“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.

“Maggie”

The Gagnon Family – “Maggie” Goldendoodle

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!

“Zoro”

The Leszczynski Family – “Zoro” Portuguese Water Dog 

In 2009 we decided to add a dog to our family. I had been researching breeds for several years and we chose a Portuguese Water Dog puppy. We have had dogs before and were really not expecting any large upset. We enrolled ourselves in the Beginner's training with Canine Academy and missed a few weeks because Zoro was in the hospital and almost died but they really did not know what caused it. We joined the Intermediate training course and made it through 2 sessions before he was rushed to emergency again. This time he had eaten 3 articles of clothing and had to have them removed from his intestines. We still thought we could watch him better and handle it ourselves; he became our whole family's nightmare. After the 5th vet visit, thousands of dollars, and too much heart ache we called Lisa and met with her about Off Leash Training.

Zoro is now 18 months old and the Off Leash Program truly saved his life. He would never have stopped stealing and eating things that were not ingestible nor were we able to watch him every second of every day and enjoy life. The Off Leash Program is not a way for someone else to train your dog, but rather a way to get the core skills taught in a controlled environment so that they stick. It did take another good 6 months of enforcement at home to really get our crazy guy to think before he acts but no more over night stays in the doggie hospital and he really is a joy rather than a burden now. Zoro is a very happy dog and we are very happy dog owners!

“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.

“Ernie”

The Denek family – “Ernie” Shepherd/Lab Mix

Ernie receives many compliments on how well behaved he is and I always tell them he received his training at the Canine Academy. He loves young children and acts almost as a shepherd with them - never leaving their sides. It is really cute. I could not be more satisfied and look forward to enjoying many years with a GREAT dog.

“Pooxi”

The Wasserman Family – “Pooxi” Chinese Crested Powderpuff

Pooxi is a graduate from the Canine Academy’s Off Leash program. Upon completion of her training, we were off to Germany. She did great on the plane, from EST 4 PM until EST 3 AM. She is happy in Germany, no problem with airports or immigration, and now she is nesting in her new home. She is just a GREAT dog, just like they said! Thanks, again and again.

"Niki "

The Lopez Family – "Niki" Havipoo

My pal Niki was a cute little girl that I loved but she did have me trained. After being trained herself at the Canine Academy, I now love her more. She is the star of the show where ever she goes and people ask me how she became so good after being so spoiled. I owe it all to the Canine Academy because I could not do it myself.

Have a good dog? Want a GREAT dog? ™