Samson is our beloved Czech Working Line German Shepherd. We brought him home as a puppy in May of 2023, and while we have experience with German Shepherds, he is our first working dog. Having read the horror stories of working dogs that don’t have proper structure or training, we wanted to make sure we set Samson up for success.
Our breeder recommended K9 Conditioning and we were impressed by their willingness to answer our questions, as well as their experience with working dogs. We opted for the 4-week Raise and Train program for Samson. Looking back, it is probably the best decision we have made since getting him.
When we dropped Samson off, he was a very energetic and chaotic puppy. Throughout the course of the program, the structured days and routines began to work their magic and Samson began to grow into an obedient and confident puppy that was eager to please. Watching the video updates, we could tell he thrived and enjoyed the process. Each working session we had with Stephen and Samson on the back end of the program, we saw more and more progress.
By the time he came home, he had a tremendous grasp on basic commands, leash manners, and manners in the house. He was also very confident in the environment and started PSA training. Samson was only 4.5 months old at the time, and dog training is a marathon not a sprint – So there were new challenges in training Samson when he reached sexual maturity and social maturity ages, but the difference is the socialization and foundation thanks to K9 Conditioning made this so much more manageable than those with dogs the same age but no structured training. We were also better equipped as handlers for how to navigate this.
Instead of having a brat teenager dog that thinks they run the roost and openly defies you, we had a teenager dog that tested boundaries, but ultimately still knew what was expected of him. The training with K9 Conditioning also allowed Samson to excel in his E-collar training for reliable off leash handling.
Samson is now an adult dog and almost 3 years old. While he is not a behavior rehabilitation case, his training experience with K9 Conditioning has had a profound impact on his life and ours. He knows there is a time for craziness and a time for calm, and we have confidence when we give him commands that he will obey. Cannot recommend them enough!
