Gracie

Gracie, an English Golden Doodle exuberantly bounced into my life 7 months ago.   She was extremely energetic, and the play was never-ending.  She loved to bite, eat absolutely everything she found on the ground, chew anything she could, and run around the house like a tornado.  She is a very flexible dog and could squeeze into almost any tight space where I couldn’t reach her when she had something she shouldn’t. She broke things in the house with her love of the “chase game” when I complied with her wishes and played the game to rescue her from swallowing whatever she had in her mouth. As adorable as she was, I was exhausted and frustrated and although my previous dog had been through all the courses at Canine Academy including off-leash and had turned out to be a very Great Dog, I felt like no one could tame this little puppy that I loved. 

After completing the beginner and intermediate obedience classes, Gracie went to off-leash and I got a break from all this energy. While watching the posts of Gracie training in various places and sitting in a store on her own and, even better, BEHAVING, I would just laugh with glee.  I couldn’t believe it.  The people at Canine Academy told me they had seen it all and that Gracie was indeed trainable, and they were right.  She is still very energetic which means that I get a lot of exercise, but the bad behavior in the house is gone. 

In my past experience with Canine Academy, they are always there for you and your dog.  The day training classes are great to keep improving your dog’s behavior and to give you a little break.  There are lots of outings to participate in to get your dog used to being out in crowds and around other people and dogs.  They are always available if you have a question or a problem with a particular behavior.  Lisa was even with me when my other dog, Maggie, took her last breath, and I will always be grateful.  She has a way with dogs and knows how to train the people that love them.  So, now my little best friend has become a Great Dog, and I have become a Great Dog Mom! 

With deepest thanks always Canine Academy,

Colleen Gagnon & Gracie

"Swanky"

The Richardson Family – "Swanky" – Golden Doodle

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Swanky is the happiest and most exuberant puppy. She seemed to feel that everyone who came in the front door needed her to greet them with a lot of excited jumping and many wet kisses. Sometimes it would go on for a good 3 to 5 minutes before I could curtail her. When our guests would sit down, she was sure they wanted her to jump into their lap so she could continue the process. I guess she thought they would love the attention. Not everyone did.... So I, trying to be a good host, would crate her so she would leave them alone. That would start an onslaught of yapping and barking. It was time for some training for Miss Swanky. She went into the Off Leash Program at the Canine Academy. Now, Swanky's manners match her sweet happy personality. She always comes when she is called and has learned what "off" means. She can greet our company without making a scene and if she makes any noise in her crate (rare) all I have to do is say quiet and that's the end of it. She walks beside me when I ask her to, and will sit or lay down on command. What a pleasure she is to be around. Everyone who comes over loves Swanky. I'm so glad she had such a good experience at Canine Academy. Not only was she trained to behave like a lady, but she got the chance to play with other dogs and puppies, and who doesn't like to hang out with their friends. Swanky is such a pleasure to be around that she gets to be part of the party when our friends come over. Lisa and Staff, I am so happy with the results I've had with Swanky. Her good conduct recommends you to all of our friends. Thanks again.

“Maggie”

The Gagnon Family – “Maggie” Goldendoodle

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Maggie is a Goldendoodle. However, she turned out to be more Golden than Doodle - lots of energy, very loving, a people pleaser, soft, loves every minute of life. But when she was small, we called her "The Demon"! She lived to jump on me, bite at me, and steal anything paper. My goal had been to get a dog that would keep me walking every day. But more than that, I am in a period of my life where I was looking for a way to give back. Seeing Maggie's loving personality and high energy, I realized that Maggie needed a job and I needed to volunteer, and if we worked together, we could both have that. But the little "demon" needed to be tamed! After going through Beginner and Intermediate Obedience at Canine Academy, I knew that Maggie would benefit from the Off-Leash Program and that would help her get ready to become a Therapy Dog so that she could be busy and I could give back. 

She is home from the Academy now, and what a great dog she is! She loved her training and did very well at Canine Academy. Walks that used to be difficult because at 75 lbs, her pulling on the leash was hard on me, are now a pleasure. We walk twice every day and she has many friends in the neighborhood that have watched her grow from an unruly puppy to a beautiful companion thanks to the Canine Academy. We train every day and she loves to attend the weekly training sessions that the Off-Leash Graduates take part in. Lisa and her trainers gave Maggie the tools she needed to be an absolutely wonderful dog. Now we work together to fine tune those tools and everyone that knew her before is quite impressed by how well-behaved she is now. My life is so much better with Maggie in it, but part of that is thanks to the wonderful people at the Canine Academy and the great work they do with the dogs. If I ever add to my dog family, we will surely be calling them again!

"Remington"

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We got Remi in July of 2012 as a puppy. He instantly became a member of the family and was as loveable as a Goldendoodle puppy can be. Therefore, he was also into everything and everywhere in the house. We had even enrolled Remi in a “Beginner Obedience” class. Housebreaking and training were starting to progress nicely. Then right before school started our oldest child broke his leg in several places. Unfortunately the proper training for Remi was taking a backseat. Thankfully for Lisa, she was willing to help us out. 

We enrolled Remi in the “off the leash” program. The Canine Academy took Remi immediately so we could take proper care of our son. After my son was healed, Remi came home. I never thought a 7-month-old puppy would ever behave that way. 

Remi is now 11 months old and behaves like a 4-year-old dog. It truly is a joy to have him as part of the family now. Since he has been home I rarely put a leash on him for our daily evening walks. He either stays right by my side or is just a few yards ahead of me sitting a waiting for me to catch up. We never have to worry about him running off. Before sending him to the Canine Academy we were considering an underground fence system for the yard. That is not even a thought now.

When we get another dog, we will definitely be sending them to Lisa no matter were we live in the country. Thanks for a wonderful addition to our family.

-Hugh & Lori
Lake Orion, MI
March 2012