Wendy’s Testimonial
Dear Cathy:
Piper and I would very much like to thank you for your expert helping in training us both!
I rescued Piper formerly “Trinket” whose former name means “a thing of little value”. I think her former owners did think that as poor Trinket had 4 homes in 10 months and was in a high kill shelter when Second Chance Doberman rescue found her. A wonderful organization that saves hundreds of Dobermans! This was a perfectly healthy young dog and on top of that really beautiful that was to be put down. There were no Ontario Doberman females at the time, good news really, so we ended up going to Clinton Michigan for Piper.
She was a warm and friendly girl but very high energy. I had just lost my perfectly trained 13 year old Mabel Black Label and was very distressed and probably not in the right frame of mind to adopt, but adopt we did!
I soon discovered conventional obedience would not work with this Dobergirl, we had trained 4 others and she was very different from them. When I was preparing her food I found her jumping up to my eye level in her excitement. She pretty much was 3 feet off the ground at any time! Bouncing off walls and furniture literally and I was getting increasing worried about training her, when I came across the Sit Means Sit display at the Rolex Horse Show in Kentucky. I was very impressed with how quickly the dogs responded to the instruction and how happy they were in their training. Tails wagging and tongue lapping in happiness!
Shortly thereafter I called Cathy and asked for help. We were so frustrated with her that my husband actually wanted to return her which I would never do, but it was getting very stressful. She was constantly jumping us on us and I had footprints on my chest at most times as she bounced off of me regularly!
After one class with Cathy she started to calm down and after two classes I was confident enough to let her be off leash during our wilderness walks. She was staying with us with no problem and was happy doing it. She understands what I am asking her to do and she does it willingly.
Suffice to say all the training the usual easy stuff sit, stay and down were hard for this dog, who no one had ever taken the time to do with her so this method absolutely was the right one for her.
I cannot tell how pleased I am with her, I just took her into the vet’s office where two dogs were absolutely out of control and she was perfect sitting quietly while I waited and was completely in control.
I could have wept! It is such a transformation! I highly recommend this method of training to anyone especially rescue dogs that have many issues due to the lack of care they receive. It has made her life better and certainly has made ours as well.
“Well done” Sit Means Sit and especially Cathy Pote for her calm quiet approach that has helped me so much. I did not even realize I was raising my voice! Her instruction was so effective and helpful.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely
Wendy and Piper Fortin
