GOOD DOG! - DOG TRAINING

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BRUSKI...HAVE PACK, WILL TRAVEL!

 

Karen,

 

Where do I begin!  When we came to you with our “little” Bruski we weren’t quite sure what to expect, then we met you!!

                                                                             

We were impressed from the first “parents” only class and then when Bruski met you, he immediately knew he had a friend for life!!!  Every week he could hardly contain himself in the car once he figured out where he was going and who he was going to see, and I am sure that you remember well his speaking up throughout the entire class letting you know how he was feeling and making every attempt to make sure you knew he was there!

 

Throughout the months we saw marked improvement in his behavior.  Granted he did have a bit of an issue with talking while others were talking, but overall he was improving quickly!  When you suggested the backpack, I never thought he would wear it, but you assured us he would as you strapped it to his back!  HE LOVES HIS PACK!!!  If we so much as pick it up, he thinks it is time to go!

 

As you have written in your blogs Shelly, Bruski and I have relocated back up to RI, where I grew up, and we have continued working with him and helping his development.  He has come SO far from the first time that we brought him to class!  Upon arrival here in RI he met 2 new dogs (Teddy – Labradoodle, and Chewy – Mix) and they were instant pack mates!  They would play 9+ hours per day, taking breaks to nap together on the couch! 

 

Bruski has quickly adjusted to his new surroundings and is thriving in the colder weather!!  He goes bonkers when we go to the beach, I strap on the Rollerblades, we take him to the park at the lighthouse, the list goes on and on for his “Favorite Places”!  He truly just enjoys meeting new people and being the center of attention!!

 

We feel that we owe Bruski’s behavioral improvements to GOOD DOG!!  You single-handedly showed us the ropes to getting our fast growing Swissy under our control and you did it with true love and passion for Bruski!  More times than not, I think you were in cahoots with Bruski to train Shelly and I, instead of the other way around!!!

                                                                                                                                                  

Karen, Shelly, Bruski and I Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for being who you are and for caring so much about what you do!!!  We truly wish that you were still close by so we could bring him back to some classes for a visit!!  You and he formed such a close bond that I am sure that 5 years from now, should you pass him on the street, you might get pounced on and licked until you were drenched!!!!  THANK YOU AGAIN AND IT WAS AN HONOR & PRIVILEGE TO ATTEND YOUR CLASSES!!!!!

 

Sincerely,

Sean, Shelly & Mr. Bruski

 

 

PS: Bruski would like to say HELLO to all of his old Classmates from the Brawley’s Backyard Backpack Bunch!!!!!!  He misses playing with all of you!!!!!

 

Note:  Sean, thank you and Shelly for the kind words.  First of all, I want to congratulate both of you, on your good news.  Bruski will love having a baby around the house!  He was meant to grow up with kids!  As for "THE MAN!", I don't have to tell you how Bruski touched my heart from the minute I saw him.  Even though I did have to compete with him in class, he did make some valid points.  You should know, we all miss him, and his name pops up at all the Brawley's DOGGIE SOCIALS.  Bruski has become a legend.   I'm sorry you aren't around to pop into class now and then.  Oh, by the way, Gizmo, the little Shih Tzu, who was in Bruski's class dropped by Saturday morning and jumped right in.  He is doing so well...it's obvious his people are working with him too.  He had a great time.  He even joined us after class, at the Brawley's DOGGIE SOCIAL.  I promise, the next time I "go home", seeing Bruski will be on my must-do list.  K-  10/17/08    GO RED SOX!!!

 

CHARLIE AND I HAVE DEVELOPED A SPECIAL BOND!

 

Thanks for the email guys! Hey Carol, where is that picture of Charlie snuggling up to you? I have been meaning to send you guys a note. Charlie is anxious to get back to work. Now that the weather is cooling off, we would like to do one more class then go for his CGC. I have not let him totally slack off, we still work a couple days a week on his obedience then go for a jog or bike ride which is his reward, he loves to run! Heeling the whole time of course.. Charlie and I have developed a special bond that I have never had with any other dog before, and I owe it all to you two. We can comunicate with voice,eyes, body position and hand signals. It's hard to believe he is the same dog that almost got kicked out of your class six months ago for his agressive behavior. I am lucky to have him in my pack. So, let me know when we can join another class. Sincerly, Gretchen Hansen & Charlie   9/26/08

 

Note:  Here it is Gretchen!  Whodda thunk!!!  We are so happy to hear you are pleased with Charlie's progress.  You deserve all the credit...GOOD DOG! just showed you how to do it.  We tell all our students, you will be surprised what you dog will do for you...all YOU have to do, is show them how.  We will all go out to celebrate, when Charlie earns his AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate.  We have "penciled" you in for next month.  Looking forward to working with you and Charlie again. 9/26/28

 

 

GOOD DOG!'S MOST JUNIOR TRAINER

Kids are never too young to learn how to be ALPHA!

Two year old Olivia B., from Julington Creek, FL, teaching her dog Buddy, to "FOCUS!"

Click:

http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j183/AmyBolick/?action=view&current=MVI_6787.flv

 

THANK YOU 2X

 

Annie and Jeannie just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for teaching them how to be good doggies!  They are continuing to make progress, especially when I tell them to stay.  Annie is very close to getting down for a treat.  She'll allow me to pull her legs forward and then she'll stay in the down position (for a few seconds!)  They both seem to be less agressive toward other animals including dogs, cats, ducks and geese while we take our evening walks.  Annie is even playing chase with Jeannie.  At three+ years old; I am so glad to finally see her actually playing.

