"Romeo"

The Douglas Family - "Romeo" Border Collie

We contacted Lisa when our Border Collie, Romeo, was about a year and a half old. At that point, we did not know were to turn. We had completed training courses elsewhere, with limited success. At one of the training facilities, he noticed the ceiling fans as soon as we walked in the door. He would bark continuously and stare at the fans for the entire course. This was not only embarassing, it was unfair to the rest of the dogs in the course. When training courses failed, I attempted to use the "Do-It-Yourself" method, which also failed miserably. With the cuteness of the puppy stage now gone, he was now a full grown dog. However, his behavior had not changed. He was now herding everyone in our family, chasing rollerbladers, bicycles, rabbits, deer...anything that moved was an understatement. We had a cat that had been down in the basement for months. It got to the point were our children's friends were afraid to come to our house. We had even resorted to a spiked choke collar to walk him on a leash. The main problem was not teaching him commands, it was getting him to obey them when his attention was focused elsewhere. After being told numerous times "He is a border collie, that is what they do", we met with Lisa and signed Romeo up for the Off-Leash program that same day. When we went to see him for the first time after his training was complete and I knew he had changed immediately when he walked into the room. He was so attentive, it was as if he had changed from a full grown puppy to a dog wise beyond his years. It has been over fours months now. We walk nearly every day in our subdivision with no leash in sight. We pass barking dogs, cars, kids, wildlife and he does not even consider leaving my side. We also take him, on-leash, to parks and downtown areas quite often. This was never even an option before. In the future, when the time comes for another dog, The Canine Academy will be one of the first places we contact to find out "How soon can we start?".
Thanks again to everyone at Canine Academy. 

The Douglas Family: Marty, Dee, Molly, Alex & Romeo

"Zoey"

Shelly Grewette–"Zoey"- Siberian Husky

Zoey was bought for me out of love.  She replaced someone very dear to me that passed.  Unfortunately, that is not always a good reason to get a dog.  I loved her so much, that she became the epitome of a spoiled rotten child (dog).  I’d tell her to “Come” and she would get a smile on her face and literally prance away.  She would stick her nose in the air and prance in the opposite direction.  Even though I would take her everywhere, she would jump on everyone.  She loves people.  I went to Bark In The Park with Zoey.  I was looking for some help.  I came across a woman who had two Huskies.  She told me about Canine Academy and the Off-Leash Program.  I was in total amazement and disbelief, but I figured I would give it a try.  Zoey was 4 years old and I wanted to do so much more with her.  I cried when I dropped her off and wanted to see her everyday that she was gone.  The weekly phone calls, and tons of pictures sent to me, helped the time go by.  I’ve had Zoey back for almost two months now.  Canine Academy was the answer to my prayers.  All the staff has been incredibly friendly and helpful.  Now I see a great [z2]  future for Zoey and me.  As they say; seeing is believing.  I know I’ll not only be able to do the things I’ve always wanted to do with Zoey, but now I’ll be able to do so much more!  She came back disciplined and craving the attention to be a great dog.  She listens so well.  I never thought a Husky could be so attentive if she wasn’t attached to a sled.  So, if you have dog that you want to be a part of your life, Canine Academy is the place.  For Zoey to actually “Come” when you call her and listen……..is truly a miracle.  Thanks Canine Academy.
Shelly Grewette

"Max"

Gabby Lawlor–"Max"- Australian Shepherd

When Max was a little puppy, he was always trying to herd things, usually people.  It was scary when we had children at our house, because when they would run and play, Max would always want to nip at their heels.  We took him to dog classes at Canine Academy to train him and he became smarter by the day—he loved learning; however, I still didn’t feel 100% comfortable taking him out in public because he would always jump on people, and if he got loose, I couldn’t guarantee that he would come back to me.  Also, whenever people came over and I would put him in a down stay, he would try army crawling to the people, and it was practically impossible to control.  
So I signed him up for the Off-Leash Program.  It was hard to be away from Max for six weeks, but when I saw how well he minded when we picked him up, I knew it was well worth the wait. Now, when we have kids over, I can call Max out of any situation and he will come running.  When people come over, I can put him in a down stay, and he is perfect; it is fun for him to be a part of the action rather than a hassle.  Because of his excellent behavior, he has been invited to come inside many places with me, when he would have, otherwise, been waiting in the car. Thanks to Canine Academy, I can take him practically everywhere with me.  Two of the events that we have been a part of as graduates of the Off-Leash Program are pet expos and parades.  I am very happy with Max’s new training—every time I tell him a command, he responds immediately.

