Joey Luke's Dog Training - Northville, Michigan

Carla G.

Our experience with Joey and his team has been phenomenal.
We adopted a 1 year old Bernedoodle 4.5 months ago. Taking her on, we knew she had some fear based aggression and behavioral problems, and is a very anxious dog.
We started out with Joey doing private training lessons only. Once we got to working with him we realized how beneficial it was for Winnie, and decided to upgrade our training package to include additional lessons and a week of board and train too.
The strides Winnie has made in training is just amazing.
During our first consultation visit with Joey several months ago, Winnie jumped, barked and whined while we tried to speak over her with Joey.
By the time we dropped her off for board and train after 8 weeks of private in home sessions, she was already a new dog. As we checked Winnie in and spoke with Joey, she lay in a down stay on the floor and quietly waited for us to finish.
Taking her on walks has been a night and day change. From pulling, reactive, barking, lunging at other dogs and people, she is now so well behaved on walks and in public that we’ve even successfully taken her into Home Depot and various public places.
She will always be a nervous dog, but Joey has given both her and us as her handlers the tools necessary to help her grow in confidence and learn to adapt to every situation. The training education we’ve received is something we will be able to use for years to come.
During the entire process Joey encouraged communication with him if we ran into issues or had questions. He was patient when we made mistakes as her handlers, and offered encouragement and support every step of the way.
I wouldn’t hesitate to do this all over again. With Joey we found a trainer and a friend.

Carly P.

My dog Gordon has been anxious ever since we got him. However, it seemed that post-Covid lockdowns, he was even more skittish and anxious than ever and absolutely hated having people anywhere near our house. He was also not a great leash walker and generally, being a big dog, needed to re-learn some manners.

We were apprehensive about a board and train at first (we didn’t want to be away from him! He’s already anxious and we don’t want it to get worse!), but after having him do the program and seeing the immediate positive impact, I really think it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made for him and ourselves. He seems much happier and more relaxed on walks, he listens and comes when called, and we even have the tools to help him meet visitors and guests in a controlled manner, rather than anxiety and hoping he won’t bite someone.

Every single person we interacted with at Joey Luke’s was wonderful. Kind, communicative, reassuring, and obviously wanted the best for Gordon. His trainer, Kevin, seemed to really connect with him as well and it was obvious during the weekly training review videos that Gordon was happy, well cared for, and learning so much. They are also extremely accommodating with schedules for the various meet and greets and the follow-up appointment, which was very appreciated!

The follow-up post-boarding was also something I didn’t realize I needed but am thankful for. Gordon’s trainer Kevin came to us, and we were able to ask questions that are specific to situations at our home, and we are very grateful that he (and the staff at Joey Luke’s in general) is so dedicated to making sure we are all successful.

Knowing what I know now, I wish we had done this sooner.

Kelly S.

Editing this post to add dog #2 to my review! We rescued our 1 year old Josie girl a few months ago and knew right away she, and us, would benefit from training. She was extremely shy, and uncomfortable in her new and different surroundings, barking at most everyone and any new situations. She needed proper leash training, and I did too in order to walk two very strong doggies together! We felt home training would be better fit for Josie, unlike Kash, who did the board and train program. So, Chelsea to the rescue!! Within just a couple weeks, Josie’s confidence began to shine and she adapted to leash training right away!

I highly recommend Chelsea if you have a rescued dog! She helped us tremendously to connect with our new dog, and to acclimate Josie best to her new surroundings and sibling, Kash. Chelsea showed extreme compassion for our shy pup and knew just how to help us work thru any barriers!

…in the event my husband says we can have 3 or 12 😉 more dogs, I’d pick Joey Luke’s every time to help us achieve the happiest dog home!

Thanks to Joey Luke's, we have a whole new pup!! Mr. Ka$h is a high energy, fun loving Pittie who lacked boundaries and direction. He was a pro at counter surfing, cat chasing, and couch jumping until his recent 3 week board and train! We were so impressed with his over all behavior the minute we brought him home. Joey and staff were upfront, forward, and explained everything we’d need to know from the very first meeting. Our current follow thru training after boarding has been rewarding, and provided the confidence we needed to maintain his new behavior. We can’t say enough about how we feel they truly want the dogs and dog parents to be successful, and the follow thru after the board and train from Joey Luke’s has been a true testament to that!

Ka$h and family thank you so much!

Erika W.

We are so grateful to have found Joey Luke's Dog Training! Our dog Rebel's main struggles were dog reactivity and difficulty on walks, pulling on the leash. We opted for a board and train program, and she has come such a long way in just 4 short weeks! Walks are no longer a stressful part of the day. While we still have some improvements to make, this is part of the process and feel prepared with all the resources they have given us.

Caley in particular has done an excellent job walking us through how to continue the training at home and help set Rebel up for success. Our dog loves Caley and the other trainers, and while it was hard for her to be away for a few weeks, it made it easier knowing she was in great hands. During her stay she had a flare up of one of her chronic health issues. The team there went out of their way to take her to our personal vet.

They were great communicators, giving frequent updates both on Instagram as well as weekly personalized videos on her progress. We look forward to continuing her training at group walks in the future.

