Beyond The Walk

$20/walk

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Introduction

I have 13 years experience working with dogs of all ages, breeds, and temperaments and have attended multiple training workshops for animal behavior and enrichment, in addition to becoming a certified trainer after completing my masters course through CATCH. My vast knowledge and hands on experience allows me to provide the best quality pet care services. My services encompass all animal needs, such as medical needs, training needs, high energy, and basic walks, pets that may need more individual care, and pets looking for extra social time! I take great pride in my attention to animals and their daily need. I strive to provide the best care possible for all pets at the most affordable rates for their owners. I love being with animals and being out and about regardless of the weather. I greatly enjoy putting my knowledge and experience to the greater purposes and providing the best care for animals! I also greatly enjoy sending pictures to my costumers of their pets while in my care and knowing that happiness that it brings to owners knowing their pet is in good hands.

Overview

Hired 80 times

Serves Thomaston, CT

Background checked

3 employees

12 years in business

Business hours

This pro hasn't listed their business hours.

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Instagram

Top Pro status

Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.

2017

Projects and media

113 photos

Projects and media

113 photos

Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, responsiveness, and work quality.

Great 4.8

49 reviews

92%

Read reviews that mention:

Leslie S.

Jan 31, 2024

Hired on Thumbtack

I was feeling overwhelmed by my dog Marvin's behavior but then I called Beyond the Walk and I met Sarah. Sarah is a blessing and an amazing dog trainer. Sarah tailored the training to our needs specifically. She took Marvin who was suffering from high anxiety and starting to prevent us from leaving the home and brought him back to me as a new dog. Sarah gave me the tools and techniques I need to help him overcome his issues and took the time to educate me on how to reinforce the training at home with private lessons in my home. I am so happy I decided to have Marvin training professionally. It was money well spent and he will go back to them for boarding in the future. Thanks Sarah!

Details: 2 - 10 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • I'm flexible • Aggressive behavior modification • Leash pulling • Barking • Biting • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training

Grace M.

May 28, 2024

Hired on Thumbtack

Very impressed! I received a great deal of insight into my dogs behavior and many good tips to help my own behavior! The hurt was very thorough, I felt like I got a great deal out of our time together and the level of professionalism was welcome.

Details: 2 - 10 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training

Elizabeth L.

May 16, 2024

Hired on Thumbtack

Wonderful experience with Sarah, Kylie and the Beyond The Walk Team! After a week long intensive training program, we saw immediate improvement in our 4 year old Bernedoodle’s behavior - most notably less barking and hyperactivity. BTW was very responsive and professional in all of our interactions and easy to work with re pick up/drop off logistics. I would definitely recommend BTW to my friends and family in the Fairfield County area.

Details: 2 - 10 years old • Small (16 - 25 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • Barking • House training • Leash pulling • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training

Lee W.

Dec 11, 2023

Beyond The Walk provided us with help when we needed it the most. We have been struggling with dog aggressive behaviors in our home and when we reached out to Beyond The Walk we received quick, professional responses. They took the time to get to know our needs and always made a point to check in me and my pup by name. The guidance we received was extremely useful and personal to our specific needs. We cannot thank them enough for taking the time to get to know us, for their consistency in communication even though things got busy, and for their help making our home more peaceful.

Katherine M.

May 6, 2023

Hired on Thumbtack

The girls with Beyond The Walk are without a doubt the best team in our area. We adopted a dog from out of state and immediately ran into lots of issues, sadly the rescue wasn't responding and we felt very loss for help as both our dog and our child were not safe. Sarah immediately contacted me within less than 20 minutes of email when she read want an urgent situation we were in. She coordinated to come out the exact same night and even came with a spare crate and doorway gates for us to use to help be able to give Ella, our newly adopted dog, her own area so our dog and kid could be safe sharing a home with her. She went over decompression for newly adopted dogs and emailed us a training guide for decompression and adjustment so we could follow it with her. After a few days Sarah and Jackie came out to help with doing gradual introductions between her and our dog and by the end of day 3 they were playing together. Shortly after, Sarah repeated the same process with our kid (she's only 7) and our daughter was very comfortable. Sarah even worked on commands with Ella and helped show our daughter how to get Ella to follow the commands so Ella could learn to build a relationship with her and understand our daughter is someone for her to listen to and cuddle with rather than jump all over and put her mouth on. If not for these girls we would've ended up sending Ella back to Tennessee as we felt lost, overwhelmed, and honestly like we made a mistake that was going to have awful consequences. I cannot say enough about how grateful we are. Highly recommend!!! They recently came out again when we traveled for vacation to watch our dogs for us and did some refresher leash training with our pups will we were away, their work is amazing!

Details: 2 - 10 years old • Extra large (70+ lbs) • Board and train at a facility • Aggressive behavior modification • Biting • Destructive behavior • Leash pulling • Barking • My home, venue, etc. • At the pro’s location

Dog Training

Credentials

Background Check

Sarah Smolak

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My pricing varies based on services, all pricing can be found on the website. However, I believe receiving the best pet care should not leave you broke; therefore, I offer lots of client discounts, such a frequent care discounts, multi-animal household discounts, client referral discounts, and Pampered Pal of the week discounts. I work my hardest to make pet care as affordable as possible for you!
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Typically, I request a complimentary meet and greet with myself and the new costumer, this can be conducted at anytime, even the day of your departure. I will always take on any costumer regardless of timing, animal temperament, medical conditions, or high demanding job requirements. I am dedicated to providing the best care possible and I feel it is always best to get an idea your pets daily routine for consistent care and of course it is always helpful to have your pet meet me a head of time so they feel comfortable with me entering their home.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have completed a masters course through CATCH, becoming a certified trainer. I have spent 8 years working in animal welfare, I have hands on experience with dogs and cats in stressful situations and have been trained to help animals decompress and feel comfortable in all environments. In addition, I have experience medicating animals of all sorts including sub-q fluids, topical, and oral medications. My job experience has taught me the importance of enrichment, consistency, and trust relationships between myself and animals. I have attended training seminars for enrichment and behavior of both canines and felines, as well as seminars for animal medication including common medications, joint medications, medication for behavioral modification, and heartworm treatments. After 8 years of rehabilitating animals, I am comfortable taking on animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical states.