs. Our dog has learned obedience through love and kindness.

Lily Rascoe

2024-05

If you're looking for a positive reinforcement trainer, this isn't the place to go. The ONLY reason he has good reviews is because he gives a free class if you give him five stars on Google. The second I took my puppy out of the car a choke collar was thrown on and I was told to yank the leash in order to get my dog to follow me. I was told "she can be taught to do anything" yet before she even did anything I was forced to put a choke collar on her. Not only was it traumatizing for her, but it was for me. The methods may work for if you want your dog to be your slave and terrified of you but absolutely not positive based methods and NOT good for a rescue dog. He pressured me into continuing with him and said " I had to do this to protect my dog or the dog would run into the street and itd be my fault". I lost over $500 and went home crying and practically having a panic attack because I felt completely stupid for listening to someone else over my own instincts. I'm not against prong collars or alternative training methods, but it shouldn't be the FIRST and ONLY thing used on a dog that is considered to be "so smart it can learn anything".... if thats the case why do you need to force it on the dog? They should be able to pick it up without any force. He yanked the leash up about 2 feet. Anyone who knows anything about corrections know it should be a wrist movement, nothing else. I was told I was doing the right thing for my dog and I needed to do this to protect her, total b.s. and I completely feel like I was manipulated into spending this money. I will never again let a stranger tell me what is right for MY dog. This is extremely harsh and manipulative tactics. Maybe this could slide in the 80s but not today. Never again. Reposting this because apparently it was removed from over a year ago.

Jim Gig

2019-05

I brought my 2yr old Doberman to New England K9 in Hopkinton about a week ago. Sol is a great teacher. He's the real deal. He said I would notice a change in my dogs behavior within 20min and he was dead no accurate. Halfway through the first lesson my dog became very submissive and I was very impressed at Sol teaching technique. He's become calmer at home and listens better than before we started the training.Sol came highly recommended by a friend of mine and all my friends dogs are very well behaved. I'm looking forward to our next lesson

Sendi Slavinskaya

2017-05

We recently got a Lab puppy... We were naive (first time dog owners) to think that he will be a perfect house pet, listen to what we say and lick us in appreciation. That obviously wasn't the case. He chews on everything, he jumps on people (to play) and when walked he will just lay down and not move. Needless to say we got tired of him being the boss! We found Sol on the Internet and saw improvement in our dog after the first class. Sol is great, he is very open, straightforward and honest. He sets the expectations upfront. This training is and investment of both time and money, but it is well worth it!!! After just one class with a few valuable techniques our dog has transformed and became more obedient. Very satisfied. I have full trust that by the end of the program, we will have a perfectly trained dog. Sol doesn't train the dog as much as the owner. He equips you with knowledge to be able to train your dog correctly.

Walter

2021-05

We have rescue Australian Shepherd who never was socialized properly and has what appears to be anxiety issues when around strangers. We tried self training along with a few "professional" trainers but none of this helped until we discovered Sol and New England K-9 School for Dogs. In one session with Sol he provided us with enough information and techniques for on leash training that we saw an immediate improvement in her behavior. The moment we met Sol we knew this is whom we should have found in the beginning of our training as he is the true Professional. We still have a ways to go but look forward to our continued learning and training with Sol as we have the utmost confidence that his training techniques will help us get our girl to be well socialized and behaved around not just the family but everyone she may come across. She is a very sweet girl and we want everyone else to see this side of her.

Jordan Kao

2021-05

Sol was extremely helpful and informative after our first session with my Rottweiler puppy. Sol explained everything step by step as well as the reasoning behind it. After our first session, I can definitely tell that my pup is more obedient, smart and willing to learn! I was initially worried that my pup's inner demon would come out but Sol helped to teach me how to correct her bad behavior. We left our first class with a lot of information and homework to practice! Very excited to continue our program!

Brittany Bishop

2021-05

I met with Sol today with my 7 month old puppy. She has never obeyed but after today I feel extremely confident that she will grow to be a well mannered dog. I was taught that the owner has to be trained in order to train the dog and that the right equipment is a must have! Sol is very knowledgeable and straight forward.

