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Jasper

I adopted Jasper 8 months ago.  He is a wonderful, playful, intelligent dog full of energy.  However, he was like having a toddler 24/7.  I could not get him to settle down, stop jumping all over me, biting his leash (tore thru 3), barking and pulling on his leash when he saw another dog or squirrel.  I tried taking him to different obedience classes and made some headway.  I knew though I was not able to get him to reach his potential without more intensive professional help. 

Canine Academy to the rescue.  It was a big commitment but well worth it.  He came back with confidence, calmer demeanor, and nailed his commands taught to him.  It was my turn now and responsibility to make sure I carried over with what he has learned on a consistent basis and it is paying off.  I love taking him for walks, going thru drive in windows, going out on outings with his fellow canine student graduates and taking him to my friends’ houses.
 
My next goal is to enroll him in therapy dog training classes and who knows agility with all that energy!!!

"Josie"

Our dog, Josie, was a semi trained 2 year old Australian Shepherd when we first met Lisa.  She did not walk well on a leash and had a tendency to become very excited upon greeting people.  She would vocalize (we called it her "Whale Song of Joy) and jump up. She also had issues with fearfulness.  She was protective of her food and some toys, particularly with our teenage daughter. 

She became very concerned when people ran in the house or over odd things like my husband and I holding hands.  She would initially bark but if the thing that worried her did not stop she would hide under chairs or beds. These fearful behaviors were increasing over time.  After discussing the situation with Lisa on the phone we decided to enroll in obedience classes.  Josie was extremely anxious in class but her problem behaviors did begin to improve.  My husband and I began to see that the more training Josie was exposed to, and the more new situations, the more happy and content she became. 

We have had Australian Shepherds before.  They are high energy dogs that need stimulation.  Our previous dogs could get what they needed by twice daily Frisbee/ball playtime.  Josie needed the same degree of stimulation but of her mental capacity not her physical capacity.  She is not very interested in fetch. We decided to enroll Josie in the off leash program for two reasons: to accelerate the pace of her training so she would be the kind of doggie citizen we could take everywhere with us thus ensuring intellectual exposure, and also so she would become exposed to many new situations (such as the farm) that we did not have access to and learn not to be overly fearful of new situations. RESULTS: Since Josie has returned to us she has been much less fearful.  When she is fearful her training (such as putting her in her 'place') reassures her that we are in control and she is safe.  I can now take her to any environment where dogs are allowed and know that her behavior will ensure she is welcomed back with open arms.  Her relationship with our daughter is much improved which is a bonus I did not even expect. She is a dog who wants to please and now we have the tools to clearly communicate with her exactly what we want her to do. I am very grateful we had the opportunity to participate in this program and feel the program and the ongoing support has stacked the deck to insure our ongoing success.

- Amy Johnson

 

"Rocket and Tessa"

We were at our wit's end with our 2 standard poodles Rocket and Tessa. We took them to a behaviorist and they were both started on Zoloft to little effect. Eventually I found Canine Academy and now we have two great dogs! 

Rocket was 7-years-old when he started off leash training. He had been diagnosed with fear based aggression which manifested as barking and lunging at other dogs and pedestrians. He was also disruptive and destructive at home, attacking the television set and damaging the cabinetry. Rocket completed a 6 week off leash training program with remarkable results. His problem behaviors resolved and he is now calm and behaves perfectly in any setting. Rocket went on to complete the Therapy Dog International Training program and he is now a registered therapy dog with plans to work with Hospice patients. 

Tessa, our 3-year-old, was a bundle of love and energy. She would aggressively display her affection to all, jumping on and licking anyone in sight. Her excessive energy was difficult to manage. Tessa successfully completed the 6 week off leash program and she loves more gently now. 

Sincerely,

Liz Singer

" Bean"

Bean was trained through the Off-Leash Program in 2009 and continues to board with us when her family travels. They spend extended time in France each year and Bean enjoys her time with friends at the Canine Academy. Here is what her owners have to say.... 

Happy New Year! Lisa, it's like she never left! You know there was no one else to consider for Bean's care, you've known her since she was just 4 months old. We were at the vet and she was squealing like a baby pig in the lobby. You picked her up and said "I can fix that" and you did! You definitely have the gift of understanding animal behavior and PEOPLE! We still anguish over leaving our Bean but know everyone at Canine Academy is well trained, doing more than just a job, and she is getting the best attention, exercise and training. I'm sure she loved spending time at the farm and we thank you for that. The puppy classes, (where I think you trained me along with her!), off leash program, boarding with continued training made me confident that we were leaving her in good hands. Our squealing little piggy is now a Great Dog!

All the Best for the New Year,
Gale Adams
Clarkston, MI and Paris, France

" Macy"

Macy was a 5yr old mixed breed when we enrolled her in the Canine Academy.  We got her from the Humane Society when she was a puppy.  She was always a good dog, but as our family expanded to 3 kids and things got busy with work we had less and less time work on her training.  She began to take over the house and do things on her terms.  She loved to be outside with the kids but would eventually lose interest in them and would leave the yard.  She would not come back when we called her.  We moved into a new house with a mail slot in the front door.  Macy would wait for the mailman by the door for 2 hours everyday.  When she heard the screen door open, she would start barking and as soon as the mail started coming through the slot she would pull it through and tear it up.  Of course, the mailman would always come when the baby was taking a nap.  A daily crying baby, an angry wife and torn up important mail from work lead to the ultimatum....."Find a new home for that dog or get her trained"  Unwilling to part with Macy we enrolled her in the off leash program. 

It was an amazing transformation after only 6 weeks; Macy definitely returned home a great dog.  Once we were "trained" to train her, we were able to fix the barking and mail problems.  We are so thankful to Lisa and Staff for the work they did with Macy. Sometimes she still gets the urge to wander from the yard but when we call, she comes immediately. 

Our only regret with the Canine Academy is that we didn't enroll Macy in it 5 years earlier. 

The Hoeglers
Birmingham, MI

“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.

"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

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