I just wanted to update you on the progress of Harley and Daisy. It's hard to
believe that these are the same labs that were dragging me up to your front
door when we dropped them off for training. I was always so stressed out
when people came to our house because I knew that our dogs would go crazy
jumping and barking the minute the doorbell rang. We love them dearly but
their bad behavior definitely made it to where we did not have people over to
our house.
Since you've been working with them (and us), we have seen an unbelievable
change. We have always had a problem with the dogs running out the front
door to "greet" whoever was out there. On Halloween this year, we had them
on place-- I bet the doorbell rang 20 times, but they stayed all but once. Pretty
good for dogs that would NEVER listen before. We can both easily walk them
now with the heel command and my husband has even started running with
them both in the mornings. No way could he have done that before. He
would have been tangled in leashes and being dragged down the road! They
are also both more gentle and calm. Even Daisy who is loving but submissive
has always preferred Harley over us. She now seems to be more affectionate
toward us.
The best part is that they are still our dogs. They still have lots of energy and
love people but they listen now. Like a prefect version of themselves. It's
great! I just wish we would have done it sooner. We will definitely continue to
sing your praises to all our friends!
Thanks again for all your help. We really enjoy our dogs so much more now.
Brooke S.
I wanted to let you know how great it was that you worked with Jessie early
on. She has gotten to be a big girl, about 82 lbs. at her last vet visit!! If you
had not taught Jessie dog obedience as a young girl, I would have had trouble
handling her and my other large GSD at the same time. Everyone is so
impressed with her manners and how well she obeys commands. Since she
was so scared of so many things as a pup, you guided me to take her to dog
agility classes as a way to give her much needed confidence. When I am at
class, I can put her in a stay and walk the field without her leaving her spot. I
can let her run off leash at the park and she comes back when I call her. We
are now at the point that she will even leave a squirrel to return to me! She
also was starting to get into the garbage occasionally and you broke her of
that.
You also helped me work with Willie, my large 130 lb. GSD, on his dog
aggression traits. There was a time when I would not take him out in a busy
area where other dogs might be because I was afraid of the scene he might
possibly make. Now, I can take him to Petsmart and other busy places and
not be afraid of what he might do.
In fact, just last month, I took all three dogs into Petsmart at the same time and
it was wonderful. They were all so well behaved, I was so proud I almost
popped. People were able to admire my dogs and their manners. There was
another dog in the store acting up, and I heard someone say, too bad that dog
was not well behaved like the three dogs with that lady over there! Never
thought I would hear that about Willie in a place like that.
Thank you for teaching my dogs obedience and manners and giving me the
tools and time to continue that education at home. I like being able to get
together occasionally at new places to work with my dogs around other dogs
to help reinforce what they have learned. Continuing education for them and
for me!
Thanks again. When the time comes and I have to get a new pup, you can be
sure I will be bringing them to you for basic training.
Karen C.
I just wanted to thank you again for returning the sanity to our household!
Before she met you, our bichon, Prada, was very high maintenance and
stubborn. We tried, unsuccessfully, to housebreak her and to get her to stop
barking when we weren't paying enough attention to her. My husband was
even ready to give her away because he thought she was a "lost cause".
I called several friends -- owners of all different breeds of dogs -- and each
one of them recommended I call you to train Prada. After Prada returned from
two weeks of obedience school, she was a different dog! She now listens to
commands, tells us when she has to go outside, and sleeps through the night!
She still has a lot of energy, and loves to be with all of us, but she is no longer
a chore. Now she is my husband's new best friend! He can't imagine not
having her around. She is a warm and loving member of our family.
In addition, knowing that Prada is with you and your family when we go on
vacation is a real comfort as well. We know that she is in good hands and is
receiving lots of love. Whenever Prada sees you, she's so happy! She loves
spending time with the Wargos!! Certainly a far cry from when we brought her
to Petsmart before we met you!
I can't thank you enough for all you have done with Prada. I wish I had called
you earlier!!
Laurie S.
with you. Not only did he smell great and look awesome with his new weight
but he is so much more responsive. You’re a miracle worker not a trainer. He
is still my goofy boy which is what I love about him but with a more mature side
to him. Thanks again.” Karen B.
volunteers and supporters of CCF; Since Levi and I arrived in Tucson from
McKinney ten days ago, I've been trying to write you a most special letter. I
wanted to describe the emotional and spiritual experience I had during my two
weeks of training with Levi, to help you understand the depth and magnitude
of the gratitude I'm feeling for you. Every morning, after Levi and I have
returned from his half hour "Free Dog" time at our local dog park, I've been
sitting diligently in front of my computer, trying to write the thank you letter of
my life. Every morning, I've failed. The impact of your gift of Levi to me has
been life-altering. Where I once felt fear, I now feel confidence. What had once
seemed impossible is now common-place. A woman who had allowed the
challenges God had placed before her to completely define who she was, has
been replaced. I understand now that who I am as a human being has nothing
to do with the amount of pain or energy in my body. I am as fully God's
daughter as the woman juggling two careers, three children, and the
presidentship of the PTA. The Spirit shines as brightly from my heart as it
does from hers. God sees me as whole just as I am; warts and all, He loves
me as His. It took 60 hours working with a remarkable dog and a trainer in
McKinney, Texas to bring me to this understanding. It could not have
happened without your vision, your determination, your fund-raising efforts, or
your generosity of spirit and time. The gratitude I feel toward you is larger than
any I have known before. It is too big for any words in my working vocabulary
or even my thesaurus.
The only way I can think of to express my gratitude to you is by making you a
promise; a promise which I make with the same sence of sacredness as when I
made my wedding vows so long ago: I promise you I will love and care for Levi
throughout his life. I promise I will honor him in his role as my service dog. I
promise I will continue to grow in my skills as a service-team member and be
ever-mindful that Levi and I represent not only Canine Crossroads and its
mission, but the community of the "dis- abled" worldwide.
Thank you for the gift of Levi, his care and training, his amazing harness and
my own training with Karen Wargo of Cordial Canine. Thank you for making it
possible for me to start a new life with Levi by my (left!) side. And thank you,
most of all, for the vital role you played in helping me to finally see myself
through the Father's patient and loving eyes.
I am forever grateful to all of you.
With love and deep appreciation,
Joan