Gabby and Max Lawlor

"Kirby"

Bob and Susan Madole–"Kirby"- Standard Poodle

Kirby was just a pup when we added him to our family, which included a 12yr old Standard Poodle named Cody.  Everything got crazy.  Kirby was in desperate need of manners.  We decided to enroll him in the Canine Beginner and Intermediate Obedience classes.  While his behavior definitely improved, we felt he was capable of much more.   Since both my husband I work full time, we had limited time to devout.  We saw dogs that had graduated from the “Off Leash” program, and were envious. The difficult decision was parting with him for the 6 week training period.  What if he didn’t remember us when the course was finished? 
All doubts were dispersed when his training was over.  Today Kirby is an obedient, very well behaved, yet still playful, young pup.   He is eager to please and earn our praise.  Cody is also appreciative as Kirby no longer ‘picks’ on him.  Civility has returned to our household!  
The best part is Canine Academy’s continued support well after Kirby’s training.  They encourage us to participate in extra off-site classes, attend pet-friendly outings, walk in parades, etc.  They realize we, the ‘parents’, need instruction and reminders on how to continue getting the most from our great dog. Enrolling Kirby at Canine Academy was one of the best things we did for him and our family.
Bob and Susan Madole

"Lola"

"Lola"- Boxer/Labrador Retriever

We came to Canine Academy because our adopted 1-year old Boxer/Labrador Retriever dog named Lola was uncontrollable.  She had boundless energy, jumped on everyone, pulled on the leash when you walked her, and would not come when she was called.  It was a big game of "chase me."  The breaking point was the day she broke free from my grip on her leash and almost got run over by a snowplow. 
After 6 weeks of training at the Canine Academy, I can't believe the difference in our dog!  Lola is completely transformed!  The dog that wouldn't listen now obeys commands!  She even comes when called!  She is such a pleasure to have around and many people complement us on our well-behaved dog.  Everyone who knew her before is so impressed!  Thank you so much Canine Academy you've made our Lola a 'Great Dog'!!!!!

"Joe Muggs"

Bruce & Susanna Te Paske – "Joe Muggs"- Bull Terrier

Joe Muggs is our first miniature bull terrier and we were not prepared for the difference in temperment from the Labs we had always had previously.  This guy was totally doing his own thing.  We couldn't even walk him on leash without him pulling.  It was a struggle.  Never mind getting him to come when called or any of the other commands that keep him safe from harm.
Thanks to Lisa and the staff at Canine Academy, we can let Joe Muggs run free on the beach here at Hilton Head and run and play with other dogs.  He responds to all the commands they taught him: Come, sit, down, stay, off, heel, etc. And most amazingly, they were able to teach us how to command him.. It is so much easier to enjoy him when he behaves and you know you can count on him behaving.   

Here he is running on the beach!

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING LISA & CANINE ACADEMY
Joe Muggs & Family!

"Cholo"

Guy & Kelly Hefferon –"Cholo"- German Shepherd

The Canine Academy is great. Our German Shepherd Dog, Cholo, was basically unmanageable before we enrolled him in the off-leash program.  He would be out of his crate for a few seconds before he would engage in mouthing, jumping up on people or furniture, or some other undesirable behavior.  Since graduating from the off-leash program we are able to enjoy our dog, really, for the first time!
Guy & Kelly Hefferon

"Bugsy"

Joyce & Steve Surchik – "Bugsy"- Silky Terrier

In May 2007 we thought we had gotten the cutest, most adorable puppy ever, thus the name "Bugsy" because he was as cute as a bug!  As this adorable, sweet puppy grew, we discovered he was really named for Bugsy Seigel, the gangster! 

