Ira Smith is a blessing! I am truly beyond grateful for him! I suffer from PTSD, severe anxiety, and panic attacks. My husband did a bunch or research on service animals and we decided since nothing was helping me in life to alleviate my issues that we would try the route of training a service dog. We added a new addition to our family.. an English Cream Golden Retriever. My husband did extensive research on trainers in Las Vegas and we felt a bit uneasy with 99.9% of our results... until we came across Ira Smith, The K9 Handler!
For our first initial visit he came to our home to evaluate our puppies personality and demeanor. He spent well over 3-4 hours with us to ask everything we were wanting/expecting out of him. And he explained in full detail what he could and could not do in his training. We were ecstatic with everything he had to say. He was very professional and kind to us and he treated our baby boy like he would with his own dogs. He actually got down on his level and had a heart to heart with our puppy... it was precious and heartwarming. After he left my husband and I knew he was everything we wanted in a trainer and MORE!
Ira is SO passionate with his training and ALL of his dogs. He treats them with the same respect as he does with humans, which is beyond incredible. He truly care and wants your dog and also you to succeed in his training. He never loses patience. He is calm and makes sure you understand completely with what he is saying and training. As listening to him and following his advice is key to getting your dog where you want her/him to be!
We started training with Ira when our puppy was around 4 months and he is now 10 months old. So he has been under Ira's care for about 6 months. Our puppy is now almost a full grown boy and I am truly amazed at HOW far he has come.
His obedience is incredible. He listens so well with Ira's methods of verbal/hand commands! He NEVER uses any pain inflicting methods, as shock collars or hitting your dog, etc. He teaches you, it is all about how YOU train your dog with constant communication, repetition, and patience. Our boy does NOT act out and when he gets a little snotty during his puppy stages we just use the verbal commands we were taught and sure enough he listens!!!
As far as service dog training goes, I am almost at loss for words! This has been such an incredible experience, and this would NOT have been possible is it wasn't for Ira and his guidance! My dog helps with sensory alert and mitigation. He has been trained SO well in obedience it was a VERY easy transition into the service dog training. Ira got him exactly where he needed to be to take the plunge to go further into training. Ira always makes sure you are comfortable before moving forward in training. Our boy goes everywhere with us.. restaurants, grocery stores, public events (inside and out), the mall, movie theaters and more! He has learned "manners" and does not seek attention as it is on "working" for me. So he does NOT act out with public distractions or even over dogs.
My dog was able to pass the AKC S.T.A.R. PUPPY award and he is moving at a wonderful rate for future AKC evaluations and testing. Also Ira always makes sure you understand 100% of what these evaluations require and he makes sure you are prepared and confident for them. He also evaluates your dog to make sure you BOTH are where you need to be in training. It's YOU and your DOG... it's not one or the other.. it will not work!
These are just SOME of the things my dog is able to perform for me BECAUSE of Ira
-alarms me when my pulse gets too high
-never leaves my side when I am in a panicked state
-kisses, loves, snuggles all over me to help bring me back to the "now"
-deep pressure therapy
-and we will be working soon on mobility for when I loose my balance during my attacks
Not only do I HIGHLY recommend him, but I wouldn't recommend anyone else. Ira is professional, patient, understanding, passionate, compassionate, empathetic, kind, gentle, caring, and he will never give up on you or your dog! He follows up wonderfully to make sure you are doing well as is your dog, and also asks how training is going and offers extra assistance if need be. He LISTENS and CARES!!!!! He is a life saver and if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have my best friend helping me through some of the hardest times of my life! I will FOREVER be grateful for Ira Smith!!!! He is the only trainer I would EVER trust!!!!! Forever grateful!!!!!! He is a wonderful man, trainer, AND now friend!!!! read more