Sophie: 5 yr Miniature Schnauzer
Program: 1 ON 1 Private Training Sessions
“I am the owner of a 5 year old Miniature Schnauzer named Sophie. Sophie and I had previously attended Obedience Level I and II group classes, as well as private training sessions with other trainers to try to address her on-leash reactivity to other dogs and her continued barking and growling once guests had entered our home. All previous training was done according to the “pure positive” model, using treats and praise to reward the desired behavior. This purely positive approach did not work with Sophie for these issues.
Also, a serious new issue developed when our first grandchild arrived on the scene… Sophie’s prey drive was really revved up by the baby’s crying and other noises. And now that she’s a toddler, we have her running around, squealing and flailing her arms! Not a good situation with a hyper Schnauzer with a high prey drive!!! My stress level from Sophie’s behavior was getting very high. I needed to find someone to help me deal with her behaviors, or she was going to be spending an awful lot of time in her crate.
Enter Becky Herman, Best K-9 professional dog trainer! I found Becky on the internet, after reading an article about the use of E-collars for dogs with undesirable behaviors who don’t respond with pure positive training. Sophie’s reactivity to other dogs had become so bad that I didn’t enjoy walking her anymore. She had become extremely vocal (barking, growling and the dreaded “Schnauzer scream”) that it would upset other dog owners and their dogs. Some large dogs became so aggravated by it, that they would be yanking on their leashes trying to get at Sophie. Not only was this annoying and embarrassing, it had become dangerous in some situations.
We signed on with Becky for the lifetime training package, which gives several private sessions with her, and then lifetime access to her weekly group classes. Sophie was fitted for her E-collar, and I was trained to use it properly. (I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to work with a professional trainer when using a tool like an E-collar.) Almost immediately, there was a huge difference in Sophie’s behavior! All of a sudden, I had control of these situations that had previously been so out of my control.
Becky helped me to understand what was driving Sophie’s behaviors, and to read her body language. I have learned so much, and am still learning! I cannot say enough about this young woman’s professionalism, her intuition with animals, her caring and compassionate personality and her knowledge and experience with dog training. Working with Becky has literally changed my relationship with my dog, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. We are looking forward to the next group class on the weekend!”
Shawn Seaboyer
LaHave, Nova Scotia
BK9 