"Otis"

The McDonnell Family - "Otis" - Jack Russell Terrier

Dear Lisa, Gretchen, Sarah and the staff at Metamora Canine Academy,

I am writing this letter to thank you for rescuing my family and me from our once-incorrigible dog, Otis. We were at the end of our rope!  Our German landlord complained about him (German’s don’t have bad dogs).  He growled at our 4 and 2 year old children.  He had to be kenneled during mealtime or he would climb onto the children’s chairs and steal their food.  He would yelp and whine in his kennel and growl if we told him to “quiet”!  We are a very social couple, and we could not have company without removing the dog from the situation.  When Otis was a puppy, he would get excited, jump, and then get over it in about 2 minutes.  After time passed, he became a danger to our company.  He growled and barked at the male visitors.  He jumped on everyone that came in.  He scared our elderly guests and child guests.  Worst of all, if anyone paid him one iota of attention, he proceeded to hump that person for the rest of the night.
I can say in earnest that without Canine Academy, Otis would not be with us right now.  He was off to a rescue, or the humane society.  My wife and I argued over him almost every day.  He was the largest source of stress in our life. My wife’s brother lives near Canine Academy and informed us about it.  We were still living overseas, so we checked it out on the internet and read the other testimonials.  We then called Lisa, and talked to her for about an hour.  We continued to think about the investment, and were doubtful Otis could be ‘fixed.’  He was, after all, 7 years old, and still a Jack Russell Terrorist.
In October of 2005, I flew back to the USA on business and brought Otis with me.  I dropped him off at  Canine Academy and bid him farewell.  That was the last time I saw my crazy Otis.  We returned to the US at the end of 2005.  We picked Otis up on my birthday, and it was the best present I have received in years.  Canine Academy returned to us a well-behaved, stress-free, joy-to-be-around Otis.
Thank you, to Lisa, Gretchen, Sarah and your staff.  You saved a dog, helped a marriage, and a family.  I say this honestly.  My life is 10-fold easier with a well-behaved Otis.  I would recommend Canine Academy to anyone who is at the end of their bad dog rope.  You accomplished what I thought to be impossible:  You fixed Otis.

"Molly"

The Chandler Family - "Molly"

“I don’t ever want to see that dog again!” I managed to get those words out in a very ragged and winded voice. True I said it out of pure frustration, after what had to be my twentieth game of chase with that dog. But despite the disappointed look on my family’s faces, I meant it. I couldn’t take that dog disrupting my life, um; I mean our lives any longer. If she wasn’t coaxing me into a game of chase by grabbing something she shouldn’t have, she was digging up fresh sod or banging at the storm doors. Oh that isn’t all. She would pull on the leash with all her might nearly separating your arm from your shoulder. And I can’t forget to mention the time she stole a steak knife from our dinner table and ran with it, nearly holding us hostage in our own home. So you see my point? She had to go. What’s that you say? She can’t be all that bad? Ok I’ll give you that. She does have a good quality; she doesn’t have an aggressive bone in her body. Alright maybe just one more, she loves me despite all my faults. But still all the rest, how could you expect me to keep her?

Well I will answer that question for you: Canine Academy. As if by some miracle we ran across a newsletter with their ad. We enrolled Molly in their Beginner Class. That was all it took for us to realize they could definitely help us. See, all this time Molly wasn’t failing me; I was failing her with my lack of knowledge and patience. Molly finished beginner training and went directly into the Off Leash Program. After completing the 6-week Off Leash Program there was an unbelievable change in her. She is still our goofy girl only now she has an ear and an eye out for us at all times. All I can say is, it was a good thing I stood my ground and didn’t let the rest of the family pass such harsh judgment on our wonderful Molly. Our lives would never have been the same without her. Psssst, don’t tell Lisa this but I would have gladly paid double for these results. We would like to personally thank everyone at  Canine Academy for your dedication to your craft. I would also like to thank my wife, Karen, who's confidence in Molly never waivered.

