Canine Connection Monthly Member

Holly I am writing to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done for MacDuff. First of all, I am NOT a dog trainer. Prior to MacDuff, I had trained exactly one other dog to do a little bit of Rally Obedience. When that first sweet little Cavalier was unable to compete due to health issues, I thought a puppy would be a great idea. I was absolutely unprepared for what I got in MacDuff. He was the most impulsive, reactive dog I had ever seen. He lunged, growled and barked at anything that moved, stole and ate anything that wasn't nailed down and tormented our older dog nonstop. I was desperate when I found you on the internet. The change in MacDuff was immediate and he has made slow steady progress since then. Playing the games gave him confidence and helped him learn to handle distractions. Your encouragement helped me to understand that he was stressed and how to ease that stress by managing his environment. The workshop on reactivity was a game changer, but most importantly, your individual attention to my questions gave me the information and confidence I needed to do what was truly best for this little guy, quitting classes that were too stressful for him and declining other trainers' suggestions for "balanced training" which requires leash corrections and ear pulling, amongst other things.
By spring, I put MacDuff in his first obedience trial. He was totally a rockstar in a strange place around hundreds of other dogs and people. I had the tools to keep him calm and knew how to read his cues and give him a break when needed. You will laugh to know that he started to loose focus and sniff during his first run and I was able to refocus him by playing "apples, oranges and bananas". He scored 95/100 and I got a very strange look from the judge!
MacDuff has just finished his first season in the obedience ring. He trialed 12 times and not only qualified each time but scored high enough in all trials to earn an invitation to the Rally Nationals in 2022. He has also earned multiple Fast CAT and trick dog titles. He just turned 18 months. Most importantly, I wish you could see how happy he is. His tail never stops wagging and he pesters me nonstop for one more tug game, one more ball throw, one more "treat" for a "trick". He has learned to be gentle with our older Cavalier and generously shares my lap with him. We are truly a team with a bond that I never thought possible a year ago - beyond 5 stars. Thank you again for all you have done for us and no doubt countless others, for bringing out the best in ourselves and our blessed little "fur" ever companions.

-Suzanne & MacDuff