Success Stories

See how dogs and their owners have transformed through our Board & Train Program. These success stories highlight real experiences from members of our community and the progress their pups have made along the way. If you would like your dog to be featured in our Success Stories, feel free to reach out for more information.

Pepper & Chile

As owners of two high-energy Australian Cattle Dogs, Pepper and Chili, we were overwhelmed by the breeds most challenging traits. Our lives were dominated by incessant, demanding barking and extreme reactivity.

Chili had a dangerous obsession with chewing and swallowing rocks (resulting in emergency vet visits), and Pepper went into frantic frenzies over simple household tasks like using the toaster. Daily walks were abandoned due to their severe reactivity.

Desperate for expert intervention and guidance on safely using a correction collar, we hired Zoe for her Board and Train program. Her communication was excellent and supportive throughout the process. Zoe didn't just train our dogs; she changed our lives.

The transformation is profound: the incessant barking has vanished, their "Place" command obedience in reliable and we know walk them anywhere with zero reactivity. Furthermore, Zoe provided life-saving skills, teaching Chili a high-stakes command to immediately leave or spit out dangerous items, and trained Pepper to remain calm and silent during all household triggers.

Zoe's expertise in handling the specific, high-drive temperment of Australian Cattle Dog's is amazing. If you have challenging, high-energy, or reactive dogs, hiring Zoe is the best investment you can make in your quality of life and your dog's future.

- Victoria B.

Matilda

My dog Matilda recently completed a four-week board and train at Sophia's Bark Academy, and I truly couldn't be happier with the experience. Matilda is a Belgian Malinois, which means she's very smart, very driven, and also quite sensitive.

I was looking for a trainer who really understands working breeds and could help her develop better focus and structure, especially with loose-leash walking, recall and her insane prey drive towards squirrels. The progress she made in just four weeks was impressive; well basically miraculous.

Zoe did an excellent job not only training Matilda, but also communicating with me throughout the entire program. I received regular video and text updates so I could see Matilda's progress along the way, which I really appreciated. It was clear to me that Matilda really enjoyed Zoe. It gave me a lot of confidence knowing how much care and thought was going into her training.

When Matilda came home, it was obvious how much she had learned. Her loose-leash walking has improved significantly, walks are now a pleasant experience, no more dragging me along for the ride. Her recall is now amazing and critical for her safety, since we live on a busy street. Matilda is now much more focused and responsive overall. Just as important, she came home happy, more confident, and evidently well cared for.

Zoe also took the time to make sure I understood how to continue working with Matilda so we can maintain and build on everything she learned. If you’re looking for a trainer who is knowledgeable, communicative, and truly cares about the dogs she works with, I would absolutely recommend Sophia's Bark Academy.

-Linda B.

Maya

My son & his fiancé got a new puppy who was extremely hyperactive, anxious, and difficult to manage. I found Zoe on Facebook & after reading her dog training abilities, I shared her information with my son & told him I think she would do excellent work with Maya. They were planning a 3-week trip to Asia and would need boarding for her.

My son & I both talked with Zoe on the phone and decided to meet her in person with Maya. After the meeting, my son & his fiancé decided Zoe would be a good fit for Maya to have the training she so badly needed.

When they returned from their trip, they waited another week before Maya was brought back to them. They were so impressed at how well she behaved; she was calm, listened to her commands and was a very happy girl. Zoe is an exceptional trainer & we are so grateful to have found her. We highly recommend her for any of your training needs, she will not disappoint you!

- Michelle N.W.

Luna

My husband & I rescued a beautiful pittie named Luna. The owners & their 2 children were going to move from a small trailer into an apartment and would not be able to take her. We had a meet & greet with Luna and agreed to give her a loving home. The owners asked us to take her during the Thanksgiving Holiday, but we could not at that time.  

The owners told us they could keep Luna a little longer at a friend’s house, but she would be outside in a crate. This was heartbreaking for my husband & we tried to find a way to get her sooner. Because we currently had a 9-year-old pittie, we felt more time was needed to introduce them. My husband asked if Zoe would be able to do a board and train with her. I knew that Zoe was planning to take the month of December off and didn’t think that would be an option.  We reached out to Zoe and explained the circumstances with Luna. She immediately said she would take her because of the heartbreaking situation.

