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** Over 90%
of all private clients and class enrollment are from Veterinary and client referrals! **
Dear Dawn --
I wanted to share with you a scare
Birgitta and I had this morning and how the puppy training saved the day.
I let her out into our small, fenced-in back yard in NWDC to run around
(with a collar, but without a leash) while I took the recycling out, since
I could hear the recycling truck nearby.
After putting the bag in the recycling
bin, I went to open the gate to the yard. Birgitta tore through my legs
and raced out into the alley behind out house. She ran down to the end of
the alley, where it intersects with a second alley, and stood there,
listening to the sound of the approaching truck. I raced down our
driveway and called her name. She didn't do anything. Then I called her
name, turned and ran as fast as I possibly could back into our yard,
calling her name again. She raced along and as soon as she was safely
inside our yard, I slammed the gate shut. At just that moment, the huge
recycling truck turned the corner onto our little alley. If it hadn't
been for the puppy training class, I wouldn't have known to turn and run
fast, call her name, etc. and who knows what would have happened...
See you next Wed. at 7pm! Best,
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- Olivia Hilton (owner of
Birgitta, the dalmatian puppy) |
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| Our Boston terrier Beau was nearly a Merit
Puppy drop out. But thanks to Dawn and Lud we now have an outgoing,
confident pup who can sit, lie down, stay & shake. Beau's first
two classes were a disaster. In every play session Beau hid under
the chairs so the big puppies couldn't get near him. We felt we
might be doing Beau more harm than good but after a long chat with Dawn,
and at Dawn's suggestion, we switched classes where Beau found a friend in
another Boston Terrier. The two Bostons were inseparable in every
play session. Then, before long, Beau was playing with other bigger
dogs instead of hiding under the chairs in fear and not joining in.
We are so happy with the results from Merit Puppy Training! We also
learned that these classes were for US as well as Beau. We learned
that we need to work and practice the commands with our pup, which proved
to be so rewarding.
Thank you Dawn & Lud. We are
forever grateful & your best fans! Beau can't wait for his next
class! |
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- Myra & Robert Dunn,
Washington, D.C. |
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I cannot thank you enough for helping me with the
training of my Portuguese puppy. He was such a handful for me when I first got him. You
were my surprise from the sky. You helped me understand that the working breed is a task
oriented dog and to incorporate his training in our daily lives.
You have helped me keep my SANITY. I am indebted to you for life!
Thank you so much. |
--Carmel Bender |
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** Over 90%
of all private clients and class enrollment are from Veterinary and client referrals! **
|
I just wanted to thank you for all your expertise and
wisdom that you have shared with me. Suddenly finding myself as the secondary caretaker of
a very active puppy, I realized how unprepared I was for the challenge. The methods and
techniques you have shown me to use have been a lifesaver. I owe my sanity to you.
It is amazing the wonders your positive reinforcement works for the dog as well as the
human on the other end of the leash. The lures and trades are a great way to end the
frustrations of a stubborn playful pup. Thank you
so much Dawn. You have gone above and beyond the needs of the animal to be a wonderful
friend to us both. I look forward to the lessons to come in your advanced puppy class. You
have worked miracles so far.
Eternally Grateful, |
-- Susan Cilliers |
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|
| I want to thank you so much for your generosity of time
and commitment in helping us with our 10 week old puppy. We had no idea what to do or
where tostart, and had not realized how much dog training had changed since we were kids,
I guess gone are the days when you wait until a dog is 6 months old to train, and also not
able to learn anything until that age.....
Yikes, if we waited any longer I think the puppy would have taken over our home and walked us on a
leash!!! My son is helping with all the handfeeding techniques you showed him and is doing
better at the hand signals than me, and even my 10 month old is learning to play the,
"Peek-a-Pup" game you showed her and is able to lure and reward Nelly into the
sit and down with my guidance. I now have the confidence to raise my puppy with the same
philosophy I have in raising my own children. Also, I am much more comfortable with
positive reinforcement training, it's obvious to me that my son could not be involved in the depth
of Nelly's training if we did things any other way. We plan on attending your puppy
classes so we can continue to socialize our Nelly and practice the basic skills you have
taught us.
Thank-You so much for your continued support, the kindness you shared with my family, and
the deepest respect you cary inside you for the well-being of Nelly's education and
health.
My Best,
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-- Susan and Nelly |
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** Over 90%
of all private clients and class enrollment are from Veterinary and client referrals! **
|
Woof Woof Aunt Dawn,
Hey, it's me your favorite student...Mel. Thanks for teaching me all these neat tricks I
do so I can get lots of good treats. Mom thinks it is really something she is doing,
little does she know I am teaching her how to be a good owner.
I really had a fantastic time at your classes. It was so much fun playing with all the
other students and making new friends. I love those good treats you give me. I'll follow
you anywhere for those.
Mom sure seems a lot happier with me now that you have been helping us. I thought for sure
she was going to send me back before you came along and helped us.
I can't wait to see you again soon. Mom says you have a new friend for me to meet. Bow
wow!
ARF, ARF... |
-- Mel
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"When they took the beginner's
class with Merit Puppy Training, my owners finally got a clue how to raise an attentive,
obedient dog—believe me, they didn't know anything before they met Dawn. (I'm turning
out GREAT, by the way, if I do say so myself). And there was plenty in the class for
me, too. I sat down, I got snacks. I lay down, and I got snacks—and I learned to play
well with other dogs my age. Dawn is patient, fun and she knows how to make us part of a
happy pack."
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—Zuzu the American Staffordshire terrier as told to Carolyn Hax
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