Disobedient

"Harlie"

"Harlie" – German Shorthaired Pointer

Harlie is a German Shorthaired Pointer who was 10 months old when we decided to send her to the Off Leash Training Program at the Canine Academy.  We met Lisa and her staff in Frankenmuth at the "Dog Bowl" and were amazed with how well behaved the dogs were that were there representing the company.

We got Harlie when she was 8 weeks old and had not had a puppy in 13 years.  After months of the yelling and destruction we realized we were not correcting any of the puppy problems or making anything easier for our family.  Having a puppy was becoming more of a problem than a joy.

After bringing Harlie home from the Academy, we were so thrilled with having our puppy back, being able to correct her properly and now getting to "enjoy" having her.
Lisa and her staff are absolutely amazing and this was the best thing we could have ever done not only for the Harlie but for our family.

I would highly recommend The Canine Academy to everyone who owns a dog and thinks they have a good dog, because when it's all said and done you will have a GREAT dog and it's so worth it!!!!! 

Heather McInchak-Worley
Dec. 2011

“Kawvika”

The Dew Family – “Kawvika” – Pitbull

I bought Kawvika from a good friend of mine in Hawaii who breeds show Pitbull's.  I already had a 5 year old Cockapoo named Sassy but I wanted to own a Pitbull my whole life and it was never a good time to get one.  After lots of thought, I did what I wanted to do for so long, and that’s to own a Pitbull.  I got Kawvika, and knew when he got older I would have to get him trained at some point.  Well at 9 months old Kawvika weighed 105 pounds and was still growing, so I knew it was time to get him trained.  I found out about Canine Academy through the dog park I took Kawvika to.  I met a guy there who said a friend of his took his dog to Canine Academy, so I did some research and set up a meeting with Lisa.  I felt very comfortable with her and her training dogs.  When I dropped Kawvika off for his six week, Off Leash Training Program, Kawvika would not listen to me, he wouldn't come when I called him, he wouldn't sit or stay, and I could not walk him-he would pull me around every time I took him out.  When I picked Kawvika up from the Canine Academy 6 weeks later, he was a new dog!  I couldn’t believe how smart he was!  Kawvika was taught 15 commands and hasn’t failed me yet.  The best thing I ever did for my dog was to bring him to the Canine Academy.  Lisa and her staff are great, and if I ever get another dog, I will be bringing it to Canine Academy.  Thanks again for a GREAT dog.

David Dew and Kawvika

“Scout”

The Will Family – “Scout” – Jack Russell Terrier

Scout is yet another Canine Academy success story - his journey from "that crazy dog" to "Canine Good Citizen" is nothing short of amazing. We continue to participate in Off-Leash Outings and Advanced Classes just for the adventure and fun it brings. I love the exposure to different dogs/owners/locations and the learning opportunities the Off-Leash Outings provide! My only regret is that I didn't find out about Canine Academy’s Off-Leash Program sooner. 

Scout was almost 8 yrs. old when we teamed up with the Canine Academy and we are so pleased with his transformation! Prior to Scout's off-leash training, I was too embarrassed by his bad behaviors to take him any where. He was out of control when we encountered another dog, would only come if he wasn't interested in something else, and would spin in a circle when he was over-excited. Even an annual trip to the Vet was challenging. Canine Academy to the rescue! Scout is a changed dog and as an added bonus, I've developed a new confidence in my own abilities to handle life with my little terrier (former Jack Russell Terrorist). Thank you Canine Academy!

The Will Family

“Maggie”

The Aycock Family – “Maggie” - Labrador Retriever

We brought Maggie to Canine Academy under pretty desperate circumstances.  She had recently growled and snapped at our 6 year old boys, who love her dearly.  We had had serious discussions about finding another home for her.  Dave found Canine Academy after desperately looking for alternatives to giving up Maggie and we gave them a call. Lisa spent a great deal of time with us on the phone listening to our situation and advising us realistically and honestly about what she could provide and what she sensed might be the problem with Maggie.  Maggie had recently been through so many changes - including moving twice and having knee surgery.  And she had not been raised with these two rambunctious boys who wanted to love all over her.  Maggie had also never really been trained.  Lisa talked with us about how Maggie was living under the pretty constant stress of not being assured that she could rely on us for her safety.  It really made sense and even more so now that we have her back.  She was nervous and easily agitated before the training and now seems calm and assured.  She was a huge puller when we took walks before the training - she now will walk comfortably and not pull.  She was a big barker when we dropped the kids off at school - now she does none of that.  She used to get very "mad" when people came to the house - now we can put her in a stay and it actually works.  It's much more comfortable for our guests and our belief is that it is more comfortable for Maggie as well.  Oh yeah - and now she comes when we call her :-)  We highly recommend the Off-Leash Program - it has allowed us to keep our beloved Maggie. 

Dave and Angela Aycock

"Swanky"

The Richardson Family – "Swanky" – Golden Doodle

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.

“Diesel”

The Zoschnick Family – “Diesel” Portuguese Water Dog 

We chose our Portuguese Water dog Diesel because this breed is great for people with allergies, smart, playful, and energetic. At the same time they can also be strong willed and stubborn. 

As Diesel grew into a larger puppy things became more difficult. We had a dog that thought everything in the house was a toy to chew (even unusual items like a hammer, tools, coins, paper, and tissue). We hadn’t had a dog that was large enough to counter surf before. When we were answering the phone, he was helping himself to the whipped cream off the pie on the counter or taking the toilet paper out of the bathroom and running through the house. 