 

I am making a $100 donation to Pet Rescue North in your name for all your assistance in their training.  Annie and Jeannie were rescued through their website, and Peggy has been so helpful on many occasions.

 

Thank you!

 

Marianne Winslow

 

Note:  Marianne, thank you for the generous gift.  We know PetRescue North can sure use it!  It was a pleasure working with you, your grandchildren Mary and John, and of course "THE GIRLS".  Annie and Jeannie have come a long way...keep up working with them, especially the socialization.  GOOD DOG! 6/26/08

A NEW AND IMPROVED BUDDY!

May 30, 2008

This success story is long over due!   I think I’ve waited so long to write it because I’m still a bit

overwhelmed by the success of our dog, Buddy, the rescue Beagle, who we thought might be a

hopeless case!  I wasn’t sure how I’d ever put into words where he came from and where he is now!

Casually looking on Petfinder.com we found “Buddy” a stray beagle who was found at I-10 and

Casset Avenue.  He had gentle eyes, just like our previous dog (Cooper) who we had lost to

cancer.  I had to go look at him.  He was the sweetest dog and I felt some odd magnetism

to him and those eyes, as if somehow when Cooper was on his way to heaven, he sent an

angel down to watch over his family. Needless to say, this angel, Buddy, was for us.

SO WE THOUGHT!  Buddy must’ve never lived in a home before. It was like he’d been

in a jungle and then had to live among civilized people!  We’d turn our back and he’d be

walking across our kitchen table. If you were sitting in a chair he’d suddenly just jump over

the back of it and land in your lap!  I even caught him standing in the KITCHEN SINK licking

plates! He was “sort of” potty trained.  We couldn’t give him access to the whole house without

us being present for fear he’d tear up something or hike his leg on the furniture.  These are

just a few of his “behavior issues”.  Sadly, the poor dog also had “emotional issues” too. 

He had clearly been abused.  Everything scared this poor helpless dog.  If we moved suddenly

he would cower and urinate.  If he heard a loud noise, he’d run with his tail tucked.  If we

raised our hand just to pick up something he’d tuck his tail and urinate.  It broke our hearts. 

Anytime my husband tried to give this dog affection the dog would urinate on my husband. 

That made Buddy a bit challenging for my husband to interact with.  On top of all of that,

after life on the streets and having to fend for himself, he was scared to death of other dogs.

You put all of this all together and it’s not a pretty picture.

This dog needed some help! There were MANY times I thought we were crazy for keeping

him, but there was no way I could turn this dog back to a rescue or foster care.  Why

would anyone adopt him if they knew of all of his “issues”?! It wouldn’t be fair to him,

and, on top of that our daughter, Sophie was in love with him!  We were committed to him.

Thanks to Karen, at GOOD DOG!, Buddy IS a new dog! At the first class with

GOOD DOG! Buddy was scared to death.  He watched from the side a lot with this

tail tucked and his eyes full of fear.  With each class he gradually warmed up to the

environment.  He learned some basic commands.  I was beginning to see some hope for

him AND us!  After a few more classes it occurred to me that life with Buddy was

no longer like having a flying squirrel in the house!  He was learning and he was becoming a

GOOD DOG!  It is very hard to summarize this transformation.  But it happened.  He’s not

perfect, but he is a completely different dog in many ways!

However, what myself, Sophie, and Karen really longed to see was Buddy “playing” with other

dogs.  His fear of other dogs made us nervous to take him on walks.  We hated it when another

dog would greet him and he would growl or try to snap at them if they got too close. Karen

encouraged Sophie and I to continue to bring Buddy to classes for socialization purposes. 

I thought she was nuts.  I thought he would growl at all the “nice” dogs and bite someone and then

I’ll feel horrible.  She promised that socialization was the only way he would get better. 

Guess what!?  She was right!  Gradually we saw him start to carry himself differently and even

wag has tail when he saw other dogs playing, but he still wouldn’t join in.  

Last fall, Buddy completed a 4^th class and finally was “playing” with other dogs – PLAYING!

Buddy was playing!  It brought tears to my eyes to see this dog wagging his tail and being a

normal dog!  I wanted to give up on him so many times, but I just couldn’t. There was a

reason we had him and I knew he was meant for us.  

Now Buddy IS a GOOD DOG! and loves learning commands. Sophie enjoys working with him on a

daily basis. Karen always made our classes fun!  We cannot thank her enough for the transformation

we’ve seen with Buddy!  I recommend GOOD DOG! to everyone I see who has a dog dragging them

down the sidewalk!  There IS hope – if Buddy turned out okay, so can ANY other dog!!!

Thanks Karen!

Amy & Sophie Bolick – AND BUDDY

(& Brent…who no longer gets peed on!)

Note:  Thank you Amy for the credit with Buddy's transformation. 

Fact is, you, Sophie, and Buddy deserve the accolades, for all the

faith, commitment and hardwork you put into making Buddy see,

it's fun being a dog, even more fun, being a GOOD DOG!   The

day I met the three of you, all I saw was a dog afraid of the world,

and two people who loved him with all their hearts.  I knew Buddy was not going to be an over-night

success story, but I also saw the hope in your eyes, and determination in your voice, to help that sad,

quivering Beagle get a second chance for a safe, happy life. 

You and Sophie proved to me, you were commited to give it your best shot.  That is when I decided, 

so would GOOD DOG!  I would like to thank all the people who were in those classes

with Buddy.  Humans and dogs alike, saw Buddy needed their support and encouragement.  Everyone

two and four-legged, did their best, to show Buddy he was safe and among friends.  Buddy has won a

special place in my heart...Buddy is a GOOD DOG!

GOOD DOG! 5/31/08

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