"Katey"

Maryanne & Jim O’Donnell - "Katey" - Shepherd  Mix

"Prior to training, our lives were filled with anxiety.  Katey would run away, not come [image 02] when called, and jumped on anyone within reach.  After completing the Off-Leash Program, Katey now has free run of our 4-acre parcel.  Now she comes every time we call her.  The best part of the training is we know she is safe.  We are forever grateful…"

"Morgan"

Jill & Marty Jamerino - "Morgan" - Chocolate Lab 

Morgan was a very “excited-hyper” dog.  We had to always put Morgan in another room when company arrived to avoid all the jumping & licking.  Then we had to hear [image 03] all the barking & scratching from the other room.  We were Morgan’s chew toys, and our clothing showed it!  Nieces & nephews never stood a chance with Morgan.  She would knock them down in excitement and leave them afraid of her.  We were never in control on our walks.  She would literally pull us for the entire walk.
In 2002, with a baby on the way, we realized we had to either get control of Morgan, or give her up.  As she is a part of our family… off to Canine Academy she went!
After the training, Morgan is a different dog.  Different in a good way…She no longer jumps on people, she walks at our side with or without a leash, she simply “hangs out” with us in the front yard, and best of all, she is a well behaved & gentle dog with our 10 month old baby boy!  We get compliments everywhere we take her on what a well-mannered dog she is.
We highly recommend the Canine Academy Off-Leash Program.

"Zoe"

The Jones Family - "Zoe" - Airedale

At 5 months old, Zoe was off to school for six weeks.  At the end of the training, she was responding to her commands on & off leash. 

We take her to parks, schools, parades, riding in the car, and lots of walks in the neighborhood.  When we leave for vacation, if she is not able to join us, she returns to  Canine Academy for boarding.  She loves it!! It’s a doggy party!!

"Dakota"

The Otzen Family - "Dakota" - Springer Spaniel

The Otzen Family - "Dakota" - Springer Spaniel
We had participated in all of the conventional training methods with Dakota; classes, private training, and invisible fencing.  Dakota has a passion for chasing anything that moves; cars, mail trucks, joggers, etc.  We feared for his life and that he would scare someone and cause injury.
Dakota’s training has been a lifesaver to us all.  It is now a pleasure to walk with him at our side instead of being pulled.  It is a pleasure to ask him to stay and know he won’t move until we call him and he comes instantly.  We learned how to be confident when we are in charge of Dakota.  We would like to thank the entire staff at Canine Academy for the training they provided Dakota & our family. Dakota was a good dog, now he is a GREAT DOG!!

"Piper"

The Soderstrom Family - "Piper" - Australian Shepherd

The Soderstrom Family - "Piper" - Australian Shepherd
There are challenges in having a dog that is smarter that the owner!!  We had gotten into a vicious circle, I couldn’t be sure she would return when she went outside, so I wouldn’t take her out unless I had family to help me.  She would beg to go outside or streak out if the door opened.  It took a lot of time to get her back.  Therefore, we would take her out less, the less exercise she got, the more mischievous she became.
After off-leash training at Canine Academy, we feel like we have the best dog in the world.  We enjoy walks without a leash.  We know she will always come when called.  The training has enabled us to take her into the nursing home to visit Mom.  We now have a gathering in the hallway of residents in wheel chairs and walkers.
Off-leash training has removed a lot of stress from our household and made our dog even more a part of the family.

"Kramer"

The Deplaunty Family - "Kramer" - Australian Silky Terrier
Kramer’s behavior improved incredibly after staying at the  Canine Academy “Summer Camp”.  His training didn’t take away any of his spunk, but helped channel it into appropriate behaviors.  He walks at our side, comes when called, and waits patiently.  He is a treasure in every way!

"Jake"

The Collins Family - "Jake" - Golden Retriever

Prior to the Off-Leash Program, we were considering giving our one-year-old Golden to anyone who would take him!  He would drag us on a leash, not come when called, and chase everything that moved.  We did the basic obedience and even had a trainer come to the house.  Nothing worked.
Jake enrolled in August of 2002 with Canine Academy.  We were re-united with a changed dog.  He is obedient to any of 11 commands.  He remains in our sight when he is outside.  His spirit remains and can be a rambunctious as ever, but responds to his commands at any time. He always accompanies us when we go anywhere during the day.
We cannot say enough positive things about the Off-Leash Program and Jake, the “Wonderful” dog.

Have a good dog? Want a GREAT dog? ™