Reactive Dog Fundamentals Testimonials

Thank you so much for your help with Sitka.  We both enjoyed your Reactive Dog Fundamentals class.  I found the way you presented information clear and easy to follow. I really appreciate that there was lots of time for questions during the class and that you are available for questions during the week via email. I felt supported spending time with yourself and other people having similar challenges with their dogs; I called your class my Saturday Sitka therapy session.

We learned a variety of skills that made life easier for both Sitka and I.  Distraction Mark Treat (DMT) both in the house and when encountering other dogs really helped to reduce the level of chaos. In the house Sitka will start barking at something and if both dogs are not immediately DMT’ed, Luna will join, and once they have crossed a certain threshold, the only thing that will calm either of them is time in their kennel. Learning that time in the kennel is an ‘approved’ management strategy was good to hear because we definitely use it pretty much daily. Although Sitka still appears really uncomfortable when we meet another dog, between DMT and A to B, there is no more lunging and barking. I feel a large part of this is because she is on-leash; I don’t think she is in a place to respond to DMT off leash.

The most helpful games were, all things DMT, A to B, leash pressure, magic hand, and middle.  We practice a variety of the games you taught and although the others are fun as well, I am not sure they have made a difference to Sitka’s life yet.

Canine communication was huge - I honestly think one of the only times Sitka was truly happy with us was when she was running through the bush off-leash with no other dogs around…..except Luna; for some reason she has always loved Luna.

I also enjoy your instructional videos.  They are easy to comprehend and break the skill down into manageable steps.

Thanks again for a great class.

Catherine and Sitka

We have learned so much from you and all the resources you have offered us. We thoroughly enjoyed our time spent with you and appreciate you taking on both dogs during the training classes.

When I look back on how worried we were that we made a wrong decision in adopting Tucker, I realize how far we have come in the past couple months.
Thank you so much for your insight and assistance.

Barb, DJ and Tucker