He was a terrier with an attitude!  Anything and everything mischievous he'd do, including not listening to us.  His favorite game was chase - that's where we'd chase him around the house (the longest was 40 minutes) trying to get him into his kennel.  He was growing into a 10 lb. opinionated, obstinate dog ruling our house! 
We had a trainer come to the house.  After working with him for about 8 hours over a 2 week period, she felt he was un-trainable!    

My husband and I have chronic illnesses and this dog was overwhelming us!  We had heard an ad for Canine Academy and were debating about sending "our baby to boot camp".
Our final straw was Bugsy running out the door and through the neighborhood 3 times in 2 weeks.  We met with Lisa at Canine Academy and enrolled Bugsy in the Off Leash Program immediately!

Lisa made the 6 weeks without "our baby" comfortable, answering questions, keeping us updated on his progress and sending wonderful email pictures.  Upon graduation, I was amazed by his good behavior, listening ability and following commands willingly!
Bugsy "graduated" in mid November and will be 1 year old the end of February 2008.  He is still a very inquisitive terrier puppy but he is much more "adorable" because he now has manners, listens and doesn't run away!  We can enjoy our dog, company enjoys our dog, and we can take him anywhere!

Thank you Canine Academy! 
Joyce and Steve Surchik

"Cole"

The Mitchell Family – "Cole"- Labradoodle

In August 2006, a year after we put down our dog Marley, we went to a pet-a-palooza to find another “best friend”. On the way in, we saw the Canine Academy booth. We saw Cole but we didn’t think that the dogs were up for adoption. After looking at all the dogs, on the way out we asked about the dogs at the Canine Academy booth. We were told that Cole was Off Leash trained and up for adoption. We were amazed at all the commands that Cole was trained to respond to. Dawn and I were fortunate that Lisa and her staff at Canine Academy thought we were the perfect match for Cole. We would recommend the Canine Academy Off-Leash Program for anyone who wants “the perfect dog”. Cole is amazing!

Dawn & Paul Mitchell

"CARLA"

The Korldalski Family - "CARLA"- German Shepherd

CARLA was like any typical puppy – cute, cuddly, full of energy and mischievous! So very precious! As she started to get older and bigger, her demeanor started changing and we didn’t think of her as so very precious! Just like a child, she was trying to get away with as much as possible. We decided we were going to nip her latitudes right in the bud! So we decided that puppy class was the way to go. Of course, our baby girl was the star of the class. We wouldn’t have it any other way (RIGHT)!!!! Well she actually did well with the commands, especially when she knew she could get all the treats she wanted. But as quickly as time went by, so did her puppy socialization skills. We were now faced by a powering and protective doggie. She loved to go outside so she could continuously bark and growl at anybody. She loved to go for walks so she would pull and drag you around the block. Oh and heaven forbid if another dog wanted to meet and greet her, it was like demons possessed. She was getting too big, and we were afraid of losing our control over her. So one day, when Daddy came home and said “I heard an ad on the radio about this place called Canine Academy, where if you have a good dog and want a great dog™, give us a call”. We checked it out on the Internet and were greatly impressed. We decided then to call and make an appointment to discuss the Off-Leash Program.  A little nervous were we, but as soon as we met Lisa and Leah that day we immediately knew that we needed and wanted to do this for our CARLA – it was off to Puppy College, as we called it. I couldn’t wait to get my weekly update, and yes, I was told that she was the Doggie of the Week!  Oh, we can’t forget the special mail that we would anxiously wait for – loved the pictures! We were so impressed with the outcome! We ABSOULUTELY feel it was well work it!  Canine Academy told us that this training is not just a 6 week class and you’re done, it is for life! As we continue to enjoy our well trained CARLA, we continue to work with her daily and attend follow-up classes. At times, she still likes to think she can give some attitude, but with all we have learned and to continue to learn, we know just how to direct and keep our precious CARLA safe!!! We are SOOOOO very grateful to ALL at Canine Academy.

Have a good dog? Want a GREAT dog? ™