Zoe showed how selfless she is, giving up her time off to devote herself to Luna. Truly warmed our hearts & we were so grateful she was willing to take her.  Luna needed a lot of time to trust and be comfortable in her training environment. Zoe respected this and took her time making Luna comfortable.

We had Luna with Zoe for 5 weeks. We watched her progress through videos Zoe would share with us as well as her post on Facebook. Zoe demonstrates compassion, loyalty, patience, and is highly knowledgeable in working with her dogs. We adore Zoe and have a great relationship with her. My husband said, Zoe is the only person he would ever trust to care for our dogs

- Michelle N.W.

Kylie

We rescued Kiley when she was 3 years old from a shelter in Los Angeles. She captured our hearts with her beautiful eyes! She is now 9 years old and to say she has been spoiled is an understatement.

After the success we found with Zoe training our sons dog Maya and our rehomed dog Luna, we felt it would be important for Kiley to have a board & train with Zoe. After we had Luna with Zoe, we had Kiley with her for 4 weeks. Being spoiled and set in her ways, Kiley required more attention & patience to master her training. Zoe went above and beyond to work with our girl. She even suggested bringing Luna in for the last week of Kiley’s training to get them adjusted with each other.

Zoe understands and develops the right training for each of her dogs. She takes her time, encourages, and is an over-the-top dog trainer. Zoe has spent time after the training sessions answering our questions, to guide us on continuing the foundation she has built with each of our girls.

She is truly one of a kind and we cannot thank her enough for the success she has had with Kiley and Luna.We consider Zoe to be a friend, someone we trust, and someone we know will always be there if we need her! She is the BEST of the BEST and we recommend her to everyone we know!

- Michelle N.W.

Indigo

We sent our dog, Indigo, to Zoe-Sophia for a one-month board and train program, and the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. Indigo is the definition of a strong-willed, intelligent and high-drive dog. His energy and lack of impulse control were a daily challenge for our family.

We knew he was a special case and we were nervous about whether any program could really get through to him having been through others. Zoe-Sophia not only got through to him but she unlocked his potential. The dog we got back calmer, more focused, and fundamentally happier. The most significant change in his overall demeanor; the sense of calm confidence.

Zoe-Sophia trained Indigo beyond becoming a dog who heels and sits. She also taught us how to better communicate with him, be consistent in his ongoing training, take accountability, and manage his environment to help him succeed.

We've seen firsthand that the foundation she set and the structure she taught us are key to his calmness. This has positively transformed our relationship with out dog with a deeper, more respectable bond. We are eternally grateful for Zoe-Sophia's expertise, patience and genuine care.

- Carolyn L.

Agnes

I highly recommend Zoe for dog training! When we first started working with her, our rescue St. Bernard, Agnes, had significant leash reactivity. She felt responsible for protecting us, which led to lunging, barking, and a lot of frustration for us and anxiety for her.

Zoe worked with Agnes using patience, kindness, and clear guidance. She helped Agnes learn that she didn’t have to handle every situation herself and that she could trust us to take the lead. Agnes learned to relax on walks and respond to commands like place, down, sit, stay, and heel.

Now walking Agnes feels completely different. She’s calm, relaxed, and attentive, and it’s amazing to see how far she’s come. It truly feels like she’s done a full 180° from where she started when we first brought her to Zoe.
- Cheryl R.

Rusty

I'm so glad I discovered Zoe. As a new dog owner, I was experiencing the puppy blues. I had limited success with self training, and walking my dog was a nightmare. My puppy's leash pulling and reactivity was causing me constant neck, back, and arm pain. From my very first contact, it was clear that Zoe was truly knowledgeable about dog behavior and training.

She was very responsive to my questions, whether by text or in person which made me feel really supported throughout our first few sessions. Most importantly, Zoe's training methods were incredibly effective. I immediately saw a remarkable improvement in my puppy's leash issues. I can't recommend Zoe highly enough! She truly made a positive difference for me and my pup.

- Steve B.

Success Stories

Pepper & Chile

Matilda

Maya

Luna

Kylie

Indigo

Agnes

Rusty

Penny

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