Darnfar Sheep Ranch & Dog Training

I took my dog Layla to Darnfar Ranch 5 years ago and the training she received during her 3 week stay still holds strong. Layla was a very excitable, anxious dog, so much so that she was unable to ride in car without vomiting. I could not even take her for a walk as she pulled so much on the leash. Pack training and consistency at home with the training skills taught by Tammy and Robert have really been the best thing that happened to Layla. I almost didn’t recognize her when we picked her up she was so disciplined. My husband takes her to work every day, she never chases small animals, and loves riding in the car. She has no problems on the leash and she is my favorite jogging partner. Still very excitable but we can now enjoy that part of her personality. Layla is 6 years old now and I never get tired of people telling me what a happy and well trained dog she is. Thanks Darnfar Ranch!

I have waited a whole month before writing this just to make sure the results stuck. I have a three year old pitbull named Hudson. About four months a go he ran up to a little girl and nipped her in the stomach, no real damage just a ½ blood blister, but even that is too much. So I had to do some thinking about what to do about my puppy, I didn’t want a dog that attacks people, I wanted the opposite. There where other signs that i was failing him a a leader too. Destructive behavior to objects in the house, the need to jump up on people, grabbing things off the table, and i could see he was having stronger urges to attack strangers (strong prey drive), and I would have to repeat com ands several times before he would listen and then he would not stay in a command (lack of respect). I had spent money on DVDs, books, and I watched shows like the dog whisperer religiously. But, there was something I was missing. I googled just about every dog trainer and dog behaviorist in the Northern IL area. I had Ideas of what I was looking for, mainly a trainer into the pack mentality, a facility where he could interact with other dogs, and an open setting where he could get lots of exorcise. I knew Hudson could benefit from learning how to be a dog again and just needed to get «reset». I could benefit from learning the right way to train and interact with him, there was definitely a communication problem between us, which would cause me to get frustrated. Hudson is not all bad, he is the sweetest dog to me and any one he knows, his objective in life is to lick your brain, unfortunately your face just happens to be in the way. His favorite place to be is anywhere I am, and he believes he is a lap dog, a 60 lbs lap dog. So I had narrowed it down to two places to take him the first was Bark Ave in Bartlett, where I sometimes board him, and the other was Darnfar Ranch way down in Brownstown, IL. I chose Darnfar because of the open country around the facility, the owner/​trainer had an extensive resume and the website answered all of my questions. I called down to Darn Far and set up a three week board and train. Tammie assured me over the phone there was no dog she and Roger couldn’t help. On July 18, 2012 we made the 4 hour drive from Hoffman Estates, IL to Brownstown. It was a pleasant drive with my girlfriend and two dogs. Upon arrival I was greeted By Robert who was in the middle of a training exorcise. We when I where we met with Tammie for the initial consultation. It took about 20 – 30 minutes where we discussed Hudson’s strengths and weaknesses, and what I was expecting from this experience. We then where reassured he was in good care and we where given a task of letting the thoughts of the old Hudson go. Three weeks later we would be picking up a new dog. On our return visit we met in the training facility with Tammie. Before we could see Hudson again we had to be retrained. She gave us a thorough education of what was done while he was here and how to really be a leader for him. We were then brought outside to view Hudson from a far. Robert had him in the down position while they had cats all around him. His focus was solely on Robert. At that moment I could see there was a drastic change in Hudson. He just acted differently, he acted as a well behaved dog. Hudson was then brought in to the facility where (under guidance) we practiced giving commands and distraction training. The pickup lasted five hours, and I enjoyed every moment. we where not treated like customers, but more like friends. I believe they truly cared for and cared about Hudson. They have a lot of passion for what they do and it shows. I am 100% sure that while Hudson stayed here he received the exorcise, attention, love, and discipline he needed and deserved. I would recommend Darn Far extremely highly. Hudson today is still behaving like he did when we picked him up. Darn Far has put the joy back into owning him. I go on daily bike rides with him, and have even used him as an example of what a well trained dog should be like. We still have to keep up our part in the training, and maintain the level of training that Darnfar instilled. Thank you Tammie and Robert from the bottom of my heart.