Overall, we highly recommend Joey Luke's Dog Training!

Elaine S.

My two year old Boston terrier was a bully to my 6 year old dog. They were forever fighting over toys that teddy insisted on having. He barked way too much and jumped all over people. He was just super active and did not listen to commands. He began getting into flights with other dogs and I just didn't know how to handle it on my own. I enrolled Teddy in a four week stay at Joey Lukes dog training facility. It was the best thing I did for Teddy and for me.
When I arrived for a conference with Joey I was immediately impressed with his modern facility and the friendliness of Joey himself. He went over different options for Teddy and we decided on a four week stay. He gave me a tour of the training areas and the roomy and comfortable doggie crates. The place was immaculate!
When I brought teddy in for his stay I met with Kevin who would be in charge of him most of the time. Kevin was an outstanding trainer. He was kind but stern and very knowledgable. Kevin was very open to questions and was interested in knowing all about my dog before we started.
After four weeks of training I received a brand new dog! He is so much calmer and the bullying has stopped. My two dogs are much better friends now. Teddy responds to commands and I have had no trouble with him being around other dogs.
I can't thank Joey and Kevin enough for giving me a pet that I can really enjoy now.

Lauren G.

We got our Australian Cattle Dog puppy Riley at 9 weeks old. We sent her to Joey Luke's at 5 months and today she is 9 months old.

Riley was a challenging puppy, and with two kids at home under 5, we found very quickly that she was going to be difficult. Her herding instincts and nipping made things very stressful for the first couple months. All was tolerable until she started showing resource guarding and food aggression. She had assigned particularly high value to the kids' stuffed animals and would steal them, hide under the table, and growl at anyone who tried to take them back - even snap at anyone that got too close. It got to a point when she was about 4 months old that we had decided that she was too much of a risk to have around the kids. Our fear was that the kids would be unaware she was guarding would end up getting hurt. We decided that she either had to change, or we would have to find a new home for her.

We reached out to several trainers and were impressed by Joey Luke after the first call. He was professional, knowledgeable, and assured us that we would be able to get in touch with him or his team at any time, even after the training was complete.

We had one additional face to face consultation with Joey and Riley at Joey's home where we were able to get some additional questions clarified, as well as see Joey interact with our puppy.

We decided to do the "board and train" program which was a 3 week program were Riley stayed with Joey for intensive training. Our main concern was the food aggression and resource guarding, but we were also interested in general manners, recall, walking on leash, etc. I can say that even though I liked Joey, I was skeptical as to how a dog could be transformed in only 3 weeks, especially with something like aggression.

All I can say is that Joey and his team exceeded all expectations.

We got regular updates via social media and text. At the end of each week, we got a personalized video of what the trainers were working on and how Riley was progressing.

One thing about the training is that it is an ongoing thing - you as the owner need to keep up on the training and continue to practice or else the dogs may fall back into their bad habits. Having an open line of communication with the training team makes that aspect much less stressful. It also helps that with the board and train, you get two in home training sessions with Joey or his team where they come to your house, can see the dog in its normal environment, and provide additional feedback on what to do to ensure your training is effective.

The most impressive thing that the team was able to do was to teach Riley the "out" command. If she has anything she shouldn't have, like a stuffed animal, all we have to say is "out" and she not only drops it, but walks away from it so we can safely remove it. At this point, after months of reinforcement, the aggression is a non-issue.

Walks are an absolute pleasure. Riley walks at our heel, doesn't pull or get distracted, and can even walk off leash with us.

Recall was also an important ability. We can play in parks or hike in the woods off leash and Riley will come when called every time, from any distance.

The entire process has been great, and no one was more skeptical than me. The board and train seemed pricey (although was in line with what other trainers were charging) but I can honestly say I would do it again in a heartbeat. When you consider the average lifespan of a dog, it comes out to a couple hundred dollars per year, for an excellently trained dog. When you look at it that way, it's a no brainer.

I just want to thank Joey and the team again for the wonderful job they've done, and assure anyone thinking about using their services that they are the real deal, and will continue to be a resource for the life of your dog. They truly saved our relationship with Riley, and set our whole family up for success throughout her life.

DcnBob

Joey is great and really knows his stuff! It's amazing to see the transformation in our dog Pippin since we began with Joey. My wife and I have learned (are still learning) so much about dog behavior and how to lead our dog in a serious yet truly loving way.
He's becoming the dog we've wanted him to be. This is the guy and the company you need to work with to help train your dog(s) - professional, caring, personal, and dedicated to helping that dog you wanted when you brought him/her home, become the dog you really love...

Alex G.

Could not recommend Joey Luke's Dog Training enough! Our dog Roman was a rescue with extreme hyper reactivity both in the house and even more so outdoors. After just the first training session with Joey, we noticed a HUGE difference in his behavior. Since completing the Pro-Trainer Program, Roman is now finally relaxed in the home, listens to our commands and is unbothered by outside noises. Additionally, walks, which used to be almost impossible to go on, are so much more enjoyable without any pulling! Everyone we have encountered has been very kind, responsive and helpful, and we look forward to continuing our relationship through the additional support resources offered through group walks and touch-up training sessions!