Success Stories from the Academy

Valerie:

When I first brought Paige my Miniature Schnauzer to Alan's basic obedience class she had a real issue around other dogs. She would bark continuously and try to attack any dog of any size. After graduating from the Basic course she was much better and her attention focused on me instead of the other dogs in the class. I continued on with the advanced obedience course where she really began to show her true abilities. She had overcome all of her socialization issues and had many friends in the class. She was working totally by hand signals and I could not have been more proud of her and how far she had come in just a short time. I cannot wait for the next class to begin.

Jane:

Thank You for taking such time and caring so much about Maggie. You truly have a gift with dogs. Maggie is fine and she remembers all of her commands. You would be very proud of her. Thanks again and Maggie thanks you also.

Ann :

When I first saw "Timy" a Chihuahua mix some lady had brought into the law office where I was working. She was only 3 months old. She was growling and attacking a stuffed animal. We had some children in the office and no one wanted to pet her because they thought Tiny would bite them. The lady who had Timy could not afford to keep her so I said that I would take her. I had 8 other dogs and I was hoping she would get along with her new fur-brothers and fur-sisters. She seeemed to get along perfect with her new pack but she was agressive once I took her outside the home and she would bark and try to attack any dogs that came in contact with her.

I enrolled her in Alan's basic class and at that point she had never worn a leash or collar. I thought it would take forever to train her but by the end of the first class she was actually walking on a leash. She was also fearful of other dogs and would bark at them and act like she was going to attack them. By the end of the basic class she had made friends with each dog in the class. She loves going to class so much that we have gone non-stop since April 2006. She gets so excited when she knows that we are going to class to see Alan, Rufus, Sarge and all of her other fur-friends.

I would recommend anyone who has a fur-kid to try Alan's class for training and socialization. It is the best thing I have done for Tiny.

Bruiser:

My name is Bruiser, I am a black 18 lb. Schipperke Mix dog. Alan is my hero! but it wasn't always that way. Let me tell you: I am about 5 yrs old and one day my family packed up... I was excited.. A Road Trip yippee.. Except my road trip was to the animal shelter. They took their t.v, frig, and couch, but not me. For two weeks I barked, I jumped, I was hysterical in my kennel waiting for my family to return for me. A nice lady took me home. she loved me but there were other dogs in her house and cats that needed to be chased. I didn't know what to do. We would go on walks but if I got a chance I would pull loose and run and run and the nice people would chase me. I don't know where I was running to or why, I was just scared. After 5 months, I was soo afraid of everything, even the nice lady, that my fur fell out from stress. Then one night, the nice lady took me to "dog class". She told Mr. Alan that she wanted to take me camping but couldn't because I would run away.

I had a new collar and a new leash, The collar told me to pay attention to the nice lady and I began watching her and walking beside her and sitting and staying and she praised me. I didn't like to lay down, but even I learned that it is okay. No on is going to hurt me when I lay down. The the scary part, I had to lie down while my nice lady left the room. If I got up, she came back in and made a displeasing sound, gave a tug on the collar and put me back. Finally, after a couple of weeks, I would stay. I trusted the nice lady was going to come back. I liked the dogs I met in dog class. I wasn't afraid of dogs any longer. My fur grew back pretty and shinny. I graduated from the class. I could go camping. Alan taught me and my nice lady all of this. Alan helped me learn to become a real family member.

Now dog class is fun. I like to show off for all those amateur new dogs that come in class and shwo them how I can watch my nice lady and do what she says, sometimes with just a hand signal. Alan even had fun agility that I did for a few weeks.

I did get to go camping and it was fun and all th eother campers bragged about what a nice little dog I was. While other camping dogs were pulling on their leashes, snapping and growling. I wanted to be nice. The world is a nice and secure place and I'm not afraid anymore.

I know my nice lady is busy and has other things to do, but I sure hope she will keep taking me to dog class. I need to teach those new dogs how to behave!!

ps. And, my nice lady promised: If she moves she would get rid of her t.v. before she would get rid of me.

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