Understanding Our Dogs LLC
Stanley, NC, Gaston, Mecklenburg
(15)
Stanley, NC, Gaston, Mecklenburg
(15)
I am Lena Skov, MBA, KPA, and I am the dog trainer covering a very large area fromCharlotte, NC to Gastonia, NC and from Huntersville, NC to Rock Hill, SC. I have vast experience of 20 years of working with dogs of many breeds and personalities, as well as formal education.
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15 customer reviews
Ashlee Wittekind
Lena is AMAZING! We have a 2 and 1/2 year old English Bulldog and although he is absolutely adorable...he is very stubborn! We have tried many training tactics but for some reason he would not respond to my commands. Lena took him for 3 weeks during our wedding and honeymoon and we came back to a different dog! He is calm and happy and so much more well behaved! Obviously dog training is a work in progress once they come home and get reacquainted with their comfortable environment but the skills and videos she gave us have been a god send! If he does act out we simply follow the instructions she gave us and he is back on track. Lena is so sweet and so easy to talk to! I have had a few missteps with Bogart and she was right there to call and help me as well as make herself available to work one on one. If you’re looking for a miracle...look no further! This training is 100% worth the money and the piece of mind that your dog is in loving and capable hands! We are forever grateful! Thank you Lena!!!! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Haley Wynn Lenes
My husband and I adopted a dog, Luna, who was formerly a breeding dog. She had a rough start to life - was underweight, lacked muscle tone, and had never been shown appropriate attention. She was impossible on walks - either stopping completely to watch a squirrel or running at full speed. She knew no commands and had no concept of personal space. Although she is nearly 6, Lena took her for her board and train program. It was no doubt that at her age, training would be a struggle. While she is the sweetest girl in the world, she often forgets simple things like how to walk up stairs :) and we knew that training her ourselves with full time jobs would not be possible. Upon Luna's return, she sits, downs, places on a cot, and most miraculously, walks on a loose leash (even better than our other dog who we thought was great on walks)! It was very apparent that Lena loved Luna as her own and was willing to do anything it took to help her. Lena has also been extremely responsive with all of my annoying dog mom questions. She is currently working with our other dog, Nash, on his anxiety. We are so thankful to have found Lena and that her efforts have given us a dog who we can communicate with. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Andy Dutch
Lena is extremely knowledgeable and loves dogs like nobody else. I would highly recommend using her services if you live in the area and own a dog! She can help you with just about any problem. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Olivia Carper
Lena is amazing! She did board and train with my pup and he has learned so much! I am very thankful for all she has taught him and us! We are still learning and she is such a great support! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Ron Stone
Let me say that Lena was not Kasey's first trainer. At 4 months of age I sent Kasey to a one month training school. I won’t name the school, but my personal opinion is the training turned out a complete failure. I think Kasey came home worse than when she left. My Vet recommend Lena and I contacted her. Best move I’ve ever made! This lady is absolutely the best. She took Kasey for a 3 week training session. The results speaks volumes what she did with Kasey in that short time. In fact I was so impressed with her that I’ve asked her to please provided Kasey with 3 more weeks of advanced training. Lena is a well educated professional and a caring personable individual. Without reservation I highly recommend her. Ron Stone More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Brendan Shockley
Words can't describe how amazing Lena is! Incredibly knowledgeable, super friendly, and was an absolutely pleasure to work with. She spent just as much time (if not more) teaching us how to train/reinforce training as she did training our pup herself, which made us feel really confident in curbing our dog's bad behavior on our own. We went from having a dog who relentlessly "pulled" on the leash while on walks and barked at other people/dogs, to having a pup who no longer pulls or barks at others - we couldn't be happier or speak higher of Lena! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Sara Buttar
Lena was incredible with our dog and helped us learn to effectively manage her extreme anxiety and disruptive behavior. She went from being unable to go on walks without barking excessively at people/dogs walking by, to being super calm on walks and even being able to go to the dog park and play with another doggie friend. She also helped correct Roxie’s bad habit of pulling on the leash after just one session. Lena is such a sweet person and she trained us just as much as she trained Roxie, by giving us the guidance we needed to reinforce her training between sessions. Thank you, thank you, thank you Lena, for everything! We are so grateful to have found you! Roxie will miss you bunches � More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Shelly Chavis McLean
Lena is very professional and very responsive. We didn’t get to keep our dog so we didn’t actually get to train with her but she helped us out with advice over the phone and messaging . We will definitely use her in the future with our other dogs. Highly recommend her. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Hana Marie
