Pat,\r
I have the highest regard for your dog training ability, and have recommended your services to many of my friends. I usually tell people that anyone can train a dog that has no behavior problems. Just give the dog enough treats until it has trained to entice you to give it the desired response. Take a treat away and there's \r
trouble. But if the dog has behavioral problems - aggression, incessant barking, or many of the problems encountered in rescue dogs that have experienced abuse, a trainer is needed who understands canine behavior and can get lasting and reliable results. If you want a dog that you can take in the ring and compete with highest honors, you need an expert. That's why I have such high regard for your expertise.\r
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When we first met, with my female that was a badly abused rescue, that wanted to chew up my male puppy, you came to the house and within five minutes you had both dogs lying side by side. As someone who has spent his life training working dogs, guard dogs, drug dogs, police dogs, you had the tough. No treats, just pure psychology. \r
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And so we went down the road together. After one week I was walking both dogs in heel position with leashes hung loosely hanging over my shoulders. After resolving the aggression issue we continued training sessions and after 9 months entered the obedience ring. I was never in a dog obedience trail before; both dogs were competing after 14 other dogs. One of my dogs tied for first place, the female came in third. To gain a title they had to place high (at least 170 of possible 200 points) in three trials under three different judges. The following week we met at Purina Farms for two trials sponsored by the German Shepard Club. In the first trial my female came in first, my male came in second. The last trial, the male came in first, the female second. They had their Companion Dog Title - thanks to you. That was in May of 2006. Today they are still just as sharp on commands - no treats involved - they just want to show off how smart they are. Thanks Pat, you taught me how to make two \r
good dogs into wonderful pets!\r
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Doughboy-II (aka Fr. G)
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