Diesel loved people so much that it became hard to control his enthusiasm when he met new people. Just like any family member we wanted him to be well behaved and safe so we signed him up for puppy class. This helped but we new we needed more. 

We heard about Canine Academy’s Off-Leash Program and decided to sign him up. I was a little concerned intensive training might change his sweet and goofy personality-I didn’t want a robot dog. When we picked him up after 6 weeks he still had the same great personality that he had and now he understood that the commands we give him will keep him safe. This past Halloween was such a pleasure. Diesel was able to sit at the front door and watch the trick or treaters and I didn’t have to worry about him. 

Lisa and her staff are awesome. They gave us the tools to keep Diesel safe and to have a well-mannered dog. I would recommend Canine Academy to anyone that wants their good dog to become a great one. 

Thanks again Lisa and Staff.

"Toula"

The Faklaris Family - "Toula" Labrador Retriever

Toula was a very rambunctious lab who loved to jump on people, listened only on special occasions and, one time, knocked over my 76 year old mother. I really needed to train Toula but did not have the time as I was relocating to NY. I knew about Canine Academy's Off-Leash Program when I took my other Lab, Teddy, to their Obedience Class.

I enrolled Toula in the Off-Leash Training Program and it was the best thing I ever did. After 6 weeks, Toula returned home a rock star. I take her on walks and she heels like a champ. She runs around at the park and always comes when called. I take her to my nephew's soccer games and she stays in a down-stay perfectly. In fact, I have had numerous people approach me and compliment Toula's behavior. I have found it easier to tire-out a puppy with both a mental and physical 'workout'.

Canine Academy gives me the confidence to take Toula anywhere and people do not mind when I bring her to their house, to outdoor BBQs, or to the lake house. 

Toula is my 4th yellow lab and I usually have to wait untIL they are 2 years before they settle down and behave. Toula is 9-month old and very well behaved. In hindsight, I wish I would have taken all of my dogs to Canine Academy. I will surely enroll my future puppies in the Off-Leash Program.

E. Maria Faklaris

"Trapper"

The Lee Family – "Trapper" Shepherd Mix

We chose our rescue puppy from a litter of four that had been separated from their mother at birth. At three months, he was ten pounds of pure energy. We named him Trapper. Like some puppies do with their siblings, Trapper liked to circle, growl and nip at us. However, as he grew into a muscular seventy-pounder, the circling-growling-nipping behavior became a serious problem. When off the leash, Trapper would not come when called; but, when he felt like it, he would come at us with the circling-growling-nipping. No one was safe from his “attacks”. When on the leash, holding Trapper back was like trying to restrain a locomotive. Both my wife and I had been pulled to the ground by his sudden moves. With bandaged tooth-scrapes and torn clothes, we sought special group and individual training for him. After spending several hundred dollars and many hours, none of these efforts helped Trapper. The prospect of being able to take walks with him on our fifteen acres seemed to fall away; and his future activities seemed to be limited to restraint cables and separation from society. 

Then one day I spoke to Mark at Market Place Pets of Clarkston about Trapper. He said the only person that might be able to help was Lisa at Canine Academy. He knew of other tough cases she had solved. So, after some phone conversation and a thorough personal interview, we handed Trapper over to Lisa and her team at Canine Academy for six weeks of care and training. 

On the first of August, 2009, we were greeted by our new dog, Trapper. Lisa and her friends transferred the training keys to us. Our “new” dog Trapper will walk at our side or on a five foot leash without pulling us. Off the leash, he comes when he is called and no longer circles or growls or nips at us. He walks with us, with or without the leash. He is joy to be around. He sits and lays down on command; and he is socializing with family, friends and neighbors. With the ongoing training for Trapper and us (which is provided by Lisa and her friends at Canine Academy), we are now able to enjoy and treasure the time we have with our great, new dog.

“Lili”

The D'Aoust Family – “Lili” German Shepherd

Our dog Lili is a graduate of the Canine Academy Off Leash Program & all we can say is AMEN! She is a purebred German Shepherd & for some reason we seemed to think we could train her on our own. Needless to say, months later & many days & nights spent repeating "NO LILI" louder & louder we were totally exasperated & had almost given up. Then we heard about Canine Academy through a friend at work who raved about the total transformation of their dog via the training. We agreed it would be the best choice, especially as our family had a new baby & my husband was deployed overseas. Lisa met with me & immediately assessed the situation, sensing my exasperation & knowing they could help. I have to admit, I was pretty relieved to drop off Lili & relished the break during her training. I was a little apprehensive seeing her for the first time but immediately felt relief as she was behaved like a totally different dog! Lisa & her trainers had done what we couldn't.....no more mouthing, no more talking, no more bolting out the door & certainly no more jumping on guests. THANK GOODNESS! Lili is now a joy to be around & that couldn't have happened without  Canine Academy! Thank you Lisa and all the staff....we have a great dog thanks to you! 

Allen & Erika D'Aoust & the kids

“Calvin”

The Posa Family – “Calvin” Weimaraner

Calvin was a happy but uncontrollable puppy before training, almost feral. Although the six weeks seemed to pass slowly, the results were worth the wait. Calvin is still a happy boy. The Off Leash Training Program has given us a dog that is wonderful to have around. We no longer worry about what will happen next, he is responsive to commands, much calmer and a great companion. We highly recommend this program!

Karen & Michael Posa

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