Mike D'Alessandro

2017-05

We just started working with Sol and have completed one class. We were very impressed by Sol and his knowledge about proper dog training right away. We've wasted money previously on dog training and could tell within one lesson that the training we will get from Sol will be what we're looking for. We have already seen a change in our dog in that he knows the roles have changed and he is not #1 in the household anymore. I would highly recommend Sol if you're looking for quality dog training!

Bryan Devenney

2017-05

Great first impression, just had our puppy intro lesson. Very professional and upfront. Neither my wife nor I have trained a puppy even though we have been around dogs. Sol made the expectations simple enough to provide a good foundation and we have already seen the puppy learning from our time at the lesson to the time at home. Sol came highly recommended and did not disappoint. We look forward to training our puppy and know that he is accessible for any questions in the interim.

Tara Windsor

2021-05

We had our first lesson today with Sol. Sol is a very straightforward, no nonsense kind of person. He told us what to expect and why it would be good for our dog. Sol's methods are different than other classes we have taken with our day (and believe me there have been many). For the first time I believe that we are on to something. After one hour I feel more knowledgeable and in control of my dog. I really believe that we are on the right path for our dog.

Joanna Hawryluk

2016-05

5 out of 5 so far. I have a 4 yr old Welsh Corgi. We had our first lesson with Sol 5 days ago and we already see a drastic change. She no longer pulls us along on walks but stays along side of us. Sol is true to his word and is always available over the phone. We have already called him and he gave us great advice right over the phone to help with our training. We also love that Sol is really flexible on when we do our lessons since we definitely will not be ready within a week for another lesson. The lessons are on your and the dogs own pace. This is really time intensive training you have to be on 24/7. If you put the work in you will see a better dog. All the previous treat-based training I have done with my dog has never given me these kind of results and this quickly. Corgis can be stubborn so she previously would not listen without a food reward. She is now really learning to listen to us and her reward is our praise and a good belly rub which unlike treats are always readily at hand.

Jennifer Rourke

2016-05

We just got a bloodhound puppy who is going to be a big guy, plus we have three children so it was very important that our new dog was going to be trained correctly. After speaking with Sol for 15 minutes on the phone it was clear that he knew what he was talking about. We scheduled our first visit soon after and learned so much and we have been continuing to work with the puppy everyday and are so excited to go back and work with Sol more! Also, the lessons are done around your schedule, no set days and times every week to struggle and get to :) Highly recommend!

Carol Tomlin

2020-05

I took my dog to Sol. Noticed immediate improvement in my dog after first lesson. There is so much to learn in the first lesson I went home & feverishly wrote down everything he had taught but didn't remember everything. Second lesson i found out I was shortening the leash incorrectly. How can anyone determine that in a phone conversation ? For me handouts with pics would have been helpful for me to self correct & reinforce my learning & not practice it incorrectly. I was nervous with the training & his tone with me was not helping. As for the choke collar my dog coughs a lot even if I keep realigning it on him. I now use a harness & he still remembers how to stop & sit appropriately from just one lesson. I believe Sol is a good trainer but his style & lack of handouts & written instruction did not work for me. I also like how Sol is available by phone for any dog issue that you have. I also like the one-on-one. I also chose Sol because of his good reviews & decided not to give a review after the first lesson to get a free one.

jeff ross

2021-05

We took our dog to Sol 9 years ago. He was an out of control rescue, sheperd mix, and too strong for my wife and kids at 8 months. Sol was straight forward, direct, and blunt. He taught US to teach our dog. At almost ten years old he is still excited for walks, and when heeled is happy and attentive. We work with him less but he knows what we expect. There is no reward beyond affection. I still have the same leash, it's the only one we have had since training with Sol.

Stuart Alford

2016-05

5 stars for our first lesson. Sol is an expert and we look forward to continuing to work with him.This was "people training" just like his Web page says, and it was thorough and eye opening and a little exhausting.I think we are going to get a lot out of this and that our dog will be safer and happier.UPDATE: I wish I could give more than 5 stars! We have now had two lessons with Sol, and we have seen dramatic changes in Chloe. As he explains on his web page, Sol is not training our dog, he is training us, and he is doing a great job. He responds promptly to all of our phone calls and he explains everything thoroughly. He is a great teacher. I give my very highest recommendation for New England K9 School for Dogs.

