New Dogs - Old Trix

Susan trained my female Rottweiler 2 1/2 years ago. Since then I have kept in touch by going as often as possible on the Sunday pack walks. My dog's problem was attacking cats and some small dogs. When my dog killed a cat I knew I needed help. Susan taught me how to get control in those kinds of situations, and since then there has not been one incident. Since the training, Susan has kept involved in the progress of my dog. If I had a problem, she told me how to solve it. One of the reasons I chose Susan from among the other trainers was the Sunday pack walk. That has been a wonderful experience for both me and my dog. My dog has had experience getting to know many other dogs, of all sizes, and Susan can see if my dog needs correction of some type and always works to get the problem solved. One thing I would stress if you are thinking of getting your dog trained: you have to follow up or the dog will probably revert to his or her old ways. Going into the training I had the mistaken idea that the trainer would automatically fix everything for good. It doesn't work that way, unfortunately. If I am doing something that allows or maintains the behavior, I must change too or the old situation will elicit the old behaviors. Susan, with unbelievable patience, has watched me and told me what I need to do to keep my dog trained. I now have a dog who gets comments all the time about how well-trained she is. I credit Susan entirely for that.

This is going to be a long one, but worth reading! I have an "extra-large" standard poodle (Mr. Knightly), now 2 years old, who is sweet, lovable, and smart. As a puppy, I thought I could train him myself, but as he grew leaps and bounds daily, I had difficulty controlling him. So I hired a puppy trainer in Chicago, who did teach him to walk on a leash, but he still chased any critter in site and was unfriendly with people and other dogs. When he was 1 year old, I moved to Tucson for the winter (2016) and enrolled him in a two week, intensive training program in Sierra Vista. Yes, after that he followed basic commands, walked well on a leash, and completely avoided other dogs and people, but he had lost his spark and personality. Wanting my dog back, I didn't follow through with the harsh treatment he had received at Sierra Vista. So, of course, his "not-so-great" behaviors returned. Back in Tucson this winter (2017), I found (though the recommendation of a friend) New Dogs - Old Trix. Reluctant at first to put him in another intensive training program, after meeting Susan, the owner and trainer, I was optimistic. She seemed extremely knowledgeable, was friendly, yet very professional, the environment seemed right and my dog, now weighing almost 80 pounds, I had to do something. The training program with Susan at New Dogs - Old Trix was, in a word, outstanding. Not only did she succeed in eliminating all of his "not so great" behaviors, like jumping on people, pulling on the leash, chasing every critter in site, being aggressive toward other dogs and humans, she did it with love and grace, wanting the best for my dog. She provided daily updates on how he was doing, with phone calls and video clips, invited me to join in training (which I did), used positive techniques (i.e., treats for positive behavior rather than negative blasts of electric current for unwanted ones), and encouraged play with her own dogs (who are lovely). She took him to stores and restaurants, where is learned to behave like a human! Training is now finished, and my giant poodle is not only as lovable and sweet as he always was, he also is well behaved. On our walks every day (usually off leash on Tucson trails, walking only a few feet in front of me as he was trained to do), he ignores the lizards, always checks back to see where I am and, if I stop, he runs toward me with passion. I am so, so grateful to Susan. She is, indeed, an expert trainer and if your dog is having any issue like mine did, I recommend her most highly!

Susan was great with our dogs... She Trains only one dog at a time and DEVOTES herself completely to that dog. They live with her 24/7 ( in a beautiful house ) and enjoy not only her company but that of her own dogs.Once she trains your dog they become part of her extended pack . She stays in touch and is available for advice whenever needed . I reccomrnd her to any one who wants a better behaved / trained dog. Anne Carroll Tucson Az