Stef
So today before I took Karma to conformation class, being a nice day I thought I would take her out for a walk around. So we walked around our subdivision and there was a bigger dog about Karma's size running loose next to a fence. The dog was kinda not in the best shape with 3 other dogs in the fence. All of the dogs were barking at us pretty fiercely. I got kinda worried when then one dog that was loose started walking towards us, Karma didn't seem to care and kept walking not a peep out of her. But i was kinda worried so i picked her up and kept walking away from the dog it turned around and went on doing its own thing.

So we kept walking and a few more houses down this little fuz ball dog was in the front yard of this house and started barking, I told Karma to leave it. She did and the fuz ball started running towards us, the owner ran out side and tried calling the dog. And just  like I expected the fuz ball didn't listen kept coming toward us barking. The owner yells at the dog "get back Shelly you don't know what your messing with" as she sees that karma is a ROTT lol.

I keep walking and telling Karma to leave it which she was and she never paid any attention to the fuz ball. I kept the lil dog away from karma with my body, mainly my foot so, nothing could happen. Then some old man came out trying to get the dog, he asked me to stop so he could get the dog. So I stopped and he still couldn't get the dog. They were yelling at the dog and chasing it in the street. So I said I would walk back towards there house and so the dog would follow and that seemed to worked great.

The owners walked up and finally got there dog and said "o thanks that's a pretty dog and a good dog", I said "thanks" and walked away. I was going recommend your classes to the owner and say this is why Karma acts the way she does you should try it but....after all of the drama I was not in the mood to talk to her nicely so I just left with a simple "thanks".

But i can really tell that your class has done wonders for her and I greatly appreciate it and enjoy training with you.  It made an aggressive breed stand out and look like a very good citizen.  I am glad I was able to have one person see that when it mattered most. I know if I didn't ever take your class there would be one less fuz ball running around lol

Thanks a bunch
Joe Ditch

Dear Poochy Smooches Team,

I am writing this to let you know how much I have enjoyed and appreciated the Basic Obedience and Rally classes that Lightnin’ and I have taken. I have to admit that after these two classes she is still not perfectly trained. However, for a high energy dog she has made a great deal of progress. I feel that your classes have given me all the tools I need as her trainer.

At this point, Lightnin’ is delightful around the house. She is getting more and more consistent with basic commands and improves regularly with heeling. I can give you a success story from just this morning. I took Lightnin’ on her morning walk, and when we returned the garage door opener would not work. I was able to command Lightnin’ to sit and stay while I ran around the yard, got the hidden house key, opened the front door, ran through the house and then opened the garage door from the inside. She was sitting contentedly where I had left her on the driveway, and when I called “Come”, she came running to me immediately. It was truly a thing of beauty, and all because of your help. I also expect that by Christmas Lightnin’ will be able to sit and stay in our entry way to greet our guests instead of running up and jumping all over guests as she did this summer.

I have learned so much as a trainer – mostly about the need for repetition, consistency and patience in training. I look forward to Intermediate Obedience class in January. Once she is fully trained I plan to continue with Rally to give her more exposure to other dogs.

Thanks for being so knowledgeable, supportive, and available. You always have the time to answer my questions in person and online. Without your help, I could have easily felt overwhelmed with training my Australian Cattle Dog and I might have given up. With your help, I am developing the skills and confidence I need.

Thanks again,
Carla Kilgore

Dear Poochy Smooches Team,

I have had dogs in my life since I have been a young child.  I lost a beloved dog early last year that I had for 12 years. I went searching for a new dog that would keep my dog that I still had at home (Molly) company. I also wanted to look for a dog that could possibly work for search and rescue.  I was led to a place that had two puppies and they were litter mates.  Not knowing a lot about dogs I could not just pick one so both came home with me and were introduced to Molly. These puppies were named Xena and Hera.   Molly and the two new additions became a wonderful pack. As the puppies got older and started to become too much for me to handle and I knew they had to have some kind of training. So I went looking for someone to help me with getting Xena and Hera under control. 

As I researched on line I also discovered that you should not take litter mates.  Well, it was too late and I was not about to give one away. 

So my search to find a trainer became more important that could help me deal with litter mates and so my pack could become more than just a pack but a working dog pack. 

I was given the web site of www.poochysmooches.com to look at for help with my situation.  I emailed and began my quest in getting Xena and Hera on the road of being well disciplined dogs. Stephanie and her team helped me with the private lessons. Xena and Hera began their lessons in June as private lessons and continued into the obedience classes that fall. As Xena and Hera were taking private lessons I began working Molly at home with obedience.  Through the training I was introduced to so many things about training and keeping a healthy and happy dog.  In-between private training classes if I had a question I could email and get an immediate answer so I could start fixing the problem that might have come up. 

 

Along with learning about training of Xena, Hera, and Molly I learned about all of the different options that are possible through dog competitions, Therapy, also local businesses that will help take care of your dog such as washing, toe nail clipping, dog treats, and even kennels. Stephanie keeps everyone up to date with new changes in the AKC website along with helping people to locate a lost pet or finding new homes for beloved pets.

 

During the Obedience classes Stephanie has great people helping her that you can ask any of them for help and they are willing to help you. The classes are very well organized classes and in an atmosphere so you and your dog can concentrate and get the most out of the class.

 

I could not get Xena and Hera to the discipline level that I have with out the help I received from Poochy Smooches.  They gave helped me not only in classes but if I had questions I could email them and get answers in-between classes.  Stephanie and her team helped me work through the problems I had with litter mates and I can say that yes you can have litter mates and have a happy home. I also began training my older dog in obedience and I have a much happier home.  

 

The two puppies (Hera and Xena) have earned their Canine Good Citizen in October.  And I hope to get Molly her Canine Good Citizen in the spring.  Hera is in the process of working towards getting a search and rescue certificate in trailing.  Molly and Xena I hope to become Therapy dogs and start classes in the next couple of months.  I still continue with the discipline classes to keep improving not only myself but Xena, Hera and Molly.

 

Glenda