Sterling Jackson

2018-05

Great first lesson, Great trainer!Sol trained us, so we can train our 4 month old Lab-mix. Within the first week, doing our daily practices, our pup is more focused and responsive than ever before. Sol is clear in his explanations of process and why each step and action is important. He arms us the pups parents with the skills and information we need to train our dog. His methods are much like parenting- consistency, consistency, consistency. He offers free phone advice for the life of the dog with the 5 session training package - what a plus! Thanks Sol!

Heather Sechko

2016-05

Our 9 month old Bassador, Chloe, and I met with Sol five days ago for our first training session. Sol was very patient and thorough in teaching me how to use a slip collar on Chloe to make her heel properly and respect me. He took his time explaining the proper technique and rationale for using such a collar, and answered all the questions/concerns I had at the time. I have been working with Chloe multiple times a day and can definitely see a difference in her behavior. We look forward to our future training sessions with Sol!

Kathryn Yang

2020-05

Sol is fantastic with dogs. He knows just what to do, and his confidence allows dog owners to leave feeling confident, successful, and hopeful that we can indeed train our pup/dog. The ability to have access to Sol at all times via phone is also a plus. He has helped us learn how to deal with issues that arise between training sessions. He never seems rushed, or acts in a hurry. He genuinely cares about you raising a well-trained dog, and will do everything he can to help you.

Jessica Perez

2018-05

Sol Oven is a genius! Plain and simple!! New England K9 School For Dogs is a MUST. In just one session with Sol you'll be given the basics or necessary skills to training a dog no matter how you look at it, ONE HOUR and doing YOUR homework pet training truly gets easier! Sol is very up front, has a great disposition and truly cares about each and every pet he works with. I now look forward to my next training session with my puppy to master his first set of skills so we can move on to our next session with Sol. Thank you kindly for sharing your knowledge to better our training and Ace's Training!

Justin Chambers

2016-05

I had my first training with Sol and it went great! Not only did he focus on my puppy but also training us. With just practicing the skills Sol taught me in the first session, I feel like Stella's behavior and temperament have greatly improved and she will now listen! I am looking forward to future sessions training sessions with Sol! If you are struggling with your puppy/dog New England K-9 School for Dogs is the place to go!!!!!!- Justin Chambers

Tiffany Andrade

2021-05

We had our first lesson today with Sol and our 13 month old German Shepard. Sol is a very straightforward, no nonsense kind of person. He told us what to expect and why it would be good for our dog. Sol's methods are different than other classes we've looked into he also was very homest on what to expect and it all made sense. For the first time I believe that we are on to something and someone who is for the dog and families and not the money. After one hour I feel more knowledgeable and in control of my dog. I really believe that we are on the right path for our dogs both Izzi and Zues ! I would highly recommend Sol to my family and friends !!!

Kristie Goulet

2018-05

I'm so glad we found Sol! We have an Olde English Bulldogge who is 2 years old and in need of some real training. She is aggressive towards other new dogs, difficult to control (so excited and she can't hide it) when we are with friends and family, etc. Today we had our first session with Sol and she is already listening better than yesterday! Sol provides you with the technique and knowledge to become the leader your dog needs to thrive. Sol is super nice, laid back and easy to work with. After just 1 session and seeing how quickly our dog is picking up on this, I am totally motivated and committed to his program. I do admit that it's a lot to remember (how to hold the leash, what to do/say, etc.) but this is where you really need to practice and do your homework. This training really is for PEOPLE who are committed to making this successful.

olivia rossi

2020-05

I was hesitant to write a review too quickly after my first lesson with Sol (emphasis on MY first lesson). He is a very nice guy and was super patient with all my questions as a first time dog owner. He does give you a lot of information to process but its all in an effort to become a dog-parent. I noticed some immediate changes in her behavior and ability to walk on a leash more calmly. However I just couldn't remember everything so I gave Sol a call, he answered immediately and reminded me of some of the important items I had forgotten and WOW what a difference. I definitely have some more practicing to do before the next lesson but I am thrilled with the progress so far.