Lena with Understanding Our Dogs LLC completely changed the way we handled our crazy little boxer puppy. Our pup went from biting and jumping all over everything to sitting nicely when guests came into the house and no more painful puppy bites! She helped us manage her on the leash and give us ease when bringing her into crowded places. We could have gone to one of the 'big box' training companies but having Lena come to the house, observe Penny's environment and help us in the home was exactly what we needed. I HIGHLY recommend her to all of my friends with new or old pups, she changed our relationship with our fur baby for the better. Thank you Lena! Penny, a year and a half later is still very responsive to the commands and continues to work on her skills. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Kaitlinh Ho
Lena was great - she worked with our 1.5 year old goldendoodle for 3 weeks while we were on vacation and helped him be more comfortable on his leash (no more pulling! ), and more responsive off his leash. She was always honest and sent a few pictures during his 3 week training. Mogli seemed very happy when he came home. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Joyce Greiner
Lena is wonderful, she treats the dogs like family. I highly recommend her, you won’t be disappointed
Reviewed on Facebook
Christine Caplinger
Lena is fantastic. She’s super flexible, kind, and receptive to the client needs and most importantly what the dog needs! She helped with my lab/Shepherd mix who dealt with a variety of behavioral and physical issues . She gave me such insight into her personality and how she interacts with the world around her. It has made a world of difference! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Katie Leigh
When I called Lena, I was frustrated, exhausted and felt extremely defeated. I had house broken my newly adopted pup in 3 days, but could not, for the life of me, train him. It got to a point where I didn't think I'd be able to keep him, which literally broke me. Aside from the fact that he was seeming impossible to handle, I found out a few days after the adoption that he was also deaf. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
LJ Pedersen
Lena is amazing! We have a 10 month old Rottie that was nipping and jumping 24/7. He was constantly jumping on our son and made it impossible for them to play together. We had to crate him to just be able to eat without him jumping on the table. We could not take him anywhere in public because he was very reactive and anxious. We could not even take him for a walk down our street because he was dragging us and biting the leash. He truly was terrified of having a leash attached to his collar. Hiring a dog trainer was our last resort before considering the option of rehoming him. After our first visit with Lena she noticed his anxiety so we went to the vet. The vet diagnosed him with anxiety and he was put on meds. Although the meds take about a month to start working.. Lena took him for her three week board and train a few days after our vet appointment and we just got him back yesterday. All I can say is he is a completely different dog! He is so much more calm and is not nipping or jumping. We can eat while he sits politely next to us without begging or jumping. He is walking perfectly loose leash and is ignoring other people and dogs during walks. And best of all.. my son can finally play with him. I can truly say that I am amazed. I highly recommend Lena to anyone looking for a dog trainer and needs help with troublesome behaviors. I wouldn't go with anyone else! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Pamela Bartlett Bingham
I cannot express how talented Lena is and how effective the training has been for our Cooper. Life saving. We highly recommend her services to make a tremendous difference in your dogs behavior. Thank you Lena!
Reviewed on Facebook
What do you love most about your job?
Improving the quality of life of dogs and their owners. Every dog deserves a chance and every owner deserves a great dog.
What inspired you to start your own business?
My love for dogs and the desire to help others. Dogs can bring so much love and happiness. Sometimes they just need a little help understanding what we prefer and how best to behave.
Why should our clients choose you?
Science-Based Dog Training. My curriculum is built on decades of scientific research and practical development by behavior analysts, ethologists and event-marker trainers around the world
Comprehensive Services. I will explain what causes your dog's behavior and what steps need to be taken to remedy the situation as well as how to prevent re-occurrence.
Fully Customizable. I will never try to fit a square peg into a round hole. Dogs are individuals - I can easily adjust the program to the specific dog's needs.
Professionally Educated. There are no industry requirements for dog trainers. I am one of the few that have been professionally educated. I graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior.
Efficient Training Programs. My training programs are well-established with the highest level of efficiencies targeting the busy schedules of the owners.
20 Years of Experience. I started training dogs in 1998. I have vast experience of working with a multitude of breeds and personalities
Puppy Training
No need to buy more than 3 sessions! We recommend training your puppy from the moment he walks through your door at 8 weeks. Many undesired behaviors can be prevented well before forming. Our Puppy Program is unsurpassed and focused on teaching self-control.
3 sessions for $330. Complete and efficient training system.
Board and Train
Board and Train is designed for those owners that do not have the time to train their dog but are willing to keep up with training once the dog reaches the desired level. The dog stays in my guest bedroom and becomes part of my family for 3 weeks. Basic behaviors only not behavior modification. 3 weeks for $1250
