"Emma"

The Stokfisz Family - "Emma" - Cocker Spaniel

Lisa, Gretchen, and the rest of the trainers at MCA,

WE HAVE A GREAT DOG! It's been a year since Emma came home from the program and she is still a great dog. You remember Emma, cute little cocker puppy, who at 8 months old, decided to take on a husky in the Intermediate Class. Puppy with attitude! Enrolling her in the Off-Leash Program was an easy decision. We could not have a dog that could not be controlled. Your Program gave us that ability. Emma is still the cute little Cocker, but now we know to "expect" her to react and can be prepared to keep her safe. We love to be able to take Emma to the park and let her run, confident that she will come back immediately when called. What a convenience to ask her to "wait" so we can get out of the car first, without her pushing to get out of the car ahead of us. The continued Off-Leash outings that we attend with Emma are really great. Not only are they wonderful for Emma to socialize, but they also allow us to stay consistent in our responsibility to her. We tell everyone we know that has a dog that the program isn't just for dogs with attitude or behavior issues. We recommend the Program for ALL dogs and owners. The results are amazing! Thank you for teaching us know to keep Emma safe and helping her to be a better member of our family. She really was a good puppy, but now she's a great dog! 

"Minnie"

The Bowers Family - "Minnie"

We would like to express how much we appreciate all of your hard work; Minnie is doing wonderful! I didn’t think it was possible, but we love her more than ever. Having her under control has made all our lives easier. You have turned a great pet into an awesome companion (thanks to your training). Minnie will have a better life and get to see the world, since we plan on taking her most every place we go. If we were to bring another dog into our home, we would be more than happy to use you again.
Many thanks to all who helped with Minnie!

"Luke, Sara and Dylan"

The Zolno Family - "Luke, Sara and Dylan" - Lab, Retriever, and Retriever

Our precious black Labrador, Luke, was a challenge from the moment we got him at 7 weeks old.  We already had a 1 1/2 year old Golden Retriever (Sara) at home, and I was prepared for the extra work involved with two dogs, but completely unprepared for the neurotic behavior of Luke.  He suffered from separation anxiety, literally dragged me whenever on a leash, thought the word “come” meant run as fast as you can in any direction not near my owner, and couldn’t sit still for more than 30 seconds.  I went to bed exhausted every night and was ready to tear my hair out in frustration when a friend of mine told me about Canine Academy.  I was dialing the phone before he could finish his sentence.  I will always remember the first time we saw Luke after he completed his 6 week off-leash training.  I cried, not only because I was so happy to see him, but because I knew not only his life, but mine had been changed dramatically.  He was obedient, perfectly trained and a complete joy to be around.  We were so shocked and impressed, that within one month, we brought our Golden Retriever, Sara, in for the Off-Leash Program and currently have our third dog, a Golden Retriever named Dylan, in the Program.  We would never have considered getting a third dog if it weren’t for the training at Canine Academy. We now have 3 dogs under 3 years old and when you enter my house, you wouldn’t even know they are there. I have been through training programs with other dogs I have had through the years, but no one has had the abilities of the staff at Canine Academy.  Their continued support after your dog comes home makes the transition easy and comfortable for you and will give you the confidence you need to maintain the training they have given your dog.  I want to thank the entire staff at Canine Academy, particularly Lisa and Gretchen, for everything they have done and continue to do for us and our dogs.

"Gracie"

Colleen and Dave Matthews - "Gracie" – Lab Mix

Proven, unbelievable results – that’s what Canine Academy will provide. We saw them in action at the Rochester Holiday Parade: over a dozen dogs representing various breeds and mixes, no leashes at the time, all obeying their owners. That compelled us to look into the Program and we can honestly say we’re not sure who got the most out of the Off-Leash Program: Gracie or us. You’ll often hear Canine Academy talk about confidence and safety – it’s true. Gracie was the most skittish dog: afraid of people, terrified by pretty much everything. We knew the possibilities, but were absolutely stunned by the realty! Before, the two of us had to chase and sandwich our dog between our garage and fence to get her in the house. Now, we just say her name or give a command and she comes running. Before, Gracie would act aggressively towards the mailman and timid when new friends would come over. Now, we tell her to lie on her mat and she stays there calmly. The trainers walk you through what you need to know and provide follow up classes where you’ll discuss additional situations others have encountered, so you’ll know how to respond. We even called Lisa the first week we had Gracie back and she walked us through a situation over the phone (talk about service and guaranteeing success)! It wasn’t Gracie’s fault – we just needed to understand how to guide her. This program is an investment, but the only regrets we have is that we didn’t bring her sooner and that we foolishly took her to basic obedience elsewhere. Our former trainer used techniques we weren’t comfortable with, while Canine Academy takes a positive reinforcement approach. Your dog will truly be treated like one of trainers’ dogs and we can see the excitement in Gracie each time we go back. Seeing is believing … if you’re on the fence, come see the Canine Academy dogs in action. We’re so pleased that we’ll be back with our next dog and the one after that!

"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!!

Have a good dog? Want a GREAT dog? ™