Oakville Dog Training

I started working with Cathy in October 2009. We have a beautiful Lab, BearB, who we adopted through a rescue at the age of 8 months. She had basic commands, was relatively easy to walk except for pulling, but with a gentle leader on, my 9 year old daughter could walk her around the block. After being with us for about 5 months, she started showing aggressiveness when out on a walk, lunging at other dogs and moving objects (joggers, kids on bikes/skateboarders). At the leash free dog park she started becoming aggressive towards small dogs and we eventually stopped bringing her there for the run that her growing legs desperately needed. She became untrustworthy outside of the house.

We have had other dogs, and currently have another Lab approaching 15. Training our other dogs never presented the challenges that BearB did.

The Sit Means Sit training methods have made all the difference for BearB. It is a method of training that works for this dog. It makes her think. She is learning control and confidence. Cathy gives you exercises to help your dog understand what it is that you are asking. If you are having difficulty with a particular task with your dog, she gives you different strategies to help you to help your dog figure out what you are asking for.

The ultimate goal is for us to have BearB’s attention at all times. If your dog knows that when you walk out the front door that they are to stay with you, and be attentive to what you might be asking, then there is then no chance that they will run out in front of a car after a squirrel that just caught their eye. They may see the squirrel, but they know that they aren’t to leave you until you say that its ok, and SAFE.

We were frustrated with BearB’s lack of respect for us, and our inability to have her do simple things like come in from the yard when we called her. We now have a dog that comes when we call her, 99.9% of the time, and one that we have been able to start playing off leash with. She still has moments when she wants to fall back to behaviour that is not acceptable, but I now have confidence that I am able to regain BearB’s attention, and have her come back to me on command. We continue to work with, teach, and help BearB gain confidence. She has made enormous strides.

We are all so much happier! BearB has gained the most from Sit Means Sit because she has become a more confident dog, and she is truly having fun learning.

Karen

Oakville Dog Training Customer