Debbie Hubbard,

PJ & Tara

  If anyone had told us we could have control on our dogs a year ago, we would never have believed them. Working with Lisa to build a stronger more positive relationship with our dogs has been nothing short of a wonderful experience. 

 

  In only one session each, we saw our two (yes, two) problem children, well behaved and under control. This happened with nothing more than a no non-sense approach to recognizing needs based in their personalities individual behaviors. There was no form of physical correction, no snapping the leash, no choke collars, no reprimanding, absolutely no negative forms of intimidation. I was, and to this day, am still, amazed! 

All Lisa's techniques are based on balanced training, understanding learning, and positive reinforcement. Reward the good behavior. We started working with Lisa because two of our three dogs have issues with fear and anxiety. 

​

  Tara, our mixed breed had become aggressive toward both people and other animals. I thought she was just being protective of me. 

​

  Our youngest sheltie, PJ, became hyper, barking uncontrollably and spinning himself in circles. I thought these were sheltie (or herding?) traits. Lisa explained to us that it was due to anxiety. We had tried for years to regain control yet no matter what we tried to do, our efforts were not successful. This left us even more frustrated. 

 

  We eventually stopped exposing them to situations that would bring out this negative behavior, so their outings became very restricted and minimal. It just got to be too much to deal with, even though we knew that by taking away that exposure, we were actually adding to the negative behavior. It was just easier. We were up against a wall because we take them everywhere with us, they are very well traveled dogs. Now we found ourselves leaving them home more on day outings or back in the hotel room when we took trips. This is definitely not how we wanted our companions, or us for that fact, to live. Our original plan was actually for PJ to go to Lisa, but decided after seeing so much change, so quickly, in him... that maybe Tara would benefit as well. I ended up taking Tara the first time for a one-on-one session with Lisa. Little did I know what a life changing experience it would turn out to be. Yes, I said life changing! Mostly for me! Turns out, I was the one who needed the training not my dogs! Lisa has a wonderful no nonsense, tactful method of maintaining control of the dogs. Had I not seen this myself, I would never have believed it. It was so simple, all this time that THIS was all it would have taken? 

​

   It was then I realized that my emotions travel directly down the leash and into them. So come to find out, it wasn't the dog that had the problem, it was me. By the end of our session, Lisa had turned our relationship from head-butting to teamwork. I cannot put into words what a great feeling that was. One just has to experience it. We continued on with our training on our own, it was a joy. 

 

   Then we decided to try the weightpulling that Lisa offers. Once again to our amazement, our dog was a confident, happy dog! We walked in to a room full of strangers and dogs and her behavior was perfect. Here was a dog who would have lunged at any stranger or animal that crossed her path, and she didn't make a sound, entered with ease, and was content with her extremely unfamiliar surroundings for the remainder of the day! She did well with pulling too. The next day I took her to our camp for a walk in totally unfamiliar territory (we just got it) and I walked her on an unfamiliar dirt road where there are many scents for her to follow and explore. She stayed right by my side, never pulled once. Again, I was so amazed that I looked down at her and asked her "who are you and what did you do with Tara?" I had never enjoyed her as much as I did that day I felt like the entire dynamics of our relationship had changed and it did, with me doing most of the changing. 

  

   Now PJ was a completely different situation. He is our screamer. Yes, that is what I said... he doesn't just bark, he screams. It is enough to give anyone, without a strong heart, a heart attack when he does it unexpectedly. Which is pretty much all the time. He was actually the one we were most concerned with when we first spoke to Lisa, so I took PJ for a private session with first, and once again, another dog, another tantrum. But after applying what we learned, PJ was walking like a show dog! The change was so fast! I could hardly believe my eyes.

​

   Lisa also suggested we try the weightpulling. We had never heard of this, but thought it would be worth a try. 

  We went out and bought (a properly fitted harness, and) a plastic sled, and PJ now has his outdoor chores, picking up sticks, helping me plant flowers. I hook him up and he goes to work. His attention is focused and he is working! Serving a purpose. The transformation is incredible! It took all that energy and instead of releasing it in a negative way (screaming and spinning), he releases it through working. And at the same time is building his confidence. 

​

   Distraction, positive reinforcement and a sense of purpose, we found, are the best forms of training. And that is exactly the theory Lisa uses in her classes. I had looked for 2+ years for this type of training, something that went beyond the normal "sit and stay" methods. 

   

  Lisa works with personalities, yours and your dogs to build a strong dynamic working relationship where they aren't just little robots that do what you tell them, they can do it with enthusiasm and pride. You can see it in their eyes. I only wish I had found her 10 years ago! The other thing that amazes me is that even if I slack in their training and they start to act up, when I start to reinforce the positive behavior, they pick it right up. 

  I know... they are just furry children who will say, "Hey, we got away with that! Now lets try this!"