Dear Carolyn:
I am writing to tell you how very grateful we are for the training instruction our 3 puppies have had to date. As you know, we found these dogs abandoned in our neighborhood trash area one day in early May. They are all females who were most likely 8 weeks old. The three sisters weighed 9 pounds each; starving, flea-ridden, and wormy, Who knows how long they had been left out on their own so survive? They were such loveable little dogs that we decided we had to give them a home and keep them together. But, we knew there was no way we could handle 3 rambunctious little strays (who now weigh nearly 30 pounds at 4 months old) without some serious discipline while they develop.
So far we have taken your basic course and have dogs who can walk beautifully on a leash. Since they are leash-trained, we are now able to put in an underground fence; because they can be walked on the property to learn our “electronic” boundaries in the woods and along the road. They respond to “sit” and “down” and “let’s go” and have learned “off” (as in – no jumping up on us). They know “easy” (taking food gently from our fingers) and “no bite”. They are beginning to learn “heel” and “drop it” and “come”. They run to us when we blow the whistle; and are learning their individual names.
Of course they are still young, and we need to keep reinforcing their good behavior and practicing everything we have accomplished so far. We look forward to more advanced lessons with you when the “girls” are ready. I can’t wait to walk them down Broadway as a threesome when they are ready to face the public, and I’ll brag on your great teaching and guidance. You are so patient with us and the dogs. You are warm and kind to the animals but firm and clear in your direction. I most strongly endorse you to anyone who has a dog that needs to be trained – whether they have a problem dog or a new puppy.
Dr. Linda Walker
Columbus, Georgia