Andrea Darisse

2018-05

I contacted Sol recently when my 2 year old rescue dog (who we adopted at 3months) started showing aggression and was not obeying. After a search for trainers in the area, I called Sol. His 40+ years experience and approach made me feel confident that he could help us. He explained that our dog needs to know who is boss, so we have gone back to the basics with training our dog, and I already see a difference. We have now had two training sessions, and I am completely confident that Sol will help train my husband and me so that our dog knows who is boss. Thanks Sol!

Sasha Arms

2016-05

We've had our first session and already seen changes in our 4 month old puppy. Though, initially "heart breaking" as Sol says, the lesson is direct, full of insight and instruction and immediate response from the dog. We can't wait to practice and improve to be ready for our next lesson. Sol has already answered questions via phone after our lesson as well. He's a trustworthy and humble instructor who is direct, witty and thorough- both with the owners and dog. Reccommending him to all my friends with dogs!

Amanda St. Laurent

2021-05

EDIT: We never went back for a fourth lesson, lesson three we had to stomp on our dogs choke collar in order to get him to lay down. So, if you are into basically choking your puppy out, this is the place for you, if not, I would recommend a more humane approach. Our first review was to get a free class, which we obviously will not be using anyways. 2 Stars because Sol was easy to get in touch with and easy to set up an appointment with, but also because our dog is TERRIFIED of so many things now. He cowers when he sees a leash and you try to put it on.After our first lesson our 11 week old golden retriever, Jett, is doing great! Sol gave us the tools and the knowledge to walk him on a leash correctly and successfully in just one lesson. Jett listens better and is more attentive to what we are telling him to do and is eager to learn! Sol and New England K-9 have impressed us beyond belief at what they are able to teach. It's not your dog that needs training, it's you! If you want an obedient dog and lack the fundamentals to train one go to Sol and prepare to be impressed!

Jeff Brown

2016-05

We are so happy for our 5 month old dog and for our family that we found Sol. We were looking to get some excellent training for our new puppy (and for us!), and Sol was exactly what we were looking for. You felt his experience with dogs the moment we met him. We felt confident right from the start because of Sol and that immediately was sensed by our puppy. We saw great progress in such a short time and we are excited to keep going! .

Pam Duffy

2020-05

We chose Sol for his lengthy experience and expertise in dog training. He highly regards obedience and we are very interested in having a dog who is well behaved around guests and/or strangers, and especially our family. He knows a lot about Canine Good Citizen and said our dog would be ready to take the test and hopefully pass, that is if WE learn how to train our dog well. He emphasizes that it is not the dog who needs training, it is the owners who need to know how to do it with consistency. That is easier than it sounds. We learned a lot in our first lesson, but there are still things that need work. Sol tells you to go home and practice and then make the next appointment when ready. True to his word, he is readily available with plenty of phone help when needed. He is a definite person and knows his stuff. We look forward to our next appointment and improving our Dog training abilities...fast we hope!

Sandra Tkaczuk

2019-05

Sol is an incredible trainer. We have a 5 month old Akita and Husky mix and they tend to be aggressive and territorial. After our first one hour class we could see major changes within his behavior. At first he was barking, growling, couldn’t sit still, and jumped on everyone around him. But after his first session he was well mannered sitting and staying next to me waiting for directions. Although his training may appear strict to some, it is the only thing that seems to work for our dog. I highly recommend his training program as it’s very effective and teaches not only the dog, but the owner.

Maria Pinheiro

2015-05

My dog Athena is a black lab/pitt mix. I rescued her from a shelter in New Orleans, and while she is an amazing dog, she does have certain behaviors that I wished to either tame or eliminate altogether. After researching various dog trainers in my local area, I stumbled across New England k9 school for dogs--I'm so glad that I did. With just one session with the owner of the business, Sol, Athena is listening so much better to my commands.What I loved most about our session is that Sol emphasized the idea that the dog is only as good as the owner; I'll admit that while I was tough on my baby girl when she acted out, I definitely could have used a bit more consistency and discipline when working with her. Sol's program is a 5-session course that is not limited to simply 5 consecutive weeks--if you feel as though you need a week or two between classes to work on what was covered, that is perfectly fine as long as you give him a head's up. Further, Sol offers a for life phone-consultation service. I've already called once when I needed advice.Ultimately, I'm so pleased that I decided to go with New England k9 School for Dogs. Athena will be happier at the end of it all, and I'll be a better owner in the process.